The Spectator 08/17/2015 Back to School Edition, Fall 2015

Freshman

Junior

Sophomore

Senior

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August 17, 2015

The Spectator | www.vsuspectator.com

Letter from the Editor: Jordan Barela

Editor-in-chief jlbarela@valdosta.edu “The Spectator is the independent student newspaper of Valdosta State University.”

This is the one thing that staff members and editors have been saying whenever someone asks about the paper, calling for an interview, or just simply describing the paper.

There is one keyword in that phrase that is becoming dated: newspaper.

The Spectator is not just a newspaper. Not anymore.

Journalism is changing rapidly. To keep up with the times, The Spectator is changing as well.

In April, the staff released

New look, same Spectator

our first “berliner” on racism.

A berliner is a modification of a tabloid sized newspaper. The Spectator will now be this size that you are currently holding.

Armed with a sleek new format and design, The Spectator is now aimed at a more modern style newspaper. The new format allows for magazine style covers and crisp, brighter paper which allows the content to better pop off the page.

Along with the new format, come new creative possibilities. With the new format, the staff is also working to build a more digital presence. That means more videos, more web exclusive content, and a way to get your news on the go.

In short, journalism is moving in a digital direction and

The Spectator is following in that direction.

With the new format and our move in a more digital direction, we want to engage our readers from multiple facets.

Not only is The Spectator going in multiple creative directions, we have new members of the editorial staff to lead and route The Spectator in those directions. With the new faces on the editorial board, come new faces in the guise of staff writers, photographers, videographers, and everything in between.

Not only did we release our new format in April, other multiple events happened.

A protest by one group and the interference of one individual led to multiple other

protests on campus. Not only did these protests and events grace the pages of our paper and the homepage of our website, the protests garnered national media buzz. For a while, The Spectator was not the only news outlet on campus. It seemed that VSU was on the verge of falling into a racial and social chasm.

Along with these events, a whole new administrative staff, budget cuts and the decreasing enrollment rate was also brought to the forefront of VSU. While the budget cuts and the declining enrollment rates have people pondering the future of VSU, there is one thing that is true. You need to know about these issues. As a student, as a member of faculty

or staff, as a parent, you need to know what is going on with your university. That is where we come in.

Most people think that we only allow journalism majors to work for us. All that we ask for to join the staff is to have a passion for journalism. We are always looking for new members to come and get work published, both daily and weekly. It is a great feeling knowing that you wrote and reported on a great story, edited and recorded a terrific video, or even tried to get that one great photograph. We look forward to providing VSU with the news it needs to know.

We can now change the word “newspaper” to “news organization”.

August 17, 2015

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The Spectator | www.vsuspectator.com

Need Wi-Fi? Here is how to connect to the new VSU Wi-Fi. the summer, VSU Information How do you connect to VSU-WiFi Over Technology upgraded the wireless internet throughout campus. All resi(new)?

Where available (Residence Halls, Odum Library, Bailey Science Center): 1. Select VSU-WiFi in your network list on your device 2. Enter your MyVSU username and password.

3. If prompted, choose Trust the certificate.

dence halls, Odum Library and Bailey Science Center are all upgraded to the new wireless system. The remaining buldings on campus will upgrade to the new system soon. Until all buildings and areas are converted to the new VSU-WiFi network, you will need to connect to both systems in order to have continuous access. If you need assistance or have any questions, contact IT located in Odum Library.

IT Contact Info

Phone: 229: 245: HELP (4357) Email: helpdesk@valdosta.edu Web: www.valdosta.edu/helpdesk

How do you connect to VSU-Personal (existing)?

Where available (Buildings not listed on the left): 1.

Select VSU-StartHere in your network list

2.

Launch your web browser to connect via the SmartPass Connect Wizard

3.

After completing the steps provided by the wizard, your device will be moved to the VSU-Personal network

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August 17, 2015

The Spectator | www.vsuspectator.com

The remedy to homesickness? Joining clubs Julie Jernigan Contributing Writer

Have you ever had the feeling where your heart sinks down into the pit of your stomach? Well, that’s the feeling I’d experience every other day from the time I graduated high school to the day I left for college.

