The Lumberjack -- February 6, 2020

THE LUMBER JACK

FEB. 6, 2020 – FEB. 12, 2020

“I’M NOT RESIGNING” PAGE 4

Online at JackCentral.org

From the Editor

W

orking is my way of forgetting about the negatives in life. Ever since my first job, I realized how much I enjoyed having a job that would distract me from negativity I deal with.

Although working is not fun at times, I realize how lucky I am to even have a job. In other countries, women do not have the opportunity to work, but I am grateful I have the chance to do so.

Before being a student employee at NAU, my first job was working at the store my friend Andrea’s dad owns. I am from a small town, so whenever someone looks for a job it usually doesn’t work out unless someone has a connection with a business owner.

After failing to find a job during high school, Andrea asked me if I wanted to work at her dad’s store because he needed another employee.

I don’t think Andrea or her dad, Francisco, will ever understand how grateful I am to them for giving me the opportunity to have a job back home.

I have been working at their store, Los Cántaros, since 2017. Los Cántaros is a store that I know like the back of my hand now. It is filled with colorful Mexican pottery, glassware, clothing, Day of the Dead statues and many more unique NAYOMI items that are all made in Mexico. It’s a store someone must visit if they are ever GARCIA in Tubac, Arizona.

Working at Los Cántaros has transformed me into a more responsible ASSISTANT person.

I learned how to run the store by myself, stock merchandise and meet CULTURE EDITOR the customer’s expectations. I still work at the store when I go back for breaks, and I look forward to working at the store again during my next break from school.

When I began attending NAU fall 2018, I found a job working at Subway at the du Bois Center.

I was excited to work while attending school, but my first day there was terrible. I remember I couldn’t wrap the sandwiches properly and I even dropped two sandwiches within my first week.

Even though I don’t like working at Subway nearly as much as I like working back home, I do not regret working while being a student. Being a student employee has made college a better experience.

Sometimes I get overwhelmed with having to work and also having assignments to do, but working has made it easier for me to manage my time wisely.

For me, work is my distraction when I am struggling. I encourage you to find something that distracts you from whatever negativity you may be feeling. Life is too short to focus on the negatives, and we can all use positivity in our lives.

“It is hard to be told that you are wrong about something that you believe in so much.”

–Breanna Fimbres, chair of the Green Jacks

Thank you for reading.

Illustration By Christian Ayala

THE LUMBERJACK VOL. 109 ISSUE 4

Editor-in-Chief Bailey Helton Faculty Adviser David Harpster

Phone: (928) 523-4921 Fax: (928) 523-9313 Lumberjack@nau.edu P.O. Box 6000 Flagstaff, AZ 86011

Director of Digital Content Managing Editor Copy Chief Senior Reporter Sabrina Proffitt Sebastian Moore Brady Wheeler Sports Adviser Sales Manager Photo Adviser Print Chief Rory Faust Marsha Simon Taylor Mahoney Bella Valenzuela

Media Innovation Center Editorial Board Op-Ed Editor Director of Social Media Online News Editor Caitlin Burke Ray Anne Galzote Shannon Degrange Asst.

Op-Ed Editor Features Editor Ryan Dixon News Editor Ash Lohmann Sports Editor Scout Ehrler Asst. Features Editor David Church Asst. News Editor Jacob Meyer Asst. Sports Editor Karin Johnson Cameron Richardson Culture Editor Director of Circulation Nathan Manni Online News Editor Anel Lamadrid Senior Reporter Asst. Culture Editor Asst. Dir. of Circulation Trevor Skeen Nayomi Garcia Micah Meehan

2

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

Director of Illustration Madison Cohen Asst. Dir. of Illustration Aleah Green Director of Photography Morgan Fisher Asst. Dir. of Photography Bess Valdez Senior Photographer Shannon Swain Director of Multimedia Shawn Patti

On the cover Rita Cheng addresses a letter calling for her resignation, Jan. 29.

Shannon Swain| The Lumberjack

Corrections & Clarifications Last week’s story “Finding a new home in Flagstaff” the sentence “Being on the big screen is almost every child’s dream and Sanj was meant to be in that spotlight,” was attributed to women’s basketball head coach Loree Payne. These were the words of the writer, not Payne.

The Lumberjack is committed to factual correctness and accuracy. If you find an error in our publication, please email Bailey Helton at brs289@nau.edu.

PoliceBeat Jan. 27 At 12:10 a.m., an RA at the Honors College called to request assistance for a student who had an anxiety attack.

NAUPD responded, but the student refused transport to FMC. At 9:33 a.m., staff at the HLC reported the odor of something being burned on the second floor. NAUPD responded, and the odor was determined to be burnt toast from the Green Scene CafĂŠ.

were criminally deferred for disturbing the peace.

Jan. 29 At 4:22 p.m., a student at McConnell Hall called to report the theft of their bicycle.

NAUPD responded and took a report.

At 9:05 p.m., a thirdparty alarm company called to report an intrusion alarm at the Biological Sciences Annex.

NAUPD responded, and the cause of the alarm was from accidental activation by a staff At 11:58 a.m., staff at member. the HLC reported a subject had passed out. NAUPD Jan. 30 responded, but the student At 1:35 a.m., a resident at refused medical transport to SkyView apartments reported FMC and was given a police being disturbed by a loud assisted ride to The Standard. party. NAUPD responded, but no criminal activity was At 10:04 p.m., a student witnessed. at McKay Village called to request assistance for a friend At 8:07 a.m., a staff who was making suicidal member at Cline Library called threats. NAUPD responded, to report criminal damage. and the student was located, NAUPD responded and took put in contact with an on-call a report. counselor and was approved to stay with a friend.

At 12:45 p.m., a staff member at the HLC called Jan. 28 to report a suspicious person.

At 10:28 a.m., NAUPD NAUPD responded, and recieved an emergency call the subject was identified from an elevator at the and complied with officer Communication building. instructions to leave the area.

NAUPD responded and the area was searched, but no At 7:19 p.m., an RA criminal activity was witnessed. at Sechrist Hall called to report the odor of marijuana.

At 11:43 a.m., an officer NAUPD responded, and one reported assisting FPD with student was criminally deferred a shoplifting incident off for possession of marijuana. campus. One non-student was contacted.

Jan. 31 At 12:40 a.m., NAUPD At 2:36 p.m., a student reported hearing a disturbance called NAUPD with questions of the peace at the intersection regarding suspicious emails. of San Francisco Street and Information was provided.

University Drive. One nonstudent was arrested and At 11:31 p.m., an RA at booked into Coconino County Cowden Hall called to report Detention Facility (CCDF) for two students arguing. NAUPD attempted felony theft and responded, and two students criminal damage.

Compiled by Ray Anne Galzote

At 11:01 a.m., a resident hall director at McKay Village called to report a student that had pushed another student.

NAUPD responded, and both students were deferred for disturbing the peace.

At 2:06 p.m., a student at Reilly Hall called to report that her car was egged. NAUPD responded, but there was no damage to the vehicle.

At 2:25 p.m., a student at Gabaldon Hall called to report being stalked. NAUPD responded and took a report.

Feb. 1 At 1:16 a.m., an RA at Sechrist Hall called to report an odor of marijuana. NAUPD responded, and one student was criminally deferred for use of marijuana and another student will be charged with possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, narcotic drugs and other dangerous drugs pending lab results.

At 11:56 a.m., a student at Hilltop Townhomes called to report damage to items received in the mail. NAUPD responded and took an information-only report.

Feb. 2 At 1:08 a.m., an RA at Wilson Hall called to report damage to a paper towel dispenser. NAUPD responded, but there was no damage and the dispenser had not been installed properly. Staff will contact maintenance.

At 3:33 p.m., staff at Tinsley Hall reported a disturbance.

NAUPD responded, and one student was arrested and booked into CCDF for disorderly conduct.

FEBRUARY 6, 2020 – FEBRUARY 12, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

3

NEWS

Cheng: “I’m not resigning” Brady Wheeler

S

tudents and faculty across campus called for NAU President Rita Cheng to resign in a letter two weeks ago.

Cheng responded to the letter, which was published on social media Jan. 22.

“I’m not resigning,” Cheng said in an exclusive interview. “The issues that are raised are either old or not factual.”

The #RitaResign Coalition At the start of the semester, NAU Young Democrats began a campaign calling for Cheng to resign following an audit, which revealed approximately $40,000 of improperly documented travel expenses. Ultimately, this campaign culminated in an open letter being circulated on social media, officially establishing the group as the #RitaResign Coalition.

The bipartisan letter addressed to Cheng was signed by the Young Democrats club, College Republicans club, congressional candidate Eva Putzova and a few other NAU organizations, including the Associated Students for Intersectional Feminism and Civic Engagement Club.

The letter not only addressed concerns related to the state audit, but cited an assortment of other concerns including increased tuition cost, reduced funding for counseling and health services, and Cheng’s dismissal of university “safe spaces.” The students brought up that these issues have resulted in a toxic and deceitful environment.

“The Flagstaff community, students, faculty and staff of NAU continue to experience unsustainable expansion, tuition hikes, pay cuts and overall degradation of our beloved academic institution,” the letter states.

Following the release of the letter, a number of other groups on campus undersigned the letter via a Google survey released by the NAU Young Democrats. As of Jan. 30, the number of signatures was close to 150.

Cheng held a meeting for student leaders Jan. 27, which members of the aforementioned clubs were invited to, but none accepted.

Although the #RitaResign Coalition believed they were the only people invited to the meeting, nearly 40 student leaders, including those from ASNAU, attended.

“We expected to be threatened in that meeting, and the administration wasn’t open to

4

changing the time of the meeting so we could bring a lawyer and some adult advocates,” NAU Young Democrats Vice President Sage Taylor wrote on NAU’s public Reddit forum.

A total of seven students from the coalition were asked to meet with the president but responded with a letter that demanded an open forum, not a closed-door meeting.

