October 25, 2018

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THE APPALACHIAN Oct. 26, 2018

NO. 25 TRUMP CABINET OFFICIALS NAMED DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI

FORMER BLACK PANTHER PARTY MEMBERS HOST PANEL DISCUSSION

OPINION: JAMAL KHASHOGGI AND JOURNALISM RHETORIC

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News

Oct. 26, 2018

30,000 pills collected in 11th biannual drug drop-off Moss Brennan ‫@ ׀‬mosbren ‫ ׀‬News Editor

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n Oct. 13, the 11th biannual drug drop-off was coordinated by the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, Boone Police Department, Blowing Rock Police Department, Town of Boone Public Utilities and Western Youth Network of Boone. “Pills were collected at the Food Lion in Boone next to Walmart, the Food Lion located on Hwy 421 South just outside of Boone, the Food Lion location in Blowing Rock, and the Foscoe Fire Department,” Wes Hawkins, Watauga County Sheriff’s Office, said in an email. Hawkins said the departments collected 30,000 prescription and

nonprescription pills and 272.04 ounces of liquid medications. The drop-off started in October 2010 to remove prescription and nonprescription drugs that are no longer in use. “Since the implementation of the Lazarus collection bin at Boone PD, Blowing Rock PD, and the Sheriff’s Office, there has been a decrease in the amount of pills collected,” Hawkins said in an email. Hawkins said this is the average amount they collect during the spring and fall collection date. The next collection date is planned for spring 2019.

DRUG DROP-OFF TOTALS Total of 2369.5 ounces of prescription and nonprescription drugs 21.1 ounces of Opioids 1.5 ounces of stimulants 272.04 ounces of liquid 26.3 ounces of Benzodiazepines

Early voting numbers show engaged campus Moss Brennan ‫@ ׀‬mosbren ‫ ׀‬News Editor

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he first three days of early voting in the Plemmons Student Union saw 1,872 total votes. During the 2016 presidential election, the student union saw 3,233 total votes during the first three days of early voting. Early voting in the student union started on the sixth day of early voting in the county. Voter turnout for the 2016 election in North Carolina was 68.98 percent while the 2014 midterm elections saw 44.02 percent of voters, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections and Ethics

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Day 1

Day 2

Brooks Maynard ‫@ ׀‬BrooksMaynard ‫ ׀‬Sports Editor

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en’s basketball redshirt sophomore guard Michael Bibby is out for six to eight weeks after sustaining a broken foot in practice, according to a tweet from Jeff Goodman, a reporter for WatchStadium.com. Bibby wrote on Twitter that the surgery was successful. If his

Moss Brennan ‫@ ׀‬mosbren ‫ ׀‬News Editor Appalachian Heights’ parking lot before going down Bodenheimer Drive to turn right onto Rivers Street towards State Farm lot. The route will no longer stop at the App State Technology Shelter for safety reasons. Craig Hughes, director of AppalCART, said in an email that the distance between the technology shelter and Blowing Rock Road is not enough to transition from the right lane to the left lane.

2018

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Michael Bibby breaks foot, out 6-8 weeks

State Farm routes changing Oct. 29 he State Farm AppalCART route will run a new route starting Oct. 29. The route is being changed to address overcrowding on the Blue Route and provide service to the App State Child Development Center, according to AppalCART. The route will stop at the Peacock Traffic Light and continue to Poplar Grove Road, turning left onto Feids Way and then right onto Bodenheimer Drive. It will proceed through

Enforcement. “When you’re registering voters your ultimate goal is for them to come out and vote, so when they are voting, it kind of makes it all worth it,” Lee Franklin, junior political science major and Student Government Association director of external affairs, said. Lee said he thinks the voter turnout shows that students are engaged. Early voting continues in Plemmons Student Union until Nov. 3, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The total number of votes in Plemmons Student Union as of Oct. 23 was 2,620.

VOTING COMPARISONS

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“The traffic volumes and amount of traffic backing up from the stoplight make the transition difficult in the short distance from the ASU Technology stop to Blowing Rock Road,” Hughes said in an email. “Our drivers have been voicing concerns about the maneuver, so we felt now was a good time to make the change.” More information on the route change can be found on the AppalCART website.

prognosis is accurate, he could return as early as December, which would be well before Sun Belt Conference play begins in January. The 2018 season is Bibby’s first year of eligibility as a Mountaineer after sitting out last year per NCAA transfer rules. Bibby started his career at the University of South Florida.

New State Farm Route Bus Stops ASU Peacock Traffic Light ASU Child Development Center Feids Way Greenwood Lot ASU Living Learning Center ASU Walker Hall/Bodenheimer Dr ASU Schaefer Center

Day 3


News

Oct. 26, 2018

Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks about human and civil rights Emily Broyles ‫@ ׀‬em_broyles ‫ ׀‬News Reporter

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ifty years ago, Rev. Jesse Jackson stood by Martin Luther King Jr. and fought for justice. Now, Jackson stands by students advocating for civil rights. On Oct. 18, The University Forum Lecture Series brought Jackson’s presentation, “With Justice for All: Human Rights and Civil Rights at Home and Abroad,” to the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. Joy James, committee chair for the university forum, said she feels fortunate that App State had the chance to host the civil rights celebrity. Jackson was featured on AppTV’s “Religion and Life.” “As I was listening to him talk (to students), he’s very profound in terms of how to love people for who they are, rather than their color or gender or orientation,” James said. “He’s truly a legacy to not only what happened in the civil rights movement, but to moving us forward.”

Ashelyn Stevens Rucker, freshman business management major, introduced Jackson before his presentation. “In the 20th century, (Jackson) stood along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and witnessed police brutality, hate crimes and segregation,” Stevens Rucker said. “ In 2018, we are still facing some of the same issues: police brutality, hate crimes, sexism, human trafficking, mass shootings, school shootings, and cultural insensitivity and appropriation.” Stevens Rucker said she hoped the audience would receive Jackson’s message with an open mind and heart. Jackson came out to a standing ovation, holding Steven Rucker’s hand in the air. Jackson opened his presentation with prayer. He said he was in Memphis, Tennessee, where King was killed, the day before coming to App State, bringing back memories of his civil rights move-

ment days. Jackson said the Appalachian Trail reminded him of his days with King on what would be his last birthday, meeting people of all races and working together for a “poor man’s campaign.” Jackson revealed that King had internal conflicts about his power in the civil rights movement. Most times, it wasn’t easy to withstand the responsibility and hate over a huge community. “He said ‘I’m depressed. Maybe I should just quit. We won the Montgomery bus boycott, we won Birmingham, but I can’t quit. I must face what’s in front of me,’” Jackson said. “We grew in unity and keep on marching for justice and peace.” Jackson’s main message in his talk was learning to live together by respecting and treating everyone equally. He said African-Americans were stripped of respect during segregation, so much so it be-

came unphasable. “We learned to survive the part,” Jackson said. “We did not learn to live together, trapped in the limitations of the great divide.” Jackson pointed out that racism is still an issue and that people still tend separate because of skin color. He said race is a gift of God and racism is a gift of the devil. Jackson said that success in anything comes with equality. Jackson mentioned App State’s 2007 victory over Michigan, asking the crowd to join him in an “amen.” As the laughing audience replied to Jackson, he compared the Mountaineers’ victory to the victory for African-Americans during the civil rights movement. “When you win fairly, there’s a joy of winning, a sense of justice,”

Jackson said. “When the playing field is even, and the rules are public, and the goals are clear, and the referee is fair, we can accept the outcome.” Jackson encouraged the audience to repeat his words throughout the talk to solidify meaning and remembrance. This gave students a voice during the speech. There was also a question and answer session after the talk. Nadia Jenkins, freshman nursing major, said she attended the talk for class credit, but left feeling honored to hear from someone who witnessed the struggles of African-Americans first-hand. “In school we learned about the struggles of being black, but it’s never gone into depth,” Jenkins said. “It really opened my eyes even more.”

An Intercollegiate Broadcasting System Radio Station of the Year Finalist

Your college Your station Your music Jesse Jackson speaking about civil rights on set at AppTV Oct. 18. // Photo by Maleek Loyd

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News

Oct. 26, 2018

Follow up: How App State has addressed diversity demands

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Mickey Hutchings ‫@ ׀‬TheAppalachian ‫ ׀‬Photo Editor

Jackie Park ‫@ ׀‬jackiempark ‫ ׀‬News Reporter

n fall 2017, seven App State students wrote a letter to Chancellor Sheri Everts in response to an act on campus by a white nationalist group. The letter closed by saying “In lieu of #NoHateAppState, we want to see Chancellor Everts, Appalachian State University Administration, and The Board of Trustees take active steps towards combating injustice and inequity.” The letter listed numerous demands of the Chancellor, Administration and Board of Trustees, such as publicly denouncing white nationalists and hiring staff members of color and those who are bilingual. “The letter to Chancellor Everts was an action of response,” Diana Feria Mejia, senior communication studies major and one of the seven original authors of the letter, wrote in an email. “It was a response to the lack of action by Chancellor Everts and the administration to yearly antagonization directed towards marginalized communities.” In response to the letter, Everts sent an email directly to the seven students, which said that many of their demands were already being worked on, citing diversity-centric job openings and initiatives already in place. Just over a year later, on Sept. 30, racist graffiti of a Nazi flag was found in a free expression tunnel. “Racist and anti-semitic spray painting in the tunnels and across campus is something that happens every year,” Ariel Green, App State alumna and author of the original letter to Everts, said in an email. “Every year our chancellor puts out a statement that fails to address how she actually plans to protect the victims of hate speech.” Danielle Carter, director of

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Women’s Center celebrates 20th anniversary over tea

Multicultural Student Development, said when hateful acts occur on campus, herself and the associate director of MSD plan and bring in others to strategize about remaining concerns. In addition, MSD is working on plans for a diversity crisis team. “So when things like this happen, there’s already a group of people in place, ready to respond,” Carter said. “I think that would be the most effective way to address it in the moment and then (asking) what does MSD do after that?” Carter stressed all of the resources available to marginalized students at App State like support groups and other programs that create conversation surrounding issues with diversity. “I feel like people don’t understand or know all of the things the university is doing to create an environment that is safe and allowing students to thrive and get an education,” Carter said. Carter also said she personally ensures that marginalized students are succeeding at App State and regularly checks with the students’ professors. “If you aren’t doing what you’re supposed to, we need to talk about that. You aren’t going to slip through the cracks,” Carter said. MSD has a number of staff members who act and aim to encourage diversity at App State by giving students who may feel marginalized resources for living in an unfamiliar environment. “I think our office is proactive,” Carter said. “When stuff happens in the residence halls, we have someone that goes there. When stuff happens on campus, we have a team that goes out. Even Student Affairs overall has a diversity and inclusion team.”

