Trial date set for UNT professor suing university over pay discrimination PAGE 3
VOL. 111 No. 3
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2017
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Sellabrating Sanger
North Texas festival features vendors and entertainment By Austin Wagner Staff Writer Instead of cars, the streets of downtown Sanger were filled with over a hundred vendors and a few thousand shoppers and spectators on Saturday. The Sanger Sellabration is one of the town’s largest annual attractions. Just a stone’s throw from Denton, the event featured local talent as well as vendors, businesses, companies and organizations from North Texas and beyond during its 39th year. During the event, there were several vendor booths to keep attendees looking all day long. “We are at just over 100 vendors, and we try not to duplicate so that there is always a variety,” said Debbie Reaves, a Sanger Area Chamber of Commerce member. “Only about 20 percent of our vendors are local. Out of town [vendors] come from as far as
Corpus, Amarillo and a very large portion are from Denton.” Coming from The Colony, Texas, Mr. Bill’s Hand Popped Kettle Corn delighted fans for the company’s second year at Sanger Sellabration. “We like to do smaller events,” owner Billie Hill said. “The small town atmosphere is great, and the people here are great.” Mr. Bill’s Hand Popped Kettle Corn is sold at a range of events, including Oktoberfest and Earth Day Texas. Hill runs the business on the side since he and his wife both have full-time jobs. “We just love kettle corn,” Hill said. “We started this business three years ago [because we] just wanted something fun to do on the side.” Popcorn was not the only treat brought to the Sellabration from the Denton area.
SEE SANGER ON PAGE 4
Vendor Raylee Trawick of Arty Party face-paints on a child at the Sanger Sellabration on Saturday, Sept. 9. The event is north of Denton and celebrated its 39th year. Kelsey Shoemaker | Staff Photographer
DACA repeal, Harvey, Trump Jr. discussed at Faculty Senate meeting By Julia Falcon Senior News Writer
Then-senior hitter Carnae Dillard (5) celebrates with teammates in a game against Western Kentucky University in 2015. Dillard is now an assistant coach for the volleyball team. Colin Mitchell | Visuals Editor
Dillard returns to North Texas By Matthew Berger Staff Writer
The ball was hit over the net, eluding the middle blockers before making contact with the ground. Coach Andrew Palileo grabbed another ball and instructed the team to run another play. It was just another day at practice for the Mean Green women’s volleyball team. Except for one key familiar face in an unfamiliar role. Former North Texas star Carnae Dillard was back on the floor, returning to the place she once called home as a player for four seasons. Except instead of lining up at outside hitter, Dillard is now an assistant head coach. During her playing career at North Texas, Dillard was unstoppable. She owns several Mean Green volleyball records, including career kills (2,237), career
attacks (6,063) and set single-season kills (687). During her playing career, Dillard was named an AVCA honorable mention All-American team, Conference USA Player of the Year and was a two-time C-USA first-team selection. After graduating from North Texas in spring 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, Dillard left for Sweden to play professionally for the Engelholms Volleybollsällskap. She continued her dominance by winning the Swedish league MVP award. Dillard then had two options—continue her playing career in the Philippines or return to her collegiate home in Denton. “I just wanted to give back to UNT and help out,” Dillard said. After receiving a phone call from Palileo about an opening as an assistant head coach, Dillard
A vote to help Denton Independent School District keep a larger share of local funds and increase the amount of funds it receives from the state passed on Saturday, Sept. 9. The vote will give the district almost $8 million more in its maintenance and operations (M&O) budget. The Denton ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to call a Tax Ratification Election, also known as a “tax swap,” in June earlier this year to increase the
SEE SENATE ON PAGE 2
UNT President Neal Smatresk talks to senate members about the inclusion of Donald Trump Jr. in the Kuehne Lecture Series. Smatresk also talked about the effects of Hurricane Harvey, DACA, and new possiblities of serving students oversees. Rachel Walters | Staff Photographer
SEE DILLARD ON PAGE 7
Tax swap gives Denton ISD extra $7.9 million By Julia Falcon Senior News Writer
UNT President Neal Smatresk and Jennifer EvansCowley, provost and vice-president of Academic Affairs, hosted the first faculty senate meeting of the 2017 fall semester Wednesday. At the meeting, they discussed the university’s response to Hurricane Harvey, enrollment records and Donald Trump Jr. coming to speak. They also spoke about how they intend to help students impacted by the repeal of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Other topics brought up at the meeting included how to improve the university, finances and enrollment.
Students impacted by Hurricane Harvey A couple weeks after Hurricane Harvey, UNT is still helping students who were affected by the storm by working to accommodate them. Eight students transferred to UNT from other universities in response to the storm. A total of 40 UNT students who were affected by Harvey were given school funds and allowed to start school late. There were also a handful of students who were on National Guard duty and aiding with the disaster. The university is still looking into the effects of Hurricane Irma in Florida, Evans-Cowley said.
M&O tax rate by 2 cents. This special tax ratification vote called for lowering the sinking and interest tax rate, also known as debt service, from 50 cents to 48 cents. This decrease would then be shifted to the M&O tax rate, increasing it from $1.04 to $1.06. The funding gained from the M&O tax goes towards basic dayto-day operations throughout Denton ISD, things such as salaries, utilities, transportation expenses and computers, according to Denton ISD board member Mia Price.
SEE TAX ON PAGE 3
UNT welcomes first Muslim sorority By Sarah Sarder Senior News Writer
Junior Uruba Ali, senior Maniba Ijazi and junior Abida Shoukat are three of the four founding members of Mu Delta Alpha: Muslimahs for Change. Mu Delta Alpha is the new Muslim sorority on campus. Cameron Roe |Staff Photographer
IN THIS ISSUE
Mu Delta Alpha, an organization which calls itself the nation’s first professional Muslim sorority, is coming to UNT. The organization is establishing chapters at both UNT and the University of Texas at Austin this semester after being founded at the University of Texas at Dallas in fall 2016. Mu Delta Alpha: Muslimahs For Change, was established so “Muslim women from all walks of life can benefit from a sisterhood where they are encouraged to reach their highest potential in whichever path they may choose,” according to the
organization’s website. Samira Maddox, the founder of MDA, said she first thought of the idea when she began attending UTD four years ago. Her initial attempt to get involved on campus was less than welcome, Maddox said. “I thought, imagine if Muslim women had a group,” Maddox said. “We could build sisterhood, friendship for life and be a support to one another and maintain our values and our religion.” To her, the Greek flags flowing on campus represented century-long traditions of unity.
SEE SORORITY ON PAGE 3
NEWS
ARTS & LIFE
SPORTS
OPINION
UNT ranked just out of top 10 for green energy users pg 2 UNT ranked No. 11 on the EPA’s top 30 universities for green energy use, with 100 percent renewable energy.
Choir conductor brings South African spirit to North Texas pg 5 Charlotte Botha recently moved to Denton from across the globe and is impacting UNT choir students.
Football enters as heavy underdog pg 6 After falling to SMU 54-32 last week, the Mean Green football team is listed as a 21.5 point underdog in this week’s game againt Iowa. North Texas hasn’t won a game against a Power Five team since 2011.
UNT is handling suicide prevention properly pg 8 The people of Denton’s music scene are what makes it what it is. They are also the reason why it will always thrive. Tori Falcon discusses the scene.
NEWS Page 2
North Texas Daily Editorial Board Editor-in-Chief Reece Waddell @ReeceWaddell15 ReeceWaddell@my.unt.edu News Editor James Norman @JamesTNorman_WL JamesNorman@my.unt.edu Arts & Life Editor Abby Jones @abbyfjones28 AbigailJones3@my.unt.edu
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2017
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Faculty senate convenes for first fall meeting SENATE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Record enrollment at UNT Last year, a record enrollment of over 36,000 students was broken at UNT. This year, the freshman class count grew even more. “This is the biggest freshman class ever, up 3-4 percent,” Smatresk said. “There is also a new record for National Merit scholars. Last year [it was] 12, this year [it was] 26. Mind blowing number.” The enrollment of doctoral students has also risen 5.7 percent in
enrollment. Smatresk said the enrollment numbers across the university are remaining healthy and a focus on retention is important. The response to DACA’s repeal A national issue brought to the table was DACA, a program that protects undocumented immigrants who arrived here as minors. The discussion centered around its recent repeal. UNT has over 400 DACA students enrolled and Smatresk said he will do everything he can to support them.
