Farewell to Norfolk State p.3
Power Roommate Returns Tips p.4 p.6
Dress for success p.7
Spartan Spotlight p.8
Vol. 63, Issue 12
04.29.16
Different World cast speaks on campus by Tiana K. Allen and Malik Glaspie
The cast of A Different World spoke to NSU students on April 16, 2016. Photo from Norfolk State University.
On April 16, the cast of A Different World came to Norfolk State University to speak on the show, their experiences in college, and real world experiences. The event was sponsored by SunTrust and Access College Foundation. This event was the first time the cast has come together since appearing on the Oprah Show in 2009. Jasmine Guy, Kadeem
Hardison, Charnele Brown, Darryl Bell, and Cree Summer sat down with commentator Janet Roach and gave their individual advice on the life of an HBCU student. The cast, like their characters, were vibrant and held strong to their beliefs on being well educated individuals. Cree Summer admitted to being like her character, Freddie. She encouraged all students who are different to not mind other people’s criticism. She explained that
being who you are is the best way to find your own freedom. The cast started off the discussion by explaining why an HBCU is a great choice for young African Americans. Among the cast, Jasmine Guy pushed the ideology that HBCUs give off a family vibe and familiarity. Like her character, Whitley, she insists that no other type of institution is going to love, nurture, or care for continued on p.5
MCJR Week 2016 brings media pros and alums to campus by Antonio Garland On April 4, NSU hosted the annual Mass Communications and Journalism (MCJR) Week with the theme of digital convergence. The week-long event introduces mass communication and journalism students to alumni and media professionals to network with and learn more about their field outside the classroom, securing internships
and employment opportunities. It also gives alumni opportunities to re-establish friendships with old acquaintances. The main keynote speaker was illustrator, director and celebrity photographer Derek Blanks. Blanks has taken professional photos of several Oscar award winning actors, ranging from Viola Davis to Nick Cannon. Blanks spoke about how he
was an artist as a child and used what he knew to help his photography skills. Blanks said that no one would have just one job in life and would have a variety of careers along the way. “I believe personally that you can’t continue to do the same thing,” he said. “You have to reinvent yourself or come up with something so you can grow as an artist. continued on p. 3
At the close of MCJR week, the highlight was honoring retiring professors Dr. Stanley Tickton and Dr. Paula Briggs. Photo from www.flickr.com/photos/nsu_spartans.
SPARTAN ECHO| Norfolk State University 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504|NEWSROOM: 757.823.8200 E-Mail: spartanecho@nsu.edu
04.29.16
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Life begins for graduating seniors An editorial by Tyeka M. Bailey
Norfolk State University will celebrate its 98th commencement on Saturday, May 7 at the Norfolk Scope Arena. A processional will be at 9:30 a.m. The ceremony will follow immediately afterward at 10:00 a.m. Paul D. Fraim, Mayor of Norfolk, will be the commencement speaker for the program. He has been a member of Norfolk City Council since 1986. With the rising and falling of graduation rates, Norfolk State University is set to have a little over six hundred students graduating this spring. These graduates are one step closer to start-
ing their dream career or even starting their very own business. “Walking across the stage means that I am invincible. Every obstacle, every challenge and every road block has been overcome with God’s guidance and mercy because he chose me! Graduate school is next,” said Shakira Doby-Romar. “I'm actually starting my career with the Norfolk Sheriff ’s Department. I plan to continue to challenge myself and I have the urge to travel.” The road leading up to graduation seemed long to some and right on time for
others. Graduating from college is a major milestone. “The next chapter in life is going to bring me unimaginable success and walking across the stage would mean having a desire that was fulfilled,” said graduating senior Nadia Avery. Graduating from college is not the end of the journey, but it is actually the beginning of something great; it is the beginning of new dreams, new expectations, new goals and new accomplishments. The Spartan Echo congratulates the spring graduating News Editor Tyeka Bailey prepares for life after graduation. class of 2016! Photo from Tyeka Bailey.
