January 23, 2014
W W W. V s U s P E C TAT o r . C o M
Inside This Issue
“Blazers to host Statesmen” page 5.
- oPINIoNs: “Benjamin case opens eyes” - FEATUrEs: “DrawProject draws large crowd” - sPorTs:“VsU aims to snap DsU winning streak”
Today at VsU SucceSS!- Join the Office of student Life for the first in their series of student Organization success Meetning. the workshop will take place in the student Unione meeting rm. 1 Zip, Zip And AwAy!- COre will host a free zipline day for students starting at 3 pm at the Challenge Course. build A better world Habitat for Humanity will be holding a ‘welcome back’ meeting in rm 1061 of Nevins Hall.
Mlk - Dr. tom aiello and the departments of Philosophy, religious studies and Office of social equity will host “How to Drive Out Darkness: Martin Luther King’s Historical Concept of racism” in the student Union theater at 7 pm. whAt’S your Sign?-
Come make your own spirit sign in the student Union Ballroom B from 7-9 pm. students who make their own signs will be qualified for $15 in Blazer Bucks.
This Day in History The first Frisbees are let loose on the skies! January 23, 1957 wham-O toy company releases the first batch of its hit toy the frisbee.the iconic toy got its name from the frisbie Pie Company in 1871. students at nearby universities would yell “frisbie!” as they threw the disc. Source: History.com
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Check out LaShawn Ogelsby’s new article, “California paves way for acceptance.”
VSU student gets life Benjamin murder trial results in conviction
Deadly Chain of Events:
Eric Jackson s P O rt s e D i tO r
epjackson@valdosta.edu
thirteen months after the lifeless body of 17-year-old Jasmine Benjamin was discovered in Georgia Hall, justice has finally been served. Nineteen-year-old Darien Meheux was found guilty friday afternoon of murdering VsU student Benjamin in the fifth floor study room of Georgia Hall. Lowndes County superior Court Judge James tunsion sentenced Meheux to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 30 years. the jury of 10 women and four men (including two alternates) deliberated for roughly three hours before reaching a verdict that ended a week-long trial. Upon sentencing, Benjamin’s mom, Judith Jackson, and stepfather James Jackson hugged special agent Mike Callahan and District attorney tracy Chapman. “Give the exact consideration that he gave her, because ladies and gentlemen, that's all he deserves," Chapman said in closing arguments. the suffocation of Meheux’s high school sweetheart marks a tragic ending to a teenage love affair. the two Lawrenceville, Ga., natives began dating at Central Gwinnett High and both graduated in 2012. according to high school friends, the couple was inseparable and never hesitated to
Will Lewis / The SpecTaTor
Meheux is driven away from the Lowndes County Courthouse after being convicted for murdering 17-year-old Jasmine Benjamin in 2012.
Meheux
display signs of affection. Meheux decided to go against his father’s wishes, who wanted him to attend trade school, and instead attended VsU, a school with a reputable football team that he considered trying out for and, more importantly, the school that Benjamin was attending. the two separated, however, a couple weeks into the semester; Jasmine insisted
they just remain friends, but Meheux continued to pursue a monogamous relationship. two of Benjamin’s friends testified last week saying that Benjamin fancied Meheux but often was frightened by him. Both friends said they also encouraged Benjamin to take serious action in response to Meheux’s harassment. another witness, Nita Joshi, read text messages aloud that had been sent between her and the victim, which said Benjamin was "on edge in her own building." she also testified that Benjamin texted "not even my home is safe,” regarding Meheux constantly waiting around the dormitory for Benjamin. Meheux’s inmate Gregory fields and cellmate Maurice Golden retold, under oath,
what Meheux had told them about the night of Nov. 17, the date Benjamin was murdered. they said Meheux “just snapped” after Benjamin stopped replying to his text messages. the two said that they, along with Meheux, failed to figure out a sound alibi during a trial game played in their cell−a common jail game where one person plays the prosecutor, another plays the defense attorney, and another pretends to be the defendant. “One time he did cry and show remorse to an extent, but at the same time he was very arrogant with the philosophy saying, ‘if i can’t have her then no one will,’” fields said.
See BENJAMIN, page 2
Jalane Farrington / The SpecTaTor
New bill proposing medical marijuana LaMarcus Wilkerson s ta f f w r i t e r
lkwilkerson@valdosta.edu
Saturday
VoLUME 86 IssUE 1
Georgia may be the next state to legalize medical marijuana. so far, there are twenty states plus the District of Colombia that have voted to allow the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. senator Josh McKoon recently proposed a bill that legalizes medical marijuana in Georgia. state representative allen Peake was approached by a constituent whose child has up to seventy seizures a day. He was touched by the story and believes that marijuana may help alleviate the pain of this adolescent and of children throughout Georgia who battle a similar condition. Marijuana has been used to treat adults, teenagers, and even children who have seizures, epilepsy, autism, insomnia, leukemia, etc.
