February 14, 2019
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Special Edition
Hackathon Pop Addict Blazers defeat Golden Rams
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The Spectator | www.vsuspectator.com
February 14, 2019
NEWS Coding for the community: Azalea C i n n a h o l i c Bryce Ethridge Health Hackathon a success C E Patrick Barry ontent ditor
bjethridge@valdosta.edu
Staff Writer pjbarry@valdosta.edu
A success with community solutions, the sixth annual Hackathon went according to plan. The Hackathon, held Feb. 9, saw 10 teams, the largest participating number the event has had so far, duke it out by coding the best solution to a problem. This year’s issue, “Coding for the Community,” asked for ways to unite the community. The teams, cloistered in their assigned rooms, went about considering an option. Within minutes, talented fingers began clacking away diligently at keyboards and drawing up a solution to unite the Greater Valdosta community. For the uninitiated, the Hackathon is an annual software design competition sponsored by VSU-alumni-founded healthcare startup Azalea Health. Teams are presented with a problem, mostly relating to Valdosta or the surrounding area, and are given eight hours to engineer a solution. Eight hours later, after the dust had settled, participants worked out the last lingering bugs in their creations and reconvened for judgement. More than 50 participants, judges, faculty and professional coders congregated in Martin Hall for the presentations. Aspiring programmers unveiled the fruits of eight hours’ worth of labor to a panel of judges, who assigned their creation a score based on five criteria: design, functionality, originality, awesomeness and presentation. The competing teams were then
Photo courtesy of Azalea Health. “The 404’s”, the first place team enjoying their $1000 prize money.
ranked and assigned a score. The top three teams receive a prize, and, according to Hackathon director Dan Henry, “bragging rights for life.” Of the top three teams, only one walks away with the grand prize of $1,000. This year, “The 404s” took the honor. “The 404s,” an oft-cited and satirized error message, consisted of Bryan McRee, Landon Courson, Jenna Schott and Erskine Denson. As for their win, the team took the road less taken, opting to focus on a more personal service rather than large-scale volunteer and community ideas. McRee said their solution was like a dating service for the community’s needs. “The system will find a need, find a skillset—kind of like eHarmony—and match the need with the skillset,” he said. McRee argues that this way, changes can be more tangible at a base and individual level.
Second place, a $500 prize, went to “The Acquaintances,” which included Mars Elliot Hallman, Allen Kubinski and Grant McCarthy. Their instrument of success was “Voluntell,” an application used to connect those interested in community service with organizations. The third-place prize of $250 was snagged by “Node_modules”, an army of one led by Tyler Angelier. The prospective programmer cranked out a software focused on mobility and capturing a target audience. His lone wolf approach assured that he walked away a happy man, and the smile on his face said it all since he ended with as much money in his pocket as the four first-place team members came out with. While the money may be a bonus, each of these participants can rest assured that they not only have “bragging rights for life”
VSU Presents the Black Nightingales Arelexus Brown
Staff Writer arelbrown@valdosta.edu Black History Month is a time of reflection and celebration of African American culture and achievement. It is not only a time to look back on great leaders of the past, but a time to look forward to trailblazers of the future. VSU is celebrating Black History month with four faculty lectures organized by Dr. Leslie Jones, associate professor of biology. The first was given on Feb. 5th by nursing professor Kwanza Thomas titled: “Black Nightingales: Past, Present and Future” about the importance of black nurses in healthcare. In her lecture, Thomas explored the impact black nurses have had in the field and the prejudice they continue to overcome. Black women like Mary Eliza Mahoney, Hazel Johnson- Brown and Lillian Holland Harvey have broken racial and gender barriers in the world of nursing. Their legacies tell a story of determination and triumph for African Americans in the field, but there’s
still much to be desired for diversity in nursing. Despite the black population continuing to rise in the nation, only 10 percent of the nation’s 3.9 million registered nurses are black. The ubiquity of racism and prejudice as well as a lack of representation are the main contributors to the disparity in numbers. Thomas, once a nurse, has firsthand experience. Thomas decided to become a nurse at 5-years-old after she survived an accident that required her to learn how to walk again. The compassion her nurse showed her by reading her favorite book to her every night inspired her to want to show the same compassion to others. “That experience ignited my passion to comfort and care for others the same way I was comforted,” Thomas said. However, Thomas was then unaware of the obstacles black nurses have to overcome. Thomas described the experience of being a black nurse as “isolating” and that being a minority in the field is a fact that black nurses never escape. The lack of diversity in nursing
also affects nursing students and instructor. Not seeing themselves represented in their field discourages both nursing students and instructors who attend predominately white institutions like VSU. “The underrepresentation of black nurses in the community and the classroom is a threat to the future of nursing and our healthcare system,” Thomas said. A lack of black male nurses in the field was also a topic of discussion. While black females are underrepresented in the field, black men are even more of a minority. Thomas also recalls enduring racism in the field at the hands of patients who refused her aid due to the color of her skin, describing it as “hurtful”. The future of nursing depends on Black Nightingales of the future to tear down the barriers that seek to hold back some of the world’s most compassionate people. The next lecture will be given by Dr. John Elder and Dr. Leslie Jones in the Hugh C. Bailey Science Center on Feb. 19th.