The last story An editorial by Antonio Garland Wow, it’s been quite a journey here at NSU. So many things have happened in the last three years. Years ago, if you told me where I’d be, I would had thought you were insane. Honestly, NSU wasn’t my first choice. Originally I wanted to attend another school, but that didn’t happen for various reasons. Coming here to Norfolk was actually the first time that I’ve been to a city. I came here wanting to escape the country and see the city and the beach. When I first came here, I wasn’t used to being around people, so it was very difficult for me to talk to others. At one point, it took me two
weeks just to say “hi” to one person. My second semester, I started writing for the school paper, starting in my news writing class, my social skills improved. Today, it’s a common, casual thing for me to speak in front of classrooms. During my time as news editor, my main goal was to bring people the stories that mattered, the ones that go unnoticed, such as the homeless students on campus, how the school gives back to the community and the campus’s water quality. My time as a reporter has taught me so much, not just about writing stories, but what goes on in the world around me and I’ve met so
many different kinds of people along the way. Now, everything wasn’t perfect. There were many bad days, whether people were uncooperative or I had to be at ten places at once. My biggest regret is that I hadn’t really been anywhere travel-wise, not even around Norfolk. As a travel writer, I haven’t done much traveling. But I have so many accomplishments, covering the Million Man March in D.C., becoming the Creative Writing Club’s president and interviewing celebrities. My most memorable experience, finding long lost family members in class, something I treasure dearly.
I can honestly say that I am a stronger person since I came here to NSU. I have so many people to thank, professors, colleagues and friends alike, too many to list, but they know who they are. My own piece of advice: If you want to be remembered
as someone special, you have to stand out of the crowd. You have to be willing to do things that others won’t do. I’m not sure where I’ll end up on this road called life, but as one story ends, another begins. I wonder where the next journey will take me.
SPARTAN ECHO| Norfolk State University 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504|NEWSROOM: 757.823.8200 E-Mail: spartanecho@nsu.edu
04.29.16
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Letter from the editor: Farewell to Norfolk State An editorial by Shareen Nicholson
Editor-in-chief Shareen Nicholson. Photo by Micheal Nims. As my time here at NSU slowly comes to an end, I can’t help but reflect on how my time here has changed my life. I remember arriving here during my freshman year in 2012, nervous, scared, and excited all at the same time. College was a big step for me, and arriving as a freshman makes anyone feel like a small fish in a big pond. Sadly, at one point in time during my first year, I considered transferring primarily due to the feeling of not fitting in or being lonely. I decided to stick it out, though, and that was
one of the best decisions I ever made. Here I am four years later and I am about to graduate on May 7, 2016, with two degrees! A bachelor of science in mass communication with an emphasis on broadcasting, and a bachelor of arts in journalism. With graduation around the corner, the feeling is actually bittersweet. While I am extremely excited to walk across that stage, I am also going to miss all that Norfolk State has to offer. While here, NSU has offered me so many different opportunities that I will forever be extremely grateful for. I’ve had the opportunity to engage with many different students during my time assisting with New Student Orientation. I served my class in many capacities while helping with the Class of 2012 executive board. I had the pleasure of interviewing lawyer and reality television star Phaedra Parks, and even starring in
an NSU commercial. My senior year has been the busiest by far as I was chosen to serve as the Executive Administrator for the Student Government Association. I was also chosen to become Editor-In-Chief of the Spartan Echo this spring semester, after serving as the lifestyle section editor. Both of these positions have truly helped me become a better person, as well as a better leader. They have tested my ability to work under pressure, and my endurance to keep going when things get hard. While everything that I hoped to pursue while I was here didn’t work out as planned, in the long run I have seen that everything happens for a reason and what’s meant to be for you will be for you. So I encourage everyone who may feel like giving up to keep pushing because no good deed goes unnoticed. I was fortunate enough to receive a few awards this year including
the 2015-2016 “Outstanding Student Leader” award, the MCJR “Professor Linda Scanlan Journalism Award,” and a few more for my duties with SGA and the Echo. That is why I say you cannot let anyone stop your shine, continue to do great and be great and your hard work will be rewarded! There are a number of faculty and staff members that I need to thank for helping me throughout the years. They know who they are! I just want to thank them for keeping me focused, and for pushing me to keep going even when I wanted to give up. Thank you all for being there when I needed a shoulder to cry on or just an ear to listen when I needed to vent. I love you all and just want you all to know that I wouldn’t have made it this far without you. I owe so much of my success to you all and will continue to strive for greatness in my future. To those who may be considering coming to NSU, make the decision and enroll
today! While you may develop a love-hate relationship with the school, the love you gain for this institution will always outweigh the bad. There is nothing like being a Spartan, and you will get more than just a degree, you will gain a family. The experiences you will have are like no other, and you will always have a place to call home. And last but not least to my fellow graduating Spartans, congratulations and I wish you all the very best in all of your future endeavors! Keep pushing, don’t stop here! We made it and the world is ours for the taking; go out and make all of your dreams come true! Let’s show the world that Norfolk State University produces quality graduates who are a force to be reckoned with. I hope to see you all at our first homecoming next year as Alumni! Class of 2016 we did it! Norfolk State, I LOVE YOU! Behold the green and gold!