Cannabis is considered somewhat of a “wonder drug” for various diseases. “we should take the politics out of it and look at the science of it,” Peake said in a Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) interview.
“ We should take the politics out of it and look at the science of it. ”
bill, fans of recreational marijuana may push for full legalization. as of now, there are two states− Colorado and washington−that have legalized marijuana for recreational use. for more information on the medical marijuana bill, visit Georgia’s legislation website: http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-Us/display/20132014/sr/756
- Allen peAke
Jalane Farrington / The SpecTaTor
the U.s. government hasn’t yet given scientists the necessary funding for the study of marijuana. However, scientific minds have taken the initiative to research marijuana, and studies show that a component in marijuana has a positive effect on various illnesses. although Peake supports the legalization of medical marijuana, he is concerned that if Georgia passes such a
HAPPY Flasher seen on campus ‘TATOR a campus alert was tall, wearing a white t-shirt emailed to the student body with gray sweatpants. last wednesday alerting them the suspect came out of a DAY! of an individual who exposed bush, exposed himself, and to a fellow student fled towards the direction of Welcome himself while on campus. remerton. the crime took place near word was given on if from the the Oak street parking lot on theNosuspect was caught or the evening of Jan. 14. the not, and anyone with inforwas described as a mation on the suspect should Spectator! suspect white, short-haired male in call the VsU Police Departhis early 20s, 5 feet 8 inches
ment at 229-259-5555.
News
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BENJAMIN Continued from Page 1 Benjamin’s body was left unnoticed for approximately 12 hours with several students passing her by before other students finally realized she was lifeless, lying down on a couch. Students and authorities immediately attempted CPR but to no avail. The Benjamin family was
originally told by Lowndes County coroner Bill Watson that their daughter died of natural causes and no foul play or suicide was suspected. A few days later, once sufficient evidence surfaced, the death was relabeled a homicide. Benjamin, an aspiring nurse practitioner, wanted to follow in her mother’s footsteps and had hopes of one
day being accepted into VSU’s nursing program. Meheux, deemed the primary suspect after his attempted overdose suicide, turned himself in to police on January 2013 in Schley County. Meheux has spent the last year incarcerated at Lowndes County Jail. Meheux caused an uproar in the courtroom when he accused a member of the Ben-
jamin family of raping Jasmine when she was younger. Meheux tried to finish his thought but was silenced by the judge, and he was escorted out soon after. “Jasmine was an amazing person,” Meheux said in his final words to the judge. “She was special and I cared about her a lot. I loved Jasmine. I loved being with her. But I was not in love with her.”
VSU administration introduces BIT Will Lewis EDITOR-IN-CHIEF walewis@valdosta.edu
VSU launched a new program Wednesday to increase campus security. The Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) will provide an avenue for students to report threatening behavior. “In light of the recent shootings on college campuses nationwide, we agree this is a much needed service,” Dr. Thomas Hardy, director of Housing and Residence life and co-chair of BIT, said.
Police Briefs Jan. 15 A female student left her wallet in a University Center hallway, and it has not been found. Jan. 16 A non-VSU student named Shavion L. Edwards, 19, was arrested in Sustella Parking
The program is led by Hardy and Major Ann Farmer, assistant director of the VSUPD. The BIT relies solely on student and faculty reports to stop an incident before it even occurs. “…the BIT form would be used if an individual’s behavior has changed, such as a person who used to be very interactive and is now withdrawn and talking about how others have not treated him properly and that he intends to ‘fix that problem,’” Dr.
Hardy said. The program is targeting low-level behavior in order to prevent it from escalating. The BIT form can be accessed from the VSUPD website homepage. Despite its location on the police page of VSU’s website, Hardy emphasized that the program was not a police program. “This will not be a police investigation,” Hardy said. “This is an administrative process only.” The creation of BIT comes
on the heels of an outbreak of violent crimes last semester and directly after Damien Meheux, who murdered Jasmine Benjamin in 2012, was sentenced to life in prison. “The whole goal of Behavioral Intervention is like building a puzzle,” Hardy said. “Oftentimes behavior seems a little out of the ordinary, and if we can try to fit the pieces together to make the complete picture, we can prevent escalation and violent episodes from occurring.”
Deck, charged with violating and issued with a previously issued criminal trespass warning.
Jan. 18 Malcolm J Meyers, age 19, of Valdosta was arrested for misdemeanor possession of marijuana in Hopper Residence Hall.
dent also reported not feeling safe. He did not give the worker a description of the offender. An officer brought in to treat the case notified that it was a BB gun.