“They’re our students and we care about them,” Smatresk said. “I am perplexed why we can offer students all over the world jobs but not education.” Donald Trump Jr. to speak The university made national headlines when they announced Donald Trump Jr. would be a speaker at the Kuehne Lecture Series and released what his pay will be. Smatresk said the donor devised operation chooses the speakers based on who can draw a crowd. And while some people don’t share the same views
Provost Jennifer Evans-Cowley takes a question from Senate member Gloria Olness. Evans-Cowley gave feedback as to the amount of people affected by hurricane Harvey and Irma in the UNT community. Rachel Walters | Staff Photographer
Sports Editor Brady Keane @BradyKeane BradyKeane@my.unt.edu Visuals Editor Colin Mitchell @CJHMitchell ColinMitchell@myunt.edu Opinion Editor Clay Massey @Clay_FC ClayMassey@my.unt.edu
Production Team Design Editor Julia Contarelli @ContarelliJ JuliaPaschoal@my.unt.edu Copy Chief Kayleigh Bywater @kayleighnic0le KayleighBywater@my.unt.edu Designer/Copy Editor Circe Marez @CirceMarez CirceMarez@my.unt.edu Designer/Copy Editor Kayla Davis @kaylajeann19 KaylaDavis@my.unt.edu Designer/Copy Editor Kelly Fox @kellythefox1 KellyFox2@my.unt.edu Social Media Manager Alec Spicer @Spicer_Alec AlecSpicer@my.unt.edu Illustrator Theresa Sanchez @Theresas_here TheresaSanchez@my.unt.edu
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To pitch a story, or contact the Editor-in-Chief, please email northtexasdaily@gmail.com
Correction In the Sept. 7, 2017 edition of the North Texas Daily, we printed a photo caption calling recipients of DACA citizens. DACA recipients are undocumentd immigrants, not citizens. The Daily regrets the error.
as donors, money for scholarships will be rolling in. “I’ve left my personal opinion out of this, and I will continue to,” Smatresk said. “It is OK to engage in these types of events. I am leaving personal opinions out of the question.” Changes to academics In terms of academics, the university will slowly change the TAMS program from STEM-based to STEAM-based, adding art to attract the students who want to stay longer at UNT and study music and other fine arts. “Art students are more likely to stay here,” Evans-Cowley said. “We would be fusing creative and technical disciplines.” Budget cuts were made within TAMS and UNT is competing with the University of Texas at Dallas. There are five key conversations that will be discussed through the year with administration. Those keys are working on faculty retention and policy, student success and second year retention, resources and money raising, enrollment planning and digital strategy by figuring out what the next generation of tech-enhanced environments are. “There is a fierce competition for high school students,” Smatresk said. A parking and transportation update will be made at the next meeting on Oct. 11.
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UNT named one of the top green power users by the EPA By Sean Riedel News Writer The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) named UNT No. 11 on its Green Power Partnership Top 30 College and University list. UNT participates in green programming through the Student Sustainability Office’s We Mean Green Fund (WMGF), a fund every student pays into with a $5 environmental service fee during the spring and fall semesters. WMGF is dedicated to limiting UNT’s effect on the environment. Earlier this year, UNT enrolled in Denton Municipal Electric’s GreenSense Renewable Electricity Program. This allowed the university to purchase one year of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to cover UNT’s electricity use on the main campus and at Discovery Park. RECs are a nontangible energy good that is issued when one megawatt-hour of electricity is created from a renewable energy resource. UNT used 107,250,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy, which 100 percent of was renewable during the last annualized partner contract amounts (kilowatt-hours), according to a report released by the EPA in July. UNT’s off-site energy is produced by wind turbines and solar arrays from other areas in Texas. Comparatively, the list’s No. 1 ranked institution, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, used 250,070,000 kWh, of which 94 percent was renewable. At No. 11, UNT was the third school on the list to have reached 100 percent. “We’re getting ‘beat’ by institutions that just have a larger energy need than us,” said Gary Cocke, Coordinator at the Student Sustainability Office.
“We’re really just limited by the fact that we don’t use as much energy as some of those people that are ranked more highly than we are. So, we’re ranked about as high as we can be.” Cocke said UNT should be a leader in the community of renewable energy. “If we are able to influence and inspire other schools to pursue similar strategies and if they make it to 100 percent renewable as well, I would be happy to see more schools on this list,” Cocke said. “And if our ranking actually ends up falling because of that, but we’re leading the way, I’m happy to have that.” UNT President Neal Smatresk stated in an email he was proud of the programs UNT has implemented. “UNT was going green and reducing our carbon footprint long before it was the trendy thing to do,” Smatresk said. “UNT will continue leading the way in green initiatives and do all we can to ensure a better tomorrow for our environment and our communities.” According to the EPA, UNT’s green power use is equivalent to the electricity use of nearly 10,000 average American homes annually. The university also ranks No. 72 on the agency’s National Top 100 list of green power users. While Cocke acknowledged being near the top of the list is great, there is still room to grow, with the next step being efficiency. “There are two sides to the coin when it comes to renewable energy,” Cocke said. “We want it to be renewable, but we want it to be as efficient as we can get. So we can start looking at things like smart lighting [which shuts off automatically when you leave the room]. Maybe working on the outside lighting.” Psychology freshman Baylee Knodel is glad to call
such an environmentally conscious school her home. “Attending UNT gives me peace of mind that we’re doing our part to help the planet,” Knodel said. “I’m proud to attend a university that’s so environmentally friendly.” To find out more information about UNT’s Green Power efforts and GreenSense, go to studentaffairs. unt.edu/sustainable/greensense. There you will also have access to a survey. The results will be presented to the WMGF in order to determine if GreenSense will be renewed for four more years at UNT.
@SeanRiedel UNT has three wind turbines outside of Victory Hall that power the university’s off-site locations. Madison Gore | Staff Photographer
$313,000 grant given to professors for play therapy project By Jackie Guerrero News Writer Three UNT professors were recently given a $313,000 grant from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health for the Play for the Future project, which will help five elementary schools in the community. For the next three years, the grant will go to three elementary schools in Denton and two in Little Elm. The three schools in Denton are Evers Park, Rivera and Hodge Elementary schools and the two in Little Elm are Hackberry and Oak Point Elementary schools. “I’m really excited for the funding to help more children, hundreds of them,” said Dee Ray, professor of counseling and higher education at UNT and director of Center for Play Therapy. “This grant will help, and we are always wanting more [grants].” Ray, Peggy Ceballos and Natalya Lindo are the three recipients of this grant and all work under UNT’s Department of Counseling and Higher Education. Play therapy within the Play for the Future program is a form of therapy mainly geared
towards children to encourage and help them express their emotions and communication skills, according to GoodTherapy.org, an online therapy directory. The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health is a foundation to “advance mental wellness for the people of Texas as a strategic grantmaker and catalyst for change,” according to their website. They give out grants to projects that will have a “significant impact” on integrated health care, workforce development and mental health practices, like play therapy. This grant is to provide services for the children within the program and to gather informative research on this tactic. It is also for teachers to work on relationships with children and help parents build relationships with their children. The research conducted through the Play for the Future project is to see if there is a link in children who have issues with mental illness and who are having issues progressing academically. The children involved in this practice at the UNT’s Center for Play Therapy are a mixture of children in
the Denton community and children related to UNT faculty members and students, Damian McClintock, assistant director for UNT’s Center for Play Therapy, said. The children’s ages range from preschool to elementary levels. All the schools involved in this project that will be funded through the grant have a “met standard” rating, the Texas Tribune said. The number of children enrolled at these five elementary schools average from 550 to 700 students. During the 2015-16 school year, Hodge Elementary consisted of 72 percent of children at risk of dropping out, according to the Texas Tribune. Hackberry, Rivera and Oak Point Elementary had around 70 percent of their children considered “at risk,” and Evers Park Elementary had almost 55 percent of children at risk. This newly funded project will help hundreds of children attending low, at-risk schools to see if there is a link between academic outcomes and economic disadvantages.
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NEWS AROUND CAMPUS Dance and theatre department put on play that focuses on undocumented immigrants The Cara Mía Theatre of Dallas at UNT’s department of dance and theatre is putting on “Deferred Action,” from Sept. 21 to 23 at 8 p.m., according to a release from UNT. The play focuses on immigrants who come over to the United States undocumented and on issues regarding immigration during the presidential election. Tickets cost $10 for UNT students, faculty and staff. Adults tickets are $15.
UNT’s Fine Arts Series starts Wednesday, Sept. 13 The fall lineup for Mary Jo & V. Lane Rawlins Fine Arts Series was announced Wednesday, Sept. 13, according to a press release from UNT. The series began with a screening of “True Conviction,” a documentary which is based on three men who were wrongly convicted of a crime. “This year’s Fine Arts Series season is super exciting,” Mike Fleming, Arts coordinator for the Fine Arts Series and Union Arts at UNT, said in the release.
City of Denton hosts 9/11 firefighters memorial
On Monday afternoon the City of Denton Public Art Committee hosted a dedication of the 9/11 Firefighters Memorial Bell Tower at Central Fire Station. The memorial is a 30-foot bell tower, where Denton housed the original bronze fire bell from City Hall West, according to release from the city. It is now refurbished and sounds like the original bell that would sound off three times a day and when a fire occurred.