A part of me was excited to be on my own in a new city, yet the other part of me was afraid to leave what was comfortable.

I have lived in this cozy town called Waycross my entire life and built this life with the same friends, the same church, and the same schools with said same friends. Then, all of a sudden I had to give these up? It was terrifying to say the least, but what made matters worse was the fact that everyone was also worrying about me as I was worrying about myself. Helpful, I know.

I remember trying to keep myself together on the way to my school 60-something miles from Waycross. It was only when my

parents left that I had a little cry fest for just for me. I was finally on my own.

To be honest, my first few days of college were filled with me sitting in my dorm room. I have always been shy when it comes to meeting new people, and the idea of actually walking up to a person and talking to them was petrifying.

So, the next day I decided to get some hutzpah, and join [the VSU Blazin Brigade] since it was an environment I was familiar with.

At first I was hesitant because I didn’t know marching band to follow me to college, but truthfully it was the best thing I could have done. Everything just fell into place after that. I was at this new school where I had made new friends, and had even found a new church to attend.

I encourage any upcoming freshman to be active on campus.

Organizations are honestly like one big family where you can be yourself.

*This article originally was published in The Waycross Journal-Harold.

Three Editors, three study abroad trips; LaShawn Shante tells about her Moroccan journey LaShawn Shante

College Life Editor lsoglesby@valdosta.edu A three-week trip to further my knowledge on the fifth most spoken language in the world, Arabic, was an experience that can never be forgotten. My timing was lucky because I got to experience Ramadan the second week I was there until I left. It’s impossible to give the full story, so I’ll highlight two of my favorite experiences from my little adventure: staying with my host family and the food.

For the duration of my stay in Rabat I stayed with a host family.

The part of the city they lived in was called Bab Challah. It was crowded and full of so many things to look at and do. Their home was beautiful and is known as a riad. A riad translates to garden in English. In the center of these homes is a garden or courtyard. This is a traditional style house in Morocco with large doors and archways much like other traditional buildings throughout Morocco. Many of the designs of these buildings use geometric patterns and even calligraphy as part of the culture.

My host family was extremely hospitable and had breakfast prepared before I even woke up to get ready for classes. They helped me navigate in and out of the city and my host father, Hassan, helped me get to and from school numerous times because I got lost multiple times. Every day after school my host sister and host sister-in-law prepared dinner or Iftar. Iftar is the first and only meal that is eaten for people practicing Ramadan.

LaShawn Shante/THE SPECTATOR

A shot of a feast LaShawn partaked in. LaShawn was in Morocco for a couple of weeks.

Iftar was when I spent the most time with my host family. They spoke a different dialect than what I was learning at the school which left me listening a lot.

Every night we watched mostly comedy programs on television.

Everything was in either Arabic or French. My host family spoke both languages fluently.

My host brother and sister spoke English fairly well, but abstained from speaking it to me unless it was extremely important. I was closest to my host mother Rabia.

She helped me speak Arabic and looked over my notes every day after school. She also spoke to my parents through me, which aided me in learning as well.

If I could eat Moroccan food for the rest of my life, that would be heaven. Don’t get me wrong, America has some good food too, but it is so much harder to eat healthy here than it was for me while I studied in Morocco. For example I didn’t exercise a day while I was there and lost over ten pounds. Every meal I was given contained fresh fruits and

vegetables. They prepared all type of diets including vegetarian dishes everywhere I ate.

The school prepared food in these pyramid type containers called targines. They are, as I understand, pressure cookers and whatever food is hidden inside is beyond delicious. Despite becoming a vegan a few months prior to my trip I often got chicken and vegetables. The meat fell apart so easy and the vegetables were soft and rich with flavor.

The juice was made from fresh fruits with nothing added like artificial sweeteners or colors. Many times it was full of pulp, but it wasn’t impossible to get juice without it. The most popular drink was the tea. Before Morocco I loathed tea with every fiber of my being now you can’t pay me to stop drinking Moroccan tea, specifically mint tea.

Go to vsuspectator.com to check out Zenobia’s photo gallery from Ireland and Kenzie’s blog and gallery from Italy!