MCJR Week 2016 continued from front page moment and thousands of people can see it,” he said. You can’t really settle.” Another keynote speaker “The bad thing is that people won’t come to an event was actor, model and director Michael Copon, who because they can watch the entire thing from Snapchat.” is best known for the role Throughout the week, as the blue Power Ranger many panels were held in ‘Power Rangers: Time where alumni and media Force’. Copon spoke about professionals came to speak digital convergence and on different topics, includhow it’s both a good thing ing how they got to where and a bad thing. they are today and inspire “It’s good that you can students on pursuing their post an event that’s hapgoals. For instance, one pening right at the very
morning panel included 13News Now meteorologist and NSU alumna Iesha Scott and NewsChannel 3 anchor Kurt Williams, among others. There were also boot camps that taught students various aspects of the media business, which included production internships, photography and video businesses and how to market and promote a single/album. Some of the boot camp hosts
included Discovery Network director Katie Barrie and Attain Design's founder and creative director Kelcey Newman. “This being my first year [at MCJR Week] was very informative,” said Dr. Morgan Kirby, a new faculty member in the Mass Communications and Journalism Department. “I thought the workshops were very enlightening and I thought the alumni had amazing
messages for the students on how they can use their education here at NSU and how it can translate into future success.” The final event of MCJR Week 2016 was a retirement celebration for Dr. Paula Briggs and Dr. Stanley Tickton, both of whom are retiring at the end of the semester.
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04.29.16
spartan entertainment
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Third season of Power starts June 5 by Aegious Perkins
The drama filled series created by Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson has gained much popularity among millennials. Photo from www.facebook.com/Power.Starz.
This spring will reveal what America has been waiting for: Power, the urban drama, is scheduled to premiere its first show of season three on June 5. For the past two summers, millions have been raving over the show. The season finale had over two million viewers, bringing the STARZ network record breaking views. Even though this show does not get as much press as the show Empire, it definitely is not a show to skip over. It is unfortunate that the show has not gotten much press since starting. It has an abundance of actors that
portray their characters in a way that in unimaginable. Power has opened its viewers’ eyes to see the inner workings of the drug world. Omari Hardwick has done an exceptional job on delivering the role of Ghost, the leader of a major drug corporation. His character, throughout the show, struggles with internal and external conflicts, mainly with his commitment to the drug game. Season two left off with major cliffhangers such as the big fight between Ghost and Curtis Jackson’s character Kanan. Angela, Ghost’s mistress, at first was unaware of the fact that he was a drug lord. She later finds out his secret
and has to decide whether to turn him in to her police team or let love control her judgement. Also Ghost’s partner, Tommy, was sent to jail on behalf of Ghost. This brings about conflict between the two of them because now Tommy thinks he was set up. This character is played by Joseph Sikora. These are just a few of the many important conflicts in this TV drama. In this upcoming season, the viewers have to look forward to the return of Kanan. It’s safe to say that season three of Power holds major drama and excitement. Hopefully season 3 will pick up more views and ratings.