Mable Peabody’s closed Mable Peabody’s, Denton’s only gay bar, is reported to be closed as of Sept. 3. Kelly Sanders, who has owned the bar since 1994, has not confirmed or denied the allegations of Mable Peabody’s being closed. Sanders leases the building from property owner Seyed Bagheri. The building’s lease expires Monday, Sept. 30. In previous years Mable Peabody’s was vandalized, burglarized and once burned down in 2007, reopening in 2008.
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New bystander intervention training program coming to UNT this semester By Kayla Goode News Writer Later this semester, the Dean of Students will introduce the Green Dot program, a program that aims to train students to help prevent violence on UNT’s campus. The Green Dot strategy looks to prevent violence through the help of bystanders. The strategy can apply to every member of the community, no matter the culture, socioeconomic level or status of the individual. Green Dot enforces the idea that anyone can help prevent violence through education, awareness and skills-practice. The Green Dot strategy was created by Dr. Dorothy J. Edwards in 2010, who received her Ph.D. from Texas Women’s University. A five-year study by Dr. Ann L Coker, a researcher at the University of Kentucky that was funded by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) looked at 26 different high schools and surveyed almost 90,000 students. In the study, 13 schools implemented the program while 13 did not. The results compared the differences between the two groups and concluded Green Dot reduced sexual violence by 17-21 percent. “Not only did they see reductions in sexual assault, these reductions applied to both perpetration and victimization,” Edwards said in a video detailing the results of the study. “And they saw similar results for sexual harassment, dating violence and stalking.” Renee McNamara, assistant director for student advocacy, crisis intervention and violence began looking last year for intervention programs to implement on campus when she discovered Green Dot. McNamara described the program as being very “interactive,” giving real world scenarios along with important group discussions. “There are a lot of studies on it that have shown reductions in violence in communities that have implemented it,” McNamara said. During the spring semester of 2017, McNamara took the first step in bringing the training program to UNT by hosting a six-week institute. In these six weeks, about 35 faculty and staff members went through training to become certified Green Dot instructors. Rebekah Moreno, risk management staff member
at UNT, was among those who went through the training and has high hopes for the outcome of the program. After hearing about the Green Dot program from McNamara, Moreno did some research of her own and said she was interested in all of the studies that have backed up the strategies. Moreno explained “the tool kit” given to the faculty, staff and administration during the institute were “hands-on, real life examples,” and a great way to show them what they can do and how to support
The lawsuit filed against UNT by psychology professor Yolanda Flores Niemann is set for trial in late March 2018, according to open record documents obtained by the North Texas Daily. The lawsuit was originally filed in March 2017 on the grounds of racial discrimination in pay. Flores Niemann, who is of Mexican descent, claimed UNT paid her less than other colleagues who were white. In June 2017, UNT submitted a partial motion to dismiss Flores Niemann’s section 1981 claims, which prohibits racial discrimination in the workplace, and 1983 claims. The court granted this motion, meaning the lawsuit will now solely focus on Flores Niemann’s Title VII discrimination claim against UNT. Title VII is a federal law that prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of multiple characteristics, including race. Serving as senior vice provost at UNT from 2012 to 2015, Flores Niemann stepped down from her administrative position to a tenured psychology professor position. When she stepped down, she was allegedly promised she could keep 75 percent of her prior salary, but received 66 percent of the salary when she returned to faculty. At the same time of her return to faculty, she claimed three other white colleagues also stepped down, but received 75 percent of their prior salary. “I was treated differently,” Flores Niemann said. “It’s too egregious an injustice to just pretend it didn’t happen. There’s this thing hanging over everything—kind of like this cloud of injustice.” The courts have also called for an attempt of mediation, according to
learn how to prevent and stop instances of violence. Integrative studies senior Kaelin Williams said the training may be helpful, as instances of violence can break out anywhere. “You just never know when a situation like that can happen, especially at parties or Fry Street,” Williams said. “Sometimes trying to defuse a situation can often times make it worse.”
@KayGoode_
Assistant Director for Student Advocacy, Renee McNamara, heads the Green Dot Program. This will be the first year the Green Dot Program is implemented on UNT’s campus. Cameron Roe | Staff Photographer
Trial date set for professor suing university over pay By Celeste Gracia News Writer
all students on campus. “I think UNT will have another voice and definitely empower students,” Moreno said. After spending the semester going over practiced material, McNamara and the newly certified trainers are excited about helping students further prevent violence. “Our goal is always to help educate our community on what we can do to help intervene with this issue and raise awareness,” McNamara said. Through the training program, students will
the document files. The parties have until Feb. 1, 2018 to meet and reach an agreement, otherwise the trial date will stand. Flores Niemann said she would like if the situation could be resolved through mediation before trial. “If mediation were to resolve this, I think that would be great,” Flores Niemann said. “I wish no harm whatsoever to the university, but the university needs to do right by me. They can’t engage in unjust treatment of a woman of color.” UNT will continue to vigorously defend itself, UNT spokesperson Julie Payne said in a prepared statement. “It is unfortunate that Dr. Flores Niemann has chosen to file a lawsuit because the university community has treated her fairly and equitably,” Payne said in the statement. “Not only in her salary but in how the university assisted her in returning to a full-time faculty position. UNT honored Dr. Flores Niemann’s appointment letter, and in determining her salary when she returned to faculty, the university followed the mandates of state law and university policy.” Payne also cited the UNT policy regarding administrators stepping down to professors in her statement. She pointed out the policy states “the salary of a person reassigned from an administrative position shall not exceed the salary of other persons with similar qualifications performing similar duties.” “I just want [UNT] to do right by me,” Flores Niemann said. “I want them to do the right thing.” Flores Niemann’s lawyer, Michael Hindman, was not available to reach for comment.
@celllyg
Professor Yolanda Niemann poses in her office. Niemann previously served as senior vice provost for Academic Affairs at UNT and is currently a psychology professor. Paige Bruneman | Staff Photographer
First Muslim sorority looks to break stereotypes SORORITY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “I want to have a legacy for my daughter and the other young Muslim women for many years to come,” Maddox said. Sisterhood is integral to the organization, as Uruba Ali, history junior and MDA’s treasurer, emphasized. “A lot of girls have dealt with things that are taboo in society, let alone in Islam,” Ali said. “We kind of just want to give them the opportunity to be themselves, and say ‘we’re here for you.’” MDA’s president Moniba Ijazi said it might seem strange to outsiders that both the first Muslim fraternity, Alpha Lambda Mu (ALM), and the first professional Muslim sorority in the U.S. were established in Texas and in the Bible Belt. “From an outsider’s perspective, yes, it’s surprising because you’re thinking Texas is very heavily Christian,” Ijazi said. “But if you’ve been to Dallas, you know we have all these Islamic programs that people come to internationally. We have more than 10-15 mosques. Living in the DFW area, where I’ve seen so many Muslims and been around so many Muslims, it’s not surprising to me.” Much of North Texas’ Asian population doubled between 2000-2010
according to the last census, with many South Asians making their homes in Dallas suburbs. Muslim students who graduate from high schools in these communities often serve as a social link to one another. This helps creates the network of young college-going Muslims in North Texas which helped ALM, and now MDA, expand. Officers hope the organization will help fill a space left by traditional sororities, which Muslim women may feel aren’t a good fit. “A lot of what you see in the movies and TV about Greek life kind of goes against what Muslims believe in, the drinking and the partying,” Ali said. “We wanted to mesh the spiritual side and college side of it together. I know there are other Greek life organizations that do Christian stuff, so I think it’d be cool to say, ‘Hey, Muslims can be a part of this too, we’re not just some conservative group that sticks to themselves.’” Ijazi was drawn to the unique nature of MDA as a professional and social opportunity for Muslim women. “Usually we join a specific pre-law or business fraternity, or it’s more social or service oriented, but not all in one,” Ijazi said. “I would love to create an environment where we can all change
these stereotypes that people have about Muslim women. That they can’t be powerful, can’t be in leadership positions or they don’t have a voice. I want to use this platform as a way to tear it down.” MDA will host its rush week during the week of Sept. 18 and hopes to send out bids by that Friday. Ijazi said her personal goal is to get 10 women to pledge. Five years down the road, she wants to see the organization have its own house. “We have so many motivated individuals here, especially Muslim women, who want to do so much,” Ijazi said. “This will just help all of us that are heavily goal-oriented get together and find ways to reach our goals.” The group hopes to expand to Southern Methodist University and the University of Texas at Arlington in the near future. “We want to make sure that we are the narrators of our story,” Maddox said. “Next time someone Googles ‘Muslim women,’ it will not be images of oppression, but it will be MDA making change and encouraging education and showing how amazing Muslim women are.”
