inside: Election special section
pages 8-17
THE APPALACHIAN Nov. 2, 2018
THREE ACTS OF HATE IN THE HIGH COUNTRY. ELEVEN PEOPLE KILLED IN SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING. HIGH COUNTRY FAITH LEADERS REACT.
UNC SYSTEM PRESIDENT RESIGNS
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WHERE LOCAL CANDIDATES STAND ON ISSUES
PAGES 10-11
ZOMBIES INVADE BELK LIBRARY
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News
Nov. 2, 2018
Sanford Mall preachers spark free speech conversation Connor Beatty @ ׀TheAppalachian ׀News Reporter
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reachers pass out pamphlets on Sanford Mall, spreading the word of God and reciting the gospel. As students gather around, an act of free speech turns into hostile shouting when beliefs clash. Sanford Mall is known for its wide-open space and for students relaxing between classes. Evangelical preachers gather on the mall in small groups to preach, but often face backlash from the student body. App State police observe the scene to ensure safety for everyone while taking complaints from students. “As a university, we encourage the sharing of different ideas and beliefs,” Andy Stephenson, director of public safety and chief of police, said. “It is our job to make sure people are safe, seen and heard.” “Preachers have a right to be seen and heard just like everyone else,” Stephenson said. “Preachers make general statements toward the public about their belief and what God has dictated they should say.” There is no violation of free speech until harassment, obscenity or threats toward an individual or group have taken place, Stephenson said. “Fighting words and directly insulting an individual are not protected under the First Amendment,” Stephenson said. “Any language that would provoke a violent reaction can be classified as fighting words or threats.” Legally, harassment has only taken place when an individual or group has been repeatedly targeted and threatened. Stephenson said many students have reported acts of hate speech by the preachers on the mall. Although people may not agree with or like
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University of North Carolina System President Margaret Spellings (left) and Chancellor Sheri Everts (right) stand in front of the Yosef statue with Yosef. // Courtesy of press release A demonstrator lifts a sign in protest of Michael Brown’s visit to App State during the spring semester. Protestors believed his religious rhetoric contained discriminatory messages. // Photo by Mickey Hutchings what the preachers have to say, their right is protected under the First Amendment. “Hate speech is protected speech, but threats are not,” Stephenson said. “For example, we would have to treat a white supremacy group just like any other group.” Daniel Smith, a North Carolina volunteer preacher with a campus ministry group from California, said people should be allowed to speak their mind no matter where they are, but said some people take it too far. “I don’t think free speech should interrupt class time,” Smith said. “But, free speech is protected under the Constitution.” Smith said many campuses, such as UNC, have free speech zones, but ultimately public universities should
allow free speech anywhere. Smith said he knows people pay to come to App State, but students should still be exposed to different cultures in the process. Smith’s group’s only mission is to spread the word of God with no intention of harming or harassing anyone in the process, according to the campus ministry group. Stephenson said police make sure events are not disrupted. Issues only arise when there are counter-protesters with opposing viewpoints who want to silence the other group. “Our mission as a police department is to provide security and ensure people can voice their opinions, despite the content of the speech,” Stephenson said.
UNC System President resigns Moss Brennan | @mosbren | News Editor
U
NC System President Margaret Spellings announced that she is resigning, Spellings said in a press conference on Oct. 26. “All leaders are for a time,” Spellings said. “Times change, and those changes demand new leaders and new approaches.” Spellings was hired three years ago and had two years left in her contract. The Board of Governors agreed to pay her $500,000 for a research leave provision in her contract and
$35,000 in relocation expenses which will not come from taxpayer funds, according to WRAL. “I like to think I’m young enough to have a few more licks in me,” Spellings said. She said she hopes to continue to work in public service, most likely in Texas. She was the Secretary of Education from 2005 to 2009 where she implemented the No Child Left Behind Act, according to her UNC System biography.
News
Faith leaders mourn Pittsburgh shooting with vigil
Nov. 2, 2018
Anna Muckenfuss @ ׀Noel1122 ׀News Reporter
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he High Country Multi-Faith Leaders hosted a candlelight vigil to mourn and denounce hate on Oct. 29 after the Shabbat killings in Pittsburgh. The candlelight vigil started at First Baptist Church of Boone on King Street, where there were songs and prayers before participants and the clergy marched down King Street to the Temple of the High Country. For over a year the High Country Jewish community has directly expressed to High Country MultiFaith Clergy and Leaders group its fear of being targeted in an act of anti-Semitic violence, according to the event’s Facebook page. Leaders from St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, The First Baptist Church and Temple of the High
Country spoke at the vigil. Rabbi Stephen Roberts said that the clergy are struggling with how to respond to the three anti-semitic incidents in the High Country. “When the massacre on Shabbat happened, it was clear as leaders that we wanted to do something,” Roberts said. “We wanted to do something publicly as faith leaders, not just the Jewish community.” Rev. Cyndi Banks said the candlelight vigil was not meant to be a protest and that there weren’t going to be any signs or chants. Banks said she hoped the vigil would give those in the High Country a silent space to reflect. “The goal of the event was solidarity and presence and to join this community with their mourning,” Banks said. “I wanted us to set a tone that would be spacious, where we
could be reflective and come together as a community instead of all the ways that divide us.” Roberts said he hoped the vigil would communicate the High Country Multi-Faith Clergy and Leader’s message of saying no to hate and yes to love as loudly as possible. “We, a people of faith, of all colors, of all genders, of all faith traditions, we denounce hate whether it is anti-semitism, racism, or hate of the other, there is no place for hate in this community,” Roberts said. Rebekah Smyre and Betsy Kelly, two App State students who attended the vigil, said they went to support the Jewish community. “Things like this shouldn’t be happening,” Smyre, freshman elementary education major, said. “It’s important to show that someone will have support, and that they are
loved, and that not everyone thinks the same way.” Kelly, freshman political science major, said she had close friends in the Jewish community and she felt unified with people at the vigil. “It created a home community where everyone was together,” Kelly said. Carolina Stahlschmidt, a Pittsburgh native, said they attended the candlelight vigil to promote peace. “I think it’s amazing and so inspiring to see that the faith leaders have good relationships with each other and that they all came out and brought their congregations and members and let those barriers not be barriers,” Stahlschmidt said. Heidi Campbell, a counselor for the counseling center, said she attended the vigil on behalf of the counseling center, and to stand up
against hate and in support of inclusivity, love and peace. “I work with and support students from diverse backgrounds,” Campbell said. “I think that the numbers of people who are here and the positivity, and that, we can in a short amount of time bring together in our small community, should give us hope.” Roberts said it is important for students to share their feelings about the events in Pittsburgh and let others know there is no place for hate in the High Country. “As students, you are our future leaders,” Roberts said. “It is important that students know that the leaders of faith communities consider App State part of our community. We don’t see it as App State and Boone, we see it as the High Country.”