August 17, 2015

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The Spectator | www.vsuspectator.com

Unscramble the words below to reveal answers for word search.

HINT: Each answer is a building on VSU campus 1. NROWB_______________ 2. PHOPRE______________ 3. YSLHAE______________ 4. STEW_______________ 5. NINEVS_____________ 6. GANLDELA__________ 7. TOPTRESAN___________ 8. MODU ______________ 9. APSML________________

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PALMS ODUM PATTERSON LANGDALE NEVINS WEST ASHLEY HOPPER BROWN ANSWERS:

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August 17, 2015

The Spectator | www.vsuspectator.com

Blazer Invasion Every year, new freshmen and returning upper classmen blaze every corner of campus, with their lives in bags and plastic containers, for the start of the new academic year. Our photo editor, Stella Henderson, documented the freshmen frenzy and the returning student stampede the last few days before classes started.

Dear freshmen, First off, welcome to Valdosta State University!

You are about to begin your freshman year. The stereotype of what a freshman is, to put it simply, is outdated. A freshman is typically a fresh out of high school student, away from his or her parent(s) for the first time. With a taste of absolute freedom, a common thought of freshmen is that they often party excessively, gain 15 pounds from all the alcohol and junk food and barely make it to class. While there may be some truth to this not all freshmen are like that. In fact, a freshman is not necessarily fresh out of high school anymore.

Now a freshman can be a single mother who finally got the chance to attend to school.

A freshman can be a veteran who enlisted right after high school. A freshman now can be an older person who decided to start over and attend college.

Essentially, a freshman is anyone who is starting college for the first time. Period.

Now that you are here at VSU the first thing to know about being a freshman is to enjoy being a freshman. Enjoy being young (or older) and in college. Enjoy the experience.

College is the place to learn and plan for the future, but to also learn who you are as a

person. Yes, you are going to make mistakes. But college is the place to learn from those mistakes.

Join a club and meet new people. Step out of your comfort zone. Strike up a conversation with the person behind in line at Starbucks or Chick-FilA. Take out your headphones and sit and listen to your fellow students walking through the Pedestrian Mall. Get to know your campus, so go out and explore. The list goes on and on.

While it is not a crime to have fun in college, as a freshman, you need to learn how to balance the fun with the academia. It is easy to skip a class here and there, turn in a late assignment or just completely blow off an assignment, but don’t forget one crucial thing: College is not free and a lot of students pay for college out of their own pocket. You are paying to get an education, so don’t let it go to waste.

Give yourself a pat on the back for making it to college.

You are here. Now, go out and accomplish great things and look forward to your upcoming years.

Sincerely,

Jordan Barela, Editor-in-Chief

August 17, 2015

The Spectator | www.vsuspectator.com

Sophomore Iyanna Burton was one of the many new and returning students that moved into the dorms. She is a criminal justice major and she plans to attend VSU for the full four years.

“I like the campus and the teachers,” she said.

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August 17, 2015

The Spectator | www.vsuspectator.com

VSU welcomes Dr. Gerber as new Provost, VP of Academic Affairs Oklahoma and began working as an assistant professor at VSU Editor-in-Chief in 1996. Dr. Gerber has spent jhpreer@valdosta.edu the last three years serving as the Interim Dean for the Dewar The vacancy for the Provost College of Education and Human position has been filled. Dr. Brian Services.

Gerber accepted the position as VSU has seen many changes Interim Provost and Vice Presito its administrative personnel dent for Academic Affairs in early in recent months and the role of July, following the resignation of the Provost and VP of Academic Dr. Hudson Rogers. Dr. Gerber Affairs is one of the most influhas a background in Science Edu- ential. The provost is responsible cation having taught high school for creating and implementing chemistry, physics, and biology certain academic programs that for four years. He received his prove beneficial to the university. doctorate from the University of It is also his responsibility to work

John Preer

those students. closely with the academic deans “We are dabbling, actually we and make sure the academic programs are adequately resourced in are the state leader in competency addition to makbased programs. That is a whole different ing an impact on area and we are going student enrollment and retento start to move some tion. VSU has programs in that direcseen a decline in tion … we are having undergraduate a trial in certification enrollment and for elementary science Dr. Gerber wants and math educators,” to implement said Dr. Gerber.