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Tax Ratification Election passes with 80 percent vote, increasing Denton ISD’s maintenance budget TAX CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “This will prevent us from making further cuts and will also allow us capacity to perform maintenance operations and repairs as well as assessing teacher and employee salaries and benefits,” Price said. Price noted the board had not yet discussed details of the money at length, as they were waiting for the results of the election. They met on Tuesday, Sept. 12, but the topic was not on the agenda. The ad valorem tax rate in Denton ISD is $1.54 per $100 valuation for the current year. This “ad valorem tax rate” means a property owner will pay $1.54 for every $100 paid on their property. For example, if your house is valued at $100,000, you would pay $1,540 in taxes with this rate. The tax ratification will not increase the current ad valorem tax rate of $1.54. Rather, voters were asked to increase the M&O portion by 2 cents by lowering the debt service portion of the tax rate from $0.50 to $0.48, shifting the rates. With the tax swap, which passed with a vote of 80.27 percent, the district will have the flexibility to use the increase
to its M&O budget on teacher salaries, supplies and materials for classrooms, general maintenance projects on campuses and increased utility costs, according to a release from Denton ISD. “This is a great thing for our teachers and staff, and I believe is a reflection of the work they put in each day,” superintendent of Denton ISD Dr. Jamie Wilson said in the release. “Our community sees the dedication we have to educating our students and supported these efforts.” The school board is required to get voter approval in order to change the tax rates. This rate, as well as the existing rate, have already been heard in a public hearing and approved by the Board of Trustees. As property values have been increasing along with the student populations, board members have found it challenging to keep up with the increasing costs. “We wanted a way to keep up with expenses without raising our constituents’ taxes,” Price said. “This is the solution our superintendent presented, and I think it’s a great option. A win-win for all.”
The average Denton ISD homeowner’s tax bill will increase by approximately $348 in 2017. The vote means the district will capture an additional $7.9 million in the M&O budget to support local students and teachers. The expected enrollment for Denton ISD schools for the 2017-2018 school year is 28,750. The state’s level of funding per student has decreased almost $800 per student (when adjusted for inflation) since 2008. The tax ratification election will not affect any Denton ISD homeowner over the age of 65 as their property tax is frozen. The funding won’t come to Denton ISD until the end of this school year and will be used for the 2018-2019 school year. “Once everyone pays taxes, the money goes to the state then back to the schools,” said Mario Zavala Jr., director of communications and community relations for Denton ISD. “We haven’t determined the specifics of funding yet.”
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ARTS & LIFE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2017
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Sanger ‘sellabrates’ shopping, singing and sales at 39th annual festival SANGER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Mobile art program Arty Party was set up among the vendors, allowing kids to have their faces painted into different characters and designs. While Arty Party is based in Denton, owner Raylee Trawick likes to venture throughout the area. Arty Party has been around for over three years and was just recently acquired by Trawick. She has made many improvements to make the studio more mobile and accessible to her customers. “It’s a mobile studio, so we don’t just cater to Denton,” Trawick said. “Getting the name out there is important. We go as far as Dallas, Fort Worth and Gainesville.”
Giving a new meaning to “stop and smell the roses,” K&K Geekstop, another Sellabration vendor, repurposes old books and comics to make paper flowers. Sisters Kailey and Kelsey Mooney run the small Sanger-based business. K&K Geekstop was quite eye-catching for customers. The booth drew people in by incorporating large arrangements of different colored and styled flowers, all created from recycled paper. The Mooney sisters have been making flowers for two years, and this was their first year at the Sellabration. “We started making paper flowers because my sister wanted them for her wedding,” Kelsey said.
A couple dances to Bubba Harper’s performance Sept. 9 at the Sanger Sellabration. Dana McCurdy | Staff Photographer
K&K Geekstop has been busy since its inception, traveling to several conventions to showcase their unique product. “We were invited to San Jose’s Comic Con, so we had a booth out there back in April,” Kelsey said. “We actually got to meet Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Norman Reedus and give them flowers made from ‘The Walking Dead’ comics.” Small-town Texas festivals often feature some sort of southern hospitality, and that is exactly what Cross My Heart, a rustic décor and furnishings company based out of Corinth, aimed to provide at the Sellabration. “We’ve been in operation for three years now and have been here at the Sellabration for each of those years,” said Sara Dornelas, the daughter of Cross My Heart’s owner. “It’s close to home, the town is great and the people are great.” Cross My Heart sells a variety of custom hats, wallets and knives. Dornelas said her and her family get recognized around town for their work featured at the Sellabration each year. “People know us, and we even get recognized at other events because of the Sellabration,” Dornelas said. “It helps us out a lot.” Shopping was just one of the activities available for attendees at the Sellabration. The live
entertainmentkept the crowd dancing as the sun began to set. Denton-based country singer Cameron Hobbs and his band took the stage at 4:30 p.m. and put on a show that got people on their feet. The band played a mix of some of their EP hits as well as some classic covers that made the crowd roar with nostalgia and praise. Among the songs played, fans got to hear a few of Hobbs’ songs that have not been released. “It was a good turnout,” Hobbs said. “We had a good time, and playing for people who love our music is always fun.” As the evening came to a close, headliner Bubba Harper gave a performance that would make country fans eager to two-step. “I love the hospitality, man,” Harper said. “The people appreciate the music, so we look forward to giving them a show.” Harper is not a Sellabration newbie. He performed at the event 20 years ago and last year. His return to the event served as a testament to the Sellabration’s timelessness. “A lot has changed,” Harper said. “The music has changed a lot, and it used to end a little later, but it never ceases to be a good time.”
@wagskeez
Bubba Harper performs at 6:30 Sept. 9 during the Sanger Sellabration. The festival was hosted by the Sanger Area Chamber of Commerce. Dana McCurdy | Staff Photographer
Do the unexpected. Apply by October 1: peacecorps.gov/apply
By Sadia Saeed Staff Writer Plant-focused eateries, like The Bowllery and Mean Greens Cafeteria, have had their fair share of success in their vegan ventures since opening their doors to the Denton community. Spiral Diner, the latest vegan hotspot, opened on Aug. 22 on Hickory Street. This is the third location for the 15-year-old franchise, with two other locations in Fort Worth and Dallas. Classified as vegan comfort food, Spiral Diner prides itself for serving 100 percent plant-based dishes, from its burgers and Philly cheesesteaks to its baked goods and homemade pies. “We came to Denton to check it out and fell in love,” Spiral Diner founder Amy McNutt said. “With two colleges in town, there are a lot of college kids as customers. [Denton] has things you would not [normally] see in Texas.” McNutt knew Denton was the perfect place to open their third diner because of the variety of businesses on the Square. She was attracted to the old and new businesses and the unique qualities of each one. The city’s progressive nature was also part of what convinced McNutt to open the Denton location of Spiral Diner. She instantly felt that Denton was the perfect new home for the expansion of her franchise because of how trendy and accepting people in Denton are. With their extensive menu, reasonable pricing, hip location and a full in-house bakery for the healthconscious sweet tooth, Spiral Diner makes a strong statement among the countless restaurants surrounding it. It is also known for being a popular brunch go-to. So far, Dentonites have been receptive to the new eatery in town.
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Don’t miss out on the extraordinary.
Spiral Diner puts a vegan spin on comfort food classics
It’s nice to eat something other than meat.
“I’ve eaten here multiple times,” biology junior Ashley Mhlanga said. “This place has quality food and it’s nice to eat something other than meat.” McNutt said that customers are able to get as big of a variety of flavors at Spiral Diner as they’re able to get at meat-based restaurants, which allows customers who do not eat vegan food as often to leave happy. “It’s been great,” McNutt said. “We are super busy right now. There is a mix of people that have been showing up, like those that have been eating at the other locations and new [people who are] not familiar with [Spiral Diner].” The goal is to create familiar comfort food so that those who have never eaten vegan food will be receptive to try new food. The cashew-based nacho cheese is a favorite among
Customers visit Spiral Diner for lunch on a Tuesday afternoon. Spiral Diner provides an organic-leaning vegan menu, opening its third location in August on Hickory Street in Denton. Sarah Schreiner | Staff Photographer customers while the different options for burgers give customers an opportunity to build their own. The menu includes wraps, salads, burritos, sandwiches, baked potatoes and more. Many of their meat and dairy substitutes are tasty and realistic enough to fool even some of the pickiest omnivores. “My friend told me about this place, and it turned out to be really good,” journalism junior Hannah Noye said. “It didn’t make me miss meat. The atmosphere and food is all good. I’ll definitely come back soon. ” The presence of healthy meat alternatives has been slowly rising. Though meat-based foods are popular throughout the U.S., studies show that the population’s willingness to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle has increased. A recent report from Report Buyer, titled “Top Trends in Prepared Foods 2017,” found that 6 percent of Americans identify as vegetarians, which is a 5 percent increase from 2014. The report mentioned how “rising veganism and awareness of the impact of meat consumption are driving demand for meat-free products substitutes.” The report also discusses the trends impacting main food categories such as meat, grains, prepared meals and meat substitutes. “The global population [has been] increasing,” McNutt said. “We can’t keep living like we have. You can’t humanely raise that many animals to keep up with the growth. It takes two seconds to search Google and see [pictures of] overcrowded chicken farms. It is not a nice way to eat.” McNutt said the ease of access to information and documentaries, such as Oscar-nominated Food, INC., have informed people about the dangerous effects of continuous meat production. Heightened awareness of health, economic and environmental outcomes from animal agriculture have brought veganism to the forefront. McNutt believes the vegan diet is more efficient and clean, and she is thrilled to be contributing to a cause she is passionate about with Spiral Diner. The trio of Spiral Diners is going strong since the first location opened in 2002, and McNutt has been putting much of her focus on the newest location. Though there are no plans for the next one yet, she isn’t ruling out expanding even farther. “Who knows what will happen next?” McNutt said.