Owners of Casa Rustica, Peabody’s speak out against Highway 105 ‘superstreet’ Christina Beals @ ׀christinalala_ ׀News Reporter
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he North Carolina Department of Transportation has released a project to reconstruct N.C. Highway 105 from Blowing Rock Road to the N.C. Highway 105 bypass, meant to slow traffic flow and limit left turns off and on the highway. To turn left, drivers will have to first turn right at a stoplight and make a U-turn at a U-turn bulb-out that will be constructed, according to High Country Press. A bulb-out, or curb extension, is a measure used to narrow roadways and increase pedestrian safety by giving more sidewalk space. NCDOT Division 11 project manager Ramie Shaw said the rightof-way acquisition portion of the project is scheduled to begin in summer 2019 and construction in summer 2021. Right-of-way acquisition involves the NCDOT legally retaining property owned by another party for a given
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project. The acquisition is necessary during highway projects to provide better site distance and wider driving lanes, according to the NCDOT. The plan is in response to the N.C. Highway 105 annual 422.18 crash rate between the highway bypass and Dogwood Road, which is double the statewide 262.59 crash rate, according to the NCDOT. However, the “superstreet” plan has worried several local businesses and the local government. After the plan was released in September, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, Watauga County Commissioners and N.C. Highway 105 business owners held a town council meeting to object to the highway plan, according to the Boone Town Council. During the meeting, Peabody’s Wine and Beer Merchants owner Jeff Collins presented a petition written with contribution from other N.C. Highway 105 business owners, which was submitted to the NCDOT be-
tween Oct. 19 and Oct. 23 during the public comment period, according to the Boone Town Council. Collins said he and David Jackson, CEO and president of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, along with the input from over 75 N.C. Highway 105 businesses, assembled the unified vision to explain business-friendly compromises. “(The plan) is going to take away half of my business, potentially,” Collins said. “It does not fit in with the look or character of Boone and it’s going to cost taxpayers too much money to build.” Collins said he wants to see N.C. Highway 105 look like N.C. Highway 321: a full-length turn lane at every major crossroad, traffic signals with pedestrian crossings, bike lanes on both sides and two consistent lanes that extend past the N.C. Highway 105 bypass. The Boone Town Council unanimously voted to approve a resolution
draft for the plan on Oct. 18, which was sent to the NCDOT during its comment period. The Boone Area Chamber of Commerce noted how this plan could affect local businesses, especially those that have already planned to expand. “The Baymont Inn is coming down the homestretch of a multimillion dollar expansion plan and obviously were not made aware of the (NCDOT plan) and how it would impact their business renovation,” Jackson said. “When you lay out millions of dollars, you would like to know if there is something that will prohibit you from being able to maximize that investment.” Jackson said the bulb-outs will directly affect Casa Rustica because restaurant owner Rick Pedroni recently purchased over an acre of land for expansion. The land location will make it difficult for customers to access the restaurant. “You’re making improvements to
your business because you’re always trying to continue to grow and put that money back in to your business,” Pedroni said. “We’re being advised now to just stop everything. That’s tough to swallow.” NCDOT Communications Officer David Uchiyama said NCDOT officially announced the plan on to display the initial project design plans on Oct. 9, a week before the Boone Town Council meeting. On local businesses not knowing of the project more in advance, Uchiyama said “that is the case on almost all projects, especially on big projects like this. The public meeting is the first public viewing.” NCDOT board member Cullie Tarleton said NCDOT will review documents sent during the public comment period within the next 30 days and evaluate the feasibility of the suggestions. Then, NCDOT representatives will meet with Boone officials to discuss potential options.
Sports
Nov. 2, 2018
GAME DAY Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018 / 5:00 P.M. / ESPN+ / Brooks Stadium, Conway, S.C.
Appalachian State (5-2, 3-1 Sun Belt)
VS
Coastal Carolina (5-3, 2-2 Sun Belt)
Game Notes: Football will continue its Sun Belt road schedule at Coastal Carolina after losing its first conference game of the season against Georgia Southern. In contrast, the Chanticleers are coming off a narrow 37-34 Sun Belt win over Georgia State. This will be the second of three straight road games for the Mountaineers.
History/Details of the Game:
Dating back to 2005, App State is 4-0 against Coastal Carolina with the largest margin of victory (55-14) coming in 2012, according to winsipedia.com. 2017 is the only time the two teams have met since joining the Sun Belt. The Mountaineers’ 610 all-time victories ranks No. 53 in the nation while the Chanticleers’ 122 victories ranks No. 123.
PLAYER TO WATCH Points Per Game
40.4 - 31.5
Akeem Davis-Gaither #24 Linebacker
Rush yards per game
248.4 - 251.6
Combined for 33 tackles in last three games
Fumbles Lost
3-7
Leads team in tackles with 58 Second on team in tackles for a loss with 5.5
Punt Return Average
13.94 - 7.00
3 KEY POINTS Play disciplined: The Mountaineers average 67.5 penalty yards per game while the Chanticleers average only 42.5 penalty yards per game. To win, App State will have to keep their play clean and avoid giving Coastal Carolina extra opportunities.
Bounce back game: The Mountaineers are coming off a tough road loss to their Sun Belt rival Georgia Southern. To stay in contention for a conference championship, App State will need to recover mentally and bounce back for a big win over the Chanticleers.
Run the Football: The Chanticleers allow over 215 rushing yards per game and the rushing attack is the centerpiece of the Mountaineers offense. App State needs to stick to what they know and hit Coastal Carolina at their weak point.
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Sports
Nov. 2, 2018
NEW ADDITIONS HELP WOMEN’S BASKETBALL IN 2018-2019 SEASON Franklin Bogle @ ׀TheAppalachian ׀Sports Reporter
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he women’s basketball team will begin its season on Nov. 9 at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. From there it will play even tougher non-conference teams, namely Georgia Tech, Clemson and South Carolina—who made it all the way to the Elite Eight last year. These tough teams will be a good test for the Mountaineers, who finished 15-18 overall last year. New faces will look to help several key returners better the team with the aspirations of competing for the Sun Belt title. The women’s basketball team added four freshmen and a transfer who will be eligible this year. Transfer redshirt junior point guard Ashley Polacek, comes from the University of Central Florida, where she started 38 games, according to App State Athletics. Polacek was tenth in assists for the American Athletic Conference her freshman year and wants to bring that success to Boone. She said having to sit out last year due to NCAA transfer rules was more beneficial than anything. “It helped with the system. I got to watch film. Now I know what's coming up,” Polacek said. She also said that being at App State felt right.
“It feels great. I have great teammates and they made sure I was part of the team. I have great coaches and that made sure I was part of the team,” Polacek said. Polacek is one of many ballhandlers the Mountaineers have, but assistant coach Christina Centeno said she knows Polacek will make a huge contribution no matter how much she gets to play or how often she gets the ball. “Ashley has the ability to push it up the floor,” Centeno said. “She can come off pick and rolls and create her own shot. She can pick apart the defense and get the ball to others.” Centeno, who enters her second year as an assistant at App State, is a guard coach, but also helps with every player. She spoke about the incoming freshmen, and said that all four were a great fit for the program. “Brooke, she can play the point and the wing. She can really get up the floor and will be really productive for us in transition,” Centeno said about Brooke Bigott, a freshman point guard from Katy, Texas, anticipates making an immediate impact. Joining Bigott in the freshman class at the guard position is North Carolina native Emma Newton, who Centeno describes as “interchangeable.” Centeno also pointed out how the
other two freshmen, forwards Haile Mcdonald and A’Lea Gilbert, are good fits for the program App State is building. Both will play big roles on the defensive side of the ball, Centeno said, and they will also look to bolster rebounding, something App State struggled with last year. App State returns several players from last year, including junior center Bayley Plummer who started all 31 games for App State last season and finished the year averaging 9 points per game and 11.5 rebounds per game. Leading scorer, sophomore guard Pre Stanley, also returns after a freshman year that landed her preseason award attention. Redshirt senior guard Madi Story also returns after suffering a season-ending leg injury last year. In the 2016-2017 season she led the team in scoring with more than 13 points per game. Overall, the team looks to better itself this year with the help of all newcomers and returners. They are ready to face the tests they have made for themselves in their non-conference schedule and understand that they will be great learning experiences. “Those are going to be great games for us to prepare for the conference schedule,” Centeno said.