Jan. 19 A student reported to the front desk worker at the Rec Center that a black male brought a gun with him onto the basketball court. The stu-
Jan. 21 A caller advised that two roommates had a physical dispute in Hopper Residence Hall.
Jan. 17 A student's wallet was stolen from his apartment on Boone Drive over Winter Break.
JANUARY 23, 2014 Upcoming Events Jan. 21 - March On Jan. 21, the City of Valdosta began installing sidewalks on N. Oak Street, beginning at Alden Ave. and running south to Georgia Ave. The project is expected to be completed by the end of March 2014, weather permitting. This is one of 14 projects that are either underway or have been completed in the past year to increase safe pedestrian routes throughout the city. Jan. 25 The Valdosta School of Ballet, in partnership with VSU Theatre and Dance, will present Cinderella Jan. 25-26 on the Mathis Auditorium stage. Jan. 27 The VSU Department of
Music will welcome violist Elias Goldstein and violinist Espen Lilleslatten to the Whitehead Auditorium stage at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 Career Opportunities will be open on Tuesdays until 7:00 p.m. during Spring Semester. If you need assistance with career planning, gaining relevant experience or job search assistance, stop by Powell Hall - West, second Floor. Feb. 28 Southside Library Boosters, Inc., along with VSU organizations, will sponsor Valdosta's 2nd Annual African American Artists' Festival. Interested in participating? Call (229) 460-4889 or (229) 253-8313.
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For Rent AVAILABLE NOW! $100.00 DEPOSIT @ TREELOFT. 3BR/2BA $725-775, 1BR/1BA $450-475, 3 blocks from VSU, cathedral ceiling, pool & laundry facilities, water & garbage included. 229-561-0776
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Our point of view...
Benjamin case opens eyes a
tragedy in VsU history has finally come to a resolution. Last week, Darien Meheux was sentenced to life in prison for murdering VsU freshman Jasmine Benjamin. the two graduated from the same high school in 2012 and began attending VsU in the fall. in November, Meheux strangled Benjamin in a study room in Georgia Hall. she was left there for approximately 12 hours before
someone noticed she was dead. Meheux eventually turned himself in and spent a year in the Lowndes County Jail. although the conviction may give closure to people who knew Benjamin, the incident is a reminder for VsU students to take caution while on campus and to be on the lookout for fellow students. if someone is showing inappropriate signs of aggression or anger, it’s best to
VSU administration seems to be brainstorming ways to increase campus safety. take proper action to prevent a situation like this from happening. similarly, if you or someone you know is in a relationship that shows signs of danger or abuse, it is im-
perative to alert authorities. students and faculty may get emergency help by calling the VsUPD, and now they may contact the newlyformed VsU Behavioral intervention team (Bit) to report disturbing or threatening behavior. the Bit is comprised of the VsUPD, Housing and residence Life, Human resources, academic affairs, the Dean of students Office, student Conduct, and the Counseling Center, and ac-
cording to its page on the VsU website, its role is “to begin the process of coordinating information so potentially threatening situations or individuals may be recognized and identified before reaching a crisis stage.” the formation of the Bit could prove to be helpful for students who witness alarming occurrences but don’t think they are urgent enough to contact the VsUPD. Marked by frequent campus alerts sent out by the
University over the past few months, it may seem as though on-campus crime is on the rise, but VsU administration seems to be brainstorming ways to increase campus safety. One lesson VsU students should learn from this misfortune is that incidents like this can be prevented. sometimes, instead of “minding your business,” it’s best to speak up when you notice something is wrong.
This editorial was written by a member of the editorial staff and it expresses the general opinion of the Spectator.
Gun debates make advances Staff writers dispute issue of guns on college campuses Stephen Cavallaro s ta f f w r i t e r sjcavallaro@valdosta.edu
with civility being at an all-time low in america, you may not want to leave your safety in the hands of law enforcement, especially when cops are not legally bound to protect you and former lawmen are gunning down fathers in movie theaters. Keeping yourself armed with the proper knowledge and machinery does not make you a mass-murderer, nor does a city full of equipped citizens transform the area into a disaster zone. instead, the greater the presence of guns owned by the masses, the potential for gun violence is less likely to exist. recently, the issue of guns on campus has been sweeping universities across the nation. Prominent protests have hit florida, where gun legislation at the University of florida and the University of south florida is becoming less stringent. florida is known for possessing lenient gun laws and is a prime example of the presence of guns acting as a deterrent to violence. in fact, more guns leads to less violence, a topic i have discussed previously in "safety,
it's not on the menu." in 1982, Kennesaw, Ga., passed a law mandating all heads of households to possess a gun. Public opinion considered the law a gateway to intense gun violence, but in reality, gun violence in the city fell drastically. Kennesaw is considered one of the most “pro-gun” cities in america. according to the city website, from 2010-
2012, Kennesaw was murder free. if i were a gun-slinging vigilante, VsU would be a prime target for my exertions due to the fact that firearms are banned across campus and my prerogative is to disobey the law. However, if students with concealed weapons were permitted to carry guns, i would think twice before pulling my gun or knife out, or before exposing myself, because who knows who may be armed and ready to protect themselves and their fellow peers. so, if ordinary citizens are legally possessing guns on campus or throughout the streets of the community, you know your safety is ensured.