“Open dialogue is a necessary part of change. While we understand why this invitation was extended, the seemingly closeddoor nature of the proposed meeting, to which the #RitaResign Coalition was invited, is clearly an attempt to silence the movement,” the letter stated.

NAU Young Democrats President Calli Jones said the trust between Cheng and students is beyond repair. Jones also said she will continue to unify the campus in opposition to Cheng’s leadership.

Addressing Cheng’s travel, Jones said she is concerned about the amount of money that was called into question, referring to the $40,000 as “a lot of money to misuse.” She is also unhappy with Cheng choosing to fly business- and firstclass, arguing that Cheng should only purchase

coach tickets when flying on state dollars.

“There’s a lot of questions on transparency,” Jones said. “Students want to know where their money is going.”

Jones described the decision to organize the letter as a simple process. The NAU Young Democrats decided on the day the audit was released that they wanted to advocate for answers on behalf of students.

Jones said the group was happy to have the NAU College Republicans support the letter because Cheng’s leadership concerns transcend politics and affect all students equally.

“I hope that I can sit down with the leaders that sent that letter. I have not had the opportunity yet,” Cheng said.

The coalition continues to demand Cheng’s resignation. If Cheng does not resign, the letter asks that the Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) conducts a “full and complete” audit of Cheng’s expenses for the last 5 1/2 years.

Faculty Senate President Gioia Woods called for an external audit of the NAU Foundation to “restore confidence in the institution” during a Jan. 27 Faculty Senate meeting.

NAU President Rita Cheng talks to The Lumberjack reporters about the audit and pressures to resign from the #RitaResign coalition Jan. 29. Shannon Swain | The Lumberjack

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

Cheng responds In the wake of the viral letter and formation of the #RitaResign Coalition, Cheng addressed individual concerns in an attempt to clear the air.

One of the primary concerns raised by students is Cheng’s recent trip to Russia, as noted by the audit. NAU reimbursed Cheng $30,641 for both business- and first-class tickets used over the course of the trip, as well as two replacement business-class tickets.

Cheng said international travel incurred by the university president is expensed through the Center for International Education (CIE). The CIE exists to “promote all things international,” per NAU’s website, encompassing international admissions, education abroad and incorporating a global perspective into university programs.

Cheng contends that the trip to Russia was advantageous to long-term university relations abroad. The purpose of the trip was to visit Russian universities to discuss opportunities for various schools across the NAU campus.

“We identified right away that the audit didn’t question the intentions of the trip; it was questioning the documentation,” Cheng said.

The trip to Russia included visits to St. Petersburg, Moscow, Tyumen and Sochi, where Cheng attended meetings at The State Duma, U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Russia, Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Sochi State University and the Rosa Khutor, according to an itinerary released by NAU to The Arizona Republic.

The itinerary detailed a number of persons Cheng met with, including former United States Ambassador Jon Huntsman, Russian congressional leaders and Moscow city officials.

Cheng detailed a number of benefits that resulted from her trip to Russia, which included the opening of a joint lab in Tyumen, negotiations for a Russian center at NAU, a potential agreement for an exchange program with Moscow State University and internship opportunities for Hotel and Restaurant Management students in Sochi.

Cheng said the Ponderosa pines in Tyumen, which is in Siberia, closely resemble trees of the Coconino National Forest, which has led to the opportunity to establish a joint-lab for the forestry program. Cheng said this lab qualifies NAU to apply for a $2.5 million grant for the forestry program.

Cheng said international staff has been

NEWS working diligently to establish relationships in Russia.

“With NAU’s relationship with Moscow State University, Sochi State University and specific Russian government offices, we are seeing significant growth of NAU’s influence in the realm of Russia’s higher education,” Cheng said. “We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with our Russian counterparts.”

Following the audit’s release, Cheng donated an undisclosed amount to the NAU Foundation — specifically, the President’s Fund for Excellence. The fund is an unrestricted source of money used for expenses incurred by the president deemed not appropriate for state funding. Cheng said this type of fund is not unique to NAU and has existed in a similar fashion for the last three NAU presidents.

“To clarify, I did not reimburse the foundation. I made a donation to the fund,” Cheng said. “The board [of the NAU Foundation] told me they have no problem reimbursing the travel.”

Foundation CEO Rickey McCurry called for a similar distinction, according to the Arizona Daily Sun. “I would not use the term ‘repay’ because you only repay something that you owe,” McCurry said. “Those dollars that were used to support this trip were in line with what the donors intended those dollars to be used for.

There were no dollars that were taken from some other area to support this.”

Cheng said this is not the first donation she has made to the foundation.

In the past, the President’s Fund for Excellence has been used for a variety of different causes. Cheng shared a few notable examples, such as financing a marching band trip to a football game at UA and hosting retirement

parties for departing professors.

Cheng also addressed other travel concerns mentioned by students, such as her husband accompanying her on trips. Cheng argued that, in many ways, having her husband along saves the university money, contending that she is able to travel with a smaller staff than other presidents because of her husband’s ability to translate, drive and keep an itinerary.

“It’s quite common for a president to have a spouse there because most of our donors also have their significant others with them,” Cheng said. “So, it would be awkward for me to be alone with a couple asking them for support for the university.”

Thomas Cheng, Cheng’s husband, is the Entrepreneur-in-Residence at the university’s W. A. Franke College of Business. ABOR gave Cheng permission to travel with her husband when he is beneficial to the cause, although, in the travels noted in the audit, proper documentation was not provided that proved he added value.

The president also addressed the letter’s claim that “unhealthy” enrollment goals have been set, funded and then not met. Cheng called for students and faculty to consider that she does not set the enrollment goals.

Cheng is not concerned that NAU’s large population of students is creating negative effects on the City of Flagstaff. As a result, she has not discussed lowering enrollment goals with ABOR but did explain that she expects enrollment to plateau in the coming years.

“I feel really bad that the letter was put together without checking the facts,” Cheng said.

Jones is aware of Cheng’s justifications for her travel but still believes that the audit is indicative of larger issues. Jones maintains that

Photo illustration of the stickers made by the #RitaResign Coalition.

Shawn Patti | The Lumberjack

there is more to the funding than Cheng is disclosing. “[Students] just want transparency. We shouldn’t have to pressure [Cheng] like this in order to find out where our money is going,” Jones said. “The way the university is operating is unsustainable.”

ABOR addresses state audit ABOR released a statement from Chair Larry E. Penley, who addressed the state audit Jan. 10.

Arizona’s public universities are expected to “engage in both national and international travel,” according to the statement Penley wrote.

ABOR appreciates Cheng’s strategic engagement in Russia and recognized the School of Forestry as “one of the best in the nation.”

However, Penley’s statement did not entirely absolve Cheng’s travel practices.

“Foremost, the board holds itself accountable to ensure compliance with the law and policies at the highest level,” Penley wrote.

“Strengthened policies and procedures in NAU’s travel documentation are critical. The board is working closely with NAU to take every precaution to prevent any future lapses.”

ABOR takes the oversight of public dollars seriously, insisting that Cheng complies with travel policies moving forward. The board will “vigorously” oversee the process the university takes to ensure future compliance.

Cheng said NAU has already started to take action in an attempt to embrace the Auditor General’s recommendations.

“We have had 140 people that have been trained [on travel policy], with more coming our way,” Cheng said.

Despite global spread, coronavirus stays contained in the US Trevor Skeen

N

AU President Rita Cheng distributed an email to students, faculty and staff declaring that the potential spread of coronavirus is being closely monitored around NAU and Flagstaff. The email, which circulated Jan. 27, came shortly after the first documented case of the virus in Arizona.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), coronavirus exhibits an array of symptoms, many of which are associated with the common cold. A fever, cough, sore throat or runny nose could all indicate the virus, as stated on the CDC’s website.

Although coronavirus originated in China and spread internationally, the sickness is uncommon. Only five states — Arizona, California, Washington, Illinois and Massachusetts —

have confirmed cases, according to CDC reports from Monday.

“People in Arizona are not considered to be at risk of infection if they have not recently traveled to Wuhan, China or been in close contact with someone who is under evaluation for a novel coronavirus infection,” Cheng’s email stated.

Despite the relative regulation of coronavirus in the United States, the sickness continues to spread worldwide. As of Monday, the CDC’s website shows confirmed cases in 28 countries — mostly in Asia — with severe and worsening outbreaks in China.

Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) formally declared novel coronavirus as a public health emergency following an official meeting Jan. 30.

With coronavirus disseminating from China, global travel and tourism are slowing. According to a CNBC article published Tuesday evening, every passenger and crew member aboard a

Princess Cruises ship in Yokohama, Japan is under quarantine for at least two weeks after 10 passengers tested positive for novel coronavirus. Of the 10 passengers, one is American, two are Australian, three are Japanese, three are from Hong Kong and one is Filipino, also according to CNBC. Japanese health authorities allegedly assessed all 3,700 passengers on board to confirm these cases.

Coronavirus is also becoming more prevalent in Europe.

According to BBC News, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte publicized the first two cases of the virus on Italian soil Jan. 30.

In a similar incident, panic ensued on a cruise ship in the port of Civitavecchia, Italy, located north of Rome, when a woman broke out with a fever shortly upon arriving from Hong Kong. After being trapped on the ship for hours, passengers and crew awaited the woman’s eventual test results, which returned as negative.

Continued on Page 6

FEBRUARY 6, 2020 – FEBRUARY 12, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

5

NEWS Continued from Page 5

According to a WHO daily report, China has 20,471 confirmed cases of coronavirus accounting for approximately 99% of the 20,630 cases worldwide. Of these reports, 2,788 are severe and 425 deaths have occurred, which covers over 99% of casualties globally. As of Tuesday’s WHO situation report, coronavirus has only caused one death outside of China.

Although novel coronavirus continues to alarm the world, a medical professional at Banner

Health — the largest health system in Phoenix — confirmed that the sickness will likely stay contained in the U.S., particularly considering the developed infrastructure.