Former App State forward Keke Cooper fights through the defense for a layup against South Alabama. // File Photo
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Nov. 2, 2018
Sports
MEN’S SOCCER LOOKS TO FINISH STRONG
Zack Antrum ︱ @TheAppalachian ︱ Sports Reporter
A
s the soccer regular season comes to an end, the App State men’s soccer team has a lot to be proud of and lot to look forward to. The team began its season at 4-0, which is its best start since 2008. It’s also surpassed the amount of wins earned last season despite the difficult schedule. Some of the team’s individual highlights include freshman forward Cameron Holbrook’s hot start to the season. He scored four goals in his first two collegiate games and was not only named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week, but National Player of the Week as well. The team has also benefited from the solid defensive play of senior Felix Kollmannthaler, Zieko Harris and Brady Gunter. Senior goalkeeper Jake Chasteen has been a wall in the back for the Mountaineers. One of the Mountaineers’ most impressive wins came against Sun Belt foe Coastal Carolina, who won the past two regular season conference titles and were ranked No. 22 in the country at the time. Despite being down 1-0, the team found an equalizer through junior midfielder Austin Hill to eventually force overtime. In the overtime period, freshman midfielder Alex Hernandez found the back of the net and took down the Chanticleers. Hill has been a staple in the midfield for O’Keefe’s side this season, who has a career-high two goals this season. “It terms of the program, it definitely shows that we’re on the rise again,” Hill said. “For the season it puts us in the driver’s seat of what we want to do. If we want to win conference or go to the tournament, we have all of those options available to us because of that win.” Hernandez, a freshman from Asheboro, North Carolina, has also had an impressive debut season for the Mountaineers. The midfielder has two goals on the season and was named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week after his game-winning goal against Coastal Carolina. “It feels amazing as a freshman coming on the field and helping my teammates out and just getting the winning goal. I just had to keep going and keep grinding for my team,” Hernandez said. “For me, it was just if I made a mistake, I would evaluate it, get back up again and keep on going.” The Mountaineers will close out their regular season when they host Howard on their senior day Nov. 3. A win against the Bison could give them a top seed in the conference tournament as they move towards their goal of making the NCAA tournament. The men’s soccer team huddles together on Oct. 6 during their match against Georgia State. // Megan Mcculloh
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Nov. 2, 2018
The appalachian presents
special Section 8
2018
Nov. 2, 2018
Progressive Pam
Volunteers ‘pick’ through data to encourage student voting
P
Alexander Hubbell @ ׀therealalexhubb ׀A&E Reporter
am Williamson was passionate about voting even before creating the Pam’s Picks website, which has organized information on candidates and issues since 1990. “I am an activist for voting rights, and environmental and community issues and generally endorse the candidate who most reflects and espouses my progressive bent,” Williamson, 65, said. Williamson and her husband started Pam’s Picks after searching for someone who could help them “step into the world of data” by researching candidates and searching with a critical eye. Carl Clark became the answer. He was deeply invested in the data of elections, from loaded excel sheets with candidate information to details surrounding political issues, Williamson said. “He once even escorted me to his evidence tucked away deep into his closet—reams of papers about newly organized conservative ‘think tanks’ designed to promote a pathological lie funded by domestic and foreign lobbyists under a fake banner of ‘independent research’ and policy wonks,” Williamson said on her website. Williamson’s opinion of Clark changed. Clark was looking out for people. Clark’s research identified inconspicuous problems that were affecting many people. Clark died in 2008, but Williamson has carried his ideas forward. “I wish everyone had a Pam’s Picks site,” Williamson said. “But
some people just don’t have the time to research candidates. I consider it an honor to provide that information.” Williamson said she feels that young people have the chance to change things in the government. In 2014, she joined in a legal battle with local courts in Watauga County to keep early voting on App State’s campus. She said she has seen them volunteer to hand out flyers and educate themselves. “A lot of changes that are going to be made, both pro and con, the next decade and so on are not going to affect me. It’s young people that are going to be affected,” Williamson said. “They’ll try to sneak up on the younger people.” Williamson said she is concerned that politicians take advantage of young people when they don’t vote. Williamson said they are piled under student loan debt and voting restrictions. Some issues will fall on young people’s plates later on, like climate change, social security and Medicare. “They are dedicated to promoting the truth and I haven’t seen that sort of commitment since 1992 over there at ASU,” Williamson said. The importance of voting pressed by Williamson was passed along to students on campus by volunteers, during the weeks of early voting. The volunteers stationed themselves, with bright yellow flyers, ready with a quick rundown of voter information. The volunteers worked for most of the day. Harriet Kline was one of
those volunteers. “Listen to me. You can register and vote at the same time,” Kline said. The Blue Ridge Ballroom on the second floor of the Plemmons Student Union is an early voting site. Students can register and vote there with valid forms of identification. Further information can be found on vote.appstate. edu. “The people that are there really want democracy,” Kline said. “They are not going to look for a way to prevent you (from voting).” Billy Kennedy, a commissioner up for re-election in the 3rd District, joined the volunteers on campus not only to advocate voting for students but to do it before time runs out. “If these ballot amendments pass ,they are going to take away all kinds of things,” Kennedy said, referring to the six proposed North Carolina Constitutional Amendments. Kennedy expressed the struggles between current legislators and people like himself who advocate for student voting. Kennedy has fought to keep voting available on campus for students. Voting on campus is a privilege that could be extinguished soon, Kennedy said. Voting in the Blue Ridge Ballroom in the Plemmons Student Union is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. until Nov. 3. Visit vote.appstate.edu for further information. To research more about Pam’s Picks, visit www.pamspicks.net or visit the Pam’s Picks Facebook page.
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Nov. 2, 2018
ON THE
WHERE CANDIDATES STAND ON EDUCATION, Moss Brennan @ ׀mosbren ׀News Editor
VIRGINIA FOXX: INCUMBENT: U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT 5
DEANNA BALLARD: INCUMBENT: N.C. SENATE DISTRICT 45
JONATHAN JORDAN: INCUMBENT: N.C. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT 93
Education: As a former teacher, administrator and college president, education is important to Foxx. She wants to make education more affordable, and introduced the Promoting Real Opportunity, Success and Prosperity through Education Reform, or PROSPER, bill last December to reform secondary education.
Education: Ballard wants to listen to local teachers, parents and school officials, and the concerns they have surrounding class size, teacher pay and curriculum. Ballard believes that spending more money on education will lead to more jobs and businesses in North Carolina.
Education: Jordan has said that since he arrived in the House, both teacher pay and per-student spending have increased. He aims to continue this increase.
Immigration: Foxx is a granddaughter of Italian immigrants but believes the immigration system is broken. She believes reformation of immigration system needs to secure the borders, uphold American laws and protect national security. Healthcare: Foxx supports the American Health Care Act: a comprehensive replacement of the Affordable Care Act, former President Barack Obama’s health care law. She supports legislation to protect people with pre-existing conditions, but also wants to bring down costs and expand choices for families. She also wants to restore competition by having association health plans for small businesses. Taxes: She wants simpler, fairer and lower taxes on American families and job-creators. Foxx supported H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which cut taxes for large and small businesses. Gun Control: Foxx is committed to the idea that no new proposals infringe on the rights to bear arms by law abiding citizens.
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Veterans: Because her brother is in the Navy, Ballard believes she can act as a strong advocate for veterans and their families. She believes that benefits and programs for veterans should be “distributed in a timely and efficient fashion,” according to her website. Healthcare: Ballard believes that problems with Medicaid “should be fixed,” according to her website. Taxes: Ballard wants to remove regulations in the North Carolina tax code that prevent businesses from expanding and hiring more employees. She wants to put more money into taxpayers’ pockets. Environment: Ballard believes the 45th District is one of the greatest treasures in the U.S. She believes in having good stewardship over the natural resources available. She also supports balanced economic growth, which would ensure the land stays beautiful for future generations.
Healthcare: Jordan does not support the expansion of Medicaid. He said that years ago the House had to vote three times to add more money to the program and expanding it would reverse their votes. Taxes: Jordan supports an amendment that would decrease the income tax rate from 10 percent to seven percent, though he would prefer to have no income tax in North Carolina. Gerrymandering: He has said that “activist courts” have gotten too involved in North Carolina politics and called for supreme courts to decide if partisanship can be used to draw districts. School Safety: Jordan believes that to improve school safety, updated buildings and more school resource officers are essential.
Nov. 2, 2018
ISSUES
IMMIGRATION, TAXES, HEALTHCARE AND MORE Jackie Park @ ׀jackiempark ׀News Reporter
DD ADAMS: CANDIDATE: U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT 5
WES LUTHER: CANDIDATE: N.C. SENATE DISTRICT 45
RAY RUSSELL: CANDIDATE: N.C. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DISTRICT 93
Education: Adams supports public schools and understands that improving public schools is complicated. She wants to abandon the voucher system, offer universal kindergarten, reduce class sizes, ensure classrooms have everything they need and fund low-cost or free technical schools.
Education: Luther believes in raising teacher pay, increasing student spending, updating old textbooks and investing in new infrastructure for outdated schools. Luther also supports the NC Promise Tuition Plan, which would make public universities more affordable.
Education: Russell is an advocate for early childhood education, reforming statewide testing and re-allocating funds toward teacher pay and per student spending. He is endorsed by the North Carolina Association of Educators.
Veterans: As a veteran Marine, Luther strongly supports investing more money into the Department of Veterans Affairs and its programs, as well as making the programs more accessible.
Healthcare: Russell supports the expansion of Medicaid due to the impact on North Carolina’s economy and his wish for more people to have access to healthcare. Russell also wants to help the district in the areas of mental health care and addiction recovery.