The Purge commences July 4 The setting takes place on the streets of Los AngeAmerica’s favorite holiday is approaching. James DeM- les in the low income area. anaco, the writer and screen After their apartment has been raided by an unknown director of the movie series group of masked peoThe Purge, is bringing the ple, Eva Sanchez and her 3rd Purge: Election Year on daughter Cali were out on July 4th to theaters. the streets to fend for themThe first movie, The Purge, takes place in the year 2022, selves. They were about to be killed and the character four years after the governSergeant, played by Frank ment’s decision that on one night every year all crime is Grillo, saved them at the last legal, including murder. For minute. Through the night they stuck by his side and three summers, DeManaco defended themselves against gave America an insight on the antagonists who were rethe true sadistic thoughts vealed to be the government. of the citizens of the of the DeManaco spoke to Enterworld. tainment Weekly and menThe second movie, The Purge: Anarchy, took the se- tioned that while writing ries to the next level. During the script for the upcoming the movie, the viewers found third installment in the series, he realized that he was out that the government writing in reference to the ultimately made this decision to get rid of lower class current election. He wants the viewers to be able point citizens. by Aegious Perkins
out which characters represent the current candidates. The Purge: Election Year appears to take place in the White House. One of the candidates’ campaign was to end the annual Purge. This makes the candidate a target on the night of March, 22, the night of the Purge. Frank Grillo’s character comes back as the protector of the U.S Senate who is running for President. Even though the White House was under strict protection, they were betrayed within and had to begin fighting through the streets. DeManaco kicks this series up a notch every summer. The plot becomes closer and closer to our reality, so there is definitely a build up to summer for this The third installment of the social science horror film will take on a presidential twist this summer. Photo from www. election-year movie. facebook.com/thepurgemovie.
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Different World cast speaks continued from front page an African American like an HBCU. “I think that students do have a lot to face when choosing a college. I’m not sure how particular that our black kids are being guided. I think that’s highly realistic that if you are a guidance counselor looking at stats and you don’t know anything about HBCU’s that you might want those student that are making higher GPA’s to go to a bigger university. But the advantage of going to a black college is something that is not necessarily on paper,” said Jasmine Guy when asked about students who are not particularly aware of the benefits of an HBCU.
The panel discussion also featured several clips from A Different World that included familiar subject matter regarding college such as Greek life, balancing school and personal life, scholarships, and life paths after college. Charnele Brown confessed to not liking her character, Kim, at first. She stated that she felt that she was “too boring.” After a while, though, she began to like her character because she identified with so many college students. The cast pointed out that Kim is the ideal college student because many students are struggling to balance being scholars, working, and being a part of extracurricular activities.
Brown encouraged all students who feel as if they are a “Kim” to not give up and keep pursuing their degree and dreams. When asked about how HBCU students should handle themselves after graduation, Darryl Bell said that they must simply go after the money. Kadeem Hardison encouraged HBCU students to find something that they love and to go after it full heartedly. When speaking from his character, Dwayne’s, perspective, he said that students should give back to their community. When discussing how HBCUs can overcome their negative reputations, Darryl Bell stated “You apply
the skills that you learned and then you say ‘Now what do you have to say?’ That’s how you do it. You shut them up by succeeding. Let your success speak for itself.” At the end of the “It Is A Different World” event, different sponsors came together to give scholarships to 6 different students. Each received $1,000 toward their pursuit of higher education.
Actor Kadeem Hardison and Actress Jasmine Guy lead the crowd in singing the show’s theme song. Photo from www. flickr.com/photos/nsu_spartans.
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04.29.16
Norfolk has a lot to offer on-campus students by Meleah Holmes On a college campus, we seem to have everything we could ever need within walking distance: Housing, dining halls, laundry mats, a gym, convenience stores, our own personal clinic, a pool, a police station, basketball court, etc. Believe it or not, these are only a few of the amenities afforded to us here at Norfolk State University. Living on a college campus, for college students, is like living in your own little world. With so much
available to us here on campus , there seems to never be a reason to leave; except if we need to make a Wal-Mart run, but even Wal-Mart may be making its way to college campuses soon. At any rate Norfolk State University is in the heart of the city of Norfolk. Our campus sits only minutes away from the on-ramp leading to downtown. Over the last few years, the city of Norfolk has become one of the biggest tourist attractions, according to TripAd-
visor.com. While attending college, it is important for students not only to explore our beautiful campus, but to get off of campus and explore the surrounding area as well. Below are a few key hotspots, courtesy of TripAdvisor.com, that you may be interested in visiting while attending school here in Norfolk. •Chrysler Museum of Art •Norfolk Botanical Garden •Nauticus National Maritime Center
•Virginia Zoo •MacArthur Memorial •Naval Station Norfolk •MacArthur Center - Mall •Harbor Park – Baseball Stadium •Mermaid Factory •Hampton Roads Naval Museum •Military Museums •Spirit of Norfolk – Cruise Ship •Town Point Park •Virginia Stage Company at the Wells Theater •The Chrysler Museum Glass Studio
•The NorVa – Venue •Pagoda & Oriental Garden – Restaurant •Field Guide –Restaurant All of the destinations listed can be located and routed from your current location via Google Maps. Also, TripAdvisor.com offers ratings, reviews, and prices for each activity! Get out and explore the beautiful city of Norfolk. Enjoy!