Sophomore Maddie Mullins speaks at the 20th anniversary celebration for the Women’s Center on Sunday. Mullins spoke about what the community center has provided for her. // Photo by Mickey Hutchings

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urple flowers rest in vases surrounded by a circle of black mugs that read, “empowering women since 1998.” The smell of pecan tarts travels through the room. Soft chatter echoes across tables. The occasion was Sunday’s afternoon tea celebration of the Women’s Center’s 20th anniversary in the Parkway Ballroom. Since its conception on Sept. 16, 1998, the Women’s Center has established itself as a hub of community for App State’s female-identifying students, faculty and staff. “The center has been able to bring us so many valuable things, but one that stands out to me is community,” sophomore history education major Maddie Mullins said. “Among

the volunteers, I have met some of the most passionate, intelligent, kind and genuine women. “In a world where girls are brought up to see other girls as competition, it is important to remember that empowered women empower women,” Mullins said. Senior psychology major Jaxeli Martinez emphasized the importance of intersectionality in the Women’s Center. “I was a brown, queer woman who was surrounded by people that were everything but that,” Martinez said. Martinez also said the Women’s Center was the first place where she saw women like her have a seat at the table. “The Women’s Center has made me a more confident, intelligent, inclusive, shameless and loved woman,” Martinez said. Many volunteers applauded the Women’s Center for not only providing community, but giving back to App State. “Anyone who comes into the center leaves having gained something, whether it be a free tampon, or a condom, or a compliment or an encouraging word to get through a tough week,” sophomore education major Kat Ward said. “You leave with

more than you came into the center with.” Catherine Clark said she was surprised there wasn’t a women’s center when she began working at App State in 1996. Clark, professor of human development and psychological counseling, was on the committee that proposed the Women’s Center in 1997. “The Chancellor said ‘I need a proposal on my desk in eight weeks,’” Clark said. “Eight weeks later we handed a proposal to the Chancellor and we asked for $1,200, a computer and a room in the (Plemmons Student) Union.” Those three things were granted, and a year later, the Women’s Center was born on the first floor of the Plemmons Student Union. “This 20th anniversary honestly is a monumental thing,” Women’s Center graduate assistant Hannah Eckler said. “That’s 20 years that women have been able to be together in a safe space that is comfortable for them to talk about what’s happening in the world without judgement. “I think that for the Women’s Center to be on App’s campus for 20 years is phenomenal and hopefully we’ll get another 20 more years,” Eckler said.

Kira Taylor (center), Danielle Carter (right) and others engage in conversation and indulge in afternoon tea treats at the anniversary celebration. // Photo by Mickey Hutchings


News

Oct. 26, 2018

Trump cabinet officials’ Distinguished Alumni Awards

AppKIDS host hygiene and snack drive for underprivileged children

Cameron Stuart ‫@ ׀‬TheAppalachian ‫ ׀‬News Reporter

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rom Sept. 26 to Oct. 31, the Staff Senate committee, or AppKIDS, is hosting a drive to collect hygiene and snack items to donate to underprivileged children in Watauga County. AppKIDS, which will occur on Nov. 30, is an annual event in which the committee provides underprivileged children with clothes, food and donated items, according to the Staff Senate website. “AppKIDS is a one-day event that involves about 130 adult volunteers and 100 children,” Cathy Ziegler, member of the Staff Senate committee, said. Prior to the AppKIDS event, the hygiene and snack food drive will collect those items and monetary donations. “For many years, about threefifths of the money we raised comes from faculty and staff donating money,” Ziegler said. “We have many different fundraisers throughout the year.” The committee spreads the word about the donation process through emails and sending out collection en-

velopes to staff at App State, as well as to local area churches and businesses. The monetary donations are used to fund the shopping event that occurs on AppKIDS day. The committee is shifting away from school supplies and is now putting a focus on hygiene items, healthy food options and recyclable tote bags, Ziegler said. “A couple of us were getting word that the outpouring from the community for other school supply efforts were so successful that the children involved in AppKIDS were getting more supplies than they could use,” Ziegler said. However, Ziegler and other committee members were told by school counselors that students were still in need of new shoes, hygiene items and healthy snacks. AppKIDS has a long history in Watauga County. It was started in 1980 by a civic organization called the Boone Jaycees, Andrea Mitchell said. Mitchell was a member on the committee for over 30 years. If anyone would like to give monetary donations to AppKIDS, checks

Moss Brennan ‫@ ׀‬mosbren ‫ ׀‬News Editor

must be made payable to ASU Foundation, with “AppKIDS donation” in the memo line, and dropped off in the Staff Senate ASU box.

Brock Long is a recipient of a 2018 Distinguished Alumni award. Long is the current director of FEMA and graduated from App State in 1997 and 1999. // Courtesy of Marie Freeman, Appalachian State University Communications

A box full of donations for the APPKids hygiene and snack drive. Acceptable donations include items like shampoo, toothpaste and snack food for children. // Courtesy of Cathy Ziegler

Three academic colleges celebrate 50th anniversary with goods drive Brooke Bryant ‫@ ׀‬laurenbrooke_x3 ‫ ׀‬News Reporter

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pp State’s College of Arts and Science, the College of Fine and Applied Arts and Reich College of Education celebrate their 50th anniversaries by giving back to the community. The three colleges are hosting a “500 for the 50th Goods Drive,” from Oct. 1 and to Oct. 31. The three colleges were formed in 1968 when App State transitioned from Appalachian State Teachers College to Appalachian State University, according to App State’s website. The goods drive focused on the

WHERE TO DONATE

“3 P’s” — personal care items, pasta, and peanut butter and jelly. “We talked with our colleagues in the Office of Sustainability, and we came up with the idea of doing the goods drive that was focused on the ‘3 Ps,’” Heather Brandon, communications liaison for Reich College of Education, said. “Those are some of the most needed items in the food pantry.” The goal of the goods drive is to give back to the community by collecting at least 500 personal care and food items. A few suggested donation items

listed on App State’s website are deodorant, dry pasta, jellies and jams. All items will be stored in App State’s food pantry and the free store, which is located on the bottom floor of East Hall in the Office of Sustainability. “It’s really just the goal of giving something back to the campus community,” Brandon said. Inside the food pantry, nonperishable items, bread, fruit and vegetables are available. Monetary donations are also accepted.

ANNE BELK HALL

LIVING LEARNING COMMUNITY

SANFORD HALL

CHAPEL WILSON HALL

I.G. GREER HALL

VARSITY GYM

GARWOOD HALL

RANKIN SCIENCE WEST

WALKER HALL

KATHERINE HARPER HALL

REICH COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

WEY HALL

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hat do Brock Long and Lt. Gen. Robert Ashley have in common besides being awarded the App State Distinguished Alumni Award by the App State Alumni Association? They are both cabinet officials for President Trump. Long, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Ashley, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, were confirmed to Trump’s cabinet in June and August 2017. Long graduated from App State in 1997 with a bachelor’s of science degree and graduated in 1999 with a master’s degree in public health, according to his FEMA biography. Ashley graduated in 1984 with a degree in political science, according to his DIA bio. Both men were awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award during homecoming week. “I am incredibly honored to receive this award,” Long said. “My time at Appalachian State were some of the best and formative years of my life. The university didn’t just provide me with an education, but the tools and foundation I needed to pursue my passion.” Patrick Setzer, executive director of alumni affairs, said from November 2017 to Feb. 28, 2018, nomination forms were posted online for anyone to nominate someone for one of the three awards. Setzer said the Office of Alumni Affairs receives the nominations. Once

all nominations are compiled, they are shared with the awards committees, which are composed of six to eight members. Long hasn’t gone without controversy as director of FEMA. In September, a Washington Post story detailed how Long used government vehicles on 40 personal trips. “As the leader of this agency, I accept full responsibility for any mistakes that were made by me or the agency,” Long said in a statement on Sept. 21 reported by the Washington Post. His trips, including an aide driving him to pick up his kids at school, cost taxpayers over $150,000, according to the Inspector General Report obtained by the Washington Post. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen ordered Long to pay the government back as appropriate and allowed him to remain on the job. Ashley was made the 21st director for the DIA on Oct. 3, 2017. Ashley also served as the Army Deputy Chief of Staff. He was a senior adviser to the Secretary of the Army and Army Chief of Staff, according to the DIA. “I think one of the things we all share is an absolute love for Appalachian State University,” Ashley said in a video created by University Communications. “I mean the memories that we all have are just incredibly positive.” Setzer said the Outstanding Service Award was awarded to Carole Wilson, class of 1975, and the Young Alumni Award was awarded to David English, class of 2004-06.

Robert Ashley is a recipient of the 2018 Distiguished Alumni Award. Ashley graduated from App State in 1984 and serves as the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. // Courtesy of Marie Freeman

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News

Oct. 26, 2018

Wrinklers’ construction affects Eggers Hall residents Emily Broyles ‫@ ׀‬em_broyles ‫ ׀‬News Reporter

Construction beside Eggers Hall, previously Winkler Hall. // Photo by Vince Fortea

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pp State is known for its natural surroundings, which attract many applicants every school year. Almost 280 residents of Eggers Residence Hall, most of them first-year students, have learned that their living space is polluted by noise. No more than a month after the first day of classes, construction on the multi-building student housing near Stadium Drive began, affecting residents’ adjustment to college. Taryn Crawford, freshman psychology major, said the recent construction has caused stress and adjustment issues as a new student who lives in Eggers. “It's messed up my schedule so bad with the vibrating and the shaking,” Crawford said. “I go to class deprived of everything I need. I’m still adjusting as a freshman and it's just not making the transition from high school and home life to on campus living easy, plus rigorous classes.” Noise, vibrations, water supply shortages and active trucks near the stairs are some of the main concerns and annoyances Eggers residents and resident assistants have. Cara Levin, freshman psychology major, said dust has gotten in her eyes when leaving the building to go to class. Resident assistants have noticed the toll of the construction on their

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residents. Tiffany Huggins, sophomore elementary major and RA, said the construction has damaged Eggers’ community life, making residents turn elsewhere for the comfort of home. “I think that the construction also causes residents to stay out of the building more often, so it is difficult for a community to be built if not a lot of residents stay within the building,” Huggins said in an email. The construction is not coming to a halt anytime soon because it is renovating or replacing seven residence halls: Bowie, Coltrane, Eggers, Gardner, Winkler, Justice and East. Winkler has been demolished, and Eggers will be knocked down in 2019. Residents of Eggers are disappointed that the view they once looked forward to will be out of sight in the coming months or even years. Caroline Pruitt, sophomore public health major and RA, said she misses the hill that stood beside the building where she saw people snowboard, sled and read at their leisure. That hill is now full of trucks, dirt and a fence. “Personally, I think it’s ugly. There’s this great view of campus and ugly construction happening right next to us,” Pruitt said. “I think that affects just people going outside and having a place to go close to the building and accessible, so that’s kind of hindering.”

The new location of Ben & Jerry's is located on King Street next to The Shoppes at Farmers.

New Ben & Jerry’s location set to open in Boone Christina Beals ‫@ ׀‬christinalala_ ‫ ׀‬News Reporter

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ulfilling Cherry Garcia and Half-Baked ice cream cravings will now only take a stroll down King

Street. The former PNC bank building at 671 W. King St. is being renovated into a Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shop and is estimated to open mid-November, Ben & Jerry’s Franchise Development Manager Eric Thomas said. Boone Ben & Jerry’s franchisee, Lee Warden, graduated from App State in 2008 with a recreation management degree and decided to stay in the High Country. “My wife and I have strong ties here. We’ve always wanted to move back to the mountains, so we took a look at what we could do that would be fun and exciting for everybody,” Warden said. “Ben & Jerry’s seems like a brand that fits right in with Boone.”

Warden said he appreciates the issues Ben & Jerry’s cares about outside of its ice cream. “They’re big into climate justice and spreading awareness with that, and using fairtrade ingredients and non-GMO ingredients in their ice cream,” Warden said. The Ben & Jerry’s website features blog posts written about the scientific proof behind climate change and voter ID law facts. Warden said he believes that Ben & Jerry’s will be an exciting addition to the Boone community. “We hope that it will be a fun community spot for everybody – for the students, for the community and for people that come up and visit the High Country,” Warden said. “We wanted to bring something that is fun and unique to Boone.” Warden has not released

plans for a grand opening event yet, but he said he will know more in the near future. After plans for the location were established in February, construction began soon after, Warden said. The Watauga Democrat reported in May that construction would be completed in August, which has been delayed until November. “You know how rainy it is up here in the High Country. That delayed a lot of construction,” Warden said. “They had to redo the front of the PNC bank building, which took a long time. Weather delays brought construction issues.” Warden purchased the building space for $1.1 million and plans for apartments to be built above the store, according to the Watauga Democrat.