Immigration: Adams supports a rational immigration policy. She wants to increase immigration court funding, wants undocumented immigrants who clear background checks to have green cards and aims to protect immigrants from employers trying to exploit them. Healthcare: Adams believes that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. She wants to increase funds to non-profit healthcare organizations, allow the government to negotiate drug prices and expand access health care. Taxes: Adams believes that the wealthiest Americans and largest corporations should pay fair taxes, which would reward those making investments and creating jobs in America. This would also stop money manipulations by corporations that stash profits abroad. Gun Control: Adams supports the Second Amendment and is a gun owner. Her goals are to require a 24-hour waiting period to buy a handgun, to reinstate the assault rifle ban and to ban high-capacity clips and bump stocks, which allow semi-automatic weapons to shoot faster.
Healthcare: Luther supports the expansion of Medicaid and believes that “all Americans are entitled to quality healthcare,” according to his website. Taxes: He wants North Carolina to bring back solar tax credits to boost sustainable energy-focused businesses. Environment: Luther is studying sustainable technology at App State. Because of this, Luther believes in holding corporations responsible for the pollution they cause and using more sustainable energies than fuel.
Taxes: Russell wants a progressive tax rate, which would ensure people with lower incomes would pay a lower tax rate and those with higher incomes would pay a higher tax rate. Gerrymandering: Russell acknowledges that both Republicans and Democrats have played a part in gerrymandering. He believes the solution is to create an independent commission to draw districts. School Safety: Russell believes school safety is a pressing issue and that updating school buildings and bringing in more school nurses, psychologists and resource officers will help.
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2018
Nov. 2, 2018
Interns get hands-on political experience Laura Boaggio @ ׀TheAppalachian ׀A&E Reporter
E
mily Hogan, freshman political science major, interns with North Carolina congressional candidate DD Adams and worked for congressional candidate David Wilson last fall. Hogan has been involved with the Democratic Party since high school when she started the Polk County Association of Teenage Democrats and served as president her junior and senior year. She was hesitant to begin the association because her county is primarily conservative, but after realizing her desire to effect change instead of reacting to results, she decided to start the chapter, Hogan said. “That’s why I decided I’d be in the forefront of my own future, so that’s when I really hit the ground running,” Hogan said. Hogan said she is passionate about local politics, so she got involved with municipal elections, including the sheriff’s race, in Polk County. She became involved with DD Adams’ campaign after meeting the candidate at Welcome Weekend at App State, Hogan said. “I really wanted to get involved with her campaign because she’s an amazing woman to me,” Hogan said. One of Adams’ field organizers noticed Hogan’s excitement and reached out to her, leading to an internship with the political campaign. For her job, Hogan contacts local residents about the upcoming election through phone calls and canvassing. Canvassing is when a person goes door-to-door and asks residents
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if they are registered to vote or if they have all the materials they need to vote. Hogan is also a canvassing intern for the Watauga County Democratic Party. Hogan said canvassing receives an unfair stigma in society. “Normally when I knock on people’s doors they love it,” Hogan said. “They’re so happy to hear us.” For her internship with David Wilson, Hogan worked in youth involvement and encouraging different non-political organizations to take a stance. “If the organizations do that and give an endorsement, it can be really impactful,” Hogan said. Hogan said that working in an environment with young, passionate people like her campaign team has
empowered her. “It’s really amazing to see people interested in the same things that I am,” Hogan said. Hogan said she is empowered and excited when she sees students on campus working for any political campaign, whether it be aligned with her party or not. “In the end, they are trying to do right for the future of this area,” Hogan said. alton George, sophomore economics major, has worked for the Watauga County Democratic Party since September 2017. George was involved with politics during high school, so when he received a recruitment email for the party, he got involved.
D
Emily Hogan (left), Dalton George (center) and Willow Larson (right) work on Democratic campaigns in Watauga County. // Photo by Mickey Hutchings
George is the canvassing director and said he handles communication with community members off-campus, although it does still involve students. Much of his work involves knocking on doors and registering people to vote. “At the start of the year, we only canvas student apartments and we ask them to tell us what are some issues that they’d like to see local politicians focus on,” George said. George said he gained a lot from the conversations he had while canvassing. He said he’s never had a bad experience when canvassing and that people react well when the group is trying to figure out their political issues. When the group canvasses, they introduce themselves as a Democratic group, and Republican residents will often respond by addressing their personal party affiliation. “I say, ‘That’s fine, we want to hear what’s important to you too,’” George said. George many people seem to think of political parties as “them vs. us.” “I’ve talked to Republicans, Democrats, unaffiliated, and I guess it’s just kind of refreshing to talk to these people that you might disagree with and understand that there’s still a dialogue that can be had,” George said. George said voting in Boone is important because students are going to be living here for the next few years, if not longer. Students’ tax dollars go towards the town, and they should influence the decisions that are
made in Boone. “Now we’re in college, we’re on our own, it’s time that we formulate our own opinions,” George said. illow Larson, sophomore elementary education major, works for Democratic North Carolina House candidate Ray Russell. She started working for his campaign in October 2017 and will continue until election day. Larson first got involved with the College Democrats on campus and was doing voter registration when she tried to register Russell, thinking that he was an unregistered voter. Russell later came to the College Democrats for insight into a college student’s perspective. Larson emailed him and began her involvement with the campaign. Larson explains App State’s systems for the Russell campaign, which includes campus and housing policies as well as insight into student’s concerns. Larson said Russell has taught her and shown her that she can have strong opinions, but it’s important to read the room and word her opinions respectfully. One example Larson gave was when she interacts with older, more conservative residents of Ashe County. “It’s really hard to have a conversation about HB2 when you have people who have literally never interacted with someone who is transgender,” Larson said. She said she has worked on un-
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by canvassing, empowering student voting derstanding the reasoning behind a person’s ideals, especially when they have not had much exposure to certain parts of life. Larson said this skill is vital to Russell and his campaign, because if elected, Russell will have to represent everyone. Larson said that it is important to vote in Boone because a vast majority of students spend most of their time year-round in the town. “A lot of times people forget that the second we get off campus, that’s a completely different system,” Larson said. Larson said issues such as flooding or AppalCart routes can affect residents daily, and voting can change that. homas McBrayer, senior political science major, works for Virginia Foxx for Congress campaign, McBrayer said in an email. McBrayer has worked for campaigns throughout his life, such as volunteering for a mayoral campaign in his hometown and volunteering for superior court campaigns. His career with Foxx began when he met the congresswoman at the grand opening of the Catawba Valley Furniture Academy. Foxx told McBrayer to let her know when he began school at App State because she could use his help. McBrayer began working on her campaign his freshman year and now serves as her regional field director, working to organize grassroot organizations for her campaign. Mc-
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Brayer works to recruit new and past volunteers for the campaign in several counties, as well as at Wake Forest University and App State. “Organizing phone banks, getting poll workers and getting out yard signs are some of the things I oversee,” McBrayer said in an email. McBrayer said one of the aspects of the job he most enjoys is getting to meet people across the 5th District. Hearing stories and building personal connections with people has motivated him to have a life dedicated to public service. “I never would’ve imagined that I would be spending time in Matney, North Carolina, at a pie auction, but with this job you never know where you will end up,” McBrayer said.
Along with interacting with the public, McBrayer said the professional connections he made will be beneficial to his career. McBrayer said his job strays from the normal nine-to-five because he never knows what his schedule for the day will look like. “There are days when I’ve come to the office at 9 a.m. and did not leave until 11 p.m. or later,” McBrayer said. The work, however, is worth the effort, McBrayer said. McBrayer said he advocates for students to vote and have their voices heard out of respect to those who have fought for their rights to vote, and believes it is their civic duty to participate in elections.
