The Appalachian January 29, 2021

The Appalachian

January 29, 2021

ClimACT calls on leaders, community to resolve climate crisis Jake Markland | Associate News Editor

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NO MORE OIL NO MORE COAL

Graphic by Efrain Arias-Medina Jr.

he Climate Action Collaborative hosted its first people’s assembly Tuesday evening to educate 50 community members on and discuss solutions to the environmental issues facing the High Country.

“Our community continues to be exploited and ignored by those who should be serving us,” ClimACT published in a statement on Instagram. “With a collective understanding, united voice and public pressure, we can take back control in our community.”

ClimACT, a group of students, faculty and Boone residents, advocate for local climate justice and, as of late, calls on New River Light and Power to be a part of the solution.

After the release of their proposed plan to make App State climate neutral, ClimACT members held the people’s assembly to find solutions collectively and project their voices together.

Michael Weiss, a ClimACT organizer, said he was pleased with how the event went, adding that “it felt great to see how many people were concerned and willing to show up and fight for change.”

Weiss, a senior, believes ClimACT’s effort is imperative to the change-making process. But, he added, “it is just a first step.”

“We need to hear from more people, especially non-students and the people who are facing the brunt of these issues, and let them guide the process as well,” Weiss said. “And while we have a strong group of organizers, we also know that without continued support, input and involvement from those who showed up today, not much will change.”

App State senior and ClimACT member Aidan Malone spoke to the group about energy democracy, which emphasizes the importance of public participation when working to remedy energy issues in a community, such as lack of solar usage, an idea the collaborative is centered upon.

In conjunction with energy democracy, the organizers proposed over a dozen solutions throughout the event they say would promote policy improvement and strengthen the community.

ClimACT organizer Bob Hughes gave a presentation about renewable energy options, saying that “clean, well-priced, reliable and locally produced energy” is a human right that should be available to all.

Some students benefit from extra CARES Act fund

Alumnus creates app to showcase local food, shops, culture

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News

Jan 29, 2021

Town council approves University finalizing official climate resolution, targets town-wide plan for carbon neutrality per renewable energy by 2050

Climate Action Writing Group

Gianna Holiday | Reporter Boone Town Council unanimously approved a climate resolution Jan. 21 that aims to phase out the use of fossil fuels over the years and reduce carbon emission.

The council adopted a “climate and ecological emergency” declaration after passing the resolution.

Members Nancy LaPlaca, Dustin Hicks and Adam Zebzda, SGA director of external affairs, proposed the resolution and called for a 5% to 7% annual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

After a few weeks of research and collaboration, Zebzda, Hicks, and LaPlaca introduced a final draft of the resolution to promote accountability and ensure climate promises made are kept.

The resolution included suggestions like climate neutrality in Boone by 2030, utilizing clean renewables by 2040 and encouraging residents to use renewable energy sources such as solar power.

The measure promotes cost-effective solar infrastructure, and an additional goal of the resolution is to reach town-wide clean and renewable energy by 2050.

The council highlighted the climate change crisis and urged a push for a sustainable future in Boone.

Zebzda is outlining plans for that sustainable future.

“I’ll be reaching out to New River Light and Power to start a dialogue on how we can move forward. Climate justice is not one-sided, so we must involve everyone, including local utilities,” said Zebzda.

New River Light and Power is run an operated by App State.

He is also turning to the Watauga County Board of Commissioners, which he said continues allowing an

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“unjust sales tax distribution method that robs students, residents and the town out of millions each year.”

The town council supports delivering this resolution to all relevant businesses and agencies within the Town of Boone to expedite finding renewable energy sources.

Read the full story online at www.theappalachianonline.com

Graphic by Maggie Watts

Cameron Stuart | Reporter The Climate Action Planning Writing Group is finalizing the university’s plan for carbon neutrality.

Titled, “AppCAP 1.0: A Vision for Climate Neutrality,” the 44-page document details the university’s changes to achieve this goal.

The plan is organized around three main categories: sourcing, efficiency and behavior.

Within each of these categories are tangible solutions toward eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from electricity, transportation and natural gas, the university’s primary source of greenhouse gas emission.

“We’re only trying to disrupt the way the world works. That’s all. So that’s kind of a big task,” said Jim Dees, data and assessment specialist for the Office of Sustainability.

While many people, including students, faculty and specialists, have contributed to the plan, Dees is the principal author.

Dees said this is the third climate action plan the university has created since the first plan was created in 2010.

“With the mounting pressure and the inevitability of dealing with climate change, I feel really good about where we are in the process of bringing the entire university along to a point where we understand that it’s time to do something,” Dees said.

Rebecca Walton, sustainability outreach coordinator with the Office of Sustainability, is excited for the renewed focus on education.

Walton said her role with outreach involves going out, tabling and planning events to spread awareness about this plan.

“We want to tell people about (the plan) and what it involves, but then again, we have to do that in a way that the normal person that doesn’t have a master’s degree in climate science can understand,” Walton said.

According to the draft, students will have the opportunity to make changes to their daily behaviors to improve their carbon footprint through the GreenSuite Program.

