The Appalachian
Jan. 30, 2020
A slippery slope ski resorts stockpile snow to keep visitors on the mountain pg 3
Girl Scouts teaches members life skills Page 4
Iowa caucus class: “real” side of politics Page 3
Miller: “One of the most intimidating presences” Page 8
News Students immersed in a new kind of primary in #ApptoIowa trip Jan. 30, 2020
not accustomed to here because we just do primaries, and no one really talks about it,” said Kelly, a senior political science major. Phillip Ardoin, chair of the Department of Government and Justice Studies, is taking 15 students and four professors from the mountains of Appalachia through the plains of Iowa to
see the caucus in person from Jan. 30 to Feb. 3. The caucus differs from a typical primary because votes are public. Those voting in the democratic primary will gather in gymnasiums across the state with the rest of their district and head to their respective candidate’s area of the gym. As the night goes on, candidates who fail to gain 15% of the vote are eliminated, and their supporters are forced to choose another candidate. These votes are used to decide how many delegates from Iowa will support a particular candidate as the Democratic nominee. “I don’t know if people realize the caucuses are completely open to the public. And (to) vote in the caucuses, you actually stand in groups,” Ardoin said. “So, it’s completely public. And that, to me, is the thing that I’m interested to see: how the students are going to respond to that.” Junior political science major Molly Thomas said she is excited to see the “real” side of politics. “Since this is my first presidential election that I’ll be able to vote (in),
I thought, like, what an amazing opportunity to be able to go to the Iowa caucuses, see one of the few remaining caucuses occur and just see what that kind of grassroots political campaign shows you about politicians that primaries and isolated debates don’t,” Thomas said. Oftentimes, close friends and neighbors might have disagreements about who is the better candidate at the caucus, Ardoin said. “Some place across Iowa there is going to be someone standing in a gym by themselves, right? Saying, ‘I am for Amy Klobuchar,’ right? And that person is going to be standing in the corner of the gym by themselves,” Ardoin said. “All of their neighbors are standing in the other corners of the gym as a group saying, ‘No, we support Elizabeth Warren or Pete Buttigieg.’” The group will do more than stand in a gym in Iowa on a Monday night. Leading up to the caucus itself, candidates host town halls, private events and concerts the group will attend. “We’ve already got an email from Dr. Ardoin about a Bernie Sanders
concert and Vampire Weekend is going to be there. So… they said it’s optional, but I’m going to that on Saturday night. I don’t know what y’all are doing, I’m going to chill with Bernie and Vampire Weekend,” Kelly said. This is not the first time App State students have visited the caucus. Taking pointers from some friends at Louisiana State University, who visited in 2008, Ardoin took a group in 2016. Ardoin said on the last trip, the group of 10 students and two faculty members met eight candidates and attended about 10 events. That was his first time seeing the caucus in person. Ardoin said by now, many Iowans are tired of the campaign events and politics. In 2016, that worked to their advantage. “We had the opportunity to sit down with Jeb Bush for, you know, 25, 30 minutes and just talk to Jeb Bush about politics and the campaign,” Ardoin said. The class is reading a book called, “Why Iowa?” and writing research papers on their experiences when they return.
“When I started out at App, I was a creative writing major,” Robinson, who graduated in May with a political science degree, wrote in an email. “It wasn’t until the 2015 campaign leading into the 2016 election that I decided I wanted to get involved in politics.” Both consider App State’s Department of Government and Justice Studies and their American politics concentration integral parts in building the basis needed to get involved in local and federal campaigns. Associate professor William Hicks primarily works in the American politics concentration of the department and said the concentration doesn’t “pigeonhole” students to campaign life, but allows them to develop the background they need if they go into American politics by focusing on content and political analysis. “What our classes do is they give students that kind of background to understand that sometimes conven-
tional wisdom or popular accounts of how you might win a campaign really are at odds with what the scientific evidence suggests that you should do to devise a winning strategy,” Hicks said. Hicks said it is important for students to understand how to work with data management software. “The modern world of campaigning is a lot more data driven, and it involves a lot more manipulation of survey data, public opinion polls, understanding what those reveal (and) understanding the rules of how you might work through those,” Hicks said. Collins said App State prepared him well, but there are some things you can only learn from hands-on experience. “It requires a lot of work and a lot of volunteers, and just a lot of people going out, giving their time for a cause they believe in,” Collins said. “It’s really cool to see a big group of people come together to fight for something
they believe in.” Robinson, who also worked on D.D. Adams’ congressional campaign and for the Watauga County Democratic Party while he was a student at App State, said the experience of juggling classes and campaign work taught him the value of time management. “You never know just how organized you can be until you’re forced to figure out how to manage a team of interns, schedule phone banks and also study for a bunch of exams,” Robinson wrote. Despite the challenges of working on a campaign, both Collins and Robinson agree their biggest reward is the people they have met. For Collins, that is his mentor and role model: Robbie Pope, who worked on the Trump campaign in Watauga County. “He is extremely motivational. He makes sure that you feel appreciated (and) always thanks you for your efforts,” Collins said. “I know he’s defi-
nitely made me feel a lot more comfortable in volunteering and really getting out there to do stuff because he’s been with me every step along the way to show me how things are done so I can do them on my own.” For Robinson, it’s the people he has met in the community while campaigning. “You go and knock on doors, and you get to meet the most incredible people. You get to know who they are. You get to know their dreams, their concerns, the things that keep them up at night,” Robinson wrote. “But, you also get to share with them plans to address their concerns and both you and them walk away a little more hopeful.” Hicks, Collins and Robinson all said the best way for App State students to join a campaign is to volunteer, build relationships with people in the community and go outside their comfort zones.
