The Lumberjack -- October 28, 2021

THE LUMBER JACK OCT. 28, 2021 – NOV. 3 2021

HEROES: HELPING HANDS FROM FAR AND WIDE A SPECIAL ISSUE

Online at JackCentral.org

From the Editor

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EMILY GERDES DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL CONTENT AND SOCIAL MEDIA

ife has honestly been quite good recently. After being at home in a strict quarantine my entire sophomore year I really feel like I have been able to blossom this semester.

Living on my own, in my own house, has given me so much freedom. I take random trips to visit the aspens changing colors after class. I spend time with my fellow club members exploring pumpkin patches. I meet up with old friends to catch up over coffee downtown. I am living the life freshman Emily dreamed of.

I am passionate about what I’m learning in my classes. When I have a break between meetings I eat my lunch at north quad watching all the yellow leaves fall while listening to a podcast. My love for a solid iced caramel latte has only been reinforced by late-night due dates and tests.

Genuinely, I am thriving. I love the balance I have found with school, work and still participating in extracurricular activities. I am doing great in all my classes and with the holidays coming up life is only going to get better from here (unless the insane Flagstaff wind continues, then it may go downhill).

Thank you for reading.

THE LUMBERJACK VOL. 112 ISSUE 10

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

Editor-in-Chief Nathan Manni

Managing Editor Camille Sipple

Copy Chief Trevor Skeen

Faculty Adviser David Harpster

Print Chief Ash Lohmann

Director of Digital Content and Social Media Emily Gerdes

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Recognizing the #FreeBritney Movement ne of the world’s biggest pop stars, Britney Spears, was forced into a conservatorship after suffering a public mental health crisis in 2008 and ever since, her career, finances and personal life have been controlled by her father, Jamie Spears, and others.

Read more at jackcentral.org from Op-Ed writer Jessie McCann

Online at Issuu.com Latest Edition & Archive Social media

Media Innovation Center Editorial Board News Editor Mark Fabery

Asst. News Editor Tess Stafford

Op-Ed Editor Kylie Soto

Asst. Op-Ed Editor Marley Green

Features Editor Olivia Charlson

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Asst. Features Editor Lauren Anderson

Sports Adviser Rory Faust

Culture Editor Katelyn Rodriguez

Director of Photography MacKenzie Brower

Asst. Culture Editor Haylee Emch

Asst. Dir. of Photography Brian Burke

Sports Editor Brenden Martin

Director of Illustration Diana Ortega

Asst. Sports Editor Will Hopkins

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Director of Multimedia Shawn Patti

On the cover Illustration By Christian Ayala

Corrections & Clarifications The Lumberjack is committed to factual correctness and accuracy. If you find an error in our publication, please email Nathan Manni at nem233@nau.edu.

PoliceBeat Oct. 18 At 8:58 a.m., a staff member reported damage to their vehicle in lot 69. NAUPD responded and took a report.

At 3:03 p.m., a University Union Fieldhouse staff member anonymously reported a suspicious person.

NAUPD responded, but the subject was gone upon arrival.

At 2:39 p.m., NAUPD reported receiving information At 8:37 p.m., a SkyView about a noninjury accident in community assistant reported lot 16. An officer responded a noise complaint. Officers and took a report. cited and released one student for disturbance of the peace At 8:10 p.m., an Allen and disorderly conduct.

Hall RA reported the sound of an alarm coming from a locked Oct. 21 room. NAUPD responded and At 11:16 a.m., NAUPD reset the alarm. reported a call from the Reilly Hall blue light phone. An Oct. 19 officer responded and searched At 8:23 a.m., a Rolle the area, but no criminal Activity Center staff member activity was witnessed. A work requested a standby to keep the order was placed for the blue peace. NAUPD responded and light phone. provided assistance.

At 2:13 p.m., a nonstudent At 2:03 p.m., a student requested a welfare check on requested medical assistance another nonstudent at the for another student who High Country Conference attempted suicide in SkyView. Center. NAUPD responded NAUPD, Flagstaff Fire and found the subject in good Department (FFD) and health.

Guardian Medical Transport (GMT) responded, and the At 10:05 p.m., a student subject was transported to reported hearing someone Flagstaff Medical Center screaming near The Suites.

(FMC).

Officers responded and found another student in good health.

At 5:06 p.m., GMT reported a suspicious person Oct. 22 near San Francisco Parking At 9:43 a.m., an employee Garage. NAUPD responded, reported an injury in the but no criminal activity was Biological Sciences building. witnessed.

NAUPD, FFD and GMT responded, but the subject At 11:57 p.m., a Sechrist refused transport.

Hall RA reported the theft of multiple bulletin boards. An At 10:33 p.m., a Tinsley officer responded and took a Hall RA reported a broken exit report. sign. NAUPD responded and took a report.

Oct. 20 At 11:06 a.m., a staff At 11:31 p.m., a student member reported finding reported a loud party at personal property under a bush SkyView. Officers responded, near the Babbitt Academic but no criminal activity was Building. NAUPD responded witnessed. and disposed of the item.

compiled by Mark Fabery Oct. 23 At 12:36 a.m., an Allen Hall RA reported a possibly damaged exit sign. NAUPD responded and found the sign undamaged, but had come loose. The sign was reattached.

At 2:42 p.m., a student reported an off-campus assault.

An officer referred the student to FPD. At 7:47 p.m., an Allen Hall RA reported the theft of a smoke detector. NAUPD responded and took a report.

At 10:06 p.m., a McKay Village resident reported someone possibly inside their dorm room. Officers responded, but no criminal activity was witnessed.

Oct. 24 At 12:14 a.m., a student reported someone using an airhorn near McKay Village.

NAUPD responded, but no criminal activity was witnessed.

At 2:05 a.m., a student reported a person moving tables and looking around bikes outside of Tinsley Hall.

NAUPD responded and found a student searching for lost property.

At 6:49 p.m., a Health and Learning Center staff member reported a student who had dislocated their shoulder. NAUPD, FFD and GMT responded, but the student refused transport and was provided a public assist ride to McConnell Hall.

At 10:07 p.m., a Gabaldon Hall RA reported a broken exit sign. An officer responded, repaired it and witnessed no criminal activity.

City council gives Lone Tree Overpass Project update, receives Tequila Sunrise complaint Sophia Swainson

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n Tuesday afternoon, Flagstaff City Council received and considered updates on the Lone Tree Overpass Project. Prior to this discussion, Deb Harris, NAU’s associate dean of students and president of Southside Community Association, spoke about concerns among residents regarding parties. She expressed her community’s hope of speaking with the city of Flagstaff, NAU and the Flagstaff Police Department to resolve related issues.

Harris explained members of her community, Southside, were bothered by a party that occurred on South Fontaine Street during Tequila Sunrise — the unofficial beginning of Homecoming events, when many Flagstaff residents spend the weekend partying. She invited the councilmembers to the Southside Community Association meeting at the Murdoch Community Center on Thursday at 6 p.m. to discuss the community’s agitation.

“Our concern is that we’re past the stage of asking,” Harris said. “Now, we’re demanding that the city does something about issues with partying, and city ordinances related to that, especially in communities like La Plaza, Southside and Sunnyside.”

According to the Flagstaff City Council Rules of Procedure, issues brought up in public participation are not immediately discussed. Despite a reminder of this rule from Mayor Paul Deasy, councilmember Jim McCarthy requested Harris repeat the date, time and location of the community association meeting. Following Harris’s public participation and other routine agenda items, Christine Cameron, project manager with the Capital Improvements Program, introduced design updates on the Lone Tree Overpass Project.

Cameron described the background of the project, including central goals of improving safety and reducing congestion by providing another way to cross the BNSF railway that splits Flagstaff.

The presentation included projections of a traffic demand model and results of a greenhouse gas analysis.

The design manager, Jason Carloftis, presented the 2026-2040 traffic projections of the traffic demand model. The model showed, with the construction of the Lone Tree Overpass, traffic on South Milton Road, South Beaver Street and South San Francisco Street would be reduced significantly.

Councilmember McCarthy requested more information in future presentations to council on whether the reductions in traffic projected on Milton Road would apply to the entire street, or only the portion north of East Butler Avenue.

Read more at jackcentral.org

OCT. 28 - NOV. 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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Local heroes: Frontline workers preventing the spread Annika Beck

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obody expected the ongoing wrath of the pandemic.

However, due to the urgent crisis, nurses and frontline workers have the important role of addressing health and treatment concerns in Coconino County.

According to the Coconino County COVID-19 weekly update, 353 positive cases were reported the week of Oct. 3, including 1,596 hospitalizations since the pandemic started.

Furthermore, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS), staying informed and prepared is a beneficial strategy for health care facilities.

For inpatient providers, AZDHS recommended continuing to conserve personal protective equipment (PPE), considering ICU capacity and surge potential, along with staying up to date on the latest testing and therapeutic recommendations. Within the last six months, department data shows there have been 5,182 cases, and 61% of emergency department beds in Arizona are currently filled.

Tyffany Laurano, chief nursing officer for Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH), has helped implement several safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and its variants at Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC).

“There are approximately 1,200 nurses and frontline staff,” Laurano said. “Currently, our community spread is high and requires severe restrictions of in-person visitation. We are asking for friends and family members to take advantage of virtual visits

to connect with loved ones that are in the hospital. Another vital means of preventing the spread of COVID-19 is by ensuring employees are deploying the correct PPE utilization and having the appropriate supplies on hand.”

Considering the shortage of necessary supplies during the pandemic, the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention strategized to optimize the supply of PPE, which includes face masks, eye protection, gowns and gloves. The CDC’s plan offers solutions to improve equipment availability for nurses and frontline workers.

“The supply chain for PPE has greatly improved since 2020 due to inventory being more widely available for purchase in the market, improved utilization of disposable supplies and increased use of reusable supplies where appropriate,” Laurano said.

The ongoing battle nurses at FMC are fighting has not been easy. Recently, NAH announced all employees must be fully vaccinated by Dec. 31, which could prevent further spread of COVID-19 and promote safety for anyone who walks through its doors.

Senior nursing student Karlie Triska partakes in clinical work at FMC, where she receives hands-on experience in the medical field. Some of Triska’s tasks include distributing medications, along with giving shots, IVs, pills, catheters and blood sugar tests.

“The nurses are doing all they can to take care of the patients, and sometimes it’s out of their hands,” Triska said. “The nurses have been doing a great job for a situation they weren’t prepared for, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t burnt out from dealing with

this ongoing pandemic.”

Triska explained FMC is moderately full of COVID-19 patients, who constitute most of ICU admissions. The students are assigned three patients a day, and typically, two-thirds are there for COVID-19.

Senior nursing student Sarah Cunningham was originally drawn to anatomy, which led to her interest in hands-on care and helping people in need of medical attention.

