May 1, 2014
W W W. V S U S p E c TAT O R . c O M
Inside This Issue
Congrats, Grads.
- OpiNiONS: Pipeline a risk to Valdosta
Check out this semesters grad tab inside
- FEATURES: E.T. unearthed in New mexico desert - SpORTS: Tennis freshman earns F.o.Y . honors
Today at VSU Bake Sale - Golden Key International Honors society will be hosting a bake sale on the Pedestrian mall today from 10 a.m-1 p.m. Everything will be one dollar. Odradek - The 2013 edition of the odradek will be unveiled today in Psychology Auditorium Room 1204 from 7-9 p.m. Students will read their work. copies of the issues will be available along with refreshments afterwards.
This Day in History
VOLUME 86 iSSUE 14
On the Web w w w. v s u s p e c ta t o r. c o m
Check out LaMarcus Wilkerson’s story, “Sanfoka celebrates graduates ,” on the web!
Fall break in, Dead Day out LaShawn Oglesby S TA F F W R I T E R lsoglesby@valdosta.edu
After months of deliberation, the issue of VSU’s academic calendar for the year 2015-2016 has been resolved. The final decision was made by VSU President William mcKinney last week. The calendar will include a four-day finals week for the fall and spring semester, a
three-day Thanksgiving break and a two-day fall break. There will be no dead day during finals week either semester. In the controversial issue concerning the placement of Spring Break, dr. mcKinney sided with the Student Government Association over the recommendation of the faculty senate. Spring Break will be march 14-18. The faculty senate’s pro-
posal would have put Spring Break from march 28-April 1. The occurrence of Spring Break would have fallen on the twelfth week of the semester, which would be in sync with the lowndes county School district. doing so would cater to faculty, staff and students with children attending lowndes county schools in regards to taking family vacations and getting child care
for smaller children. Also, students training to be teachers do not get to enjoy Spring Break due to working with students who aren’t on their Spring Break at the same time. Then, when the school districts do get their break, VSU students have to resume their classes. The SGA argued that the proposal put an unnecessary strain on students because it
fo r SGA
On this day in 1963, James Whittaker became the first American to reach the peak of Mt. Everest. Whittaker did this with Nawang Gombu, his Sherpa climbing partner.
Joe Adgie SocIAl mEdIA EdIToR
jmadgie@valdosta.edu
“Because Valdosta State University’s accomplishments, your accomplishments at our university, are deserving of recognition and acknowledgement, I have decided to change things so that the entire VSU community-its faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends--can share in our successes and more importantly, understand the pos-
itive momentum of our achievements,” dr. mcKinney wrote in an email. “This positive momentum is not an accident, but rather represents quite clearly that we are purposefully moving our great university forward in to a very bright future.” The speech will be given in Whitehead Auditorium in the Fine Arts building Friday at
1:30 p.m., and will be streamed live at useducationtv.com. In addition, mcKinney announced that the annual convocation will change and will no longer feature a speech from the president.
The Jimerson administration passed the torch to the Barker administration on monday night. SGA President Tyler Barker was sworn in at a ceremony in the Student Union, which also served as the final SGA meeting until August. Before he was sworn in, however, outgoing SGA President Will Jimerson had some final thoughts for his past year in office. “We started the semester way back in August at our first senator orientation at the University center, where I revealed the organization’s strategic plan that aligned with VP oshodi’s platform ‘Working for You from the Inside out’ and my platform ‘Student Involvement: Retention, Graduation, Progression,’” Jimerson said. “We have reached our potential and desire to grow into all that we are destined and desired to be.” Jimerson pointed out the various objectives that the SGA had and matched during the season. Some of these objectives involved bridging a gap between the SGA, the student body and the administration; increasing the visibility of the SGA; and improving clarity of the internal and external workings of the SGA.
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come back in August that the ATm is at the Union. “It will be a Bank of America ATm, just like the ATm at the Uc now, but it will be in a secure location." mcKinney and his staff aren't yet sure about where the ATm will be placed, or whether it will be inside or outside of the union, but it should be a sign of good news to all students that the university is looking to improve some of its safety is-
sues by relocating the ATm. The students themselves should feel relieved knowing that they can conveniently get money without the concern of traveling far away to the isolated and, at most times, secluded location of the Uc. "I think the move for the ATm would be a good move to the Student Union,” Ian Kerstanski, sophomore mass media major, said. “It's a lot closer and a lot more convenient, and people don't have
to drive all the way to the Uc, where there's not really a lot of parking spots." Zach Blake, sophomore pre-nursing major, agrees that the ATm move is good for the university. "I feel like if it was moved to the Student Union, I would definitely use it more often," Blake said. "It would be more convenient to the university, and all the dorms and all the apartments around here. It would cut down on time
40-hour work week On this day in 1926, Ford Motor Company became a pioneer in the fight to adopt a five-day work week for its workers. Ford was one of the first companies in America to do so and started implementing the policy the following August.