Isaiah Smart s ta f f w r i t e r itsmart@valdosta.edu
with the start of another work-intensive spring semester, we continue conversation on a controversial topic from last semester: should guns be allowed on campus? i side with the negative. i do not feel as though guns on campus are a safe alternative
for our students, faculty and staff. although my counterparts in this debate will note the past occurrences of school shootings and the need for self-defense, i do not see much psychological security. if students were allowed to carry guns on campus, then some students wouldn’t feel safe because any person at any time or place could be a deranged gunman or gunwoman. i do not think that there is a safe and full-proof method of keeping up with a system for guns on campus. i am sure that some students would sneak their gun on campus, omitting whatever license or permit is granted by the university or finding
some type of loophole, as done with other policies. Unfortunately, my peers are already experiencing the underhanded acts. i was recently made aware by a student of a visit to the recreation Center this past weekend, during which a gun was snuck into the building. Luckily, no one was injured and only a few people noticed. scenarios like this are sticky and could lead to negative results. i honestly do not see the point of having guns on campus. Despite having a few highrisk crimes on campus lately, VsU still has low crime rates overall. However, i still want to know about the stabber from last semester. was he/she found? is this an ongoing investigation? Does anyone care? if we simply respect one another, that in itself will reduce the risk of triggering dangerous encounters. By all means, i believe we have the right to defend ourselves, but i am not going to risk my comfort in the classroom for my beautiful campus to become a dormant gun range. feel strongly about guns on campus? express your opinions by sending the staff a tweet at @vsuspectator.
Social media distracts students Tyra Mills s ta f f w r i t e r
tnmills@valdosta.edu
if you were to walk into an auditorium filled with college students and ask them to reveal the one thing they had to have at all times, most of them would immediately respond with a simple answer: “my cellphone.” today, we college students are more tech savvy than our parents and ancestors could have ever been. everywhere you go you’ll see someone on their cellphone. at restaurants, we sit with our cellphones in our laps or right beside our butter knives and salad forks. One of the first things we
do in the morning is to check our phones for missed calls, texts or social media notifications. in class, most of our phones are on vibrate and constantly within arm’s reach. what reason is there for us to consistently be inseparable from our cellular mechanisms? are we constantly awaiting an important phone call? is a loved one sick in the hospital every day of the week? are we on call for our jobs, or are we waiting for a call back at any time? for most of us, the answer to these playful questions is no. we have become one with our cellphones because we are indulged in our social media. it seems that if you don’t have a twitter, insta-
gram or facebook account, you are simply not living life to the fullest. so i pose this question to readers: is social media really that serious? we are exchanging our physical social interactions for virtual communications and digital praise of our lives’ endeavors. though america is one of the most technologically advanced countries, i do believe that our online interactions are becoming more of hindrance rather than a help. social media is at its peak right now, and it looks like it may never see a downfall. every celebrity−from Chief Keef to Michelle Obama−has a social media platform. is this development just a trend, or will the popularity of so-
cial media eventually wane? Personally, i wouldn’t mind saying goodbye to my twitter or facebook account. they have become, more than anything, a distraction and time waster for me. instead of tweeting or updating a complacent status, i could be reading a book or doing homework. i could be out enjoying conversation and interactions with other human beings, as our predecessors did. although i do think that social media can be fun and enjoyable, too much of it will cause us to lazily exchange meaningful physical and verbal interaction for instagram likes, facebook shares, and twitter retweets.
Spectator Staff Editor-in-Chief: will Lewis Managing Editor: Olivia McLean Business Manager: Kristen Varney Advertising Manager: aimee Napier Circulation Manager: sara turner Opinions Editor: elan waite Features Editor: Hillary straba
Sports Editor: eric Jackson Photo Editor: summer Yates Multimedia Editor: rebecka Mcaleer Web Designer: John Preer Copy Editor: John stephen Social Media Editor: Joe adgie Faculty Advisers: Dr. Pat Miller, Dr. ted
People Poll Do you think the VSU confessions page is harmful or beneficial? Murphy Williams freshman mass media major “the page is definetly harmful. Putting your information out on the internet is never a good thing.”
Will Dekle junior exercise physiology major “i think it’s harmful in the fact that it’s bad stuff but it’s very fun to laugh at.”