News

Oct. 26, 2018

Virginia Foxx runs for seventh congressional term Jackie Park ‫@ ׀‬jackiempark ‫ ׀‬News Reporter

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Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, incumbent Republican candidate for the 5th congressional district. Foxx is running this fall to be elected for the 7th time. // Courtesy of Virginia Foxx

irginia Foxx, current Republican representative for the 5th Congressional District in North Carolina, is running for her seventh term. Foxx refers to herself as others have referred to her: “The hardest working member of Congress.” Foxx first got involved in elected office in 1968 when she was working at App State and was a member of League of Women Voters. She said she attended school board meetings and reported back to the group. “I was at a school board meeting in 1973, and the school board was being particularly incompetent that night,” Foxx said. “This man who was there turned around to me and said, ‘Why don’t you run for the school board?’” Foxx said she felt unqualified at first, but after reconsidering and talking to her husband, she decided to run the following year in 1974. She lost that election, but in 1976, she

said she was the “top vote getter” of the candidates. Foxx said experiences in her early life have been helpful in her lawmaking career. Foxx grew up in a house with no electricity or hot water and two parents with minimal education. Education is an important issue to Foxx; she studied it all through school and has worked as a research assistant, instructor and administrator. Some of this tenure was spent at App State. “My education experience has been particularly helpful to me in my role as chairwoman of the Education and the Workforce Committee,” Foxx said. Foxx said the most gratifying part of her work is helping individual constituents who have run into problems with the federal government. Issues like the economy, renewable energy and taxes are also high on Foxx’s list.

“I’m passionate about anything my constituents bring to me,” Foxx said. Although helping people with individual problems is satisfying to Foxx, she wants to reduce the role of the federal government in the lives of her voters. Foxx said that leaving money “in the hands of the people” and reducing rules and regulations has helped the economy tremendously, but further steps need to be taken. “What we need to do now is develop a technically qualified workforce,” Foxx said. “We have 6.6 million jobs unfilled in this country right now, and for the first time in the history of the country, we have more jobs than we have people to fill them.” Foxx is also in favor of using renewable energy resources. “The unfortunate thing we have now in our country is that renewable energy cannot stand on its own,”

Foxx said. “It is all subsidized by taxpayers, and we have to do something about that.” School safety is also a priority of Foxx’s. She and her committee worked to fund school safety to the highest level possible through the Appropriations Committee. “We’re allowing schools to make the decision as to how to spend that money,” Foxx said. “We didn’t want to tell them to spend it a certain way because every school district is different.” Foxx said her philosophy is to allow for as much local control as possible. “I love representing the people of the 5th district,” Foxx said. “Only a little over 300 women have had the opportunity to serve in Congress, about 12,000 men, so I consider it a great honor, particularly given where I came from.” Foxx is running against Democrat DD Adams in the election on Nov. 6.

Winston-Salem native DD Adams runs for Congress Anna Muckenfuss ‫@ ׀‬Noel1122 ‫ ׀‬News Reporter

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o stand up for the citizens of the 5th Congressional District, prioritize jobs, education and healthcare, DD Adams, Winston-Salem native, is running for congress. Adams is now in her third term on the Winston-Salem town council, Diane Harney, a spokeswoman for Adams, said. The role has allowed her to ask questions and listen before acting. “It is time to put people first. Our legislators are serving the needs of major corporations and donors, not our citizens,” Harney said in an email. “We have so many problems that are solvable if Congress has the will.” Adams said she wants to prioritize jobs as a congresswoman because she believes the U.S. is facing massive income and wealth inequality. She said the district needs living wage jobs. “I would endorse raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour,” Harney said in an email. “While this may be done in steps, I will work for that increase as soon as I arrive in Washington, D.C.”

Adams’ spokeswoman said she wants to provide access to credit, develop a well-educated workforce and create a tax code that rewards making investments and provides good-paying jobs. Adams said school spending is among the largest needs of the district, and that the current federal programs school districts use are not enough. “They aren’t effective and efficient; therefore, there are various pending bills and federal programs in the pipeline that can provide aligned funding for community schools,” Harney said in an email. Adams believes the healthcare system has two issues: cost and access. “The cost of healthcare is too high. Ultimately, we need to move to a single-payer system,” Adams’ spokeswoman said in an email. “The first step is to shore up the Affordable Care Act and to make sure all states sign onto the Medicaid expansion.” Other actions Adams will promote are the use of community health workers to provide education, the increase of funds for non-profit health-

care organizations and higher education and financial incentives for those serving underserved areas. Adams also hopes to address gun control, her spokeswoman said. “Until we have workable national regulations, we will be unable to address gun violence, because local regulations are inadequate,” Harney said in an email. “As a gun owner, I support the Second Amendment, but it is not an absolute right for anyone to own a gun.” Adams supports the 24-hour waiting period to purchase a handgun and reinstatement of the assault rifle ban. Adams also wants to ban high-capacity clips and bump stocks, and eliminate protections for gun manufacturers. “We follow safety procedures with cars, why not with guns?” Harney said in an email. “With 310 million guns in the U.S., we must take common-sense steps to avoid tragedies.” Adams is facing Republican Virginia Foxx in the Nov. 6 election. The 5th Congressional District incumbent has been in office since 2005. “My opponent has consistently

voted with Trump even when it hurts North Carolina. She votes for tax cuts for the rich and votes against legislation that would allow access to qual-

ity healthcare and education,” Harney said in an email. “Voters should choose DD on Nov. 6 because she stands for the District, not donors.”

Democratic candidate for the 5th congressional district seeks to unseat incumbent Virginia Foxx in November. // Courtesy of DD Adams

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News

Oct. 26, 2018

Incumbent Diane Deal seeks to bring new technology to office Emily Broyles ‫@ ׀‬em_broyles ‫ ׀‬News Reporter

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assionate about bettering the lives of others and keeping her home close to heart, Diane Deal, Democrat, is running for reelection for Clerk of Superior Court. “I love my county. I love the people that I work with everyday,” Deal said. “I enjoy the interaction with the public, with all the attornies, the judges, my staff, but mostly with the people that come into my office.” Deal has worked in the Clerk’s office for 30 years. Born west of the county, Deal said she values family and hometown traditions. She makes sure to spread her App State pride wherever she walks, especially in the office. “My staff came to me and said, ‘We don’t have any court tomorrow, can we wear blue jeans and our App State shirts?’ and I said, ‘Sure you can!’” Deal said. “We needed a dress down day, and I said, ‘I’m gonna wear my App State T-shirt!’”

Deal said she has had many interns from App State, mostly criminal justice majors, that have benefited from the program. They learned about numerous duties the Clerk of Court is responsible for, including hearings and record-keeping. Deal said she is thankful not only for the fun she has in her office, but for the voice she has to solve inconveniences of the government and people of Watauga by communicating with others. “The clerks across the state of North Carolina are working diligently to put in place some technology where we will be able to take electronic filings,” Deal said. “There will be a much more updated, automatic system for our civil and criminal estates.” Deal said she hopes to bring this technology to her office and to assist the public with the tool. She said the change will take a couple of years and wants to be in office when it happens.

Judy Jones, a former co-worker of Deal’s for 24 years, said she believes Deal has done an exceptional job as clerk and brings her confidence to the office. “She has a basis there,” Jones said. “She’s extremely reliable, her work is of great value. She’s a person you can always count on.” Charles Clement, a lawyer in Boone since 1972, has known Deal for almost 20 years. Clement said Deal’s knowledge and preparation of law maintains part of the traditional system the Watauga government already has. Besides serving the county as clerk, Deal operates a Christmas tree farm she started 30 years ago and is married with a daughter and grandchildren. Deal is running against Travis Critcher, Republican, for Clerk of Superior Court.

Incumbent Democrat Diane Deal at work as Clerk of Court. Deal hopes to keep her seat after the elections next month. // Courtesy of Diane Deal

Travis Critcher to bring diverse portfolio to Clerk of Court

Rachel Greenland ‫@ ׀‬rach_greenland ‫ ׀‬News Reporter

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Travis Critcher is the Republican candidate for Clerk of Court, looking to unseat incumbent Diane Deal. // Courtesy of Travis Critcher

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fter serving in leadership and service roles at Samaritan’s Purse domestically and internationally for over 20 years, Travis Critcher is running for Clerk of the Superior Court for Watauga County. As an App State alumnus and fifth generation Watauga County resident, Critcher said he is passionate about service and leadership in the area he calls home. “Service is a way to demonstrate concern and love for people,” Critcher said. Through Critcher’s role at Samaritan’s Purse, he said he ex-

ercised his leadership abilities and learn about multiple industries, including international logistics, print production, event planning, and legal rights and commissions. “If elected to Clerk of Court, I feel like I would learn the depths and the technicalities of that role quickly, like I have with other industries as well,” Critcher said. Critcher said the position of Clerk of Court holds a variety of responsibilities, which he said he believes his experiences have prepared him for. According to the Watauga County website, there are four duties of the Clerk of Court:

comptroller, administrator, record keeper and judge. Critcher said he believes he can fulfill these roles because he has managed budgets up to $10 million, practiced customer service, led office staffs and practiced proper processes and made unbiased, impartial decisions. While the Clerk of Court is not typically identified with a party, Critcher said it is a position that matters to the people and that these areas require experience, impartiality and confidence. Critcher said he can offer a broad and different perspective to the court through his internation-

al experiences. He has traveled to over 51 countries and experienced a variety of cultures, ethnic groups and religious affiliations, so he said he believes he can relate to many people. “I would just encourage students to understand that there are many areas of government and politics that aren’t really partisan, but we just need good, competent, passionate leaders in place to do the right thing,” Critcher said. Critcher, Republican, is running against incumbent Democrat Diane Cornett Deal on election day, Nov. 6. Deal has held office since 2010.


News

Oct. 26, 2018

David Blust seeks to keep App State grads in Boone Christina Beals ‫@ ׀‬christinalala_ ‫ ׀‬News Reporter

David Blust, Republican candidate for Watauga County Commissioner. // Courtesy of David Blust

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epublican candidate David Blust is running for the Watauga County Board of Commissioner s to represent District 4. Blust, 62, began attending App State in 1972 and majored in health and physical education with a psychology minor. After Blust graduated and married his wife, in 1981, they remained in Boone with their three sons. Blust was elected to the Board of Commissioners three separate times in 2002, 2010 and 2014. “I love serving the citizens of this county. I really enjoy helping people cut through the red tape of government. I also love being a good steward of their tax money,” Blust said in an email. As a County Commissioner, Blust said he would work to keep taxes low while providing the best services possible for citizens, such as heavier police protection. “We need to provide armed resource officers in each of our schools.

The Sheriff’s Department needs two to three new road officers. We need to keep our citizens safe,” Blust said in an email. Blust wrote in an email that he agrees with the notion of letting voters vote on a bond referendum to improve Watauga County school conditions. The bond referendum would fund an estimate of $99.6 million in school needs over the next 13 years, according to the Watauga Democrat. Blust said in an email that he recognizes the importance of App State graduates staying in Boone. “(I want to) keep this economy rolling in the right direction so that we can continue to bring good jobs here so that students who want to stay here when they graduate can have an opportunity to secure these jobs,” Blust said in an email. Blust said in an email that he has been a part of various organizations in Watauga to better connect with constituents. Blust is a former 10-year mem-

ber of the North Carolina Jaycees’ Boone chapter. The North Carolina Jaycees is a volunteer organization for 18 to 40-year-olds to participate in community activities that encourage professional and personal growth, according to its website. Blust is a former club manager of Hound Ears Club, a family-oriented, private community that offers activities such as golf and swimming to its members, according to their website. Blust attributed his experiences with the Boone Jaycees and Hound Ears Club to gaining experience in dealing with budgets, serving people and problem solving. “(I have) been on many, many boards and commissions over the years,” Blust said in an email. “This has allowed me to see and interact with many of our citizens and see their needs and concerns.” Election Day is Nov. 6, and Blust is facing Democrat Larry Turnbow for Watauga County Commissioner.