How to be a great roommate
Being a good roommate will lead to a great academic semester. Remember, your roommate may become a lifetime friend! Photo from www.facebook.com/Norfolk-State-University/photos. by Tiana K. Allen Let’s face it, having a roommate can be stressful. If you aren’t used to sharing a room with someone, the concept of living sideby-side with a stranger can leave you wondering what exactly the “do’s” and “don’ts” of rooming are. Although you may not know how your roommate will handle themselves, you can come in to the new living situation full of knowledge
on how to be the best roommate you can possibly be. Establish ground rules. It may be a little uncomfortable bringing up topics like having the opposite sex over, sharing clothes, and privacy, but nine times out of ten, your new roommate is having the same concerns as you. Talk to them about what you expect and hear what they have to say. If you two are having some differences in opinions, then meet
in the middle. Communication and compromise are vital to a healthy rooming situation. Clean up after yourself. It’s understandable if your side of the room isn’t spotless 24/7, but be considerate. Create a cleaning routine with your roommate; that way, you both will be held liable for any messes in your room. Start off the school year with good habits. Practice taking out the trash weekly, putting your dirty clothes in the hamper, and washing your dishes after you use them. If you see your roommate slacking, nicely tell them that you don’t want to let your room get too messy. Also, you can silently convince them to keep their side of the room clean by leading as an example and keeping your side clean. Bond with them. Your roommate can easily become a close friend, if you two allow your friendship to blossom. Try grabbing lunch together at the café or going to a school event together.
Plan movie or game nights. There are so many ways to bond with your roommate. If you two have any common interests, build off of that! Respect their sleep and study times. We’re in college. This means that sleep and studying are going to be a key part of your life until graduation. Respect your roommate’s sleeping and studying schedule. If you like to stay up late, but your roommate hits the sack early, try keeping it down or spending time in your dorm’s lobby. Also, remember that not everyone studies the same. You may be okay with background noise, but some people may need total silence. Talk to your roommate about their studying habits and what time they usually like to hit the books. Work around their habits and request that they do the same with you also. Be considerate when it comes to guests. Having guests over is okay, but being inconsiderate is not. Talk to your roommate
ahead of time if you would like one-on-one time with a guest. Do not spontaneously throw an awkward situation at them. If you are having friends over while your roommate is in the room, be mindful that your guests should behave themselves in a respectful manner and should leave at a respectful time also. Check with your roommate every so often to confirm that they are fine with you bringing certain people into your room. If you are annoyed with their guests or feel that they are being inconsiderate, kindly speak to them about it. Having a new roommate can be tough, but it can be very rewarding too! You have the opportunity to learn about a new person’s customs, lifestyle, and ideologies. Take advantage of the chance to learn about yourself as well as others. Listen to them, they may have a lot to offer you. Make the most out of college with your roommate.
