The Appalachian 3/5/20 by The Appalachian

The Appalachian

March 5, 2020

Super Tuesday election results Pages 2-3

Professor follows passion for rap Page 8

Former Mountaineers in NFL Combine Page 14

app votes 2020 watauga county primary brings in more than 13,500 voters

Andy McLean

Xanayra Marin-Lopez

Moss Brennan

Xanayra Marin-Lopez

News Watauga County voting sites provide accommodations for accessibility Rachel Greenland | Reporter Absentee ballots, poll booths and caucuses are not the only way Americans voted this primary season. App State’s polling site was set up for those whose voting looks a little different. Matt Snyder is the director of the Watauga County Board of Elections. He said all 20 voting sites in the county should be up to the accessibility standards set in the Americans with Disabilities Act. “We want to make sure all Watauga County voters get out and vote,” Snyder said. “If anyone has a concern that their disability may affect that … contact our office and we will work with them to make sure that they don’t have to cast a ballot.” The ADA passed in 1990 and sets guidelines for accessibility to places of public accommodation and commercial facilities by individuals with disabilities. These policies apply to areas such as building design, employment and voting. Within the disability rights section of the law, the ADA recognizes voting as a “fundamental right” and a “hallmark of our democracy.” This includes, but is not limited to, people who have intellectual or mental health disabilities, people who use a wheelchair or walker, and people with visual impairments. The law requires that public entities ensure that people with disabilities can access and use their voting facilities. Every disability is different and therefore requires different assistance. On App State’s campus, one of these ways was an Accessible Voting Ballot Marking System, called the AutoMARK, in the Plemmons Student Union. “(The AutoMARK) is an ADA-compliant machine used to assist voters in marking their ballot. A voter uses the same ballot as every-

March 5, 2020

App State has highest number of Fulbright Scholars for fourth time in 10 years Gianna Holiday | Reporter

Traffic Officer 613 directs parking traffic during the day to ensure voters have places to park. He said only one person has used the accessible parking space for voting in the past two years. Jesse Barber

body else,” Snyder said. “They put in the machine, the machine will read all of the contest information on the ballot that you can listen to on headphones.” Snyder said voters could adjust the brightness and size of the text on the screen, or use a Braille keyboard to mark their ballot. “The machine asks you if you would like to print the ballot, and then it fills the ovals that you have selected on the ballot, and the ballot is in the same machine as everybody else’s ballot,” Snyder said. Voters were also allowed to have anyone of their choosing assist them while they vote, as long as they were not an employer or union worker. Gary Moorman, early voting site manager for the Plemmons Student Union site and the chief judge for Super Tuesday, said most voters who needed assistance at the student union brought someone to assist them. “The machine is hardly ever used,” Moorman said. “There aren’t that many people who come without people to help them.” Moorman, who has worked

at the Boone 2 precinct site since 2014, said the student union’s other ADA-compliant assistance, curbside voting, was not used much in early voting either, but he expected Super Tuesday would bring a lot of curbside voters. “I’m excited,” Moorman said. “The more people we can help facilitate voting, the better outcome it is.” Snyder said curbside voting is usually located at the parking space closest to the polls. “If they have a reason due to age or disability, they’re able to vote from there,” Snyder said. Despite the small number of voters who are disabled at the App State polling site, the ADA requires every location be prepared when voting is open. But, Snyder does not think voters will let their disability get in the way of their democratic duty. “We have had a few calls over the past two weeks from folks asking about the ease of voting based upon their disability and have been able to explain to them their different options,” Snyder said.

App State is a top producer of Fulbright Scholars for the fourth time since 2010 with seven faculty members receiving awards for 2019–20. The Fulbright Program is an international educational exchange sponsored by the United States government. The program is designed to build relations between students in the U.S. and students across the globe and promote an educational opportunity exchange. “Prior to the 2019–20 Fulbright year, only five Appalachian students had received a Fulbright award during the program’s history. So one of the challenges starting out was to encourage students to redefine what they thought Fulbright was and who it was for,” said Joanie Andruss, assistant director for Nationally Competitive Scholarships and Wilson Scholars Programs. “I sought out students who might not attend an information session or find my office but could be great candidates for Fulbright grants if only they could start envisioning this as possible.” Originally housed in the Honors College, the program is now housed in Nationally Competitive Scholarships, a unit under University College, to make it accessible to more students. Before, there were misconceptions that the program was only open to honors students. The Fulbright program offers approximately 470 teaching and research awards in more than 125 countries to faculty, researchers and students. There are also opportunities for administrators through the Fulbright International Education Administrator awards. “The Fulbright Scholar program gives faculty a broader perspective on the world that they can bring back to their students as well as their research and what they’ve learned from the experience. At the end of the day, it truly does come back to the student. It benefits the student,” said Maria Anastasiou, executive director of the OIED.

Last year, the university tied with the College of Charleston as a top producer of Fulbrights among master’s institutions with four Fulbright Scholars. Anastasiou said App State’s OIED and Research encourage and support faculty and student applications alike for Fulbright awards because they feel that the program leads to a valuable exchange of thoughts and ideas. “The Fulbright Scholar enables faculty and staff at App State to learn and share with colleagues from across the globe to promote mutual understanding between the US and other countries. It also gives App scholars the opportunity to bring global experiences and research into the classroom to enhance the student experience,” said Katie Howard, associate director of grants resources and services in the Office of Research. Richard Gray is an astronomy and physics professor and Fulbright recipient spending his year at the University of the Free State in South Africa. His goal is to commission a spectrograph, an instrument used to measure properties of light, for the 1.5m telescope at the university’s Boyden Observatory. “My Fulbright project initiates a collaborative agreement between our two universities. ASU will have remote computer access to the 1.5-m telescope with my new spectrograph for making observations in the southern hemisphere, and the University of the Free State will have remote access to our 32-inch telescope with spectrograph at the Dark Sky Observatory,” Gray said. “That means that both institutions will have access to the entire sky. We hope to have an exchange of faculty and students between our two institutions.” Other recipients include Paul Wallace, Mark Powell, Christina Verano Sornito-Carter, Dave Willliams and Alexandra Sterling-Hellenbrand.

News

March 5, 2020

Climate Action Collaborative creates Town of Boone sues petition, hopes to work with university on Watauga County over sales climate neutrality tax distribution Xanayra Marin-Lopez | Reporter After receiving a routine “Inside Appalachian’’ email from Chancellor Sheri Everts like all App State students, Caitlyn Daas decided to respond. Daas wrote back, “Hello Chancellor Everts, hope you are well. Just wondering when you were planning on responding to the Climate Action Collaborative demands that we have called your office about.” Daas was met with a reply from Chief Sustainability Officer Lee Ball rather than the chancellor. Climate Action Collaborative is requesting a response from Everts to a petition the organization made for “commitment to climate action at App State.” The petition references both the Student Government Association and Faculty Senate’s Climate Neutrality Bill, as well as the Office of Sustainability’s most recent Climate Action Plan. The SGA bill proposes to achieve climate neutrality by 2025 and Faculty Senate’s by 2035. Both passed in 2019 with support from Climate Action Collaborative. CAC is a grassroots movement of students, community members, faculty and staff working to facilitate climate action in the surrounding areas. App State is bound to the UNC

System policy of sustainability commitment to climate neutrality by 2050, but Daas said CAC feels that is too far away. Everts spoke briefly about the Climate Action Planning Public Forum in “Inside Appalachian” emails last February. The forum invited members of the App State community to voice their opinions on the forthcoming climate action plan. “Mountaineer resilience and determination sustain us as we prepare our students to live purposeful lives,” the chancellor wrote. Daas said CAC is thankful the chancellor supports the updated climate action plan, which will be released on the 50th Earth Day, April 22. The collaborative also understands the position that the chancellor is in as a member of the UNC System. “This could threaten her position as chancellor,” Daas said. “We don’t want Chancellor Everts to be fired because the likelihood that she would be replaced by someone who cares more about sustainability is pretty slim, especially if the board of governors has anything to do with it.” Daas said a response would help begin a relationship between administration and CAC. She wants to know