Brigitte Kelly, a senior political science major, is taking the trip to the Iowa caucus in February in hopes of engaging with Democratic candidates. Jesse Barber
Jackie Park | News Editor When Brigitte Kelly steps into a polling booth in Boone to vote in the primary election, her vote will be private. On Feb. 3, Kelly, peers and professors from the Department of Government and Justice Studies will see another side to the primary process: the Iowa caucus. “It’s a beautiful process that we’re
Political science students help shape 2020 presidential election
Rachel Greenland | Reporter Two students, two parties, two candidates, one goal: to get their candidate elected. River Collins and CJ Robinson are both spending 2020 dedicating time, energy and lack of sleep working on presidential campaigns. Collins, president of College Republicans and a volunteer on President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign, said his high school current events and debate teacher sparked his passion for politics. He encouraged Collins to watch the 2016 presidential debates and take notes. “I hadn’t ever really thought much about politics before, but the more I looked into it, I was like, ‘We’re deciding who gets to run the country,’ which is pretty huge,” said Collins, a junior political science major. At the same time, Robinson was getting involved in politics too. He is now Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s field organizer for Watauga County and the surrounding counties.
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Temperamental weather keeps skiers, snowboarders on their toes ski area owners and operators, has noticed the unpredictable temperatures as well. Kelly Pawlak, NSAA’s president and CEO, said she has heard about the Southeast’s “thawfreeze cycle.” “These large temperature swings obviously make it very hard for skier operators because they have to keep going back and making snow, especially when it’s warmer or when it’s wet, when it’s raining, and then you have a freeze the next day and everything kind of freezes up,” Pawlak said. NSAA also considers the environment the most important asset for ski areas. Pawlak said climate change’s effects are seen through the amount of snowmaking on the mountains all over the country, but there are a few things skiers and snowboarders
can do to protect their sport. In addition to skiers reducing their personal environmental footprints, Pawlak said skiers can carpool and be advocates for the sport. “The best thing that skiers can do is reach out to their politicians and let them know that climate solutions should be taken very seriously, and they want more climate action,” Pawlak said. In the meantime, Pawlak said ski resorts are taking steps to consume less energy with energy-efficient snowmaking technology. Pawlak said the Southeast has amazing snowmaking capabilities, and its ski resorts are important to the United States’ ski industry. “If it weren’t for those areas, (people in the Southeast) may never get to try this sport,” Pawlak said.
Local ski resorts build and maintain a thick base of snow each season, and “hope that the base layer of snow stays long enough,” Nolan Cook said. Photo by Max Correa
Rachel Greenland | Reporter Visitors to the High Country’s ski slopes face an unpredictable weather pattern this season as rain, snow and heat create their own winter guessing game. “This year, it seems like we’ve always been on the brink of having some challenging conditions, and then cold weather comes in, so the process is continuous, like a big circle,” said Kimberley Jochl, vice president and director of marketing and merchandising at Sugar Mountain Resort. Jochl said the number of skiers has increased every year, but despite the fluctuating weather patterns, the amount of snow has remained about the same. Luckily, the ski mountains “stockpile” the snow when they can to keep a 30 to 60-inch snow base at all times. This base is built at the beginning of the season and maintained in case of “warm spells.” It is vital to a mountain’s ability to serve visitors.
Appalachian Ski Mountain employee Nolan Cook said the mountain has to take advantage of any conditions that allow for snowmaking. “Whenever we get temps under 30 degrees, we make snow until it goes above freezing,” said Cook, a sophomore marketing major. “If it gets too warm, there isn’t much we can do but pray that the base layer of snow stays long enough.” If the temperatures are not below freezing, but no more than 36 degrees, Jochl said they can make their own snow, especially if there is low humidity. On the other hand, if there are low temperatures, high humidity is preferred. “Optimally, if we see temperatures in the teens, no wind, low humidity and low temperatures, we can make a lot of snow,” Jochl said. This weather hasn’t just kept the High Country “on its toes.” The National Ski Areas Association, the trade association for
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News
Jan. 30, 2020
Girl Scouts brings more than just cookies to local girls
“It actually turned out to be a lot more fun, not the stereotypical crafts that you hear about. It’s more like leadership learning and skills that you don’t learn as a regular girl,” said Ann Mellon, a Girl Scout of 10 years. “Probably if you’re not a Girl Scout,
you don’t learn how to change a tire when you’re 8 years old.” Ann Mellon joined Girl Scouts in kindergarten after her mother, a former Girl Scout, mentioned the organization. Now a freshman at Watauga High School, Mellon serves as a media spokesperson for the Girl Scout organization at 15 years old. “She’s learned interview skills. She’s doing really well with five or six years of radio experience,” said Amber Mellon, Ann’s mother and troop leader. Amber Mellon said while leading her daughter’s troop, she has tried to prepare them for the ins and outs of the real world in the comfortable setting of Girl Scouts. “One of the things our troop emphasizes is travel and the importance of travel, getting out, and getting out of your comfort zone because in Boone, like (Ann) said, you don’t run into somebody you don’t know,” Amber Mellon said.