Dessert shop, Cinnaholic, is coming to the greater Valdosta area, and it isn’t your average sweets stop, according to manager Garrett Garland. Cinnaholic is a gourmet cinnamon bun store where customers can create their own cinnamon bun. It sounds similar to Cinnabon, but Cinnaholic’s ingredients are purely vegan. It also serves coffee on the side. “We have a vegan product, which is individually crafted right in front of you, and watching that process done itself—as I already have in Atlanta—is a breathtaking experience,” Garland said. Though the store isn’t complete yet, Garland said he’s excited for its full release. With the closures of Marble Slab Creamery and Dough-Jo, there were worries of the store’s future. But there’s one thing he wants Valdosta citizens to know for sure: Cinnaholic isn’t an ice cream store. “I’m sure everyone loves ice cream [but] it’s so saturated in Valdosta, as we have Snowpocalypse, The Mix and every other ice cream parlor, which—for a lack of words—is a large amount,” he said. “There’s not exactly a cinnamon bun store here.” Currently, the manager and the store’s investment partners are looking at drawing in the 60 to 100,000 people coming through Valdosta daily. With the store sitting right across from Lowndes County High School, Garland said he’s expecting many high schoolers to venture in but is expecting more
females than males as customers. “It’s not directly geared toward them, but we’re looking at a more female customer index,” he said. “We’re expecting about 60 to 70 percent more females than we’d expect males to enter the store each day.” Even without a large amount of male customers, Garland is expecting to be busy long after the store’s opening, especially considering it’s surrounded by a “fast food mecca.” Investments into the store began in December, but it officially broke ground on Jan. 20. Wiring, concrete breaking and replacing has already started in the store’s building on Norman Drive. It is still waiting for electronics and lighting, ovens and kitchenware. Garland said he is also planning for a mural to be painted inside the store. Cinnaholic started as a simple cinnamon bun store in California and has risen up to become Forbes 10 Best Franchises to buy from Shark Tank. The store’s current investors saw Valdosta as an up and coming city, especially with the arrival of Cook Out and Panera Bread, and decided with no other bakery like it, they’d bring Cinnaholic here. Garland was brought on board for a chance meeting with the investors but had to take a break from being a student because of it. He is currently a freshman at Valdosta State University and taking a semester off. Garland is planning for Cinnaholic’s opening during either the last week of March or the first week of April. It’s located on Norman Drive next to Aspen Dental.
The 2019 Grammy Awards Lenah Allen
Staff Writer lrallen@valdosta.edu If you missed out on the 2019 Grammy Awards, then you missed out on a starstudded event featuring many memorable moments. The show was hosted by the beautiful Alicia Keys, who not only showed off her great personality but also her pianoplaying and singing talents. While many great performances were put on throughout the night, the best one had to be Jennifer Lopez’s tribute to the 60th anniversary to Motown Records. Her performance blew the audience away and paid homage to Motown Records in the best way possible. Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry, amount
others, starred alongside Dolly Parton in her own tribute, which was a spectacular performance. Childish Gambino had a big night, winning in two major categories for his hit song “This is America.” Gambino deserved to win Song of the Year and Record of the Year simply because his song speaks volumes about the current social climate of America. Kacey Musgraves also had a big night winning Album of the Year, Best Country Album and Best Country Solo Artist. Additionally, Drake won Best Rap Song for his song “God’s Plan,” which was well deserved. The overall show was very entertaining and full of unforgettable moments and red-carpet looks that made a bold statement for this event.
Lady Gaga shows off a little leg in her discoball-inspired dress.