Want more opinions? Check out the Video People Poll online at: youtube.com/ValdostaSpectator
Labels can be used positively, negatively Taylor Stone s ta f f w r i t e r
tnstone@valdosta.edu
what comes to mind when you think of a college student? Your immediate thought is most likely one recalled from personal experience; we think of staying up all night studying for finals, full class loads every semester, and, most likely, a fulltime job. see what i did there? i just labeled you as a hard-working student, taking at least 12 hours a semester with a fulltime job. while this is probably the case for many college students, it is far from being a universal depiction of a “college student.” when someone “labels” you, what does that really mean? well, a label is essentially a category of behavior–real or imagined–that we use to organize the world. attempting to universally assign labels is just about as effective as trying to breathe underwater. it may seem harmless at first, but eventually, time will pass, people
will change, and you will run out of oxygen. we lack the amount of information needed to classify individuals and groups of people under the community umbrella of a single word or phrase. Our culture continuously–and haphazardly− invents stereotypes with such frequency that we begin to lose our grasp on their meaning. whether we like it or not, labels are everywhere, and they come from everyone. in fact, we will often unknowingly give ourselves labels when we speak about our religious and political beliefs. even some of our favorite hobbies may tell others things about us that simply aren’t true. Both positive and negative connotations exist when we talk about our interests or the interests of others. while it’s important to use our intuition in life to make decisions, it’s also a good idea to take a moment to get to know the individual. People are much more than their extra-curricular activities or their career path.
Contacting Us Geltner, Keith warburg Reporters/Photographers: stephen Cavallaro , Khiry Clements, Jessica Cooke, allison ericson, tyra Mills, isaiah smart ,taylor stone alejandro tostado, alexis waters, Christopher webb, Lamarcus wilkerson
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Online at www.vsuspectator.com Opinions expressed in the spectator other than editorials are the opinions of the writers of signed columns and not necessarily those of the spectator and its staff. all rights reserved. reprints by permission of the editors. Views in this newspaper are not necessarily those of the Valdosta state University administration, faculty and staff.
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DrawProject draws large crowd Hillary Straba f e at u r e S e d i t o r hlstraba@valdosta.edu
in 2014, drawproject is bigger and better than ever. the seventh annual scholarship fundraiser set a record with over 75 entries, making it the largest drawproject exhibit to date. “this year, we had about 20 more entries than in previous years,” Bill Shenton, curator for the annette Howell turner Center for the arts, said. “the drawproject event is an ongoing, annual and hopefully never ending art project, coordinated and hosted by the VSu department of art and the annette Howell turner Center for the arts,” Michael Schmidt, interim department head and professor of art, said. Sponsored by Guardian Bank, Bush Wealth Management, and Classic art & frame Co., drawproject features original works of art made by local artists, VSu students, faculty and alumni,
Photo by Rebecca Brosemer Attendees browse the silent auction during the opening night of the 2014 DrawProject art scholarship fundraiser at the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts.
as well as previous scholarship recipients. the original works of art are donated and put up for auction, with the bidding beginning at $35. according to Shenton, the
majority of pieces were sold on opening night. the pieces that are still available will remain up for bidding until they reach $80, or until the event closes on feb. 19.
all proceeds from drawproject benefit two scholarships: the annette Howell turner Center for the arts Scholarship and the danielle B. Harmon Student Merit
Odum houses piece of history Abbie Baggerly S ta f f W r i t e r rabaggerly@valdosta.edu
VSu’s odum Library has a rare collection of Babylonian tablets on display for faculty, staff and students. the Babylonian tablets, located on the fourth floor of odum Library in the archives and special collections, were obtained by dr. richard Holmes powell. powell was the first president of South Georgia State Normal College, which is now VSu.
the collection is made up of 10 square tablets measuring 1.5 inches in length. the tablets are etched in Cuneiform writing that provides daily records from Mesopotamia. dr. powell purchased the tablets from edgar J. Banks for $40. Banks provided the translations and authenticity for the tablets. all the tablets are in great shape except for tablets numbered nine and 10, which are very delicate. While school is in session, classes often come to learn
about the tablets. “a few years ago, we had our tablets translated by Cale Johnson from uC Berkley, and he wrote an article on the translations. these are linked to every tablet,” said deborah S. davis, an archivist from VSu archives and Special Collections. after these tablets were translated, they were sent to an international database of tablets and translations called the Cuneiform digital Library initiative. “one of the cool things that grew out of that is tablet
number three about sheep and goats−the same herd, people and day, shows up in a tablet that the British Museum has. it recreates a complete transaction of taking the herd in and passing on responsibility through the temple hierarchy,” davis said. the Babylonian tablets can be viewed during certain library hours. for more information on the Babylonian tablets, visit: http://archives.valdosta.edu/b abylon/
Bandits take country, add pinch of hip-hop Jessican Ingram S ta f f W r i t e r jdingram@valdosta.edu
the Moonshine Bandits are a combination of hip-hop, rock and country. an odd combination of genres, but somehow they make it work in their new album “Calicountry.” the band is a duo consisting of members that go by the nicknames “tex” and “Bird.” the album is produced by a well-known country star: Colt ford. the song lyrics cover subjects that most would consider typical of country music, such as speaking about “pontoon boat(s) and some fishing line.” However, the music itself has more of a rock sound,
mainly using strong electric guitar and heavy drums. a track on the album that is set to be a fan favorite is “We all Country.” it features Colt ford, american idol finalist Sarah ross, and Charlie farley. it features a rap performed by ross. the song titled “What She does to Me” features lyrics about the famous country stars dwight Yoakam, Gary allan, and Merle Haggard. the lyrics mixed with the simple drums and the variation in guitars makes it sound like they are trying a little too hard to be country. the overall sound of the album is confusing because there are drastic differences in style from song to song. i give the album three out of five stars.