-Dr. Brian Gerber competency In order to atbased programs Provost, VP Academic tract more undergraduin the near future Affairs ate students to VSU, hear to help recruit and retain the university needs to adapt to

“

We have to be market smart, but mission driven.

the changing times. “We need to deliver our programs a little bit differently than we have. Year after year students are coming to campus more technology oriented, and savvy, said Dr. Gerber.

As the new provost Gerber is approaching the position with certain goals in mind. “Some of my thoughts on doings things differently being creative being innovative its trying to look forward to where higher education has gone and how can we serve our constituents best. We have to be market smart but mission driven,” said Dr. Gerber.

Dear Sophomores, To every student beginning his or her sophomore year, First off, I’ll start by saying congratulations! You survived your first year of college. You’re no longer a rookie and you have a bit of a better understanding of just how college works.

However, there’s still a lot to learn and experience about college. For some of you, this is a great time to start joining organizations and getting more involved on campus. If you’re anything like me, this will be your year to recover after not doing as well during your freshman year.

After finishing a whole year of college, many of you may have second thoughts about your major.

Maybe it’s time to think about changing your major.

Your sophomore year is a great time to change your major. You’ve only taken core classes, which usually apply for every major, so you won’t waste any time or any credits. For many of you, this may not be the only time that your major changes. Don’t feel bad; you won’t be the first or the last person to change your major once or even more than once. Just remember, the later in your college career you change your major, the longer you’ll have to be in school.

Since you still have three years of college left, sophomore year is a time to still have fun, but not as much fun as freshman year.

Sincerely,

The “party every weekend” thing is pretty expected your first year, but now it’s time to buckle down just a little. The closer to graduation, the more serious things get. If you still make mistakes or your GPA isn’t quite where you want it to be, don’t worry. You still have time to correct your mistakes and improve your GPA. However, don’t take that as an excuse to slack off, because dropping your GPA is the easiest thing in the world but raising it is a whole different story.

You’ll find that each year of college goes by even faster than the last one. Still make time for a little bit of fun and it is still college— enjoy it. Best of luck to you all with sophomore year!

Tatyana Phelps, Managing Editor

August 17, 2015

• • •

•

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The Spectator | www.vsuspectator.com

A Little Bio

Served on Georgia Senate for ten years, two terms as Majority Whip.

Helped create Georgia Film Academy to support the state’s growing film industry.

Founding CEO and President of successful media companies, including Georgia Eagle Media, Inc. Spent a week in Italy and Rome before beginning term as Interim President.

• •

• • • •

VSU welcomes new Interim President Dr. Cecil Staton; Staton talks with The Spectator on his plans for VSU Jordan Barela

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF jlbarela@valdosta.edu On July 1, 2015, the state of the administrative staff at VSU changed. Then acting President, Dr. William McKinney, served his last day having submitted his resignation a few months prior.

With the president’s seat vacant, Dr. Staton was appointed

by Chancellor Hank M. Huckaby to serve as the Interim President of VSU. Staton did not waste any time once his term as Interim President began; in fact, he hit the ground running. Staton revamped numerous higher level administrative positions, including appointing Dr. Brian Gerber as Interim Provost in lieu of Dr. Hudson Rogers’ decision to step down to teach at the Harley Langdale Jr. College of Business.

“I didn’t come here thinking that this is something that’s broken that I have to fix. It’s not.

This is a wonderful place, but we are living in a challenging time for higher education. So, we just

all have to come together to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to make it the best it can be,” Staton said. “Part of that is getting good people in the right positions. We did have a number of vacancies to fill. We still have a number of interim positions that we will be following through on trying to fill some of those this year, but it’s really about preparing this institution for the future and how we deal with the difficult waters facing higher education right now.”

With the hiring of new administrative staff positions, Staton has a clear goal in mind.

“We come together to do it because we love this institution, we believe in its mission, we believe in its purpose, and most of all we believe in the mission of why we are really here and that is to help students. A University only exists for students,” Staton said. “That’s going to be our emphasis and it’s going to be the emphasis of every person that comes to a new staff position.”