SPARTAN ECHO| Norfolk State University 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504|NEWSROOM: 757.823.8200 E-Mail: spartanecho@nsu.edu
04.29.16
spartan lifestyle
Dressing for success is a reality by Kori Wiggins What is it about the suit and tie that gives a man this newfound demeanor about himself? Is it the clothes or the reactions of the people? The Spartan Echo had the chance to interview a few of Norfolk State’s most debonair men about the suit and tie effect. Starting with Keith Chapman, a junior mass communications major. His inspiration is his family, especially his father. Coming from a family of high quality men and women that are well known for having a foot forward in what they wear out in public, he feels as he must uphold that reputation to a high standard. “I feel like the man. Walking around school, getting
a lot of compliments, I feel like money. When you dress nice, you feel nice,” said Keith when asked how it feels when he dresses This statement holds some truth to it as well; recent studies have proven that those who wear baggy, frumpy clothing majority of the time tend to feel more depressed, whereas those who wear nicer clothing- such as higher quality tops and jeans- tend to feel happier. Next is James Daniels, an Optical Engineering major and graduating senior. “Get yourself ready for the professional world because you’re going to have to dress according to your environment once you graduate,” Daniels said when asked
about his reasons for dressing up. His influences are business men and celebrities, more specifically Blake Scott-an Instagram sensation and well known fashion blogger. “Blake Scott has a variety of different things he puts together as far as when he dresses and I think he has a great outlook on style,” Daniels said. Mr. Scott’s work can be seen on thescotteffect.com. Lastly, Trevon Waters, a sophomore biology major, says he doesn’t emulate anyone. “I don’t look up to anybody really. I just try to put together things that look nice,” said Waters. For Trevon, interaction with his peers is different from when he wears his suit
and tie versus when having his dressed down attire on. “It’s the way that people greet me, the type of respect I receive, and just overall the type of interactions between people when I’m suited up or not,” said Waters. For example, when dressed to impress, his professor offered him research, which gave him the step towards the future he wants to pursue in the field of biology. The effects of the suit and tie are vast, but plentiful in the doors of opportunity. Dressing up is an excellent practice to pathways that would otherwise prove more difficult to achieve, and it’s fun to do as well. The many looks, compliments and forms of respect garnered through it are just the icing on the cake to it.
Cheap textbook options help students can highlight and take notes on their devices easily. If you Paying for college textdo not mind reading from books can easily cost a a tablet, laptop, or iPad in student up to $1,000 a year. class, you may really appreFortunately, this is an issue ciate this option. that can easily be avoided Renting. Renting a textif you are willing to look book will cost a student beyond the convenience of much less than purchasing. your campus’s book store. Ask your school’s bookFree books. Take a look at store if they have textbooks Google Books. Google has for rent. If your school scanned many texts into does not have textbooks its data base, so there is a to rent, check out books chance you may find what online. Sites such as Chegg. you need. You may not be com, BookRenter.com, and able to get the book you CampusBookRentals.com want, or not all the pages, but ManyBooks.net also has are some of the many sites that offer you the option over 33,000 free eBooks to to rent textbooks for low choose from. ETextBooks. CourseSmart. prices. Buying Online. Campuscom is a site that allows stubooks.com and Bigwords. dents to own or rent eTextbooks for low prices that can com are search engines for save you up to 60%. Students both new and used books. by Tiana K. Allen
Type in the book that you are looking for and the site will search for the best prices offered. Amazon is also a great way to search for cheap textbooks and, often, professors recommend finding their course’s textbook on the site. Other students. You do not always have to go to a story or site for a good textbook. Look around on social networks to see if students at your school or a nearby school are selling the book you are looking for. Their prices may be more reasonable or they might trade you for a book they need. Finally, selling you own books. If you need some spare cash to purchase another textbook, try selling one of you own. School
bookstores may not always pay you back all that you spent, but websites and other students may be able to cough up a little more money to buy the book off of you. Look into sites such as Campusbooks.com or Chegg.com to sell your books back. Post on social media that you have books to sell; fellow students may be willing to buy from you. If you are feeling charitable, you can donate your books to BetterWorldBooks.com, a site that raises money for literacy enterprises. If none of these options have worked for you, speak to your professors or advisors and ask if they know of any other textbook alternatives.