Climate Action Collaborative is hoping to work with Chancellor Sheri Everts on the university’s progress toward climate neutrality. This comes after a petition by the organization and the passing of the “Climate Neutrality Bill” in 2019. Xanayra Marin-Lopez

how the two can work with each other toward climate neutrality with both the community and her position in mind. Without this response, Daas said CAC doesn’t know how far it can go with its push for climate neutrality. This same feeling of uncertainty inspired the petition. Michael Weiss, a junior sustainable development major, helped write the petition and is a member of CAC. Weiss said the collaborative feels it has reached all possible channels for change through SGA and Faculty Senate. Weiss feels that there isn’t much more the collaborative can do until the chancellor responds. “It is about climate change and getting these important things done, but in a huge way it’s about asking, ‘What do the people of the university want and why isn’t the administration listening?” Weiss said. Eric Halvarson, an App State graduate and one of the petition writers, said while a response from the chancellor is important, so is making climate action mandatory and enforceable. “In the past, we’ve had climate action plans that have largely been untouched. The Office of Sustainability, or whoever is supposed to enforce the plan, has not been able to have the power or the authority to make sure it gets done,” Halvarson said. The petition reads, “If the chancellor continues to refuse to make a bold and inspiring commitment to establishing App State as a leader in climate action, we will have no choice but to interpret her inaction as disregard for the principles of shared governance, the future well-being of our students, and the stated mission of the university which includes equipping students to create healthy, just, and sustainable societies.” CAC feels stuck without a response and is likely to take further action if one is not received. CAC feels that the likelihood of a response is slim.

Adam Zebzda | Reporter One threat, three illegal backroom impacted in the future. agreements, seven years, and more than Ward said he believes it’s accurate $16 million in lost revenue to date. to call that foreshadowing a threat. These are the allegations the Town “They said what they were going of Boone outlines in a lawsuit filed to do, our town council took action, and Feb. 20 in Watauga County Superior the county followed through of what Court. The case, Town of Boone v. their threat had been,” Ward said. Watauga County, accuses the county of Historically, 60% to 70% of creating an “illegal sales tax distribution the county’s sales tax revenue is from scheme” that puts profit over public Boone. Since the switch, Boone receives safety and welfare. only about 12% in revenue. Beginning in 2013, the alleged The town, in turn, has cut scheme stems from a decision by county its budget, raised taxes, postponed commissioners to change how sales tax infrastructure improvements and revenue is distributed, switching from reduced services. Boone Police is most a per capita to an ad “I will ensure that affected by the budget valorem method. cuts. students will not be Distribution by The lawsuit negatively affected states that lost revenue a per capita method by this lawsuit by directly undermines divides the sales tax between a county ultimately supporting Boone Police’s ability and its municipalities the Town of Boone...” to recruit and retain based on population. officers, translating to Ad valorem distribution concerns a reduction of services and a negative taxed property, allowing the county to impact on public safety. distribute sales tax revenue based on a App State may experience impacts municipality’s property values. through limited AppalCart services When the decision was made, due to less financial support, neglected former Chair of the County Board infrastructure like sidewalks and bike of Commissioners Nathan Miller lanes, more difficulties in reaching said the move was motivated in part climate neutrality as outlined by the by Boone Town Council’s refusal to Student Government Association, repeal an ordinance targeted at housing and fewer App State Police officers on affordability, but would impact a campus, Ward said. multimillion-dollar land purchase from SGA passed a climate neutrality the county. bill in March 2019 requiring App State The ordinance, which put new to invest in 100% renewable energy multi-family unit regulations into effect, and be climate neutral by 2025. negatively impacted a $19 million offer “I will ensure that students will not to purchase the old Watauga High be negatively affected by this lawsuit School site by a private contractor from by ultimately supporting the Town the county by devaluing the property, of Boone in their endeavors to earn commissioners said in 2013. more revenue that is rightfully theirs,” Boone Town Manager John Ward said Michael Davis, student body vice said Miller came to a town council president. meeting and said if the council changed local zoning with the ordinance, sales Read more online at tax distribution methods could be theappalachianonline.com

News

March 5, 2020

ACT Office, Office of Sustainability bring “Cross-Boone Connector” could bring food and housing resources to campus safety, ease to pedestrians and bicyclists

Quadajah Rivers | Reporter

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, yet some App State students can’t afford breakfast or any other meal to get through the day. On Feb. 26, Appalachian & the Community Together and the Office of Sustainability organized a resource fair for students struggling with food insecurity and housing. This fair was designed for those too afraid to confront someone about their food insecurity and housing problems and to inform students about resources. Hospitality House, Hunger and Health Coalition and case managers from the dean of students were there that day. Angela Eccles, an academic civic engagement graduate student, organized the event with her co-worker Rebecca Walton. She stressed always wanting to host an event offering students the best resources available in town. “We wanted to host an informal event where students can come by, have a brief conversation with local community partners and ASU organizations and groups,” Eccles said. Eccles said she understands that students run out of meal plan money near the end of the term and often ask to borrow money from a friend. According to Hunger and Health Coalition, in 2018, 1 in 9 Americans were food insecure, meaning over 37 million Americans suffered from having little to no food. Terry Niederhammer, a programming coordinator of Hunger and Health Coalition, said the organization gives food to those in need. The Hunger and Health Coalition also collaborates with other entities to provide emergency assistance and long-term solutions to those individuals. “The Hunger and Health Coalition has been in existence since 1982. We are the oldest food pantry in the High Country and also the only free pharmacy,” Niederhammer said. “Our fresh market serves fresh produce, bakery items, and we have a pantry.” Niederhammer said that every 14 days, an individual can come and get a box that consists of 35-45 pounds of non-perishable food. Students who run out of meal plan money can come by, sign up and leave with 65 pounds of food. “You can come back every seven days for

local produce. We serve meat, eggs and milk as well,” Nierhammer said. Amber Olesen and Amy Butler are assistant contract managers from the Northwestern Regional Housing Authority. They provide rental assistance to individuals in need, particularly families. “Every family involved pays 30% of their monthly adjusted income toward rent and utilities, then we subsidize,” Butler said. Many of those who suffer from food insecurity have trouble paying housing bills. Rachel Van Camp and Jonathan Perry are staff attorneys in Boone. They see the hardship off-campus students face with housing. “We do various things related to housing issues. We assist local people with local issues such as evictions, issues with landlords, making sure people have suitable housing,” Van Camp said. Van Camp and Perry said some students are taken advantage of by landlords. “Under the general statutes, the landlord has the duty under the law to keep the rental unit in a certain shape. We write demand letters to landlords and give them the chance to fix it,” Perry said. “If they don’t, we litigate those kinds of cases.” Perry said it’s similar to an abusive relationship. The one being abused isn’t at fault because they called the police, they were beaten and the landlord tried to evict. “They can’t do that,” Perry said. “There are certain rights that we want students to know that they have, and if they encounter a situation where they feel like they are taken advantage of, they can eventually call us.” Van Camp said she believes that the connection between affordable housing and food insecurity is evident within the college population. Van Camp and Perry had clients come in with one issue and they find other corresponding insularity issues. When it comes to food insecurity, Van Camp and Perry assist those clients with food stamps. “Once we get clients, we determine what other concerns might be having and we are usually able to help them with those,” Van Camp said. “And if not, we refer them to other agencies and organizations in the community that can help.”

“There are certain rights that we want students to know that they have...”