Other important goals that Staton is looking to address are the retention rate at VSU and

Want to get to know Dr. Staton even more?

Go to our website to read our full Q&A with Interim President Dr. Staton.

Also, check out Opinions Editor Kenzie Kesselring’s coverage of the Fall 2015 Convocation. Watch the full Convocation, link in article!

keeping the students at the core of his resolve.

“I think globally for our campus I want to emphasize student achievement [and] what we can do to make this the very best possible experience for our students, so that when they come here, they’ll want to stay here and finish here and we help them to be able to finish and succeed and achieve their goals,” Staton said.

VSU is in a state of major change. With the issues of budget cuts, enrollment rates and retention being brought to the forefront, Staton has a tough job to tackle. However, with a strong resolve and demeanor, Staton is ready to take on the job.

“For this year I am the President, even though I am [just] interim. I have the responsibilities of the office and I’m not really here to just sit in a pretty office and come out occasionally and say “hi”. We’ve got work to do.

These are challenging times for higher education. There are a lot of things going on that are impacting all of our institutions in the University System,” Staton said.

Degrees

B.A from Furman University Masters of Theology and Masters of Divination from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Doctorate of Philosophy from University of Oxford

Accolades:

Technology Association of Georgia, Legislator of the Year The 1849 Friend of Medicine Award, Georgia Medical Association Photo taken by Jordan Barela/THE SPECTATOR

THE SPECTATOR Recruiting For Fall 2015

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS - PRINT, WEB & MOBILE ADVERTISING SALES REPRESENTATIVES MARKETING ASSISTANTS WRITERS COPY EDITORS PHOTOGRAPHERS VIDEOGRAPHERS ASSISTANT EDITORS ALL MAJORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

MARKETING & DESIGN POSITIONS REQUIRE 15 HOURS WEEKLY

To A p p l y : EMAIL COVER LETTER, RESUME & SAMPLES OF WORK TO: AIMEE NAPIER, ADVERTISING MANAGER acnapier@valdosta.edu OR

JORDAN BARELA, CO-EDITOR IN CHIEF jlbarela@valdosta.edu

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August 17, 2015

The Spectator | www.vsuspectator.com

Undergrad done, grad school next?

Dear Juniors, This is a pivotal year for you. You are no longer a freshman, and you’ve survived sophomore year and it’s not quite time for graduation. Do you know where you’re going to live after graduation? Do you know where you want to work? Where do you see yourself in five years? These are all questions you should be searching for the answers to throughout your junior year.

You rather be early and organized, than late and missing out on opportunities.

Junior year is fun

because most people turn 21 that year.

Twenty-one is seen as the golden age for most young adults, because you are finally recognized as an adult. However, being 21 and a junior, you shouldn’t let it drive you off course of your goals in life. It is better to, as the saying goes, get your ducks all in a row, before you indulge in countless activities that aren’t really beneficial.

This is your junior year, so make it count! You’re halfway finished with college. Set time

aside each week to make progress towards your future career goals. Call businesses you are interested in working for and see about their internship programs. Sit in on as many business oriented events the campus has! Take part in all of the career fairs, and visit career services to see if they can help you get what you need to be successful in the future. Enjoy your junior year and have fun, but don’t forget to be smart! Work hard, play later!

Sincerely,

Financing

Start Here Research!

Grad school is expensive, but not impossible to finance. Once you figure out what grad school you want to go to, see if the school offers graduate assistantships. These help pay for tuition, and some even pay all the tuition!

Weigh out your options for grad school. Figure out what school would be best to pursue your masters or doctorate. Research is key!

Good Luck!

Prepare

Preparing for grad school takes a lot of commitment. One of the biggest preparations to be make is preparing for graduate entrance exams. Make sure the grad school you are applying for needs score for entrance exams!

Apply

Applying to grad school is time consuming.

Check to see that application requirements for the grad school you choose. Each grad school has different application requirements. Use your professors as recommendations, with their permission of course!

Tyra Mills, Social Media Editor Information provided by web.stanford.edu Photo Illustration by Jordan Barela/THE SPECTATOR

Dear Seniors,

My fellow seniors, fall semester is nothing new. However, this particular fall semester will (hopefully) be your last of undergrad. There will be many pitfalls this close to the finish line, but don’t worry. Your years of Starbucks fueled allnighters and late night Odum study sessions have prepared you for this final test of will.