Will Lewis/ THE SPECTATOR
VSU hosts national art competition
Pictured above is “On-Campus-Winning is in My Blood” by artist Nan Liu. Awards were received Wednesday at the Valdosta National 2014 All-Media Juried Competition in the gallery space of the Fine Arts building. The exhibit will be on display until Feb. 8, and it is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Julie Bowland, gallery director, at 229-3335835.
Scholarship. these scholarships are awarded to VSu art students. drawproject was started seven years ago by Jamie Harmon, former curator of
the turner Center of the arts. Her idea was to ask artists to interpret for themselves what it means to “draw.” “there (are) no rules or definition of what ‘drawing’ is; only their interpretation,” Harmon said. the result is an eclectic collection of artwork ranging from graphite drawings to paintings to digital and mixed-media art. drawproject is a great display of local talent that benefits the budding artists of Valdosta. the drawproject exhibit will remain on display until feb. 19. two other exhibits on display at the turner Center for the arts are works by irene dodd and ruth Kahler; both artists are retired VSu art professors. these exhibits will also remain on display until feb. 19. the annette Howell turner Center for the arts is located at 527 N. patterson St. and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. tuesday through thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. friday and Saturday.
Movie-goers see reality of war Chris Kessler S p o rt S W r i t e r ckessler@valdosta.edu
in most action movies, the heroes are impervious to harm; bullets always miss, and the rescue team always shows up in time. unfortunately, this is not one of those action movies. Written and directed by peter Berg, “Lone Survivor” is an intense, real-life look at war. the film is based on the same-titled book, written by Marcus Luttrell and patrick robinson, which gives Luttrell’s personal account of surviving the failed SeaL team 10’s mission, operation red Wings, in June of 2005. the title of this film makes it obvious that only one of the soldiers is coming home alive. Mark Wahlberg, starring as Marcus Luttrell, is that soldier. taylor Kitsch, Ben foster and emile Hirsch portray Luttrell’s fellow SeaL members. While i like Wahlberg as an actor and enjoyed his performance, i find it silly to cast Wahlberg as Luttrell because of their significant height difference. Maybe Kitsch, who is closer to Luttrell in stature, should have been casted; however, considering Kitsch isn’t nearly the star Wahlberg is, i can understand the casting choice. the film starts with a quick and efficient introduction,
which gives the audience just enough characterization to get to know and like our heroes. once the special ops team is deployed mountainside just outside of a taliban village, it doesn’t take long for the team to be spotted and quickly out-manned and outgunned. at this point, the film becomes a pure adrenaline rush. the action is hard-hitting and intense, feeling very real. it’s forceful, ugly and scary−as it should be. the men fight with courage, and even in the midst of gunshots, the dialogue is a mix of positive reinforcement and dry humor. “Lone Survivor” really stands out against other war or action movies because the film doesn’t rely on the suspense of action or the satisfaction of all the main characters surviving. instead, it explores thought-provoking moral questions. it demonstrates that even in war, things aren’t as simple as good and bad. this film isn’t “happy” or “fun,” but neither is war and that’s the point. this isn’t a movie i enjoyed from an entertainment standpoint, but i thoroughly enjoyed the realism and was emotionally spent when the credits rolled. overall, i would give this movie an a.
SportS
JANUARY 23, 2014
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VSU Blazers to host Statesmen tonight Shane Thomas s p o rt s w r i t e r
shanethomas@valdosta.edu
After going 1-3 on their four-game road trip, the Blazers (10-4) aim to gain traction against No. 20 Delta state (14-2) tonight.. the Complex should be a sight for sore eyes for the Blazers as they have yet to drop a game on their home floor this season. However, the Blazers will have their hands full with DsU; the statesmen have the best road record in the Gulf south Conference at 5-1. Despite their 98-84 loss to shorter, the Blazers’ offense has started to catch fire over the last two games; VsU has made 19 of 35 from threepoint range and have shot 45.2 percent from the floor. “we’re taking better shots,” Mike Helfer, Blazers head coach said. “we’re not shooting it as early in possessions and thus, our percentages go up and i think it’s helped us in our last couple games.”