This program includes “green” initiatives to lower energy consumption in several areas

including labs, campus events and travel.

“For students, this is going to be a really great learning opportunity about climate neutrality and about everything that it takes to become carbon neutral,” Walton said.

This is not the same plan as the one created by the Climate Action Collaborative, or ClimACT, which plans for carbon neutrality by 2025, according to ClimACT’s website.

One primary difference between the two plans is that the university does not have a set date for when they will achieve climate neutrality.

Dees said there is no science behind choosing a specific year to achieve climate neutrality. “‘By 2025.’ Why not 2024? Or 2026?

What’s the fascination with fives and zeros?”

Dees said. “We’re going to let science dictate to us when we’re going to achieve it. And the economics and the other factors that are at play.”

The plan will be finalized around the end of January.

“One thing that people are fixated on is this idea that there’s this finish line that we’re all going to triumphantly march across,” Dees said. “And if I’ve learned anything from writing this most recent climate action plan, it’s that we’re trying to define a process. As corny as it sounds, it’s the journey not the destination. We’ve got to do this together. We’ve got to get there. And then once we’re there, we’ve got to stay there.”

More information about AppCAP 1.0, as well as the draft, can be found here: https:// sustain.appstate.edu/initiatives/climate-action/.

News

Jan 29, 2021

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Community members meet over Zoom to discuss solutions to the environmental issues facing the High Country. This was ClimACT’s first people’s assembly.

Courtesy of Michael Weiss “Right now, if it weren’t for laws preventing utility shut-offs, thousands of people wouldn’t be able to pay for the electricity they need,” Hughes said.

New River Light and Power, the energy provider for App State and large parts of Boone, purchases its power indirectly from Duke Energy. This fuels the continued use of natural gas, oil and coal.

ClimACT argues that because NRLP is linked with App State, students deserve more of a voice in the decisions NRLP makes.

Lauren Hinson, another ClimACT leader, said NRLP is “failing to serve” the public by not making its financial data public –– making it difficult for ClimACT to assess possible solutions –– and using an estimated less than 2% renewable energy.

“The utility that is meant to serve the public is contributing to climate change and making it difficult for many of us to live,” said Hinson.

Hinson believes policies and infrastructure should be made to “generate community wealth, support people facing challenges and contribute to a healthy future.”

Hinson wants NRLP to purchase

more renewable energy, generate more solar energy and improve housing in the area.

Considering the recent climate resolution passed by the Boone Town Council, Hinson emphasized this is the moment for community members to let their voices be heard. Moreover, NRLP starts a new energy contract in 2022.

Malone proposed several solutions to combat the community’s reliance on nonrenewable energy.

Among these proposals was starting a community solar project, a local solar farm that would provide for everyone as opposed to individuals having solar panels installed on their own homes. They also spoke on the prospect of weatherizing homes to better withstand the cold and heat while simultaneously reducing energy consumption. Net metering was also discussed, a billing mechanism that would credit homeowners with solar panels for the excess energy they produce but do not use.

Weiss offered additional proposals, like green energy subsidies. Other propositions include on-bill financing, which would allow households to finance renew-

able energy installations through utility bill payments, and green zones, designated areas with a greater focus on environmental protection.

The ClimACT leaders concluded the assembly by sending the participants into Zoom breakout rooms and fostering conversation about further solutions. Stressing their aim of public participation, leaders asked participants to introduce themselves and explain why they joined the cause.

Dave Freireich, a 1997 App State graduate who started the non-profit Harmony Lanes, came to share his organization’s mission to establish better infrastructure in Boone that would allow people to get around on a bike or by walking.

Rachel Milkereit, a senior biology major and member of the App State forestry club, said she was excited by the idea of incorporating forestry initiatives.

Doing so could provide the community with edible plants and wood for the winter months.

Herb Hash, a member of Climate/ Transition Blue Ridge and former App State philosophy and religion professor of 23 years, said he has developed an inter-

Graphic by Xanayra Marin-Lopez est in environmental issues and applauded students who recognized the “real crisis.”

“This is where y’all come in,” said Hughes. “What do you want to see be done for the community? Your voices, ideas and visions deserve to be heard by those in power. Literally.”

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News

Jan 29, 2021

University sends extra “Make America CARES Act funds to some the best it can be” Author Michael Eric Dyson students, hints at more Xanayra Marin-Lopez | Multimedia Editor Students received a surprise $186 in their bank accounts after App State identified additional CARES Act funding.

This one-time payment comes from the CARES Act, which former President Donald Trump signed March 27. The economic stimulus bill aids citizens from economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

All students who received CARES aid in 2020 were eligible for this extra disbursement.

When the pandemic hit in the spring 2020 semester, App State received just over $15.9 million in CARES-HERF funding. The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund was established by the CARES Act and provided aid to institutions across the nation.

Through federal guidance, App State was directed to distribute half of this funding — almost $8 million — as direct payments to students. Until early December last year, students were able to apply for CARES assistance.

Cindy Barr, associate vice chancellor, said that as of Jan. 18, the university had disbursed about $6.4 million.

The remaining balance, just over $1.5 million, was divided evenly into $186 per student and distributed to those who previously received CARES funding based on their Fall 2020 enrollment.

According to the university’s coronavirus website, “Federal CARES Act emergency grants cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus.” The university says that the money should aid the cost of a student’s attendance, including factors such as: • Food • Housing • Course materials • Technology • Relocation expenses

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• Health care • Child care • Transportation In an email sent to students Jan. 21, the financial aid office hinted at the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act passed in late December.

“We expect funding to be sent to schools in the near future so that we can provide additional assistance to students,”the email states.

The U.S. Department of Education announced in a Jan. 14 press release that an additional $21.2 billion is now available to higher institutions in HERF grants. This is allocated by the Coronavirus Response and Relief Act, which Trump signed into law in December.

Barr said there is currently a working group tasked to review regulations for the second round of CARES-HERF grants. Because this round of funding differs in allowable expenses and eligibility compared to the first, university administration sought guidance from the U.S. Department of Education.

This is also to “ensure we can disburse the money to our students quickly and efficiently,” Barr said.

The university has yet to release specific eligibility requirements.

speaks at 36th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration

Abi Pepin | Reporter Over 400 students and faculty members attended a virtual night for the 36th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Tuesday.

Michael Eric Dyson, author, cultural critic and media commentator, spoke at App State’s commemoration for King in 2016. Dyson has written over 20 books addressing subjects such as Barack Obama, Hurricane Katrina, Jay-Z and his most famous, “Tears We Cannot Stop.”

Students and faculty fromApp State, East Carolina University, Western Carolina University and the University of North Carolina-Wilmington attended the event.

Dyson is a sociology professor at Georgetown University and has taught at Brown University, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania.

Dyson said King was committed to the fundamental principles of justice, freedom and democracy for Black people throughout the nation.

On the third Monday each January, the U.S. celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday by participating in acts of service.

Due to COVID-19, Appalachian and the Community Together canceled its annual MLK Challenge, but still provided students with resources and volunteer opportunities alongside Intercultural Student Affairs.

Dyson said we often think about the fa-

mous “I Have a Dream” speech when remembering Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.

“What I want you to do is not only honor that speech, but I want to suggest that we move beyond that one speech into a broader interpretation of the ideas of Dr. King,” Dyson said.

Dyson said King urged Americans to raise their voices and be honest about the limitations imposed upon Black people.

The Black Lives Matter movement campaigns against violence and systemic racism.

Dyson said King anticipated the movement in many ways.

“Young people, who were organized and deeply disciplined, were trying to leverage their authority to figure out a way to resist white supremacy and challenge inequality,” Dyson said. “Dr. King showed an appreciation for the Black Lives Matter movement of his day.”

Dyson said that the struggle King went through allowed the nation to reflect on the ideals he left behind.

“So make America the best that it can be,” Dyson said. “Have a commitment to racial justice, have a commitment to racial equality, have a commitment to making certain that every element of our community is supported.”

...I want to suggest that we move beyond that one speech into a broader interpretation of the ideas...

A&C

Jan 29, 2021

Alumnus creates app to PLAYLIST celebrate High Country OF THE WEEK business and culture Ansley Puckett A&C Editor

The logo for Draba, a business and culture app created by former App State student Davis Parker. The app targets community members, tourists and businesses to promote local attractions and activities.

Courtesy of Draba

Zoe Zink | Reporter When a former App State student visited an opening at the Nth Degree Gallery and Studios in Boone, he considered how he ended up at the show in the first place. He was invited by a friend, which sparked his curiosity about more accessible ways to learn about local events.

Davis Parker, an app state alumnus, recognized the need for a “hub” for local events, businesses and culture in the High Country — the basis for his app, Draba. Parker borrowed the name Draba from the draba flower, which blooms in difficult environments. This serves as a metaphor for the “blooming” of new and local businesses.

From this, Parker began his journey creating Draba.

The app targets community members, tourists and businesses.

“It’s like if Instagram and Yelp had a baby,” Draba’s content developer Zachary Matheson said.

On the app, which is expected to launch in the first few weeks of February, content creators and businesses can submit content to its localized feed. Then, patrons can vote for businesses and content they would recommend to other community members. After the votes are tallied automatically by the app, Draba showcases the winners.

Each business will have links to its social media sites and contact information on the app as well.

Draba has been in the works since 2012 and has undergone plenty of changes, as well as additions to its team.

When Parker relocated to California in 2019, to participate in the “Tech Futures Group,” a group that helps strategize deployment for start-ups, he collaborated with Maddie Maurer, Draba’s marketing coordinator.

“I had a lot of time to commit to something … Davis had just coincidentally moved to California so I was acting as his foot-soldier here in Boone,” Maurer said.

Parker introduced one of the original ideas for Draba, then known as “Tiger Vine,” to the Clemson University community in 2015. On Tiger Vine, users could use “tiger paws” as votes to rank university-based events like blood drives and Greek life. Tiger Vine’s success helped inspire Draba.

The Draba team used this momentum to enter contests, attend forums and pitch the idea to communities across the nation. In 2019, the Valley Venture Mentors Accelerator chose Draba to participate in a six-month program, which aided in funding and support.

Parker describes this program as a “business incubator,” which matched them with an entrepreneurship mentor.

“They helped us flesh out a business model and strategize deployment strategies,” Parker said. “We mainly focused on pitching in front of crowds.”

Now, Draba is available for seven towns in the High Country as well as its neighboring cities, such as Hickory and Johnson City, Tennessee.

The app will be available for both Apple and Android products once it launches, and afterward the team hopes to expand beyond North Carolina.

Draba has been working toward the full roll out since the team released their alpha version in 2019. This roll out brought in over 4,000 users and helped refine the current version, which they expect to be even more successful.

Since the release, Parker and his three-person team have been working alongside local businesses to feature them on the app for free. Businesses like CoBo Sushi Bar, Foggy Pine Books, and FARM Cafe have committed to the app.

Joseph Miller, owner of CoBo Sushi Bar and Black Cat Burrito, first heard about Draba while Parker worked at Black Cat. “He started filling me in on it (Draba) and how it would be different from other apps,” Miller said. “I think it helps the local businesses and community unite…as Boone grows we can share that exposure and if we grow together, everybody wins.”

Many Boone establishments have secured future cohesive campaigns with the app, such as Draba-exclusive products like a Draba-based drink at Tapp Room or Draba-inspired cookies at App Cookie Co. The team hopes to benefit the community by working alongside and featuring nonprofits in the area like OASIS and Western Youth Network.

Draba is also backed by the Town of Boone, the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Boone Development Association.

“I can absolutely promise you we will never have ads,” Parker said.

Parker considers this just one of many ways Draba is unique compared to its competitors.

Draba’s goal is to benefit both sides of the business/patron relationship: the businesses receive free advertisement, while the patrons have easier access to popular content.

Parker explained that one of the app’s main goals is to help support the many local businesses the High Country has to offer throughout the year.

“Over the summer when the students leave, these businesses experience a dip,” he said. “Hopefully we can provide a surge from an economic standpoint.”

Graphic by Camryn Collier

With an average of 35.3 inches of snowfall in Boone each winter, the High Country is no stranger to the cold.

Classless snow days may be a thing of the past, but you can still enjoy a lazy day indoors or get out and play in the flurries. So, as snow and ice cover the mountains, here’s a playlist for all your snow day activities.

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A&C

Jan 29, 2021

Daniel Boone Native Gardens welcomes free seed library Aubrey Smith | Reporter

A fully voluntary effort, Annkatrin Rose and other volunteers helped build, donate, and package seeds for use in the free seed library.

Max Correa

At the Daniel Boone Native Gardens, a unique new addition stands tall. Not a fountain, or a birdhouse, but a colorfully painted box with dozens of seeds inside.

Little Free Libraries, a book sharing movement devoted to expanding the access of books, have put up more than 100,000 little libraries in neighborhoods across countries. Similar to these neighborhood fixtures, The North Carolina Native Plant Society and the Daniel Boone Native Gardens worked together to create and install a free seed library.

Annkatrin Rose, associate professor of biology and member of the plant society, began exploring the idea of a seed library when looking at COVID-safe alternatives for the organization’s December seed swap, the plant society’s big holiday event where members exchange native seeds of all sorts.

“I saw that the Watauga (County Public) Library had one of these little seed libraries,” Rose said. “So I got in touch with the person who built their library.”

Fortunately for the Daniel Boone Native Gardens, the people who built the free seed libraries for the Watauga Public Library had an extra one and donated it to the gardens.

Volunteers and donations ensure the upkeep of the free seed library.

“A couple of members donated time to install it at the gardens,” Rose said. “And we have some other members, and myself, who packaged up seeds and are donating the seeds for it.”

The seed library was set up just before Christmas and, according to Rose, has already been a huge success.

“People have been taking lots of seeds so far,” Rose said. “We have restocked it already four or five times.”

Sue McBean, a member of the North Carolina Native Plant Society, believes the seed library is a worthwhile resource for anyone interested in native plants.

“Anybody who wants to grow native plants it’s available to,” McBean said. “It’s a good way to start out.”

The seed library comes stocked with strictly native plant seeds, from brown-eyed Susans to hollow Joe-Pye weed. Anyone can take or donate seeds, and it serves as a new common ground for those interested in native plants.

Native plants are valuable to the entire ecosystem, said McBean, and are beneficial to butterflies, bees, and countless other organisms.

While growing native plants may seem intimidating, McBean advises beginners not to be discouraged, and to do some research before planting.

National Seed Swap Day is Friday, and Rose said it’s the perfect time to start growing native plants.

“That date works perfect for these native plants because you can still plant them outside,” Rose said. “They still get the cold weather they need.”

In addition to the seed library at the Daniel Boone Native Gardens, there are also seed libraries located at the Watauga County and Ashe County public libraries, which provide open-pollinated and heirloom seeds for anyone interested in gardening.

REVIEW

“WANDAVISION” OUTSIDE OF MARVEL MAINSTREAM

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Savannah Brewer | Reporter Millions across the country have tuned in to Disney+ to watch the long-awaited release of Marvel’s newest mini-series “WandaVision.” The show, which was originally set to release in December, spotlights two superheroes from Marvel’s Avengers franchise, Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff) and Vision.

The first two episodes, “Filmed Before A Live Studio Audience” and “Don’t Touch That Dial,” were released on Jan. 5, while Friday saw the release of episode 3, “Now in Color.” You can expect to see episodes released weekly until March 5.

The show racked up a 93% average audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and features an original

soundtrack.

Actors Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany star as Wanda Maxinoff and Vision.

With a nod to the golden age of cinema and time-honored Hollywood television, the show brought two classic action characters back to the screen.

However, the first episode of the series is less action-packed and slightly more domestic than the pair’s last appearance in “Avengers: Endgame.”

The set is reminiscent of 50s favorite’s “I Love Lucy” and “Leave It To Beaver.”

Unlike the typical flash and dazzle of Marvel Movies, “WandaVision” begins with a more subtle sitcom feel.

Brief eerie moments and references to

previous Marvel productions slowly increase in subsequent episodes, overshadowing the slapstick humor and charm.

The couple struggles to fit into the fictional small town of Westview while keeping their powers under wraps, resulting in many comedic moments.

Succeeding episodes skip through the decades. But supporting characters, such as the couple’s neighbor played by Kathryn Hahn, remain part of the storyline.

Episode 2 finds Wanda and Vision on a set more akin to the ‘60s show “I Dream of Jeannie,” and episode 3 is, as its name implies, “Now and Color,” with some clever nods to “The Brady Bunch.”

Watching the show feels like starting a book halfway through. There are few context clues, and at times, it feels like a fever dream. However, the show slowly becomes clear as the characters become more aware of their own reality in brief moments. As the show continues, so does the promise of a deeper meaning and an unraveling mystery.

Although “WandaVision” is not a typical Marvel production, it’s worth the watch. The sets alone are very creative with their use of historically accurate set-ups and appeal to old television. The mystery of the storyline, with its elements of foreshadowing and unraveling storyline, piques the interest of any fan hoping to discover the fate of Wanda and Vision.

Sports

Jan 29, 2021

Former App State MBB starter enters transfer portal Dan Davidson | Associate Sports Editor Sophomore forward Kendall Lewis is no longer part of the App State basketball program, the team announced on Jan. 19. However, it’s not immediately clear why Lewis is departing the team.

“We wish him the best of luck with his future,” head coach Dustin Kerns said in the announcement. “This is a personal matter and no further comment will be made.”

Lewis entered the 2020-21 season poised to improve upon his 7.4 point-per-game and four rebound-per-game freshman year. The Georgia native logged those numbers while starting less than half of the Mountaineers’

games last season.

Through the first nine games of his second year in Boone, Lewis averaged 9.9 PPG, 1.7 assists per game and 4.1 RPG, all improvements from his freshman year numbers. He reached double figures in four of those games, including back-to-back 17 and 15-point performances against NC Wesleyan and Tennessee, and was the team’s fourth highest scorer.

The sophomore last suited up for the Mountaineers on Dec. 22 against the Auburn Tigers, where he posted four points, one rebound and two steals in a season-low 12 minutes.

High hopes women’s tennis has a new coach The new app state women’s tennis head coach Ashleigh Antal coaches her team during a recent practice. The Mountaineers begin the season Sunday at 1 p.m. in Raleigh against the NC State Wolfpack.

Courtesy App State Athletics/Jay Crain

Jhyrah Delapp | Reporter

Former App State sophomore forward Kendall Lewis sets up for a three during the Mountaineers’ 78-76 overtime loss to Bowling Green Nov. 30 in Boone.

Andy McLean

App State women’s tennis announced a 19-match schedule, including its first match on Jan. 31, with former 2015 national champion and Vanderbilt all-American Ashleigh Antal as head coach.

She came off two successful seasons, from 2018 to 2020, with Long Beach State, a member of the Big West conference, as an assistant head coach. She helped lead Long Beach to a 25-10 record, guided the team to win their first conference title since 2015 and helped them to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019.

The Mountaineers had their season cut short last year, tallying a 6-4 record due to the pandemic. Antal and her players hope to win the conference title and make an NCAA Tournament appearance.

“I think we can win the conference and go to nationals; that’s my goal,” senior player María Zacarias said. “I think we have a really good team, new players and a coach. So, we are motivated to start playing.”

In the 2019-20 fall season, Zacarias led the team in doubles and singles victories. This year, she hopes to pick up some leadership roles, as she is one of two seniors on the roster.

“The only thing I can do is just lead by example and do the right things, work hard and be a good teammate,” Zacarias said. “ I

have to make them understand everything will be fine, and we’ll have a good year and season even with all the circumstances.”

Due to COVID-19, the NCAA has enforced safety protocols, including testing three times a week and social distancing.

“Our practices for tennis were usually distanced in general, so we don’t have to change too much,” sophomore player Virginia Poggi said. “We just wear our mask down, and when people who are not from our team come around, we just pull them up.”

When talking about some of the teams’ strengths, both Zacarias and Poggi mentioned the team’s diversity, saying it put a chip on their shoulder.

Zacarias, a native of Mexico, says that most of her teammates are international students, so they’re at App State for a reason, “that is tennis.”

“The fact almost all of us are international means we had to work even harder to get this opportunity to get to play in the US for college,” Poggi, who is from Italy, said. “We really want to show people that we were worth the risk they took by offering us the spot. We really want to win and leave a mark in the US.” Read the full story online at www.theappalachianonline.com

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Sports

Jan 29, 2021

Ponce back in Boone as App State football’s new offensive coordinator

App State football head coach Shawn Clark named Frank Ponce as the program’s new offensive coordinator. Ponce coached on Scott Satterfield’s staffs at App State and Louisville from 2013-2020.

Photo and graphic courtesy App State Athletics

Silas Albright | Sports Editor Frank Ponce is back in Boone as offensive coordinator, App State head coach Shawn Clark announced Jan. 15.

Ponce enjoyed a successful first stint with the Mountaineers from 2013-18 when he served as an offensive assistant and co-offensive coordinator.

“I’m excited to be back. It’s something that I’m looking forward to. It’s a new challenge for me, something that I’ve prepared for, and I think I’m ready for,” Ponce said.

“Great fans, great university and a winning tradition, and obviously, can’t wait to meet the guys and start working with them already.”

Ponce and Clark met while serving as the Mountaineers’ co-offensive coordinator under head coach Scott Satterfield from 2016-18, with Ponce in charge of the passing game and Clark overseeing the running game.

“I had a chance to work with him for four years, and just the way he demanded excellence from that (QB) room was something to watch,” Clark said. “I have a lot of confidence in him as the play-caller of this program, and he’ll have full reign of calling the plays.”

App State’s offensive coordinator position was vacated when former OC Tony Petersen took the same position at Illinois in late December.

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Ponce’s hire makes the fourth straight year the Mountaineers have brought in a new offensive coordinator. In 2018, Satterfield’s last year as head coach, Clark and Ponce split the role. In 2019, head coach Eliah Drinkwitz served in the role, and Petersen was the coordinator in 2020 during Clark’s first year as head coach.

When Satterfield left App State to take over at Louisville in 2019, Ponce went with him and served as the Cardinals’ passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

“Appreciate all you have done for me and my family the last 10 years! Happy for you,” Satterfield wrote in a tweet congratulating Ponce. “You are in good hands back on the mountain!!”

The 2021 season will be Ponce’s first time not on a staff with Satterfield in eight seasons.

“Goodbye is always tough, especially when it’s somebody you appreciate and has looked after you and always taken care of you,” Ponce said. “But again, working for another great coach here in coach Clark, and I’m excited.”

Clark said that when he assembled his staff ahead of the 2019 season, he reached out to Ponce about returning to Boone, but they couldn’t make it work at the time. One year later, Petersen called Clark the day after Christmas to

let him know he was taking the job at Illinois.

“The first phone call I had was with coach Ponce,” Clark said.

The discussion continued, but Clark said he brought in two other candidates to interview for the OC job.

“I just felt what was best for this program, and the familiarity I had with coach Ponce, it was the best decision for the program,” Clark said.

App State has recently found success recruiting players from Florida, and more specifically, the southern part of the state. Current players Demetrius Taylor, Hansky Paillant, Nate Noel and more all hail from south Florida.

Ponce was a standout high school quarterback at Miami Senior and was a high school coach in the area for over a decade at the beginning of his career.

His strong ties to the area should help continue to strengthen the south-Florida-to-Boone football pipeline.

“Coming from Miami, Florida to the mountains of Boone, North Carolina was a culture shock for me, but it’s something I got used to, and I really love this town,” Ponce said.

While most of Ponce’s past App State players have graduated, the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA has allowed a few members of the offense to stick around. Wide receivers Thomas Hennigan, Jalen Virgil and Malik Williams were sophomores when Ponce left, and each announced they’ll be returning to the team in 2021.

“When I left, they were babies. They’re grown men right now,” Ponce said.

Ponce said he watched film with recruiting coordinator/tight ends coach Justin Watts and saw a receiver make an impressive play and asked Watts who it was.

“Coach Watts said ‘that’s Malik,’ and I was like, ‘man, he looks super fast,’” Ponce said.

Many internal changes have affected the App State program since Ponce last was on the staff, but the tradition is still just as strong.

“I’m grateful for coach Clark for thinking highly of me and giving me the opportunity,” Ponce said. “I’m excited to get started.”

Coming from Miami, Florida to the mountains of Boone, North Carolina was a culture shock for me ... I really love this town...

Opinion

Jan 29, 2021

A word of caution

regarding unexplained data variation Caleb Garbuio | Opinion Editor Data and statistics consume our existence. Data points are analyzed and used to communicate policing, COVID-19 mortality and election results. These results can warp reality and can skew empirical evidence. Let’s use some data to illustrate this point.