Emily Broyles | Associate News Editor As the town of Boone increases in size, some residents feel that safety precautions for cyclists and pedestrians should do the same. After a local elementary art teacher posted a sketch of possible pedestrian bridge over U.S. Highway 105 online, residents had mixed feelings in the comments. “I think it’s an awesome idea, and I know it will be beautiful!!” Kathy Younce wrote on Facebook, adding a heart-eyed emoji. Daniel Fields commented that the bridge design “looks ridiculous.” “Can we consider something more minimalistic? This design is great but it doesn’t scream permanent road structure to me,” Zae Hodgdon wrote. Dabney Smith, the post’s creator, said she uploaded the sketch on Facebook group App State Classifieds to get community input, as she, along with nonprofit Harmony Lanes, wants to make the bridge a reality with the North Carolina Department of Transportation. “I was surprised and saddened by the comments (on the post), even though there was a lot of positive ones,” Smith said. “It was really weird to read that kind of stuff, but ultimately, it worked.” Smith’s post received over 600 likes and around 300 comments. Most importantly to Smith, 200 viewers of the post signed letters of support and approval for Harmony Lanes to present the NCDOT. The bridge is the first step in creating “The Cross-Boone Connector,” a multi-modal

corridor Harmony Lanes hopes to install in the next 10 years. The XBC would run from Rivers Street to the end of the Boone Greenway near Walmart. “Not only could we really save lives, but we could make our lives better. We could allow people to get across town not only for recreation, but for running errands, or getting to classes or to your job,” Smith said. “I feel like these different modes of transportation are the ways of the future, and I think that we need to think green and sustainable and not just only car or truck-centric.” Harmony Lanes co-founder Dave Freireich said he understands the project is “far out,” but thinks he “shouldn’t wait until somebody is killed to fix this problem.” On Feb. 3, a motorcyclist and bicyclist collided at the intersection in front of Peacock Hall on Rivers Street and on Feb. 19, a pedestrian was hit on the intersection of Rivers and Center streets. “More and more people are getting hit in Boone. Several people have died in Charlotte in the past few weeks getting in hit-and-runs with bikes and pedestrians, and it’s a growing trend all across the country,” Freireich said. “Boone hasn’t kept pace.” Daniel Adams, division traffic engineer for NCDOT, wrote in an email that crosswalks should be in areas that are safe for all forms of transportation. “We should be more concerned about the quality of crossings over quantity of crossings. With the help of the Town of Boone, NCDOT is planning to install crosswalks and pedestrian signal heads on Blowing Rock Road at Boone Mall, Shadowline Drive, Watauga Village Drive and Deerfield Road intersections, which have traditional signal lights,” Adams wrote.

A student and her puppy prepare to cross the road on King Street. This crosswalk Read more online at is located at the intersection between King and Depot Street. theappalachianonline.com Paola Bula Blanco

News

March 5, 2020

F.A.R.M. Cafe gears up for Composting brings another layer “Match Madness” fundraiser of sustainability to campus Quadajah Rivers | Reporter

Those who enter F.A.R.M. Cafe are greeted by smiling volunteers who ask, “have you eaten here before?” The paywhat-you-can restaurant is inclusive of the community. Paola Bula Blanco

Devin Stewart | Reporter The smell of buttermilk pancakes and maple syrup greeted community members in F.A.R.M Cafe as it kicked off its annual “Match Madness” fundraiser, which takes place in March. Renee Boughman, executive director and chef at F.A.R.M. Cafe, said money from the fundraiser will come from a raffle game set-up in the cafe. Every day, a board is set up in the cafe with envelopes numbered 1-175. Whatever amount of money is donated, say, $5, must match the corresponding envelope number. Or, a $5 donation can be split by choosing envelopes two and three to equal the sum of the donation. Envelopes numbered 1-100 have prizes such as gift packages and gift cards, Boughman said. Envelopes 101-150 may have a reservation for a dinner for two, while some envelopes numbered 151-175 contain prizes like trips to California or Costa Rica. Anonymous donors could triple the effect of drawing any given envelope, Boughman said. If a donation of any amount is matched by an anonymous donor, the donation amount triples, and the donor receives three raffle tickets. This year, F.A.R.M. Cafe hopes that the fundraiser creates less pressure on the community. “We want them to come so we can share the evening and say thank you,” Boughman said. The money brought in from the fundraiser goes back to the cafe and is used to help it better

accommodate the community. “We’d like to up our purchasing of local foods from local farms because that keeps food in the network of our local economy,” Boughman said. Money will also go toward equipment upgrades, because of the natural wear and tear of doing business. The raffle drawing takes place at the end of March, before the Match Madness campaign culminates on April 2 at Booneshine Brewing Company. The event is shared, meaning F.A.R.M. Cafe is inviting its supporters to come to Booneshine to say thank you, Boughman said. Ten percent of alcohol sales for the night will go to the cafe. “I love that we have evening opportunities,” said Tiffany Christian, board member of F.A.R.M. Cafe. F.A.R.M. Cafe is a place where people can come and enjoy a meal by paying what is within their means. “The only way the cafe exists is with community support. We have always said since the first day we opened our door back in May of 2012, if the community does not want the cafe, then it will not be here,” Boughman said.

The importance of recycling is taught at most schools, but not like App State: faculty and students are using compostable items to live sustainable lives on or off campus. Freshman Anna Bradshaw served as an eco-representative in Eggers Residence Hall. She helped students stay informed about composting through advertising. “Using compostable material is beneficial for the Earth than Styrofoam plates for example. Styrofoam will never go back into the Earth, it will stay Styrofoam for the rest of its life,” said Bradshaw, a sustainable development major. “If you use a compostable plate like the ones we use in the dining halls, it will turn back into the soil. That plate’s footprint will be gone, meaning it won’t stay forever or cause any pollutants.” According to the Green Dining Alliance, plastic foam is made of styrene. Individuals who live and work in environments with high concentrations of styrene have higher instances of cancer, neurological issues, headaches, depression and fatigue. Plastic foam is impossible to discard. It lingers into the soil and erodes into the ocean, creating serious problems. Jennifer Maxwell, Sustainability program manager, partners with on-campus facilities like dining halls and housing. Under the Office of Sustainability, she manages programming on campus. Composting was only available in Belk, Frank and the Living Learning Center at first, but later became available to all residential halls. “We’ve done this since 2015, this gives us the ability to have a representative or liaison through our office from every residential hall. The responsibility of eco-rep is mainly composting and getting people involved in Green Apple certification programs,” Maxwell said. Composting is the process of decomposing organic matter and using waste products to produce rich nutrients in the soil. Composting surpasses plant diseases and pests and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. “Composting is a lot like recycling, it’s the recycling of organics. Anything that was alive or made from something alive like your paper products. It’s a way to recycle those materials back to the earth,” Maxwell said. It’s a natural process, so

you’re using air and water.” Maxwell said composting is like raking leaves into a pile. After a certain period of time, those leaves break down and go back into the Earth. “We compost in a controlled environment, so we have a facility here on campus. We’re a largescale composter so we are permitted through the state of North Carolina. We collected any leftover food, paper products or pizza boxes,” said Maxwell. She said the facility uses a recipe in the mixing process of composting. “You’re given a certain carbon and nitrogen ratio. The nitrogen is food waste or grass clippings, so the green stuff. Carbons are brown, so leaves, wood chips, or paper. You have to have a certain percentage of nitrogen or carbon into for the process to happen,” Maxwell said. Maxwell said it takes nearly 14 days to break down the material, then brew it for 6 months. “In our facility, we collect runoff water in a holding tank and give that tank oxygen to keep those microorganisms alive then we throw that water in the pile,” Maxwell said. Graduate student Grace Schmidt works at Wired Scholar and Crossroads, and believes composting is better than recycling. “Composting is more sustainable than recycling. Recycling is great, you can reuse plastic or glass. With compost, you can make things out of it. I think it’s more renewable,” said Schmidt, who studies reading education. Before the coffee shops became a part of Campus Dining, they strived to be sustainable, but their efforts didn’t expand until they partnered with App State. “We have more compostable products like all of our silverware, our plastic containers for sandwiches and we’re trying to use more compostable single-use products,” Schmidt said. “Most of our food is through App State now.” Schmidt runs the social media accounts for the coffee shops and uses the platform to spread awareness about composting. She also uses the TV screens in the shops to display composting information. Read more online at theappalachianonline.com

A&C

March 5, 2020

Former professor quits day job to further rap career Jackie Park | News Editor At this point in his life, Chris Shreve has been a Virginia Tech football star known for his quick feet, a public health professor at App State, a father and a husband. Now, he is embarking on a new chapter in his life: rap. C. Shreve the Professor, as he’s known on stage, has been a part of Chris Shreve’s life for several years. His wife, Tiffany Shreve, said he started rapping more seriously in 2007 after she took a job as a night-shift nurse in Boone. He’s balanced teaching, parenting, partnering and rapping for many semesters. This spring, however, he’s taking his side gig full time. After teaching an extra section last semester, and likely facing another extra section this semester, Chris Shreve said he felt like his “RAM was full.” “I just knew, like the fall was everything I could do,” Chris Shreve said. “I was the most scattered I’ve ever been. And I was really limited in some goals I had by the amount of time in my day.” Chris Shreve said he and his wife had a long, difficult discussion about quitting his job at App State before doing it. Tiffany Shreve said it is easy to get bogged down in the logistics of a change like this. “That was probably a lot of fear of (starting to rap full-time) was like, ‘What do you do for insurance? Are you gonna have a salary? Are you gonna get a part time job?’” Chris Shreve said. Tiffany Shreve said despite the details, she recognized he was unhappy, and something needed to change. “He needed to pursue this, and he needed to be somewhere different to give it the attention that he wanted to give it,” Tiffany Shreve said. Chris Shreve said in addition to his mental storage being “full,” he was having to cancel classes while on tour and post material online instead. “I knew my heart wasn’t in it, and they deserve that,” Chris Shreve said. “Some of the students, I think, wanted more hands-on ‘me time.’ They kind of, in some (course evaluations), mentioned that.” Lauren Matherly, a senior public health major, said she liked Chris Shreve as a professor, but would’ve liked to have more in-class time.