Veteran Larry Turnbow wants to see recreation center completed Anna Muckenfuss ‫@ ׀‬noel1122 ‫ ׀‬News Reporter

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arry Turnbow, veteran of the U.S. Army and retired environmental microbiologist, is running for reelection as Watauga County Commissioner. Turnbow said his main goals are to improve schools, build a recreation center and create sustainable jobs in Watauga County. “My desire is to not raise taxes anymore,” Turnbow said. “I want to evaluate the needs and look at long term what we need to do. Most of what we need to do is good money management.” As a County Commissioner, Turnbow assesses the needs of the county and directs funds to fit those needs.

In Watauga County, the majority of the budget goes to education, which is over 50 percent, Turnbow said. The second largest budget allocation is to the sheriff’s department and safety. The rest is for employee salaries, benefits, deeds, tax assessments, the court system, etc. When Turnbow ran for election the first time in 2016, he ran specifically for the creation of a recreation center. The recreation facility has been discussed for 40 years, Turnbow said. “I have always been in favor of a recreation facility because it helps our community stay healthy,” Turnbow said. “It gives alternatives to kids instead of sitting in front of a computer or getting involved with drugs or alco-

hol.”

Turnbow said the goal of developing a local recreation center is within reach. The County Commissioners broke ground at the Old Lowe’s facility on Oct. 16. A virtual walkthrough of the recreation center is available on Turnbow’s Facebook page. Turnbow said he also hopes to develop jobs that are sustainable such as computer programming and IT specialists. “We are going to, as a county, in the next 10 to 15 years, grow in population to 10,000,” Turnbow said. “Having good paying, sustainable jobs here is what we need because we currently don’t have anything like it, and it will keep us from increasing taxes.”

Turbow said he wants to improve schools in Watauga County. “We have schools that are 60-70 years old and we haven’t had any plans to replace or repair the school infrastructure,” Turnbow said. “I’d like to get us moving in the direction of taking care of our schools.” Turnbow is running against David Blust, who he defeated in the previous election. “I am thoughtful and look at all sides of an issue,” Turnbow said. “I do my homework and research and make the best decisions that I can for the citizens of this county.” Democratic candidate for Watauga County Commissioner, Larry Turnbow. // Courtesy of Larry Turnbow

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Arts and Entertainment

Oct. 26, 2018

new book club flips the page on traditional reading experience Camryn Collier ‫@ ׀‬xxxtigers ‫ ׀‬A&E Reporter

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ith a love for a freshly printed book in hand, sophomore co-founders biology major Miranda Schaefer and English major Gryffin Winkler couldn’t let another moment go by without a book club of their own. “I’ve been part of book clubs before, and it’s always nice to discuss and even debate characters and issues in the books,” Winkler said. “It’s also great to learn different perspectives on a book that you didn’t know were there.” Although both founders like sticking to traditional styles, after creating Appalachian Book Club, they hope to keep things simple while also deviating from the norm.

Most book clubs have a sole leader who decides how the book club is run. Even though ABC is in its early stages, the leaders don’t plan to run it as a literary dictatorship. Schaefer said the club will run as a democracy, with members voting on genres, books, meeting times and activities outside of discussion. Based on a poll during one meeting, most members of the club prefer to read fantasy, young adult fiction and classics. To help include all genres, however, the club has decided to stick to a basic, consistent voting format. During the first meeting of each month, members vote on a specific genre. At the next meeting, members are encouraged to bring a suggestion

for a book from the genre. During that meeting, a vote will finalize the book for the month. In the spirit of Halloween, the genre this month is horror, and the club is reading “Penpal” by Dathan Auerbach. Though the basics of the club are sorted out, the constitution for the club, which includes rules and mandates, has not been solidified. “We have a template for everything that we want to be in the constitution. Now, it is just a matter of taking our ideas and putting it in writing form,” freshman computer science major and ABC vice president Riley Harbert said. One thing that has been solidified for the future is to reach out to the greater community outside of the

regular book club discussions. Popular ideas among members are book drives, author talks, movie showings and traveling to elementary schools to read to the students. “We really want to foster a deep emergence in books, and especially for other people who may not be apart of the club,” Schaefer said. “For book drives, we can donate our books to schools and libraries who really need them.” ABC also wants to cultivate a love for reading that may be lost by students who don’t have time for recreational reading with heavy textbook readings and busy schedules. “I would say 75 percent of people don’t read for enjoyment in college, and that’s why the book club is

important,” Schaefer said. “Reading can open you up to new knowledge in your field, but it can also just help you learn new things in the genre we’re reading. It’s just so important.” The book club has around 40 members who meet on Mondays and Fridays. ABC does not have any running social media or websites. Membership is open to people across campus who love books. “Books have always been there for me,” Schaefer said. “I moved around a lot when I was younger, and whenever you move to a new school you don’t have friends automatically, and the books were there to be my friend and keep me company when no one else would.”

‘the schaefer center presents’ highlights a variety of cultures Christine Dudley ‫@ ׀‬TheAppalachian ‫ ׀‬A&E Reporter

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he 2018-19 season of “The Schaefer Center Presents” kicked off on Oct. 5 with Shovels & Rope, a husband and wife folk duo from South Carolina. Junior middle education major Dorothy Williams said she was thrilled that Shovels & Rope came to campus. “It was a great concert. If you like folksy or bluesy music, you would like them,” Williams said. “They each play multiple instruments and harmonize together so well.” On Oct. 19 at 7 p.m., the North Carolina Symphony performed with the Cherokee Chamber Singers and the Hayes School of Music’s Appalachian Symphony Orchestra. The program included works by Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland and William Brittelle. Brittelle composed “Si Otsedoha (We’re Still Here)” to acknowledge and pay homage to the Cherokee Nation, according to the program. Anna Gaugert, director of marketing and public relations at the Schaefer Center, said the series tries to make connections to events on campus.

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“Recently in the international hall they put a Cherokee Nation flag, so there are some connections with the Cherokee people that Appalachian is trying to do,” Gaugert said. Schaefer Center staff could not find an artist from Australia or New Zealand to come while the “Art From Down Under: Australia to New Zealand” exhibit is displayed in the Turchin Center. However, “APPlause,” a companion series to “The Schaefer Center Presents,” booked Didgeridoo Down Under for Nov. 1. “APPlause” allows more than 8,000 K-12 students across the region to see matinee performances for free or low prices. Gaugert said she is excited for Ballet Folklórico de México to perform Nov. 14, especially because they have not visited App State in 11 years. Based in Mexico City, this folkloric ballet ensemble features authentic costumes and music in their performances, according to the Schaefer Center’s website. “The United States and Mexico relations are such a topic,” Gaugert said. “A lot of things have changed politically and culturally, and so I’m

excited to have them on campus and really expose the community to what they have to bring.” Students can see Ballet Folklórico de México for $5, which is the lowest price for any of the shows this season. Non-students who live in Watauga, Ashe or Avery counties can get a discounted ticket for $15. “We’re really hoping that gets community members, students on campus, faculty and staff coming to that event,” Gaugert said. Along with price accessibility, another goal of the Schaefer Center is to provide a wide range of performances. “We’re really trying within different genres to also have different subgenres than those, and really expose the community to different tours and not just those popular events,” Gaugert said. The Schaefer Center seeks out international artists to enhance cultural awareness. Ballet Folklórico de México and The World of Musicals are international groups in the series this year. Denise Ringler, director of arts engagement and cultural resources at the Schaefer Center, said in an

email that “The Schaefer Center Presents” contributes to the university’s mission of enhancing global learning and awareness. “We like to say we’re a ‘window on the world,’” Gaugert said. “We try and show what’s out there, but bring it to Boone and make it accessible to everybody.” Gaugert admitted that it is difficult to convince well-established performers to come to Boone, because it does not have an airport nearby. “As soon as we put an offer in and they hear that they have to drive two hours once they arrive on plane and through the windy mountain road, they’re like nope, not worth it,” Gaugert said. Despite difficulties in booking well-established artists, the Schaefer Center tries to book performances people want to see. Gaugert said they love to receive suggestions on which performers to book. The Schaefer Center has a large notepad backstage where anyone can write suggestions. Gaugert has also done audience surveying with Student Government Association and Appalachian Popular Programing Society in the past, ask-

ing, “What artists would you suggest? What day of the week is the better one to come to performances? What time? How much are you willing to spend on tickets?” As a member of the booking team, Gaugert said a great deal of thought was put into planning this series, right down to the name. The series, formerly called the “Performing Arts Series,” was renamed “The Schaefer Center Presents” to honor the new facility, according to its website. Gaugert emphasized that “The Schaefer Center Presents” and “APPlause” are designed to expose as many people in the High Country to the performing arts as possible. “We just really want to explain to people the excitement of a live performance, being in a performing arts center, and being with other audience members and watching something together,” Gaugert said. “It’s just a magical thing, and if you haven’t seen that for a while or if you’ve never been exposed to that, I say give it a chance and you’ll feel that energy.” For event and ticket information, visit the Schaefer Center website.


Arts and Entertainment

Oct. 26, 2018

changes to hatchet coffee alter customer experience Laura Boaggio ‫@ ׀‬TheAppalachian ‫ ׀‬A&E Reporter

“Specifically, something that would involve food and beverage and would allow folks to spend more time or a different part of their day here,” Parlier said. Parlier and his business partner both knew Hatchet co-founders, Jeremy Parnell and Jeremy Bollman. “I guess over a course of conversation he came through and saw that this space was going to be available,” Parlier said. “It really kind of worked out because Hatchet has an outdoorsy, kind of adventurous aspect in terms of marketing.” Parlier said the companies are fortunate in the overlap of customer appeal. Customers come in looking for the climbing gym and stumble across Hatchet’s coffee shop and vice versa. “A huge percentage of folks that

come in here to climb either start their day or make frequent trips while climbing to get coffee,” Parlier said. Parlier said the relationship will remain strong between the two businesses because Hatchet’s new location is still within the “little neighborhood area.” Alongside this location change, Hatchet has also recently partnered with Pop Up Boone by hosting the artisan market in its roastery. Pop Up Boone had a collection of 36 local artist’s work for sale at this monthly show. It will be having its next event on Nov. 17 and Nov. 18 at Hatchet Coffee, according to Pop Up Boone. Ascanio said the event would benefit Hatchet because a whole community of people would be coming to the area for handmade goods and might stop to buy coffee as well.