“There are still limitations with visitors; however, there has been some accomodation with that,” Cunningham said. “For example, I was in the ICU a few weeks ago, and we were caring for a patient. The nurse I was with got the patient a hospital iPad and had them FaceTime their family and talk to them since they couldn’t visit. The health care workers are trying as much as they can to allow people to see their loved ones — and they’re doing a great job at it.”

Cunningham acknowledged the importance, and resilience, of health care during a pandemic the medical field never anticipated. She said it affirmed that nursing is a justified career, and frontline workers are doing everything they can to help people in need.

The resilience of health care workers has been the backbone of this pandemic, which persists after a year and a half. Without their hard work and dedicated risk, the world would suffer. Not all heroes wear capes, because some prefer a pair of scrubs and a mask.

“The nurses have been doing a great job for a situation they weren’t prepared for, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t burnt out from dealing with this ongoing pandemic.”

- Senior nursing student Karlie Triska

Lead housekeeper Nancy Zaldivar ( left) and clinical housekeeper Patty Rodriguez (right) clean rooms on June 5, 2020 at Northern Arizona Healthcare’s Flagstaff Medical Center. Photo courtesy of Sean Openshaw, NAH Communications

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NEWS

NAU considering new learning management system Marissa Abreu

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cross campus, students, faculty and staff use Blackboard Learn Original Course View (BB Learn) for learning and coursework, professional development and training, staff certifications and other administrative duties, but everything will change by summer 2023.

NAU has used BB Learn as its primary learning management system (LMS) for years. However, the university’s contract with this service expires in summer 2023, leaving administrators to consider a new system. The other options are Canvas, D2L Brightspace and upgrading to BB Learn Ultra.

The Office of the Provost will oversee this process of change, including John Georgas, vice provost for academic operations and professor at the School of Informatics, Computing and Cyber Systems. Georgas said he will work with ASNAU leadership, while holding discussions with students to assess their reasoning in choosing a new LMS. “[All three LMSs] are market-leading systems with sufficiently robust technology and user-support infrastructures,” Georgas said. “[It] will help ensure an institution of our size and complexity is able to serve students effectively.”

Last July, NAU kicked off the project by creating test conditions for all three LMSs. According to the timeline, the transition process includes developing demos and guidedactivity courses. NAU aims to gather selection criteria until January 2022, when those involved will evaluate the LMS candidates. A new system will be chosen in March 2022 and implemented in August 2023.

Georgas said there will be two types of demo sessions: A set of videos and sandbox

“[It] will help ensure an institution of our size and complexity is able to serve students effectively.”

- john georgas, NAU vice provost for academic operations course shells. The videos, provided by the LMS’ vendors, are available to anyone affiliated with the university, while the sandbox course shells will provide a chance to test software and gain firsthand experience with them.

“Starting in the spring semester, we will also offer a set of guided activities that will ensure that users have thorough opportunities to assess the features and nonfunctional properties of each LMS and then offer their feedback through a survey,” Georgas said.

According to PR Newswire, a number of universities use Canvas, including ASU, UArizona, The Ohio State University, Utah State University and Oregon State University.

Junior Jayden Mason used Canvas in high school, and he said the platform is easier for students and faculty alike over BB Learn.

“I think [BB Learn’s] organization is all over the place,” Mason said. “The

group function is very convoluted.”

Further, Mason said the discussion boards in Canvas are easier to use than BB Learn’s.

While they accomplish the same goal, he said Canvas’ user interface elements are better.

Websites like The Blueprint have compared both systems and found Canvas has organized, orderly user interfaces, and even a feature to comment directly within specific sections of videos. Canvas allows university affiliates to carry or produce whatever content they need,

including documents and media. It even offers social learning tools, such as chats, discussions and collaborations, that combine smoothly into lessons.

BB Learn, however, lacks the innovative features of Canvas and has subpar user experiences, according to The Blueprint. Their interfaces were described as somewhat logical, but not easily understood. Much of what Mason said was supported by The Blueprint publication.

Either way, NAU is considering a new LMS, because BB Learn’s Original Course View will be discontinued, Georgas said.

“Given that a transition to Blackboard Learn’s new Ultra platform would demand comparable effort for faculty and students as adopting any other LMS, it is the right time to review our needs and how to best serve student success,” Georgas said.

During the transiton, faculty will be trained in the new LMS, as stated on the timeline.

Students, however, will not be impacted by the change, as they will still use BB Learn’s Original Course View during the transition, Georgas added.

Though the implementation of a new LMS for NAU is a few years away, the demonstration and sandbox courses will be deployed soon.

More information can be found on the NAU Academic Affairs website.

Illustration By Tonesha Yazzie

OCT. 28 - NOV. 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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NEWS

Flagstaff Active Transportation Master Plan is set for council approval lauryn steitz

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he Active Transportation Master Plan (ATMP) will improve the biking and walking conditions within Flagstaff, if approved by Flagstaff City Council in March

2022.

Further, the ATMP will be the first detailed guide concerning these conditions in Flagstaff. Currently, the city of Flagstaff is holding five public Zoom forums to allow residents to ask questions and inquire for more information on the plan. These sessions, which are part of a 60-day public comment period, are hosted by multimodal transportation planner Martin Ince and climate engagement coordinator Jillian Goulet. For those who are unable to attend any of the forums, the city also created an online survey for residents.

Councilmember Adam Shimoni said he has been an advocate for the ATMP since he joined city council.

“I have been fighting and pushing to get the ATMP to the public review stage for over two years at this point,” Shimoni said.

“I have been pushing really hard to get this document moving forward, because as soon as I got elected, I realized really quickly that we have work to do on this front.”

Moreover, after the public comment period closes, the process continues through the pedestrian and bicycle advisory committees for detailed review and possible recommendations.

In addition, the Planning and Zoning Commission, along with the Parks and Recreation Commission, will consider the ATMP. Ince said the former has specific requirements the ATMP must meet, and its seven members are including the Parks and Recreation Commission in their division presentations because they are a stakeholder in council.

By receiving formal approval from city council, the adoption process will conclude in March 2022. This is when city council is able to begin implementation of new walking and biking models, which the ATMP describes as “the big shift.”

“I don’t think it ever gets completed,” Ince said. “We have projects divided up into what we want to do in the first five years and what we want to do in the first 20 years. We want to prioritize the projects that are going to be the most impactful.”

The Flagstaff Regional Plan 2030 and the Flagstaff Carbon Neutrality Plan also include guidelines from the ATMP to help residents understand the long-term goals. Ince said the ATMP does not change the regional plan; instead, it adds more details to the walking and biking section.

This draft of the ATMP outlines the importance of walking and biking within the community, the pros and cons of the current conditions as well as how Flagstaff will invoke change in these circumstances. The current situation is measured through infrastructure — sidewalks, bike lanes, Flagstaff Urban Trail System pathways, etc. — and mode share, along with safety and national measures, such as walk score, bike score and community friendliness. One of the first considerations within the ATMP is safety.

“Flagstaff has an average of 29 crashes involving pedestrians each year, and an average of 52 crashes involving bicyclists,” the ATMP reported.

After a tow truck driver ran a red light at the intersection of East Butler Avenue and South Beaver Street in May, and collided

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The annual mode share change, by geography, for the city of Flagstaff, as provided in the Flagstaff Active Transportation Master Plan draft document. Photo courtesy of the City of Flagstaff

with a group of cyclists advocating for bike commuting and safety, this safety concern became even more apparent. Flagstaff resident Joanna Wheaton was killed, and several others were injured.

After months of community activism, council responded by approving the separation of bike lanes. Ince said this safety measure is a step toward the ATMP. NAU School of Communication lecturer Whitney Stefani’s primary mode of transportation is walking. She said one of her biggest safety concerns with commuting to campus and going around town is the lack of sidewalks.

“There are some areas where pedestrian walkways and sidewalks are excessively narrow, absent altogether or are overgrown with brush, which reduces visibility and leads to people walking in the street,” Stefani said.

Moreover, Stefani said she feels unsafe walking home at night because of the poor visibility, curved roads and lack of street lights and sidewalks.

Stefani said crosswalks and traffic light cycles are slow at some highly populated intersections, giving vehicles more time to drive than pedestrians are given to cross, resulting in jaywalking.

The infrastructures for current sidewalks — where they are or not — are included in the ATMP. Using a color-coded system, these maps demonstrate safe and unsafe areas, denote where accidents happen and detail alternate routes for walking and biking.

Along with the East Butler Avenue and South Beaver Street project, the city of Flagstaff has been working on developing the Lone Tree Overpass. Shimoni said the project will increase Lone Tree Road to seven lanes.

“So, while the ATMP is progressing, we are still heading in the wrong direction with the fundamental belief that to build out

of the growth demand we need more lanes,” Shimoni said.

According to the ATMP draft, allowing easier and safer biking also builds stronger connections in the community.

Shimoni said the city has an opportunity to demonstrate what a safe walking and biking environment could look like, especially being a college town where one-third of the population does not have cars.

“It’s not going to be the end-all-be-all solution,” Shimoni said. “At the end of the day, we are talking about culture shifts and a whole new approach to how we design and implement the needs of our growth, and that is coming from a very car-centric focal point to a ‘Let’s think outside the box [perspective];’ maybe building for the car is not the solution for Flagstaff.”

The ATMP has been developed to cover every aspect of this environmental shift. Ince said it suggests design guidelines, planning considerations, strategies to use and actions to take in the years to come. While Ince is planning the fundamentals, Shimoni said councilmembers are being forced to acknowledge the changes needed throughout Flagstaff, because residents are fighting harder and stronger for action to be taken.

The ATMP public comment period will close Nov. 19, as the plan will continue to see changes before council’s schedule vote and potential approval in March.

NEWS

OCT. 28 - NOV. 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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NEWS

Ask the Prez: NAU’s Cruz Rivera fields student questions

President José Luis Cruz Rivera speaks with The Lumberjack Editorial Board in the Media Innovation Center, Oct. 18. Brian Burke| The Lumberjack

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Carly Ross, Freshman, Nutrition

President Cruz Rivera answered crowdsourced questions via social media from NAU students. Read the remaining responses online at jackcentral.org.

“When can we remove our masks in classrooms? It’s recommended everywhere on campus but required in classrooms. Is this changing any time soon?”

Masks are an important mitigating measure to lower risk and prevent the spread of COVID-19. They are required in most classrooms because of two main factors: 1) physical distancing cannot be maintained and 2) prolonged close contact with others cannot be avoided. Given these factors, we are continuing to require masks in instructional settings.

I understand that there can be some discomfort from wearing a mask – I do so in my office and throughout campus for many meetings and conversations. But it is also an important commitment to our community health that allows us to have the rich and vibrant in-person living and learning experience. Our priorities are learning, engagement, and health. By wearing masks when you cannot distance, it helps all of us achieve these goals and have a safe and successful semester.

I am hopeful that with the advancements in our understanding, mitigation, and treatment of COVID-19 we will soon reach a point where masking requirements may be relaxed. The timing,of course, will be determined by our collective ability to manage the effects of this historic pandemic.

Jennifer John, Graduate student pursuing a Master’s, History “Hello, President Cruz Rivera! How are Louie and your pets liking Flagstaff?”

They are all enamored by Flagstaff. Having most recently lived in New York City, Leia, Louie and Larry very much enjoy their new, more expansive surroundings and the generous helpings ofdaily sunlight. We haven’t yet taken the dogs to campus, but look forward to having an opportunity to do so.

Perhaps we will start with some of the trails in the south side of our Mountain Campus. Thanks for asking!

Mary Martin, Sophomore, Communication “Hello Dr. Cruz Rivera! I’m curious who inspires you? Who are some individuals you look up to and admire?”

As time goes by, I am increasingly inspired less by historical figures or those holding positions of high authority, and more about those whom because of proximity I get to know more deeply and see more clearly. And so, if we were to have lunch one day, I’d talk about how my mom has selflessly devoted her life to her kids and the impact doing that in turn has had on me, my siblings, and so many others; I’d talk about how my partner Rima wrestles with the complexities of life not only in the corresponding spaces and places, but also on the page — and how her writing has helped me and so many others better understand the structural forces, systemic injustices, and under-developed habits of the mind that shape the world around us; and I’d talk about how each of my children and grandchildren inspire my hope in the future not only because of their achievements – small and large – but because of the challenges they choose to confront.

And, of course, I’d talk about the myriad ways in which friends, colleagues, and students with whom I interact inspire me on a daily basis through their commitment to not only reaching their fullpotential, but to ensuring that collectively we do as well.

OCT. 28- NOV. 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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COMIC SPOT

Deadly drawings, ghoulish graph

Illustration By Jessie Siemens

Illustration By christian ayala

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hics and spooky sketches, oh my!

Illustration By Tonesha Yazzie

Illustration By Diana Ortega

Illustration By

OCT. 28- NOV. 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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OPINION-EDITORIAL

Songs have an underrated power in saving lives Jessie McCann

Influencers do not make worthy heroes

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e live in an age where TikTok users are more famous than celebrities and most children’s dream job is “content creator.”

The Digital Marketing Institute defines an influencer as “someone who has established credibility in a specific industry, has access to a huge audience and can persuade others to act based on SYDNEY their recommendations.”

STANIEC To sell whatever they produce, it is influencers’ job to promote idealized OP-ED WRITER versions of themselves through social media. Sometimes, what they’re selling is the dream of having a lifestyle like them.

This harms the psyches of young people, who don’t realize creators manipulate audiences into believing their lives are flawless. The expectation of perfection causes influencers to edit their photos or get cosmetic surgery.

Using Adobe Photoshop or Facetune to drastically alter one’s body or face has become normalized. Now, even videos can be manipulated, increasing the chances for deception.

Instead of promoting body positivity and embracing insecurities, far too many influencers choose to promote an unrealistic beauty standard. Often, it isn’t even real; it’s edited.

The prevalence of copy and pasted influencers is shown by how many of them have an “Instagram face.”

According to The New Yorker, “It is a young face, of course, with poreless skin and plump, high cheekbones. It has catlike eyes and long, cartoonish lashes; it has a small, neat nose and full, lush lips.”

The article also stated the face is ethnically ambiguous.

This can be observed when considering the Kardashian-Jenner family, which is seen as the epitome of the beauty standard.

As fashion critic and social commentary YouTuber Mina Le explained in a recent video, their look includes lip fillers and heavy tans to emulate other ethnicities, while still looking distinctly white. This highlights the role white privilege plays when considering who gets to be an influencer.

Influencers of color who naturally have these sought-after features tend not to receive the same amount of attention and praise as their white counterparts who pay to look like them.

Furthermore, society treats women’s body types like they’re trends. In the 1920s, for example, boyish and androgynous bodies were in vogue. Then, in the 1990s, “heroin chic” was popular, and sickly, emaciated bodies were glamorized.

The Kardashian-Jenner clan has contributed to the shift toward a new and trendy body type: The slim-thick body.

Continued on jackcentral.org

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THE LUMBERJACK | JACKCENTRAL.ORG

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usic has a different meaning to everyone. It is a powerful form of self-expression, and at that, one of the most easily accessible. Moreover, it is a medium that serves to connect people in the grand scheme of life.

Everyone has an artist they feel closely connected to, or who has lyrics that deeply resonate with them. Artists sing about their most personal experiences and are still able to relate to wide audiences. Catering to the whole spectrum of emotions, music can also serve as a therapeutic tool in times of crisis. It is no understatement when someone says music has saved their life.

Personally, I can name countless artists who have greatly impacted me, as well as songs that have saved my life and those of the people I know. Music is my favorite pastime, and I have continued to rely on it as a life force.

Musicians, both alive and dead, are considered heroes by many. People naturally idolize celebrities for their talent, but famous artists deserve a special kind of recognition for their breadth of emotional value.

Mourning the death of a beloved singer is especially difficult because, at times, they are the ones who provide the closest form of comfort — an almost metaphysical shoulder to cry on.

A 2020 American Association of Retired Persons Music and Brain Health Survey of a nationally representative sample of adults concluded that listening to music had a positive effect on mental health. Music played in the background or at live performances was shown to alleviate depression and anxiety.

Research concludes that the act of completing a task while playing music can improve cognitive performance. There is also a correlation between listening to music that elicits positive emotions and memory formation being improved.

In terms of psychological benefits, the National Alliance for Mental Illness reported “Because of its rhythmic and repetitive aspects, music engages the neocortex of our brain, which calms us and reduces impulsivity.”

By releasing those feelgood chemicals, such as dopamine and oxytocin, music can help affect mood regulation in the brain.

People often listen to music that matches

their mood, and one destabilizing factor is potentially leaving them stuck in a state of sadness, anger or depression. In order to alter mood states, music therapists first recommend listening to music that emulates one’s current mood, and then eventually settling into more stress-relieving music.

Especially because of isolation during the pandemic, people have turned to music to better their mental health. One of the more staggering social losses as a result of COVID-19 was concerts, which are a significant part of culture in sharing a love of music.

Studies have proven that attending concerts regularly furthers subjective well-being, along with making people happier in their everyday lives than those who do not. It was also shown to improve relationships with people who attend together, which just goes to show the strong sense of bonding that music creates.

As an avid concertgoer, seeing live music is one of the most raw and spectacular experiences I’ve had. Nothing compares to being surrounded by people who are passionate about the same artist or group. So many emotions envelop you at once: Feeling so happy you could cry, feeling like you don’t have a care in the world besides what is going on in front of you and feeling alive.

The sum of these shared feelings about music can make one feel part of something so much bigger.

In a literal sense, there is no doubt that firefighters, emergency medical technicians and the like are heroes. But the beautiful distinction about musicians is that they can be there for you when no one else is.

At the click of a button, we can be transported to a safe haven. Breeding such strong mental and emotional connections, artists are able to connect with you at the most vulnerable states.

I encourage readers to think of their own musical heroes and the role they play in their lives.

Because we are so capable of listening to music we desire at any given moment, it is easy to lose sight of how much heart and soul is poured out by the artists we listen to. For their passion and power in creating a less lonely world, musicians should be labeled as heroes.

Illustration By Tonesha Yazzie

OPINION-EDITORIAL

Airline pilots: The unsung heroes of the sky Michael McClure

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t is old news by this point, borderline painful for many to hear: The pandemic changed society far more than anyone could have imagined one and a half years ago.

Full-time positions transitioned to remote jobs, grocery stores became more like feedlots than places to shop and life as we knew it completely changed in the COVID-19 era. The disease was much more than a minor inconvenience for the general public.

To date, there have been more than 750,000 deaths in the United States and over 46 million cases of infection, per Worldometer.

A plethora of factors have contributed to the relative American success of containing the spread of the virus, and not all of them are due to health care.

Air travel constitutes much of the way society is connected globally, both in the way humans travel and in the way a country's goods and resources are distributed.

According to Statista, in 2019, just over 330,000 airline pilots were registered globally.

In the U.S. alone, the Federal Aviation Administration watches over more than 45,000 flights on a daily basis, which includes a substantial number of cargo liners.

In April 2020, the Trump administration announced the launch of Project Airbridge.

This initiative aimed to provide daily flights from China chock full of medical supplies and destined for the hardest hit states at the time.

The project used domestic airlines and their pilots in order to secure these supplies from China, which removed men and women from their homes at an uncertain time in human history.

For more than four months, these pilots were called on time and time again in order to continue delivering personal protective equipment to health care professionals in desperate need.

COVID-19 created an opportunity to highlight a segment of our society that sits largely unrecognized. Commercial airline pilots are largely balancing the fate of hundreds of people every day they step onto the job.

According to the Pilot Institute, after earning a private pilot’s license, it takes an individual an additional two years — at least — to have enough flight hours to test for a commercial license. Even when the license is secured, there are annual checkrides and constant critiques

Illustration By Diana Ortega

to ensure the person flying knows exactly what they are doing. This accomplishment is no easy task, and once someone becomes qualified to fly, the responsibility of getting people safely to their destination is paramount to the operation.

More recently, with the messy military withdrawal from Kabul, Afghanistan, pilots were once again called on to help thousands of innocent bystanders seek emergency refuge in neighboring countries through airlifts. Al Jazeera reported over 120,000 Afghans and Americans were evacuated from the country within 10 days of withdrawal, flying all day

without rest. Accomplishing a feat of this magnitude required incredible planning, along with the qualified operators to fly these machines and guide individuals to safety.

One notion more relevant to the American public, however, is leisure travel. Oftentimes, families plan annual getaways, but so many of these plans would be unattainable without air travel. Traveling weeks by boat, or numerous days and thousands of miles by car, does not appeal to the majority of vacationers. With airlines flying to these destinations on a daily basis, often multiple times, the burden of travel

becomes much smaller to a family looking to get away. Modern advancements in technology, and the willingness of pilots to fly these impressive machines thousands of miles across continents, is what allows society to not think twice about how it is getting there.

Pilots also contributed a substantial amount toward getting doctors to countries with underdeveloped and overrun health care systems. Per the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, over 250,000 health care professionals, both doctors and nurses, were flown to different countries to assist international efforts in the fight against the virus. These individuals played such a crucial role for the citizens of these nations.

An unfortunate reality for many is that if foreign doctors do not administer medical attention, it is likely no one will. According to the World Health Organization, at least 50% of the global population lacks access to sufficient health care, and more than 100 million have been pushed into extreme poverty because of crippling medical debt. Obviously, the limelight will be given to people on the front lines saving lives — and justifiably so — but do not forget who was responsible for getting those workers to destinations where they were so desperately needed.

The U.S. faces new challenges every day, some of which are foreseen and others unexpected. What makes this country unique is the innate ability to rise to new challenges, and to overcome them in a way greater than anyone could have hoped. So many individuals in the workforce play pivotal roles in the day-to-day success of the U.S. health care, agricultural, and economic systems, along with so many more.

I chose to spotlight people of the commercial airline industry because all too often, they don’t receive acknowledgement or thanks for the work they do. Flying massive airplanes through crowded airspace and an array of weather conditions, all while being responsible for hundreds of souls, is undeniably a stressful task, to say the least.

While the world continues to extinguish the flames of the deadly pandemic, take a moment to reflect on how a pilot may have helped you, whether creating good or somber memories, such as saying a final goodbye to a loved one.

Chances are, a pilot made it possible.

OCT. 28- NOV. 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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OPINION-EDITORIAL

Heroines rise up: Girls vs. gatekeepers Kylie Soto

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omen want nothing more than to see someone like them on the silver screen, especially in the superhero genre.

BBC America and the Women’s Media Center partnered to conduct a study titled “SuperPowering girls: Female representation in the sci/fi superhero genre.” The center found 63-65% of the women surveyed felt there are not enough role models, relatable characters or strong protagonists of their gender identity in scifi and superhero TV and film.

Unsurprisingly, though, the film industry is over whelmingly full of men, along with the broader comic-based movie fan base. To confirm this concept, Statista reported 43% of surveyed men identified as fans of comic books, compared to the 24% of women who stated the same.

There is something to be said about men gatekeeping things deemed to be part of geek culture.

Some men even go as far as to harass women who express their joy for gaming and comics. It has gotten to the point where 59% of women don’t disclose their gender while gaming to avoid harassment.

It all comes back to the idea that these matters belong exclusively to men and that women can’t enjoy anything more than the ideas the patriarchy projects on them.

Something to take into consideration is this misguided hallucination men have of “fake geek girls,” a term aptly used by The Atlantic, which perpetuates this idea that attractive women can’t truly adore something men happen to claim as their own.

An io9 article explained that geek culture, since its creation, has been revered as heterodoxically masculine in juxtaposition with the traditionally macho, brutish and even obtuse

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Illustration By Diana Ortega

social view of where men’s interests should lie.

Still, women shouldn’t be at fault for men’s insecurities. This illusion that women only enjoy alternative topics, like comics and video games, for attention is steeped in internalized masculine fragility, not feminine duplicity.

I’m uncertain whether it’s their inability to accept the fact that women can enjoy comics equally as much, or the idea that superheroines are totems of a radical feminist agenda.

Perhaps they believe this because it was white men who directed the films they consider to be feminist propaganda. Take the "Star Wars" sequel trilogy for example, which was the first time the franchise had the opportunity to make a blockbuster set of films with a woman lead —

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if the director, JJ Abrams in this case, had taken it seriously.

Abrams confessed in an interview with Collider, “the 'Star Wars' sequel trilogy probably would have worked out better if the trilogy had a plan from the beginning.”

This blatant disregard for the immense opportunity speaks volumes. This is the exact reason why superhero movies in which a woman directed other women fares far better compared to male directors doing the same.

Take "Wonder Woman," for example, which made over $820 million. After its release, people were stunned, and pondered what element made the movie so successful. I’ll tell you: It was a woman.

Not only are men directing women problematic, but they often sexualize them when they’re in charge.

The late Carrie Fisher, known for her role as Princess Leia in the original trilogy of Star Wars, admitted to NPR that she was uncomfortable wearing such little clothing at times. But it doesn’t stop there — George Lucas, the director at the time, didn’t allow Fisher to wear underwear while filming.

To add to it all, men gatekeep comics from women and disproportionately label woman-led superhero movies as flops.

Although, Forbes suggested this notion isn’t unfounded. The outlet pointed out that “Femaleled superhero movies (Like 'Supergirl,' 'Catwoman' and 'Wonder Woman') often had the misfortune of following failed male-led superhero movies (like 'Superman III,' 'Batman & Robin' and 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice') from the same respective franchise.”

Therefore, woman-led superheroes are poorly received because of the bad movies preceding them, not because the movies are inherently bad.

All in all, the film industry and geek culture are deeply problematic, both together and separately. It’s only fair to do what’s right by giving women the opportunity to be on the movie screen.

On a daily basis, women soar above men’s crippling expectations and fight to make the world a better place by speaking up for what’s right. That makes us superheroes in our own right.

OPINION-EDITORIAL

The perpetual struggle to be accepted as equals John Chaffeur

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his is the most dire period the human species has ever faced. The ongoing fight for equality across the world, which includes climate action, wealth reallocation, workers’ rights, women's suffrage and other prolonged issues, forces us to look at how we got to this point. Small and select changes have helped the lives of marginalized groups, but not nearly enough for true equality.

Why have there been some improvements toward a better society, and who do we owe this progression to?

While looking at ourselves in the mirror, humanity is fighting with the decision of changing for the betterment of all, or protecting the privileged through longstanding power structures.

Plenty of politicians use phrases like “Make America Great Again,'' when policy during that era prioritized slavery over human rights. These people — the ones reminiscing on what we used to be as a society — are pulling us back into a feudal civilization by enacting policy that hurts our future.

In the words of the late President Abraham Lincoln, “A house divided against itself cannot stand."

However, one group inspires change and creativity. As these people yearn to have a seat at the table, they give stagnant politicians a message of hope and change. Through outrage turned advocacy, this population has outperformed adversity and stayed standing: protesters.

We have to look at those who fought for institutional change.

These people — the workers, protesters and unions — increased the temperature for the government, corporations and society in changing for the better.

Without the labor unions across the developed world that continue to fight for their rights, there would be no sick leave, overtime pay, minimum wage or other benefits that give fundamental rights in the workforce. If these courageous workers

had not fought against the corporations that contractually owned them, the working class would be abused exponentially more than it already is.

It is a historic time for the working class. There are strikes going on worldwide, from the United States to Europe to South Korea. People around the planet are fighting for respect and equality; they are truly the most courageous people in our society.

They fight for the betterment of themselves, their fellow workers and the world itself.

Without the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, minorities in this country would still be discriminated against and tarnished more than they already are. By standing up to the systemic racism etched into humankind since the 1500s, these fighters made the world pay attention to their mistreatment. This has inspired activism, change and hope for the next generations, because racism is still a factor against them.

For example, civil rights heroes of the 1960s inspired the Black Lives Matter movement, which has been standing up against police brutality and murder since 2013.

These courageous advocates risked their lives by getting shot at, being arrested by the police, losing their jobs and, in some cases, losing their lives to the police and counterprotesters.

As natural disasters ravage the world, protesters and climate activists have taken a stand against big corporations and condemned the damage they cause. Currently, there are six people on hunger strike in front of the White House to make sure climate funds aren't cut from the budget reconciliation bill.

These people are fighting for our collective future to live on a healthy planet.

Without the suffrage movement throughout the past century, women would be further bound to gender roles than they are today; however, some expectations, antiquated and archaic, are still around. This population would still not be allowed to vote, participate in politics or enter certain workspaces, along with

other basic human rights.

However, the fight for gender equality is far from over.

Men still benefit from higher wages on a global stage, and actors continue to perpetuate misogyny, both of which slow the push toward equal opportunity, rights and respect among women — but the battle moves forward.

The women who lead this movement stand up to the men who run the world. They are trying to deconstruct and destroy a system that historically allowed only men. These activists and advocates kicked the door down, and are now breaking this glass ceiling.

These protesters put their futures on the line for the betterment of society. There is not a more selfless act than sticking up to those who have the power to take their jobs, lives and families away. There's nothing scarier than facing life or death.

They stand up to the tyrants who enslave them and ruin the progress of society.

I urge readers to participate and protest in the fight to be treated fairly — a seemingly endless battle. I encourage them to look at fellow workers and see the energy they’re putting forth.

These people are risking everything to help everyone.

Sometimes, protesters don’t get the support they deserve, because the wealth and power is in other hands. Today, we find ourselves in another urgent time in history. For humanity to move forward, change is needed. We must unite against the things that are wrong, and support each other in doing so.

There is no room for discrepancy between right or wrong in a world filled with the latter. The improvement of society cannot happen overnight, but trying to change for the better is something we can all institute in our lives.

Support yourself and your allies by standing up to those who make a profit off blood, sweat and misery without remorse.

Fight the power. Be an inspiration. Be a hero.

Illustration By Christian Ayala

OCT. 28- NOV. 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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FEATURES

The positive effects of Emmy Bining

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hen it comes to dealing with internal conflict, people often think to confide in friends, family and others they know, but pets are usually overlooked.

Emotional-support animals (ESAs) are also a good form of maintaining a healthy state of mind. People value their pets as they provide comfort, whether registered service animals or personal heroes.

According to a study in the Journal of Evidence-Informed Social Work, patients diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) had an 82% reduction in symptoms when supported by an animal.

Junior Jake Dyer has spent almost nine years growing up with his family dog, Pepper.

In the moments without his dog, Dyer said he consistently misses her and her comforting presence.

When he comes home, Dyer said Pepper lifts his mood by greeting him. The familiarity and comfortability, along with the ability to cuddle and play with her, also contributes to his well-being. Dyer explained this dynamic adds to his life in ways separate from human relationships.

Studies by Alvarado Parkway Institute (API) show that when petting an animal, people

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tend to feel more relaxed and have reduced levels of anxiety. An individual can benefit from this experience by meeting an animal once, so having a permanent companion can help mental health even more.

“There’s something so unique to the humandog relationship that we have,” Dyer said. “I think that’s very important to have, [and] I feel like those who are growing up without a dog are really missing out on something special.”

Research by API examined why pets have such a drastic effect on humans, even though they are not a source of verbal conversation.

“There’s something so unique to the human dog relationsip that we have.”

– junior jake dyer

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According to the institute, pets still offer psychological companionship and physical affection.

Dyer said when he is having a bad day, his dog makes everything better. She is not going to judge anything, but instead, is simply there in times of need.

“With being at college [and] with my dog being at home, I miss her every day,” Dyer said. “I pull up pictures of her just to look at her. She came up for [Family Weekend,] and it was really great and really refreshing just to see her again. Whenever she’s not here, I am always thinking about her. It makes a difference, as when I am having a bad day here, I don’t have my dog to accompany me.”

Flagstaff resident Jessica Alicea’s dog, a miniature German shepherd mix named Gracie, is not a registered service animal.

However, Alicea said her dog has massively impacted her life and provided emotional

FEATURES

f a pet’s companionship Top & Bottom: Oreo, an emotional support animal in Sechrist Hall, Oct. 24. Isabella Couture | The Lumberjack

support. Gracie helped Alicea through events and traumas, of which she described herself as forever grateful for.

When Alicea underwent surgery, she detailed Gracie as having a

significant effect on her mental well-being.

Alicea said her dog helped when she was sick with stage III cervical cancer by staying at her bedside, along with assisting her through depression, anxiety and domestic violence.

“She lays beside me when I cry, she puts her head on me or even nudges my hand, letting me know things are going to be alright,” Alicea said.

“She’s very affectionate and has her own way of letting me know she’s here for me.”

Maria Holmes is the co-owner of American Support Animals, which provides assessments and documentation for individuals depending on medical and mental health histories. According to the organization’s website, those prescribed with ESAs have legal rights and protections, specifically involving housing. For instance, the Fair Housing Act shields people with diagnosed conditions from facing discrimination during the rental process, including those with ESAs. As prohibited by federal law, landlords cannot charge tenants with pet fees, nor deposits, for

having these animals.

As a registered nurse, Holmes started the business with her husband, who holds the same position. The business provides free

“It’s really nice to have company, as I get anxious when I’m alone. I feel like [My dog] can sense when I’m depressed and will lay on top of me to help me feel calmer.”

– NAU aLUMNA Britt Johnson

consultations for all, along with complimentary assessments and certification letters for Disabled American Veterans.

“We just want to give back to the community, [and] we provide a free assessment for people to help them out,” Holmes said.

United States Service Animals is an organization that helps people with animal registration. According to the partial list of conditions covered, pets may help with anxiety, depression, stress, PTSD and panic attacks, as well as other emotional and psychological diagnoses.

NAU alumna Britt Johnson considers her dog, Bruno, to be her best friend — although she has only had him for just over one year. Johnson explained he gives her a sense of purpose that cannot be fulfilled in other aspects.

“It’s really nice to have company, as I get anxious when I’m alone,” Johnson said. “I feel like he can sense when I’m depressed and will lay on top of me to help me feel calmer. During panic attacks, he will lay next to me until it’s over.”

Having a pet can impact one’s life in a variety of ways, big and small, whether going on walks and getting some fresh air or providing companionship. The reduction of stress and anxiety pets can contribute surely means they deserve a treat every once in a while.

OCT. 28 - NOV. 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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FEATURES

Story & Photos BY

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AU students shared what the word hero means to persist, despite the odds stacked against t community described and discussed these figu their abilities.

Nikki Selen Senior Creative Media & Film, Journalism Hero: Father “The word hero to me means someone you look up to, someone who is there for you and helps you grow,” Selen said. “It doesn’t necessarily mean someone that stands above you, but someone you look up to, helps you in becoming who you want to be and supports you in your journey.

“That person for me is my dad. My dad always pushed me to be the best version of myself. Not in a pushy way, but in a very supportive way. He lives his life to be happy. When his job sucked, he quit because he wasn’t happy and wanted to live a better life. He has shown me that it doesn’t matter how much money you have in the bank, or what you are doing in life, as long as it makes you happy and the people around you make you happy.

“His ambition and his ability to change his mindset are traits I look up to in my dad. If he realizes he is doing something that makes him unhappy, it is really easy for him to change his life in a better way.

“You don’t want to admit it to yourself, but your parents are the ones that help you grow, and [they] make you the person you want to be. My dad would always tell me, ‘I know you’re going to end up dating a guy exactly like me, because that is the man you need in your life.’

So my dad is my hero, but the person I end up with in the future will also be my hero. That is what I aspire for.”

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Mikayla Roux Sophomore Interior Architectural Design Hero: Princess Diana “A hero is somebody whose story is a perfect example of a great person trying to do good,” Roux said.

“Someone that I see as inspiring is Princess Diana. I see her as a hero because she had so much adversity in her life, and even through those struggles, she was still able to prioritize the people she cared about. I’m not saying you have to do good things at the expense of your mental health, but she is somebody whose private life was really hard, and I find it inspirational how she was able to work through that and still be the great woman she was.”

Mason Georgvich Freshman Business Management Hero: Grandfather “A hero to me is someone I look up to and aspire to be, someone who I can go to if I ever need help in my life,” Georgvich said.

“That person in my life is my grandpa. He has inspired me to be the person I am. He got me into football and truly made me the athlete I am. Growing up, he would always share inspiring quotes with me and ultimately led me to get the majority of my football scholarships.”

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to them: Someone who inspires because of their ability them. From parents to Princess Diana, the university ures, along with how they push students to the best of

Meriel Medina Sophomore Environmental Sciences & Spanish Hero: Socrates “In grade school, my teachers would always throw around Socrates’s name, and it made him seem intimidating,” Medina said. “But now, learning about Socrates, he is very admirable and someone who inspires me. He always spoke about working your soul and your mind instead of possessions and wealth. His city actually executed him because they believed he was ruining the youth. I find it amazing that he stuck to his beliefs until the very end. His bravery, honesty and integrity are all attributes that I aspire to hold in my life.”

Leandr Funes Sophomore Business Hero: Father “A lot of people have a misconception that a hero is someone who does extraordinary things every day and is a shining beacon of hope, when in reality, a hero is just someone who perseveres in the face of adversity,” Funes said.

“I know this is a cliche answer, but my hero would have to be my father, because he sacrificed everything to come to America. He worked from the ground up, made his own business and has now had 22 years of a successful career he started all by himself. I have never met anyone as hard-working and determined as my father. Even though we are very different people, I aspire to have his drive and passion.

Sophia Sobel Sophomore Criminal Justice Hero: Mother “My mom is definitely my hero,” Sobel said. “She is probably the person I am the most close with. If I am ever struggling, she is someone I always turn to. I can tell her anything and there is no judgment there.

“She has been a single mom since I was 6, and [watching her] parent all by herself has really pushed me to be a hard worker so I can make her proud. I am a first-generation college student, so getting a degree for her is something that is really important to me. Since she has taken care of me my whole life, I want to be able to take care of her when I am older.”

OCT. 28 - NOV. 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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FEATURES Illustration By Jessie Siemens

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FEATURES

Celebrating día de los muertos

Top Left: People walk around the courtyard of the Museum of Northern Arizona during the 18th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente, Oct. 23. Top Right: Papel Picado flutter in the wind in the Museum of Northern Arizona courtyard during the 18th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente, Oct. 23. Bottom Left: Photos of lost loved ones are placed on ofrendas along with food, marigolds and other symbolic offerings at the Museum of Northern Arizona during the 18th Annual Celebraciones de la Gente for Day of the Dead, Oct. 23. Bottom Middle: NAU student Alena Gross takes a photo with the skeleton statue in the middle of the Museum of Northern Arizona courtyard, Oct. 23. Bottom Right: Candles are lit to honor those who lost their lives to COVID-19 in Coconino County at the Museum of Northern Arizona, Oct. 23. Megan Ford-Fyffe | The Lumberjack

OCT. 28 - NOV. 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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CULTURE

‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ is an uninspiring sequel

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he film “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” is a bland, carbon copy of its predecessor that chooses to retread old ground instead of doing anything new. Venom may like chocolate, but his second big-screen outing is pure vanilla.

The story is a shameless repeat of all the themes present in the original. At the end of “Venom,” Eddie and the brain-hungry symbiote strike a deal in which Venom will be allowed to eat people, but only bad guys.

KODY Yet “Let There Be Carnage” starts off by letting us know MALOUF Eddie has since gone back on his word, forbidding the consumption of any human flesh and instead resigning WRITER his “parasite” to chewing on a tire and eating chickens and chocolate. Venom spends about the same amount of time chewing on a tire as he does actually biting heads off — about 10 seconds.

The only difference between this film and the first is the substitution of Riz Ahmed for Woody Harrelson as the antagonist, one of the few improvements to be found. Harrelson has obviously been waiting for a chance to bust out his “natural-born killers” schtick for a while.

His turn as the legendary comic book serial killer Cletus Kasady is the best part of the movie, though that’s not saying much. He was entertaining on screen, but he did turn into a giant red tornado at one point — not sure what that’s all about. Harrelson’s wacky, ridiculous performance feels like it fell out of a Saturday Night Live sketch, but was also the only thing keeping me awake.

Andy Serkis’ direction is also an improvement on the previous movie.

His camera work, blocking and composition show he was at least attempting to earn his paycheck. Considering the script he had to work with, the poor result does not fall squarely on his shoulders. Serkis injected some excitement into the film’s action sequences, making fights between two angry globs of Silly Putty as entertaining as possible.

Tom Hardy gives another, shall we say, interesting performance as Eddie Brock, notably lobster tank-free this time. Hardy plays the role well, but it’s the relationship he has with the titular alien that sends their film into a nosedive. The odd-couple relationship between Eddie and Venom was offthe-wall and quasi-amusing the first time around, but it gets old in a hurry on the second pass. Neither seems to have learned anything from their first film, instead choosing to endlessly bicker like an old married couple.

Their constant arguing wears thin early on, and really isn’t funny, despite being played for laughs throughout. The two have been constantly fighting, like two kids wanting to play with the same toy, for two movies now — I think audiences have gotten the gist. Tom Hardy’s ability to believably talk to himself for 90 minutes is still worth mentioning, so let’s just hope he and Venom can become more symbiotic on the next go-around.

Continue reading on jackcentral.org

Oct. 18-24: Engagement news and anticipated film releases Katelyn Rodriguez Top five stories of the week: 1. Kourtney Kardashian and Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker announced their engagement after almost a year of dating. Kardashian confirmed the news via Instagram.

2. Coachella announced on social media that its third headliner for the 2022 music festival will be house music supergroup Swedish House Mafia.

3. According to Billboard, singer Celine Dion has delayed her Las Vegas residency, which was set to begin in November, due to muscle spasms keeping her from performing.

4. Actor Jason Momoa revealed on the The Ellen DeGeneres Show that he sustained injuries on set of “Aquaman 2,” according to People.

5. According to Variety, actor Alec Baldwin fired a prop gun that killed director of photography Halyna Hutchins and injured director Joel Souza on the set of his upcoming movie “Rust” in New Mexico.

Recent releases: “Dune” (in theaters and HBO Max) “The French Dispatch” (in theaters) “The Lockdown Sessions” by Elton John (album) “Blue Banisters” by Lana Del Rey (album)

“SG” by DJ Snake featuring Ozuna, Megan Thee Stallion and LISA of BLACKPINK (single and music video) “Pa Mis Muchachas” by Christina Aguilera featuring Nathy Peluso, Becky G and Nicki Nicole

“G R O W” by Willow featuring Avril Lavigne and Travis Barker (music video)

Top 15 charting songs: 1. “Stay” by the Kid LAROI featuring Justin Bieber 2. “Industry Baby” by Lil Nas X featuring Jack Harlow 3. “Fancy Like” by Walker Hayes 4. “Way 2 Sexy” by Drake featuring Young Thug 5. “Bad Habits” by Ed Sheeran 6. “good 4 u” by Olivia Rodrigo 7. “Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat featuring SZA 8. “Levitating” by Dua Lipa 9. “Knife Talk” by Drake featuring 21 Savage and

Project Pat 10. “Essence” by Wizkid featuring Justin Bieber and Tems 11. “Shivers” by Ed Sheeran 12. “My Universe” by Coldplay featuring BTS 13. “Need to Know” by Doja Cat 14. “Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd featuring

Ariana Grande 15. “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals Chart data via Billboard’s The Hot 100 Chart.

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CULTURE

LJ staff picks favorite Marvel flicks

Illustration By Diana Ortega

Katelyn Rodriguez

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ith Marvel beginning to release some of phase four’s most anticipated films, it was only right for The Lumberjack staff to reflect on favorite MCU films and TV shows from earlier phases.

In order from highest to lowest ranking.

Phase I films: 1. “Iron Man”

4. “Ant-Man” 5. “Iron Man 3”

5. “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”

2. “Black Widow”

6. “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania”

Phase III films: 1. “Thor: Ragnarok”

Current TV shows: 1. “WandaVision”

7. “Eternals”

2. “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2”

2. “Loki” season 1

3. “Spider-Man: Homecoming” 4. “Doctor Strange”

3. “Captain America: The First Avenger”

5. “Avengers: Infinity War”

4. “Iron Man 2”

6. “Avengers: Endgame”

5. “The Incredible Hulk”

7. “Captain America: Civil War”

Phase II films: 1. “Guardians of the Galaxy”

8. “Black Panther”

3. “Avengers: Age of Ultron”

4. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”

6. “Thor: The Dark World”

2. “Thor” & “The Avengers”

2. “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”

Current phase four films: 1. “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”

9. “Ant-Man and the Wasp” 10. “Spider-Man: Far From Home” 11. “Captain Marvel”

3. “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” & “Daredevil” 4. “What If …?” & “Agent Carter” 5. “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” 6. “Jessica Jones” Upcoming phase four films: 1. “Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness” 2. “Spider-Man: No Way Home” 3. “Thor: Love and Thunder”

8. “The Marvels” Upcoming TV shows: 1. “Hawkeye” 2. “I Am Groot” 3. “Loki” season 2 4. “What If …?” season 2 & “Ironheart” 5. “Moon Knight” 6. “Ms. Marvel” 7. “Secret Invasion” 8. “Armor Wars” 9. “She-Hulk”

OCT. 28 2021 – NOV. 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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CULTURE

Drop-off Day presented by city of Flags “Even though we know this is an epidemic that’s happening, we have to remember this is also happening in our small city of Flagstaff.”

Emily Rehling

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lagstaff residents helped keep the community free of dangerous waste at the Drop-off Day hosted by Flagstaff Police Department and others, such as the Flagstaff Sustainability Program and Elevated Shredding. It was held in combination with Dump the Drugs and Shred-a-Thon events on Oct. 23. While this gave community members the ability to rid their trash cans of materials harmful to themselves and the environment, it also offered plenty of education and solutions to the problems threatening Flagstaff.

Kristal Herrera, an Americorps Health Educator with the Opioid Overdose Prevention Program at Coconino County Health and Human Services, was eager to help at Saturday’s Drop-off Day. “We’re trying to promote as much harm-reduction strategy as possible,” Herrera said. “We’re trying to reduce stigma as well, for people that do have opioid use disorder.”

– Americorps health educator Kristal Herrera Herrera had a stock of Deterra with her, which is a drug deactivation product used to safely dispose of unused medications.

She distributed the product to people driving through the Drop-off Day line. Using a drug deactivator before discarding medications can prevent harmful situations, such as children accidentally finding and taking them. Additionally, Herrera said the product helps those recovering from opioid use disorder in tapering off their use.

She also had flyers that provided information about Narcan, the nasal spray used to treat someone who has experienced an

opioid overdose. Herrera said she felt it was important to provide training and education on using Narcan before giving it out — although sharing informational flyers was an effective form of harm reduction to begin with.

“Even though we know this is an epidemic that’s happening, we have to remember this is also happening in our small city of Flagstaff,” Herrera said. “We get cases reported to us about all of the overdoses, so I can tell you now that this is happening here.”

Herrera said by providing Narcan to the community, as well as training on its use, the number of opioid overdoses in Flagstaff

Cars line up to drop off waste at the Flagstaff Police Department, Oct. 23. The city let residents come and properly dispose of their expired medications, dead batteries or electronic waste.

Madison Easton | The Lumberjack

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staff and Flagstaff Police Department

Left: Workers wheel a box full of computer parts into the back of a truck, Oct. 23. Middle: Officer Charles Hernandez II brings a box of used insulin needles to a Ponderosa Medical-Waste Services worker for disposal, Oct. 23. Right: Russell Mann hands a woman a box for used insulin needles, encouraging her to continue bringing used medicine and needles to be properly disposed of, Oct. 23. Madison Easton | The Lumberjack

has and will continue to be reduced. In addition, Herrera and co-workers at the Opioid Overdose Prevention Program have seen success stories due to their work, such as lighter sentences, recovery from opioid use disorder and lives being saved, she added.

Along with promoting education and awareness, an important aspect of Oct. 23’s Drop-off Day was keeping landfills clean. Community members brought items like electronics, batteries, medical waste and other hazardous materials to properly be disposed of. This diminished risk in both homes and the landfill, Environmental Program Specialist Josh Roubik explained.

“If someone accidentally thinks an aerosol can is recyclable, which you could definitely make that mistake, then it goes into the [Materials Recovery Facility],” Roubik said. “[If ] they’re pushing the recyclables around, and it explodes and causes a fire, then that is probably going to result in a lot of recyclable material not being usable again.”

Roubik highlighted the dangers of improper disposal of hazardous materials, including broken light bulbs, which can leak chemicals and cause mercury poisoning, also known as Mad

“We’re able to use this event as an educational opportunity to talk about other things.”

– Sustainability specialist Kaeli Wells Hatter’s disease.

Another element of the Drop-off Day was recycling education provided by the Flagstaff Sustainability Program. Kaeli Wells, a sustainability specialist for the city of Flagstaff, said Drop-off Day is a great way for the program to conduct community outreach.

“We’re able to use this event as an educational opportunity to talk about other things,” Wells said.

She explained volunteers passed out informational magnets about proper recycling habits while assisting those who came to

drop off their items. Wells also said participants had enthusiastic responses to Drop-off Day, with many curious about when the next event will be.

Wells emphasized safety as the goal of Drop-off Day, which includes mitigating the impacts of improper waste disposal. The event also helps extend the use of items others are done using, with many electronics being repurposed or donated.

“Not all of your trash goes to the trash can,” Wells said. ”With these speciality items — for instance, syringes, medications, batteries [and] things like that — it really has to be handled differently than typical waste.”

Wells said an event similar to Drop-off Day, called Fix-It Clinic, will be held Nov. 20. At the clinic, items in need of repair can be brought in and fixed for free, rather than being discarded.

Both events keep unnecessary waste out of the landfill.

Drop-off Day is held multiple times a year, and volunteers accept plenty of items, including batteries, aerosol cans, electronic waste, medical waste and unwanted documents. A shredder is available on site to get rid of documents immediately. Drop-off Day keeps Flagstaff clean, surely, but it could be saving lives.

OCT. 28 2021 – NOV. 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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Left: Christopher Alagna, co-founder and co-director of Liminal sits for a portrait in a study space, Oct. 22. Right: Liminal is a volunteer-run organization where customers are encouraged to pay what they can for drinks and food, Oct. 22. Brian Burke | The Lumberjack

Liminal: Flagstaff’s newest inclusive community center Hannah Elsmore

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alking into Liminal, a nonprofit community arts and education center, one is greeted by warm-toned lights and plenty of comfortable seating. In the early afternoon, individuals can be seen studying, conversing or drinking a beverage from the cafe. Liminal orchestrates events such as the Queer Goth Party or the Liminal Monster Mash.

Liminal was co-founded in April 2021 by Christopher Alagna and Ryan McElligott, who both attended NAU as queer studies majors. It is located at the corner of South San Francisco Street and East Butler Avenue, across from Awa Kava Bar. The space was created to maintain the founding principles for anyone who enters, which include treating all individuals with equal respect and opportunity.

McElligot mentioned the idea for creating this space flourished due to COVID-19.

“I had a lot of time during the pandemic to sit with these ideas and begin scheming with Christopher for how to breathe this concept into being,” McElligott said.

Alagna and McElligott are longtime friends who moved back to Flagstaff together after living in Montreal, Canada. McElligott said while living abroad, they took inspiration from grassroots organizations they became familiar with. After conceptualizing together, the pair decided to get the ball rolling.

“Liminal was firstly an abstract concept of what it would mean to radically develop the community in Flagstaff, before we at all considered what such a thing would look like in practice,” Alagna said.

The community center was formed over six months ago,

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and the co-founders have transformed it into the space they once dreamt of. The area is free and offers many public resources, such as a pay-what-you-can cafe, free clothing, art supplies, stationery items, reading materials, a computer and printing station, a small classroom and an all-gender restroom.

Liminal offers these resources with the intention of providing materials and spaces to those in town who usually lack access to such opportunities. Donations and optional cafe purchases allow individuals of any economic status to enjoy Liminal.

Something the co-founders emphasized is the “pay-whatyou-can” policy. To buy drinks, enter events or join other activities that usually cost money, they decided to implement a structure that does not force anyone to pay a specific amount. The phrase is exactly how it sounds: Individuals are never forced to pay for resources or entry to Liminal, which is only possible due to the volunteer system in place.

“Liminal is run by volunteers who want to contribute to the space,” Alagna said. “Not because they want to get paid, but because they genuinely believe in and feel comfortable in the space.”

Alagna said they believe relying on volunteers can increase the sense of community in Flagstaff. Finding individuals who are willing to work without pay is not easy, but Liminal connects individuals who are like-minded on their goals.

“No one ought to profit off of the community,” Alagna said.

“Working with the community should be about creating fun and healing bonds with one another, and about empathizing with and humanizing one another.”

Both co-founders described their experiences with unsheltered people as nothing but positive. Alagna said creating

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this space allowed volunteers to have realizations about houseless community members, including the lack of resources for this demographic.

Besides acting as a resource center, Liminal intends to offer a safe space for queer-identifying individuals.

“We’ve learned that queer people are really craving a fun safe space,” Alagna said. “We absolutely prioritize the inclusion of marginalized populations, and that includes the queer people of Flagstaff.”

The co-founders often host queer-friendly parties, community fundraisers, saftey trainings, community meetings and more, all with the intention of allowing individuals to feel comfortable and included in their space.

To both co-founders, who continue to learn as individuals and community members, the goals of Liminal are important.

Overall, they said the hope is to continue promoting creativity and cultural understanding.

“Ideally, Liminal will become an arts and culture center for marginalized people and issues, which will inspire similar local projects,” Alagna said.

By providing resources and encouraging the public to use Liminal as a safe space, Alagna said they can imagine a room full of people enjoying coffee and community discussions. They want Liminal to foster a creative and inclusive space that empowers those who are underrepresented.

Whatever the future holds for Liminal, the community is optimistic that it will continue to provide comfort and support for everyone. For the sake of Flagstaff’s people, the co-founders of Liminal are an example of selflessness.

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‘Let’s do the time warp again!’

Camille Sipple

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rpheum Theater hosted the One Stage Family Theatre company as it performed the iconic cult classic, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” on Oct. 22. Attending a live performance of Rocky Horror is nothing less than an experience.

To start, audience members were marked with a red lipstick drawn “V” from staff members if they identified themselves as “Rocky Horror virgins” — those who have never seen the show before. A typical Rocky Horror audience also consists of an eclectic blend of costumes relating to the show. Some passionate attendees go all out and dress in head-to-toe replication of iconic film characters such as Dr. Frank N. Furter, Brad Majors, Janet Weiss, Magenta, Columbia and of course, Rocky Horror. The Flagstaff audience that sold out the Orpheum lived up to its predecessors’ costume expectations.

A cast member began the show by addressing the audience in search of anyone who had dressed up as Rocky Horror. They pulled three contestants on stage, each vying for the evening’s title of “Best Rocky Horror.” The winner, chosen by audience approval, was pulled backstage for a “special prize.”

As the lights dimmed, the crowd filled with excitement and anticipation. Those unfamiliar with a live production of Rocky Horror had to get used to the atmosphere quickly, as it is unlike any other. A typical performance involves the original 1975 film playing on screen just behind the stage, while cast members perform the show simultaneously, live on stage. It is also customary for the audience to shout varying responses based on

what is happening in the show. For example, whenever anyone says “Brad” or “Janet” — two of the main characters — it is met with yells of “as***le” in reference to Brad, or “s**t” directed at Janet. These traditions tend to result in a boisterous crowd, and those in attendance at the Orpheum were no different.

During one of the first scenes, Brad and Janet are driving through a storm. The cast and staff members producing the show went to great lengths to ensure audience members truly felt like they were stuck in the storm with the couple. The lighting crew created flashes of light synonymous with the lightning in the film, and staff members used spray bottles to pelt nearby audience members with water droplets to mimic the rain.

Nearly every song within the Rocky Horror performance was accompanied by singing from those in the audience who were familiar with the show. However, one song made the crowd truly come alive: The quintessential “Time Warp.” The attendees jumped out of their seats to dance the time warp with cast members.

Sophomores Lindsey Thornton and Kristen Carver said the time warp scene and dance was, by far, their favorite part of the show. The pair made a last-minute decision to attend, having never experienced Rocky Horror before.

“We came into this totally blind and super excited,” Thornton said. “One of our friends said she was coming, and we were just very spontaneous about it. We decided yesterday.”

Carver said she and Thornton did not necessarily know what to expect, having never seen the show before, but were excited nonetheless.

“I think we both walked into this really open-minded and

ready to have fun,” Carver said.

Shana Lujan, who played Janet, explained the cast often has as much fun as the audience while performing. They love when the crowd plays along with them and enjoys the show overall, Lujan said.

While the majority of cast members have been part of the Rocky Horror performance for years, Lujan said it is still a lot of work to prepare for such a multi-faceted show. Each performer has seen the Rocky Horror film numerous times, Lujan explained, in order to portray everything perfectly.

Nolan Sturdevant-Moylan played the role of the infamous Dr. Frank N. Furter. Sturdevant-Moylan said Rocky Horror provides performers with the opportunity to let loose for a night and have fun with the audience.

“It’s so different from any other show that we do,” SturdevantMoylan said. “It’s kind of a show where, especially us adults who work with the theater company, we can just let loose, be fun and free without having to worry about the kids watching us.”

The show ended with a standing ovation from the entire audience as cast members filed back on stage for a collective bow.

From beginning to end, “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” had an energetic cast and crowd. Still in high spirits, the audience poured out of the Orpheum — many remaining just outside the theater, chatting excitedly about the performance they had just experienced.

Thornton said, overall, the show exceeded her expectations.

She and Carver said they will definitely be making Rocky Horror an October tradition for years to come.

The Orpheum Theater was packed to the brim with people eager to watch “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” Oct. 22. Jonah Graham | The Lumberjack

OCT. 28 2021 – NOV. 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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Top: A couple follows behind a tour guide as a part of the AZ Segway tour taking advantage of the empty campus, Oct. 17. Bottom: Two students walk across empty pedway on NAU’s campus after a weekend of Homecoming activities, Oct. 17 Madison Easton | The Lumberjack

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OCT. 28 2021 – NOV. 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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SPORTS

BLUE AND GOLD IN ACTION Reporters are not PR reps

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wo weeks ago, University of Oklahoma football head coach Lincoln Riley cowardly canceled all media availability for the team after Oklahoma’s student newspaper, OU Daily, reported on a practice that sports editor Mason Young and assistant sports editor Austin Curtright viewed from a public building.

This was simply a ploy by Riley to CAMERON censor sports media members from doing RICHARDSON their job.

SPORTS WRITER I consider myself a sports reporter and columnist who writes game stories, in addition to opinion pieces. I haven’t delved into investigative reporting because I’m focused on these avenues, so it’s frustrating to see a coach getting mad at reporters doing their job, along with similar news unfolding.

All these two great reporters did was observe and write.

Sophomore quarterback Spencer Rattler was benched in a high-profile game against the University of Texas on Oct. 9 and replaced by freshman Caleb Williams, who sparked a comeback to lead the Sooners to victory in the historic rivalry.

Of course, the quarterback battle was going to be the story.

The two editors saw Rattler on the sidelines, while Williams was taking first-team reps at practice the next week.

In this new age of the NCAA transfer portal, where players can bounce around different schools like nomads, a good reporter thought to reach out to Rattler’s father to get a word on if his son would remain at Oklahoma.

I have a great amount of respect for sports information directors. They’re the best resources for student reporters following college athletics. Without them, there’s no game coverage, and students can’t get the reps needed to prepare for the real world. Their work also goes massively overlooked, as they’re the ones compiling press releases, setting up interviews and providing reporters with everything they need to prepare.

However, there are times when reporters are limited in what they can touch in their coverage.

We have the freedom to do the basics of recaps and fun feature stories for athletes, but if there’s a rumor floating around about a potential transfer or significant roster change, then it’s a forbidden door for us to open — even though this is what we ‘re told to do by our advisers. From experience, and based on what OU Daily went through, this type of reporting is all good until it actually happens.

Student reporters aren’t public relations reps for the schools they attend. We’ll work with school representatives, but we don’t work for them.

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Recent game scores Volleyball

Upcoming games Volleyball

NAU vs Montana State Thursday, Oct. 21, 6:30 p.m.

Final: (L) NAU 2 - MSU 3

NAU @ Eastern Washington Thursday, Oct. 28, 6 p.m.

(Cheney, Washington/Reese Court)

NAU vs Montana Saturday, Oct. 23, 1 p.m.

Final: (W) NAU 3 - MOntana 0

NAU @ Idaho Saturday, Oct. 30, 6 p.m.

(Moscow, Idaho/Memorial Gym)

Soccer

Soccer

NAU @ Sacramento State Friday, Oct. 22, 3:30 p.m.

Final (2OT): (W) NAU 3 - SAC State 2 NAU @ Portland State Sunday, Oct. 24, 12 p.m.

Final: (W) NAU 2 - PSU 1

Football

NAU @ Sacramento State Saturday, Oct. 23, 6 p.m.

Final: (L) NAU 0 - SAC State 44

Big Sky Tournament No. 3 NAU vs No. 6 Sacramento State Wednesday, Nov. 3, 11 a.m.

(Greeley, Colorado/ Jackson Stadium)

Football

NAU @ Idaho Saturday, Oct. 30 1 p.m.

(Moscow, Idaho/ Kibbie-ASUI Activity Center)

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NAU soccer commits to Manzo this season Brenden Martin

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hroughout the 2021 soccer season, one major question has lingered regarding the make-up of NAU’s team: What is happening at the goalkeeper position?

Before this year, the Lumberjacks had one of the steadiest goalkeepers in NAU program history, Taryn Benham. After Benham graduated, however, the Lumberjacks needed to rebuild their last line of defense in order to live up to the expectations as Big Sky Championship favorites.

Suddenly, the roster appeared thin at the goalkeeper position.

Last season’s backup goalkeeper, sophomore Olivia Hein, is likely to miss the season due to injury. NAU began looking at other options to be that rock in the defense.

As the start of the season rolled around, the Lumberjacks looked to be testing out two potential candidates at the position: freshmen Natalie Manzo and Trinity Corcoran.

“We really put them against each other to see who was the best from day one,” Chris Campbell, assistant coach and director of goalkeeping, said. “Even into our season [and] having games, they were still competing.”

Manzo, a freshman out of Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, has proven to be the reliable goalkeeper NAU was looking for. She turned heads at the start of the season, particularly in NAU’s season opener against Utah State on Aug. 21. At a time when the names on the goalkeeper depth chart were virtually unknown, Manzo showed her potential to start, recording six saves on eight Aggie shots to keep them scoreless in the second half.

Her strong start has certainly continued as the regular season winds down and the Big Sky Conference Tournament looms.

Manzo has already secured five shutouts, four of which were solo shutouts when she played every minute.

To open a collegiate career, playing big minutes is not an easy feat, but Manzo has handled the pressure and turned those earlyseason performances into more time on the pitch. Manzo knew what kind of team she was joining: A perennial Big Sky contender with a hole to fill at goalkeeper.

With NAU’s need at goalie, Manzo said she was drawn by the potential to play right away.

“They made that very clear to me coming in,” Manzo said.

“With [Benham], she was amazing, so I do have really big shoes to fill. They told me from the beginning that I would get an opportunity to play.”

As of recently, goalkeepers playing during their freshman year is not uncommon for NAU. Benham, who played from 2017 to the shortened spring 2021 season, also made a freshmanyear debut, albeit under different circumstances. She joined the roster under the impression she was going to redshirt that year.

However, she began playing after starting goalkeeper, Meghan Dickmann, sustained a shoulder injury during practice.