On the other hand, Brandon Orloff, a senior public health major, said he didn’t mind having a few classes canceled and enjoyed having Chris Shreve as a professor. “He can like relate to you on like, a kid’s level,” Orloff said. Chris Shreve is now taking his teaching to a different setting: the internet. In a Jan. 13 YouTube video, titled “So I Quit My Job To Become A Full Time Rapper,” Chris Shreve explained he’d combine his knowledge from the public health field and his practical life experiences in a video series called, “Who Needs A Classroom?” Chris Shreve said in his classroom, he always tried to begin by relating their lessons to real-life situations like school shootings and weight loss.

“It’s very hard to quit his drive to succeed, so he always has something on his plate...”

Graphic by Efrain Arias-Medina Jr.

He wants to bring his practical life lessons to the series. “You don’t have to have a classroom to teach these things,” Chris Shreve said. Chris Shreve posted his first video of the series Jan. 24, called “Stress Mountain & the 4 A’s.” He wants his next video in the series to focus on the difference between confidence and competence. Chris Shreve is also trying to bring a new groove to his daily routine. “It’s kind of this weird little extra space, which can be eaten up like, by family time ... or by little man, because he’s nine and (needs) attention and his days are only like, six hours long. So, now I’m on a new schedule,” Chris Shreve said. Chris Shreve said another change is the time when he has to be creative. Previously, that time was at night and the hours he had were very defined. Now, it’s the six hours starting at 8 a.m. when the house is quiet. “Now I have to like, reframe my brain to be productive,” Chris Shreve said. Tiffany Shreve said the change is something that he’ll have to continue to “feel out,” but her husband keeps himself busy. “It’s very hard to quit his drive to succeed, so he always has something on his plate or something that he’s working on. So, it’s just establishing what is enough. I think that’s something that he will have to continue to feel out as he moves forward,” Tiffany Shreve said. Chris Shreve said his “mountain,” or goal, is now much more refined. “(I was) trying to like, maybe somehow have a 20year teaching career while also like somehow (winning) a Grammy or whatever the goal was there, like, those can’t all happen at the same time, even though you want to,” Chris Shreve said. Chris Shreve said he wants to be an “A student” again. “I told my wife I’ve been like a B student like in every subject lately, I’ve got (an) 84, 83,” Chris Shreve said. “I want to nail it. I want a 99, (or) at least a 94, I’m sick of these 82s.”

A&C

March 5, 2020

Local songwriter takes honest, poetic approach to folk music Ethan Murphy | Reporter

Graphic by Efrain Arias-Medina Jr.

An App State student, local singer and songwriter is paying sincere homage to 1960’s folk artists in his upcoming album. Chris McGinnis, a senior English major, has made music since high school. Recently, he said he has started to create it for himself. “I try to make my music something more than just filling space. I don’t think there’s much value to a song that’s all melody and no substance,” McGinnis said. “The project I’m working on now is not the most straightforward as other things I’ve done, but I think it’s definitely the most honest in terms of myself.” On his most recent project, called “Songs for You,” McGinnis said he took an introspective approach to life events. “It’s more sincere in the way that it’s almost like a letter to every person or place that’s come into my life. It tries to deal with the fact that people come and go, and taking that truth in full stride,” McGinnis said. Jack Martin, a friend and collaborator on and off the stage, shared how he works with McGinnis. “As time has gone on, we’ve gotten better at writing and understanding each other’s songs. I’d say we’ve both grown in the way that we’ve learned to express our own voices rather than imitating others,” Martin said. He also offered his take on McGinnis’s writing process. “He commits a lot to his music. I feel like all songs try to tell some kind of story, but he does a really good job of presenting the story without making it too much about himself. He tries to present an honest picture of things,” Martin said. Jack Marion, another friend and writing collaborator, broke down McGinnis’ particular musical style and his experience with it. “Chris has become one of my closest confidants musically. To my mind, he’s the best writ-

er in Boone right now, maybe anywhere. I mean, we’ve grooved together on stage, but where we really melded was the writing room,” Marion said. He also related his musical likeness to past musical artists’ sounds. “His musical background is a little different from most in that he’s very poetic,” Marion said. “He describes things through story and has a great ear for music on top of that, almost like Bob Dylan did. What I really enjoy about working with him though, is that there’s never any bullshit with him. We always know where we stand.” McGinnis said he drew inspiration from Dylan’s music, as well as Paul Simon and Warren Zevon. McGinnis’ newest project, set to release in fall 2020, continues his journey in expressing himself. “I’ve sort of viewed it as exorcising my own demons. This next one is about not being able to handle the coming and going I talked about on the last project,” McGinnis said. “Really, when things happen like that, there’s a high road and a low road you can take, and it’s about the struggle between them. Really though, the two major themes for me are manic loneliness and acting impulsively.” McGinnis’ music is available on Apple Music and Spotify. He also played at TApp Room on Feb. 29 alongside musical artists Jacob Davis Martin and Plantblind. “When this new (project) comes out, it’ll be the culmination of a two-year project. Writing is painful because every song I write takes so long, I think it will be my last,” McGinnis said. “I’m sort of a control freak in the way that I spend more time thinking about the right way to put something down instead of just putting it down. The build up is real hell, but when it works and I make something, it feels better than anything.”

New club provides opportunity for students to explore linguistics Marlen Cardenas | Reporter On a campus without a linguistics major or minor, Lin and Lang wants to provide a space for students to share a love for language. Spanish professor and club adviser Benjamin Souza had five students in his Spanish phonetics and diction class last fall who were interested in exploring linguistics. “We were super jazzed about (linguistics). We absolutely loved the subject, so we would always get off-topic in discussions, and Souza would eat it up, and we would have 30-minute tangents,” vice president Marly Roberts said. Roberts said she and a couple of other students would meet outside of class to discuss linguistics and language. “A lot of (students) are interested in learning more about linguistics and exploring more about topics relating to linguistics, and unfortunately, we do not have a linguistics major or minor,” Souza said. Club President Jenna Elliott said Souza gave members the final push to start the club fall 2019. “Dr. Souza suggested that we start a linguistics club to have a space in order to cultivate our shared interest, recognizing that there were other students at App who were bound to share a similar interest for linguistics,” Elliott said. During club meetings, students discuss topics from language interference to how dialects differ. Roberts said although the club was started by students studying Spanish, the club is not exclusive to Spanish speakers. There are also club members who are studying German, French, Japanese and

Chinese. “Having a linguistics club on campus allows people to learn more about the importance of language and how we use it,” Elliott said. “It also promotes the idea of linguistic diversity. Everyone has a different way of speaking. However, not one language or dialect is better than another. Learning about linguistic diversity promotes awareness and tolerance.” The meetings are held during the afternoon so members can grab lunch together while they discuss that week’s topic. Souza said he did not find his love for linguistics until taking an introduction to linguistics class during his undergraduate senior year. “This lightbulb went off that this is what I had been looking for, and I didn't even know I was looking for it,” Souza said. “A person might not know they are interested in (linguistics) until they find out what it is about.” Souza said he hopes interest in the club will help eventually bring a linguistics program to campus. “We are becoming a more multilingual nation. It is an important part of being a member of an international community,” Souza said. “Anything we can do to keep language learning on the forefront is essential.” Lin and Lang meets bi-weekly on Wednesdays from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Appalachian Hall in Room 085.