Ann Mellon said that being older, she now appreciates the life skills and values practiced through Girl Scouts, especially through exposure. “We went to Atlanta four years ago and that was the weekend of the big Black Lives Matter march. Say if we didn’t go to Atlanta, we wouldn’t get exposed to all the stuff like that,” Ann Mellon said. “That’s really important for girls this age, to learn how to be independent.” Amber Mellon educates her troop by taking them on trips outside of the High Country. But, they reunite every Sunday at 6:30 p.m. to plan “trips” throughout Boone — trips to sell their Girl Scout Cookies. “Cookies, that’s what you see, but it’s not just about selling cookies. It’s about customer service, it’s learning how to project yourself and how to ask a stranger, ‘Will you support me?’ It’s learning about your mission,” Amber Mellon said. “It’s also learning about budgeting. Those budgeting skills
that you guys are learning as college students, they’ve had those experiences from third grade.” Ann Mellon said that selling cookies every year is not only a growing experience for troop members, but a team effort between the Girl Scouts and their parents. “Selling cookies is one of the most professional experiences an 8-year-old can have. When I was 6, I learned how to count change, which most people don’t get until they’re 11 or 12,” Ann Mellon said. “People see us as ‘mini bosses,’ and that’s not really on our end, that’s (the parents’) end, and there’s a lot of behind the scenes things that people don’t see.” What people don’t see is the shipment of cookies arriving, parents counting each box before distributing them among scouts and safety precautions when selling the cookies. Read more on www.theappalachianonline.com
The Counseling & Psychological Services Center at App State adopted the service from the Counseling and Psychological Services at Cornell University, who pioneered and modeled “Let’s Talk.” “Our purpose in adopting the ‘Let’s Talk’ service is to support outreach to students who may experience barriers to attending services at the Counseling Center due to stigma, fear, doubt or disinterest,” said post-master’s resident Blake Crooks, who works in the Counseling Center. “Additionally, ‘Let’s Talk’ allows students to meet with a counselor in an informal way to normalize this process, gain information regarding resources or skills or simply consult with a mental health professional.” Attendees of the program might not be interested in ongoing counseling, but could like the perspective of
a counselor. Some have never talked with a counselor and may want the experience or have a specific concern they would like to talk about for a few minutes. “I’m from a pretty rural area myself,” said Makenna DeVere, a senior criminal justice major from Polk County. “That means that it’s never been easy to access counselors aside from those in high school. Even then, high school counselors tended to assist students more with educational guidance. I think this service will show students that they are never really alone.” “Let’s Talk” is also open to those who are concerned about a friend, family or loved one, and would like ideas on how to help. They also might drop in just to better understand the counseling process itself. “We think of students with minoritized identities, or first-generation
college students or people from rural areas who may not have ever talked to a counselor and they may not be sure if they would want to,” Hogan said. “It is an easy way to talk to a counselor, get information and get used to the environment.” The service itself is free, confidential and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. However, according to Crooks, the service is not a substitute for counseling and is not appropriate for mental health emergencies given the brief, informal nature of the consultations. “Confidentiality remains the same as it would with traditional counseling,” Crooks said. “What you share with us is confidential; however, there are several instances in which we are legally and ethically required to share information with others.” These instances include an indi-
cation of an immediate risk of someone harming themselves or ending their life or seriously harming someone else’s life; information about the abuse or neglect of minors, elders, or those who are dependent on someone’s care; or if they are court-ordered to release information. Information shared is maintained by the Counseling Center and is not included within educational records. “We want to create a space, an outlet to talk. It is a way to help make some of our counselors more accessible for students who may want to take advantage of that,” Hogan said. “We hope that there is a preventative function to this. If people are able to address a concern, which may be just a small concern at the moment, but if they address it quickly, it could prevent it from snowballing into something bigger.”
Girl Scout cookies’ season returns as members of troop 10807 spend the morning of Jan. 25 at a table in Chick-fil-A. Photo by Paola Bula Blanco
Emily Broyles | Associate News Editor When some people think ‘Girl Scouts,’ khaki, badges and the longawaited cookies sold every January through March may come to mind. One local Girl Scout said cookies do play a role in her Girl Scout career, but for reasons one might not expect.