Cardi B steps out on the red carpet with a vintage oyster-inspired look. Photo courtesy of Eonline. com and Grammy.com
February 14, 2019
The Spectator | www.vsuspectator.com
Entertainment
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Pop Addict: Debating the Grammys, thank u, next Jacorey Moon
Special Projects Manager jxmoon@valdosta.edu Hello to all my pop addicts of VSU. It has been a week since I’ve seen you last. HOW Y’ALL DOING? I’ve got a nice cup of pomegranate green tea brewing, so let’s get into it. The Grammys were broadcasted live on Feb. 10. It was a night filled with sadness, achievement, misery and “huh?!” moments. I think that some of the winners did deserve their awards, while others just deserved the nomination. I was excited for some of the wins, like H.E.R. won Best R&B Album for her self-titled EP. One thing that I particularly didn’t like is the Album of the Year winner. Don’t get me wrong, I like Kacey Musgraves, but I just think that her album shouldn’t have qualified. Follow me. Album of the Year is supposed to be an inescapable album. An album that has pushed forward the craft of music and the advancement of society. The Grammys have been getting this category wrong for many years but gravely for at least five years now. It started with Beyoncé’s self-titled album. That album was everywhere. Everybody made knockoff merchandise, and people quoted lyrics throughout the subsequent year. In 2016, it was a bloodbath regarding this category. Between Kendrick Lamar’s “DAMN.”, Rihanna’s “ANTi” and
Beyoncé’s “LEMONADE”, the Grammys found a way to give it to Beck. Yes, the 90s alternative rapper whom, to my knowledge, before this award ceremony, was only famous for his hit “Loser.” It was a huge debacle because it only cemented what most people thought about the Grammys: it was all a publicity stunt. With that being said, I don’t think that Musgraves’ album was noticed that much. I think it was a cute
“Was Jazmine Sullivan busy? Was Jennifer Hudson busy?” little album with some nice songs, but overall, if I didn’t hear it before Grammy nominations, then it pretty much flew under the radar. Anyways, this isn’t about my musical ear. I just think that there were other albums that made a mark on 2018. So, I wasn’t here for that. Also, it is a theory that the Urban Contemporary category is the equivalent of Album of the Year for black people. I agree. The recording academy will nominate several albums by people of color for the Album of the Year category, but they never win. It’s a shame. I’m proud of Cardi B. She won Best Rap Album for her smash debut album, “Invasion of
Get your cup because Jacorey is coming with the tea. This week he talks the Grammys, Ariana Grande’s new album, and 21 Savage’s release.
Privacy.” I truly believe that she deserved the award because that album was inescapable in 2018. Two snaps for you Cardi! The recording academy booked Jennifer Lopez to perform a Motown tribute… yes, Jennifer Lopez. With a plethora of black singers and performers, they booked Jennifer Lopez. As I watched the tribute, I questioned, “Was Jazmine Sullivan busy? Was Jennifer Hudson busy? Was Usher booked? Was Beyoncé not feeling it? Was John Legend’s fingers stiff?” I just wasn’t here for that either. Overall, I think that the Grammys were lackluster this year. I think that the Grammys are going to get phased out eventually. Award shows don’t
get the same garnered support that they used to. As quickly as things change, they stay the same, I guess? Moving on. Last Friday, Ariana Grande released her latest album, “thank u, next.” I love this album. It’s exactly what I needed to get me through this semester. Ariana continues to show growth in her song development and ideas. I love “thank u, next” the most though. That song is just so powerful. I think that if Ariana would’ve released this album before she released “Sweetener” that she would’ve gotten nominated for more awards at the Grammys this year. Now, I just want Ari to take a little break for herself, but I
don’t think that she’ll get it since she starts touring soon. We don’t need any more music, Ari. Take care of yourself. Octavia Spencer is starring in a new movie entitled, “Ma.” It is due in theaters in May. Go watch the preview, it’s riveting. 21 Savage was released from the ICE detention center, but he could still be facing deportation. Keep your head up, 21. Also, on Feb. 11, we commemorate the loss of Whitney Houston. Fly high, Nippy. We will always love you! That’s all the tea that I have for this week. Remember to check back here next week to get your teacup filled with more hot tea!