The employee preferred to remain unidentified while addressing this ongoing and serious topic.

However, the anonymous source also shared experiences from working and studying medicine.

“This new virus has never been seen before and is very similar to severe acute respiratory syndrome,” they said. “Because of our access to advanced medicine, clean water,

good food and appropriate hygiene systems, the virus poses little to no threat in America.”

Cheng’s email also explained that the university is working closely with the Coconino County Health Department and Human Services.

Although coronavirus has manifested in Maricopa County, there are no confirmed cases in Coconino County, as stated in the president’s email.

Mark Searle, executive vice president and university provost at ASU, also dispersed a similar email to the Tempe-based community.

According to Searle’s email, the

individual diagnosed with novel coronavirus is a student at ASU — residing off campus — who is not severely ill and is currently in isolation.

Additionally, ASU and the Maricopa County Department of Public Health Administration are investigating any previous contacts between the isolated individual and other members of the community.

Although contagious, coronavirus and many other illnesses can be avoided through basic sanitation and health awareness.

Sometimes, staying healthy is as simple as washing hands, the Banner

Health employee said.

“The best way to avoid getting coronavirus, the flu or even a cold is simply washing your hands frequently, staying away from sick family members or friends, and remaining hydrated,” the employee said.

If new information becomes available, Cheng’s email stated the university will provide separate updates. Furthermore, the CDC continues to monitor coronavirus by including risk assessments, traveler guidelines and preparedness checklists.

City council unanimously moves climate resolution forward Mark Fabery

T

o roaring applause from the public, Flagstaff City Council unanimously approved the progression of a climate emergency resolution for the City of Flagstaff.

The unified decision was not a surprise considering council expressed interest in such a move when the subject was discussed at a work session Oct. 15, 2019.

The decision for a climate emergency resolution came after Joe Shannon, assistant research professor for the NAU Department of Biological Sciences, launched a petition for the city to declare a climate emergency, which gained roughly 250 signatures from various Flagstaff residents.

Flagstaff resident Darla Marks-Mariano was one of many concerned citizens to ask the council to support the climate emergency resolution.

“I feel hopeful because people here are grounded and connected to nature, and I can look around and see the possibility of transformation to a zero-carbon economy,” Marks-Mariano said. “I am here before you today to declare a climate emergency and to direct staff to elevate the goals of the Climate Action [and Adaption] Plan to carbon neutrality by 2030.”

Among the packed council chamber were dozens of students who wanted their voices heard among those who supported the declaration.

Flagstaff Arts & Leadership Academy senior Mayan Cohen addressed the council to explain the her generation’s interest in addressing the climate crisis.

“We, as young people, recognize the severity of the climate crisis and strongly support further action beyond the currently implemented Climate Action [and Adaption] Plan,” Cohen

6

said. “While we appreciate Flagstaff’s progressive policies, we urge Flagstaff City Council to revise the current Climate Action Plan and announce a climate emergency, which requires urgent attention and action.”

Before the council voted unanimously to move the climate emergency resolution forward, councilmember Jim McCarthy joined the public by voicing his support for climate change advocacy.

“The glaciers are melting, the sea levels are measurably rising and we are seeing shifts in the type of vegetation, so we don’t need to look at the numbers to see the obvious,” McCarthy said. “Anybody who has their eyes open can see that climate change has started.”

Mayor Coral Evans also voiced her support for the citizen petition and declaration during the Jan. 28 meeting.

Furthermore, Mayor Evans questioned the council’s ability to be bold and believe in initiatives that could benefit the city, despite any controversy from residents.

“I agree with the statements from the public that we need to do more than just declare an emergency,” Evans said. “If we are going to move in a manner that’s bold, that means that this council will have to grow a backbone and when we have the ability to do the right thing, we do it.”

Although the council moved the symbolic climate emergency resolution forward, if passed, it will have no legislative power. It is rather a statement of what the council and many members of the public believe.

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

A child sits in their stroller along with a handmade sign during the emergency climate meeting held at Flagstaff City Hall, Jan. 28. Madison Easton | The Lumberjack

Limited spaces available for Fall 2020!

Sign by 11/30 and get

Rates as low as

$739!

You've never lived like this.

You've never lived like this.

On the Northern Arizona University campus

Upgraded internet and cable TV included in every suite

Walk or bike to class at NAU

Private bedrooms available

Individual liability leases for the academic school year

Fully furnished suites

Private bedrooms and bathrooms available Fully furnished

Learn more and apply online.

THESUITESNAU.COM Amenities and utilities included are subject to change. Limited time only. See office for details.

24-hour, state-of-the-art fitness center with strength equipment and free weights Two-story academic lounge with iMacs and free printing

Apply online today at HubFlagstaff.com HUBFLAGSTAFF.COM Cap of 160. Rates/installments, date and amenities are subject to change. Rates/installments do not represent a monthly rental amount (and are not prorated), but rather the total base rent due for the lease term divided by the number of installments. Limited time only. See office for details.

FEBRUARY 6, 2020 – FEBRUARY 12, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

7

OPINION-EDITORIAL

Women deserve Weinstein’s conviction kylie soto

Arizona needs sex education

I

n Arizona, sex education is almost nonexistent, or if it is being taught, it is very limited. Growing up in Arizona, none of the schools I attended had any sexual health curriculum.

The closest topic to sex-ed that I had was a small chapter about human anatomy in biology.

Arizona is one of the worst states for providing teens with proper sexual health education, as data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates. According to the CDC School Health Profile Report from 2016, Arizona had the lowest reported percentage of secondary schools that require any amount of sex education from grades 6 through 12, at just 37.4%.

There is no law in Arizona that requires schools to teach sexual health courses.

MADELINE Sex-ed should be required in all high HOLLMANN schools. We are failing teens by not giving WRITER them the proper education they need.

Teens are being put at risk for situations, such as sexually transmitted infections (STI) or unwanted pregnancies, that can be prevented with competent sex-ed curricula.

According to the CDC, the rate of STIs including gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis are on the rise among adolescents. Teens should be taught safe sex practices, such as using condoms to prevent STIs and getting tested regularly if they are sexually active.

The Alan Guttmacher Institute reports that 15- to 24-yearold people represent only one-fourth of the sexually active population, but they account for nearly half of all new cases of STIs. Giving adolescents the knowledge of sexual assault and resources at a young age will help address the issues surrounding it. Sex-ed opens a conversation on safe and healthy sexual relationships.

There are consequences to not educating our youth on topics involving sex. Having a required sex-ed curriculum in Arizona that covers accurate and honest information can help address the issues surrounding STIs, teen pregnancy and sexual assault.

Teens deserve proper education on sex. The current optional sex-ed curriculum is not good enough. If sex-ed is taught in Arizona, it is most likely focused on abstinence, which is not realistic. Sex-ed should cover medically accurate information without focusing on abstinence as the only way to preventative action.

It is wrong to deny teens the information they need to keep themselves and others safe. Arizona needs to pass a law requiring sex-ed in the classroom as many other states have already done.

8

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

H

ollywood film mogul Harvey Weinstein has been accused more than 80 times by women who bravely spoke out about him sexually assaulting them.

Some of his accusations go as far back as 1980, and are as recent as 2016. Weinstein coaxed his victims into his web by promising to better their careers in exchange for sexual favors.

Many of the women state he would tell them to come to his hotel room to discuss building their film industry careers. They say that once they were in his room he would begin to close in on them like a predator with its prey.

Coverage of his trial began Jan. 6, and is projected to last until early March. Weinstein has been free for too long. The women he has attacked have been diminished from their horrific experiences and have been driven into silence.

Perhaps the most frightening aspect about Weinstein is his power. Lauren O ’ C o n n o r, We i n s t e i n accuser and former literary scout for the Weinstein Company, stated in a letter to the Weinstein executives, “The balance of power is me: 0, Harvey Weinstein: 10.”

Once allegations, became public, Weinstein split from his eponymous company, The Weinstein Company, that he founded with his brother, Bob. Before the accusations, Weinstein was an absolute powerhouse in the entertainment industry. The New York Times reported, “He has collected six Best Picture Oscars and turned out a number of touchstones, from the films “Sex, Lies, and Videotape,” “Pulp Fiction” and “Good Will Hunting” to the TV show “Project Runway.”

According to The New York Times, Weinstein has paid off accusers and forced them to sign contracts, which contain confidentiality clauses. The contracts forbid them to speak about their respective payouts and the events that led to them.

When looking at the evidence, the quantity and quality of these statements should be enough to put Weinstein behind bars.

Each of the women describes eerily similar situations when

reporting their experiences with Weinstein. Many of them said they went to his hotel room where he forced them to perform sexual acts or raped them if they didn’t consent.

More than 80 accusations is not some sort of hoax or inexplicable phenomenon.

The bottom line is that these 80 women have suffered for too long while seeing their assaulter free and thriving. They deserve to feel as though the judicial system is working in their favor.

Thus far, the courts have made a mockery of the victims’ misery. Deadline published an article, which states Weinstein’s defense lawyer, Donna Rotunno, framed situations in a conditional way by using the word “allegedly.”

It is traumatizing for the women to recall and describe their sexual assault incidents on trial. To then add a layer of denial and refusal to their statements is what pushes other women into being afraid of reporting sexual assault.

It’s virtually impossible to imagine the amount of torment these women are going through.

Harvey Weinstein deserves to serve time in prison.

Weinstein has done nothing but agonize his accusers and pay his way out of prison. No person should have as much power as he has in any industry. He has been given the authority to turn any situation similar in nature in his favor. He has spun a web of deceit and lies in which he traps his accusers.

If Weinstein is handed a “get out of jail free” card at the end of this trial, I will have lost all hope in our judicial system. For the sake of all women, Weinstein deserves life behind bars.

Illustration By diana ortega

We love the way you look.

2 Complete Pairs of Eyeglasses For Only

For a Limited Time!

% 50

Complete Pair of Eyeglasses!