“Let’s Talk” program breaks down barriers to counseling Gianna Holiday | Reporter
The Counseling Center kicked off the new year with the introduction of “Let’s Talk,” a drop-in consultation program with a mental health professional in an informal, confidential environment. “We recognize that there are students who may feel challenged to come to the Counseling Center or that it may be scary to talk to a counselor,” said Chris Hogan, director and chief psychologist of the Counseling Center. “The program was initially geared toward historically underrepresented students or people with minoritized identities. It creates a space to have a conversation with a counselor in a neutral space.” Counselor consultants are available in the Student Union on Wednesdays in New River Room 100 and Thursdays in Elk Knob Room 16 from 1-3 p.m. to talk with students.
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International program encourages cultural exchange between App State and exchange students Marlen Cardenas | Reporter Before coming to App State, Japanese exchange student Natsumi Mori was nervous about making American friends. Through iPals, the sophomore sustainable development major was paired with sophomore interdisciplinary studies major Kara Haselton, and a friendship quickly formed. “I could learn about American culture from her, and she also asked me about my Japanese culture a lot,” Mori said. “I’m really grateful for the program that gave me the chance to get to know my iPal.” iPals pairs an international student with an American App State student to learn about each other’s backgrounds. “It is a cultural exchange,” said Mary Ann Sartori, president of iPals and sophomore marketing major. “You get to learn something about their culture, and they get to learn about American culture.” Participants in iPals get together once a month for a meet-up. “We have a really big meeting together where we all go on a hike, or go get ice cream, or go to a football game,” Sartori said. “We do not have weekly meetings, we just say, ‘This week, go ask your pal for lunch or study together.’” Haselton joined iPals after her internship in Taiwan over the summer. “I was there by myself, and I got a small sense of what it is like to be in a country where you do not speak the language very well, where you don’t know anyone and so you’re having to rely on other people,” Haselton said. “I’ve seen how amazing it feels when people are like, ‘Oh, I care about you, I want to help you get around,’ and I wanted to be that person for other people.” Mori and Haselton were paired in the fall and shared stories about their families and favorite food.
Haselton said she remembers asking Mori if she liked hot chocolate, only to find out she had never had it before. “We got hot chocolate, and she loved it, and she drank hot chocolate so much for the rest of the semester,” Haselton said. “It was small things like that, things that are very normal for us that aren’t normal for other people and seeing how much joy it brings them.” Sartori said it is important for international students to have an American point of contact while at App State. “For example, in some countries, tipping is not a thing. So, say they are having lunch together and they ask, ‘What is this about?’ You can explain to them and they have a point of reference,” Sartori said. Mori’s favorite experience with her iPal was spending Thanksgiving with Haselton’s family. “I don’t have Thanksgiving in Japan, so that was really new and wonderful,” Mori said. “I got to know more about American Thanksgiving, like (different) food and games.” Haselton said she wants to make international students feel as comfortable as they can during their time at App State. “It can be so isolating to be somewhere where you don’t know anyone,” Haselton said. “That is why iPals is important, so us American students can have an understanding of what (international students) are going through, and help welcome them and make them feel that they belong here.” Sartori encourages domestic students to apply for iPals so they can have a broader worldview. “I encourage it for people who are learning a language or interested in a culture,” Sartori said. “I encourage people to learn about other cultures because we do have them on campus.”
“...that is why iPals is important, so us American students can have an understanding of what (international students) are going through...”
Winter wear in warm temperatures Meredith Nanney | Reporter For those experiencing their first winter in the High Country, it can be difficult to know where to start when building a winter wardrobe. Local retailers offer selections of apparel suited to the Boone climate and knowledgeable staff who make recommendations suited to an individual’s needs. Mast General Store employee Zachary Dunn said brands KÜHL and Fjällräven are trending this winter. “Everybody knows Patagonia and North Face, but KÜHL is one of our up and rising brands. It’s the word for ‘cool’ in Swedish. We have a huge selection for both girls and guys,” Dunn said. “Everything we have is out in the store; we brought our last bit of inventory out about two weeks ago. It’s a great brand. It’s been very successful for our stores.” Fjällräven is most well known for their Kånken backpack, a minimalist style bag that prominently features the brand’s logo of a fox, however, Dunn speaks highly of the brand’s winter wear options. “(Its flannels and sweaters) are 100% wool, so they’re very warm and very well made, tailored mountain couture, you may say,” Dunn said. Mast General Store shoe salesman Christian Backman stressed the importance of quality when selecting winter boots. “Blundstones are definitely the most popular, and honestly, I do recommend those quite a bit. They’re durable, they are very water resistant and they’re good shoes. That’s probably the most popular,” Backman said. Due to Boone’s uncharacteristically warm weather this season, Footsloggers employee Coleman Hamrick said lighter-weight coats are the current trend. “What’s popular is insulated down jackets, usually in the color black. Black is always a classic. For guys, blue is popular, and for ladies, a plum color is popular this season,” Hamrick said. “A lot of Patagonia sells, fleeces and things like that. Big parkas are just too warm right now.” Dunn said layering is vital to surviving the winter in Boone. “(Mast General Store specializes) in stuff called base layers, which is just your initial first layer you’re going to put on if you’re going hiking. Something that’s going to grip to your skin that’s going to keep you warm but not overheat you,” Dunn said. “You want to have the right apparel on to go into the woods or go into the mountains and enjoy your hike and not be frozen to death.” Whether it’s a specific item of apparel, seasonal color trends or layering tips, local retailers bridge the gap between function and fashion for winter wear.