Source: History.com Carlin Morrison/THE SPECTATOR
Today Showers
78 H 61 L
Friday
The Senior Art Exhibit opened April 19 and will run until May 5 in the Fine Arts Gallery. The exhibit features the artwork of 17 VSU seniors.
McKinney to give the State of VSU Joe Adgie SocIAl mEdIA EdIToR
jmadgie@valdosta.edu
Rain
65 H 56 L
Saturday
Few Showers 75 H 55 L
Find Us Online WEbSiTE: vsuspectator.com
TWiTTER: @vsuspectator
FAcEbOOk: The Spectator
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Seniors display artwork in A n ew order Fine Arts Gallery
Reach the peak
Weather
would occur late in the semester. They proposed that the break be moved to either march 7 or march 14. dr. mcKinney approved of the faculty senate proposal, with exception of when Spring Break would fall.
For the first time, President mcKinney will give the State of the University in a speech on Friday. mcKinney will discuss what VSU has done in the past year and plans for the university in the future.
ATM relocation to start Neil Frawley S TA F F W R I T E R ndfrawley@valdosta.edu
The long-awaited move of the ATm from the University center to the Student Union has been in talks again, with the latest goal to have it ready by the start of classes in August. "The ATm is going to move to the Union,” President William mcKinney said. “my hope is that when you
(too). Right now, it's kind of out there in the middle of nowhere, (but at the Student Union) it's more open and there's more people around." dr. mcKinney admitted jokingly that the ATm issue has been frustrating. "one of the other things I learned from this process: it takes a lot longer to move an ATm," dr. mcKinney said.
NewS
PAge 2 | vsusPectAtor.coM Police Briefs April 28 An iPhone 5 was reported stolen from Jennett Lecture Hall. A student reported his purple JanSport book bag stolen from the lockers next to the basketball court in the Student Recreation Center. April 26 A driver was pulled over for going the wrong way on a one-way street by the College Street parking lot. April 24 A student reported that someone had keyed her silver Altima while it was parked in the Oak Street parking lot’s overnight section.
Upcoming Events May 3 Xchange Ministries presents “Our Father,” an original stage play by “Invisible Me” Drama at 8 p.m. in the Bailey Auditorium. Admission is free. The play explores the themes of faith, sibling rivalry and life’s uncertainty while following the lives of a family whose musical band is falling apart. May 5 Sign-up for CAB’s annual Atlanta Braves Game begins May 5 at 8 a.m. in the Student Life office. The game will be held in Atlanta on July 6 and will be against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Tickets are limited. For more information, contact Alisha Stabler at apstabler@valdosta.edu. May 6 Last Rites Study Session, sponsored by Phi Beta, will be held from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. in Odum Library Room 1160. Students who attend will be able to buy 25-cent cups of coffee and get in some last-minute studying before exams.
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MAY 1, 2014
Senior editors say goodbye Will Lewis Editor-in-Chief It’s weird to write something in the first person. Working with The Spectator has caused me to grow increasingly comfortable with the third person omniscient tone of a narrator, but now I am casting that tone aside as I adopt something more personal. Working to inform the student body has been one of the most rewarding and enjoyable experiences I have had since coming to VSU. The Spectator has taught me responsibility, punctuality and how to be “a half-inch taller than my competitors.” I have dealt with the frustrations of writing my crowning achievement, only to receive an email the next day that I made a blatant typo, or by being brushed off by someone dodging an interview. Despite all the frustrations and disappointments, I have enjoyed working with some of the friendliest and most dedicated students I have ever known. On May 10, I will step across a stage and cross into the professional world. The Spectator will still be here though, and it will continue to publish quality news and informed opinions. Olivia Mclean Managing Editor As this semester comes to an end, I realize how fast time really goes by. Just four years ago, I was a freshman at VSU, completely undecided on what I wanted to study. By the end of my sophomore year, I decided I wanted to be a journalist and began taking classes in that field. Writing for The Spectator for the past year and a half has made me a better writer, but in addition to that, it has helped me form a bond with people who have an interest in journalism. Because I studied something that I have a genuine interest in, I am looking forward to venturing out into the real world. I hope to someday write for a major magazine, truly loving my career choice.