The new location of Hatchet Coffee, which will share space with its roastary. The location is right accross the parking lot from its original location, which is connected to Center 45. // Photo by Anna Muckenfuss

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atchet Coffee is moving locations to a building across the parking lot from its current shop. Center 45 Climbing and Fitness will absorb Hatchet’s space. The building is located next to its roastery and will include a preparation kitchen in the rear, a coffee bar lining the back and extended hours. Dominic Ascanio, head barista, said Hatchet plans to sell wine, beer and possibly desserts in the future. “We’ve had days, and they’re becoming more consistent weekend days, where the line is from the coffee bar out past the gym doors,” Ascanio said. Seats in Hatchet are frequently filled on weekends and weekdays, Ascanio said. Hatchet needs an established cafe to offer more to its customers. The current setup of Hatchet can be confusing to customers, Ascanio said. “We’ve had people who walk in, are confused about where the coffee is

and turn around and leave,” Ascanio said. Hatchet Coffee has a lounge area upon entering, and the coffee bar is in the back of the shop. Ascanio said that even when employees put up signs pointing customers in the right direction, some stayed confused. Hatchet plans to move to the new building in stages during renovation so the establishment doesn’t have to close. “After we close one night, we’ll wheel everything over the next morning, that’s the plan,” Ascanio said. Ascanio said Hatchet Coffee is fond of its current location and wants to stay there. Hatchet Coffee is located off of Bamboo Road, inside Center 45 Climbing and Fitness. Other businesses have clustered downtown, so having Hatchet Coffee located away from that area can be a nice break for customers, Ascanio said. “You can kind of create whatever feel you want because you’re not surrounded by a ton of other things,”

Ascanio said. Center 45 will take over the space once Hatchet moves. The climbing gym rents one section of the building to Hatchet. Aaron Parlier, co-founder and general manager of Center 45, said the company plans to keep Hatchet’s space as a lounge area for climbers, but will change the coffee bar into a smoothie and juice bar with energy-replenishing snacks. “You can start your day with coffee and come in here, get a workout in and then end with something that helps with recovery,” Parlier said. Parlier said many students come to study and work out during their breaks, so the lounge area will remain an area where they can do that. “If they’re working on a report or something, you know being able to do something active while giving your brain a mental break,” Parlier said. When Center 45 opened, it wanted to incorporate another business unrelated to climbing or fitness, Parlier said.

1. Patrons taking a Polaroid photo at Boone Pop Up amongst the bustle of shopping. Shoppers could take a Polarioid for $1 at the event. 2. Hardy Arts displays ornate wooden sculptures. 3. Halloween-themed felt pieces by Rosy Cheeks Artwork displayed for sale. // Photos by Mickey Hutchings

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Arts and Entertainment

Oct. 26, 2018

Black Panther

traveling exhibit features panel with former members Cadesha Clarke ‫@ ׀‬theappalachian ‫ ׀‬A&E Reporter

Barbara Easley Cox offers advice to students after the panel discussion. During the Q&A, Cox encouraged students to seize the opportunity to speak to “living history” through the former Black Panther Party members. // Photo by Haley Canal

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he Center for Judaic, Holocaust and Peace Studies hosted a panel discussion on Oct. 17 with three former members of the Black Panther Party. The panel was a supplement to

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the traveling exhibit constructed by Suzun Lucia Lamaina, photographer and college professor. Lamaina spent five years documenting the lives of former Black Panther Party members across the country, including the panel discussion members.

The photographic essay, “Revolutionary Grain: Celebrating the Spirit of the Black Panther Party in Portraits and Stories,” is on display on the first and fourth floors of Belk Library from Oct. 15 to Dec. 15. Barbara Easley Cox, of the Inter-

national Section; Billy X Jennings, of the Central Headquarters in Oakland, California; and John R. Hayes, known as “Ras John,” of the Winston-Salem chapter were part of the discussion. They discussed the history of the Black Panther Party, the Black Free-

dom Struggle of the 1960s, domestic and international activism, and its community programs, such as free breakfast and medical clinics. A packed room welcomed the former members for their panel discussion. Cox said she always counts the number of black people and people of color in the room at any event she does. “I was (a) little disappointed in the numbers,” Cox said. She said she was, however, impressed by the number of white students in attendance, who were paying attention and asking questions after the panel discussion. Jennings said he expected to provide App State students with rare insight and an outlet to learn from former members. “They might have heard some negative stuff, so this is a chance for them to ask questions and find out the truth,” Jennings said. Hayes said he wanted help students understand more about the Black Panther Party. He said he wanted students to know that members of the party are alive and willing to answer questions. “We’re still alive here today to tell the story and it’s no small matter that we’re still alive,” Hayes said. Jennings believes that advances in technology have caused the relationships among black people, people of color and the police to get worse since the 1960s. “The police have not relinquished any of their power whatsoever; they still can get away with anything,” Jen-


Arts and Entertainment

Oct. 26, 2018 nings said. “But the thing about now, there are people in different parts of the community who are standing up because there is now the same police brutality in their community.” The legacy of the Black Panther Party thrives in pop culture, according to the former members. They said since the release of the motion picture “Black Panther” in February more young black people wear traditional African garments such as Dashikis and clothing with Black Panther Party symbols on them. “Culture is a weapon,” Cox said. Jennings said he was impressed by the books and films that are telling the story of the Black Panther Party. “The recognition is finally coming. The burden we’ve been bearing for 50 years is bearing fruit in this particular generation,” Jennings said. The members said they don’t think the methods and ideologies of the Black Panther Party that were formed in 1966 would be received well in 2018. “You can’t put a square peg in a round hole because times are different,” Jennings said. “The stuff that you wore 10 years ago, I know you wouldn’t be wearing it again. The consciousness of our people has risen to a higher level.” Jennings also said that the New Black Panther Party is not associated with the Black Panther Party of the 1960s. “The party from yesteryear, gun toting and stuff, wouldn’t fit into the situation,” Jennings said. “That’s why the New Panthers ain’t never going to be about nothing. They don’t have an ideology, they don’t have a philosophy, they’re trying to go on what we did 50 years ago.” The Black Freedom Struggle of the 1960s has not changed in this modern era, only the wording has changed, according to the members. Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale founded the Black Panther Party in October 1966. They wrote a set of guidelines for the party called the Ten-Point Program. Jennings said the demands of the program are still relevant. “First thing: ‘We want freedom. We want power to determine the destiny of our black community. So today,

we’d say we want empowerment. Just change the words, but it means the same thing,” Jennings said. Along with the 48 national chapters of the Black Panther Party, thee International Section was represented. Cox said the section had a huge responsibility for the four Black Panthers representing the party and African-Americans in Africa. “We were given a (of) lot prestige and favoritism, but in America, the chapters were going through shoot ‘em outs, lockups, beatdowns, mysterious deaths, and we didn’t have that over there,” Cox said.“I didn’t realize it at the time but in hindsight, going back now, African-Americans were a novelty.” Jennings said the International Section of the Black Panther Party helped connect struggles and revolutions happening across the world. “The impact of the Black Panther Party was so international,” Jennings said. “Out of our embassy there became Polynesian Panthers, they became Aboriginal Panthers. There was a group called the Israeli Panthers. There were different groups around the world that related to the Black Panther Party.” The Winston-Salem chapter of the Black Panther Party was the first and the strongest in the South. Former member Hayes said it is because it was always on the frontlines and took the causes no one else wanted to touch. Hayes said the Winston-Salem chapter is known for preventing police from evicting a white woman from her home in its community. “They went to her house and set everything out in the doggone snow, so we went down to the house and put everything back in the house,” Hayes said. “And when the sheriff came, we were standing up with guns like ‘No, you’re not messing with this woman, get away from here.’” Winston-Salem’s chapter was also the only one to have an ambulance service that would pick up black people in the community. Jennings said Black Panthers across the country were proud to see pictures of the Winston-Salem chapter’s ambulance service in the Black Panther newspaper. “There was no such thing as

‘can’t,’” Hayes said. In September 1968, FBI director J. Edgar Hoover said the Black Panthers were “the greatest threat to the internal security” of the U.S. “It’s a misleading statement. What about the mafia? They’re in every state,” Jennings said. “The Black Panther Party only had 48 chapters. It was a racist move to justify what they (are) getting to do to us.” The Black Panther Party began its Free Breakfast for Children community service program in January 1969. By the end of the year, the party was feeding over 10,000 students. “I remember when that statement was made by Hoover and I was like, ‘What does that really mean?’” Cox said. “But it was the breakfast program that really was a threat because you had young children learning our songs, marching, so that was one of the things that they came after us about.” The members want young activists to know the struggle is not over and that they can still learn from the Black Panther Party. “As long as we’re still looking (at) things in terms of black and white there will always be a struggle,” Hayes said. “You have to study, know what you’re talking about, know the history of the problem and what you’re trying to project. When you go out to the community, be prepared to deal with the people,” Jennings said.

Cox signs a poster for a local family. The event lasted for a long time after the discussion, providing attendees with the opportunity to speak to Panthers one-on-one. // Photo by Haley Canal

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Arts and Entertainment of parts of yourself on stage,” Siler said. Not only is the play unique in its focus on group dynamics, but it is also unique in its portrayal of teenage females, Marty said. “One of the things I probably love most about this play is that teenage girls in the media are almost always displayed in very stereotypical ways,” Marty said. “That is not the lived experience of most teenage girls.” The all-female cast also portrays female athletes as “a topic that is not explored a ton in the media; especially in a healthy, real way,” Siler said. To exhibit a highly realistic cast of female characters, the soccer team discusses a wide variety of topics on stage. Defying a long-time stereotype, the girls touch on much more than attractive boys or teachers they don’t like. Some of the characters are Tucker Wulff ‫@ ׀‬TheAppalachian ‫ ׀‬A&E Reporter dealing with difficult personal strugfter the recent production major, said. “It feels like real conver- gles throughout the show and others try to defuse serious topics, much like of “The Laramie Project,” sations, like real teenagers.” Written in an unconventional real people. comes the Department Global issues are another topof Theatre and Dance’s style, the play does not follow one next main-stage production, “The single plot structure, but rather at- ic of discussion amongst the team, Wolves.” “The Wolves” is a Pulitzer tempts to present a set of deep char- which further contradicts the stereoPrize Finalist by Sarah Delappe. The acters who develop through interac- type of teenage girls. The play is “also about being a play follows a high-school girls’ soc- tion with one another. As opposed to trying to decipher middle class American,” Marty said. cer team through warm-ups before the overall narrative, members of the “There is this kind of undercurrent games. Purple jerseys flood the stage audience should instead choose to fo- of trying to figure out how to process lined with astroturf as scene one and cus on what most interests them in these horrible things that are hapthe play, Paulette Marty, director and pening to people who are different warm-up one begins. than you.” Each player brings a unique professor of theatre, said. Non-female-identifying and “There’s no wrong thing, no and realistic personality to the team. Many of the players have formed wrong character to be paying atten- female-identifying individuals alike will relate to and resonate with the complex relationships with one an- tion to,” Marty said. Joy Siler, cast member and play in this way. other through several years of play“A lot of the problems that the sophomore theatre performance maing soccer together. “It’s pretty accurate to real life I jor, said everyone will have their own characters deal with are not specific think,” Catherine Selden, cast mem- distinct takeaway from the show. It’s to women,” Siler said. This play “is ber and freshman general theatre going to be like seeing “a reflection for everyone.” The two month rehearsal process has been different than most productions for not Don only members of ’t kn the cast, but also st? ay? o y l o o l ww uw members of the Fee your w ant h d production team. to b at n i f e? ’t Marty mentioned n a “For young and old, we all need to know.” C feeling especialTalk with Rita. ly comfortable at rehearsals for this Ava our i y production. l a b w help le to Members of kno t, or o w t ith the cast apprecint resen p a r a oble l W st, p ated the first two ms. l pa future? weeks of rehearsals in which they (828) 457-5134 went through 133 Boone Docks Rd, Boone, NC 28607 in-character im-

Oct. 26, 2018

“THE WOLVES,”

a realistic look into the lives of teenage athletes

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Psychic

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Ashton Pesterfield (left) and Delaney Marion (right) portray soccer players No. 7 and No. 14 in “The Wolves”. // Courtesy of Lynn Willis

provisations. This helped the cast to resonate more with their characters and to display their intricacies and depth, Selden and Siler said. Throughout the process, actors have also learned more about themselves. “I definitely feel like I’ve learned stuff about myself and about my 16-year-old self that I really didn’t think of before,” Selden said. Due to the athletic nature of the production, cast members have also had to get into top physical shape. Each scene of the play takes place throughout the team’s soccer warm-ups and the actors will be doing a workout designed by Austin Pack, coach from Two Rivers Community School, while performing. Though the production has been difficult, it has also been rewarding for the members involved, Selden and Siler said. “It’s a lot of work, especially fitting it into our schedules with classes and everything…I’m grateful I got to do this,” Selden said.