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Education Abroad program inspires new wave of student travelers Ethan Murphy | Reporter A room full of excited travelers eagerly awaited advice on how to kickstart their interests abroad. With over 70 different countries to choose from, students can see anything from the lush countryside of Italy to the mysterious architecture of Peru. International education workshops started Jan. 22, in which advisers and students returning from abroad offered advice and shared stories in the hope of inspiring the next wave of travelers. “I think the program gives a lot of students a confidence that they might not be able to have staying in
the same place. A lot of students are flying on a plane for the first time, or entering a new culture for the first time, and it teaches them skills, but even more, they learn more about themselves abroad than otherwise,” Kalin Bradley said. During the workshop, Bradley, an adviser for the education abroad program, laid out how study abroad programs affect the world as a whole. “I think it’s helping us understand one another through going to other cultures that are completely different from what you’re used to,” Bradley said. “Sure, students have
the world at their fingertips through the internet, but it’s totally different to go and experience that first hand. You can prepare all you want, but it’s actually being there and having those physical experiences that connects you with other people.” Samantha Kramer, a junior political science major, experienced the study abroad program after studying in Spain for a semester. She said she returned to Boone with more than she left with. “It definitely felt like I was just thrown out into the world, which was a really cool experience. I feel
like being there on my own made me grow independently,” Kramer said. Aside from her personal growth, Kramer said she also came back with a new friend group. “My favorite thing about my time abroad was the people I met there. I met a really cool group of people that I’m still really close friends with. The friends I took back with me really made my experience,” Kramer said. Roxana Johnson, a junior psychology major, said she is looking forward to her first study abroad program.
“I’ve wanted to do it for a while because my mom did the study abroad program a long time ago, and she always told me how much it influenced her. I’m planning on doing a psych program in Prague, and I’m really excited to expand my perspective on the subject,” Johnson said. Students wishing to attend workshops can visit the Office of International Education and Development webpage on the university website to choose a day and time. Held in the Plemmons Student Union, workshops will continue through April.
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Sports
Jan. 30, 2020
Cary miller: an imposing figure with a smiling face
Senior heavyweight Cary Miller takes hold of an opponent from Duke University during their face off on Jan. 24. Miller is a Greensboro native and has wrestled since middle school. Courtesy of App State Athletics
Dan Davidson | Associate Sports Editor Standing at just over six feet tall and weighing in at 285 pounds, senior heavyweight Cary Miller looks the part of a dominant college wrestler. “He’s probably one of the most intimidating presences of any wrestler we’ve had here. When he walks out on the mat in Varsity Gym, people get on the edge of their seats,” head coach JohnMark Bentley said. Miller grew up in Greensboro with his four siblings. His parents quickly became role models for him, displaying toughness that Miller strives to imitate today. “Both of my parents were tough people who never complained. I complain about a lot of stuff until I think about how they wouldn’t complain about it, so I shouldn’t,” Miller said. Wrestling isn’t Miller’s first sport. Instead, he swam for 10 years and played football. He was first introduced to wrestling by his older brother. “I didn’t wrestle as a little kid, but my brothers did. They would always wrestle with me, but I didn’t know it as a sport. That was just something we did,” Miller said. During seventh grade, the Kernodle Middle School wrestling coach approached Miller one day after football practice and told Miller that he would see him at the start of the wrestling season. “From there, I’ve just had lots of great coach-
es that have always helped me out and tons of support from my hometown Greensboro,” Miller said. At Northwest Guilford High School, Miller was a three-time all-conference wrestler, fourtime All-American, and capped off his 45-0 senior season with a 4-A state championship at 220 pounds. He was also awarded all-conference honors during his football career, where he played multiple positions. Miller committed to App State after a visit to the High Country.