99

$

OFF

(1)

Expires 2/29/2020

99

INCLUDES NO-LINE BIFOCALS (2)

Schedule your appointment at: 1-800-EYE-CARE or nationwidevision.com FLAGSTAFF | 801 S. MILTON | 86001 | (928) 213-1400

VISION BENEFITS GO FURTHER AT NATIONWIDE.

WE ACCEPT MOST MAJOR VISION CARE PLANS INCLUDING MEDICARE VSP®3 (GENERALLY APPROVED PROVIDER) • SPECTERA / OPTUM HEALTH • AVESIS • ALL AHCCCS PLANS • DAVIS VISION • BLUE CROSS • UNITED HEALTHCARE • HUMANA • CIGNA VISION • EYEMED AND MANY MORE!

DOCTORS IN EVERY OFFICE!*

Offers cannot be combined with any other coupon, special offer or insurance plan, unless otherwise noted. Certain restrictions apply, see store for details.

All offers and prices are subject to change without notice. *All exams performed by Associate Doctors of Nationwide Optometry. (1) Purchase one complete pair of eyeglasses and receive 50% off the total. Optical glasses only, does not apply to sunglasses. Some frame brands excluded.

Upgrade charges may apply. Offer ends 2/29/20. (2) Single Vision, Lined Bifocal or No-Line Basic Bifocal Plastic Lenses. Choose from any frame from up to $69.00. Additional charge for high-powered prescriptions of 4D. sph. or 2D. cyl or over. (3) VSP® is a registered trademark of Vision Service Plan and is not affiliated with Nationwide Vision.

FEBRUARY 6, 2020 – FEBRUARY 12, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

9

OPINION-EDITORIAL

Let’s not forget about Puerto Rico frank espinoza

P

resident Donald Trump seems to have taken every opportunity to let Puerto Rico suffer in its time of need.

His childish antics and the consistent trend of making everything about himself have put Puerto Ricans in danger.

In 2017, Hurricane Maria struck the island, leaving 3 million people without power, 300 million homes destroyed and $100 billion in damage, according to Rolling Stone. The same article reported that Hurricane Maria caused 3,057 deaths and is the third costliest storm in United States history.

After the disaster, Republicans and Democrats agreed to provide $12 billion to aid relief over the course of four years. However, Trump had to intervene in the budget talks and demand it be cut to $5.7 billion, as stated by Vanity Fair.

It’s obvious that Trump doesn’t care about the lives of Puerto Ricans. It seems like Trump only views Puerto Rico as a leech on the U.S. by being a massive financial burden. When the death toll of Hurricane Maria was reported, Trump took to Twitter to suggest the numbers were inflated by his political opponents to make him look bad.

Trump tweeted Sept. 13, 2018, “This was done by the Democrats in order to make me look as bad as possible when I was successfully raising Billions of Dollars to help rebuild Puerto Rico.”

On Jan. 7, after a series of small

tremors, Puerto Rico experienced a 6.4 magnitude earthquake. Yet again, the island suffered major electrical grid issues. According to The Atlantic, the Costa Sur power plant was seriously damaged.

This is a major issue because it generated 25% of the island’s electrical needs. Since the infrastructure was still recovering from the previous natural disasters, people went without electricity and water for days.

Puerto Rico isn’t just facing physical and civic damage, but also the outcome of Trump’s erratic behavior.

It’s ridiculous that as Trump attacks an Iranian general and almost causes war, the people of Puerto Rico continue to suffer.

The president has turned his back on innocent lives and even tried to make the natural disasters seem like a political attack against him.

He even compared the death toll of Hurricane Maria to that of Hurricane Katrina.

Comparing one disaster to another, and also saying it’s not as bad as a more lethal disaster, is extremely insensitive. I can’t think of another president who

would be stubborn enough to not want to help American lives at such a crucial time.

To further the chaos in Puerto Rico, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reacted slowly. So slow that people were left without food, water and shelter for months, as reported

by The New York Times. It is outrageous that for months people didn’t have access to basic human necessities because the agency didn’t act fast enough.

“If a person died for any reason, like old age, just add them onto the list.

Bad politics. I love Puerto Rico!”

-President DOnald trump Tweeted sept. 13, 2018 Two weeks after Hurricane Maria, Trump visited the island for less than five hours to throw some paper towels at a crowd.

He saw the devastation there, looked at the people in their time of need, and decided throwing paper towels into a crowd would be a good idea shortly after a natural disaster.

I don’t understand how anyone could think that Trump’s behavior is acceptable, especially as the president.

A president should be held to a higher standard. His actions toward innocent lives don’t represent the values and morals of Americans. He took every chance to screw over the people of Puerto Rico and did it without remorse.

As the impeachment process has ended in the Senate and the upcoming primary season begins, Puerto Rico needs the media attention that it so desperately deserves.

As long as the White House marginalizes Puerto Rico, human suffering will continue.

Illustration By blake fernandez

10

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

OPINION-EDITORIAL

comic By blake fernandez

FEBRUARY 6, 2020 – FEBRUARY 12, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

11

FEATURES

Lunar New Year: Celebr Alliya Dulaney

A

long time ago, there lived a monster named “Nian,” or “Nian Shou,” who lived in the deep seas of China. The monster would come up once a year to create havoc among the villagers. Homes would be ripped apart and people would go missing. This is the story of Lunar New Year as told

by China Highlights website.

One day, a wise old man told the villagers if they hung red banners around their doorways, lit candles in their homes, made loud noises and wore red, the monster would not harm them.

The villagers doubted the old man and left him to his own devices. While the old man followed his own instructions, the villagers hid in the mountains.

The next day the villagers traveled down the mountain and were surprised to see the old man standing along with their homes.

This is one of many variations of how Lunar New Year came to be. While the western nations have known this event as Chinese New Year, this celebration is not just celebrated in China, thus a more accepted term is Lunar New Year.

According to National Geographic, Lunar New Year occurs every year and rather than using the Gregorian calendar to determine its date of celebration, it is determined by the moon phases and solar year, or the Lunisolar calendar.

National Geographic also stated that Lunar New Year is considered the planet’s largest annual migration of people. The migration happens because an important aspect of the celebration is to spend it with one’s family.

Sophomore Kyuca Yang, an international student from China, said the Chinese tradition is to visit houses of relatives during the Lunar New Year and people will give children lucky money, which is also referred to as a red envelope.

Yang said Lunar New Year is the biggest celebration in Chinese culture.

She said people will usually receive a weeklong holiday to spend time with family and friends, but the new year will actually end on the 15th day.

This Lunar New Year began Jan. 25 and will end Feb. 12.

“We always have a big meal with my family the night before new year’s and we will wear new clothes,” Yang said. “We usually celebrate the new year in our own home. Family members will get together and have fun.”

Yang was unable to celebrate this Lunar New Year with her family, so she celebrated the holiday with her friends. Yang said she made dumplings with her friends in celebration of Lunar New Year.

There were events held on campus that students of all backgrounds could participate in to learn more about Lunar New Year and immerse themselves in celebratory activities. Destinee King, the coordinator for the Office of Inclusion, said the Multicultural and LGBTQIA Student Services had a weeklong display in its office to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

They also invited the Chinese Cultural Club to come and perform for the community. Chinese food and games were some of the many festivities enjoyed.

“The Office of Inclusion prides itself on having educational, engaging and fun events to celebrate and honor the different communities we serve on campus,” King said.

Another celebration held on campus occurred at The Hot Spot Jan. 29.

Campus Dining invited students to celebrate Lunar New Year with Asian cuisine and a Chinese lion dance performance. The lion dance was performed

by Sacred Mountain Kung Fu, a martial arts program that presents the lion dance for many events including weddings, grand openings and Lunar New

12

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

FEATURES

rating the year of the rat Year.

Sifu Matthew Banks is a martial arts instructor at Scared Mountain Kung Fu and said the performance of the lion dance has almost been a tradition at The

“The idea is to take out all the bad energy and put in new energy as we dance.”

– Sifu Matthew Banks, Martial Arts instructor at Sacred Mountain Kung Fu

Illustration By Aleah Green

Hot Spot, as this year marked their fifth year performing.

“The idea is to take out bad energy and put in new energy as we dance,” Banks said. “It includes big drums, big symbols and instrumentation. It’s really loud in order to chase away the bad energy and bring people in as well.”

Banks said that there are many stories in terms of the creation of the lion dance and how it came to be. One of those stories is about an emperor who had a dream that he was in dire trouble and there was no escape from the terrors attacking him. In the story, the emperor saw a bearded lion with horns that chased away the danger. When the emperor woke up, he started telling people this story. That’s when lions became a symbol of hope and good energy.

“Throughout history, lion dances have been used to bring new ideas of hope and rebirth going forward,” Banks said. “They are a cultural phenomenon.”

Lunar New Year is also associated with a different animal every year for a cycle of 12 years. The story of the zodiac also has many variations but as stated by China Highlights, it happened because of a race. The story said that long ago in ancient China, the Jade Emperor held a race and ruled that the first 12 animals to complete the race would be alotted one year named after it.

This Lunar New Year is named after the rat and will be named the rat once again in 12 years.

King said Lunar New Year and its festivities help define the culture of those who celebrate it. While food and festivities are important aspects, the event highlights the importance of culture and family.

“It is important to learn about other cultures because this world is full of so much color, beauty and life that it would be a waste to not be able to enjoy it,” King said. “In order to have a true sense of belonging, we need to understand all the places there are to belong to.”

The celebrations on campus offer food and fun activities, but Yang said they are also ways to inform students with varying understanding of Chinese culture and Chinese customs.

“Students can participate in the Chinese Students and Scholars Association activities and join the Chinese Culture Club,” Yang said. “There are many Asian students on campus so making friends with each other is a good way to be involved.”

The events on campus provided students who were unable to go home and celebrate Lunar New Year the opportunity to do so at school. It also provided students who did not celebrate Lunar New Year the opportunity to learn and take part in a cultural event.