@sadiasaeed97
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2017
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Choir conductor brings South African spirit to North Texas By Slade Meadows Staff Writer The new conductor of the UNT Women’s Chorus arrived in Denton a little over three weeks ago and settled into her new home, but her heritage still hung from her earlobes in the form of two gold earrings in the shape of Africa. Charlotte Botha moved to Denton from South Africa to pursue a doctorate of musical arts in choral conducting at UNT. She has conducted many choirs before coming to UNT, including Pretoria High School for Girls Choir, Singkronies Chamber Choir and the Drakensberg Boys Choir. Her new role as conductor includes working with an ensemble made of 96 girls from many different backgrounds. “It’s an interesting ensemble because it is a non-auditioned ensemble,” Botha said. “[That] means that anyone who has a bit of background can sing. So you have opera singers whose voices are too big to be in one of the smaller ensembles, but you also have girls who show up who just love music. It’s a very wide range, and what I really like about this women’s chorus is there is already a sense of family and community.” While Botha’s passion is conducting, she began her eventual career as a pianist, percussionist, chorister and vocal soloist at 6 years old. Botha adores giving instruction while sharing her ideas, focusing on a specific art, claiming nothing suits her personality better. “I think that most of us who sit in this office started singing the moment that we opened our
mouths,” Botha said. “I think that’s how it works for us. We all studied music, [but] at some stage you need to make a decision about what your specialization will be. I’ve just had the most amazing experience singing with incredible conductors everywhere, so it was an easy decision for me to go into choral conducting.” Although Denton is almost 9,000 miles away from South Africa, the option to move came easily to Botha. Luckily, she had people in Denton to help push and motivate her to make this change. “I auditioned in many places everywhere around the world, [but] I might be biased because my best friend from South Africa is in Denton,” Botha said. Hentus van Rooyen, a candidate for the DMA program in organ performance, is one of Botha’s closest friends as well as a fellow musician at UNT. “Charlotte and I have known each other for almost 10 years,” Rooyen said. “We were seated across from each other [at a dinner party], and I told Charlotte that I had decided that we were going to be friends. She didn’t object, and we’ve been best friends ever since.” Rooyen is hoping to pursue UNT’s DMA program in organ performance after completing his bachelor’s this semester. While he was an incentive for Botha to move to Denton, the young conductor had other reasons why she wanted to come to UNT. “Charlotte was investigating different options for graduate work a couple of years ago,” Rooyen said. “One day I gave
Graduate and conductor of women’s chorus Charlotte Botha discusses her interest in the program. Botha came to UNT from South Africa for the graduate program. Kelsey Shoemaker | Staff Photographer her an assignment to research at least three doctoral programs and conductors that she would like to study with in the U.S. At the top of the list of conductors was Allen Hightower. It was announced that week that Hightower would be coming to UNT as the director of choral studies.” Even though Botha received multiple offers, UNT’s benefits stood out above everything else. “She applied to [a lot] of schools and got offers from all, but she decided on UNT and Hightower in the end,” Rooyen said. Although Hightower is a new
addition to UNT, Botha said she had been “professional-stalking” him for a while prior to his move. The stars seemed to align in Botha’s favor as she now works as Hightower’s assistant and helps him with the logistical aspects of the choral program. For Hightower, Botha’s positive attitude and her willingness to positively represent the program is a great addition to UNT’s choir program. “It’s a unique opportunity for the conductor to somehow bring together the aspirations of many people and sort of take them to
musical mountaintops and help them to achieve their goals,” Hightower said. “We do that sort of corporately, like a football team would, except that the difference between a coach and a conductor is that in the heat of the moment, the conductor is also creating that with them.” Botha’s “team” will have their first performance of the semester at Choralfest at 8 p.m. on Oct. 3 in the Winspear Performance Hall at the Murchinson Performing Arts Center. While Botha has been busy preparing her ensemble, she has
also spent a lot of time preparing herself. “There is a difference between being a leader and being an achiever,” Botha said. “A leader inspires other people to do the music in the best way that they can, and an achiever does everything themselves. As a choral conductor, you get to deal with people—not instruments. You must be really careful if you criticize because you are not criticizing an instrument, but the body making that sound.”
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Animal sanctuary provides rehabilitation for both humans and farm life By Ashlee Winters Staff Writer A hesitant child approaches a horse, holds out his hand and waits to earn the animal’s trust. The horse takes a step closer to the boy, sensing his anxiety, his depression and his loneliness. They have each experienced a pain only each other understands. This is the beginning of the type of relationship created at Ranch Hand Rescue. Established in 2008 by Bob Williams, Ranch Hand Rescue in Argyle is both a sanctuary for abused and neglected animals and a counseling center for patients— especially children—who cannot be helped with typical therapy. “The clients that come here typically have been somewhere else, and they’re not getting better,” Williams said. “They’re referred to us as an alternative way of treating to try to get to the root of the trauma.” Between getting diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder in 1997 and having a stroke 10 years later, Williams went through several therapy and rehabilitation sessions of his own. Nothing seemed to have such a profound impact on him as working with mistreated animals did. “An abused and neglected animal can sense an abused and neglected person,” Williams said. “It can sense that there is pain there.”
Thus began his mission to help people and animals simultaneously. Williams founded Ranch Hand Rescue so people could connect with animals and develop those relationships in the same way he did. “Each individual gets to pick the animal they work with, but usually the animal picks them,” Williams said. “There’s a bond that’s formed between each animal and each client, and that bond can’t be broken. That’s where the magic is.” According to Williams, bonding with the animals helps people in a way that traditional therapy sessions may not be able to. “Many people, especially kids, will tell an animal something before they will tell an adult in a traditional office environment,” Williams said. “We’ve actually had kids who have told a horse they were sexually abused.” Ranch supervisor Chris Maples experienced this strong therapeutic connection first hand, as well. He started working for Ranch Hand Rescue after medically retiring from the army and getting diagnosed with PTSD and depression. Seeing clients recover through their relationships with the animals made Maples truly believe that he, too, could be healed. “When I got here, I was broken,” Maples said. “I wasn’t sure how to be human. It was inspiring to see people regain their lives, and it
inspired me to at least try.” Maples was originally approached by a donkey named Moon Dancer who suffered from eye cancer, and their relationship blossomed from day one. “In that first moment, there was a bond, and when I came back later, we were still connected,” Maples said. His main duties are to look after the animals and assist with sessions, but Maples also runs a veterans group so others have the chance to recover from PTSD and anxiety the same way he did. “Veterans want to talk to somebody who knows what they went through,” Williams said. Working for Ranch Hand Rescue has given Maples the chance to reconnect with nature, humanity and, above all, himself. He hopes that his experience, as well as those of others, will inspire potential clients to give their counseling center a chance. “This is real,” Maples said. “There is hope. There is a chance to recover.” Just like the clients, the animals Ranch Hand Rescue takes in receive a second chance at happiness. From miniature horses and donkeys to goats and llamas, any animal that has suffered mistreatment is brought in and rehabilitated. “The fact that we save these animals and give them a life is beyond important to me,” Maples said. “Then we use that to help
Denton Event Radar September 14, 2017
GLITTERBOMB: Queer Variety Show Where: Mable Peabody’s Beauty Parlor and Chainsaw Repair When: 10 p.m. 18-20: $7, 21+: $5
September 15, 2017
September 19, 2017 Carnaval Where: Union South Lawn When: 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Free
September 20, 2017
Art House Film Series: Richard Linklater Where: Lyceum When: 8 p.m. Free
Drum Jam and Vendor Market Where:BackYard on Bell When: 6-8 p.m. Free
September 16, 2017
September 20, 2017
Founder’s Day Picnic Where: Library Mall When: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free
Beyonce Yoga Where: Authentic Yoga Life When: 6:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m. $15 ($5 for students with ID)
human beings regain their lives. All sides of life are taken care of.” They follow the same philosophy when it comes to clients. Whether the client is a veteran suffering from PTSD or a young victim of abuse, Ranch Hand Rescue vows to help anyone who walks through their doors. “A victim is a victim,” Williams said. “We’re all just people. We should be helping each other.” Melody Nance, a proud supporter of Ranch Hand Rescue, loves the impact that the counseling sessions have had on
her grandson, who is diagnosed with autism, ODD, ADHD, anxiety and anger issues. “I absolutely love Ranch Hand Rescue,” Nance said. “My grandson gained so much confidence with his counselor, and I’m so glad there are people there who believe in him.” Williams said he plans to expand to other cities in the metroplex in the near future and possibly even nationwide. “We’re already sold out here, so we definitely need more locations,” Williams said. “I think this could
go national without any issue.” One aspect of Ranch Hand Rescue Williams is especially proud of is that they have a Spanishspeaking counselor as well. They are able to take in a larger variety of people, further proving they will not turn away anyone who comes to them for help. “My passion is for victims,” Williams said. “Just because someone doesn’t speak English doesn’t mean they’re not just as important as somebody else.”