State, he amassed a 21-12 record at 285 pounds, while wrestling behind Dejournette the following year. As a sophomore, he finished the season 189, ranked No. 32 in the coaches’ rankings for the heavyweight spot, and ended his junior season 24-13 after being ranked No. 28 by the NCAA Coaches’ Panel heading into the NCAA Championships. Miller was also named a member of the Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll during his junior campaign. “He’s got a tremendous work ethic. He puts a lot of hours in, and he does the work. I think that’s probably the thing that has made him most successful,” Bentley said. Aside from his accomplishments on the mat, Miller’s teammates and coaches are quick to recognize the teammate and leader that Miller is. “He pulls for his teammates extremely hard, and he’s invested in their wrestling as well as he is his own,” Bentley said. “That’s really something that’s special when you get an athlete as good as he is, but is also just as good of a teammate as he is. He’s a great leader and leads by example. I can’t say enough great things about him.” Fellow senior Matt Zovistoski has roomed and wrestled with Miller for nearly five years, and attests to Miller’s outstanding character. “He’s an awesome teammate. He always comes in bringing the energy every day to practice, trying to motivate everyone else,” Zovistos-
ki said. As a Mountaineer, Miller put together one of the most illustrious careers App State has seen. All-Southern Conference honors, an automatic NCAA Championship qualifier, and an overall 63-34 career record heading into his senior season already solidified Miller’s legacy. Instead of pointing to one of his many accomplishments as his favorite memory, Miller recalls a teammates win. “My freshman year, we actually wrestled Duke, and one of my best friends Taylor Jackson was wrestling Jacob Kasper, and he was losing. The dual meet was pretty tight, and he came back in the third period and pinned Kasper,” Miller said. After graduation, Miller said he is excited to explore many potential career paths. “There are so many things that I’m interested in. Firefighting, fighting, the military, maybe something in sales,” Miller said. While App State fans will remember Cary Miller for his success on the mat and positive impact on the program, Bentley will always remember Miller for a different reason. “He’s always such a pleasant personality to be around. Every day he comes into practice, no matter how he’s feeling, no matter what’s going on with himself or the team, he’s got a smiling face,” Bentley said.
“He’s got a tremendous work ethic. He puts a lot of hours in, and he does the work...” “Coach Bentley talked to me personally on the visit. It was obvious that he knew just about everything about wrestling, but he had such good character, and I thought he was really cool,” Miller said. “I saw the success coach Bentley was having with Denzel (Dejournette), and I wanted to have that, too.” Dejournette was an NCAA qualifier, all-American and Southern Conference champion during his App State career from 2013-16. After Miller redshirted his first year at App
Cary Miller is an “inimidating presence” with “a tremendous work ethic,” according to wrestling head coach JohnMark Bentley. Miller went 24-13 during the 2018-19 season and ended with a SoCon Championship title. Courtesy of App State Athletics
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Jan. 30, 2020
Men’s tennis looks to
bounce back in 2020
Men’s tennis players Milo Bargeron (left) and Zion Heaven (right) knuckle bump during a match. The Mountaineers opened the season with a win for the first time since 2010-11 on Jan. 18 by beating Tennessee State 4-0. Courtesy of App State Athletics
Kaiden Smith | Reporter After going 5-20 in the 2019 spring season, the App State’s men’s tennis team is looking to turn around in 2020. Second-year head coach Craig Schwartz hopes to use momentum from the Mountaineers’ fall season to carry them into the spring. “For us, I think it actually went pretty well,” Schwartz said. “We got a lot of good matches in, and all the guys got to play, and based off of last fall to this fall, it was well improved, so we’re happy going into the spring.” Schwartz said the 2019 season, his first at the helm, was about changing the team’s culture. This year, he believes a competitive culture is now set in place. “If people come and watch, they’re going to look at our team and know that we’re going to battle till the last ball, and that’s something that I tried to bring to the culture of the team and just having that blue-collar mentality,” Schwartz said. The Mountaineers bring back three experienced senior leaders in Milo Bargeron, Alex Pavkovich and Campbell Stone, but also bring in a five-man recruiting class. This combination of experience and fresh faces could be the key to the team’s success.
“I think just bringing energy and attitude is a big thing,” Stone said. “When you’re out there as a team, just having that energy can make someone come back in a match or pull out a match, so I always think that’s a big deal with young guys coming in and playing their first college matches.” Out of the recruiting class, junior transfer Aleksandar Petrovic will play the biggest role for the team this season. Petrovic had a 27-11 singles record at his previous school, Samford University, and will likely play in the No. 1 spot for the Mountaineers this season. Sophomore Zion Heaven will also be a key contributor after an impressive freshman season in 2019. Heaven finished second on the team last season in singles wins with six, five of which were won in straight sets. “I think one of the main things I’ve learned is just how different college tennis is compared to junior tennis and just figuring out how to work as a team, you really have to get that family dynamic going and just support each other through everything,” Heaven said. The team’s current record is 1-2 and their next match is Feb. 8 at Virginia Tech, followed by a home match versus Tennessee Tech Feb. 9.