Rebecka McAleer Multimedia Editor To those of us at The Spectator, this letter is the most heavily-pondered piece we will ever write. I have thought long and hard about what to say. How do you sum up four years with this newspaper in 300 words? It’s not just a job. It’s a lifestyle. In my seven semesters on the editorial staff, I have seen so many people come and go. I have worked for six different editors-in-chief. I have held two different official positions, and countless unofficial ones. I’ve learned many lessons at this job, not all of which I was thrilled to learn. Sometimes you have to learn things the hard way, the ugly way, the slog-through-the-mud way. You have to learn to keep smiling, because it’s possible that if you don’t, no one else will. With this, I bid Valdosta State University and The Spectator adieu. Here’s hoping I never stop learning. Joe Adgie Social Media Editor So one part of my journey has come to an end, and another is beginning soon. I am leaving Valdosta State, and The Spectator, to go out into the world of professional journalism. These two years and two months that I have spent at The Spectator have probably been the most rewarding period of my entire life. To the writers of The Spectator, you are the voice of the students. Use this voice well. To the readers of The Spectator, thank you for picking us up on Thursdays. I hope we made you smarter and more informed. God bless you all, and as
the old Vera Lynn song goes, “I know we’ll meet again, some sunny day.” Hillary Straba Features Editor Two years ago, I arrived in Valdosta from the great country of New Mexico. Eventually, I was accepted as a citizen both of this country and of VSU, and after a few semesters I found my
place on campus—the English Department and the Spectator. I have worked with many great professors in the department, but there are a few who stand out. I would like to thank Dr. Byron Brown for his excellent guidance, Dr. Kendric Coleman for believing in my ideas and helping me navigate the uncharted waters of Toni Morrison’s
anti-feminism, and Dr. Ted Geltner and Dr. Pat Miller for recruiting me for The Spectator. I did not expect to like VSU, but I am thankful for the wonderful people I have met, especially my Spectator family. As I trade the front lawn for the Golden Gate, I just have one thing left to say…the snacks were great.
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OpiniOns
may 1, 2014
VSUSpectator.com | page 3
Our point of view...
Pipeline a risk to Valdosta “M
y first thought was it's a nuclear bomb, we're dead," Kim Krajniak said in a 1994 New York times article. "No words could ever tell you how frightening it was. “My sliding glass door was like an oven. People were running out in their underwear. it was bedlam. People running and falling, kids naked. i felt like an animal running scared for my life." On the morning of March 23, 1994, a texas eastern transmission gas pipeline erupted next to an apartment complex in edison, New Jersey. the chaos that ensued resulted in $25 million in damage and left 128 families without homes. Now, texas eastern transmission’s parent company, spectra energy Corp.,
wants to build a pipeline that will cut straight through Valdosta’s backyard. spectra energy is engaged in a joint venture with Nextera energy to construct the $3 billion sabal trail pipeline. the pipeline will stretch 474 miles across the southeast with 196 of those being in Georgia. it will also undercut the Green swamp in central florida, an area that provides a significant amount of drinking water to the florida aquifer. “My mom and dad taught us that we are the caretakers of our land, and i feel if we don’t protect our land protect our water and our ecosystem we’re going to lose it,” roselyn Beasley Bridges, property owner in Mitchell, worth, Colquitt and Dougherty counties, said in an interview with the
It will also undercut the Green Swamp in central Florida, an area that provides a significant amount of drinking water to the Florida aquifer.
albany Herald. “every person in this region who turns on a faucet and gets a glass of pure, clear drinking water should thank God. and that, more than anything, is what i feel is at stake here.” transporting natural gas over land is a serious gamble. since 1994 there have been 39 fatalities, 188 injuries and $1,216,973,783 in damage due to 1,541 incidents across the country, ac-
cording to the U.s. Department of transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Material safety administration. But area residents might feel safer if spectra energy has a sparkling safety record, right? too bad it doesn’t. the texas eastern transmission pipeline has had 21 incidents which resulted in one injury and over $8 million in damages. thirteen of the incidents occurred because of external corrosion, according to the PHMsa. these are unfortunate statistics for a company that claims its “pipeline facilities are cleaned to minimize internal corrosion and maintain high-flow efficiency.” with spectra energy’s spotty safety record and the nearly 500 miles of precious ecosystem that the sabal trail pipeline will cross, the
risks are just too great. Valdosta does not need to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of the edison pipeline explosion by allowing the responsible company to drag another pipeline through the country. instead of another pipeline, it is time the community made a demand for less archaic forms of energy. fracking, a method that involves injecting fluids under high pressure into the ground to break up shale rock, poses a major health risk to residents in drilling areas. a health survey released by the southwest Pennsylvania environmental Health Project reported that people who lived near drilling sites in washington County, Pennsylvania, reported experiencing nausea, abdominal pain, breathing difficul-
ties and nosebleeds—symptoms that could be caused by toxins released in the drilling process. fracking is also responsible for high levels of methane and other carcinogens found in drinking water near drill sites. Methane rates can measure as much as 17 times the normal limit in affected areas. so who are we really helping by allowing this pipeline? Corporate giants like spectra and Nextera have a lot to gain from transporting 1 billion cubic feet of natural gas a day, but can the planet sustain the constant insanity of milking finite resources for profit? VsU students, find your voice. write to your local state representatives, and let them know that it is time to usher in a new age of renewable energy.