“The Wolves” premieres on Oct. 26 in I.G. Greer Hall. In the I.G. Greer Studio Theatre, the audience sits very close to the stage. During the show, members in the audience can see the slightest change in the facial expressions of the actors. This provides a very intimate setting between the audience and the performers, Marty and members of the cast agreed. “(It’s the) perfect space for this play--to be that close is really great,” Marty said. “The Wolves” promises to provide a unique experience for each audience member, as a window into reality for many teenage girls is opened, Siler said. The production will accent how “teenage girls aren’t always what you think they are,” Selden said. “I feel like that’s a good story to tell.” “The Wolves” will be performed from Oct. 26-Nov. 3, excluding Oct. 31. Tickets are available for students for $7 and the general public for $12.


Sports

Oct. 26, 2018

Senior transfer Porter

takes Sun Belt by storm Franklin Bogle ‫@ ׀‬TheAppalachian ‫ ׀‬Sports Reporter

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ast season the App State volleyball team finished 12-20 overall with a 6-10 record in the Sun Belt Conference. This year the team is 15-7 overall and 7-3 in the Sun Belt, putting them in first place in the East division. A big reason for this season’s turnaround is senior North Carolina State University transfer Becky Porter. Porter, a starting setter, has recorded 797 assists so far this year, averaging 10.63 per set, making her second best in the Sun Belt. She has found a home at App State, and said she loves it in Boone. Dynamic is different here. I love it,” Porter said. Porter credits her teammates for her success this season.

“There is a lot of opportunity to get assists because I set the ball every time it comes to my side,” Porter said. “I try to make the most of each play, get it to our hitters to put it away.” Her sets aren’t the only benefits Porter brings to the table. Head coach Matt Ginipro, who has been at App State since 2007, credits Porter for being a leader. “She got here in January and within a month the team looked to her as a leader. Becky has been a huge difference for us,” Ginipro said. Ginipro said he knows the team was fortunate to get Porter this offseason, adding that it’s hard for most players to transfer as a senior, leaving them only one year to play.

However, he knew Porter wanted to be on the court, and reached out to her and some of her former travel coaches in Charlotte. “We knew she wanted to play, and she was familiar with our program. To have a six feet, two inches tall setter with three years of ACC experience is huge,” Ginipro said. Porter isn’t the only star for the team this year. She has helped lead a group of sophomores who Ginipro calls a “big part of the team. They got older, and had a lot of experience as freshmen.” This group includes outside hitters Lexi Kohut and Grace Morrison, libero Emma Riley, and middle blocker Kara Spicer. Ginipro also noted that junior

outside hitter Emma Longley has been healthy for the first time in her career, having missed much of her first two years to injury. Longley leads the team with 291 kills, many of which come from Porter’s assists. App State took on Coastal Carolina Oct. 19-21, winning both matches. On Oct. 19 they swept Coastal, winning three sets to none. Ginipro said he allowed his players to make their own scouting reports for the games this weekend, allowing them to be better prepared for their opponent. On Oct. 19, Porter had a teamhigh 33 assists, playing in all three sets. Longley finished with a gamehigh 12 kills, all of which came off of Porter’s assists.

On Oct. 21, the Mountaineers entered their matchup with Coastal having flipped the script in the East division of the Sun Belt, leading Coastal by half a game. They strengthened their lead on the division with a 3-2 win and now have an overall record of 15-7 and 7-3 in Sun Belt play. Porter played a big part as always in Sunday’s win, posting a match-high 49 assists. Her strong play continues to propel App State forward. “I hope she ends with awards and a Sun Belt championship, and I think she is leading us there,” Ginipro said. App State plays next on Oct. 26 at home against South Alabama.

From Manhattan to the Mountains Brooks Maynard ‫@ ׀‬BrooksMaynard ‫ ׀‬Sports Editor

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istorically, App State has been considered a “run-first” football team. There have been a number of talented running backs who have come through the Mountaineers’ program, such as Kevin Richardson (2004-07) and Marcus Cox, the school’s all-time leading rusher (2013-16). Even the most talented quarterback App State has ever had, Armanti Edwards (2006-09) had only 12 more passing attempts than rushes in his career. With stats like these, it can be easy to forget the wide receivers and the passing attack. But the 2018 Mountaineers have made the passing game an unforgettable part of their offense, in large part due to the two newest members of the group. Redshirt sophomore Corey Sutton and graduate student Dominique Heath both come to App State by way of Kansas State University

in Manhattan, Kansas, where they started their college football careers. Heath, a Charlotte native, was with the Wildcats for four seasons including a redshirt year in 2014. Between 2015-2017, he made 95 receptions for 947 yards and seven touchdowns before making the decision to transfer to App State. “When I came up here on a visit, I just felt the love,” Heath said. “It felt really genuine. I just felt the love, I could feel it in the air. I knew Corey (Sutton), I knew (Clifton) Duck from Charlotte. I just felt like it was a good fit for me.” The fit has been a success so far this season, with Heath currently second on the team in receiving yards and touchdowns. He is also tied for seventh in the Sun Belt in receiving touchdowns. Corey Sutton leads the Mountaineers in receiving yards by nearly 200 and has the most touchdowns

with four. He is currently tied for eighth in receiving yards and fifth in receiving touchdowns in the Sun Belt Conference. He also has the longest reception of the year for the Sun Belt, coming on his 90-yard touchdown catch against the Charlotte 49ers. His stats with the Mountaineers come in stark difference from his numbers with Kansas State, where he appeared in 11 games, making four receptions for 54 yards and no touchdowns. While playing for the Wildcats, he never caught more than one pass in a game. As a Mountaineer, he’s made at least two receptions in four out of six games, including a career-high six catches against Penn State in the season opener. Corey Sutton said his decision to transfer to App State was heavily influenced by his parents, who are both alumni. “I’ve been familiar with App for

a long time, you know both my parents went here,” Corey Sutton said. “I’ve been coming to the games since I was really little. My dad played with Coach Satterfield and Coach Ivey.” Clarence Sutton, Corey’s father, was a safety at App State from 199395 before signing a contract with the Chicago Bears. In addition to Satterfield and Ivey, he also played with the Mountaineers’ current co-offensive coordinator, Shawn Clark. “I just wanted to come somewhere safe,” Corey Sutton said. “Transferring, you don’t want to go anywhere it might not work out, because then you’re stuck. I wanted to go somewhere I was familiar with, where I knew the culture.” Justin Watts is in his fourth season as wide receivers coach and knows firsthand the differences Heath and Sutton have made on the field. “Dominique is one of only two

seniors in our group,” Watts said. “He has a lot of experience. Corey is just a natural route runner. They’ve both played before in big time games and both bring dynamic speed to the offense.” Last season, the Mountaineers averaged 7.9 yards per pass attempt and completed approximately 60 percent of passes. So far this season, App State averages 8.55 yards per attempt and has completed 63 percent of their passes, a testament to the talent Heath and Corey Sutton have brought to the field. But according to Watts, the key is not in their natural talent but in their dedication and work ethic. “They’re both smart, conscientious players that are passionate about the game of football,” Watts said. “They come into meetings ready and prepared to learn and they’ve picked up on the offense well. They’re a joy to coach.”

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Sports

Oct. 26, 2018

Junior linebackers

lead the defense Franklin Bogle ‫@ ׀‬TheAppalachian ‫ ׀‬Sports Reporter

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ct. 9 at Arkansas State, the App State football team won 35-9 behind a commanding defensive performance. As a team, they limited Arkansas State to only 317 total yards while forcing three turnovers. The defense was anchored, as it has been all season, by the linebacking core, led by junior linebackers Akeem Davis-Gaither and Jordan Fehr. Both Davis-Gaither and Fehr recorded 14 tackles against the Red Wolves, and Fehr also had a sack. Their 14 tackles is the highest of any Sun Belt player in a single game this season. Davis-Gaither was named defensive player of the week by CollegeSportsMadness.com, and Jordan Fehr was named defensive player of the week by SouthernPigskin.com while also picking up the honor of being named Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week. Davis-Gaither said it is great to be recognized, but credited the award to an overall team effort. “It felt good, but without my teammates it would have never happened- them fitting the right gaps and the coaching- us practicing hard every single day it just happened that I got 14 tackles.” Davis-Gaither now has a teamhigh 54 tackles on the season and

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said his continued success comes from a team mentality of “competing against each other.” “We are all out there trying to get that tackle, chasing to get it,” Davis-Gaither said. “We are just competing against each other. We really play more against each other than we do the other team.” Fehr said his weekly routine ensures his individual performance is as good as it can be, allowing him to help his team as much as he can. “I keep up the same routine every week, stay in the film room and work hard every single practice. It's the same routine every single week,” Fehr said. “You got to stay in your habits and keep working hard- stick to the fundamentals. That’s what we harp on- just playing hard and doing your job.” Overall, Fehr said he shares the same “team first” mentality as Davis-Gaither, crediting his teammates and coaches for his success this season. He even said he joked with Gaither-Davis about being named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week. “I told him he should have got it or we should have been co-defensive players of the week,” Fehr laughed. “But I know Akeem will get one soon.” The Mountaineers’ defense is only allowing opponents 15.7 points per game, according to

ESPN. They are the eighthbest scoring defense in the country. Fehr attributed this to inner-team competition. “We compete everyday in practice trying to see who can get to the ball first. As a unit we work really well together,” Fehr said. “That’s a big thing, as we grow together we compete together so come Saturday we’re all trying to make the plays and find our assignments so we come together like a puzzle.” On Oct. 20 the defense kept up its winning ways. They limited Louisiana to just 17 points, despite the Ragin Cajuns 36 point per game average. The linebackers played a big part in this- with Davis-Gaither recording 15 tackles and Fehr 8. With this win the Mountaineers now move to 5-1 on the season and entered the top 25 AP poll for the first time in school history. A big part of this ranking is the linebacking core, that looks week to week as to not lose focus. “We don’t pay attention to ranking. We just do what we do every single week, and we know that if we keep winning we will keep moving up,” Fehr said.