The most infamous obstacle in your path is senioritis. Senioritis is a serious condition that affects thousands of college seniors across the country every year. The most common side effects of senioritis are sluggishness, loss and/ or gain in appetite, struggle syndrome, and an overall apathy for life. If you or a loved one is suffering from senioritis please consult your appointed advisor for help with this debilitating condition.

As seniors, we should be well aware that the real world is fast-approaching and nothing is more daunting than being thrown into the fray. How-

ever, there are things you can do to ease your transition into the working world. Find an internship. The experience that you can gain from a summer internship is invaluable. A good internship will give you the real world feel with the luxury of a safety net. Enjoy that safety net, cherish it, appreciate it for all its worth because once you graduate and get a job in your field the second chances become sparse.

Another good tip for transitioning into the working world is to network You aren’t the only one with a degree and a well-stocked contact list could be the difference between a comfy desk job and crippling unemployment.

A final piece of advice: stay diligent. It will be very easy to become complacent and miss certain deadlines. Don’t forget to apply for graduation and get sized for your cap and gown.

Celebrate, you’re about to graduate!

Sincerely,

John Preer, Editor-in-Chief

August 17, 2015

Page 11

The Spectator | www.vsuspectator.com

Meet the Staff

Now that you have read the issue, learn more about the editors responsible.

Jordan Barela

John Preer

Staff Position: Editor-in-Chief Classification: Senior Major: Mass Media Minor: Journalism Trading the desert air for the humid, ever-changing weather of the South, Barela moved to Georgia at the age of four. After transferring to VSU, Barela has been on staff going on his fifth semester. Throughout his semesters, Barela started out as a staff writer before moving through various editorial positions.

Throughout his time on staff, Barela has been the Assistant Multimedia Editor, Social Media Editor, and Digital Editor. Taking the helm of Editor-in-Chief this semester, Barela plans to move The Spectator in a more digital direction, which is paired with The Spectator’s new paper format. Barela is one of the Editorsin-Chief. Along with Preer, both editors look forward to the huge transition that the two have planned for their staff. When he is not in the office, Barela can be found in red and khaki assembling racks of clothes. Like Phelps, he is constantly eating.

He is hopelessly addicted to coffee, Twin Peaks, Bob’s Burgers and Stevie Nicks. Barela is excited to start the new semester with his Spectator family!

David Johnson

Staff Position: Editor-in-Chief Classification: Senior Major: Journalism

Zenobia Harris

Staff Position: Copy Editor Classification: Senior Major: Mass Media Harris is another new addition to the editorial staff. Originally from Macon, Georgia (shout out to Mac-town), Harris is a senior getting her B.F.A. in Mass Media, with a cross-training certificate in journalism. In her free time, she loves writing stories and poems, cooking, shopping, dancing in the mirror, and binge watching all of her favorite shows on Netflix and Hulu.

Aimee Napier

You know the girl that’s really quiet until you really get to know her? Well, that’s Mrs. Phelps. She may have a soft mouse voice, but she loves to joke and be silly once she warms up to people. She is secretly tatted (She has seven tattoos that most people don’t know she has). Her weaknesses are popcorn and oversized sweaters. When she is not in class or working with The Spectator, you’ll probably catch her eating (which she does a lot of) or posting on her blog, totallytaty.com. If you see her around campus, don’t be afraid to say hello!

Aimee is from Thomasville, Georgia, and has worked for the Spectator for over eight years. She began as the Production Manager and has worked her way up to Assistant Advertising Manager.

She has been the Advertising Manager since 2011. Aimee has 3 children, 3 dogs, 4 horses, a cat & fish. She wants to work to change the prison system in the state. Her plans include creating a campus for men and women coming out of jails, prisons, etc. to receive counseling and mentoring, to teach them how to create positive futures and rebuild their families,” she said.