This editorial was written by a member of the editorial staff and it expresses the general opinion of the Spectator.
Paid internships unneccessary Neil Frawley s ta f f w r i t e r
ndfrawley@valdosta.edu
Money isn’t everything. after graduating, students might feel that they have to begin making money right away. while a college degree may create this assumption, don’t be deceived. the value of an opportunity to gain experience and build on your future outweighs any dollar amount. Unpaid internships are a great way to achieve this. Get beyond the notion that a degree equals a job, and a paying one, too. this isn't our parents’ generation. the job market is flooded with degree holding post-graduates with good enough GPas and enough extracurricular activities that make it hard for employers to distinguish one from another. so, employers need other ways to determine the people actually worthy of a job from the sea of all seemingly worthy candidates. the best method is to give out unpaid internships.
in doing so, it allows employers the chance to see who really wants to work and who the employer can really trust to be a valuable asset to the company. You might think, "well that makes sense, but i could still show that while making money, too." while that may be true, if an employer has 20 people showing up for an internship and the employer only expects to hire maybe two of them, it doesn't make sense for the employer to throw money at people he or she doesn't intend to hire. But consider this: the employer can afford to pay the two candidates that get hired more than other workers because he or she didn't pay the other 18 people for a full year. the employer may be able to give those people $15-$20 per hour. Now add in the factor that the employer trusts you as a valuable member of his or her staff and that you have as good of a first job as you're ever going to find. the point of this is not to say that you shouldn't take a
paid internship if you get one. Obviously, money is good and you should try to get a good paying job as quickly as you can. But at the same time, i'm also saying you should do what feels right and not let money be the reason you turn down an awesome opportunity that leads to something more worthwhile for you. think about why you chose to come to VsU. think about why you chose your major, and the path that you've dreamt about as you've worked through all those frustrating late nights in the library and spent all your money on coffee, not for the enjoyment, but because you needed it. Now think about what you want when you graduate. Do you really want to put all that to waste by taking the first job you get, even though it's not in your best interest? You wouldn't pick your college like that. You wouldn't pick your degree like that. so do you really want to choose the next 30-45 years like that?
People Poll What are your summer plans? Samekh Ward freshman business management major “i plan on working and going to California to meet up with my best friend.”
Willie Lawrence senior computer information systems major “i plan on taking a course in maymester and working for the rest of the summer and preparing to graduate in December.”
Will Roberts senior communications major
Law school issues sexist memo Tyra Mills s ta f f w r i t e r
tnmills@valdosta.edu
Not too long ago, Loyola Law school issued a memo to its students outlining what not to wear to work-study jobs. apparently, this memo ticked off a great deal of the school’s female students and caused a big enough uproar for the story to spread nationwide. the problem with this memo is that it only addressed females, not males. in my opinion, this is an act of sexism. the memo listed things such as “no low cut shirts” or “stiletto heels.” there was nothing in this memo about crooked ties or pants with no belts or even sagging pants. there was nothing in the memo about men keeping their hair presentable or their facial hair tamed. there was nothing in
this memo addressing anything about male dress codes, which makes it seem as though a female’s appearance matters more in the work place. women are constantly worried about their looks and bodies. they are judged by appearances in all industries of business, from law school to modeling. women are also measured by their looks. Being attractive gets you more respect than if you are not up to society’s beauty standards. according to research by Daniel Hamermesh, the top one-third of attractive females earn about 10 percent more annually than those in the bottom sixth percentile. i think the school should have done a better job of not making it so shockingly obvious whom they were targeting. i feel embarrassed for the
female law students. they already have the odds stacked up against them by being female in a primarily male industry. Not only will they be paid less than their male colleagues, but now they need memos sent out to remind them that cleavage is inappropriate. if you’re in law school and don’t already know that cleavage is not professional, i don’t know why you’re there in the first place. i’m sure these women are smart enough to know how to dress by now. these are not high school teenagers; these are ambitious, intelligent women. i only hope that one day women will be judged on their work ethic, not their choice of apparel for the day.
“i plan to find a job because i’m graduating in May.”
Cameron Smith junior computer information systems major “i plan on working this summer and taking summer classes.”