Review: VSU screening of “The Hate U Give” Malia Thomas
Staff Writer malithomas@valdosta.edu Truth be told, I am not the biggest fan of films that explore social issues. This is because I find many of them to be quite clumsy in the way they portray their messages to the point that their narratives are unrealistic at best and downright implausible at worst. Especially considering the polarizing climate the country is in right now, it can be disastrous to butcher a narrative that is already marginalized in mainstream media. However, I am happy to say the film adaptation of Angie Thomas’ The Hate U Give completely averts that, and it is one of the film’s main strengths. This is best seen through the main character of Starr Carter. Beautifully brought to life by the talented Amandla Stenberg, it felt as though I had broken into the time capsule my 16-year-old self created. Given how relatable the main character and the themes the movie addressed were, it led to VSU Director of Student Diversity and Inclusion Sandra Y. G. Jones screening it for a movie night on Thursday, Feb 7. “The main character, Starr, is so relatable,” Jones said. “Once upon a time, I was in her shoes and many students today are in her shoes with their current circumstances.”
For the first half of the film, Starr is just a teenage girl growing up in a rough area called Garden Heights. From the beginning, it is made abundantly clear that this girl has already faced an uphill battle trying to get through life. Her father spent the first few
“Especially considering the polarizing climate the country is in right now, it can be disastrous to butcher a narrative that is already marginalized,” years of her life gone because of his criminal activity with a gang. At the age of 10, she loses her best friend to gun violence courtesy of that same gang. Wanting to give their daughter a fighting chance to be successful, they send her to a well-off private school called Williamson Prep instead of the drug-infested pregnancy pen at the local Garden
Heights high school. Of course, the basic premise itself is clearly something many minorities, especially black ones, face. There used to be an entire show dedicated to the comedic elements of this upbringing, ala Everybody Hates Chris. However, since this is a crime drama, reality ensues. One aspect I do love about this film is its explanation of codeswitching, and the symbolism the color palette uses to demonstrate it hits right home. As Starr mentions in her narration, whenever she’s at home, she uses slang, is more laid back and is a lot more open about her interests because she’s with her own people. They understand her, and she knows she won’t get judged by them. At Williamson Prep, she is a lot more proper, polite and reserved despite her friends openly using slang and acting like she does at home. Her reasoning is simple: because she is black, she will be looked at as “hood” or “uneducated” while her friends will get a free pass for it. While watching the movie at the screening, I noticed that whenever she was at home in Garden Heights, the background was brighter and had a warmer feel because she’s comfortable. At Williamson Prep, the background is blue and feels harsher and more sterile because she can’t be herself. Jones said it’s probably the
most faithful aspect of the movie. “I remember being very moved by the experience of one of the female students who spoke her battle with this during our showing of the documentary If These Halls Could Talk, the one about minorities in PWIs’ (predominately white institutions),” Jones said. “She was crying about this because she felt so torn about essentially living a double life. It’s quite disheartening.” Her acting plays directly into the conflict in the second half. Starr sees her childhood friend Khalil gunned down by police after reconnecting at a party earlier that night. The primary reason she’s torn about testifying to indict the officer that did it is because of the blowback from the gang he was a member of and how she would be treated at school. What really pushes her into this role as an advocate for injustice and putting her life in harm’s way was the way students of Williamson Prep used Khalil’s death as an excuse to skip an exam and protest. Her disgust with that entire situation is a great jab at social media justice warriors who only jump on issues for clout and personal gain. “It also is a great scene demonstrating apathy,” Jones said. “Say you’re not an animal lover or not around animals like that. When you constantly hear about animals getting hit or dying, it really doesn’t affect you. Kind of like those kids. They are so removed from issues with racism
and police, it’s just another black body to them.” Overall, I really enjoyed this screening. Starr’s performance and character development was awesome, and I felt director George Tillman Jr. has a better grasp of the material and themes than his previous works like Notorious and Soul Food. It was not perfect. I felt the ending tied things up too cleanly, there were elements left out from the book I would’ve liked to see, and they butchered the character of Starr’s uncle Carlos. However, it gets the job done. 8/10.
Photo courtesy of Imdb.com.