Staff Position: Managing Editor Classification: Senior Major: Journalism

Staff Position: Ad Manager Classification: Senior Major: Sociology

Stella Henderson

Staff Position: Photo Editor Classification: Senior Major: Interdisciplinary Studies

Kayla Stroud

Staff Position: Web Editor Classification: Senior Major: Journalism Originally, Stroud lived in Leesburg, Georgia, before she moved to Valdosta to pursue a degree in Journalism. She enjoys sleeping, eating, and online shopping. And while she may have grown up a country girl, she has a strong fear of butterflies and crop dusters. Stroud is one of the quietest on staff, but when she does say something, it is comedic gold.

Staff Position: Multimedia Editor Classification: Sophomore Major: Mass Media Johnson transferred to VSU in 2014 to be a part of the best mass media program in the state. He has always had a passion for technology, but really fell in love with videography and eventually fell in love with journalism.

He has won many awards for his work in the past, including a student Emmy for best overall live news production. Johnson is also President of the Society for Collegiate Journalists. He, along with Barela, are in the works of building a brand new Multimedia Team. He strives to become well educated in broadcast media and journalism at VSU. He is glad to be a team member of the best news organization in Valdosta!

Be on the lookout for new videos each week!

Tatyana Phelps

Preer is an aspiring international journalist. He is one of the Chief Editors for the Spectator. He has a pretty decent vinyl record collection and wants to travel to Thailand as soon as he graduates. Preer is a part-time writer/ full-time poet and hopes to publish his work soon. Preer never misses a chance to eat with chopsticks and is probably busy coloring in his spare time.

Preer’s favorite colors are blue green and everything in between.

Kenzie Kesselring

Staff Position: Opinions Editor Classification: Senior Major: Journalism

Tyra Mills

Staff Position: Social Media Editor Classification: Senior Major: Mass Media

Kristin Whitman

Staff Position: Sports Editor Classification: Senior Major: Journalism Starting her second semester as Sports Editor, Whitman comes from the tiny town of Sylvester, Georgia. Living up to her title of Sports Editor, Whitman is an active individual. She did gymnastics for 10 years and has also sky dived! Whitman is an intern for the Valdosta Daily Times. Whitman is also a dedicated aunt.

Mills is the Social Media Editor/ resident poet for The Spectator.

She has been working for The Spectator for about two years. She was previously the Photo Editor and Web Editor. She is a senior, studying Mass Media in hopes of one day being a journalist or radio personality. She is originally from Columbus, Georgia, and has high hopes of moving to either New York or Los Angeles after graduation. She loves to rap, sing, act and express herself artistically.

To say that Mills is talented is an understatement!

Kesselring is a first semester editor, after being the Assistant Opinions Editor. This will be her second year working at The Spectator. Kesselring was brought on

by Spectator alum and fabulous former Opinions Editor Jordan Hill. Under Hill’s guidance, she learned a lot of valuable journalistic skills. After graduation, she hopes to move to New York City and eventually work at Cosmopolitan Magazine. Outside of The Spectator, she loves spending time with her Chi Omega sisters (she is president of sorority), watching movies, and hanging out with her cat. Kesselring was one of three editors who went on a study abroad trip this past summer. She spent a month of her summer vacation underneath the Tuscan sun, literally! To read her updates from Italy or view some of her photos, go to our website. She cannot wait for VSU to see all of the exciting additions the staff has in store for The Spectator this year! Good luck this school year, Blazers!

Henderson is a “super Senior” originally born in South Korea.

She is an army brat but calls Valdosta her home. She is half Korean and Scottish. This is her second semester as Photo Editor.

Henderson is an Interdisciplinary Studies major, with focuses in Mass Media, Journalism and Communications. She can’t swim and she is allergic to alcohol. She also has two pet rats and she is left handed.

LaShawn Shante

Staff Position: College Life Editor Classification: Senior W Major: Journalism Shante, originally from Chicago, is a 24 year old, self-proclaimed dork with a love for games, nature, writing, the Winchesters, and mushrooms. She has lived in various states and even overseas.

She has enjoyed every culture she was lucky enough to experience and can’t wait to encounter and learn about more. Her dream is to one day live off grid where she can read to her heart’s content and grow her own food.

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The Spectator | www.vsuspectator.com

August 17, 2015