Do you think your voice is being heard on campus? Check out the Video People Poll online at: youtube.com/ValdostaSpectator
Previously seen on www.vsuspectator.com
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PAge 4 | vsusPectAtor.coM
OpiniOns
MAY 1, 2014
Baby boomers, catch up with the millennials Jordan Hill a s s t. o p i n i o n s e d i t o r
jorhill@valdosta.edu
people born between 1980 and 1995, the millennials, are thought of as selfish, lazy, spoiled and narcissistic. that’s what some employers have to say about us. they think our parents do everything for us. they think we don’t work hard. they think we shouldn’t be told we’re special. past generations don’t agree with workers being praised or rewarded for the hard work that they do. But it’s good to have an initiative to work. it’s important to take pride
in the job we do. it’s also important to be noticed for the hard work that we do. Baby boomers think it’s shameful that we have changed the work environment to be more relaxed. employers are annoyed by the fact that we love casual fridays, nap pods and free donuts for breakfast. the baby boomers generation thinks that because we grew up in a time where everyone was a winner or everyone was special, we’re dysfunctional. we expect things to be handed to us and aren’t willing to work for a promotion. they think we live with
our parents because we depend on them. if a 20-yearold lives with his or her parents, it’s because he or she is poor. we don’t live with our parents because it’s fun, we live with them because we’re fighting to break through the job world and support ourselves. people say we keep our technology glued to our hands. what’s wrong with being connected to others? we can talk to someone or find a piece of information at a moment’s notice. when did it become a bad thing to not take your life as seriously as your parents did? why can’t we wait a lit-
Photo Illustration by Carlin Morrison and Sierra King
tle longer to start a family? sure, it may sound selfish, but we learn from our parents’ mistakes. we don’t want to sacrifice our family for our job only to be laid off and divorced. we have taken on a terrible economy, rising college tuition and high unemployment rates. we are financially aware and doing our best to combat our financial problems by working hard and trying to make it as fun and easy as possible. Catch up with the times, baby boomers. stop complaining and evolve like we are trying to do.
Donald Sterling stirs up controversy Semester comes to end
Summer arrives as stress reliever for students Jessica Cooke s ta f f w r i t e r
jjcooke@valdosta.edu
MCT campus
Decorated graduation caps express students’ individuality Jessica Ingram s ta f f w r i t e r
jdingram@valdosta.edu
as graduation approaches, the craft stores in the area will begin to get a rush of college students getting prepared to participate in the tradition of decorating their graduation caps. some schools have initiated a ban on the popular college tradition. so the question is, should graduates be allowed to decorate their grad caps or is it tacky? to me, the decorated graduation caps are not tacky. instead, they express each graduate's individual personality; although it is generally the females that participate in this tradition. i can understand where the schools' bans on the decorated caps are coming from. i can see that they want the graduates to have a sense of uniformity and of them all being one. However, at this stage, aren't students learning that expressing their individuality would be beneficial to themselves? some would also argue that the students have paid
for the caps and gowns, so they should be allowed to do what they’d like to the caps. the decorating of the graduation caps has gained national attention. the website Buzzfeed even has an article devoted to the different way graduates can decorate hats, as well as an article about the best graduation cap designs they have seen. with all this national attention, it seems as though those schools banning the decorating of caps would be more comfortable letting their graduates decorate.
the crowd most likely enjoys looking down on the graduates and seeing all of the different designs that the graduates have been able to create on the top of a simple fabric and board cap. i say, ignore the tackiness and allow the graduates to show their creations. i, for one, am extremely happy that VsU allows its students and graduates to express their individuality by designing a one-of-a-kind graduation cap.
it’s finally here; the moment every VsU student has been waiting on—the end of the semester. this part of the year is best described as bittersweet.there is the week of finals approaching, students graduating, going home for the summer, and transferring for the next school year. although the end of spring semester entails a few goodbyes, there are still two months of no school to embrace. this should be the time for students to relax and get into activities that are hard to engage in during the school
year. for students who missed out on spring break vacation, take advantage of a schoolfree summer and plan a soothing trip away. to those students looking to enrich their finances, make this summer a productive one by filling out a few applications to a variety of places. anything is possible, and effort goes an even longer way when there is nothing but time to invest. However, use summer to help maintain time management and stress for the next school year. UCi.edu’s article, “stress and the College student,” describes the statistics of stress in the average college student through a conducted survey at UCLa. thirty percent of the fresh-
men class agreed to being stressed a great deal of the time, and 38 percent of the college women stated that they were frequently overwhelmed. stress can lead to alcohol abuse, eating disorders and depression. according to the same article, a national college health survey rates 10 percent of college students that have been diagnosed with depression. the stats may not be extremely high, but their existence period results in major issues. don’t waste the summer upholding stressful situations. instead, find peace within the break and adjust on a mental level that best fits. remember, you deserve it!