The meetings for Lin and Lang are located in Appalachian Hall Room 085. Most meetings are based on a certain topic, but the discussion is open for any questions that come up. Jesse Barber

A&C New espresso cafe brings authentic European coffee to Boone Noelle Charles | Reporter Boone’s newest espresso cafe has come just in time for students who need a pick-meup during midterm season. Talia Espresso, located at 444 W. King St., officially opened its doors Feb. 26. Owners Jim and Kathy Kozak opened the first location in Wilkesboro in 2005, staying true to the cafe’s European inspirations. “We try to keep it as authentically European as possible. We don’t trend in the American style of coffee, so all of our machines and gear come out of Italy,” Kathy Kozak said. The cafe's name has a biblical meaning. “(Talia) is Hebrew, and the word means to ‘lift up the name of Yahweh,’” Kathy Kozak said. “The word ‘Ta’ means ‘to lift,’ and ‘Yah’ means ‘Yahweh.’” The name Talia was a great representation of what Jim and Kathy wanted for their store. “We coined the phrase ‘lift me up’ because we thought, ‘We are all about lifting people up, it’s not just about us. It’s gotta be about lifting up the community and lifting up their spirits.’ Of course, if they get espresso, too, that lifts them up,” Kathy Kozak said. Talia Espresso’s menu features gourmet lattes, espresso, cappuccinos and fresh pastries. Brianna Elder, a barista and manager, has worked at the Wilkesboro location since 2013. Elder said she enjoys working for Talia Espresso because (Jim and Kathy Kosak) put such an emphasis on serving the people around them. “I like having a craft that everybody enjoys. You can serve so many people that love coffee and enjoy it,” Elder said. Kathy and Jim Kozak said they knew that Boone would be a great place to open up a cafe. “We just felt like we needed to offer European espresso to this region, and we love students. We love education, we love the arts, and so, it’s cultivating all these aspects of who we are,” Kathy Kozak said. Sierra Flynn, a junior English major, considers herself an avid coffee drinker. When she heard about Talia Espresso, she said she was thrilled. “I think it’s really great for Boone to open up Talia Espresso. Now, we just need a Sonic,” Flynn said.

Jim and Kathy Kozak are the general managers of Talia Espresso at 444 West King Street in Boone. Cristian Garnier

March 5, 2020

New bridal boutique aims to offer welcoming, diverse environment Meredith Nanney | Reporter Before opening its doors, Boone’s newest boutique showcased its bridalwear, along with its goals to encourage sustainability and inclusion in the fashion community. Lauren Gioscio is the owner and head stylist of Juniper James Bridal, a bridal salon coming to 275 E. King St. this spring. Gioscio hopes her business will help foster community in Boone’s local business scene. “I just hope to be able to continue to work with everybody in the community and just be a part of the incredible wedding scene that is (in Boone),” Gioscio said. Analese Travina, a sophomore healthcare management major, modeled in a collaboration Fashion show Feb. 14 with Juniper James, Shear Shakti and Lucky Penny. All of the models in the show were Gioscio friends who showed interest. “My mom’s friend’s daughter works with Lauren, and she asked me if I would model dresses for her, and I was like, ‘Of course,’” Travina said. Travina was modeling the Elie Cape by Daughters of Simone, a designer carried by Juniper James. The sheer floor-length cape tied at the neck and was covered in tiny pearls. Travina said capes are good for accessorizing simple wedding gowns. “It dresses it up and sort of takes the place of a veil. It’s a newer thing people are doing with the capes, but it’s gorgeous, and it’s really lightweight and comfortable, and I love it,” Travina said. Gioscio said one of Juniper James Bridal’s missions is to foster inclusivity. Gioscio’s children, who the store is named after, are biracial, and she wanted to create a space that is welcoming to all people regardless of race, gender or sexuality, so that her children could see themselves represented. “We just really want everyone to feel comfortable coming in. I really want to bring a com-

fortable and calming celebratory space for anybody, but especially the LGBTQ community because it’s so hard for people in the south who might not be your typical couple,” Gioscio said. “As far as sizing goes, we’ve got sizes that range from an 8 to a 20 right now, but we’re getting ready to pick up a couture plus-size line, so we’ll have up to size 30 to try on in the shop.” Plus-size fashion doesn’t always compare in style and quality to what’s offered in straight sizes, Gioscio said, but the plus-size line her store will offer is different. “It won’t be, you know, your typical larger sizes that just aren’t pretty. A lot of the time you just get stuff that (is like), ‘Oh, well here, this is just something for someone who is that size can try on.’ This stuff is tailored and beautiful and fitted and handcrafted because everyone should feel gorgeous,” Gioscio said. Sustainability is another part of Juniper James Bridal’s mission. “We’re also trying to be as sustainably-minded as possible,” Gioscio said. “We have a vintage collection that I’ve sourced. We’re working with a couple of designers who are sustainably minded. They use recycled metals for their jewelry and they buy (carbon offsets). They’re making the effort, and they’re trying to do the work.” In striving for sustainability, all shop decor is secondhand. An App State alumna, Gioscio studied interior design and designed the store’s interior herself. “(The fashion industry) is so wasteful, and there are so many beautiful things that just need a second chance. Every single thing in the shop, as far as chandeliers, rugs, couches, all the things, is second hand and has been thrifted. I didn’t want to bring any excess plastic in because I’m already bringing in so much plastic with the gowns,” Gioscio said. Read more online at theappalachianonline.com

A&C

FASHION OF BOONE

March 5, 2020

APPAREL ASSOCIATION MAGAZINE Meredith Nanney Reporter

The Appalachian Apparel Association plans to publish “The Collective,” a student run fashion magazine, this spring. Niels Sampson, vice president of the Appalachian Apparel Association and editor-in-chief of “The Collective,” said the magazine was started to give apparel students a competitive edge after graduating. “The fashion industry can be very competitive, especially if you’re coming from a small university like App State,” Sampson said. “We’re competing against schools like NC State and (Fashion Institute of Technology), and if you want to get a job, you have to do more than just go to class and get a decent GPA.” According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is little to no projected employment growth for fashion designers from 2018 to 2028, and the job market for designers is competitive because of the amount of designers seeking employment and the few jobs available. “When you’re in an interview, you can pull out the magazine and show them what you’re working on,” Sampson said. “A lot of universities who have a textile program or a fashion program don’t have a fashion magazine. I think the magazine is going to make students greater competitors.” Senior apparel design and merchandising major Miya Montgomery said she thinks the magazine is a good professional opportunity for students. “For most of my college career, the Apparel Association hasn’t been very active, but now they are serious. I’m happy that students will get the opportunity to get their work out there,” Montgomery said. “(The magazine) will be a good way to network and have more professional content to put in portfolios.” The Apparel Association’s faculty adviser Karis Foster says the magazine will primarily serve as an exercise in networking for students, as print media is losing relevance in the fashion industry. “Print media is kind of a dying thing, but in order to pull off a magazine you have to be able to collaborate with all different types of people. (Sampson) is doing a lot of networking, which is really what this industry is all about. This industry is so tight knit and the connections that students make right now could carry them through their careers,” Foster said. Sampson said the magazine will also give students the opportunity to explore different aspects of the fashion industry. “There’s some students who are interested in being designers, but then you also have the business side of fashion. So, making the magazine is allowing students to explore the possibilities of what they can do,” Sampson said. “The Collective” is scheduled to release mid-April.

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Sports

March 5, 2020

1,000 point scorer Isaac Johnson reflects ahead of final Sun Belt tournament run

Samuel Cooke

Senior forward Isaac Johnson dunks the ball over a defender in the Mountaineers’ game against Coastal Carolina. Johnson recently scored his 1,000th career point this season and feels it “is a blessing.” Courtesy of App State Athletics

Dan Davidson | Associate Sports Editor With 16:50 left to play against Georgia Southern, senior forward Isaac Johnson flew down the lane and slammed home his 1,000th career point, a feat accomplished by only 33 Mountaineers before him. “It was the greatest feeling,” Johnson said. “Being able to reach a milestone that not a lot of people make is a blessing. I just thank my teammates, all my coaches, and I’m just happy to get that.” Johnson grew up in Charlotte with his parents, Ronnie and Vanessa, and his two sisters, Varonica and Tierra. He was introduced to many sports at a young age because of his family’s love for track and his father’s career in the NFL with the Chicago Bears. “I played almost every sport … basketball, track, T-ball,” Johnson said. “My whole family ran track, so we did a lot of that.” Family is important to Johnson, and he

credits his family’s love and support as his purpose for playing basketball. “They’re the main reason I play basketball. I just want to make them proud,” Johnson said. “My family, not just my parents, have been a big help for me on and off the court.” More specifically, Johnson has always seen his father as a role model, and someone to look up to as an example. “After work, he goes to help me if I need to get shots up or coach me in track or basketball,” Johnson said. “It didn’t really matter, he would still give 100% every day.” Johnson said he loved growing up in Charlotte, and it’s an amazing place to raise a family. “Growing up, I didn’t get in a lot of trouble, so it was easy to get to know Charlotte, and I love it,” Johnson said. It wasn’t until his uncle recommended it that Johnson began to play basketball. Howev-

er, he didn’t take the game seriously until middle school while playing for Providence Day and an AAU travel team.