Sports

Oct. 26, 2018

Football voted to top 25 for first time in history Brooks Maynard ‫@ ׀‬BrooksMaynard ‫ ׀‬Sports Editor

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Sophomore running back Darrynton Evans rushed for 183 yards and scored a touchdown during Saturday’s 27-17 victory at The Rock. // Photo by Vince Fortea

fter receiving a school record 79 votes in the Associated Press Poll, the App State football team ranked among the top 25 teams in the country for the first time in school history, coming in at No. 25. Last week, they were unofficially ranked No. 29 after receiving 51 votes, a record at the time. “It’s great recognition of the work that we’ve been doing here,” head coach Scott Satterfield said during his Oct. 22 teleconference. “I’m just really happy for our school, the alumni and all the people who have helped make this happen.” The ranking comes after the Mountaineers’ 27-17 victory at home against the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns on Oct. 20. The ranking ties for the highest ever for a Sun Belt team after

Troy’s appearance at No. 25 for one week during the 2016 season. App State also received a school record of 78 votes in the Amway Coaches Poll, good for an unofficial No. 26 ranking. This is the first time App State has been ranked among the top 25 in a major poll since the first week of the 2013 season, when they were ranked No. 21 in The Sports Network Poll during their last season at the Football Championship Subdivision level. The Mountaineers have won their last five games consecutively, outscoring their opponents by a score of 231-49. App State is currently top 10 in the nation in points per game (44.8), yards allowed per game (294.8) and is tied for first in special teams touchdowns with four. Going into last week, they were the only team in the

country to appear in the top 11 for scoring offense, scoring defense, total offense and total defense simultaneously. App State will defend their ranking Oct. 25 on the road against longtime rival Georgia Southern. To date, no Sun Belt team has stayed within the top 25 rankings for longer than one week, so the Mountaineers can make more history if they beat the Golden Eagles and stay in the rankings. Only two other “Group of Five” teams are currently ranked, including the University of Central Florida Golden Knights, which went undefeated in 2017 and received the annual Group of Five bid to the College Football Playoff New Year’s Six bowls, taking down Auburn in the Chickfil-A Peach Bowl.

men s basketball media day

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asketball season is approaching, and the Mountaineers men’s basketball team held media day on Oct. 17 and were able to shed light on some of their early points of emphasis for the season. The team finished 15-18 overall and 9-9 in Sun Belt play, which was good for a sixth place finish in the conference. “It’s great to be back,” head coach Jim Fox said. “Our guys have been working extremely hard since the end of last season.” The Mountaineers are returning 13 players including four out of five starters. They are led by All-Sun Belt senior guard Ronshad Shabazz, who led the team in scoring and assists. Leading rebounder, junior Isaac Johnson is ready to step into his role as a team leader. “I just have to be more confident,” Isaac Johnson said. “As each year went on I shot better and I shot

Zack Antrum ‫@ ׀‬zantrum1 ‫ ׀‬Sports Reporter more consistent, so each year I just try to be more confident in what I can do.” The starting lineup also welcomes back senior forward Tyrell Johnson and sophomore guard Justin Forrest. Tyrell Johnson led the team in blocks and Forrest had an impressive freshman campaign where he averaged 13.5 points per game and led all freshmen in scoring in the Sun Belt. Newcomers point guard Adrian Delph and power forward Breki Gylfason are two skilled freshman who have the potential to make a big impact on the court in their first year. Delph is a smooth scorer who averaged 22.4 points per game his senior year of high school. Gylfason, a native of Iceland, averaged 7.3 points per game for Haukar Hafnarfjordur in the Domino’s League and helped his country reach the final eight of the 2017 FIBA U20 European Championship. Transfer guards, junior Joseph

Battle and redshirt sophomore Michael Bibby will also see the court after sitting out last season due to NCAA transfer rules. They both bring Division 1 experience from Tulsa and South Florida, respectively. Battle will play right away, but Bibby will have to wait a little longer after injuring his foot in practice several days ago. He’s expected to be out around 6-8 weeks. “Mike is a still a big part of what we’re going to do this year,” Fox said. “The second conversation I had with him was to get your butt in gear. The team needs you back and the program needs you back.” The Mountaineers will open their season against Mars Hill on Nov. 6 at the Holmes Convocation Center before traveling to Alabama. The team will also play feature in the Charleston Classic, where it will face Purdue and either Wichita State or Davidson. The tournament will be broadcast on ESPN 2.

2017 MEN’S BASKETBALL STATS POINTS PER GAME: 76.4 REBOUNDS PER GAME: 39.1 ASSISTS PER GAME: 12.5 BLOCKS PER GAME: 3.5

13 RETURNING PLAYERS 7 SENIORS 3 JUNIORS 3 SOPHMORES

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Sports

Oct. 26, 2018

Jimmy Smith Maranon Natalie Broome ‫@ ׀‬NatalieBroome13 ‫ ׀‬AppTV Correspondent Vincent Fortea ‫@ ׀‬TheAppalachian ‫ ׀‬Staff Photographer

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1. A rock displaying a plaque dedicated to Jimmy Smith and the services he provided to Boone. 2. The Jimmy Smith Maranon took place at the corner of Depot and Rivers streets. 3. Rob Gelber, general manager of AppTV, runs in the maranon. The run was located only a few feet away from Gelber’s office in the Beasley Media Center. 4. Runners race to the end of the maranon finish line. Participants received a maranon bib and a .00333 miles sticker.

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Opinion

Oct. 26, 2018

TREAD ON ME: DON’T CAP STATE INCOME TAX

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Q Russell । @Q_M_Russell । Opinion Editor

IRA DAVID LEVY ADVISER

MANAGING EDITOR

JULES BLAYLOCK CHIEF COPY EDITOR

MOSS BRENNAN NEWS EDITOR

MARIAH RENEAU A&E EDITOR

BROOKS MAYNARD SPORTS EDITOR

Q RUSSELL OPINION EDITOR

PATRICK MCCABE IN-DEPTH EDITOR

SYDNEY SPANN

VISUAL MANAGING EDITOR

MICKEY HUTCHINGS PHOTO EDITOR

EFRAIN ARIAS-MEDINA JR. GRAPHICS EDITOR

LOGAN BERG VIDEO EDITOR

BRAXTON COATS WEB EDITOR

BUSINESS

EDITOR IN CHIEF

VICTORIA HAYNES

MULTIMEDIA

NORA SMITH

EDITORIAL

axes are the lifeblood of America. Without them, it would be impossible for the government to get anything done. Taxes pay for schools, infrastructure, police services, fire services and other social services. That’s why it’s distressing that the North Carolina State Legislature has referred a constitutional amendment to the ballot lowering the maximum allowable state income tax from 10 percent to 7 percent. Currently, North Carolina has a flat income tax rate of 5.499 percent. This is in addition to the federal income tax rate, which differs depending on the tax bracket an individual’s income falls into. Ninety-seven percent of legislative Republicans supported this measure, while 95 percent of legislative Democrats opposed it. Initially, the state Senate wanted to cap the rate at 5.5 percent, but the House Finance Committee set it to 7 percent. This is, for lack of a better term, absurd. As of 2018, North Carolina ranks 37th in the nation for teacher pay and 39th in the country in per-pupil spending, according to the National Education Association. On average, North Carolina teachers make a little over $50,000, nearly $9,000 less than the national average. Teachers are the backbone of society. If teachers are not paid an adequate amount, they’ll go somewhere else. When North Carolina teacher pay is as low as it is, how can parents be sure that their children are getting a quality education? With the state income tax rate being so low, and potentially capped at the rate of 7 percent, it’s almost certain that North Carolina teachers won’t receive any meaningful increase in income. What’s even more absurd about this cap is the decision to enshrine it in the Constitution. Even a basic understanding of economics says that economies are always changing. They shift dynamically, and, in order to keep them healthy, legislators must be able to respond to them as they shift. Putting this tax cap in the Constitution will rob future state legislators of the ability to pull in more funds as needed. This cap is short-sighted and narrow-minded. People’s income wouldn’t be taxed as much, but income taxes aren’t the only form of taxation. In the future, should a state legislature need more money, it could choose to increase either income or property taxes, leading to an unbalanced tax structure. No one wants to pay taxes much in the same vein that no child wants to eat their vegetables. But much like vegetables are good for growing bodies, so too are taxes for a healthy state. Therefore, remember to vote against the North Carolina Income Tax Cap Amendment.

CRISTIAN MCLAUGHLIN BUSINESS MANAGER

STEVEN CAUGHRAN

ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGER

MELISSA ALSUP MARKETING DIRECTOR

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Opinion

Oct. 26, 2018

Negative rhetoric toward journalists will countinue to incite violence

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Mariah Reneau ‫@ ׀‬reneau2 ‫ ׀‬A&E Editor Moss Brennan ‫@ ׀‬mosbren ‫ ׀‬News Editor

ournalism keeps those in power in check. When those in power get scared, they lash out and retaliate. For Jamal Khashoggi, that cost him his life, and if the rhetoric surrounding journalists continues, he won’t be the last journalist killed. Khashoggi, a Saudi dissident journalist who wrote columns for the Washington Post and lived in Virginia, walked into the Saudi consulate in Turkey on Oct. 2 and has not been seen since. Early Saturday, the Saudi government acknowledged, via a tweet from the Saudi Foreign Ministry, that Khasshogi was killed in the consulate. They said the death was the result of talks that escalated into a fight. The statement said 18 Saudi nationals have been detained. On Oct. 17, the New York Times reported Khashoggi was dead within minutes of walking into the consulate. He allegedly had his fingers chopped off and was beheaded and dismembered all within two hours of walking into the consulate. The story cites a senior Turkish official describing audio recordings of the killing. A Saudi doctor of forensics

helped dispose of the body. The doctor advised those present to listen to music to ease the tension of their work as they were dismembering him, according to the Turkish official with knowledge of the recording. The details of Khashoggi’s death are gruesome and should make every journalist afraid. He is not the first, and will not be the last, journalist to die because of their work. At a Trump rally in Missoula, Montana, Trump talked about Rep. Greg Gianforte body-slamming a reporter and joked that he was worried it would hurt Gianforte in the election. He changed his mind. “I think it might help him and it did,” Trump said. CNN reporter Jim Acosta posted on Twitter about the effect Trump’s jokes about Gianforte had on the crowd. “I saw one young man in the crowd making body-slam gestures. He looked at me and ran his thumb across his throat. I talked to him after the rally was over. He couldn’t stop laughing,” Acosta said in the tweet. Over the summer, five members of the Capital Gazette Newspaper in Maryland were killed in a mass shooting.

The Committee to Protect Journalists keeps track of how many journalists have been killed each year. So far in 2018 the number is 45 worldwide. The rhetoric surrounding media and journalists today is harmful and will lead to more deaths. The President calling journalists the enemy of the people and praising someone for body-slamming a reporter is dangerous. Although it’s easy to get wrapped up in the constant anger and hate of politicians, it’s also important to acknowledge that this is a perfect example of shooting the messenger. Journalists do not do their job to be liked by Trump or any other politician, foreign or domestic. In fact, because journalism was initially created to hold politicians accountable, it’s no wonder so many high-ranking officials don’t like them. There’s a difference, however, between disliking a person’s job and using harmful language that will cause journalists themselves to be further harmed. It’s time for the President, foreign countries and the American public to stop threatening and injuring journalists, and respect the work they do.