FEBRUARY 6, 2020 – FEBRUARY 12, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

13

FEATURES

Surviving downtown Flagstaff’s small business slump Grant Blattman

F

lagstaff was established as a historic town in 1884 and has become a place not only for its residents but for tourists and students from all over. One of Flagstaff’s major draws is its small downtown businesses. Whether it be Flagstaff General Store or Flagstaff Chocolate Company, there seems to be something for everybody if they know where to look.

Despite its charm, downtown has seen better business in the past than what it is currently seeing. According to the Arizona Department of Revenue, despite business increasing exponentially in Flagstaff overall, the introduction of larger corporations has made local businesses feel the pinch. Flagstaff businesses such as Cuvee 928, Street Side Saigon and The Commerce have closed their doors recently, and there seems to be no end to the closures.

Many members of the community and business owners have expressed they are also critical of the parking meters put in place

by Flagstaff City Council. According to The Arizona Daily Sun, while the meters have generated over $282,557 in revenue in the first year to put toward future parking, it has been less popular with business owners like Downtown Diner’s owner Mark Gent.

He said that the parking meters are hurting his business.

“In a sense, they think that it’s the community kind of taking from [regular customers], and they are no longer willing to support that,” Gent said. “We have lost a lot of business [and] a lot of regular customers from the pay-to-park. But I don’t know how the city collects their revenue, so it’s up to them I guess.”

Conversely, there are also many business owners in support of the pay-to-park machines. Many argue that it makes parking more convenient since there are more spots open. Flowbird, the company responsible for implementing the machines, reports that over 95% of businesses support the ParkFlag program. They also report that over 20% of the revenue collected from the machines also goes to future parking programs.

Brittany Montague, manager of Mountain Sports Flagstaff, supports the current parking system and disagrees that it negatively impacts local business.

“We seem to be doing quite well,” Montague said. “Parking has actually opened up spaces for people [who] are actually shopping, instead of downtown employees, or city and county employees that are in those spaces all day.”

Another issue that is linked to decreased profits is the minimum wage hikes in Flagstaff over the last few years. In 2018, the minimum wage was $10.50 and has been raised continuously since. The minimum wage increased in 2019 to $11 and has since increased to $12 in January after voters approved Proposition 141.

Business owners like Annie Brewer, owner of 22 LeRoux, attribute the increase in the minimum wage on the struggles of businesses throughout Flagstaff.

“The price pay [is] going up constantly, which is good,” Brewer said. “I mean people are making more money, but our products also have to go up in order to kind of weigh out the price you have to pay your employees now.”

However, there are also those who argue in support of the minimum wage increases.

The House Committee on Education and Labor is a major proponent of increasing minimum wage not only on a local level but on a national level. It also reported that increased minimum wages lead to lower job turnover, decreases in absences from work, and overall better and more productive work. The committee said that roughly 60% of small businesses supported a higher minimum wage.

“Shop local, be involved in your community [and] show up to city council meetings when they are talking about major things that affect downtown or the city.”

Despite these statements of small businesses supporting the increases of minimum wage, many local businesses have called for the city to reconsider these policy changes.

Besides minimum wage and parking, there are many other factors that could be affecting local businesses downtown. One of the factors could also simply be the time of the year.

“The downtown business is very seasonal,” Brewer said.

“March through October is really, really good and then you hit the slow season and it just gets worse from there.”

One failsafe method to support downtown Flagstaff businesses remains. Shopping at local stores will always help, but there are also other ways to help a favorite local store. Many stores incentivize paying in cash, as doing so requires no fees or payments to credit card processing companies.

“One thing we try to push for is trying to spend money locally and paying in cash — it’s a big thing that we try to promote here at the Downtown Diner,” Gent said. “We actually give a cash discount for our customers who are willing to pay in cash.”

There is also the matter of being active in the local government, which can ultimately have an impact on local businesses. Montague said being active in local government can help provide small business loans and resources to help local businesses thrive.

“Shop local, be involved in your community [and] show up to city council meetings when they are talking about major things that affect downtown or the city,” Montague said.

Local Flagstaff businesses have been feeling the pressures of increasing wages and city intervention. Other factors like being able to make it through the slow seasons of January through March have also played a large factor in these small businesses ability to keep their doors open. However, if people make a conscious effort to shop local and support their local shops, it is more likely that their favorite mom-and-pop shop will stay open for business.

– Brittany Montague, Manager of Mountain Sports Flagstaff

Illustration By Christian Ayala

14

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

FEATURES

Student workers study hard and work even harder Tess Stafford

I

n addition to classes, clubs and other extracurricular activities, many NAU students strive to get real-world experience through a job. From on campus to off campus, students explained their employment exposes them to new opportunities.

Freshman Emily Gerdes works at the NAU Community Development Center. The Community Development Center provides resources for housing and residence. Gerdes said she has encountered countless connections and resources through her job.

“I’m making connections,” Gerdes said. “I see people around, they know my name or I smile at them because we met at an event somewhere. I know eventually those connections will come into place, but it’s kind of like networking where it takes time and then one day it comes in handy.”

Gerdes is involved in several extracurricular activities and is also in the Honors College. She said she keeps busy throughout the week with most of her days lasting 12 or more hours.

Time management can play an important role in the lives of students. As a freshman, Gerdes had to learn to balance her commitments. She said her life as a working student differs from how she spent her time in high school.

“It’s difficult. You have to be very organized and balanced,” Gerdes said. “I have like three different planners and a calendar, and all of my calendars are synced.”

While Gerdes stays busy throughout her days, she said her job is fairly relaxed, which makes it easier to handle her workload.

She only works an average of 10 hours a week.

Gerdes said one of the benefits of her on-campus job is the option to work on assignmens. After completing her work tasks, she uses her downtime for time-consuming school tasks like essays.

Similarly, junior Davis Wendt, majoring in information system management and finance, said he values his commitment to his job and the experiences his work with Information Technology Services (ITS) offers. Specifically, Wendt works on the OnBase Business Processing and Service Management Team.

The team accelerates documentation processes for ITS. “I knew I liked IT and working with computers,” Wendt said. “So, when I was looking for a job, I applied on Handshake and found that this job title really interested me, and then the whole process was just amazing.”

Wendt said he is happy to have found a position he likes and one where he can have a leadership role.

Unlike Gerdes, Wendt said he typically does not have time to work on school assignments while at his job. Campus jobs can differ from position to position based on the responsibilities and tasks expected of the student worker. Sometimes an employee might be able to do homework assignments on the job and sometimes they will not.

However, Wendt said his supervisors understand when an issue concerning his education arises. He can prioritize his education while also dedicating roughly 15 hours a week to his job.

“I’ve got to say, my boss deserves a raise for sure because he’s definitely one of the best bosses I’ve ever had,” Wendt said.

“We’ve really created a very trusting relationship between us by

communicating and constantly being in touch.”

For Wendt, experience through an on-campus job has also boosted his portfolio. He said he has worked on numerous projects during his 1½ years with the team, which all help demonstrate his skills in the IT field.

Additionally, he said the opportunity to work with knowledgeable individuals in the department is an incredible experience. Wendt said he values his relationship with the team and appreciates that he can learn from every team member.

Wendt said he can thank prior student workers for being in the position Camp Colton is much more flexible he is now. After absorbing all of the when she encounters day-to-day information handed to him, he said he feels problems. For example, calling ready to pass down his experience to new out for her job at the camp student workers. is easier than doing so at “When I show up to work, it’s not really AutoZone like I’m doing work, it’s like I’m having a good “If I did that for time,” Wendt said. “At the end of the day, I’m AutoZone they’d be like, getting something done.”

‘Well you have points Unlike Wendt and Gerdes, senior Henry and then you get 12 and then you’re Cardona works off campus at AutoZone fired,’” Abbott said. “It’s kind of more roughly 25 hours per week. Cardona said casual at Camp [Colton] than it is with his job entails running the store and helping AutoZone.” customers with any issues they might have.

Abbott said she also struggles As a self-supporting student, he said to make her school schedule he works to pay for his bills, insurance and Illustration By Madison Cohen work with her job at AutoZone. groceries. Therefore, he spends more time Despite her availability, working than he does in class or studying. sometimes her work shifts Like Wendt, Cardona said he also does not have time for end at the same time her homework during his work shifts. He said he realizes there are classes start. After asking times that his schoolwork is more important, but because he has for her shift to be changed, to support himself and he cannot risk getting in trouble at work.

Abbott’s boss denied her Although his workweek is longer than his school week, request. While Abbott values Cardona said his job at AutoZone is more easygoing in comparison her job, she said her education is to previous jobs he has had. After having worked full time before, more important than her job and will accept he said working full time and going to school full time was too demanding. After switching to a part-time position, Cardona said punishment if it means she can attend class.

She said juggling two jobs and a full schedule of credits has he balances work and school by staggering his schedules.

“I structured my schedule to have alternating days,” Cardona been difficult. Specifically, the discrepancies between her job said. “So, with my work schedule and school schedule combined, duties and school duties make the week chaotic.

“It’s really hard being a student and working because I work one day and then school the next day, and it just alternates.

So, that way I don’t have to worry about getting off work on time everyone’s like, ‘Oh, welcome to the real world,’” Abbott said. “It’s not the real world. When you’re in the real world you have one to make it to a class.”

Senior Kendren Abbott works with Cardona at AutoZone set task. If I were to be a designer, I’ll have one or two projects, and Friends of Camp Colton, which is a nonprofit that focuses on but it’s going to be just that one. I’m not going from like car parts over to sustainability, back to interior design, back to car parts.” getting children involved with the environment.

With dedication, hard work and passion, Wendt said being Abbott said her position at Camp Colton is different than what most people expect, as she is an executive assistant rather a student worker is very manageable. NAU student workers agree than a volunteer. She accepted the job through NAU’s Work- their schedules can be intense at times. While some find the Study program and receives her paycheck from the university benefits can outweigh their hectic lifestyles, others said they push through it for the financial support. rather than the nonprofit.