“My family, not just my parents, have been a big help for me on and off the court.” “Every coach has brought something to my game that I can emphasize more to become a better player,” Johnson said. Johnson played all four years of his high school career on the varsity team at Providence

Day, winning nearly 85% of his games. In 2016, he helped lead the Chargers to their first 3-A state championship since 1999. The multi-sport athlete was named second-team all-conference during his senior year, and was named South Charlotte Weekly’s Track and Field Athlete of the Year. He competed in seven events, including the 100m, 200m, 110m hurdles, 300m hurdles, 4x100 relay, 4x200 relay, and high jump. After his successful high school career, Johnson came to the High Country to join the Mountaineers. “I really liked the team, and I really liked how close-knit they were. I liked how they were like a family, so when I came, I just wanted to be a part of a family and have fun,” Johnson said. Read more online at theappalachianonline.com

Sports

March 5, 2020

App State wrestling set to host SoCon Championships

Sizzling with Sam teaches studentathletes how to cook healthily Kaiden Smith | Senior Reporter

Junior Thomas Flitz grapples with an opponent from the Virginia Military Institute in their match on Feb. 23. The Mountaineers won the match 43-0, and are 9-3 overall and 6-1 in their conference. Efrain Arias-Medina

Zack Antrum | Senior Reporter Consistency is an important word to the App State wrestling team, and as they wrap up the regular season and head to the SoCon championships. they look to keep the ball rolling in hopes of winning it all. The No. 27-ranked Mountaineers are hosting the tournament for the second straight year after being voted to host by the rest of the league in 2018. App finished second to Campbell at last year’s conference tournament and hopes to take its momentum from the regular season and come out on top this time around. The Mountaineers are currently 9-3 on the season and finished 6-1 in conference with their only conference loss to Campbell and other two losses coming at the hands of North Carolina and N.C. State. All three teams are currently ranked in the top 25. The Mountaineers have forced four shutouts this season and held their opponents to less than 10 points on three

other occasions. The shutouts are the most of any team in Division I wrestling. “They just continue to go in week in and week out and are doing a great job and being consistent in their preparation,” Head Coach JohnMark Bentley said. “It’s a great testament to the kind of guys we have.” Leading the way for the Mountaineers are six wrestlers that are ranked in the top 33 in their respective weight classes. These wrestlers are Johnathan Millner (149), Cary Miller (285), Matt Zovistoski (157), Thomas Flitz (174), Sean Carter (125), and Codi Russell (133). While hosting the tournament is an advantage for App State, the team hasn’t let that change the way they’re preparing for it. “We’ve had two weeks to prepare for it, and we’re preparing for it the same way we have the entire season because we’ve just been doing so well,” Fitz said. Along with the support from their

fans, the team feels supporting each other is just as important to their success. “We all motivate each other, we all pick each other up,” Miller said. “Honestly, the fact that we’re so close knit.” Bentley is equally as confident in his wrestlers as they are in each other, as multiple members of his team have beaten nationally ranked opponents. “I think it speaks to the balance of our lineup,” Bentley said. “On any given day, I feel like all 10 of our guys can step up and do what needs to be done to secure a win.” Bentley and his team have a week to prepare before the rest of the SoCon travels to Boone on March 8 for the conference tournament at the Holmes Convocation Center. Competition is set to begin at 10 a.m. and championship finals begin at 7 p.m. Adult tickets are $15, kids 6-12 are $10 and students get in free with their ID.

App State’s dining lab in Leon Levine Hall is primarily used for various cooking labs and nutrition classes, but once a month it is used for Sizzling with Sam, a cooking class for student athletes led by Director of Sports Nutrition Sam Mellert. “I was on my interview here, and we actually toured the kitchen, and they were saying this would be a great opportunity to do cooking classes, so I didn’t even know that had existed until I went on my interview,” Mellert said. “So, right when I came here, I started talking to the faculty over there to see if they allow athletics to utilize that space, and thankfully they were able to.” Mellert had a variety of changes she wanted to make to App State’s sports nutrition program when she was hired in May 2019, such as bettering the education of the student athletes. Her cooking class does just that, giving student-athletes valuable hands on experience that also reflects her nutrition philosophy that food should be fun. “I’ve seen a lot of athletes treat food like it’s not fun, and you have so many meals throughout the day that it really should be fun,” Mellert said. “We should be using that food to fuel the performance but also enjoy it at the same time,” Mellert said. Student-athletes are commonly faced with struggles like time management and lack of resources, so Mellert focuses on easy-to-make, interesting and healthy recipes that student-athletes can use in college and beyond. “I really like it, I feel like it gives student-athletes the power over their own nutrition, which is something we’re going to have to learn when we leave college. We’re not going to have people telling us what to eat all the time,” said Tess Cairney, senior women’s soccer player. Mellert has received nothing but positive feedback since she started her cooking classes, as many student athletes who sign up once end up re-signing up for the following month’s class. “I think the student athletes have realized that she’s invested in them, and that goes back to the old adage that people don’t care about how much you know until you know how much they care. Well, Sam cares about student athletes, she wants them to thrive, and I think that’s why on the back end this is a great opportunity,” said Jon Mitchell, senior associate athletics director for student-athlete health and well-being. Through Mellert’s dedication to educating athletes through Sizzling with Sam, student-athletes have learned about the benefits of having a healthy diet and how it affects them on and off the field. “It changes your performance by 1%, and that 1% is what matters in my opinion,” said Kelan Swales, sophomore men’s soccer player. “You’ll see you sleep better, you wake up better, you feel better on the field, you feel better in the classroom; nutrition is huge and it sets you up for your life to be able to cook for yourself or when you get a family.” Editor’s Note: Kaiden Smith is a student-athlete at App State.

Sports

March 5, 2020

Former App State standouts 2020 App State Football Schedule

Evans and Davis-Gaither impress at NFL Combine

Junior RB Darrynton Evans makes a cut during the 34-31 win over UNC in Chapel Hill Sept. 21. Lynette Files

Cameron Burnett | Reporter From Feb. 26 to March 3, NFL prospects showcased their talents at the NFL Combine. Of the participants, two Mountaineers were given the opportunity to represent themselves and App State. Darrynton Evans was able to perform in the on-field drills and showcased his speed, agility, and ball skills that he displayed as a Mountaineer. During his media day, he was asked about playing at App State and how it impacted him as a player. “It was the best decision I ever made, playing at App. I had great coaches with coach Satterfield, coach Drink, and now coach Clark … They really teach you a lot,” Evans said. “They teach you more than football, they teach you about life. It’s just the culture there is different, a lot of people ask me, ‘How is it at App?’ and it’s kinda hard to explain until you’re actually there. It’s different, but it’s like a good difference.” Evans went on to impress NFL scouts, executives and reporters in his workout. He ran a 4.41 40-yard dash, second to only two-time all-American and Doak Walker award winner Jonathan Taylor of Wisconsin. This created a

lot of buzz around his name, and to go along with it, he finished with 20 reps in the bench press, showing the combo of speed and power he uses on the field. “They’re gonna get a competitor for sure, explosive running back who takes care of the ball and a hard worker so I’m ready to go,” Evans said. Akeem Davis-Gaither suffered a partial stress fracture in his foot during the season that forced him to sit out the on-field workouts, but he was able to go through interviews, measurements and the bench press. He completed 21 reps on the bench press, for fifth out of 15 participants at his position. “I believe I belong here. I’ve got the confidence to play any level … at App State, playing against the Power Five schools, I had one of those be my best game. I showed that I can compete with those guys, I’m not afraid of them. I believe I belong on the same type of stage,” Davis-Gaither said in a media day interview. The game he mentioned was against UNC Chapel Hill on Sept. 21, where he finished with 10 tackles, an interception and blocked the

game-winning attempt to help lead the Mountaineers to a 34-31 victory over the Tar Heels. When he was at App State, Davis-Gaither was listed at 215 lbs. and since the season, he bulked up to 224 lbs. measurement at the combine. Going to the next level, size and strength are a huge part of competing, and adding extra muscle can help improve his chances of getting drafted and earning playing time on the team that drafts him. After turning heads at the NFL Combine, Evans and Davis-Gaither will have their Pro Day at App State to continue improving their draft stock. The date and time for App State’s pro day has yet to be announced. The NFL Draft is April 25-27 in Las Vegas.