7 editors
Shareen Nicholson Editor-in-Chief
Mahogany Waldon
Online/Managing Editor
Tyeka Bailey News Editor
Meleah Holmes Lifestyle Editor
Aegious Perkins Lifestyle Editor
Tyra Whitney
Multimedia Editor
Sarah Jefferson Deputy Graphic Design/Layout Editor
SPARTAN ECHO| Norfolk State University 700 Park Avenue Norfolk, Virginia 23504|NEWSROOM: 757.823.8200 E-Mail: spartanecho@nsu.edu
04.29.16
spartan sports
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Spartan Spotlight: Brehanna Daniels
by Justin Bell Senior and second year shooting guard Brehanna Daniels is a unique Spartan. Doubted by many in her past and told that she couldn’t accomplish her goals, she has achieved much success during her time at Norfolk State University. Since transferring from McCook Community College in Nebraska and Louisburg College in North Carolina, Brehanna has seen plenty of success since her admission to Norfolk State University. She joined the Lady Spar-
tans basketball team in her junior year. During the previous coach’s tenure on the basketball team, she didn’t see much playing time, but she always knew tshe was ready for the spotlight. It wasn’t until Coach Larry Vickers took over as coach and saw that Brehanna had the potential and fire of a true Spartan waiting to be ignited that she got the playing time that allowed her to perform on the court and demonstrate her ability. Always being active in basketball, even at an early age, Brehanna knew that she had the skills to help her team to victory. Brehanna believed in herself, and so did coach Larry Vickers. A solid shooting guard, Brehanna is crafty and a very flashy player. Not only that, she’s very fast on the court as well taking the necessary risks to help her team win. Brehanna Daniels was
awarded the Women’s All Basketball Academic Team trophy for 2015-1016, but that’s not the only thing that she’s great at. Her talent extends much further than the basketball court. An honor graduate, graduating with a 3.3 GPA in mass communications, she has sold herself off the court as well. Recently, she will be one of the faces on the cover of this year’s Behold magazine and had a role in NSU’s Dream commercial and also a commercial for the NCAA. But that only scratches the surface of who Brehanna Daniels is. She tried out for the NASCAR pit-stop crew events that were held in Echols Hall and got selected out from two other Spartan athletes, all men at that, one from track and two from football. She’s a tenacious Spartan, who bested the physical and mental obstacle courses of
the event. Her hard work paid off when she received a call from the NASCAR event director Phil Horton to be invited back to participate in a NASCAR combine event that’s going to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 26- 29. This event includes attending social events and classes on how pit crews operate and she will be taught the art of how to change a tire under the pressure of the sport of NASCAR. She will be competing against 20 other people and only half will be selected. She has also will be attending the NASCAR XFINITY race in North Carolina on May 28. Her talents and accolades will extend even further once she graduates this May. Brehanna plans on working with Michael Copon. If you’re not familiar with Mr. Copon, then you might remember him when he was
here during MCJR Week. You might also know him as the Blue Power Ranger, Lucas Kendall, in the 2001 Power Rangers Time Force. She also plans to play basketball overseas after graduating as well. She is set to participate in combines and tryouts just so she can reach that goal. Daniels is definitely a go-getter. She has overcome grief since the passing of her mother while in the ninth grade, but instead of getting caught in limbo, she uses that as motivation. Brehanna Daniels’s story is that has been foreshadowed by a lot of things in her life, but she is definitely a Spartan that has reached the limelight. An amazing woman and intelligent student, she has overcome a lot in her life and is finally now reaping the benefits, the true definition of a Spartan.
Kiara Howell and Deon King named top athletes of NSU by Malik Glaspie
Howell and King were named as the top athletes of NSU this year. Photo from nsuspartans.com
put and weight throw. She also won the Most OutOn Monday Apr. 18, NSU’s standing Field Athlete award athletic department held its at all three of the MEAC annual all-sports award ceroutdoor championship emony, seniors Kiara Howell meets she competed in. and Deon King were named Howell is ranked among top athletes of Norfolk State. the top six in the MEAC in Howell, a mathematthe four outdoor throwing ics major and graduate of events: the shot put, discus, Grassland High School, was hammer and javelin. named the MEAC coKing, a senior linebacker Most Outstanding Field from Reston, is a three time Athlete at the MEAC Indoor All-MEAC linebacker. He Championship in February. was named NSU’s First DiShe earned the award by vision I FCS consensus First placing second in the shot Team All-American last fall
after leading all of division I in tackles. King was also named the 2015 recipient of the Buck Buchanan award, given annually to the top defensive player in the FCS. Among other NSU athletes, sophomore softball second baseman Seana Moriarty, graduate of Hickory High School, was named the NSU Female Scholar Athlete of the Year. The male recipient of this award was junior baseball first baseman Brian Beard.
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