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One of the horses the Ranch Hand Rescue has saved lies down in the grass after being fed. Madison Gore | Staff Photographer
SPORTS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2017
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Utility Lampe
UPCOMING GAMES Friday •Volleyball: vs. Southeastern Louisiana (Mississippi State Tournament) – 10 a.m. • Volleyball: @ Mississippi State (Mississippi State Tournament) – 7 p.m. Saturday • Football: @ University of Iowa – 2:30 p.m. • Volleyball: vs. Jackson State (Mississippi State University) – 9 a.m. • Tennis: Racquet Club Invitational (Midland) – All Day
North Texas freshman defender Brooke Lampe kicks the ball in a game against Indiana University Sept. 10. North Texas tied Indiana University 3-3. Sara Carpenter | Senior Staff Photographer
Ranking Update: The North Texas soccer team received seven top 25 votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll. The Mean Green were listed as the team with the 12th most votes in the “Also receiving votes” category. Brooke Lampe Statistics Games: 7
Sunday • Tennis: Racquet Club Invitational (Midland) – All Day
Goals: 2 Points: 4
Monday • Tennis: Racquet Club Invitational (Midland) – All Day
Shots: 7 Shooting percentage: .286
MEAN GREEN QUICK HITS Fine sets career-high Sophomore quarterback Mason Fine demonstrated just how far he’s come from last season, throwing for a career-high 424 yards and three touchdowns in Saturday’s loss to SMU. Kutubidze, Kononova honored leading up to tennis season After ending last season ranked 58th in the country and 6th in the region, the doubles team of Maria Kononova and Tamuna Kutubidze is ranked 22nd in the nation – the highest ranking by any doubles team in program history. Volleyball continues to roll The Mean Green volleyball team continues to impress early in the season and has now tied the mark for the best start in program history (91). North Texas is thriving behind the play of senior Amanda Chamberlain, junior Karley York and senior Holly Milam.
Shots on goal: 6 Shots on goal percentage: .857 By Luis Diosdado Staff Writer The North Texas soccer team is always one of the most successful teams on campus. Coach John Hedlund has built a dynasty in his 23 years with the program, and reached the 300-win milestone last August. But even with all that success, there are still some things that catch the legendary coach off guard. Enter freshman Brooke Lampe. Lampe was originally recruited as a goalkeeper coming out of Lake Ridge High School, but she has now seen time on the field playing forward, midfielder and defender. Lampe has been a vital utility player thus far for North Texas off the bench. “During preseason, we had a chance to experiment a little bit with some of the players,” Hedlund said. “We put her on the field and she’s really done a tremendous job for us. She’s a kid who can play in the back,
middle, up front – really anywhere.” Hedlund said his only concern in moving Lampe out of the goal is her conditioning. The difference in the level of conditioning between being a goalkeeper and being a field player is a significant one. But Lampe said that is a challenge she has set her sights on improving–and she’s already proven capable of reaching lofty goals. Lampe succeeded in reaching a previously set milestone already this season when she knocked in her first career goal against Abilene Christian University. “Oh my gosh it was crazy,” Lampe said. “It felt like everything just froze except for the ball, and the first thing that popped in my head was, ‘wait did that really just happen?’ The best part was just turning around and having my girls run up to me and support me.” Hedlund said he did not really expect to see Lampe move from the net to where she is now. Her understanding for the game and
high soccer IQ are what Hedlund said make her so versatile out on the pitch. “I think it helps out my mindset a lot,” Lampe said. “I know when I’m out on a defense what a keeper wants and when I’m in the goal, I know how different positions work so it helps me understand how to set them up.” Lampe considers herself to be working up and down the ladder when it comes to the multiple spots she has tried out this season. However, she now prefers to be somewhere in the middle of the field. Lampe believes her ability to play both offense and defense gives her a little more control of the game. Hedlund is not the only person Lampe has impressed with her unique style and playmaking ability. Players all around the North Texas roster enjoy watching the young freshman and feed off the energy she brings to the pitch. “I’ve played with players in the past who stick to one position and refuse to try
anything else, which I think is selfish,” senior Katie Gernsbacher said. “Brooke plays very unselfishly, which is what makes her so versatile and likable.” The future is nothing but bright for Lampe and the Mean Green soccer team. Hedlund is more than confident his “wildcard” player is going to be an essential tool for him in the long run. North Texas is currently sitting at 4-2-1 heading into Conference USA play, and the Mean Green will be looking to claim their fourth straight regular season conference championship. For the most part, Hedlund plans to continue to use Lampe as a vital bench player with the ability to stick her into the lineup wherever she is needed in a given game. “If there’s ever a situation where someone gets hurt or something just isn’t working and we need a little more size or need to get more physical, then we can just throw her out there,” Hedlund said.
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Underdogs head to Iowa By Matt Brune Senior Sports Writer The University of Iowa (2-0) is coming off an overtime victory against Iowa State University last Saturday night and will return home to take on North Texas (1-1) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Power Five Atmosphere Last season, the Mean Green offense stalled in the Swamp during the team’s only game against a Power Five program. North Texas was shutout by the University of Florida Gators vaunted defense and the insane crowd made it extremely hard for then-freshman quarterback Mason Fine to communicate at the line of scrimmage. The Mean Green will face a similar issue this week in Iowa, a Power Five school with a storied past that traditionally has a disruptive crowd. North Texas will need to be on the same page in order to have success on both sides of the football. The Mean Green haven’t won a game against a major conference opponent since the 2011 season, when North Texas knocked off Indiana University Bloomington 24-21. “There’s obviously a lot of the same in the atmosphere,” head coach Seth Littrell said. “It’s going
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to be a rocking crowd. Going on the road, in the Big Ten, it’ll be an exciting venue.” Iowa’s pass game vs. North Texas’ secondary After being torched by SMU’s Courtland Sutton, the Mean Green secondary has to be better this week. Much better. Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley accumulated eight touchdown passes in his first two games of the season and has completed 62.5 percent of his throws. The North Texas secondary has to tighten things up or the game could be over quickly. “We can play much better on the back end,” Littrell said. “We have to be disciplined. We have to have our eyes on the right stuff, because they’re going to pound it and take some play-action shots.” Iowa’s run game vs. North Texas’ defensive line The defensive line of the Mean Green actually did a very nice job of stuffing the holes against the SMU running backs last week, but Iowa is a different animal. Hawkeyes’ running back Akrum Wadley is a premier ball carrier, averaging 117 yards and 4.5 yards per carry in his first two games of 2017. Containing the run can make the Hawkeyes at least somewhat one dimensional, which
would help take some pressure off the North Texas secondary. “[Wadley] is special,” Littrell said. “If you asked him I bet he’d give a lot of credit to the offensive line. They’re big and physical up front, and coach Ferentz always does a great job with his offensive line.” The coaching matchup Littrell is in the middle of his second year commanding the North Texas rebuild. This week he’ll be going up against a fullyestablished dynasty created by Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz. Ferentz is in his 19th season at Iowa and is two years removed from a 12-2 season, while the Mean Green were 1-11 two seasons ago. Littrell is going to have to get creative and try to outsmart Ferentz, who hasn’t changed much in his tenure with the Hawkeyes. A win over this established program would undoubtedly be a turning moment for North Texas. “It’s hard to get a win at this level,” Fine said. “Especially if we can get one against a Power Five, it would be great for the program and give everyone confidence.” Score prediction: Iowa 42, North Texas 21
@mattbrune25 North Texas senior defensive lineman Sid Moore (44) attempts to sack Southern Methodist University quarterback Ben Hicks. The Mean Green tallied four sacks in the 54-32 loss. North Texas faces Power Five opponent Iowa this week, who have allowed three sacks all season. Colin Mitchell | Visuals Editor
JuCo pipeline By Matt Brune Senior Sports Writer
Over 20 players on the North Texas football team have gone through the junior college system on their path to get to a Division I school. When head coach Seth Littrell was hired in 2015, the Mean Green brought in more junior college players than usual to try to obtain more ready-to-go athletes for immediate results. Those immediate results were seen quickly as the team went 5-8 last season and made a bowl game. Against the University of Iowa on Sept. 16, five of the team’s 22 starters will have played at the JuCo level before coming to Denton to represent the Mean Green. “I don’t know how different it is from JC to high school,” Littrell said. “[But] those guys obviously have a chip on their shoulder. They’ve had to go a different route, and I know those guys are excited to get back to this level.” Redshirt junior linebacker E.J. Ejiya went from Spring Lake Park High School in Minnesota to junior college North Dakota State College of Sciences. In playing there, he did a few things. Ejiya made a name for himself, met a talented group of players and grew the already large chip on his shoulder Littrell said most JuCo players have. “[It put] a big chip on my shoulder because I didn’t know what to expect going to junior college,” Ejiya said. “Looking back