Lee Franklin (left) and Matt Streets (right) register students to vote on Sanford Mall. // Courtesy of Lee Franklin
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ee Franklin, junior political science major, has worked for the Watauga County Democratic Party since 2016. In early 2017, Franklin became an unpaid intern before being officially hired in fall 2017. Franklin has done fieldwork for the group since his start. “The official, political term for fieldwork is just referring to anything on the ground, so like canvassing, knocking on doors or voter registration,” Franklin said. However, Franklin said the Democratic Party separates fieldwork and canvassing, so that fieldwork refers to groundwork on campus and canvassing refers to groundwork off campus. Franklin said when he first start-
Senior political science major Thomas McBrayer (right) poses with Paul Ryan (left) and Virginia Foxx (center). // Courtesy of Thomas McBrayer
ed as an intern, the Watauga County Democratic Party trained surrounding county Democratic groups in how to better their strategies. He has done a lot of work in voter registration and educating others on how to do fieldwork. Because Franklin does on-campus canvassing, he said he has realized the high amount of effort that goes into recruiting voters on campus everyday. “It’s just taught me so much that goes into a political campaign in terms of resources and there’s so much that goes into it in terms of your own personal energy,” Franklin said. Franklin said voting in Boone is important because having a voting site on campus has not always been a guarantee at App State. He said last year the Board of Elections voted not to give students a voting site in Plemmons Student Union. The Watauga County Voting Rights task force sued the board on account of voter oppression. The day before the union was supposed to open for voters, the court of appeals voted that it was voter oppression, and the union was made a voting site again. “This is the first year in a long time that the board of elections just voted to give it to us,” Franklin said. Franklin said there are many already existing personal ties between political members in office, and the influence of students getting involved in politics plays an interesting role. “It just transforms the dynamic of the county,” Franklin said.
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STUDENT GOVERNMENT Moss Brennan @ ׀mosbren ׀News Editor
In 2017, Student Government Association passed approximately six bills by November, according to Connor Hughes, the director of legislative operations for SGA. This year, SGA has attempted to pass 39 bills. Of those 39 bills, 36 have passed and three were withdrawn due to a change in nomination.
BILL 052-001 An Act to Enact Record the Commencement of the 51st Session Student Government Association, Provide for the Historical Record, Confirm Leadership Appointments and Welcome Engagement with the General Student Population. ENABLING BILL 052-002 An Act to Authorize the Appalachian State Student Government Association Senatorial Elections. ENABLING BILL 052-003 An Act to Authorize the Appalachian State Student Government Association Presidential and Vice-Presidential Election. STATUTE BILL 052-004 An Act to Update the Process in which Amendments are Added to Bills to Ensure Accuracy and Commitment to Legislative Originality.
Student Body President DeJon Milbourne signs bill SB 052-029, also known as the Attendance Policy Act. // Photo by Savannah Fonvielle
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ENABLING BILL 052-005 An Act to Appoint Benjamin Ryan Killion as Director of Engagement for the 52nd Session of the Student Government Association of Appalachian State University. ENABLING BILL 052-006 An Act to Appoint Anisha Sharma as Director of Environmental Sustainability for the 52nd Session of the Student Government Association of Appalachian State University. ENABLING BILL 052-007 An Act to Appoint Maria Gabriela Romero as Director of Social Sustainability for the 52nd Session of the Student Government Association of Appalachian State University. ENABLING BILL 052-008 An Act to Appoint Savannah Fonvielle as Chief Administrative Officer for the 52nd Session of the Student Government Association of Appalachian State University.
Nov. 2, 2018
2018
ASSOCIATION BILLS 2018 ENABLING BILL 052-009 An Act to Appoint Bailey Chavis as Director of Service for the 52nd Session of the Student Government Association of Appalachian State University. ENABLING BILL 052-010 An Act to Appoint Chris Hinton as Assistant Director of Elections for the 52nd Session of the Student Government Association of Appalachian State University. ENABLING BILL 052-011 An Act to Appoint Jared Mark as Director of Student Affairs for the 52nd Session of the Student Government Association of Appalachian State University. ENABLING BILL 052-013 An Act to Appoint Christian Adams as Director of Marketing for the 52nd Session of the Student Government Association of Appalachian State University. ENABLING BILL 052-014 An Act to Appoint Michael Davis as The University of North Carolina Association of Student Government Campus Liaison for the 52nd Session of the Student Government Association of Appalachian State University. ENABLING BILL 052-015 An Act to Administrate Appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2018-2019. ENABLING BILL 052-017 An Act to Appoint Aaliyah Griffin as a Rules Committee Member for the 52nd Session of the Student Government Association of Appalachian State University.
POLICY BILL 052-016 An Act to Bring Students Together By Way Of Sharing A Meal While Eating In Dining Halls Instead Of Eating Alone And To Strengthen The Appalachian Spirit Of Kinship And Friendship So That No Student Has To Be Lonely When Eating Alone But Instead Has Opportunities To Make New Friends And Forge New Relationships Because “All Great Changes In America Start At The Dinner Table.” ENABLING BILL 052-018 An Act to Appoint Brenton Ervin as a Rules Committee Member for the 52nd Session of the Student Government Association of Appalachian State University. ENABLING BILL 052-019 An Act to Appoint Connor Schlaline as a Rules Committee Member for the 52nd Session of the Student Government Association of Appalachian State University. ENABLING BILL 052-020 An Act to Appoint Destiney Houghtalen as a Rules Committee Member for the 52nd Session of the Student Government Association of Appalachian State University. ENABLING BILL 052-021 An Act to Appoint Devin Mullins as a Rules Committee Member for the 52nd Session of the Student Government Association of Appalachian State University. ENABLING BILL 052-022 An Act to Appoint Greg Steckbeck as the Rules Committee Ranking Member for the 52nd Session of the Student Government Association of Appalachian State University.
ENABLING BILL 052-023 An Act to Appoint Haylee Hudson as a Rules Committee Member for the 52nd Session of the Student Government Association of Appalachian State University.
ENABLING BILL 052-031 An Act to Appoint Donovan Arnold as Senate Sergeant at Arms for the 52nd Session of the Student Government Association of Appalachian State University.
ENABLING BILL 052-025 An Act to Appoint Margaret Booth as a Rules Committee Member for the 52nd Session of the Student Government Association of Appalachian State University.
BILL 052-033 An Act to Support the Filling of Potholes in the Doughton and Legends Parking Lot to Ensure the Well-Being of Appalachian.
ENABLING BILL 052-026 An Act to Appoint Michael Maldonaldo-Melgar as a Rules Committee Member for the 52nd Session of the Student Government Association of Appalachian State University. ENABLING BILL 052-027 An Act to Appoint Michael Davis as a Rules Committee Member for the 52nd Session of the Student Government Association of Appalachian State University. ENABLING BILL 052-028 An act to Appoint Korbin Cummings as Senate President Pro-Tempore for the 52nd Session of the Student Government Association of Appalachian State University. BILL 052-029 An Act to Establish an Attendance Policy for the Fifty-Second Session of Appalachian State University Student Government Association. ENABLING BILL 052-030 An Act to Appoint Destiney Houghtalen as Senate Parliamentarian for the 52nd Session of the Student Government Association of Appalachian State University.
STATUTE BILL 052-034 An Act to Establish Bylaws for the Standing Senate Committee on Student Affairs and Engagement BILL 052-035 An Act to a Support Bill to Enhance and Improve the Test Preparation Provided by Appalachian State University.
BILL 052-037 An Act to Affirm Support for the North Carolina Department of Public Safety as they Address the Damage from Hurricane Florence. BILL 052-038 An Act to Clarify and Formalize the Process in which Friendly Amendments Regarding Spelling, Typography, Grammar, Clarifications, and Sponsorship may be Accepted through an Amendment of the Senate Bylaws.
BILL 052-039 An Act to Condemn Acts of Anti-Semitism on Appalachian State University Campus that Occured on September 30th, 2018.
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Follow the money Moss Brennan @ ׀mosbren ׀News Editor
Virginia Foxx:
DD Adams:
Jonathan Jordan:
Ray Russell:
Foxx has run in, and won, eight elections prior to this one. She has raised a total $6,700,272. She has raised a total of $1,761,776 in the 2018 election cycle. Her top donors include American Bankers Association ($50,000), AT&T ($42,000) and UPS ($41,500). Her total unitemized contributions are $$448,632.
DD Adams is running in her first election for the House of Representatives. She has raised a total of $193,213 in the 2018 election cycle. Her top donors include Higher Heights for America PAC ($5,000), Peoples House Project Inc. ($4,877) and Ralph Womble ($4,000). Her total unitemized contributions are $57,004.
Jordan has run in, and won, four elections prior to this one. He has raised a total of $987,326. He raised $45,652 in the 2018 election cycle. His top donors include the North Carolina Republican Party ($428,320), North Carolina Association of Realtors ($26,800) and Timothy Keith Moore Campaign Committee ($16,800). His total unitemized contributions are $6,280.
Russell is running in his first election and has raised a total of $96,967. His top donors are Our Shot NC ($7,800), Fred Stanback ($5,000) and Stacy Conn ($5,000). His total unitemized contributions are $6,438.