Abbott said she is cultivating a variety of work experience due to working an outside job and one through NAU. Abbott works an average of 22 hours a week at AutoZone in addition to however many hours she can fit in at Camp Colton. She said

FEBRUARY 6, 2020 – FEBRUARY 12, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

15

CULTURE

Popularity vs. authenticity in “The Circle”

N

etflix’s first reality TV show tackles one of modern society’s burning questions: How do we exist online? “The Circle” follows contestants as they fight for popularity and brownie points via an AI-based social media platform by the same name. Everyone involved in the popularity contest lives in the same building, but they cannot see or meet each other — they must only communicate through The Circle social media platform.

Contestants have the choice to present as themselves or catfish the other players. Each person does what they think will garner them the most friends and approval, all justifying their choices differently. Daily rankings are held, forcing the SCOUT EHRLER players to choose who gets the power and who goes home.

NEWS EDITOR New contestants take the place of whoever is eliminated, maintaining a constant flow of fresh faces. However, once the game gets to a certain point, it is clear new players don’t have a chance — remaining original players make such strong bonds, toward the end, it is clear they will not betray their original competitors.

Even though the friendships seem genuine — and I choose to believe some of them are — it is important to keep in mind the most popular player wins $100,000. It is every player for themselves.

In their free time, players get to interact in chats and play games with each other, giving them the chance to get to know the other players.

When the show premiered Jan. 1, I was skeptical. I am not the biggest fan of social media, although I know it serves a purpose. The show seemed obnoxious, pointless and borderline gluttonous. When a friend convinced me to actually watch it, I was pleasantly surprised that it was packed with valuable, genuine commentary on existing in the digital age.

The audience gets to see the real person and the presentation. As contestants communicate with each other, their genuine reactions are shown and I learned to appreciate the people over The Circle’s diluted product.

Players, no matter how genuine, manipulate each other and make strategic moves to gain trust and alliances — after all, it is quite literally a popularity contest.

The genuine person behind The Circle is often more likable than their profile. Everyone is fighting so hard to be liked that they exaggerate their best qualities, selectively deciding what choices and words will win them approval. By contrasting the real person with the profile, the show displays how narrow the scope of social media can be.

Despite most players expectations, contestants who are most loyal to their true selves do the best in the game. Everyone goes in looking for authenticity and when they find it, they cling to that person.

“The Circle” manages to convey a message that is somewhat anti-social media. If one lesson can be learned from this shamefully entertaining show, it is that reality is always better.

16

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

Artwork from “An Unexpected Journey” on display in the College of Arts and Letters Riles Gallery, Jan 29.

Megan Ford-Fyffe | The Lumberjack

Jessica journeys back to her roots Italia Diazbarriga

A

ssistant professor of practice for the School of Art’s interior design program, Jessica MacKenzie, brings viewers on “An Unexpected Journey” through her vivid wildlife paintings currently on display at the College of Arts and Letters Riles Gallery on campus.

Gradually built over the past decade, “An Unexpected Journey” is MacKenzie’s first solo exhibit and her second art show in total. MacKenzie along with Kristen Harris, program coordinator of community outreach for the College of Arts and Letters, helped bring the exhibit to life.

“The colored pencil drawings have all been the last two years, the acrylics ... about the last five,” MacKenzie said. “One of them is from 2010.”

She also credits coloring books for bringing her back to her artistic roots. Her passion was reignited after her mother gifted her a “Game of Thrones” coloring book for Christmas two years ago, and she was inspired by the animals in the book.

“I’ve been a lover of animals and an artist since I was a little girl,” MacKenzie said. “I stopped drawing animals when I went to college because I was training to become an interior designer. I was having so much fun that I gave it a shot again with animals, and I sort of took off from there.”

Viewers were able to see MacKenzie’s work at the exhibit’s opening reception Jan. 27. Senior Cheyenne Nichol stood in admiration and said that the exhibit brought her feelings of relaxation and peace.

There was no shortage of visitors taking in MacKenzie’s work. Junior Lauren Scott said the exhibit left her feeling reflective, as she attempted to venture into MacKenzie’s creative mind to understand the artistic process.

“Viewing art makes me try to understand what the artist was trying to convey,” Scott said. “It makes me reflect on my own life.”

That sense of reflection is just what MacKenzie said she hoped to send to viewers. MacKenzie’s love for animals and passion for her craft is clear throughout the gallery.

“We get so caught up in our daily lives that we can forget what beauty is, especially in animals,” MacKenzie said. “I love showing the personalities of animals. It’s my way of honoring them.”

From the subject matter to the organization of the gallery, MacKenzie was purposeful in her decisions. She said the pieces were deliberately placed in chronological order so the viewer could see her journey from start to finish.

She also included short descriptions about each animal she drew. MacKenzie said this is how she aims to establish a connection between the animals drawn and the viewers of the exhibit.

Nichol expressed a shared interest in learning how to be a better artist after viewing the exhibit. “An Unexpected Journey” left Nichol with unexpected inspiration.

“Seeing someone else sharing their craft and do it well is really awesome,” Nichol said. “It makes me want to make art, too.”

MacKenzie advises and encourages those aspiring to make art to simply start creating. She said people often fear incompetence, but art is a skill that can be developed.

Everyone has to start somewhere. Her personal learning experience relied heavily on studying others.

“I used Facebook and YouTube to find other artists,” MacKenzie said. “I started studying their technique and learned a lot from observation and practice.”

Even as developed in art as MacKenzie is, she still surprises herself.

“Each piece has taught me something about art and myself,” MacKenzie said. “There’s definitely a great sense of accomplishment and pride when I finish a piece. Truly, if you put your mind to something you can accomplish it.”

Her latest work, “The Octopus from the Deep,” is one she views with great pride. With lots of obvious time and effort, MacKenzie said the piece is a culmination of everything artistic that she has learned in the past two years.

“An Unexpected Journey” is currently on display at Riles Gallery until March 13.

CULTURE

The Academy Awards snub female directors yet again Katelyn Rodriguez

T

he Academy Awards recently released its nominations in preparation for the ceremony’s 92nd year, as well as its second year going hostless. The 24 category nominations celebrate a wide variety of films from American filmmaker Noah Baumbach’s emotional rollercoaster “Marriage Story” to South Korean film director Bong Joon-Ho’s thriller “Parasite.” However, the nominations for Best Director, one of the most prestigious awards given out during the ceremony, omitted female directors yet again. This year’s Best Director nominees include Martin Scorsese, Todd Phillips, Sam Mendes, Quentin Tarantino and Joon-Ho. Since the Oscars first took place in 1929, a total of five women have been nominated for Best Director and only one, American film director Kathryn Bigelow, has ever won. Bigelow won Best Director for her work on the 2010 war-epic “The Hurt Locker.”

Graduate student Kathryn Burrell calls the Oscars her version of the Super Bowl because the award show takes place so close to the sporting event and her birthday. She said she does not remember a time when she was not interested in film, which is what led her to majoring in theater and film studies and pursuing her graduate degree in communication with an emphasis in documentary studies.

Burrell referred to the nominations this year as being the biggest eye roll of her life. She said she was pulling for people, like “Little Women” director and actress Greta Gerwig, to be nominated for Best Director and that it really ruined her day when the nominees for the category were revealed.

“All of the nominees, except for Bong JoonHo, are white men,” Burrell said. “The thing is, this happens because the academy has lots of members from the time they’ve been voting — from the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, probably even the ’40s. And the people who were making movies at the time were all white men so that’s why the voting body is all white men.”

Burrell said the previous assumption that whoever won Best Director would also win Best Picture is not true. She also said people are now winning categories without having to win others because voting trends seem to be moving in another direction even though those nominated remain the same.

Burrell understands people want to boycott the Oscars due to the gender and race issues presented, but she does not think people should stop watching. She said it is important to remember the Oscars represent a small portion of the film industry and nothing is going to change if individuals are not pushing for it.

Ember Crowley, sophomore and creative media and film major, is a director for UTV Studios and has won several awards for her films. She is currently nominated for the Flagstaff Arts Council Viola Award for emerging artist. At 18, Crowley said she feels like she has to maintain an older persona and push herself harder within the department.

“I kind of have to put myself out there more than you would

have to expect in comparison to my male counterparts in the department,” Crowley said. “I’m like, ‘OK, I have to be loud at this meeting and stand upright and put my hands on my hips because I have to get people’s attention.’”

Crowley said she was not surprised at the nominations snubbing women, especially because there have only ever been five nominated. She also said in light of the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements, one might think some changes would have been made within the industry, but they have not.

As a female director, Crowley said that she and other female filmmakers lack role models to look up to in the industry. She said it is time that society and the film industry start bearing witness to the difficulties female filmmakers face and begin making the necessary changes. One change Crowley suggested is for the academy to add more spots for best director nominees.

Jonathan Rome is a student at Columbia College Hollywood where he is majoring in cinema directing. He is from Salinas, California, which is where he made 22 short films and one feature-length film. Rome said he decided to be a director to make films that help people feel less lonely because that is what John Hughes’ “The Breakfast Club” did for him.

Rome said he was shocked upon seeing the nominations this year.

“I told everyone I could that there’s no way a female

director wouldn’t make it into the Oscars category even though the Golden Globes did the same,” Rome said. “The process for choosing the [Golden] Globes nominations is completely different from choosing the Oscar nominations, so I thought there’d be a chance that one of the incredible female directors would make it in.”

Rome said the Golden Globes nominees are chosen by a group of foreign critics who are not involved in the film industry.

However, the Oscar nominations are chosen by a very large group of industry professionals, such as actor Tom Holland and actor Jordan Peele. As of 2018, there were over 7,000 active voters.

Rome said even though there were so many great femaledirected films, the lack of acknowledgment of their work is just a result of the voting process. However, Rome said he is still deeply hurt by their exclusion.