Ready to begin?

Data analysis starts with a quick summary of our results. Three tools can be used: mean, median and mode.

This gives a researcher an idea about what a random person is like given a particular topic. For example, say we want to know what the average GPA is among college students. We can find the score of a typical student by using math to compare the scores of students. Thus, the average is summarizing all the different scores into a unifying one that represents the middle of the GPA variation.

Another way to analyze data is to

compare two independent variables to each other. We can use a scatter plot to depict the relationship between SAT and ACT and GPA scores of App State students. ( See ref. 1) As we can tell, there is a strong visual relationship between high school GPA and ACT/SAT score. For example, GPA increases as test scores increase and vice versa. The strength of the relationship is called “Pearson’s correlation coefficient” or “Pearson’s r.” Basically, a correlation measures the direction and magnitude of two data entries.

Data relationships can be further emphasized via certain statistical techniques. One such method uses algebraic concepts to make a prediction.

These equations ask readers what happens if one variable increases, does the other decrease or increase? Thus, we can compare people’s education to predict if their hourly wages will increase. Begging the question does an

A scatter plot depicting the relationship between App State students’ grade point ref. 1 averages and their ACT and SAT scores.

Graphic courtesy of Thoughtco

extra year of education lead to an extra dollar of pay? To find out we’ll use a simple equation below to elaborate further: Y = a + bx + e Let’s break this equation down.

“Y” represents the dependent variable, dollar of pay; “a” represents the value of the dependent variable when education is the same, “b” represents the independent variable, year of education, and “e” represents other variables that contribute to wage growth.

To illustrate this point further, I have made a scatter plot containing two variables: monthly employment from Ashe and Watauga counties from 2005 to 2020.( See ref. 2) On the graph there is an equation taking the same shape as Y= a + Bx. Y represents Watauga employment numbers, B is the extra jobs added to Watauga following an increase in Ashe county employment and equals the number of jobs in Watauga without any Ashe county workers employed. The results state Watauga’s employment numbers will increase by 2.46 jobs per Ashe County job. This means that if Ashe county expands employment by 100 jobs we should expect to see 246 new jobs in Watauga.

Below the equation is the R-squared, which shows how good of a predicting model this equation is. The R-squared ranges from 0 to 1, and the closer it gets to 1, the stronger the relationship.

This equation has an R-squared of .221 which explains 22.1% of employment numbers.

How do we increase employment? We compare Watauga to other

A scatter plot displaying the relationship between monthly employment from Ashe and Watauga counties from 2005 to 2020. ref. 2

Graphic by Caleb Garbuio

data variables. We would compare the effect of the relevant factors such as student population per month, number of tourists, etc. to predict the employment in Watauga. This should also result in a better prediction. However, adding additional variables can also reduce the magnitude of others.

Remember the error term we talked about in the early equation: Y = a + bx + e. Often, independent variables are correlated with one another. When they are omitted from a regression, the correlation between unexplained parts of the equation are added to explained variables which increases or reduces the significance of the other variables predictive power. In our example, if we add the college student population to the equation we should expect to see a relationship reduction between Ashe and Watauga. Remember how an increase in one job in Ashe County will increase Watauga employment by 2.46

jobs. If we compare Watauga employment with the number of college students per month in Watauga and Ashe County jobs, we should see Ashe having less of an effect.

To wrap things up, data-driven approaches are useful but far from complete. There are thousands of factors that even the best models cannot predict. It is important to understand the limitations that statistical methodologies have or problems that can arise. For example, policing algorithms have been criticized recently for racial bias. The error is likely a result of formulating conclusions based on unexplained variance. As demonstrated with the Ashe and Watauga county example, omitted variable bias of unexplained variance is likely the culprit behind the racial bias in policing algorithms.

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Opinion

Jan 29, 2021

Biden’s Call for Unity Isn’t Realistic

Domestic

Shutdown

Ella Adams | Associate Opinion Editor In his inaugural address, President Joe Biden spoke about the country healing and coming together, and the resilience of the American spirit.

He acknowledged the challenges the U.S. faces, including climate change, racial injustice and the COVID-19 pandemic. The new president’s address was optimistic but not realistic. “Unity” is a nice thought. But the country doesn’t need a nice thought.

The U.S. needs real change and compromise isn’t going to get us there.

According to a survey by the Washington Post and YouGov, over 70% of Republican voters believe the 2020 Presidential election was fraudulent. Democrats in Congress seeking common ground with Republican members who believe a conspiracy theory about Biden’s election is a waste of time. Congressional Democrats and the Biden administration need to focus on pushing progressive policy that will make a significant difference in people’s lives, not trying to make Republicans happy.

The Republican Party has lost its credibility over the last 4 years.

The party supported former President Donald Trump’s extreme rhetoric and policy that encouraged farright extremism, including the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. It’s ridiculous to seek unity with the same party that allowed over 400,000 people to die from COVID-19 because of its petty refusal to mandate masks and make a coherent plan to deal with a global pandemic. The Republican Party can no longer separate itself from Trumpism after enthusiastically supporting and defending it for so long.