DsU has won 14 games out of 16, its best start since the 2002-03 season and a step forward from last season’s 11-win campaign. “Under Coach [Jim] Boone, they’re starting to play the way he wants them to play,” Helfer said. “they play very physical, aggressive basketball. they have a great post player, very good guard play and they have some good role players. it’s a pretty complete team.”
“ They have a great
post player, very good guard play and they some good role players.It’s a pretty complete team.” - CoaCh Mike helfer
Stanley Gilliam/ The Spectator Head coach Mike Helfer speaks with his team during practice Tuesday night.
with the departure of senior terry Leake, DsU reloaded with 6-foot-7, 265-lb bruiser willie readus. the senior transfer from Jackson state leads the GsC in scoring at 19.9 points per game and a GsC-best 10.6 rebounds this season. “in Division ii basketball, you don’t see a player as good [as readus],” Helfer
said. “He is very talented and very big so it presents a lot of problems at this level. Not only that, he has great pieces around him so you can’t help off of anybody. it’s just a tough strategy as you try to play against them and that’s been a huge part of their success.” with the student section back in full force, the Blazers
will be energized and as senior forward David Murray explained, it is an opportunity to get back to playing as a unit. “our mindset is just to come back together as a team,” Murray said. “the last road trip, we lost three out of four and kind of spread out instead of staying together. But, i feel like we’re going to be ready.” “i expect it to be a very physical game like it was last year, maybe a little more,” Murray added. “it’s a big game because they’re No. 1 but they’re human just like we are. we’re just trying to go out and get the win—no pressure at all.” the Blazers host No. 20 Delta state thursday night at the VsU p.e. Complex. tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. Follow shane on twitter: @its_Athomasthing
Conference Standings #20 Delta State 7-1, 14-2 West Alabama 6-2, 9-5 Valdosta State 4-4, 10-4 North Alabama 4-4, 10-4 Christian Brothers 4-4, 8-6 *Union 4-4, 8-6 Alabama-Huntsville 4-4, 8-7 West Georgia 4-5, 11-6 *Shorter 4-5, 7-8 *Lee 2-6, 6-8 West Florida 2-6, 3-11
*match results versus Lee, Shorter and Union count toward the league standings, but none of the schools are eligible for the postseason.
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A N S W E R S
Paul Leavy/ Valdosta State Transfer forward Maggie Davis sizes up her defender during a game against West Florida (above).
Lady Blazers aim to snap Delta State’s 12game winning streak Neil Frawley s p o rt s w r i t e r
ndfrawley@valdosta.edu
For the first time since Jan. 6, the VsU women's basketball team has the pleasure of sleeping in their own beds before taking on the No. 12 Delta state tonight at 6 p.m. the Lady statesmen (13-1) come into this game riding a 12-game winning streak. playing in the friendly confines of the p.e. Complex will certainly be appreciated as VsU tries to not only pull off the upset, but also try to extend their perfect home record (7-0). "Delta state is a very good basketball team,” head coach Kiley Hill said. "Coming here we get to come back and play at home. we hope we have that added edge from that standpoint, but i think just the mentality is just to do the little things and take ownership of what we need to do and play to a standard. that's what this program is about and what these kids are trying to buy into." Defense will play a major role in this one, as it is a tremendous strength for both teams. entering this game, VsU's defense has held opponents to just 56 points per game,
while yielding a 35 percent shooting from the field. But at home, they're even better, giving up only 50 points per game, while only allowing 29 percent shooting from the field. Delta state is no stranger to defense either. the Lady statesmen are only surrendering 53 points per game, and their superstar center/power forward, seneca walton, leads the squad with 10 blocked shots this season. "[walton] is a dominant player,” Hill said. “she's definitely an All-American candidate. she's put up the numbers and she's also displayed that, with her team's record, she's put them on her shoulders.” Not only is the 6-1 junior a talented shot blocker, she also leads the team in points with 14.6 points per game, as well as in rebounding (9.6 per game). VsU needs to treat every possession with care, limit turnovers and unforced errors or it will take them out of what will already be a tough contest. Following the game against DsU, VsU squares off against Christian Brothers on saturday at 6 p.m. CBU currently sits tied with VsU at 4-4 in the GsC.
Conference Standings #10 Delta State 8-0, 13-1 *Lee 6-2, 10-4 *Union 5-3, 10-4 West Florida 5-3, 10-4 Alabama Huntsville 4-4,9-5 Valdosta State 4-4, 9-5 Christian Brothers 4-4, 8-6 North Alabama 3-5, 8-6 *Shorter 3-6, 5-10 West Georgia 2-7, 4-11 West Alabama 1-7, 4-10 *match results versus Lee, Shorter and Union count toward the league standings, but none of the schools are eligible for the postseason.