FeaTureS
MAY 1, 2014
E.T. unearthed in New Mexico desert i
n 1987, an urban legend was born. it was reported that 14 trucks of atari products were taken from a factory in el Paso, texas to a landfill in alamogordo, New Mexico. the legend revolved around the failure of one particular game: “et: the extraterrestrial.” Zak Penn, writer of “the avengers,” was intrigued by this tale and decided to take a crew of diggers to the New Mexico desert in search of the discarded games. the game was a rush job by the gaming company back in 1982 and was a complete flop despite selling over 1.5 million copies. the game failed because of its difficulty and design. two to three million cartridges remained unsold,
which cost atari about $100 million. Penn is working with Xbox entertainment Studios to direct the first film in a documentary series that will examine major milestones in technology. the e.t. excavation will be featured in the
Spec Tech with Joseph Albahari
first film of the series. in april, crowds of movie and game enthusiasts gathered in the New Mexico desert to see if the legend was true. But thanks to strong winds and desert heat, not many stayed for the du-
ration of the dig. after digging though the trash for hours, they finally found the first cartridge. “i feel pretty relieved and psyched that they actually got to see something," Penn said as the rest of the cartridges were being pulled out of the ground. James Heller, the man who was asked to get rid of the games back in 1987, never thought he would hear about his landfill of cartridges until he was invited to the dig. “i never heard about it again until June 2013, when i read an article about e.t. being excavated,” James said in an interview with NPr. the documentary that Penn is directing is still being filmed and will exclusively air on Xbox one. No release date has been announced.
Web rewind: Local artist releases full-length album Hillary Straba f e at u r e S e d i t o r hlstraba@valdosta.edu
from Valdosta, the New Natives are raising the bar for local music. the local band released their first full-length, self-titled album in december. the band was founded by Jeffrey Haineault, junior computer science major, who was the former drummer for the band Ninja Gun. in 2011, Haineault recruited taylor Patterson, senior deaf education major, on
drums; Jackson dean, junior computer science major, on guitar; and Joe Martin on bass. the original band name was trailer of tears, but they changed their name to New Natives in 2013. New Native’s music is full of energy and is reminiscent of artists like the Police, Weezer, Smashing Pumpkins and Buddy Holly. “We grew up listening to all of those bands, and they influence the music that we write,” Haineault said. “there was a period where we all became obsessed with
British invasion bands like the Zombies, the Kinks and the Beatles. We are also really huge fans of classic power pop music. We really love music from all eras.”
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Box office turns up the heat with summer sizzlers Chris Kessler S ta f f W r i t e r ckessler@valdosta.edu
for movie studios, summer is the biggest time of the year. Blockbusters filled with superheroes, sequels and superstar a-list actors will fill theaters for the next four months. to help you decide what you want see or skip, here are some of the biggest films of the summer. it shouldn’t come as a surprise that a superhero flick is the first on the list.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2 May 2 adbtly named director Marc Webb returns to direct the follow-up of the 2012 hit.this time Spidey faces multiple foes like electro, Green Goblin and rhino as he tries to protect New York City, all the while uncovering the mystery of his parents’ demise.
Neighbors: May 9 Husband and wife, played by Seth rogen and rose Byrne, have just moved into suburbia and have to deal with the crazed antics of a fraternity who just moved next door, all the while dealing with their newborn baby. Nicholas Stoller (“forgetting Sarah Marshall”) directs.
Godzilla May 16 Godzilla is back on the big screen and with a vengeance after the previous dud Hollywood install-
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ment. there isn’t much known about the plot other than Godzilla is wreaking havoc, but what else do you need to know? ultra-talented Bryan Cranston from the beloved Breaking Bad series stars and brings immediate credibility to the screen.
X-Men: Days of Future Past May 23 director Bryan Singers combines the original XMen cast with their counterparts from X-Men: first Class (the origin story of the X-Men). the film is based on the popular comic book story in which Wolverine is sent into the past in order to prevent a terrible event that dooms humans and mutants.
Maleficent May 30 disney produces an origin story of their own, with the backstory of the events that led to the iconic Sleeping Beauty. angelina Jolie seems to be the perfect choice to play the villainess witch.
22 Jump Street June 13 Jonah Hill and Channing tatum reprise their roles from the hilarious 21 Jump Street as undercover cops. this time they’re sent to college to take down a new drug dealer.
Transformers: Age of Extinction June 27 the series gets a muchneeded boost of change with Mark Wahlberg taking
over as a hard working father whose family gets caught up in the never-ending war between autobots and decepticons.
Think Like a Man Too June 27 the couples are back for a wedding in Las Vegas, but their mischievous adventures lead to possible derailing of the big event. Standup-comedian-turned-topcomedy-actor Kevin Hart and the rest of the cast return for the sequel to the surprise breakout hit.