Senior film major Kye Hill is currently directing her first film with UTV Studios. Despite originally being a theater major, she decided she would give filmmaking a shot. Similar to Crowley, Hill was disappointed, but not surprised, upon seeing the nominations.

“This seems to be a recurring thing where they snub women, people of color and the LGBTQ+ community,” Hill said. “So anyone that’s a minority, they probably won’t recognize them or at least not to their fullest extent. It’s, unfortunately, something I expected to happen, with ‘Joker’ getting all 11 nominations and all, yet they can’t acknowledge Greta Gerwig as a director.”

Hill thinks it is unfair that some people are growing up without proper media representation in Hollywood since they are not getting to relate to certain experiences like other groups of people are. Although representation in Hollywood remains an ongoing fight, Hill said the industry has gotten better in terms of trying to tell stories that are not centered around white males.

However, she said the academy and unions still seem to disregard those efforts.

Hill said she hopes the academy gets better and breaks its cycle of continuing the same pattern year after year and becomes more inclusive in years to come.

All three directors and Burrell explained Greta Gerwig should have been nominated for Best Director, especially because her adaption of “Little Women” is nominated in four other categories, including Best Adapted Screenplay. Two of its actresses, Saoirse Ronan and Florence Pugh, are also nominated for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress, respectively.

It is evident representation in Hollywood is a discussion seemingly had every time award season rolls around, yet the ceremony still remains as it has been historically. However, it is unclear when the academy will implement changes in order to be more inclusive. The Oscars will air Sunday at 6 p.m. MST on ABC.

Illustration By Shelsey Braswell

FEBRUARY 6, 2020 – FEBRUARY 12, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

17

CULTURE

A delicious day in downtown Flagstaff Olivia Charlson

L

icorice is no longer the moviegoer’s choice, candy corn is controversial and candy hearts make cardboard look sweet. It’s a universal truth that chocolate just cannot be beat.

This past weekend in downtown Flagstaff, the Flagstaff Visitors Center put on its sixth annual chocolate walk, where locals and tourists alike got to see “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” at the Orpheum Theater and scavenged for spots that gave them both a check on their list and a sweet surprise.

People who came to the chocolate walk got a map and had the chance to enter a raffle for a grand prize — a date night package including a Segway tour for six and various gift cards — after visiting five stores listed on their event passport.

They could then vote on their favorite homemade chocolate treat. There were many stores that participated in the chocolate walk. Some are more familiar to students such as the Old Town Shops or Rainbow’s End, while other stores that are more tucked away such as ZANI Cards & Gifts or Olive the Best may not be. Stores had chocolates neatly wrapped with their store label on the front, while others had homemade treats. The chocolate ranged from chocolate croissants dipped in more chocolate at the Weatherford Hotel to chocolate coconut clusters at Alpine Pizza.

Mozelle’s Downtown Bakery has been in town for four years and is known for its pastries and confections.

Zara Vankanegan is the manager of the bakery. She said the chocolate walk gets them more involved downtown because they get to interact with people who have never been there, let them try products and see what else the store has.

“Since we moved to this spot, we’ve started to add new pastries.

Everything is baked fresh every single day,” Vankanegan said. “The ones we’re handing out are our mini chocolate cupcakes with chocolate buttercream

18

and a little bit of chocolate ganache on top; it’s very chocolatey.”

An older store that has been participating in the event since it started is ZANI Cards & Gifts. Jeff Caylor is an artist and helps run the store, which has been around for 27 years. Caylor said there are about 50 Flagstaff artists who sell their work in the store and another 50 from other places in Arizona.

Caylor led customers toward the back of the store, which had an extravagant display of chocolatecovered strawberries. Simply by picking up a strawberry, customers could earn 20% off an item in the store. Many other stores also had major sales to draw people in and encourage them to shop while they ate. “[The chocolate walk] is awesome because it is crazy busy in here. Toward the end of the day, we get a lot of people in and out,” Caylor said. “We’ve gotten a few good regular customers from doing the chocolate walk.”

Orpheum Theater hosted some vendors this year such as Elsa’s Yummy Bakery and Lee’s Chair Massage, but every year it puts on “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” to provide cravings and memories. Incahoots Vintage Clothing and Costumes wanted to make the event even more festive by having all the employees dress up as Willy Wonka.

Incahoots is a shop located downtown that sells vintage clothes and costumes. Owner Nancy Wardell said this was the first year the shop did the chocolate walk.

“We want to make it delightful and I think that’s what the chocolate walk is all about,” Wardell said. “We just wanted to highlight that. It’s a good outreach because some people have never seen the shop before and it gives them a moment to see all the shops that are participating. And I think that’s really good for people.”

Incahoots had three Willy Wonkas walking around giving out chocolate, and Wardell said one was scheduled to stand in the window and

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

perform for attendees. She said people enjoy this event and they were trying to make it special.

At the end of the day, people stumbled home or sat around downtown in a chocolate induced coma. Shops gained new customers and patrons found a place they could shop or enjoy even more desserts. The chocolate walk came and went this year with sweet memories to last until the next.

Top: Orpheum Theater participated in the Flagstaff Chocolate walk by showing “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” Feb. 1. Middle: Incahoots owner Nancy Wardell and employee Virginia Kirkner dress as Willy Wonka in light of the chocolate walk, Feb. 1. Bottom: Mozelle’s Downtown Bakery’s varied cookie selection, Feb. 1.

Sharon Holtaway | The Lumberjack

FEBRUARY 6, 2020 – FEBRUARY 12, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

19

SPORTS

O

Analytics deserve respect

ne of the common perceptions in sports is that analytics do not belong in the game of baseball. It is too boring.

It is something only nerds like. It brings nothing to the table. It has no benefit.

While the numbers may seem daunting and the statistics may seem like overkill, analytics, through all the graphs and charts, have a purpose. Let’s first look at this from the general manager’s perspective.

Paying players based on past production was the name of the game 15 years ago. If a big, buff and burly first baseman hit the open market after driving in 120 runs and mashing 25 home runs, he would have jumped up and down at the big dollar signs that he would inevitably JOHNNY received.

CRANE However, what if I were to tell you WRITER that the same batter was in his prime, struck out over 190 times, had a tendency to pull the ball, did not hit well on the road, and had a tendency to catch every break when the opposing outfielders misread the ball and let it drop. In this hypothetical, the first baseman did not live up to the contract and was unable to produce anywhere close to what he did previously.

If this happened to the general manager who signed him, the owner would run him out of town and not have the courtesy to give him a bus ticket. With the advancement of analytics, general managers look not at past production, but future production. What will you give my team for the next five years?

While, of course, the numbers might not be precise, it can give general managers an idea of what to expect. It gives them a safer estimate on what a player is worth and what a player will positively do on the field.

In this case, analytics help in determining which free agents are worth the dough. In another case, analytics can help with drafting. Looking at the data from an advanced standpoint helps get players that can best help the team in the future. General managers use the increased data to get more booms than busts in regard to players. Not using the system could, similarly to above, cost them their job.

What about players? With analytics, players can further hone their craft by improving on weaknesses of their game.

With analytics, players potentially become more complete. With more data, players can see aspects that might not necessarily be seen in film sessions.

Analytics does not solve every problem and can be wrong at times. Projections are just that — projections. A player can get hurt or simply not live up to the expectations. Nothing is perfect.

Everything has a benefit, though, including that of analytics. Respect it. It has a place in the game — a big one, actually. Set aside the usual fan opinion on analytics and look at it from a more objective angle. It will surprise you in a big way.

20

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

A mural of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna in the Los Angeles area, Feb. 1.

Photo courtesy of Ted Soqui, Associated Press

Remembering the Black Mamba David Church & Cameron Richardson

A

strong work ethic cannot be learned; a person either has it or doesn’t. Some people are born with a natural ability that allows them to succeed, others have to work for it, and sports are no different. In professional sports, fans love to debate who is the greatest of all time. In basketball, it is usually between three men: Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. What is not debatable is the work ethic that Kobe used to propel himself to the top of the basketball world. The Mamba Mentality was what led Kobe to be selected to 18 All-Star teams, 11 All-NBA first teams and win five NBA championships.

A person’s love for sports all have origin stories, and for most of those that grew up in the 2000s, it began with Kobe.

The love and passion not just for basketball, but all sports began with Kobe. In the backyard, people would mimic his most clutch moments. From the three-peat with Shaquille O’Neal and the 81-point game, to beating the Celtics in 2010 and his 60-point curtain call, Kobe blessed the sporting world with some of the finest displays of heart and passion for basketball. The Mamba Mentality is something that many people can take to heart and use throughout the rest of their lives.

On Jan. 26, the world was devastated to learn the news that Kobe, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna Bryant and seven other people were killed in a helicopter crash. It was as if sports fans were in a very bad dream they could not wake up from. The

world mourned the death of a sports legend and an icon in the city of Los Angeles.

In Flagstaff, the NAU men’s basketball team was hurt by the news, as redshirt sophomore guard Luke Avdalovic explained.

“I was doing some homework and my roommate, Cameron Shelton, came down and busted my door open and told me Kobe just died. I thought he was lying and my heart dropped,” Avdalovic said. “I went straight to Twitter and I was refreshing, and I was waiting for a false report or something. But then the texts started going around. We had film later that day and you could tell the energy was down a little bit. He was an icon to everybody.”

NAU junior guard Cameron Satterwhite loved to defend Kobe when it came to the greatest of all time conversations. He loved Kobe as a player ever since childhood.

“Anybody who knows me very well will tell you that I was the number one Kobe fan,” Satterwhite said. “I’m talking about debates: LeBron, Michael Jordan, it doesn’t matter — I’m Kobe all the way. Just growing up, that was my idol. The way I play, the way I approach the game, I felt like I was very similar to him.

It’s just tough.”

No matter if someone had played the game all their life, or never picked up a basketball, Kobe’s death was felt throughout the entire sports world.