Petersen named App State’s new Offensive Coordinator, Cardwell brought back as offensive assistant Silas Albright | Sports Editor App State head football coach Shawn Clark announced 30-year college coaching veteran Tony Petersen as the new offensive coordinator for the Mountaineers. “I can’t describe how fired up I am to get started at App State,” Petersen said in a press release. “There is such a great football tradition here with great coaches throughout the years, and I’m excited to be a part of the App State family.” Petersen served as an offensive analyst at Missouri in 2019. Before that, he spent time as the offensive coordinator for East Carolina, Louisiana Tech and Marshall. Petersen has also coached at South Dakota, Iowa State and Minnesota. He has coached teams that have played in 12 bowl games, won seven conference championships and a pair of FCS national championships. “We are thrilled to welcome Tony
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and his family to App State,” Clark said in a press release. “His experience speaks for itself with the success he’s had as an offensive coordinator at several places. He is committed to a dynamic offensive attack and will help us continue to pursue championships and bowl games.” Petersen was a standout quarterback during his playing career at Marshall. He was named the Southern Conference Athlete of the Year in 1988 after being named the SoCon Offensive Player of the Year in 1987. The 1987 Marshall squad made it to the Division I-AA, now FCS, championship game behind Petersen’s school-record 35 touchdown passes. Clark also announced the addition of offensive assistant Nic Cardwell this week. Cardwell played for App State from 2004-07 and spent seven years working with the team in various capacities, most recently as the tight ends coach in 2018.
“This is a dream come true for my family and me,” Cardwell said in a press release. “We bleed black and gold. This is a job I’ve wanted for a long time. I’m more than excited to come back and be able to give back to this football program that gave so much to me. The opportunity to work with Coach Clark is going to be something special, and I’m ready to get started.” In 2019, Cardwell went to Louisville with former Mountaineers head coach Scott Satterfield and was a quality control assistant for the Cardinals. Cardwell was a tight end for the Mountaineers when they won three straight FCS national championships from 2005-07 and was a co-captain as a senior. App State opens its 2020 season on Sept. 5 against Morgan State at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
Tony Petersen has accepted the job as App State’s offensive coordinator. Petersen brings over 30 years of coaching experience with him to the High Country. Courtesy of App State Athletics
Opinion
Jan. 30, 2020
Trump’s Great Contradiction caleb’s
Charles Aiken | Opinion Writer
Donald Trump campaigns on the slogan “Make America Great Again.” This vague phrase draws on people’s nostalgia for America’s troubled past. A past, under the eyes of the current administration, that has been revived in the return of reported lynchings on black people in 2017, authority figures abusing power and more. One thing America’s greatness doesn’t discuss is independent strength, a nation’s self-sustaining ability during emergencies. This administration can not state they aim to make America self sufficient. The new trade deal between the United States, Canada and Mexico only tangles these nations — the same as the previous deal. The previous deal, North American Free Trade Agreement, caused Mexico’s prime crop, corn, to become next to valueless. Stripping away the primary source of income and survival for farmers in a foreign nation had cascading effects because workers sought alternative sources of income. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement contradicts Trump’s goal of making America great again. The issue with the USMCA is that it hurts Mexico’s economy by forcing them to raise the minimum wage in a decent amount of automobile factories. This is odd because USMCA may bring a recession back to a country
that Trump claims breaks immigration procedures. Therefore, Trump would make illegal immigration worse for both U.S. and Mexico. This hypocrisy in Trump’s trade deal is staggering because Mexico isn’t the only nation negatively affected. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau agreed to open Canadian dairy market to the U.S. But, Trudeau caving into Trump’s request will likely lead to the U.S. significantly controlling the Canadian dairy market. The current administration’s deal will affect real people — as NAFTA did in the past — once ratified. Trump is pushing Mexico into a recession and taking away a portion of Canada’s own self sustainability is an interesting take on making America great again. Mexico and Canada’s willingness to compromise to Trump’s demands show their willingness to keep peace, while Trump’s strong arming of neighboring sovereign bodies is a testament to his arrogance. One way Trump could “Make America Great Again” is by making the Central American, North American and South American regions one nation, something his words indicate.
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CONCEPTS
Pros and Cons of Minimum Wage Caleb Garbuio | Opinion Editor
When it comes to minimum wage, the intentions are noble to help the underdog succeed. Yet with good intentions, there are often negative outcomes. Minimum wage creates a price floor, preventing employers and workers from negotiating wages. Low-skill workers without experience are impacted negatively by minimum wage laws, the National Bureau of Economic Research reported. However, lowskill workers with experience are not heavily impacted because employers won’t need to invest in their training. Furthermore, minimum wage laws may raise the overall cost of goods and services. This causes inflation because workers will increase their purchases and businesses will eventually raise costs to maintain inventory. Therefore, any purchasing power is eliminated when prices adjust for the influx of money. However, inflationary consequences occur when minimum wage increases drastically: say, from $7.25 to $15. Should a less drastic wage approach be taken, say, from $7.25 to $9, then negative inflationary consequences will be averted. It’s been 10 years since the federal government raised minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25, according to the Economic Policy Institute. Clearly minimum wage must increase to keep pace with inflation and to prevent inflation from cutting into employee paychecks. Yet, this is not the case since wage gains have kept pace with inflation, according to The Wall Street Journal. Therefore, increasing the Federal minimum wage to $15 will have unnecessary winners and losers. The Congressional Budget Office found that should minimum wage increase to $15, 1.3 million workers would become jobless, while 1.3 million workers would escape poverty. The winners in this scenario are those that keep their jobs because they have more money. But, firms will lay off a worker for every employee lifted out of poverty. Thus, would anything really change? Maybe our society is looking at inequality and poverty the wrong way. Our country is built on self-sufficiency. Therefore, any possible solution will require policies that make workers self-sufficient.