This time around, as NAU has come full circle to a freshmancentric goalkeeping unit, the coaching staff has taken a different approach of playing freshman keepers from the get-go. While this seemed like a calculated strategy, Hein was still nursing an injury as the only available keeper on the roster. Thus, Campbell did not have much choice on the matter.

Freshman goalkeeper Natalie Manzo kicks the ball downfield against Idaho State at Max Spilsbury Field at Lumberjack Stadium, Oct. 10. Brian Burke | The Lumberjack

A recruiting process led by Campbell and Alan Berrios, assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator, forced them to be aggressive in looking for a successor to Benham. They made sure that whoever they brought in would live up to the task.

“When Taryn [Benham] left, she had been the starting keeper for a few years, but for us, it’s more of a situation where we have to make sure that we bring in players that are going to compete right away,” Berrios said. “The goalkeeper position is almost like a quarterback. We need a keeper that will keep us in games, so we have to focus on bringing in keepers that are young — but also bringing in keepers with experience.”

Now that the Lumberjacks have committed two freshmen keepers — Manzo and Corcoran — Berrios added that the team is focusing on bringing in another, potentially from the transfer portal, that has collegiate playing experience and can help the team win immediately.

With next year being distant, the coaching staff remains focused on the final weeks of this season. A tough 0-7 start put the Lumberjacks on the outside of the conference tournament picture for some time. However, NAU went 8-3, with a six-game winning streak, to end the regular season. The team clinched the No. 3 seed in the Big Sky standings with the tournament beginning Nov. 3.

As NAU’s season turned around, so did its goalie situation.

Manzo played her first full competition, against Utah Valley, in only the second game of the season. She recorded seven saves in a match that, like Benham’s first full game, went to overtime.

However, it ended with a Wolverine win in the 99th minute.

Despite the loss, Manzo was seen as one of the only bright spots for the Lumberjacks going forward. Her performance this season has officially given her the nod as the starting keeper.

“Right now, she is our number one,” Campbell said. “[Corcoran] and [Hein] are battling for the number two [spot]. … They’re still going to compete — we’ll see where that goes, and we’ll take that day-by-day — but [Manzo] would be our number

one for now, but we always have to have that backup.”

Another reason Manzo won the starting job was because of an unknown injury that prevented Corcoran from playing. NAU was left with one available goalkeeper — but she put the team on her shoulders.

Corcoran has not played since Sept. 19, when she contributed to NAU’s second win of the season in the final nonconference match against Dixie State. In that game, Corcoran played 24 minutes and earned two of the team’s six saves in a 2-0 shutout.

Despite the injury, Corcoran said she believes Manzo became the starting keeper because of how well she played.

“I don’t know if that [injury] really played into me not really going on the field as much,” Corcoran said. “[Manzo] was performing really well, and she was on a high. And then, when she was in that zone, that’s when I got injured.”

With both coaches committing to the idea of recruiting additional goalkeepers from other programs, Manzo’s path to becoming a go-to goalkeeper may not be as smooth as it was for Benham. After Benham entered the game, following Dickmann’s injury, she became the undisputed top goalkeeper for her whole career at NAU. Even as more goalies entered the program and joined the team, Benham started in every game her sophomore and junior years, while earning Big Sky Co-Goalkeeper of the Year as well as First-Team for the Big Sky. Once again, the goalkeeping cycle has reached a rebuilding stage; similar to when Benham entered as a freshman keeper, Manzo learned the hard way by pulling the ropes in real-time in games that actually counted. Although Benham was thrown into her role, in a way, the coaching staff was more methodical in giving its two young goalkeepers time to learn and thrive. As the Lumberjacks aim for new heights, only time will tell if Manzo will retain her position for as long as Benham did, or if someone from the transfer portal takes the top spot.

OCT. 28 - NOV. 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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SPORTS

Collegiate medical training st Brenden Martin

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ports are dangerous. Anyone who has engaged in athletic activity for enough time can attest to the physical risks associated with playing. As the level of competition grows, so does the risk of getting hurt. From little leagues to high school, collegiate and professional competitions, medical training staff assist players in the event of an injury, and the process of recovery is something that largely goes underappreciated and even unnoticed.

NAU sports medicine is tasked with doing exactly that: Ensuring players are healthy and able to perform on the court or field to the best of their abilities. Director of sports medicine Landon Bradford made a career out of helping others, which has taken him to numerous institutions and landed him at NAU. Bradford has been involved in sports medicine his entire working life. His education began in his home state of Kansas at Hutchinson Community College, where he got his start in the field.

From there, Bradford completed his undergraduate degree at Iowa State University and worked as an athletic training student. His journey continued as a graduate student at Purdue University.

The schooling that Bradford and others have, both at NAU and around college sports medical programs, shows the importance of working to ensure student-athletes get the care they need to feel safe while representing their schools.

Once Bradford climbed the ladder of education, he jumped to a new ladder in the real world and looked to pursue a career in sports medicine.

His first job was at a Division III college — Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa — where he focused on primary care for many of the school’s sports teams. In this field, however, Bradford has been everywhere. He had stints at Northwestern University, University of California - Berkeley and two separate periods at UArizona. These schools have given Bradford numerous titles, such as associate athletic trainer, head football athletic trainer and head men’s basketball trainer.

“Sometimes you have to move on to move up,” Bradford said. “I just felt like some of those moves really made me a better, well-rounded athletic trainer.”

For Bradford, the change in positions shows his commitment and passion toward being the best athletic trainer possible. His experience in football and basketball athletic training gave him the knowledge needed for two of the most popular sports in the college world.

Despite Bradford’s background at Power 5 schools, he had NAU in the crosshairs and built a resume that landed his position last August — one that gave him administrative oversight of how NAU sports medicine operates.

Regardless of moving on and moving up, the reality is being at a school outside the Power 5.

Having worked for a number of programs, Bradford has seen the differences among them.

“Our staff here is smaller than what our staff was at UArizona,” Bradford said. “Our budget here is less than what we had at UArizona. We have a great staff that cares for the kids and does everything they can to take care of them to the best of their ability. There’s no staffing and no budget issue that impacts us in that regard.”

With injuries being a huge part of collegiate and professional sports, trainers hold the responsibility of keeping players healthy. However, injuries in sports are inevitable and when they occur, medical personnel have to be vigilant at properly identifying and treating.

Bradford has done it all in the field of sports medicine. After years of working directly with players and teams, his new role is running the department and facilitating proper procedures and protocols.

“Since I took this job, my role ends up being about 95% administrative, so it’s kind of making sure everything else is running smoothly,” Bradford said. “The rest of our athletic training staff is in the trenches, in the grind doing all of that and I’m just here to help them in any way I can.”

To care for players in need, trainers regularly help players off the field to give extensive treatment.

It is an important job, and one not taken lightly in the slightest.

“One of the cool things about athletics training is we see all the injuries from start to finish to return to the field, the court or whatever it is,” athletic trainer Beau Brewer said. “In house, we are capable of doing any rehab, whether that’s muscle strains, ligament tears, any surgical cases and stuff

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“Since I took this job, my role ends up being about 95% administrative, so it’s kind of making sure everything else is running smoothly. The rest of our athletic training staff is in the trenches, in the grind doing all of that and I’m just here to help them in any way I can.”

BRADFORD

– Director of Sports Medicine Landon Bradford

like that. We are more than ready to handle all of that.”

With the education and knowledge they are privy to, athletic trainers have the opportunity to work through injuries and rehab with players. It is one thing to properly diagnose an injury, but it is an entirely different game to give proper treatment and go through the whole healing process.

In the world of sports, injuries are never few and far between, especially for NAU football this season. In the season opener against defending FCS champion Sam Houston State, starting senior quarterback Keondre Wudtee left the game early with an ankle injury. After a career performance in the historic win over UArizona, freshman running back Kevin Daniels entered concussion protocols that kept him from playing against Northern Colorado the following weekend. In the same game, star graduate wide receiver Stacy Chukwumezie suffered a season-ending leg injury. Most recently, graduate defensive back Brenndan Johnson sustained a clavicle injury against Southern Utah in NAU’s Homecoming game.

Athletes can be as healthy as possible, but all it takes is one play to cause a significant injury.

One awkward tackle, one hard foul or one rolled ankle can cost players entire seasons and in extreme cases, their whole careers.

“There’s only so much you can do to be prepared,” graduate assistant athletic trainer Gabe Ortiz said. “In terms of injury prevention, we collaborate a lot with the strength and conditioning staff to find what things we can implement best into their practice and into their lifts to help optimize their body.”

Injuries can shift the dynamics of a game. If a star goes down and cannot keep playing, the team must find a way to replace that player and continue without them. Injury reports in college sports are rarely public, especially for NAU, with the possibility of that information being used by opposing teams in order to prepare for matchups.

While a central tenet of athletics is competing against each other, sports medicine programs have to operate in a completely different mindset. Nobody wants to see injuries, no matter what team fans root for. In the event of major injuries, the training staff for both teams will come out on the field to provide assistance.

“It’s funny because we’re one team playing another team, but for sports medicine and athletic training, it’s not like that,” Amanda Bock, assistant director of sports medicine and head football athletic trainer, said. “Especially when teams come here, we pride ourselves on being great hosts.

That way the athletic trainers over there and their team all feel that they’re in a good spot.”

Bock explained when NAU hosts football games, there is a staff medical meeting 20 minutes

SPORTS

taff is the backbone of sports before kickoff, where athletic trainers, head team physician Dr. Tim Partridge, orthopedic doctors, emergency medical services and the opposing team’s medical staff go over protocols.

The work these trainers do in keeping players safe and healthy is the reason why sports continue in the capacity seen today. A lot of their energy goes unappreciated, with most of their efforts happening off the field in locker rooms and treatment facilities.

“We don’t necessarily work a 9-to-5; we don’t work the standard eight-hour days,” Ortiz said.

“During the season, days can be eight hours, days can be 12 hours or days can be 14 hours. We spend our entire day taking care of others. We’re trying to take care of the athletes, and at the same

time, they come in here and find comfort in us. We care for these athletes through camp, through the season [and] after season, so we develop relationships.”

Athletes are grateful for the constant attention they receive from trainers and medical staff.

Ortiz reiterated they do not do this for the praise; instead, they do it because they love it.

Sports trainers and medical staff do a lot to ensure student-athletes can have fulfilling careers and lead healthy lives, even outside of sports. In a school that may not have as much money or resources as those in the Power 5, NAU sports medicine has the heart and soul to care for its athletes.

NAU athletic trainers tend to sophomore winger Victoria Pucci after she sustained a lower-body injury against Idaho State at Lumberjack Stadium, Oct. 10. Brian Burke | The Lumberjack

OCT. 28 - NOV. 3, 2021 | THE LUMBERJACK

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