Senior forward Brooks DeBisschop is a devoted Trail Blazers fan. Nevertheless, even though he may not have been a fan of

SPORTS the Lakers, he understood Kobe’s legacy and his contributions to the game.

“As I got older, I realized that you have to respect the competitor he was as a player,” DeBisschop said. “After he retired, you saw what he was doing for women’s basketball and he was someone that I would have thought to be a Bill Russell-type, sitting on the sidelines when he’s 80 years old. It’s just a sad loss for the game of basketball whether you were a Kobe fan or not.”

The Mamba Mentality is more than just a saying, Kobe made it a way of life. Whether on or off the court, Kobe made it his mission to be the best at whatever he was doing.

Junior Justin Dubail not only modeled his prior basketball skills after Kobe, but also his never-ending drive to work hard.

“Being a kid who grew up in Southern California, and a kid who played basketball since I was a kindergartner, Kobe was a hero to me,” Dubail said. “He was the reason why I fell in love with the sport in the first place. Most importantly, it was his work ethic and mentality that inspired me the most. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t be the person I am today, and I hope to carry on that Mamba Mentality throughout my life. He will be missed dearly.”

Basketball players were not the only ones affected by Kobe’s death. Members of NAU’s sports media department took the news hard as well. Senior Ryan Peretti is the KJACK radio sports director. He explained that anyone, whether a sports fan or not, can appreciate how Kobe lived his life.

“Everyone can learn something from Kobe,” Peretti said. “Whether that’s waking up early to work out, getting another job so there’s food on the table for your loved ones, or being a better person than you were yesterday. That’s Mamba Mentality.”

Sports are more than just a game, and no one showed that more than Kobe. For many people, specifically those from Los Angeles, Kobe showed that an individual can turn a childhood game into a lifestyle. It’s not just about making 3-pointers or free throws, grabbing rebounds and dropping dimes, it’s about the why. Why do people do what they do? When they watched Kobe play, he would answer the why.

Outside of basketball, there was much that could, and still can, be learned from Kobe.

Many sports fans hope to one day raise a child so that they can develop them into the next superstar athlete. Beyond the media wanting Kobe to have a son, he and his wife Vanessa had four daughters. The anecdote that was shared by ESPN’s Elle Duncan about Kobe “a girl dad” was one of the biggest takeaways from his passing.

He was teaching people that when they become parents, they should be as active as possible in their child’s life and do their part to support them in whatever they do. Thanks to Kobe founding the Mamba Academy and inspiring the love of basketball in his daughter Gianna, Kobe was beginning to become a fundamental piece in developing the WNBA. He took pride in being “a girl dad”.

In 2016, Kobe said “Mamba out,” but in 2020 and beyond, the Mamba will never be forgotten.

“There’s a choice that we have to make as people, as individuals. If you want to be great at something there is a choice you have to make.

We can all be masters at our craft, but you have to make a choice,” Kobe said to Showtime’s “Muse” in a February 2015 interview.

Rest in Peace, Kobe. Mamba Mentality forever.

An illustration of Kobe and Gianna Bryant courtesy of Nikolai Baslajik.

The true meaning of a student-athlete Jacob Terrill

M

aking a mark and leaving a legacy is something few people achieve at the collegiate level. It happens when an individual’s work ethic and leadership become memorable because of the positive impact they left in the place they called home. The NAU men’s basketball team will say goodbye to senior forward Brooks DeBisschop as his senior season comes to a close.

Being around sports was common for DeBisschop growing up. His father played football at the University of Oregon and his mother grew up as a big sports fan. DeBisschop said his family was always into sports and he was always supported well at his games.

DeBisschop was a three-sport athlete at West Linn High

School in West Linn, Oregon where he played football, baseball and basketball. He played baseball until his sophomore year and football until his junior year. It wasn’t until his senior year, when he fully committed to basketball, that he realized he wanted to play at the next level.

While playing Amateur Athletic Union basketball in the summer of his junior year, DeBisschop didn’t have any offers lined up until he was recruited by the University of Idaho and NAU. He also earned preferred walk-on status to the University of Oregon, but decided he wanted to play somewhere he felt he would have a more meaningful role.

DeBisschop stepped into a starting position his sophomore year at NAU and averaged 5.2 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.

As each year passed, DeBisschop continued improving. In his junior year, he averaged 7 points per game (ppg) and in his senior

year, he is averaging 11ppg.

“He works his butt off,” NAU interim head coach Shane Burcar said. “His scoring, rebounding and assists are stats of a player that you can see that he is getting better every year, and it’s because of his hard work and his belief in his coaches.”

Burcar wants DeBisschop to leave the program with the “never give up” mindset that he has portrayed throughout his final year. DeBisschop said it was difficult coming into summer ball and learning that he was going to have an interim head coach, but his attitude did not change since he has the mindset of a winner.

“That’s what successful people do,” Burcar said. “I have a saying, ‘winners win,’ and Brooks DeBisschop is a winner.”

The young players who came into the program have taken notice of the senior’s leadership. DeBisschop has welcomed the newcomers into the program with open arms and has helpsed

FEBRUARY 6, 2020 – FEBRUARY 12, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

21

SPORTS prepare them along the way.

“When I first got here, he was helping me with plays and defensive rotations,” freshman guard Isaiah Lewis said. “He is a good vocal leader and demonstrates how to do it right, too. He’s a good guy to follow.”

Redshirt sophomore forward Nik Mains plays the same position as DeBisschop and has been able to learn from him during practices and games.

“He’s one of the smartest players I have ever played with. His IQ is unreal,” Mains said. “He’s always teaching me in the game of defense, where to be on offense and helping me improve my game every day.”

DeBisschop’s high IQ is not limited to just basketball — he is one of three people in program history to be named an Academic All-American.

DeBisschop said West Linn prepared him well and challenged the students mentally. In his first semester at NAU, he got one B and the rest were A’s. He was soon told he had a great opportunity to become an Academic All-American and since then, he has never received a grade lower than an A in any of his classes.

“I’ve always been a pretty good student,” DeBisschop said. “I went to a high school with high expectations and there were a lot of good students.”

With DeBisschop’s career coming to a close, he has cherished a lot of the memories he has gained since joining the basketball team. Although his most memorable season has been the current one, he said he is trying to cherish every minute and every moment since there isn’t much left.

DeBisschop’s plans after college are to either play professional basketball in the NBA or overseas.

“If you have a plan A and a plan B, then you’re kidding yourself,” DeBisschop said. “You’ve got to put everything into one plan. I haven’t applied to any jobs and I am not going to. I am just going to try and play basketball.”

DeBisschop and the Lumberjacks are winding down their season as they have eight more conference games until the end of their season. NAU enters the last month of the season with an 12-8 overall record and a 6-5 conference record. The Lumberjacks Senior Night is against Montana State University Feb. 24 at the Walkup Skydome.

In his final games, DeBisschop and the rest of the NAU men’s basketball team only have one goal on their minds: Win a conference championship and make it to the NCAA Tournament.

“He’s one of the smartest players I have ever played with.

His IQ is unreal.”

– Nik Mains, redshirt sophomore forward

Top: Senior forward Brooks DeBisschop looks for an opening during the second half of the game against the University of Northern Colorado at the Walkup Skydome, Jan. 26, 2019.

Maria Saldivar | The Lumberjack Bottom: Senior forward Brooks DeBisschop dribbles and turns against Sacramento State University junior forward Ethan Esposito in the first half of the game at the Walkup Skydome, Jan. 27. MacKenzie Brower | The Lumberjack

22

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

LUNCH - DINNER - LATE NIGHT

E@ LATE NIT

D R A Y e ay h d r t satu friday &

DJ starts at 10pm FRIDAY $6.99 32oz YARD JARS saturday $4 PINTS PLAYING the best DANCE HITS from throughout the decades!

$4 DOUBLE WELLS

YARVIDA

THRUIRSDAY T

Sign Up Starts at 7pm, Seating Starts at 9pm The Game starts at 9:30pm! $2.75 Topless Cans & $7.99 Yard Jars

www.lumberyardbrewingcompany.com

Sunday - Thursday 11am - 12am Friday - Saturday 11am - 2am Late Night Menu Available Friday - Saturday

$10 PIZZA AND PINT FOR NAU STUDENTS! 8” WOOD-FIRED PIZZA AND 16OZ PINT OF BS BEER! JUST SHOW US YOUR NAU ID!

JOIN OUR BS BREW CLUB! $60 Annual Membership includes:

BS Brew Club Shirt BS Brew Club Glass $5 22oz Imperial Pints $9 64oz Growler Fills 25% OFF BSB Merch and Beer Gear 20% OFF Wood-Fired Pizzas 10% OFF All other Food items Happy Hour Pricing for Pool Free Pool on Mondays and Tuesdays Free Entry into Okto’Beer’Fest 25% Off all other BSB hosted Special Events Brew Club Sundays: Bring in a friend to receive the same great perks of membership!

www.beaverstreetbrewery.com

5 S SAN FRANCISCO ST | 928.779.2739 3 S Beaver St | Flagstaff, Az | 928.779.0079

FEBRUARY 6, 2020 – FEBRUARY 12, 2020 | THE LUMBERJACK

23

VOTE! TO

VOTE! TO

REGISTER

REGISTER

REGISTER

VOTE! TO

VOTE! TO

!

T R E L A N O I T C E L REGISTER

E

You MUST be registered Democrat by Feb. 18th to vote in the 2020 Arizona Democratic Presidential Primary on March 17th. Don’t miss out.

Your vote is your voice.

Check your registration status and register to vote in the primary at: http://nxtgn.us/voteAZ

TEXT 2020 TO 82623

to receive periodic updates from NextGen, check your registration status, and re-register.*

SCAN THE QR CODE FOR MORE INFO

*By texting 2020 to 82623 you consent to receive periodic updates from NextGen America. Text HELP for help, STOP to end. Msg & Data rates may apply. https://nextgenamerica.org/privacy-policy/

24

THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG