April 14, The Appalachian

The Appalachian

Battle of the Bands page 6

Tuesday, April 14,24, 2015 Tuesday, February 2015

Construction of Winkler Square underway

by Gerrit Van Genderen Managing Editor

Construction of the mixeduse Winkler Square property near Appalachian State University’s campus is in the initial stages, said Wes Berry, Winkler Organization marketing and advertising director.

After nearly 10 years of no use, the defunct property of The Library Restaurant and Pub was demolished at the end of last year as a result of an approved special use permit by the Boone Board of Adjustment on Sept. 4, 2014.

The property is located at the intersection of Highway 321 and Clement Street.

The Boone Board of Adjustment was not available for comment on the Special Use Permit as of press time.

The Winkler Organization, which was started in 1983 and owns and manages apartments, houses and commercial properties in Boone, purchased the lot last September and started the process of preparing the construction of Winkler Square.

“We’ve had it in our umbrella for a while,” Berry said. “The decision to build came last year after we had a proposed architectural plan that was accepted by the town.”

So far in the construction process, site preparation has started and foundation footers have been placed in the ground. Berry said once the majority of the foundation work is completed, the rest of

The Winkler Organization has started construction on its mixed-use apartment complex at the intersection of U.S. Highway 321 and Clement Street, expected to be finished by August 2015.

the work will go very quickly.

Winkler Square will feature 38 residential units on the second and third floors – 18 efficiencies, 18 onebedroom units and two twobedroom units – that can house up to 40 tenants. The two-bedroom units, which start at $710 per month, and the one-bedroom units, starting at $760 per month, have already been leased for the

2015-16 lease term. Nine efficiencies, starting at $725 per month, are still available.

Over the past few years, Berry said, there has been high demand for one-bedroom and efficiency units.

The Winkler Organization hopes building a property that focuses on those unit styles will further convince students and Boone residents to live with the company.

Student assists NASA with Mars 2020

by Josh Wharton Intern News Reporter

An Appalachian State University sophomore physics major has been selected for an internship with NASA to help select the landing site for the Mars 2020 rover.

Benjamin Migirditch received this opportunity through Caltech’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships program and will be working with Lindsay Hays, science systems engineer at NASA, for 10 weeks

SEE MARS PAGE 4

The property’s amenities are all-inclusive with each tenant’s rent and include recycling, trash pick-up, electricity, water, Internet and cable, according to www. winklerorganization.com.

Wood floors, washer and dryer units and ceiling fans in all bedrooms will also be included.

With the company’s most recent properties – Winkler

Intern News Reporter

by Laney Ruckstuhl News Editor

The Mars 2020 landrover will investigate living conditions on the planet to determine if it is inhabitable for humans.

Square and 494 Lofts, located on King Street – the Winkler Organization is using a building model that features interior hallways. Berry said these hallways serve as a security feature with a locking exterior door that leads to each apartment’s locking door.

“That’s a model we had

SEE WINKLER PAGE 5

Boombox girl joins effort to spread joy on campus

by Mary Wood

Courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech

Gerrit Van Genderen

With the help of her friends and family, an Appalachian State University junior environmental biology major has plans of adding to the campus’ boombox music scene by becoming the university’s first ever boombox girl.

Ariel Bushel, who plans to play pop, hip-hop and a wide variety of other

genres, with the exception of country, said she was motivated to become Appalachian’s boombox girl after seeing Steven Powell, an Appalachian graduate who was known as Boombox Guy. “I hope to brighten people’s days,” Bushel said, “like Steven did.”

Bushel said she was inspired by what Powell did and felt as if he brought joy to people on Appalachian’s

SEE BOOMBOX PAGE 4

2

Quidditch World Cup

Alex Gates The Appalachian Apparators competed in the eighth annual Quidditch World Cup from April 11-12 in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

The team finished the tournament ranked 21st in its flight, with wins against University of Southern Florida, University of South Carolina and the Long Beach Funky Quaffles, and losses to University of Texas at San Antonio and University of Rochester, both on a snitch grab. A total of 80 of the top teams in North America competed in the tournament, with the University of Texas at Austin winning the title of World Champion for the third time.

news

3

Raising awareness for sexual assault victims

by Chamian Cruz News Reporter

A

pril is recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month – nationally and on-campus – a time to shed light on the issue and eliminate victim blaming by focusing on holding perpetrators accountable.

Sexual assault is defined as the sexual exploitation, forcible penetration or an act of sexual contact on the body of another person – male or female – without his or her consent, according to www.sexualassault. appstate.edu.

North Carolina and Appalachian State University define consent as a clear, knowing, voluntary and sober permission through words or actions.

According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, an average of 207,754 victims – age 12 and older – of rape and sexual assault occur each year. Approximately two-thirds of rapes were committed by someone known to the victim and 54 percent of rapes or sexual assaults are not reported to the police.

Dan Jones, director of counseling and psychological services at Appalachian, said freshmen are more likely to be raped because they are more vulnerable to serial rapists who target freshmen.

Jones said strategies of serial rapists include inviting an individual to a party, using alcohol without the victim’s knowledge and sometimes even having a designated room. In addition, most will deny what they did and fail to identify themselves as rapists.

“Some people say that women should be able to drink just like men and men should be told to not rape and I agree with that,” Jones said, “but it’s hard to convince these serial rapists that tend to lack concern or empathy for people to not rape, because they feel entitled and are narcissistic so telling them not to do it doesn’t always work.”

He said many survivors of sexual assault or rape don’t report for fear of judgment, stigmas, victim blam-

Jordan Kimbrell Ellen Hartman, associate director of student conduct, is also an adviser for the Red Flag Campaign, which trains students to be active bystanders in preventing sexual assault.

ing or for not wanting to upset family or even sometimes due to the perpetrator. Victims often blame themselves or don’t know that they’ve been raped due to an unclear memory or because the event happened so fast.

“There is research to support the notion that getting treatment reduces the chances of long-term effects of post traumatic stress, because rape is an abnormal event,” Jones said. “Only 1 in 10 women report that they’ve been sexually assaulted or raped, and so most people who are raped don’t go to counseling. It’s a good idea to go to counseling and to report it.

Talk to somebody.”

Jones said beginning in fall 2015, the Counseling Center will be providing new counseling and therapy specifically designed for sexual assault and rape to help avoid trauma.

Ellen Hartman, associate director of Student Conduct and adviser for The Red Flag

Campaign, said one in five women and one in 33 men will experience some form of sexual assault while in college. The Red Flag Campaign focuses on training and teaching individuals about interpersonal violence and how to safely be an active bystander.

“It’s all about the prevention piece in regards to education, because if we create a culture where our students, faculty, staff and community members are active bystanders where they intervene in instances of sexual violence, we’re telling the perpetrator that it is not OK what they are doing and we’re speaking directly to their behavior,” Hartman said.

Hartman said there has been an increase in sexual assault reports at Appalachian, but more reports do not necessarily mean that more assaults are occurring. Instead, it means that there are resources and support available for victims and survivors to come

forward.

The Red Flag Educator Group has trained over 2,000 students to be active bystanders since 2013, intervening in potentially dangerous situations. They also work closely with OASIS, which is the local domestic violence and sexual assault resource agency that offers free and confidential services and a 24-hour crisis line.

Marcie Ownbey, outreach coordinator of OASIS said common effects of sexual assault may include self-doubt, self-blame, shame, repeated strong memories of the event, difficulty concentrating or sleeping and loss of sense of safety.

Ownbey said anonymous reporting allows victims to have a forensic exam done at a hospital and have the results stored anonymously for up to a year in case the individual decides to press charges later.

“A lot of the things that our society tells people to do on a daily

basis to prevent their own assault lead to victim blaming,” Ownbey said. “In our prevention work, we focus on teaching people from an early age about respect and not to assault and we believe in holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.”

There is also a common stigma for men and women about reporting sexual assault, but many men especially don’t report sexual assaults for fear of what it might do to them as a victim and as someone who identifies as a male.

“We know that it does happen to men and we like to emphasize that we do know that because we want men to feel like they can come forward and seek our services if it does happen,” Ownbey said. “We also know that 50-64 percent of transgender people will experience sexual assault in their lifetime and that’s a really high number for that population.”

4 MARS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 this summer.

“The rolling list right now is about 24 sites,” Migirditch said. “I’m supposed to sift through those, decide which one is best, then help make a proposal for the Mars Program Office.”

This rover mission, Migirditch said, is one of the first steps taken toward a long-term goal for NASA to get humans to Mars by 2030.

According to NASA’s Jet Propulsion laboratory, Mars 2020 mission is a future rover designed to investigate key questions about the habitability of Mars, assess natural resources and hazards in preparation for future human expeditions to the planet.

BOOMBOX

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

campus. Before truly becoming boombox girl, said she hopes to gather enough money to purchase a boombox by the end of the semester. To do so, she is looking for donations; she claims she has made approximately $30 of the $200 needed to purchase a boombox.

“I made a website called www.gofundme.com/boombox where people can go onto and donate however much they want to,” Bushel said. “I would be more than appreciative to all those who are able

This rover mission will allow scientists to collect and store rock and soil samples. These samples will then be collected by a different rover, and returned to Earth to determine whether life existed on Mars and prepare for human exploration.

Migirditch’s proposal will be presented at a conference in August. At this conference, the different teams that have also selected a site will present their data to argue for which position is best for the landing site.

Migirditch said there are two parts to consider in this project: scientific goals and engineering.

“The science goals are what do we want to find, and what are the areas of interest,” Migirditch said. “It’s mostly quantitative comparison of actual data that can rank the sites.”

to donate.”

Powell graduated in spring 2014, leaving the a vacancy in the self-titled position. Earlier this semester, Kevin Bynum, who is currently taking a semester off from studying geology, said he was being trained

by Powell in hopes of walking in his footsteps.

“Before I decided to become boombox girl, I got in contact with Stephen and Kevin who both thought it was a great idea to have a girl and a guy,” Buschel said. “They thought having both genders can help cover all genres of music and we can split up the days per week so there’s not just one person with the responsibil-

The second part of his task involves working with the engineers. Migirditch said the scientific goals will be presented to the engineers who will then discern the tools and technology best fit for the job.

Migirditch found out about this opportunity after discovering Caltech’s SURF program with help from his mentor.

“There was a list of 70 projects with mentors,” Migirditch said. “I looked through that for a long time and found that this met my skill set.”

Jennifer Burris, Appalachian physics and astronomy professor, mentored Migirditch, among other students, through the process of gaining this internship.

“Many of the undergraduate and graduate students in the Physics and As-

ity.”

Bynum said he is happy to share the role with Buschel, as he believes any method of spreading happiness on campus is a good one.

“Ariel seems to be an enthusiastic, fun person who would be a great [boombox girl] to work with,” Bynum said.

“Since my boombox is experiencing technical difficulties and I will not likely be able to debut before the end of the semester, she would be a great candidate to take my place for the moment and a great companion to dance with for the rest of my college career.”

Bushel said it’s nice to get feedback from students so

tronomy Department work on research projects over the summer, both on and off campus,” Burris said. “On average, the physics and astronomy department has about 20-30 students working in research laboratories over the summer, with more than half funded.”

Not only do students work in research labs during the summers, but they also continue aiding faculty in research during the academic year, Burris said.

“We are very proud of how well our students do, both during summers and after graduation,” Burris said. “It is a testament to commitment of the faculty that the research opportunities exist, and to the amazing work ethic of our students that they spend this time outside of the classroom to further their education.”

Ariel Buschel is raising money to buy a boombox so she can become Appalachian’s first “boombox girl.”

they can tell her what type of music they want to hear. She also said it is all about making the students happy.

“It definitely helped me a lot

Chris Deverell

last year because when I had bad days,” Bushel said, “seeing someone dance around with a boombox made me feel happier and put a smile on my face.”

5

Appalachian hopes to improve racial, ethnic diversity in health care field

by Thomas Culkin News Reporter

Appalachian State University is working to improve diversity in the healthcare workforce after recently becoming an official member of the the North Carolina Alliance for Health Professions.

The organization, which is a coalition between universities, statewide organizations and state and local health agencies, works to improve the racial and ethnic diversity in the healthcare professions in North Carolina. By increasing diversity, the goal is that disparities in health status and health care will even out.

“People of color are disproportionately impacted by health disparities,” said Peggy Valentine, the dean of Health Sciences at Winston Salem State University and one of the founding members of the alliance. “As we prepare more people of color to become health professionals, they will be more likely to work in underserved communities where health disparities exist.”

The alliance has taken numerous steps to begin improving diversity in health

professions, including creating a website that lists summer courses available to students interested in pursuing a career in health care, conducting joint-research projects and increased recruitment and mentoring of middle and high school students. The alliance meets monthly to come up with new strategies and plans.

Gary McCullough, the associate dean for research and graduate education in the College of Health Sciences who serves as Appalachian’s representative on the alliance, believes the benefits of the alliance will be cyclical because an increased diversity will lead to even more diversity.

“When you draw people in from diverse backgrounds, they have a much better understanding of how to reach those other people of diverse backgrounds,” McCullough said. “It’s a domino effect. If there’s a first wave of a more diverse workforce, then those people have interactions in healthcare with other minorities, and those interactions will increase interest in [the profession] as well.”

McCullough believes Appalachian’s inclusion in the NC

WINKLER

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

good success with [at 494 Lofts] and we’re using it [at Winkler Square] and I think it can kind of be a possible future for us with all new properties,” Berry said.

Winkler Square will also be built right alongside Blowing Rock Road, with parking behind the building. Berry said this was an intentional decision to continue Boone’s pedestrian-friendly initiatives.

“With the addition of sidewalks and required bike racks on properties, [Boone] is starting to think a lot more larger scale and [Winkler] is excited about that as well,” Berry said.

Another unique feature of Winkler Square will be the approximate 4,885 square feet of mixed use space available on the building’s first floor. The Winkler Organization is attempting to section off the retail space into four different suites, one of which has already been leased.

“We had been tracking on it for a while [and] the key thing was the zoning issues – what the city would allow and it wouldn’t allow,” Berry said. “The mixed use obviously allows us to do some retail underneath [the apartments] for the commercial side.”

The 494 Lofts property features retail space on the first floor as well, which is something Berry said is Boone seems to be leaning toward going forward, especially around Appalachian’s

Alliance for Health Professions Diversity reflects highly on the culture of the university.

“It shows there’s an openness and a good perspective on life,” McCullough said.

“These people are forwardthinking, looking to the future and how we can improve the planet.”

The program was founded by former U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Louis W. Sullivan.

The alliance is a part of the larger Sullivan Alliance, created in 2005, which seeks to add more health professionals from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds.

Alliances similar to North Carolina’s exist in states such as Nebraska, Virginia and Florida.

Ultimately, Valentine believes, the best way to give exceptional healthcare is to ensure there is a diverse healthcare workforce.

“As our nation becomes more ethnically diverse, we must ensure that quality healthcare is delivered in a culturally competent manner,” Valentine said.

“A diverse health professions workforce will help to achieve that goal.”

campus.

Berry said it is nice to have the ability to put residential living quarters above stores and businesses that promote commerce.

“When you bring a business in, you bring an opportunity for people to spend a dollar and create employment and I think that’s something our town is leaning toward,” Berry said.

The property’s construction is expected to be completed by the Aug. 11 move-in date and the organization is confident there will be no issues with the building process.

In the event that inclement weather keeps the Winkler Organization from meeting its proposed date for Winkler Square, Berry said there would be a contingency plan that would include housing and storage for the tenants.

Winkler Square will be the Winkler Organization’s 21st property in Boone. Berry said some of the keys to the company’s success in attracting students include offering a variety of properties with different features, 24-hour maintenance and trust.

“Our tenants trust us to provide quality affordable [housing] and to take care of issues when they arise, and we try to do that with the utmost efficiency, Berry said.

“The nutshell of Winkler is trust – we’re trying to do the right thing the right way and I think at the end of the day, people really appreciate that.”

BATTLE The of

Arson Daily Members:

– Quincy Platt, bass, Appalachian junior.

– Zach Dunham, vocals and rhythm guitar, Appalachian senior.

– Chip Cannon, lead guitar, Appalachian junior.

– Adam McLean, drummer, Appalachian junior.

Sounds like:

“Villainous rock,” Platt said.

Influences:

Cage The Elephant, Dr. Dog, Black Keys, general blues and garage rock.

History:

The band formed around the start of the fall semester when Dunham and Platt moved from school in Greenville, after Cannon and McLean had met previously in Boone.

Why compete?

They want to network and meet the other bands, above all else, in hopes of joining forces in the struggle for local exposure.

What are they bringing to the competition?

A diverse lineup of psychedelic, blues rock and contemporary — played at high energy with some experimental showmanship.

“At the end of the day, I think people will have our songs stuck in their heads — I’m confident that they will,” Dunham said.

Final word:

“I’ve heard good things about everyone, but it’s hard to gauge when you haven’t seen them live. If you’re like us, the recordings are pretty raw, but I’ve only heard good things from the rest of them,” Platt said.

“We’re trying to think of it less as a competition and more as a showcase,” McLean said.

The Romantic Egotists Members:

– Matt Carter, drummer, Appalachian senior.

– Wilson Billingsley, guitar and vocals, Appalachian junior.

– Bailey Faulkner, guitar, Appalachian junior.

– Logan Hall, bass, Appalachian senior.

– Cramer Lewis, guitar, Appalachian junior.

Sounds like:

BANDS

Way Das Members:

– Russell Bomer, drummer, Appalachian senior.

– Nick Eichen, guitar and vocals, Appalachian sophomore.

– Joey Frost, guitar and bass, Appalachian junior.

– Emily Kolakowski, vocals and bass, Appalachian sophomore.

“If Bryan Adams and Zeppelin had a baby, that’s us,” Carter said.

Sounds like:

“Sad, poppy Nirvana, in the loosest way possible,” Eichen said.

Influences:

’70s and ’80s rock, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Bryan Adams, Fleetwood Mac.

Influences:

Neutral Milk Hotel, The Hold Steady, Nirvana.

History:

Faulkner, Lewis and another roommate — high school friends — were placed with Billingsley by their housing agency at the last minute. When Billingsley said he played guitar the deal was done. He brought in Hall from their previous band in Wilkesboro.

Why compete?

“We’re brand-spanking new, and we just want to get our name out there so hopefully it will snowball and we can start playing bars,” Faulkner said.

What are they bringing to the competition?

“We’re going to be bringing some energy, and there’s a lot of talent in the group – everyone can really play their instruments.”

He considers their set fun above all else. Their three guitars also bring a different aesthetic to their classic jams.”

Final word:

“It’s not about trying to beat these other guys down,” Billingsley said. “We’ll see what happens on the stage and let the music do the talking.”

History:

Kolakowski and Eichen first began playing together in loose preparation for open mic nights they never ended up attending. Frost found himself at regular practices after leaving his and Bomer’s previous group last April, and worked on original songs together. When Bomer too switched over in September, the group solidified its sound.

Why compete?

“Playing at Legends would be a super cool thing to do because we will sound check and there will be people actually adjusting our levels. There’s a lot of people who will hopefully show up, and it will be fun no matter what,” Eichen said.

Kolakowski, who works at Legends, has tried to bring in local bands, but said this is a unique opportunity.

“We want more shows and this is the way to do it — build connections,” Frost said.

What are they bringing to the competition?

As a female-fronted band, they bring an element of originality to this lineup.

Final word:

“Even if we win, we’ll still be losers,” Bomer said.

7

6 “Kintsugi” RELEASE DATE: March 31, 2015 RECORDED: 2013-15 GENRE: Alternative LENGTH: 11 tracks (45:00) LABEL: Atlantic Records

by Death Cab for Cutie

“While the album sticks greatly to its main theme, it doesn’t really express or contain any form of uniqueness or fascinating moments that Death Cab is perfectly capable of creating.”

- Jordan Williams, Intern A&E Reporter

Death Cab takes no creative strides on ‘Kintsugi’

by Jordan Williams Intern A&E Reporter

“Kintsugi,” the title of alternative rock band Death Cab For Cutie’s eighth album, is the Japanese art of fixing broken pottery with a gold finish. The term is also used to express the philosophy of embracing past pain as part of a personal history, rather than trying to hide it.

The term perfectly describes the overall theme of this album, that breakage, or breakups in this instance, are part of the cycle of human relationships.

The theme calls to mind the popular 2009 film “500 Days of Summer,” in which lead singer Ben Gibbard’s ex-wife, Zooey Deschanel, starred.

Death Cab For Cutie has

been around for a while. Their first album, “Something About Airplanes,” came out in 1998.

The band won the hearts of hipsters and young romantics with their heartfelt, sensitive lyricism and elegant, often intense instrumentation in albums such as “Transatlanticism,” “Plans” and “Narrow Stairs.”

On “Kintsugi,” Death Cab doesn’t really take any new strides creatively, but they hone their sound and keep an audience’s attention. Some of the tracks are reminiscent of those from their previous albums.

The first track “No Room In Frame,” is an excellent example of Gibbard’s talent at incorporating melancholy lyrics with relaxing, upbeat musi-

cal arrangements. Beginning with some dispersed electric guitar feedback and bubbly guitar licks, Gibbard makes it obvious that he’s referencing Deschanel in the chorus: “Was I in your way/When the cameras turned to face you?/No room in frame for two.”

“Black Sun,” the second track and lead single from the album, features somber electronic synths and sharp guitar notes. Gibbard pensively sings lyrics that also focus on his past relationship. The song features some clever guitar work throughout.

“Little Wanderer,” is Death Cab bringing it back to its earlier sound, with catchy guitar and piano scattered throughout, as well as Gibbard’s crooning romantic lyrics. Influences

such as The Cure can be heard throughout this track. Though it’s the catchiest on the album, this track follows the same lyrical repetition of the others: “And I hope your absence makes us grow fonder/I hope we always feel the same.”

“Hold No Guns” contains as much excitement as stale bread. While Gibbard’s voice does shine, the song seems like a bad attempt at an “I Will Follow You Into The Dark” rewrite.

Things change up a little bit with “Everything’s A Ceiling,” an upbeat dance track that makes the sappy lyrics explode with colorful sonic imagery.

The upward trend continues with “El Dorado,” on which the band explores their ’80s gothic side and Gibbard’s vocals re-

ally shine on this track.

“Ingenue” marks the album’s creative peak, with Gibbard’s looped “la-la-las” and tremendous guitar solos – the song has its own charm to it and shows just how much Death Cab is capable of when they express their full potential.

Overall, “Kintsugi,” will be hit or miss for Death Cab fans.

Some will enjoy the similarities to their previous albums while others will be turned off by the boring lyrics and similar sounding tracks throughout the album. While the album sticks greatly to its main theme, it doesn’t really express or contain any form of uniqueness or fascinating moments that Death Cab is perfectly capable of creating.

Three-day festival explores dance, life, culture of Brazil

by Kelsey Hamm Intern A&E Reporter

The annual “Festa do Brasil,” a celebration of Brazilian culture that is co-sponsored by Appalachian State University and the local community, will take place in Plemmons Student Union April 15-17.

The three-day event will include an international coffee hour, a showing of the 2002 Brazilian film “City of God” and Afro-Brazilian dance and Capoeira demonstrations, said Gabriella Motta-Passajou, Spanish lecturer and the event’s organizer. “[The movie] is a brutal, hard-hitting look at life in a Brazilian favela,” said Bruce Dick, English professor and Motta-Passajou’s husband.

Dick also helped organize the event.

He elaborated on “City of

God,” saying the purpose is not to portray all of Brazilian society in a negative way, but rather to paint an honest depiction of some of the hardships thousands of Brazilians experience when trapped inside the confines of a favela, a Brazilain slum within a city.

The film depicts favelas in Rio de Janeiro.

Following the movie will be a panel discussion with four panelists from the English department, including German Campos-Munoz, K.C. Clemens, Caroline Egan and Christopher Meade, Dick said.

Motta-Passajou has taught Capoeira – a martial art that blends dance and acrobatics – professionally for more than 20 years, including a physical education course available at Appalachian in the Watauga Global Community program.

“For my Capoeira students,

this festival means they don’t have to go to Brazil to see the real thing – we bring it here to them on campus,” Motta-Passajou said. “In a society where we are becoming more sedentary, Capoeira makes us move in a unique way. You receive a healthy mind and it also helps you in your interpersonal relationships.”

The festival creates publicity for Appalachian in the North among Capoeira groups, Motta-Passajou said.

Sophomore computer science major Dagan Danevic, who grew up in Brazil, said he thinks everyone should attend the festival and learn more about the culture.

“I saw Capoeira done professionally a lot. It’s beautiful but not many people here have heard of it,” Danevic said. “That combined with the movie showing covers a lot

Courtesy of Bruce Dick Appalachian Spanish lecturer and capoeirista Gabriella Motta-Passajou (right) and her students perform the Brazilian fight-dance Capoeira in an open roda.

of important details regarding life in Brazil, and why we should be interested in and care about and embrace our brethren overseas.”

The international coffee hour will take place in Whitewater Cafe from 12:30-2 p.m.

April 15, and will include a free meal of black beans and rice. “City of God” will be shown April 16 in Greenbriar Theatre and the final celebrations will occur in Grandfather Ballroom from 5-9 p.m. April 17.

opinion

8

Religious Right appeals to hatred, prejudice Kevin Griffin Opinion Writer

“Religious freedom” has become the favored rhetorical device of the Religious Right over the past year. While the most notable example is the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act, North Carolina has made its own efforts to put this dubious principle into practice.

When same-sex marriage was legalized last October, there was the push to exempt magistrates from issuing licenses for same-sex couples. On March 26, a version of a bill similar to the one passed in Indiana has been proposed in the North Carolina House.

Gov. Pat McCrory, in a rare mo-

ment of sanity, has opposed the bill, according to WRAL. As frustrating as moves like these are, they are ultimately signs of recognition that the Religious Right understands it is losing. More than half the country recognizes samesex marriage, and a Supreme Court decision later this year will likely take care of the remaining states.

Still, the current situation with these religious freedom laws perfectly exemplifies the problems with the Religious Right and conservative Christianity.

A main goal of the Religious Right for decades has been the imposition of its own brand of religiosity on society. Yet, the emphasis they have chosen in pursuing that goal is strange to me.

In the process of campaigning for a Christian nation, there are a number of things

they could emphasize, like caring for the poor, for instance.

The Religious Right in this country has clearly not chosen that direction. Instead, they decided to appeal to that which is worst in people, the fear, hatred and prejudice.

The current situation with gay rights is a perfect example. Though they do not state so explicitly, a major motive behind these religious freedom bills is to allow religious people to discriminate against gay people.

Why is this issue so important? Why is this “sin” so special? Would the business owners who would refuse services to gay couples also inquire as to whether or not their patrons had stolen or lied?

An example of this came up in a CNN interview with a Georgia florist who said she

would not serve gay couples.

The woman did not, however, have a problem serving adulterers.

The reason that the issue of gay rights is so emphasized is that its good for awakening the prejudice that many people have toward gays.

Like demented Jiminy Crickets, the Religious Right has used the moral deference many people give to religion to encourage the worst, most base instincts in believers.

Many Americans are aware of how warped this view of the world and are turning against it. While the movement is failing on its major goals, the emergence of this brand of religious freedom laws reveals how absurd this entire movement is.

Griffin, a junior journalism major from Madison, is an opinion writer.

Emily Howard | The Appalachian

Social speech norms continue to silence women Lauren Burrows Opinion Writer

Sexism is entrenched in much more of America’s social cues than most of us realize. The roots of America’s “woman problem” not only extend deep into our institutions, but as far into our human systems as to permeate our means of communication with one another.

Verbal speech, the most common system of communication humans have with one another, has left half of the human population unaccounted for.

Women have once again been silenced by the patriarchal hand that our speech systems originat-

ed under.

Girls, at a young age, are expected to hold a more subservient attitude in speech, whereas their male counterparts are expected to be more assertive and humorous.

These expectations have left lingering effects on women and how they are heard.

American society teaches girls at a young age that what they speak about is unimportant. Even in the home setting, parents are twice as likely to speak over daughters than sons, and when they do talk to their daughters, they are twice as likely to talk about chores, according to BBC. In a study by Cambridge University, up to two thirds of classroom time was given to engagement with male students. Male students are also typically viewed as being penalized by having to sit

still and stay quiet in school, where this same point is rarely made toward girls, who are assumed to be naturally quiet and well-behaved.

These sexist assumptions are carried into adulthood, where in a social mixedgender setting, women are viewed as “dominating the conversation” if they speak only 30 percent of the time, according to a study at the University of Texas.

Based on the same idea shown to boys at a young age – that women’s speech is of little importance – men are more likely to interrupt and speak over women than the opposite. Many times, a woman will make a statement and gain no response, only to have a man repeat it afterward, bringing about conversation and debate.

In this way, the male gender

is viewed as holding superior status to the female, which greatly influences women’s status and stance in society.

As a result, women, especially those in professional roles, are hindered because of speech cues regardless of how qualified she may be to excel in their positions.

The confusion of “women’s speech” with “unimportant dialogue” is dangerous, and both women and men would benefit from language being held by more gender-neutral guidelines.

Holding socialized male speech dominance to a higher standard and being more aware of sexist speech can help women’s voices to regain their volume.

Burrows, a freshman journalism major from Mint Hill, is an opinion writer.

classifieds

9

CRIME LOG BOONE

1:10 a.m. | Possession of marijuana Dale Street An arrest was made for the possession of marijuana.

April 13 11:28 a.m. | Criminal damage to property Outside LS Dougherty This incident is under inves- April 11 12:22 p.m. | Criminal damtigation. age to property East Hall April 12 11:29 p.m. | Underage con- This incident is under investigation. sumption of alcohol East Hall An arrest was made for the April 11 1:39 a.m. | Underage conunderage consumption of sumption of alcohol alcohol.

Gardner Hall An arrest was made for the April 12 2:38 a.m. | University policy underage consumption of alcohol. violation Woods by Living Learning April 10 Center A student referral was given 10:34 p.m. | Skateboarding on campus for the policy violation.

Center Street Tennis Court April 12

A student referral was given due to skateboarding on campus.

April 10 4 p.m. | Criminal damage to property Anne Belk Hall This incident is under investigation.

March 31 11 p.m. | Larceny of a wallet Student Recreation Center This incident is under investigation.

March 30 10 p.m. | Larceny - from buildings Unknown location on campus This incident is under invesAn arrest was made for the possession of marijuana.

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10 Submit Announcements App News is a service of the Division of Student Development. Email dycheab@appstate.edu.

Submissions should not exceed 100 words and must include the event title, date/time, location and cost, and a contact email, phone and/or URL. Announcements will be edited as needed and will run as space allows. Preference given for events that are free or have a nominal cost.

Honoring university leadership award winners At 2 p.m. April 24 in the Parkway Ballroom of PSU, the Division of Student Development will honor the recipients of the 2014-2015 Who’s Who in American Universities and Colleges, along with the recipients of the Ronny L. Brooks Award for Outstanding Leadership, the Bobby L. Dunnigan Award for Outstanding Service and the Gregory S. Blimling Award for Outstanding Graduate Student in Student Development.

The reception is open to recipients, their families and friends.

Free tax assistance ASU’s Walker College of Business will provide free tax assistance for individuals or families with a combined household income of $60,000 or less.

Anyone can prepare and e-file their own federal and state income taxes for free using www. myfreetaxes.com.

The Free Tax Help Lab, will be held 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, through April 15, room 2014, Peacock Hall. Email hofmannma@appstate.edu.

Expressive Arts Group for Veterans Open to any faculty, staff and student veterans at Appalachian State University. The group’s purpose is to allow for the establishment of community amongst veterans and to offer creative outlets to explore through multiple modes of expression. Email falckms@appstate.edu or call 828-262-2696.

All sessions will be held at 5:45 p.m. in room 306, College of Education. The dates are: April 14 and April 28.

Spring Boyles CEO Lecture Featuring John Osborn, president and CEO of BBDO New York, 10 a.m. April 15, Holmes Convocation Center. Free and open to the public.

With 15,000 employees in 289 offices across 81 countries, BBDO is the second largest global advertising agency network, with its headquarters in New York. For more information, visit www.ceo.business. appstate.edu.

The Wellness Workshops Presented by the Counseling Center, The Wellness Workshops: Feelin’ Good in the Neighborhood. Call 828-262-3180 or visit counseling. appstate.edu • Reducing Stress with Mindfulness, 12:30-1:30 p.m. April 15, Three Top Mountain, PSU Festa do Brasil The three-day celebration of Brazilian culture will be held April 15-17 in Plemmons Student Union.

All events are free and open to the public.

• 12:30-2 p.m. April 15, Interna-

tional Coffee Hour in Whitewater Café • 6 p.m. April 16, screening of “City of God,” in Greenbriar Theater, followed by a panel discussion by faculty members from the Department of English • 5-9 p.m. April 17, Afro-Brazilian Dance Workshop and Dance of the Orixás, Grandfather Ballroom A Night with Junaluska The forum features the descendants of the first group of African Americans that inhabited Boone, 6-8 p.m. April 17, room 114, Belk Library.

This program will feature individuals anging from age 22 to over 65, talking about what life was like being the first African-Americans growing up in a predominately white town.

Sponsored by the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. Free and open to the public.

Spring Performing Arts Series All events to be held at the Schaefer Center. For more information, email boxoffice@appstate.edu, call 828-262-4046 or go to pas.appstate.edu.

• Koresh Dance Company, 8 p.m.

April 17, $10-$20 Suicide prevention training Learn how to help someone who is showing signs of emotional distress. By the end of this training, participants will know the warning signs for suicide, how to intervene, and where to go for more help. All training sessions will be held in Three Top Mountain, PSU. • 10 a.m.-noon April 21 • 5:30-7:30 p.m. April 22 • 6-8 p.m. April 27

• 3-5 p.m. April 28 • 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. April 29

Food Services Behind the Scenes Tour Presented 10-11:30 a.m. April 21, Roess Dining Hall. Learn how being self-operated makes Appalachian Food Services “local.” Participants will see the whole operation, from the storeroom to the dining room.

The tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours and is limited to the first 20 participants.

Participants should meet under the Recycled Aluminum Spoon in the Roess Dining Hall.

18th Annual Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors Hosted by the Office of Student Research, the event will be held 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 23, fourth floor, PSU. ASU undergraduate and graduate students will present abstracts in both poster and oral communication format. The top 3 posters in each poster presentation category will be recognized and awards will follow.

Mind Matters This group, for those with acquired brain injuries, meets 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays, Charles E. and Geneva S. Scott Scottish Rite Communication Disorders Clinic at University Hall. The group aims to create an environment that facilitates the development of strategies that aid cognitive and linguistic skills, while supporting the journey of recovery.

Email keeganlc@appstate.edu, call 828-262-8313, or visit mindmattersboone.wordpress.com/.

April

sunday

monday 12

tuesday 13

wednesday 14

15

Brass Chamber Ensembles, 6 p.m., Recital Hall, free

Boyles Distinguished CEO Lecture: John Osborn, BBDO New York, 10 “Guyland” lecture by a.m., Holmes ConDr. Michael Kimmel, vocation Center, 7 p.m., Schaefer free Center, free Battle of the Andrew Hannon Bands, 9:30 p.m., Faculty ComposiLegends, $3 tion Recital, 8 p.m., Rosen Concert Hall, Turchin Center free Lecture Series: Derrick Jones, 7 Tai Chi for students, p.m., Turchin Cen5 p.m., Turchin Cen- ter, free ter, free “Cinderella” screening, 7 p.m., Greenbriar, PSU, $1

19 Coburn Jones & Remy Martin Student Voice Recital, 4 p.m., Recital Hall, free

20 Campus Forum: Whose State is This?, 7 p.m., room 114, Belk Library, free

21 Sustainability Film Series: “Mission Blue,” 7 p.m., I.G. Greer, free Repertory Orchestra, 8 p.m., Rosen Concert Hall, free

22 Aquí y Allá: Global film series, 6:30 p.m., I.G. Greer, free

“The Diary of Anne Frank” play, 7:30 p.m. April 22-25; 2 p.m. April 26; Tai Chi for students, Valborg Theatre, 5 p.m., Turchin Cen- $9-$16 ter, free “101 Dalmatians” screening, 7 p.m., Greenbriar, PSU, $1

friday

thursday 16 The Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writer Series: Roxane Gay, reading, 7:30 p.m., Table Rock, PSU, free Game Night, 7-10 p.m., lower level, Belk Library, free

saturday 17

Installation of Chancellor Sheri N. Everts, 10 a.m., Holmes Convocation Center

23 Celebration of Student Research and Creative Endeavors, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., fourth floor, PSU, free Lunafest film festival, 6:30 p.m., Greenbriar, PSU, $7-$10 “Into the Woods” screening, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., I.G. Greer, $2

Dance for a Difference fundraiser, begins 3 p.m., Legends, free

“Inherent Vice” Koresh Dance Com- screening, 7 p.m. pany, 8 p.m., Schae- and 9:30 p.m., I.G. fer Center, $10-$20 Greer, $2

“Inherent Vice” screening, 7 p.m.

Ron White, 8 p.m., and 9:30 p.m., I.G. Holmes Convocation Center, $15-$30 Greer, $2 “Inherent Vice” screening, 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., I.G. Greer, $2

18

Amanda Gentile Student Violin Recital, noon, Recital Hall, free

“Cinderella” screening, 7 p.m., Greenbriar, PSU, $1 Afro-Brazilian Dance Workshop, 5-9 p.m., Grandfather Ballroom, PSU

24 Professional Drag Show, 7:30 p.m., Legends, $10

25

5K Tie-Dye Dash & Kid’s Fun Run, 8:30 a.m., Kidd Brewer StaLunafest film festi- dium, $10-$20 val, 6:30 p.m., Harvest House, $7-$10 Choral Reunion Concert, 8 p.m., “Into the Woods” Rosen Concert screening, 7 p.m.

Hall, free and 9:30 p.m., I.G. Greer, $2 “Into the Woods” screening, 7 p.m.

“101 Dalmatians” and 9:30 p.m., I.G. screening, 7 p.m., Greer, $2 Greenbriar, PSU, $1

sports

11

Running to cure Cora

Bryk family to be the focus of upcoming 3K event

by Kayla May Sports Reporter

M

ultiple club organizations within the Department of Health, Leisure and Exercise Science have collaborated to host a 3Kbenefit race to help Cora Bryk, a young girl who was diagnosed with Leukemia at four years old.

The race is called Cora’s Costume Chase and will take place Saturday at 1 p.m. at Brookshire Park located near the Appalachian State University soccer fields. A 3K race equates to 1.86 miles.

Cora, now five years of age, is the oldest of two children in the Bryk family. The Bryk’s have close ties to both the Boone community and the university – Cora’s father, Cory, is an Appalachian alumnus and local farmer at New Life Farm.

Camille Arab, president of the Appalachian athletic training club, has worked closely with the Bryk family in order to put together the event.

“I think what I love most about this family is that they are so humble,” Arab said.

“They don’t want for anything or ask for anything but they appreciate anything that people are willing to give them

and so that made me want to help them even more.”

Arab explained that the decision to make the event a 3K rather than the popular 5Ks frequently seen was made in the interest of drawing more participants.

To make the race even more personal, Arab said that participants will be able to meet Cora and interact directly with her for a sense of putting a face to who they are helping.

“Most people don’t actually like running so we wanted it to be an all afternoon event,” Arab said. “We didn’t want people to just show up, get a T-shirt, run and leave – we wanted it to be really interactive and want people to meet Cora and get to know her and how sweet of a girl she is.”

All proceeds from registration fees will be given to the Bryk family to provide financial assistance for travel and treatment expenses. Cora will be receiving monthly treatment for the next two years at Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem.

Liz Shweighart, the event planner for the exercise science club, was in charge of reaching out to local businesses for sponsorships.

“It was difficult to get spon-

Courtesy of Cory Bryk Cora Bryk plays with a dolphin on a Make-A-Wish sponsored trip to the Bahamas. Cora was diagnosed with cancer at four years old and will be the focus of an upcoming 3K benefit race.

sors at first but then when I mentioned the cause and the family’s name, many businesses were excited to help,” Shweighart said. “We really wanted to have the sponsors cover all the race fees so that the money raised from registration could go straight toward benefiting Cora.”

This race will have numerous heats throughout the day that are broken up by age groups.

Between each heat, there are different events planned for the runners and spectators to enjoy including an

appearance from campus a cappella group Voice Male, a statement from Cora’s parents about her progress and triumphs as well as an announcement of the winners for the day’s Disney costume contest.

Cora has recently been granted a wish from the Make-A-Wish foundation.

She was able to swim with dolphins in the Bahamas last month.

Details concerning donations to Cora and her cause can be found at www.arabca. wix.com/ccc3k.

Auriemma’s scathing review of men’s basketball is unjust to watch.”

That’s some harsh Sports Reporter criticism from one of the most respectable figures in collegiate basketball.

Auriemma, though, was just getting started.

“Every coach will According to Connecticut women’s bas- tell you that there’s 90 ketball coach Geno million reasons for it,” Auriemma, men’s col- Auriemma said. “The lege basketball is a bottom line is that nobody can score, and joke.

During a press con- they’ll tell you it’s beference at the wom- cause of great defense, en’s Final Four, Au- great scouting, a lot riemma was asked to of teamwork. College give his thoughts on men’s basketball is so the state of men’s bas- far behind the times ketball. Although he it’s unbelievable.”

Auriemma said the has been wildly successful at Connecticut game should implecoaching the women’s ment changes, like team, Auriemma has other sports have never taken the step done.

“Every other major to coach men at the sport in the world has collegiate level.

“I think the game is a taken steps to help joke,” Auriema said at people be better on the press conference. the offensive end of “As a spectator – for- the floor,” Auriemma get that I’m a coach, as said. “[Major League a spectator – watching Baseball] moved in it, it’s a joke. There’s the fences in baseonly like 10 teams, ball, they lowered the you know, out of 25, mound. They made that actually play the the strike zone so you kind of game of bas- need a straw to put ketball that you’d like through it. And in the Nick Joyner

NFL you touch a guy it’s a penalty.”

Clearly, Auriemma strongly believes that men’s basketball needs to do something about the low scoring totals to improve the game. As a fan, he’s certainly entitled to his opinion. But, Geno went off the deep end.

“This is entertainment we’re talking about,” Auriemma said. “People have to decide, do I want to pay $25, $30 to go see a college scrum where everybody misses six out of every 10 shots they take, or do I want to go to a movie?

We’re fighting for the entertainment dollar, here, and I have to tell you it’s not entertainment from a fan’s standpoint.”

It’s true collegiate basketball is fighting for the entertainment dollar, and it’s also probably true that the men’s game is a bit behind the times.

Even still, Auriemma shouldn’t have criticized the game so hard.

Every year when

March rolls around, millions of television sets in America are tuned into the men’s NCAA tournament.

According to the Associated Press, the men’s final between Duke and Wisconsin was the most watched NCAA title game in 18 years. The games across CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV averaged 11.3 million viewers, the most since 1993 and an eight percent increase from a year ago.

Auriemma may not like the men’s game, but he is unjust in saying that the game is not entertaining from a fan’s standpoint.

When you compare it to other sports, like Auriemma did, there are flaws behind that theory, too.

Moving in the home run fences and tightening the strike zone in Major League Baseball sounds good in theory, but baseball is still struggling.

According to BusinessInsider, in 2014, scoring in the MLB fell to 8.1 runs per

game, a 20.8 percent drop in just 15 years.

At the same time, MLB games averaged a record 3 hours, 2 minutes in 2014, a 15-minute increase in just the last 10 years.

In comparison to the NBA, yes, scoring has improved, but does anyone care about the NBA playoffs the same way they care about March Madness?

For some, yes, but for the most part, the NBA playoffs is about LeBron James, and whoever he is playing in the finals.

College basketball, like any other sport, has some work to do to perfect its craft.

Scoring does need to be improved, and officiating needs to be more consistent.

However, each season the NCAA tests minor changes to the game to improve the quality of basketball on the floor.

Let’s just hope the NCAA doesn’t share the same radical views going forward as Auriemma.

12

What we learned from the 2015 Masters Lee Sanderlin Sports Reporter

The player who has been playing the best golf won. And the beautiful thing is, that’s how it should be.

Jordan Spieth came into the Masters having won once and finished second twice in his last three tournaments before teeing it up at Augusta National last week.

Spieth continued his strong from with a stunning, record setting showing, setting new scoring records for the 36- and 54-hole mark, while tying the 72-hole scoring record of 270 – 18-under – previously set by Tiger Woods.

With the win, Spieth moves to sec-

ond in the World Rankings behind only Rory McIlroy.

Spieth was 14-under par entering the weekend where he posted consecutive rounds of 2-under-par to cruise to a four-shot victory and his first major championship.

Spieth nearly broke the all time Masters scoring record had he been able to hole his par putt at the last to shoot 269, a score of 19-under, for the week.

Phil Mickelson and Justin Rose came up short in their comeback quests as they both finished in a tie for second place at 14-under.

Fortunately, it was a strong showing for both players as it was Phil’s first top 10 finish since last year’s PGA Championship and Rose’s best showing this year in what has been a disappointing season thus far for the 2013 US Open Champion.

Both players will look to carry momentum as the golfing world turns its eyes to the US Open in June.

McIlroy finished in fourth place after a final round 66 that put him at

12-under for the tournament.

McIlroy came into the Masters needing a Green Jacket to complete his bid for the Career grand slam but instead will have to wait until next year to try again.

It was Friday’s lackluster play that doomed the Irishman as he posted a score of 4-over 40 on the front nine in his second round that kept him out of serious contention for the week.

McIlroy’s playing partner for the final round was none other than Tiger Woods, who made his competitive return to golf this past week after a self imposed two month hiatus from the game in order to practice and return to championship level play. Unsurprisingly, Woods exceeded all expectations, after finishing in a tie for 17th place despite shooting two rounds of 1-over-par for the week.

Woods started the day tied for 5th, 10 shots behind Jordan Spieth.

Woods was never able to gather any momentum in his final round, hit-

ting only two fairways out of a possible 14.

With the win, Spieth became the second youngest winner in Masters history at just 21 years, six months of age. The outcome was never in doubt as no player was ever able to get closer than three shots of Spieth’s ginormous lead on the weekend.

Spieth’s win seems to be the beginning of a new, younger era of golf filled with enormous talent and countless future stars.

For so long the game lived on the shoulders of Woods and how great he once was.

Fortunately for the sport, with the arrival of Spieth and McIlroy as well as many others, golf no longer seems to need Woods to be great as in years past.

While no player will likely be able to match Woods’ accomplishments, or dominate the game like he did for so long, their collective star should be able to take the reins with ease.

Golf’s new era is here and it is as bright as can be.

Hard work yields positive results for club swimming

by Kayla May Sports Reporter

Appalachian State University’s club swim teams competed in the East Coast Collegiate Swim and Dive National Championship last weekend in Atlanta, with multiple swimmers from the men’s team performing personal bests.

The men’s team placed 26th out of 74 teams – the highest finish in the club’s history.

Additionally, the following swimmers broke current school records: Matt Jacobs, Ryan Franz, Cole Quinn and Kyle Cicenia, 200-yard freestyle relay (1:29.85); Kyle Cicenia, 200-yard freestyle (1:52.80); Matt Jacobs, 100-yard breaststroke (1:00.66); Matt Jacobs, 50-yard breaststroke (27.30).

“Overall, this season

we’ve definitely improved on our times,” Jacobs said.

The team had one of their most competitive meets of the season at Chapel Hill on March 28 to prepare them for nationals. The team received eighth place out of 12 teams. The finish left the team hopeful of breaking the top 30 at the national championship – something they succeeded at.

“Everyone swam their hardest and everyone got what they deserved from the effort put in at practice,” said freshman swimmer Henry Plashonos. “Everyone put in an excellent amount of work and it definitely showed.”

The swim club team has a variety of skill levels. Some team members joined solely to stay in shape while others have

been swimming year round since high school.

“We’ve also had the opportunity the past two years to have a great coach, Richard Miller, who helps meet the needs of the team as a whole and brings out the skills that each individual brings to the pool,” team president Kyle Cicenia said. “He helps accomplish the goals of everyone involved not just the really competitive ones.”

The team attends local, regional and national swim meets throughout the fall and spring semester. The team travels mostly along the East Coast but annually hosts a home meet at the SRC in the fall.

“More people have been attending practice and swimming their best times which is bringing us closer together both outside and inside the

Courtesy of Caitlyn Hoag The Appalachian State University club swim team poses for their team photo.

The team appeared in the East Coast Collegiate Swim and Dive National Championships last weekend in Atlanta.

pool,” Plashonos said.

The swim team tries to connect both inside and outside of the pool. They also try to get involved in multiple events on campus. This year, the team participated in the polar

plunge where the money raised benefitted the Special Olympics in Watauga County.

“There’s definitely a balance on our team between a competitive atmosphere and a social

atmosphere,”Cicenia said.“Something that we have tried to do this year is bring everyone together and create a swim team family and I think that’s something we’ve done really well.”