Settling for unity maintains the status quo. Nothing significant happens under compromise. Eras of real change happened because of aggressive policy focused on improvement

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like the Progressive Era, FDR’s policy during the Great Depression and WWII, the Civil Rights Era and even Reagan’s sweeping changes during his presidency. Change doesn’t happen with timid politicians trying to be friends. It happens with bold action.

It’s time the Democratic Party stops trying to find middle ground and takes action.

Biden stated in his address, “Hear me clearly: disagreement must not lead to disunion.” The divides in this country are more than “disagreements.” Black Americans asking not to be brutalized by police is not a “disagreement.” The greed of pharmaceutical companies versus those who can’t afford life-saving medication is not a “disagreement.” Future generations left to clean up a planet destroyed by billion-dollar corporations is not a “disagreement.” The divides the U.S. faces are more than “disagreements:” they are serious problems deeply ingrained into American society.

Democrats should still reach out to Republican voters on a local level.

It’s important to talk to neighbors on the other side, especially in rural areas like Watauga County. Canvassing and being involved in communities is where change starts. Conservative voters should not be pushed aside and forgotten under a Biden Administration.

Representatives should build bridges with their constituents regardless of party. But politicians in D.C. are there to do a job. Democrats need to do the job they were elected to do, establish policy to fix issues that have profound impacts on American’s daily lives, including climate change, racial injustice, lack of affordable healthcare, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Representatives are there to make change, not make friends.

Ricky Barker | Opinion Writer There’s one thing that should be absolutely clear.

There is no justification for the perpetrators of the raid’s actions on the Capitol on Jan. 6 –– they broke the law. The act shamed the image of this country and democracy as a whole. Those involved must be punished.

The question of how these punishments should be dealt is a delicate one. The way we move forward now on domestic terroism could have an impact on social justice.

Fortunately, the authorities have made numerous arrests, with several key members of the riot having been charged. The arrests are important to preserve “law and order” and prevent people from rioting every time their candidate loses. However, the methods behind many of the arrests are worrying and highlight future problems and could see worrying impacts in the future for more justified movements.

In the days after the riot, the FBI requested help from citizens to identify individuals pictured at the Capitol. Members of the public can contact the FBI and send media evidence through its website. Plenty of Twitter users jumped on the opportunity to bring these criminals to justice. Some women on the dating app Bumble used the chatting features to trick some of the rioters into sending incriminating evidence of themselves. An instagram account was created specifically to call out and shame rioters at the event.

This may at first seem innocuous, but a deeper look at the situation shows it’s hard to shake the totalitarian feeling of the whole thing –– neighbor ratting on neighbor. In this case, it’s a noble cause, but it only takes a couple steps in the wrong direction for this to be used to penalize innocent actions. That’s about as 1984 as you can get.

Picture a scenario in which the government decided that a movement like Black Lives Matter was not legal. All it would take was a screenshot of someone at the protest to get them arrested. This may seem like a disagreeable example, but we’re on a slippery slope. Never underestimate the government’s methods of cracking down on controversial events. Remember the Stonewall riots, the 1999 Seattle WTO riots, the 1967 Detroit riot, the walk on Birmingham. Civil disobedience is not inherently bad. These were all done for worthy and understandable causes. The decisions being made

over this misguided attempt of rebellion could prevent anyone from speaking out.

In response to the Jan. 6 riot, President Joe Biden made it clear that he plans to tackle domestic terrorism and offered solutions like shifting departments’ focus more to domestic threats, cracking down on large social media companies that allow conspiracy posts and passing domestic terroism legislation. Some defense experts are even suggesting creating a new agency for modern domestic threats. It would not be the first time the country has used a terrible event to tighten its grip. For example, the Patriot Act, a set of laws aimed at preventing domestic terroism. These laws expanded the government’s ability to watch the public to a disturbing degree.

They could look at business records, tap any device, and generally survey any civilian of suspicion.

The Senate has already proposed a bill that would distinguish domestic terrorism from foreign terrorism.

This would require the FBI, Homeland Security and the Department of Justice to shift their focus. The departments would be mandated to create a biannual report on domestic terroism and transition some of its offices to focus solely on domestic terrorist threats.

These propositions don’t seem so bad on the surface. However, remember that the designation of a domestic threat is vague and malleable. There are simple justifications to label movements and events as such.

How hard would it be to label everyone involved in a movement as a “domestic terrorist”?

In response to talks of expanding domestic terrorism prevention, 135 human and civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberities Union, have joined to oppose these new expansions. In a statement, the groups said, “We are concerned that a new federal domestic terrorism statute or list would adversely impact civil rights and — as our nation’s long and disturbing history of targeting Black activists, Muslims, Arabs, and movements for social and racial justice has shown.

There are plenty of examples in U.S. history of the government overstepping its bounds to shut down noble efforts that inconvenience them. Calls to crack down may be a massive shift that can perpetuate that kind of behavior.

Et Cetera

Jan 29, 2021

Sudoku

Fill in the blanks so that each row, each column, and each of the nine 3x3 grids contain all of the digits 1 through 9.

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