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The Spectator | www.vsuspectator.com
February 14, 2019
SPORTS Blazer athletics to reveal championship grove Gerald Thomas, III
Engagement Editor gdthomasiii@valdosta.edu Valdosta State has earned their seventh Tree Campus USA acknowledgement from the Arbor Day Foundation. On Thursday, Feb. 14, VSU will celebrate this achievement. The event will begin at 10 a.m. on the P.E. Complex lawn located at
the intersection of Baytree Road and Sustella Avenue. Students, staff and the general public are welcome to attend. During the celebration, VSU will reveal Championship Grove, a group of eight trees planted to pay homage to the Blazer’s eight NCAA National Championship teams. Championship Oak will be the
centerpiece of the Championship Grove. Championship Grove is a straggled live oak to depict the championship pedigree of Blazer Athletics. The spectators of the Arbor Day Ceremony will be informed about how to attain the Tree Campus designation and why it’s so pivotal to maintain VSU’s urban
forest. This event is a part of VSU’s weeklong Arbor Day Ceremony celebrations. The event will be followed by a rain barrel lunch at noon, located in City Hall Annex’s Multipurpose Room. 300 N. Lee Street. Tree Campus USA is a national program that was established in 2008 by the Arbor Day Founda-
RAMMED
tion. Their goals are to honor colleges with effectual forest management to captivate university community members. Three hundred forty-four schools of higher education in the United States have received this honor while the Arbor Day Foundation has invested $48 million to colleges for forest management.
Van Auken wins two awards for pitching Prince Robinson Jr.
Sports Editor parobinson@valdosta.edu
Seth Willard/THE SPECTATOR Heston Mosley throws a pitch at Wednesday’s game against Albany State at Billy Grant Field in Valdosta. The Blazers defeated the Golden Rams 11-4.
Blazers defeat Golden Rams 11-4 Kyle Grondin
Staff Writer kpgrondin@valdosta.edu VSU continued its scorching start to the season, defeating Albany State 11-4. Ignited by a six-run first inning, the Blazers never looked back as Albany State struggled to find the strike zone early and often, walking four batters, hitting two and throwing one wild pitch in the first. These plays helped contribute to the big start for VSU. The team was led by a group of offensive efforts, as they battered the Golden Rams, pitching staff for 10 hits, drawing nine walks and putting a lot of pressure on Albany State by getting runners on base in almost every inning. Senior right fielder Mack Hathcock was one of the strongest players of the game, getting on base every time at bat. He finished the game hitting 3
for 3, with three singles, two runs, two walks, two stolen bases and one runner batted in. VSU holds a No. 2 record in the Gulf South Conference division standings with a 7-1 record, but the team now has the most wins in the conference. On the mound, it was a collective pitching performance, led by junior starter Zach Blankenship, who went more than three innings, allowing only one hit and two walks while striking out three batters. In relief, junior’s Anthony Dahl and Bryce van Horn each delivered two perfect innings, allowing no runners on base and striking out five batters combined. Senior Trevin Eubanks finished off the Golden Rams in the ninth inning, striking out two. The Blazers allowed only three hits the entire game. Overall, assistant coach Ferguson noted that the offense needs to keep improving as they head into
Seth Willard/THE SPECTATOR Jordan Holt scores one of the Blazers’ 11 runs in Wednesday night’s game against Albany State.
their first conference games of the season. The Blazers will continue on
the road with a GSC game at Lee University, beginning at 2 p.m. on Feb. 16.
They aren’t called the Blazers for nothing. At the start of the season, VSU sophomore pitcher Caylie Van Auken sparked a blazing-hot trail for the softball team when she received the titles Gulf South Conference Pitcher of the Week and Fastpitch News National Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 12. This is Van Auken’s first GSC weekly honor. Senior Kasie Johnson received the GSC award last week, making this the second straight week the Blazers have owned the honor. Van Auken is the first Blazer to win National Pitcher of the Week this season. She helped lead VSU to a 4-1 record at the NFCA Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida. Van Auken posted two complete game shutouts in three game appearances, while recording 23 strikeouts and no walks. Playing in about 17 innings of the week, she allowed nine hits and one earned run as teams hit just .148 against her. Opponents who have batted against Van Auken were only allowed just one extra-base hit, allowing a 0.40 ERA. Against No. 18 Palm Beach Atlantic and No. 19 Lenoir-Rhyne, she registered a season-high nine strikeouts. On the season, Van Auken has not allowed a walk in a team-high 32.2 innings and six appearances with four starts. Teams are hitting just .202 against her for the year, in addition to zero home runs. Van Auken could win her third award soon, as she was nominated for NFCA National Pitcher of the Week. The NFCA National Pitcher of the Week honor has yet to be announced by the organization. She will be on display with the Blazers as they open GSC play on Feb. 16-17. They will travel to Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee for a three-game series beginning at 1 p.m.