Deliver Us from Evil July 2 this thriller is based on the true accounts of a New York police detective who investigates a series of possession with the help from a Priest. director Scott derrickson (“Sinister,” “the exorcism of emily rose”) has had some mild success in the horror genre.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes July 11 the sequel to the prequel is set ten years after the events of the simian plague. Caesar and the rest of his apes are threatened by the human survivors and continue their war against humanity.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles August 8 Leonardo, donatello, Michelangelo and raphael battle the evil Shredder with help from their sensei, Splinter and a human ally, april, played by Megan fox.
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Tennis freshman earns F.O.Y. honors VSU German student adapts to hard court Lia Armistead S p o rt S W r i t e r jparmistead@valdosta.edu
Another freshman on the 2014 tennis team attracts the attention of coaches and players from the entire division, shedding light on the Lady Blazer tennis program for the second time in the last three years. Sabrina Schmidt showed her strength throughout the entire season and her hard work paid off with the accomplishment of being named Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year. “i was surprised,” Schmidt said. “i didn’t expect that, but i was happy of course.” Schmidt started playing tennis with her father, Armin, at the age of 10 while living in her hometown of Neunkirchen in Bayern, Germany. “We kept playing every day because it was a lot of fun for me,” Schmidt said. “He taught me a lot.” As soon as she hit the clay court, Schmidt began to play tennis on a regular basis, often playing with her three younger sisters; especially her sisters Serme and Samantha. the three played together until Serme and Samantha turned 14 years old, as Sabrina’s passion for tennis gradually started getting more intense. Her father quickly became her biggest supporter, encouraging her to push harder to accomplish her goals.
“He always goes to tournaments with me no matter what,” Schmidt said. “He coaches me and he plays with me.” While tennis was becoming a major part in her life, Schmidt later admired the work of Maria Sharapova and Ana ivanovic. these players stand out to her because of their aggression and passion, along with their feminism. As Schmidt continued to play in Germany, tennis agencies were in contact with VSU head coach John Hanson, encouraging him to bring her to Valdosta. “From what i can tell she loves it here,” Hanson said. “She does great in the classroom, everyone on the team loves her, and she’s just a good girl.” the freshman was not used to playing doubles when she first started, as most freshmen aren’t. But she quickly adapted. the more she played, the more she got used to it and gradually made her way up to the No.1 doubles team for the Lady Blazers, playing alongside of Michelle Fischer. together, the two ended the season with a record of 10-5. “She has kind of an allaround game, still has to work on doubles, but her doubles has improved dramatically,” Hanson said. Along with her doubles skills improving, Hanson noticed her quickness and power enhancing as the 2014 season came to an end.
Courtesy of Sky Neary Sabrina Schmidt earned 2014 Gulf South Conference Freshman of the Year honors. Schmidt went 10-5 in doubles matches this season.
“You can tell right away that she has had a lot of experience playing tennis and tournament tennis,” Hanson said. With a huge transition from one country to another, Schmidt had many things to get used to. one of which was playing on hard courts and not clay courts. “i just grew up with (clay
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courts),” Schmidt said. “it’s different, but i still like it.” Schmidt definitely adjusted perfectly fine to the hard courts, as her statistics for the season show. the freshman showed every opponent from this season that she is the dominant player, with a record of 15-2, losing only one match to Armstrong Atlantic’s Carolina prats-Milan, and not finishing the other against
West Florida’s Kat Dikosavljevic. “Singles and doubles are both for the team; you play for yourself but you also play for the team,” Schmidt said. Her accomplishment in winning almost all of her matches this season lifted her to the top 25 on the Division ii rankings, ending the season at No.15 after the Gulf South Conference tournament.
Schmidt went from messing around with the tennis ball and racket with her dad to accomplishing a major goal for freshmen in D-ii tennis. “Sabrina has been a fantastic addition to the team this year,” Hanson said. “She has improved every day since the day she got here and she’s going to be a factor before it’s all over in division-ii tennis.”
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Softball looks to win Famous Jameis gets grief: ninth overall GSC title
The Heisman winner was given a citation for seafood theft
Blazers closing in on record sixth straight GSC tournament title this weekend
VSU Athletics The Blazers are set to enter the Gulf South Tournament today. VSU has won the past five tournamnets and eight titles overall.