now, I met a lot of dudes who were either Division I bounce-backs or potential D1 guys. They just didn’t have the grades or got injured, but they were all guys like me.” The experience is not an uncommon one, and he was determined to get his work done there to move on to the Division I stage. It’s a feeling most junior college players can relate to. “It’s all about the struggle,” Ejiya said. “The mentality was like, get out. You have to play as a team but at the same time you have to ball out for yourself and get that D1 offer you always wanted.” The process of recruiting and finding players like Ejiya is similar to that of a high school prospect. Except these players are typically ready to help now instead of in the future. North Texas’ director of recruiting, David Stanklyft, understands the pros and cons of going after JuCo guys over high school athletes. “A high school kid, you potentially have five years with them,” Stanklyft said. “Sometimes the hard thing with JC guys is you only get them for two years. But yes, they’re a little older, sometimes they’re a little more developed, so they fill an immediate role.” While getting players who can come fill a void in the team right away pays off in the short term, it is not how the coaches want to be building their program in the long haul. The goal for every team is to fill the
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2017
North Texas sophomore wide reciever Jalen Guyton (9) runs for a touchdown late in the game against Southern Methodist University. Colin Mitchell | Visuals Editor roster with players who can be developed and taught from day one. “We really want to live with high school kids,” Stanklyft said. “We’re in a great state for that, so we really want to focus on those. Then if there’s a serious need, that’s when we’ll go get a JuCo kid.” Stanklyft named two holes coming into the season the Mean Green were able to fill with junior college players who now start on a weekly basis. At defensive back, the team recruited junior Kemon Hall. On the offensive line, they brought in redshirt sophomore Sosaia Mose.
Along with Mose, offensive coordinator Graham Harrell has redshirt sophomore receiver Jalen Guyton and senior guard T.J. Henson, who both went from junior colleges to starting at North Texas. “They’ve seen a college program and they know what goes into being a college athlete,” Harrell said. “They’ve done a lot of good things, and we just have to keep developing those guys and everyone as a team.” The coaching staff has been able to balance development with immediate relief well so far in the early days of the Littrell
era. With guys like Stanklyft digging and finding players like Guyton, Hall, Mose and Henson already, the program continues to thrive by taking a few chances on guys who slipped through the cracks. “If you can get those guys that are a little more experienced [it helps],” Littrell said. “But [getting JC players] is not a science, it doesn’t always work out. We’ve been fortunate to have gotten some great players out of the JuCo ranks and they’ve done a good job for us.”
@mattbrune25
Leadership council key to football By Matt Brune Senior Sports Writer Seven players have walked to midfield as captains in the moments leading up to the Mean Green’s two games this season. Jeffery Wilson, Kishawn McClain, Andy Flusche, Trevor Moore, Khairi Muhammad, Mason Fine and Elex Woodworth have each made the trek up to the pregame meeting with the referees, representing the rest of a roster that constantly looks their way for leadership and guidance. Head coach Seth Littrell came over to North Texas with the idea of a “Leadership Council,” where each player has a commitment-level grade over the summer and the top ones form the council. That’s why North Texas has a carousel of captains rotating each week. “We have 14 guys on our leadership council, so weekly our captains may change,” Littrell said. “At the end of the year we’ll vote on captains, four to five guys that led our team this year, but it’ll change as we go through the season.” Certain players have stood out throughout camp and in the early parts of the season, and players rave about their impact. One of which is the leader of what’s been called the deepest unit on the team, the defensive line, in Flusche. “He’s a constant voice,” sophomore defensive end Ladarius Hamilton said. “He’s going to hold you accountable to the standards set and he’s not going to let you fall below that standard every day.” Another defensive captain for the Mean Green is McClain, who’s starting at safety for his third consecutive season. Fellow defensive backs, including Muhammad, attempt to absorb as much as they can from McClain as he undergoes his final season for North Texas. The mental side of the game is where McClain makes a real impact on his teammates. “[He’s helped me] see formations, how the offense lines up,” Muhammad said. “He’s helped with my tackling a lot and told me what to look for, what to anticipate. So he’s been a big help in my freshman to
sophomore transition.” The leadership council is pivotal to having the needed voices in the locker room. There’s no questioning who the outspoken ones need to be, which appeals to the coaching staff. “That’s something coach Littrell put together,” offensive coordinator Graham Harrell said. “He meets with [the council] and they speak on behalf of the team to coach Littrell.” Wilson, like McClain, has played a big role in developing a younger star at his position in the offensive backfield. Freshman running back Nic Smith raves about his help and impact on the younger stable of rushers. Harrell has also seen it from the Mean Green’s leading rusher over the past two seasons. “I think Jeffery has a lot of credibility because of the success he’s had on the field,” Harrell said. “But he also works extremely hard. If we’re out here running sprints in the summer, he’s probably in the front, that’s just the way he works.“ Starting quarterback Mason Fine is the only player to have been a captain in both games so far this season. With his lead-by-example personality, Fine always seems to have his head in the right place despite how a practice or game is going. “Mason’s not necessarily the vocal leader,” sophomore receiver Jalen Guyton said. “He’s the leadby-example guy. He’s poised, he’s going to keep his head. He’s calm and does what he needs to do.” The leaders on this team have shown Littrell and the entire coaching staff the value of having experienced players who are willing and excited to put in the work necessary for the team. Compared to last season, Littrell knows how far this group has come leadership-wise. It’s a night and day difference. “[We have] guys who understand what it’s supposed to look like,” Littrell said. “We’ve got through the phase, culturally, of what it looks like to come to work every day and come to practice every day.”
@mattbrune25
Dillard adjusts to role as assistant DILLARD CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 accepted the position and is now a regular on the North Texas bench at practice and during games. But in addition to her spot back with the team she once led as a player, Dillard is again enrolled as a student. She is taking her prerequisites for radiology at UNT and plans to transfer to Parker University when she is finished. Dillard wanted to come back not only for her love for the school, but also said she believed it was best for her mental health. Beginning the process of a radiology degree allows the former star player to set a plan for when she officially steps away from volleyball. “I feel I have given everything I can to the game and I want to give some back,” Dillard said. Giving back to the game that’s done so much for her isn’t a walk in the park. Dillard now knows the difficulty of being both a student and a coach, as the struggle is similar to when she was a studentathlete just a short time ago. “The hardest part of coaching is the commitment – I am watching film in the preseason as well as helping out during practice,” Dillard said. “Sometimes I’ll be working from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., then I’ll have homework.” Despite the long hours, Dillard enjoys being a part of the coaching staff because it means getting to watch the players grow – including
a few former teammates. “As a coach, it is great to see all the time in effort we put in with team show up on the court,” Dillard said. “Seeing the team grow and knowing that I helped them develop is my favorite part of coaching.” One of the players Dillard has made an impact on is freshman Barbara Teakell, who plays the same position Dillard once lined up at for the Mean Green. The similarities help Dillard’s knowledge resonate with the younger player. “She has definitely helped my game,” Teakell said. “It is amazing to see and hear her point of view and her perspective is helpful. I have great respect for her.” Senior Amanda Chamberlain played two years with Dillard while she was at North Texas, and Chamberlain said seeing her former teammate thrive in a coaching role is no surprise. “I always felt like she wanted to be coach, even while we were playing together,” Chamberlain said. “It’s good to have someone who knows me and my tendencies, and her professional perspective is great for our career growth.” As Dillard’s former coach and current boss, Palileo has spent a lot of time around her. Although Palileo was not the one who recruited Dillard, she has been a big part of his coaching career
at UNT. Palileo became the head coach of the Mean Green in 2013, during Dillard’s sophomore year. He knew he had a special player when he arrived. “Dillard was never a boisterous player,” Palileo said. “When she saw something that needed to be corrected she pulled the player aside and talked to them.” Dillard is taking the same approach as a coach, helping the players understand what Palileo wants in order to improve the team and each individual player. Dillard has taken the hands on approach to coaching, as she is out on the court every day during practice hitting balls to the players and setting up passes. “She’s done a good job,” Palileo said. “She has tried to learn and help out when she can.” Whether or not Dillard decides to further pursue a coaching career after this season has yet to be decided. For now, Dillard is enjoying the coaching aspect of volleyball while trying to help the team win every game. Whether coaching fulltime is in her future or not, only time will tell. She is taking it one practice at a time. “I just want to prepare our team against the bigger opponents that we face,” Dillard said. “I just want to help us get better.”