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Et Cetera
Jan. 30, 2020
more like silent hlLs day
how can it be so cloudy but so bright? I can barely seE
I wonder if the Groundhog wilL be able to seE its shadow
Why do I have this feEling of Deja Vu? Like someone’s read this comic before?
MOSS BRENNAN EDITOR IN CHIEF
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If you’re interested, come to roOm 217 Of psu thursdays @7pm
BUSINESS
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ACROSS 1. Quilt part 6. Chooses 10. Light bulb unit 14. A drama set to music 15. Not this 16. Chills and fever 17. Milt 18. Fit 19. Bronzes 20. Taking selfish advantage 22. Send forth 23. Classify 24. Words to a song 26. Hindu Mr. 30. Pair 30. Yes (slang) 32. So be it 33. Ambitions 35. A kind of macaw 39. A female tiger 41. Wreath 43. Artist’s workstand 44. Arab chieftain 46. Exude 47. Flee 49. French for “Friend” 50. Discomfit 51. Gambling house
54. Brothers and sisters 27. Dogfish 55. Breaks 28. Pleads 56. District 58. Doing nothing 29. Undependable 57. Clearly 59. Religious splinter 34. Curved oriental sabers 63. Fourth sign of the zodiac group 36. Dwarf buffalo 64. Notion 60. Not false 37. Tease 65. Hearing-related 61. Tibetan monk 38. Away from the wind 66. Corridor 62. The original matter 40. Distinctive flair 42. Small(cosmology) 67. Aspersion African antelope 68. Feather 45. He gives backrubs 69. Existence 48. In style 70. Not his 51. Stockpile 71. Water vapor 52. Tapestry DOWN 53. Aquatic mammals 1. Sit for a photo 2. Pinnacle 3. Office fill-in 4. Algonquian Indian 5. “All _____ on deck!” 6. Differently 7. Unreal 8. After-bath powder 9. Unbending 10. Rainproof 11. A long-legged S. American bird 12. Loose fitting cloak 13. Exams 21. Smidgens 25. 365 days 26. Diminish
Jan. 30, 2020
What To Do PAID ADVERTISEMENT
Thursday, Jan. 30
Study Abroad 101 Workshop Roan Mountain (PSU 122) 1-2 p.m.
Blue Frequency Legends 7-11 p.m.
App State Women’s Basketball vs Georgia State Holmes Convocation Center 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 31
Momentum Dance Club Showcase Varsity Gym 7-9 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 1
Momentum Dance Club Showcase Varsity Gym 7-9 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 2
Momentum Dance Club Showcase Varsity Gym 2-4 p.m.
Rafailia Kapsokavadi Recital Hall 6-7 p.m.
Monday, Feb. 3
Sustainable Energy Speaker Series Parkway Ballroom (PSU 420) 4-5 p.m.
Koru Mindfulness Class Registration Plemmons Student Union 3-4:15 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 4
Harry Potter Series: Divination for a Values-Aligned Future Linn Cove Room (PSU 413) 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Faculty Potpourri Rosen Concert Hall 8-9:45 p.m.
A Cup of Brew & Resume Review Crossroads Cafe 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Trek Wednesdays RCOE James Center 6-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 5
Uwharrie Duo-Guest Saxophone and Piano Concert Nancy and Neil Schaffel Recital Hall 8-9 p.m.
App State Women’s Tennis vs Campbell Boone 2-5 p.m.
Harmonia Baroque Ashe Civic Center 7:30-9 p.m.
App News
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Dionne Delli-Gatti Dionne Delli-Gatti, Director of Regulatory and Legislative Affairs and Southeast Climate and Clean Energy initiatives at the Environmental Defense Fund Promoting Clean Energy Through CommunityBased Solutions Monday, February 3 | 4:00 - 5:00pm Plemmons Student Union, Room 420 Parkway Ballroom FREE and open to the public As efforts to address the effects of climate change intensify, communities across the state and nation are working to promote clean energy solutions that will contribute to carbon emission reductions. The Environmental Defense Fund partners with communities and companies to identify practical steps to achieve this goal. This presentation will feature insights gained by the EDF regarding barriers to clean energy adoption by communities and strategies for overcoming those barriers. It will also address work being done by the EDF to promote vehicle electrification, grid modernization, energy storage, carbon tracking, and establishment of funds to support green projects. To achieve these goals, EDF is collaborating actively with county and local sustainability leaders, with non-profit entities such as the Sierra Club, and with industry.
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