Total RAISED DURING THE 2018 ELECTION CYCLE Virginia Foxx DD Adams
$1,761,776 $193,213
Ray Russell
$96,967
Jonathan Jordan
$45,652
Republican gerrymandering aversely affects State Legislature Q Russell @ ׀Q_M_Russell ׀Opinion Editor
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t’s important to vote in the upcoming election, but for North Carolina voters, especially Democrats, their vote may not hold the weight they think it does. North Carolina has a rich history of gerrymandering dating back to the 1980s. Gerrymandering is the generic term for the manipulation of political boundaries to favor one group over another. This can be done to favor a political party, a racial group or as an incumbent protection plan. In the past, North Carolina has been either gerrymandered in a partisan or racial way by both parties, and often both. Since 2016 though, judges have struck down two different district maps, drawn by Republicans, on grounds of some form of gerrymandering.
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In the 2016 Supreme Court case Cooper v. Harris, the Supreme Court upheld a district court’s ruling that two districts from a 2011 map were unconstitutionally gerrymandered. In August, the District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina said a 2016 congressional redistricting plan was made with the express purpose to “ensure Republican candidates would prevail in the vast majority of the State’s congressional districts.” “The weight of the evidence suggests that the Republican Party has a such severe advantage in the state of North Carolina that the North Carolina Republican Party may not have had a majority in some elections since 2010 if the state were not gerrymandered,” William Hicks, assistant professor
in the Department of Government and Justice Studies, said. “What that would mean is that we’ve essentially had a strong one-party Republican government since then, but we likely would have seen some Democratic majorities emerge in a few instances.” Hicks said that in our increasingly polarized nation, this has led to “profound policy consequences,” and that had there been Democratic majorities, it is likely that they would have enacted more liberal policies ,such as increased education spending and decreased criminal justice spending. At least since they took power in 2010, the Republicans in North Carolina have stopped playing by the rules. “I think electing Republicans is better than electing Democrats. So
I drew this map to help foster what I think is better for the country,” Rep. David Lewis, the legislator who drew the 2016 maps, said. To this end, he made it so that 10 of the districts were Republican and three were Democratic. Lewis said he would have made it 11 and two if he could have. Gerrymandering violates the spirit of democracy and tells people of the disadvantaged party that their vote doesn’t matter. However, although violating the spirit of democracy doesn’t hold up in court, going against the Constitution does. The most recent bout of gerrymandering in North Carolina was struck down on the basis that it violated the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause and the First Amendment. It violated the 14th Amendment by diluting non-Re-
publican votes, weakening them and saying that not all voices are equal. It violated the First Amendment by disenfranchising Democratic voters and saying that if one votes Democrat, their vote won’t matter. Unfortunately, because the maps created in 2016 were deemed unconstitutional so close to election day, these are the maps that the North Carolina elections are using. For Democratic voters, it might seem pointless to vote. Despite this, it is important to vote, not only as a form of protest, but also out of spite for the bad hand the Republicans have dealt. It is important to show them that the House doesn’t always win. In fact, show them that, without their cheating, they wouldn’t even be the House.
THE APPALACHIAN EDITORIAL BOARD
ENCOURAGES YOU TO EXERCISE YOUR CIVIC DUTY AND GO VOTE WHERE TO VOTE
POLLS ARE OPEN FROM 6:30 A.M. UNTIL 7:30 P.M. ON NOV. 6. Legends 190 Hardin Street Boone, North Carolina 28608
Watauga County Administration Building 814 W. King Street Boone, North Carolina 28607
Agricultural Conference Center 252 Poplar Grove Road Boone, North Carolina 28607
AND TUNE IN TO OUR LIVE ELECTION NIGHT COVERAGE FOR RESULTS AND INTERVIEWS WITH CANDIDATES
WHERE TO WATCH SKYBEST CHANNELS 20 AND 1020 IN ASHE, ALLEGHANY, AVERY AND WATAUGA COUNTIES, AND IN SHADY VALLEY, TENNESSEE CHARTER/SPECTRUM CHANNEL 198 IN WATAUGA AND AVERY COUNTIES, AND IN JOHNSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE CHANNEL 23.3 ON APP STATE’S CAMPUS OR WATCH ON WWW.WATCHAPPTV.COM AND CLICK LIVE
Arts and Entertainment
TROY’S 105 DINER BRINGS 1950S RETRO TO 21ST CENTURY BOONE Macon Atkinson | @atkinson_macon | A&E Reporter
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tep inside Troy’s 105 Diner and you’ll instantly be transported back to the 1950s, complete with vinyl seats, a Marilyn Monroe poster and the sound of eggs sizzling in a pan for the breakfast special. A shiny retro mashup of past and present, Troy’s combines old-time diner atmosphere, home-cooked food and friendly staff to make for the ultimate brunch spot. Sandy Byrum, who co-owns the diner with her husband Troy Byrum, said Troy’s first opened in Boone in 1995 as part of a Starlite Diner kit, a group of restaurants launched in the ‘90s and owned by Modular Diners, Inc. The Byrums said Troy’s was the first of its kind to open at the time. From its neon signs causing a fire in 2014 to becoming an “accidental drive-thru” later that same year, Troy’s has pretty much seen it all. “We tell everybody we bought it with our eyes wide shut,” Sandy
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Troy’s Diner has an unmistakable retro aesthetic with blue fluorescent lights, classic diner tables, checkered floors and a lunch counter. // Photo by Paola Bula
Byrum said. “And that’s very true, we did not realize that this was much more difficult than fine dining.” Troy and Sandy Byrum are the fourth owners of Troy’s, and have 85 years of restaurant experience combined. They bought the diner in 2005 when Troy Byrum was the chef at Broyhill Inn and Conference Center and Sandy Byrum worked in real estate and the restaurant business. Sandy Byrum said she and Troy Byrum initially envisioned more upscale food and fine dining. “We realized quickly that that’s not our market here in Boone,” Sandy Byrum said. “Our market was really catering to locals and the college students, and it’s probably very good that we learned that early or we would not have operated. We would have had to close.” The Byrums know their customers well. Sandy Byrum said they serve over 3,000 guests per week on average. Weekends are usually their busiest times, when lines of custom-
ers stretch out the double doors. During the peak months of October through January —when visiting customers are kindly referred to as “tree people” and “winter people”—the staff crack anywhere from 2,800 to 5,400 eggs per week, Sandy Byrum said. But it’s the locals and college students the Byrums focus on, including those within their staff. Out of their 16 servers, 13 attend or have attended App State, along with 15 of their 20 kitchen staff; students eat in the diner anywhere from three to seven days a week. Sandy Byrum said college students are the diner’s “bread and butter,” and she’s thankful to find high-quality staff through the university’s ties to the town. “Anyone who is anti-college doesn’t understand the economics,” Sandy Byrum said. “It takes a village to run Boone, it really does. It takes a village to run a communi-
ty like ours, and it really makes it a healthy environment.” In addition to students, a steady flow of Boone regulars also supports the diner. There’s the group of policemen who come in every Tuesday morning for breakfast and a group of local pastors who come in on Wednesdays to discuss and practice their sermons. Then there was Bob, who would warm up with a cup of coffee every morning as the staff opened the restaurant, and asked one of the servers to marry him before he died last year. Two other regulars, both World War II veterans, are particularly close to Sandy Byrum’s heart; her eyes misted over when she remembered their service. Sarah Grant, one server, has worked at Troy’s since 1996. She said her regulars keep the diner going during the months when tourism is slow. “Everyone likes to go where somebody knows your name,” Grant said. “I try to learn their names. If
I don’t, I look at their credit card and next time they come in I’m like, ‘Hey Bob!’ and it’ll surprise them because I took the time to learn it.” Deborah Klein, another server at Troy’s, said she used to do homework in one of the back booths of the diner until the staff offered her a job. “They said, ‘You’re here so much already, why don’t you just work here?’ so I started nine years ago and haven’t left,” Klein said. Sandy Byrum said Troy’s menu emphasizes “consistency and best quality diner food.” The bulk of the menu is breakfast, but the diner also offers a large lunch and dinner menu. Staples include breakfast platters featuring eggs, bacon and sausage; french toast and pancakes; homemade soups and sauces; burgers and meatloaf; and sundaes and milkshakes. It also offers vegetarian options, like their black bean burger or veggie and cheese quesadilla.