Rashad Milligan s p O rT s W r I T E r jrmilligan@valdosta.edu
The No. 20 Valdosta state (36-12, 16-9) softball team begin their Gulf south Conference tournament with two games today at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. The Lady Blazers face off against the West Georgia Wolves (25-26, 11-18) to kick off the tournament. Matchups between the Wolves and Blazers this season have included additional interest in regards to sluggers Nicole Yancey, uWG’s senior infielder, and Courtney albritton’s, Vsu’s junior outfielder, battle for the lone GsC career home run title. Yancey finished the regular season with 60 career home runs, setting the record since hitting her 58th against the Blazers two weekends ago in Carrolton, Georgia. albritton finished the regular season with 57 career homers, a feat she accomplished in a series against the Wolves, as well. While she’s still chasing Yancey for the GsC mark, albritton did break the Vsu school record with her 57th home run. The record was previously held by former teammate and current assistant coach Marti Littlefield.
Vsu is the No. 2 seed in the tournament, behind the second best team in the nation, alabama-Huntsville (397, 23-6). The Chargers ended the regular season winning 20 of their last 22 games, which included a three game series sweep of the Blazers and a win over No. 4 North Georgia. The possibility of the Blazers finally getting over the hump to defeat uaH in the GsC tournament will not only give the team an ample amount of confidence going into the national tournament, but add another record to the squad’s history. Vsu has won five straight GsC tournament titles, a GsC record. The Blazers are looking to win their ninth title, also a GsC record. The Blazers are currently tied with the Chargers with eight all-time GsC Championships. albritton was awarded her third consecutive conference player of the year award yesterday. Only one other player has won the award their first three seasons of playing— stephanie pinto (uaH 200407), the previous record holder for all-time conference home runs. albritton was joined by three other teammates as a part of the all-conference first team. seniors shelby altman and Briana Hancock receive
the award for their second time, while freshman infielder Chelsea Canara was also named to the list. This season’s GsC tournament is hosted at Heritage park in Cullman, alabama. Each team in the tournament will play two games today and two games tomorrow. There will be one or two games played on championship saturday depending on tournament technicalities. The shorter university Hawks (36-10, 22-5) won the GsC regular season championship, but are ineligible for postseason play until the 2014-15 season. Follow rashad on Twitter: @jeff3006
David Whitley
Commentary
MCT CaMpus
leged sexual assault victim's. This little spree one certainly won't go down as a major addition to Winston's rap sheet. Or as peter Warrick said, "It's not like he shot the president." sorry, I couldn't resist. along those lines, Warrick was busted for taking $244.38 worth of clothes in his infamous Dillard's shopping spree 15 years ago. at least Fsu superstars have gotten less greedy over the years. If you believe Winston, greed had nothing to do with it. He simply started daydreaming or going his through his coupons and forgot to pay on the way out of publix. Only he knows the truth. Just as only he and the unnamed coed know what really happened that night in December of 2012. I don't mean to insinuate that just because Winston would steal a meal, he would commit sexual battery. But this latest brush with the law makes you wonder just who is Jameis Winston? "all that talk about God & you stealing Crab legs,"
The crab jokes started flowing like warm garlic butter Wednesday. Take your pick: Free seafood u. Free squid u. Claw and Order. Case of the Crabs. Does the Heisman Trophy now wear a crab bib? If football doesn't work out, will Winston get a job on "Deadliest Catch?" Even the state's secretary of agriculture chimed in on Twitter with the suddenly popular #FreshFromFlorida hashtag. adam putnam is a Gator, but the laughter wasn't limited to Gainesville. Nor should it have been. Jameis Winston's crab fest was room-service comedy that veered into the semi-surreal. Was there really a sheriff's department press conference over a $32.72 crab leg heist? at least this one didn't feature state attorney Willie Meggs trying to explain why his office couldn't charge Winston with a crime. The hometown cops were apparently far more interested in the crab's story than that al-
Blazers on All-GSC Team Junior Courtney Albritton: .445 BA, 21 HR, 51 RBI’s Senior Shelby Altman: .390 BA, 19 HR, 61 RBI’s Senior Briana Hancock: 17-5, 2.77 ERA, 161 K’s Freshman Chelsea Canara: .346 BA, 34 RBI’s, 9 XBH’s
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tweeted alabama receiver amari Cooper. Winston comes off like a happy charmer. But beneath the perpetual grin, is he careless, absent-minded, mischievous, entitled, callous, devious, lucky, unlucky or criminal? at the very least, he's a dope. Winston's previously been questioned about a BB gun battle and stealing soft drinks at a Burger King. None of which will get him on "america's Most Wanted," but it certainly suggests he needs to grow the heck up. He's the Heisman Trophy winner, for christ’s sakes. Winston can't sneeze in Tallahassee without 10 strangers immediately offering him a Kleenex. He knows wherever he goes – bars, Burger Kings, grocery stores – all eyes will be on him. Except at publix, apparently. The biggest man in town waltzed out carrying a hot meal. Nobody noticed, including Winston. "Youthful ignorance," he said in a statement. Maybe so. But for all of Wednesday's yuks, it's getting harder and harder to just laugh these things off.
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