JOURNALISTS KILLED IN 2018

Obeida abu Omar Jan Kuciak Abadullah Hananzai Omar Ezzi Mohammad Jefferson Pureza Lopes Abdul Manan Arghand Orkhan Dzhemal John McNamara Abdul Rahman Ismael Yassin Paul Rivas Bravo Juan Javier Ortega Reyes Abdullah al-Qadry Ramiz Ahmadi Kamel abu al-Walid Ahmed Abu Hussein Rob Hiaasen Kirill Radchenko Ahmed Azize Sabawoon Kakar Leobardo Vazquez Atzin Aleksandr Rastorguyev Saleem Talash Leslie Ann Pamela Montenegro del Real Ali Saleemi Samim Faramarz Maharram Durrani Angel Eduardo Gahona Sandeep Faramarz Mario Leonel Gomez Sanchez Bashar al-Attar Mohammad al-Qadasi Shah Marai Carlos Dominguez Rodriguez Musa Abdul Kareem Shujaat Bukhari Gerald Fischman Mustafa Salamah Wendi Winters Ghazi Rasooli Navin Nischal Yar Mohammad Tokhi Ibrahim al-Munjar Nowroz Ali Rajabi Yaser Murtaja Jamal Khashoggi

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The Broyhill wind turbine at Appalachian State was installed in June 2009. It stands at the highest point on campus at 755 Bodenheimer Road. // Photo by Veronica Hayes

Duke Energy to Invest millions in the Carolinas Frank Batts ︱@TheAppalachian ︱Opinion Writer

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uke Energy has outlined plans to invest $500 million in battery storage projects in North Carolina over the next 15 years. These advancements will put the company at the forefront of sustainability with the ability to store renewable energy. As of 2017, Duke owned, or had under contract, over 6,400 megawatts of wind, solar and biomass and had approximately 185 megawatts of battery storage in service, according to Duke Energy. As of now, North Carolina has only about 15 megawatts of battery storage capacity in operation. One benefit of battery storage is security. “Wind and solar are primarily associated with being alternatives to coalfired power and natural gases, but they are unreliable because there isn’t any power produced when it’s not windy or sunny.” Randy Wheeless, media relations for Duke Energy, said Battery storage allows for continuous investment in renewable energy and storage of the power collected, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. “If you want to have a lot of renewable energy and meet demands through the course of the day and the evening when customers need it, you’ll need to be able to store that power and release it when it’s needed,” Brownie Newman, chairman of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, said in an interview with Citizen Times. The importance of battery storage for the grid is essential. “Battery storage has a lot of bene-

fits such as the ability to capture power and store it for when you need it, but it also provides a lot of benefits to the grid,” Wheeless said. “As the energy grid continues to add renewable energy where it can be very intermittent and go up and down very quickly, sometimes batteries can lend grid support making the energy grid more reliable.” Duke Energy, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, prides itself on being a sustainable company and shows growth with annual highlights. “Since 2005, we have lowered our carbon emissions by 30 percent and hope to get it up to 40 percent by 2030 … We’ve also closed a number of our coal-fired plants replacing them with natural gas,” Wheeless said. At App State, sustainability is a standard value. Several programs around campus pertain to sustainability, such as the solar vehicle team, zero waste and solar panels. App State’s commitment to sustainability is known nationwide for leading the path to a cleaner tomorrow. During the Appalachian Energy Summit this past year, “a whopping $311 million saved through energy efficiency and renewable energy since the summit began in 2012” throughout the UNC school system and it is on track for “energy savings of $1 billion in utility costs by 2020 and $2 billion by 2025.” It is clear that the university and the student body are devoted to bringing the planet back from the brink of collapse, with the iconic Broyhill windmill serving as a symbol to the promise of sustainability that won’t soon be broken.


Opinion

Oct. 26, 2018

VOTE, EVEN IF YOU THINK IT’S DUMB Letter to the editor

By Jack Grimes, president of Boone Democratic Socialists of America

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’ll admit that my political background and beliefs do not line up with my upbringing. I was raised in southern Pennsylvania in close proximity to Gettysburg, a deep-red, rural county with nearly as many Confederate flags as Union graves. My high school did its best to present a balanced and objective worldview, but the people teaching us were people who lived there — and so our economics teacher defended Reagan, our world cultures class was shot through with American exceptionalism and so on. And yet, here I am, a junior in college and a staunch leftist. The wave of political acceleration we’ve seen since 2016 has shaped people’s ideas and thoughts in radical ways. My journey from voluntarily ignorant to liberal to socialist has remolded a lot of things I believe about the world and clarified the root causes of America’s endless strife and anger. But, something I have yet to see remolded is my earnest belief in democracy. Is the American electoral system weighted, flawed and at times outright hostile to the working voter? Yes. Is it maintained by a ruling class whose ultimate goal is to reduce the lower castes who provide their wealth to voiceless cattle? Also, yes. Are capitalism and democracy incompatible at the basest level? That’s a third yes. But I still vote. America’s two big parties occupy nearly the same ideological spot on

the spectrum. Although there are differences in social policy and presentation, both the modern Democrats and Republicans are what philosophers would call “classical liberals,” who both believe in upholding capitalism and the broken, oppressive power structure it creates. Neither party, as the capitalist ruling class is able to fund so many elections, is willing to come out against them and to many leftists, that’s a failing of the two-party system. For some, this failing is so total, such a travesty of classical democracy, that they abstain completely, opting to make change in more academic or more direct ways. So much of the radical left (and, more openly, the radical right) is embroiled in a fog of negativity. The further from the falsely sunny center you stray, the harsher and darker worldviews become. This isn’t to say that pessimism reigns in these areas— a mantra of modern socialism that I believe unshakably reads “A better world is inevitable”— but there’s a loss of faith in the current system. And for that reason, a lot of local leftists are dismissive about voting. It’s seen as a smokescreen, a veneer of democracy over a system that, at its core, defies the will of the many in favor of the ultrarich elite. And, having read the philosophy and the history and the principles of anticapitalism, I can see all these flaws and acknowledge them, and I understand that for the government to reflect the will of

the governed, we need to make some radical changes. And yet, here I am, double-checking my registration and marking on my calendar when early voting opens at the student union. I’m handing out registration forms and encouraging as many people as I can reach to do their part. Most students, no matter what they believe, understand the principle that those who don’t vote have no right to complain. It’s not so hard to convince them to turn out — point at the state of things and say, “Hey, no matter which way you want things to go you probably agree they’re not great right now, so put your name down on this form and slip a ballot in the box and get a sticker.” It’s the radicals I have the hardest time convincing. To people who have already read the stairway of books by increasingly esoteric, dead Europeans and now understand reality as an ongoing battle of abstractions and dialectics, voting is a waste. Things have only truly changed through mass revolt, they say, and voting is a pacifier in the mouth of the potential beast that is the American poor. As radicalized as I become, and as many of those books as I read, I continue to carry a torch that in a shoddy political cartoon of myself would be labeled “DO WHAT YOU CAN.” In this moment and in this place I’m playing an organizational short

game. This is true of all “moderate” leftists. Would I like to see Lenin’s utopia realized and a classless society emerge in which people are reunited with the products of their labor and each truly gives according to their abilities and takes according to their needs? Yeah, sure. Do I believe that such a grand transformation is practical overnight? Absolutely not. I represent the moderate, surface-level left that has been (to nationwide excitement) increasing its electoral presence as of late. Just months ago, young Democratic-Socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez beat 10-term incumbent Joe Crowley in NY-14, a success echoed in state and local races across the country — Virginia, North Carolina, Michigan, Arizona and Hawaii. In the age of Trump, when conservatism has finally shed its civil veil to reveal that it is, in fact, an ideology built on paranoia and on protecting oppressors of all kinds, the awakening of America to the idea that things could be different— indeed, could be a hell of a lot better— is beginning to show signs. Are those signs well within the system we should eventually seek to replace? Yes, sure. But how else should a revolution start? America has reached a pivotal intersection in the fabric of class, society and government, and the decisions we make and people we elect in the next five or 10 years will shape the new era of West-

ern ideology. That’s exciting! It’s absurd to treat the chance to influence the next century of policy in the most powerful nation on Earth as a chore, no matter how you want to steer the ship. Even when the palette of options you’re handed isn’t what you want, go with the best you’ve got. My strategy is, and will always be, to vote as far left as I can. If there’s a socialist running who’s got a decent shot (like here in Boone?) great, there’s my vote. If not, I’ll vote for a centrist Democrat if I need to, or even an ineffectual, bland conservative over a screaming, gun-flailing nutjob (like back home). I admire and respect those pushing for radical change and direct action, but I see no harm in setting those goals against a backdrop of gradualism. So my plea to the radicals of all stripes is to vote. Participate in the system no matter how harsh your critique of American democracy; because a true reformist will use every scrap of leverage they’ve got to push their agenda. Maybe you don’t think of voting as a great option, and in many cases I’d agree. But here and now, in the short game, it’s the best option available, and we must collectively take it as a step toward the future we want for this country. Finally, while I’m up here on this platform, I’d like to endorse DD Adams for senate, and Anybody Who Is Not Jim Jordan for State House.

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Et cetera

WITCH WORD BY NEIL AGNEW

Oct. 26, 2018 Down 1. Unwanted email 2. “____ here” (Stern call to a misbehaving child) 3. Plenty 4. Artwork in many a cathedral 5. Halloween decoration 6. New NYSE listing 7. Type of dance common to country-western settings 8. Unite 11. Mustang model 14. Cease 18. Fight-ending punch 19. Hours in WY 20. Trade pact the U.S. pulled out of in 2017 21. Peanut Butter Cups provider* 22. McKellen of “The Da Vinci Code” (2006) 24. Work unit? 25. Latin “se” preceder 26. Ying and yang Chinese philosophy 29. Hearsay

Across 1. Confidence game* 5. Defraud 9. Ralph Lauren shirt 10. Mocking 12. Famous Cookie 13. Evening, in entertainment industry slang 15. Referring to itself 16. Expensive shirt brand and English college 17. Couple, romantically 20. With 28 across, Halloween phrase...or what each starred clue is 23. Labor Day mo. 27. Swee’ ____ (lovable “Popeye” character) 28. See 20 across 31. Suppressed, with “up” 33. Mushroom 34. Amalgamates 36. The “D” in FDR 37. Bewitch 38. Cut, as in a photograph

10*19 ANSWER KEY I R E N E

R 26 A 28 M 31 E N

L O L A

F 11 R 13 A T

33 20 15 1

21 2

A C E O Y D A P agnewnb@appst 12 D E O C R I M P 14 O R S A O R T A 16 R T I M E 17 18 19 A M I I T 22 23 24 25 B B O N S P O T 27 I E L R E I G N 29 30 T L Y E N A G 32 T Y M L K E I 35 N E S T I P O 34 3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

T H E C OV E R : Redshirt sophomore running back Darrynton Evans drags his tackler against Louisiana. // Photo by Vince Fortea

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Friday, Oct. 26

Saturday, Oct. 27

Sunday, Oct. 28

Monday, Oct. 29

“Ant Man and the Wasp” 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. I.G. Greer

Swim Club home meet SRC Pool noon-5 p.m.

Volleyball vs. Troy 12:30 p.m. Holmes Convocation Center

Education Career Fair 12:30-2:30 p.m. Holmes Convocation Center

Volleyball vs. South Alabama 6:30 p.m. Holmes Convocation Center

Outdoor Programs: Half-Day Rock Climbing ($25) SRC noon

Women’s Soccer vs. Little Rock 1 p.m. Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex

A Taste of Dialogue: Cultural Appropriation and Party Culture PSU, Parkway Ballroom Parkway Ballroom -- 6 p.m.

“The Wolves” 7-9 p.m. I.G. Greer Studio Theatre

App-R-Us noon-3 p.m Sanford Mall Halloween Bash 7-11 p.m. Legends

“The Wolves” 7-9 p.m. I.G. Greer Studio Theatre First Descent: Whitewater Rafting Trip ($50) Meet at Outdoor Programs 7 a.m.

Fight for Flint Charity Gala 6 p.m. PSU, Solarium

“Ant Man and the Wasp” 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. I.G. Greer

Tuesday, Oct. 30

Wednesday, Oct. 31

Thursday, Nov. 1

Friday, Nov. 2

Wrestling Black and Gold Match 6 p.m. Varsity Gym

Education Abroad Fair 11 a.m.-2 p.m. PSU, Grandfather Ballroom

Gaming Club 5 p.m. PSU, Linville Falls

App’s Got Talent 6 p.m. Legends

Group Fitness Instructor Interest Meeting 6:30 p.m. SRC

Collegiate Recovery Meeting 5:30 p.m. Wellness and Prevention Services

6 p.m. SRC Climbing Wall

“The Wolves” 7-9 p.m. I.G. Greer Studio Theatre

SGA Senate Meeting 6:30 p.m. PSU, Linville Falls

Costume Cardio Dance 8 p.m. Quinn Recreation Center

Habitat Build Kick-off 6 p.m. PSU, Rough Ridge

Volleyball vs. Georgia State Holmes Convocation Center 6:30 p.m.

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