Arts and Entertainment
Nov. 2, 2018
humans vs. zombies creates die-alogue about traditional library use Tucker Wulff @ ׀TheAppalachian ׀A&E Reporter
Participants in Humans vs. Zombies barracade themselves with a defense of library trash cans. // Courtesy of Appalachian Nerd Network
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right orange Nerf bullets whistled through the air, ricocheting off walls and obstacles, as the human team dispersed into the eerily vacant library. Small numbers of survivors clumped together to gain some sense of comfort in the narrow passages of Belk Library. With the exception of the fourth floor and other small areas, Belk Library was open to humans and zombies on Oct. 26 for the Halloween inspired Humans vs. Zombies Nerf Battle. Student participants chose to either join the human or zombie team at the start of the game. The human team’s goal was to survive as long as possible. The zombie team’s goal was to tag, thus infecting, as many humans as they could. As students arrived at the library, volunteer staff members guided them to lecture hall 114 where student participants discussed strategies and tactics while forming alliances to survive
the night. Survivor’s fingers trembled as they rested on plastic triggers. Eyes shot frantically from corner to corner. Kyle Matheson, App State alumus and former president of the Nerd Network, was excited to see how the 2018 event differed from the hectic atmosphere of the 2014 event, which attracted 450 participants. “It got wild, people really got into it,” Matheson said. The rules of the game were explained to participants prior to the event to ensure they had a clear understanding of the game and safety guidelines. “Of course, the humans are against the zombies,” Scott Rice, coordinator of technology services at Belk Library, who organized the event said. For a human to stop a zombie, they had to shoot it with their Nerf blaster once in the torso or twice in the extremities. Headshots were prohibited and did not count against zombies
Paricipants gear up as they prepare for the Humans vs. Zombies battle in the Belk Library and Information Commons. // Courtesy of Appalachian Nerd Network
in any way. Zombies had the ability to respawn after being eliminated by a human. After a short period of time, zombies were released from the respawn zone to hunt for human adversaries again. Zombies could infect humans by tagging them with two hands. After they were tagged, humans were directed to the respawn zone to join the zombie team. At the game’s start, the human team explored the library and found spots to set up barricades. Many of the humans spent the first hour of the night shouting words of encouragement. However, at the mere sight of one zombie most humans resorted to panic, spreading in all directions and screaming for help. Ericka Patillo, associate dean of libraries, was surprised by how seri-
ously some participants took the event. “I see the strategies and all of the barricades. It’s quite a production,” Patillo said. A small collection of humans, who called themselves Outpost Gold, enclosed themselves at a far end of the third floor using furniture and desk chairs. One member of the group, Daniel Trimnal, sophomore career and technical education major, was hesitant to interact with approaching groups of survivors. Each group of survivors had the potential to attract more dangers. “There are rules to this,” Trimnal said, referring to how the group had managed to survive well into the night. As the night grew later, the number of zombies grew larger. By 11 p.m. the zombie team had grown from the initial three zombies to over 100, out-
numbering the human team. Zombie participants gave bone-chilling howls and undead shrieks, which echoed between the tall bookshelves and snaking rows of desks on each floor. Desperate shouts and calls for reinforcements often went unanswered as the number of humans diminished. Many of the participants spoke enthusiastically about the event and said they hope to see it return in 2019. “The point is to have fun,” Rice said. “Kids have a bit of anxiety about the library and so we get them in here and get them comfortable with the place and maybe they’ll come back.” Towards the end of the night, Patillo said the library was pleased with how the event turned out. “I think it’s fun! And if we do it again … I’m going to be playing,” Patillo said. “We want to have the kinds of activities that our users want.”
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Arts and Entertainment
Nov. 2, 2018
LISTENING POST VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE ADVICE FOR STUDENTS AND FACulty Marbeth Salinas @ ׀TheAppalachian ׀A&E Reporter
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ith so many distractions in Plemmons Student Union, it’s easy to miss the small rectangular table, covered with treats and goodies, located under the Venezuelan flag in the international hallway. A smiling man and woman sit at the table. The Listening Post is just as it sounds. It is open to any student or faculty member in need of a listening ear. The listeners are not in the union to “tell you what to do,” Mike Osbourne, an avid volunteer and listener at The Listening Post, said. “It’s to allow you to decide yourself by getting you to talk about it.” “We have neighbors who have done this for several years and we’re both alumni of Appalachian, so it's a way to give back,” volunteer Dorothy Osbourne said. Many of the volunteers are App State alumni who have given their time and effort back to the school. When the volunteers were in school, however, the topic of mental health was not a subject of discussion. “If you were stressed out you didn’t tell anybody,” volunteer Maurice Ewing said. The Listening Post was founded in 1979 at the University of Denver, but it came to App State as a reaction to the 1999 Columbine High School shooting, according to “A Rumple Minute for Mission.” The idea was that if someone could have listened to the difficulties students were having, then the tragedy could have been avoided. The Listening Post volunteers can refer students or staff to proper mental health services if they feel they cannot handle their situation. Volunteers are also trained for any mental or physical emergency that may arise.
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“We had a young person come in who came and collapsed the first Thursday here,” Osbourne said. “They didn’t know what to do with him because we never had anything like that before.” Another incident occurred with an honorably discharged Marine with two tours of combat duty in the Middle East. He suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and was considering suicide. After talking with the listener for a short time, the young man abruptly arose to leave. The listener followed him down the hall, stopped him from leaving the building and walked him straight to the counseling center where professional counselors assured his safety. All of The Listening Post volunteers are trained on how to be active listeners and are given a run-down on the numerous campus services that help students in need, including suicide prevention training and the counseling center. The purpose of the Listening Post is to provide a safe, non-judgmental place for students or staff to talk about anything on their mind, Ewing said. Although The Listening Post volunteers are faced with many individuals wanting a solution to their problems, they know each visitor has the answer to their own problem. The Listening Post believes that people need “some encouragement to come up what they already know is the right answer,” Ewing said. The Listening Post is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Plemmons Student Union in the International Hall of Flags and on Wednesdays between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Park Place Cafe in Trivette Hall.
Ryan Duquette prides herself in her unique fashion sense. // Hayley Canal
Fashion Column:
Ryan Duquette, Fashion in her own words
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Marbeth Salinas @ ׀TheAppalachian ׀A&E Reporter
t is hard to miss Ryan Duquette when she walks into a room, standing around six feet tall with striking fashion. Duquette, sophomore apparel design and merchandising student, uses fashion to express her true self. “Being transgender, it’s been a struggle to accept myself and want to show the world who I am, but through fashion I am able to do that,” Duquette said. Duquette said that fashion helped her get through dark times in her life, like when she was bullied in middle school.
“Ever since then I’ve just been evolving and growing as person and an individual that just loves fashion,” Duquette said. Duquette describes her style as a hybrid of different influences. “Super skater girl meets French b----, meets classic Bella Hadid knockoff,” Duquette said. “I definitely get most my inspiration from social media.” Two of her biggest social media influences are Bella Hadid and Amanda Steele. Steele represents the “goth” style and Hadid represents the “tomboy” style she aims for.
“I really just wake up and decide if I want to look like a bootleg Bella or a bootleg Amanda,” Duquette said. One of her favorite outfit staples is her IAMGIA jacket, a piece she marveled over when she saw social media fashion influencers wearing it. “My mom was like, ‘Wwe’ll finally get it for you for one year being on hormones,’ so it’s like a birthday present,” Duquette said. Duquette’s fashion awakens the person she never thought she could be. Duquette said her fashion makes her feel, “Confident, it’s just that simple.”
Opinion
Nov. 2, 2018
“All are welcome” isn’t enough
Campus ministries should be forthcoming of attitudes toward LGBT Community
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NORA SMITH EDITOR IN CHIEF
IRA DAVID LEVY ADVISER
EDITORIAL
n Matthews, North Carolina, a Butler High School student was shot by another student on Monday morning. Matthews Police confirmed that the victim, an unnamed male, died after being rushed to the hospital. Police have the suspected shooter in custody. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools superintendent Clayton Wilcox said in a press conference that the shooting occurred after a disagreement between two students. Thank God it wasn’t an “actual” school shooting. No, this was merely a “disagreement.” There’s no need to be alarmed! It’s just one person, which means, of course, there’s no need for anyone to pay attention to this incident. Except, a kid died. This one child was someone’s world. This one kid was someone’s son, brother, friend, etc. He had a whole future that was stolen from him by someone with a gun. No more guns. There have been 35 school shootings in 2018 alone. Forty-one kids were murdered. Forty-one kids had their futures violently stripped from them. So no more guns. Get rid of all of them, the Second Amendment be damned. Your right to own a fancy toy doesn’t come before the lives of children.