Akeem Davis-Gaither poses with former App State football head coach Eliah Drinkwitz for a photo. Lynette Files

Opinion

March 5, 2020

By targeting young voters, Mike Bloomberg is trying to hurt progressive candidates

Tommy Mozier | Opinion Writer

If you’re reading this, you’ve already seen the words ``Mike Will Get it Done” over and over again. The former New York City mayor is estimated to have spent more than half a million dollars to saturate the airwaves, internet and now, college newspapers in North Carolina, Bloomberg.com said. Apart from buying a full-page advertisement in The Appalachian, Bloomberg’s campaign ads also appeared in student newspapers at Elon, UNC-Charlotte, NC State and UNC-Chapel Hill. As the former Editorial Page Editor for The Appalachian, I commend the media mogul for taking a stand and supporting local student journalism. Of course, I write that very tongue-in-cheek. Bloomberg’s goal is obviously not to help finance the weekly

newspaper of a rural, mid-sized university. Bloomberg’s interest in college newspapers underscores an underappreciated goal of his campaign: to get young people to vote. Specifically, to get them away from Senator Bernie Sanders. First, a disclaimer. If Bloomberg becomes the Democratic nominee to face President Donald Trump, I will vote for Bloomberg without hesitation. Whatever his flaws, and he has many, they pale in comparison to the current Oval Office occupant’s. This is an emergency election against authoritarianism. With that being said, it appears Bloomberg’s campaign is as much against Trump as it is against progressive candidates like Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Take his elaborate and expensive social media campaign. In February, The Daily Beast reported the Bloomberg campaign is paying Instagram influencers, defined as someone with between 1,000 and 100,000 followers, $150 to say nice things about him. Apparently, too few people were praising him without a little extra cash as motivation. On Feb. 26, Twitter suspended 70 pro-Bloomberg accounts for “platform manipulation and spam,” the first major pushback by a social media platform. Often, these accounts flooded feeds and comment sections with identical messages praising the billionaire. Think of the many Trump-supporting Twitter bots but with less originality. But perhaps Bloomberg’s largest social media strategy, as reported by The New York Times, is his partnership with “Meme 2020,” a newly formed company that does exactly what it sounds like, use memes to impact the 2020 election. All together, the Instagram meme accounts associated with Meme 2020 have a following exceeding 60 million people. They consistently post pro-Bloomberg and sometimes anti-Sanders memes. The accounts do disclose these memes are sponsored by the Bloomberg campaign. Put this all together and you have an elaborate strategy to reach young people.

Young people tend to support progressive candidates, but they don’t turn out to vote nearly as much as their older counterparts. Any candidate who can tap into that energy stands a great chance to win the 2020 election. Bloomberg’s problem, however, is Sanders and, to a lesser extent Warren, have already tapped into young voter’s energy. Analysis by FiveThirtyEight.com concluded that Sanders, the current front-runner, pulls most of his support from younger people, in this case ages 17-44. To win the nomination, the Bloomberg campaign appears to recognize it needs to siphon votes from Sanders, which makes sense. After all, the Vermont senator is leading in the polls and in the delegate race. But the billionaire has much more to lose than a nomination should Sanders become the nominee and beat Trump in a general election. Sanders’ anti-billionaire message is one of his most consistent and strongest. A Bloomberg presidency, or even a Trump second term, would financially benefit the man with a net worth of over $60 billion much more than a Sanders presidency, to put it mildly. As the election stands right now, Sanders could become the Democratic nominee. Should that hold, Bloomberg faces his biggest legitimacy test. Will he continue to bankroll the Democrats against Trump, as he said he would? Or is his campaign what many people suspect, a way to ensure his taxes don’t get too high?

$$$$

Graphci by Efrain Arias-Medina Jr.

Opinion

March 5, 2020

Bloomberg’s election prospects Ricky Barker | Opinion Writer Michael Bloomberg made a messy splash during his first and second debates. He seemed redundant and unprepared for the onslaught he received from his political rivals. He bumbled through his responses to criticisms and questions. In many ways it seems Bloomberg expected to walk in and have everyone thank him for being the future president. He quickly discovered that it isn’t that easy. However, would Bloomberg be an effective president? Well, it’s complicated. There’s no denying his effectiveness. If you can say anything about Bloomberg, he gets things done. As mayor of New York City, he shaped the city into his image. He effectively shifted, and shaped whole neighborhoods to execute his ideas. Under Bloomberg, 40% of the city was rezoned, and old disused factories and harbor buildings were turned into luxury apartments and nice neighborhoods. His administration built 40,000 buildings in the city and created iconic structures like the High Line. He cut murders by 65% and shootings by 53% in his 12-year tenure. It’s no exaggeration to say he helped pull New York City out of economic decline after 9/11, in the end giving the city a $2 billion surplus. However, it’s not all high-rises and pretty suburban townhouses for Bloomberg: in many ways he has a very unpleasant legacy. His “stop and frisk” policy in NYC was in-

credibly controversial. In 12 years 5,081,689 people were frisked, and in all precincts Latinx and Black citizens made up 50% of that number, in 32 precincts they made up more than 90%. This was exacerbated by the fact that there is a frankly bigoted audio clip, in which Bloomberg says “95% of murders, murderers and murder victims fit one MO. You can just take a description, Xerox it and pass it out to all the cops. They are male, minorities, 16-25.” He also has a long history of sexist comments and behavior in the offices where he’s worked, including an allegation that during a colleague’s wedding he asked his female employees to perform oral sex as a wedding present. On account of this, Bloomberg does not deserve to be in the running race. He came in late and is using his wealth to get himself in debates and flood the airwaves with political messaging. He’s spending billions to convince American voters that he’s the right choice and can beat Donald Trump. He may be able to, but only because he’s the democratic mirror of him, a proud, misogynistic, prejudiced billionaire who thinks he can throw money at his problems to make them disappear. Well, the presidency is more elusive than that: time will tell if Bloomberg can grow out of his image and rise as the race’s frontrunner.

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CONCEPTS The positive impact of more Appalcart buses Caleb Garbuio | Opinion Editor There is no debate: traffic in Boone is bad. If you live off campus, good luck trying to make it to class on time during rush hour. Other than being every off-campus student’s nightmare, traffic also impacts the environment. According to the Office of Sustainability, students contribute to 40% of App State’s greenhouse gas emissions. The good news is that there is a public transportation option available to students. Student demand for public transportation has increased by 19%, according to the 2020 AppalCart financial report. To match this demand, AppalCart hopes to add 10 buses to the Blue and Express routes over a five-year period, starting in 2021. Should this policy go into effect and consumer demand keeps pace with growth, emissions should decrease in proportion to the students using AppalCart. However, this policy would require additional funding because AppalCart is funded by the state with supplements from the university. The report stated that additional funding is unlikely and that $25.4 million is needed between 2020 and 2030. Despite needing more funding, expanding the scope of AppalCart will positively impact the community economically and environmentally. AppalCart would like to construct a new transit center on Rivers Street costing $13.5 million. There still are short-term economic benefits despite contractors outsourcing labor. Local proprietors will benefit from workers needing housing and local businesses benefit from these workers purchasing goods and services. Furthermore, new buses means permanent jobs. According to AppalCart’s website, workers can earn between $10 and $15 an hour. According to the U.S. Census, 21.2% of Wataugans live in poverty, despite unemployment being only 2.7%. North Carolina’s minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, meaning that for someone working 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, would earn $13270.40 post tax. This is only $510 above poverty. However, workers will earn between $18304 to $27456 on an AppalCart salary. AppalCart is an essential piece of Boone’s infrastructure. It provides a free service to locals and students alike, helps reduce emissions and traffic and provides livable wages for workers.Thus, AppalCart expanding its reach will benefit Watauga as a whole.