Conference Scoring Leaders Jordan Smith (UAH) 23.7 Jasmine Hammon (UAH) 19.3 Breanna Ridgell (CBU) 16.4 Lauren Fairs (UNA) 16.1 April Thomas (VSU) 15.4
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SportS
JANUARY 23, 2014
Long-time Gulf South Conference commissioner Nate Salant steps down Press Release Gulf South Conference
Melissa Powell/ The Spectator Domonic Demasi winds up during a game last season. Demasi, who plays for the football team, retakes the mound for the 2014 season as one of the team’s few returners.
Blazer baseball retakes the field for 2014 season VSU looks to build on last season’s success Alex Tostado A S S T. S P O rT S E D I T O r ajtostado@valdosta.edu
After an impressive 2013 campaign, Valdosta State baseball head coach Greg Guilliams and his team are ready to get back on the field. The seventh-year head coach led his squad to a 3418 record last season which included bringing home the Gulf South Conference title since 2010. The Blazers’ season ended in Tampa, Fla. during the NCAA D-II South region tournament, where VSU lost two out of three games. Guilliams had a busy offseason that saw the departure of many pitchers that played a major role in 2013. All three conference starters, Nick Fogarty, Pete Whittingslow and Jeremy Holcomb, left VSU along with closer Ben Weil. “One of our biggest challenges is that we lose four of our top five pitchers from last year,” Guilliams said. “We held our opponents to four runs or less in every single game that we won (in the conference tournament) and those guys did a fantastic job.” Guilliams, however, is not focused on the past and is expecting his current pitchers to step up and fill in. “Certainly, I have confidence in the pitchers that we have, but those guys will have to prove it when it counts,” Guilliams said. Guilliams and his coaching staff have not yet named an
opening day starter.
“ I have confidence in the pitchers that we have but those guys will have to prove it when it counts. ”
- CoaCh GreG Guilliams
When one is named, a pitch count will be enforced and the Blazers will “probably use a lot of guys because it is so early,” according to Guilliams. VSU is not only focused on the pitching aspect of the game, though. returning starters include sophomore third baseman Michael Gouge, junior catcher Bryant Hayman and senior outfielder Matthew Fears. “I believe (Gouge) is one of the leaders on our team even though he is a sophomore,” Guilliams said. “He played a very good third base for us last year… He had an outstanding year as a freshman and I think he will have an even better year as a sophomore. I think he is going to be one of our top dudes” Hayman was honored by being named to the GSC AllTournament Team. Fears batted .407 last season in 21 games. “Fears and Hayman had great seasons, too and I expect the same from those guys,” Guilliams said. “I have not seen anything thus far that makes me think those
guys are not going to play well.” One of the newcomers to the team is senior outfielder Jimmy Dowdell. Dowdell spent 2011-13 with D-I school Boston College who plays in one of the toughest baseball conferences in the Atlantic Coastal Conference. Guilliams is excited to have him added to the roster and has high expectations for the former ACC starter. “He has played against really good competition so I don’t think he is going to see anybody on the mound this year where he is going to say, ‘Wow, I haven’t seen that before,’” Guilliams said. “He swung the bat really well for us in the fall and I think he is going to be one of the best hitters in the GSC.” VSU hosts its first games of the season in next weekend’s doubleheader on Feb.1 and Feb. 2. Follow Alex on Twitter: @Alex_Tostado12
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Birmingham, AL— After a historic and unprecedented 22-year run at the helm of the Gulf South Conference, (GSC) Commissioner Nate Salant has told the league's Board of Presidents that he plans to retire from the position on July 1, 2014. Since taking the reins in October, 1992, Salant built the GSC into one of the most successful – and without question the most profitable – leagues in the NCAA Division II. Under his watch, the GSC
sustained a run of excellence on the field and in the classroom not seen in the conference's history. The league flourished financially, as Salant increased its net worth by nearly 4,000%, and oversaw the planning and construction of its office building, which is owned debt-free. "Nate leaves the Gulf South Conference in excellent shape financially and he has been a big part of growing our conference in recent years," said Dr. Judy Bense, West Florida President and Chair of the GSC Executive Committee. "I and all of the President's of our member in-
stitutions appreciate all he has done for our Conference." Perhaps his greatest achievement was leading the league into the digital age, beginning with its first web site, then the first conference internet radio show (featured in USA Today) a weekly web-tv show and culminating in GSC-TV LIVE, the NCAA's first conference-owned and operated TV network. An unheard of initiative at the time, GSC-TV LIVE is now a national network airing 12 football games and its men's & women's basketball finals.