VICTORIA HAYNES 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
matter your age, race or ethnicity, ability, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.” “We gladly receive all individuals regardless of race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status and political affiliation, gender identity and sexual orientation, marital status, religious background, mental or physical ability or illness, substance abuse or addiction, criminal background, documentation status, and age,” LSA’s statement said. Other Christian groups’ statements on AppSync have trite, unspecific blurbs like “Everyone is welcome,” “All are welcome!” and “Open to any and all students!” Although these statements seem to be all-inclusive, they aren’t helpful in determining what is and isn’t acceptable in that ministry. If a group cannot be welcoming and open to the LGBT community, then “All are welcome” is meaningless. “Saying ‘all are welcome’ really isn’t always enough. Churches and campus ministries can do better by adopting statements of inclusion that openly accept and affirm the LGBTQIA+ community rather than using a blanket statement that
SYDNEY SPANN
VISUAL MANAGING EDITOR
MICKEY HUTCHINGS PHOTO EDITOR
EFRAIN ARIAS-MEDINA JR. GRAPHICS EDITOR
LOGAN BERG VIDEO EDITOR
BRAXTON COATS WEB EDITOR
may or may not be true,” Joseph Cooper, junior music therapy major and president of LSA, said. All religious groups are not required to be open and affirming. If an open and affirming statement goes against its beliefs, the group should not have one. Instead of saying “all are welcome,” a group should say exactly who it does and does not accept. Furthermore, the groups that claim to be open and affirming should be able to back it up with action. Over fall break, some members of PECM went on a service trip to Atlanta. On the last day, they participated in Atlanta Pride Parade. “Atlanta Pride was a reminder that there are faith communities that don’t believe loving someone of the same sex is a sinful act and I’m so grateful for that, and that PECM advocates for and supports the LGBT+ community,” Dorothy Williams, junior middle education major, said. Christian campus ministries should consider being more open to members that challenge their beliefs on gender identity and sexual orientation.
BUSINESS
Q Russell । @Q_M_Russell । Opinion Editor
A
s the Trump Administration continues to invalidate the LGBT community with attempts to define transgender people out of existence, having open and affirming church communities to lean on is important. Forty-two percent of LGBT youth ages 13-17 said the community they live in is not accepting of LGBT people, according to the Human Rights Campaign. Twenty-nine percent of adults said they have felt unwelcome in a church or religious organization, according to Pew Research Center. Only two Christian campus ministries offer statements of affirmation for LGBT members—Lutheran Students of Appalachian and Presbyterian Episcopal Campus Ministry. The presidents of the other campus ministries were asked via email if they were open and affirming, but they could not be reached for comment. LSA and PECM’s statements of inclusion clearly stand with the LGBT community. PECM’s statement reads in part, “As a ministry, we believe in an inclusive and loving community open to anyone—no
MULTIMEDIA
NO MORE GUNS
Christine Dudley @ ׀TheAppalachian ׀A&E Reporter
CRISTIAN MCLAUGHLIN BUSINESS MANAGER
STEVEN CAUGHRAN
ASSISTANT BUSNESS MANAGER
MELISSA ALSUP MARKETING DIRECTOR
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Et cetera
Nov. 2, 2018
IT’S OFFICIAL
By: Neil Agnew
BY NEIL AGNEW
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Down 1. Slimy substance 2. Christian luxury goods? 3. Ballet movement 4. “I didn’t need to know that,” in textspeak 5. Become sick 6. Football scores, in short 7. Dolphins’ home? 8. “I’m gonna make him an ___ he can’t confuse” (The Godfather) 9. What poker chips are used to do 16. Unit of resistance? 17. Chew the ___ (ruminate) 18. Elections held on Nov. 6 and a hint to this puzzle’s starred clues 19. Number of dias in a week 20. Migos member, familiarly 21. Assistant in childbirth 23. Harvard Univ. state 24. Rocky rapper? 27. Language group of SubSaharan Africa 28. Bayonet 29. Pepper’s partner, on the table Across 1. Measure of a country’s economic performance
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PHOTO OF THE WEEK
4. Tit for ___ (retaliation) 7. Disgruntled throng 10. Commodity also known as “black gold” 11. Kind of crisis* 12. Big rapper? 13. They, in French 14. Direction towards the stem 15. Rock’s speedwagon 17. ___ Group (futures trading co.) 19. Writhe 22. Muslim prayer leader 25. T-shaped birth control device 26. ___ Auto 27. U.S. agency that releases reports on 1-across 28. Flash storage device in many cell phone: Abbr. 30. Flight security org. 31. Off-roading vehicle: Abbr. 32. Puppy’s foot 33. Clairvoyant’s ability, shortly 34. Keanu Reeves role in “The Matrix” 35. QB Manning of the NY Giants 35. Govt. agency that’s an anagram of 14-across 37. A ____ Night’s Dream (Shakespearean play)*
10/26 ANSWER KEY
Veronica Hayes│@theultimateblonde
Veronica Hayes, Office of Sustainability intern and senior public relations major, sorts through 650 pounds of compostable materials after an App State game at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
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T H E C OV E R : Redshirt sophomore running back Darrynton Evans drags his tackler against Louisiana. // Photo by Vince Fortea
Nov. 2, 2018
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Friday, Nov. 2
Saturday, Nov. 3
Sunday, NOv. 4
Monday, Nov. 5
App’s Got Talent Legends 6-9 p.m.
Men’s Volleyball Home Tournament SRC 8:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Volleyball vs. Georgia Southern Holmes Convocation Center 12:30 p.m.
Volleyball vs. Georgia State Holmes Convocation Center 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Appalachian Leadership Forum PSU 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Blazing Bassoons Rosen Concert Hall 4 p.m.
Group Fitness Instructor Interest Meeting SRC 7 p.m.
“Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” showing Greenbriar Theatre 7 p.m.
Outdoor Programs: Stand Up Paddle Board ($25) SRC Meet at noon
Day Trip: Canoe the New River SRC 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
“Woman Walks Ahead” showing I.G. Greer 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Women’s Basketball vs. Lees McRae Holmes Convocation Center 2 p.m.
“The Wolves” I.G. Greer Studio Theatre 7 p.m.
Appalachian Leadership Forum PSU 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Boone Democratic Socialists of America General Meeting Belk Library 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Tuesday, NOv. 6
Wednesday, Nov. 7
Thursday, Nov. 8
Friday, Nov. 9
Election Day! Tune into The Appalachian’s live coverage on AppTV.
Jazz Ensemble Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts 8 p.m.
Gaming Club Meeting Linville Falls, PSU 5 p.m.
Group Fitness Instructor Auditions Quinn Recreation Center 3-7 p.m.
LGBTQ+ Poetry Night 3rd Place 6 p.m.
Treble Choir/Glee Club Rosen Concert Hall 8 p.m.
Collegiate Recovery Community Summit Parkway Ballroom, PSU noon Spoken Word ft. Ebony Stewart Parkway Ballroom, PSU 7 p.m. Emotional Commotion Three Top Mountain Room, PSU 7 p.m.
Collegiate Recovery Community Wellness and Prevention Services 5 p.m. Self Image Monologues Whitewater Lounge 7 p.m.
Day Trip: Grandfather Mountain Hike SRC 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Submit y(OUR) Story Deadline Wellness and Prevention Services 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Bike App! River Street 1-4:30 p.m. Group Fitness Instructor Interest Meeting SRC 7-8 p.m.
MSEC Science Seminar Series Reich College of Education 6 p.m. Gaming Club Meeting Linville Falls 7 p.m.
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Psychic
Don ’ ? t ? s y o you t know a ll w e e r w F u ant what d yo to b n i f e? ’t n a “For young and old, we all need to know.” C Talk with Rita. Ava r you w help ilable t o n r k o , o with o nt t resent p a r o W st, p blem all ? e a r s. p futu (828) 457-5134 133 Boone Docks Rd, Boone, NC 28607
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