Opinion

March 5, 2020

Bernie Sanders: Enter Sandman COUNTRY Stephen Leverton II | Opinion Writer

As South Carolina and Super Tuesday come and go, former Vice President Joe Biden has a major opponent in the race for the Democratic ticket: Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Sanders is the current front-runner in national polls, after both the Nevada caucuses and the New Hampshire primaries. Super Tuesday is next following Biden’s South Carolina victory. A day where roughly 40% of the country votes on a presidential candidate. Bernie Sanders has an answer for all of these questions. Sanders’ central policy is Medicare for All. He believes that all Americans, no matter their economic status, should have access to universal basic healthcare. Sanders wants to do away with private insurance companies, leaving the public as the only option . Medicare for All is also designed to ensure pharmaceutical companies don’t overcharge customers for medication. Sanders also supports the Green New Deal, a plan

Graphic by Efrain Arias-Medina Jr.

designed to help combat climate change by creating jobs, using more renewable energy sources, and putting blame on fossil fuel companies. Another policy Sanders offers is free college for all. This would cancel student debts for millions of Americans. These ideas are very expensive and will cost American taxpayers trillions of dollars. Sanders has proven he is electable for two reasons: he came in second behind Hillary Clinton in the 2016 race and he won both New Hampshire and Nevada in the 2020 cycle. Many voters are concerned about how certain candidates will do against Donald Trump. RealClearPolitics reports that Sanders would beat Trump nationally by an average of 4.4 points. RealClearPolitics takes the information from different polls and averages them out. Key states such as Wisconsin show that Sanders fairs well in those states against Trump than Biden, Pete Buttigieg or Elizabeth Warren.

IS RUINED BY CORPORATIONS

Ethan Hunt | Opinion Writer Country music industry has lost its way. Or, what was classified as Country has changed from past generations stars led the industry. I have been a country music fan my entire life. However, my preference for Country music is called“true country.” True country is embodied by the likes of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. These artists portrayed themselves as “outlaws,” men with no regard for the rules of society, who lived a gritty lifestyle of hardship and misfortune. These characteristics are responsible, in part, for country music’s association with a rural lifestyle. People of simple means could relate not only to the lyrics, but the artists’ struggles. However, the people on The Billboard list of the top 50 country artists in 2019, are a far cry from outlaw. There are exceptions, Boones own Luke Combs comes to mind as an artist not carefully designed by a marketing team in Nashville. But most of the industry’s best do not portray themselves as people who live a rambling, rough and tumble lifestyle and it is reflected in their music. With perfect plastic smiles and lyrics to match, country music stars of today are pop stars. The classic rural themes of country music feel dishonest when delivered through artists such as Kane Brown or Dan + Shay. But, time and time again country music executives have chosen to push artists with a more neutral sound they believe will appeal to the masses. This is exemplified in bands such as Florida Georgia Line, whose songs often slip into the pop genre. However, there is a rising opposition to the corporatization of country music. Artists such as Tyler Childers, Sturgill Simpson and Chris Stapleton have led a return to roots of the country music industry. They represent a new era of country outlaws and people are listening. Childers alone pulls in 1.2 million monthly listeners on Spotify without support from an institution such as the Country Music Awards. Country fans are tired of the meticulously marketed pop stars that Nashville produces. Give us someone flawed, someone without a perfect smile, and no $10,000 cowboy boots. Give someone real a chance and perhaps country music can regain some of the respect it once had.

Et Cetera

March 5, 2020

If you’re interested, come to roOm 217 Of psu thursdays @7pm

MOSS BRENNAN EDITOR IN CHIEF

IRA DAVID LEVY ADVISER

EDITORIAL HARLEY NEFE MANAGING EDITOR

SOPHIA LYONS CHIEF COPY EDITOR

BUSINESS

JACKIE PARK NEWS EDITOR

STEVEN CAUGHRAN

CHRISTINA BEALS

BUSINESS MANAGER

SILAS ALBRIGHT

ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGER

A&C EDITOR

SPORTS EDITOR

CALEB GARBUIO OPINION EDITOR

SHELLY BANZ MELISSA ALSUP MARKETING DIRECTOR

MULTIMEDIA SADIE MADDOCK

ANNA MUCKENFUSS

BRENDAN HOEKSTRA

EFRAIN ARIAS-MEDINA JR.

NEWS PRODUCER PHOTO EDITOR

VIDEO EDITOR

GRAPHICS EDITOR

ACROSS 1. Manages 6. Brother of Jacob 10. Badgers 14. Any compound of oxygen 15. Mats of grass 16. Beige 17. Ornamental 19. “Whoopee!” 20. Captivate 21. Crimson 22. 3 in a yard 23. Thin disk of unleavened bread 25. Abstains from eating 26. Cook 30. Decrease 32. Postmortem 35. A witty saying 39. Brain cell 40. Untie 41. Version 43. Accord 44. Swallow 46. A flat circular plate 47. Brag 50. Insect stage 53. Tracks 54. Consumed food

55. Entry 60. Against 61. Mutable 63. Fraud 64. No more than 65. Bounds 66. Protagonist 67. At one time (archaic) 68. Homes for birds DOWN 1. Cypher 2. Beasts of burden 3. Printer’s unit 4. Anagram of “Dome” 5. Goat antelope 6. Eastern Standard Time 7. Evening event 8. Hostile 9. Previously owned 10. Original 11. Pains 12. Welcome 13. Hard fats 18. Genus of macaws 24. Travel through the air 25. Deceptive maneuver 26. Walking stick 27. Tinted 28. Decorative case

29. Very loudly (music) 31. Twirled 33. Dot 34. Kiss 36. Hindu princess 37. Does something 38. Docile 42. _______ nor 43. Estimated time of arrival 45. Besmirches 47. Offensively bold 48. 1/16th of a pound

49. Fragrant oil 51. Muzzle 52. Sea 54. Climax 56. Arrived 57. Wanes 58. Narrow opening 59. Collections 62. Mesh

March 5, 2020

What To Do PAID ADVERTISEMENT

Thursday, Mar. 5 Friday, Mar. 6

Comfort Foods Meridith Church, student voice recital Within Communities of Color Recital Hall, Broyhill Music Center Belk Library Room 114 6-7 p.m. 6:15-7:15 p.m.

Kelsey Parsons, student saxophone recital Recital Hall, Broyhill Music Center 6-7 p.m.

SUBMIT ANNOUNCEMENTS

App News is a service of the Division of Student Affairs. Email editor@theappalachianonline.com for submissions with subject line: APP NEWS PAGE. Submissions should not exceed 100 words and must include the event title, date/time, location and cost, and a contact email, phone and/or URL. Announcements will be edited as needed and will run as space allows. Preference is given for events that are free or have a nominal cost.

The Business of Sport March 5 Peacock Hall

Saturday, Mar. 7 Sunday, Mar. 8

Academic Success Workshop Plemmons Student Union Room 227 1-2:30 p.m.

Entrepreneurship Roundtable Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship Peacock Hall 2:30-3:30 p.m.

App News

App State Wrestling vs. SoCon Championships Varsity Gymnasium 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Monday, Mar. 9

Spring Break

Tuesday, Mar. 10

Spring Break

Wednesday, Mar. 11

Spring Break

On March 5, the Walker College of Business will host the Business of Sport, a one-day event for students, faculty and community members to learn first-hand about this multifaceted industry. Special guests will include Miami Marlins Past President of Business Operations Chip Bowers â&#x20AC;&#x2122;95, GMR Marketing Chief Client Officer Cameron Wagner â&#x20AC;&#x2122;94, App State Athletics Director Doug Gillin, and Greensboro Swarm President Steve Swetoha. They will speak to Appalachian business students during scheduled classes in Peacock Hall and will be present for an afternoon reception in the Walker WORKspace. The reception is free and open to the public. For more information, visit business. appstate.edu/industry-series.

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ROOM 217, PSU THURSDAY 7 P.M. SEE YOU THERE.