@Bergersthoughts
Mean Green football team captains (left to right) senior Jeffery Wilson, sophomore Mason Fine, senior Kishawn McClain and senior Andy Flusche pose for a picture after practice. Sara Carpenter| Senior Staff Photographer
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OPINION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2017
Page 8
UNT is handling suicide prevention week properly By The Editorial Board Did you know what this week was? It was National Suicide Prevention Week, with National Health and Suicide Prevention Day being observed on Sept. 10. The UNT Office of Wellness Services held a week-long event with each day addressing a different aspect of suicide prevention. On Monday, UNT helped raise awareness. The Office of Health and Wellness Services handed out yellow ribbons, which have become a national symbol for suicide prevention. It was a small, yet thoughtful gesture the entire community was able to participate in. More importantly, however, it was the correct way to address suicide prevention. Because as we have seen before, there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it. Still fresh in many college students’ minds is the aftermath of Netflix’s abysmal attempt to raise suicide awareness with 13 Reasons Why. The show caused a spike in searches using the keyword “suicide” and even caused up to a 26 percent spike in the phrase “how to commit suicide.” The Netflix original depicted suicide graphically–very graphically. This is how not to address suicide prevention. It creates stress for those who may already be considering the act, and creates a memory for someone who may be a survivor. It is insensitive and unnecessary. Talking about suicide in the United States, and especially on college
campuses, is a delicate situation that must be treated with care. Instead of a poignant approach like Netflix took, UNT opted for a a much lighter method, which is greatly appreciated. “You are never alone,” is a popular phrase among suicide prevention groups, and is how UNT decided to approach this issue. It appears to be working, and this is not the first time it has been proven to be effective. Maryland-based rapper Logic enjoyed a meteoric rise to stardom over the past couple years, just recently breaking into the Billboard Hot 100 top five for the first time in his career with his song, “1-800-2738255”–the number for the suicide prevention hotline. After he gave an outstanding performance of the new single at the VMAs, the hotline reported a 50 percent increase in call volume. That is how you address suicide prevention. You address it so those affected can relate. They feel alone. They need to know people can relate to their struggles and want to understand what they are going through. Logic wants people to know they are not alone in the first lines of the track. “I’ve been on the low / I been taking my time / I feel like I’m out of my mind / It feel like my life ain’t mine / Who can relate?” That is what suicide prevention requires—letting people know they are not alone. So thank you to the Office of Health and Wellness Services for understanding how to address suicide prevention. Thank you for giving the entire community the opportunity to get involved. You did it right.
@ntdaily
Denton’s music scene will always thrive By Tori Falcon Staff Writer Navigating through Facebook’s “events near me,” it’s easy to see Denton has no shortage in music events. Whether it be a house show, a local bar, LSA’s rooftop or right on the Square, the literal sound of music is always filling the town. Those who moved here to attend UNT’s acclaimed music program are a piece of the fabric in this scene. At the same time, musical wanderers move to Denton entirely to focus on making music because of what the scene offers making it whole. Just last year, Denton lost some iconic venues. Needless to
say, it sent shockwaves through the scene. Denton even had a music town hall meeting because it got that serious. Rubber Gloves and J&Js Basement will always be beloved. But this town heals its own wounds. Living in Denton, you may have already heard “the scene is dying.” House venues close as fast as they pop up. Businesses offering their spaces as venues do the same. Everyone need not worry because the creatives and musicians alike always create space for themselves. If there is something they aren’t seeing, they make it. This in return has built a vibrantly diverse scene. People love to pick on musicians
for not choosing to do anything else with themselves, which is a bit unfair to say to people trying to live their best life. Knowing the constant energy needed to live this way is incredibly admirable. The hours put towards their craft is unmatchable. Tiffany Youngblood, one mind behind the festival Band Together Denton, past resident of Dane Manor, musician, promoter and honestly jack-of-all-trades has experienced the good and bad of the Denton music scene. The long nights she spends working for the scene are always made worth it when people pull through for her in return. “We really couldn’t have come up with a better name than Band Together,” Youngblood said. “It fits it so well.” It’s easy to thrive in Denton’s scene because everyone values what is brought to the table. Some artists have left Denton. They will either move to Dallas, Los Angeles or New York as they make it bigger. That is perfectly fine to those who live in this scene to see that happen. “The Denton sense is if one person, one band or one group is succeeding then everyone succeeds,” Youngblood said. “The mindset is collective and collaborative and we are all in this together.” Respectfully, Denton’s
musicians tend to have one main need—to create an outlet to share with others. They love performing. Sometimes it seems they love watching their friends perform more. The lineups you see on event posters will contain everything, where a jazz band can be followed by a noise group. But for Youngblood, the astronomically wide range of bands can become frustrating at times “I want them to be more strategic,” she said. “But I can’t fault them for just wanting to play.” In Facebook event pages, people ask each other to be kind to one another. Don’t be bigots, homophobic, racist. People attend not only listen to great music but also to feel safe among friends. In the past, Denton has been said to have the best music scene. People boast about UNT and Denton creating the likes of Norah Jones, among others. Denton has produced festivals like 35Denton and Oaktopia. The scene is ever-changing, and it won’t look the same tomorrow as it did yesterday. That’s normal and OK. One thing remains constant however—Denton has a never-ending need for music. With this value in mind, it’s safe to say the scene will be just fine.
@falconsita_
NTDAILY.COM
Students must get out of the campus bubble By Jade Jackson Staff Writer It is no secret that UNT has many resources for students to be well taken care of and thrive for the years they spend on campus. Even in the face of adversity, we know that there is a community behind us in faculty, staff and other students. Although it is not easy to forget about the outside world, it is easy to get lost in the bubble that is the campus of UNT. UNT is basically a small town within a city and with Denton being so close, yet so far from the realities of campus life, just a walk off campus can open your eyes. Ask a UNT student what is going on in Denton - the responses are telling. Junior media arts majors Nathanial Mack and D’Angelo Lee II echo this. “I can tell you what’s happening all the way in Dallas but not here in Denton,” Mack said. “I don’t know too many people who actually live here.” Lee can tell what kind of pull the two universities in Denton have on the community. “I do know there are film festivals and music events,” Lee said. “Those are linked to programs at the universities though. Everything seems to revolve around UNT and Texas Woman’s University. Anything else beyond that I have no clue.” It is important to note what makes up our UNT town. We have a dental office, a doctors office, a pharmacy, a full on gym in the rec center, theaters, restaurants, a full service bank, a food pantry and even legal offices. UNT Police Community Relations specialist Kevin Crawford reaffirms the statement that UNT is a town within a city. The residential population alone is approximately 6,000 people not including commuter students, staff, and faculty. To protect the UNT community it takes a full-time police department dedicated to being on
campus. “You also have to take into consideration that we are especially trained to deal with matters involving students that in themselves can present their own challenges,” Crawford said. Try visiting the local Denton food bank downtown and you might just see college students side by side with residential families. It is an extra help financially for students being that we have our own programs that assist. Denton and UNT work together to give students a wide array of many types of assistance. UNT students can enjoy the entertainment and the culture Denton has to offer. UNT is showcased across Denton County in advertisements, posters and in business. We do not see much of Denton displayed for us on campus though. What is discounted for us is money for Denton residents to enjoy UNT events. What is for students is for students only essentially. Denton seems to just play host to the school in light of its own community offering so much for the students that are being held. Why do we not see more of the university involved with the Denton community? Organizations will table in the Library Mall for causes in Africa, in religion and much more, but negate the issues that could be helped in the Denton community. Denton’s history and attractions go unnoticed by students who will live in the city for years yet still know nothing about it. We are so separated and cut off from local residents when we need to bridge that gap for a variety of reasons. Having the safety net that is our university can leave students with a blind eye for the community around them. Denton is a town worth exploring. Find a time during your years here to do so.
@IAMJADETHEGREAT
All illustrations by Theresa Sanchez
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