The Appalachian November 6, 2021 by The Appalachian

The Appalachian

Nov. 10, 2021

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Nov. 10, 2021

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ossword Puzzle #4 for Nov 8, 2021

EMILY BROYLES EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

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EDITORIAL ANSLEY PUCKETT

DAN DAVIDSON

GABRIELLE TROUTMAN

ELLA ADAMS

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AUBREY SMITH

MANAGING EDITOR

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MULTIMEDIA XANAYRA MARIN-LOPEZ

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KARA HASELTON

EFRAIN ARIAS-MEDINA JR.

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MIA MENDEZ

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1. Pick up 1. Peruvian capital 5. Pretends 2. False god 9. Roaming tribesman 14. At rest3. Loose flesh 15. Peel candidate 4. Renter 16. All 5. 17. Lament Not together 18. Over again 6. Narrow boat 19. Spooky Lock of hair 20. Large7. seabird Stitches 22. Great8. fear 23. Musical 9.tones Sewing item 24. Total amount 25. Sight 10. Partly cover 28. Respire 11. Simple nedy 32. Telepathy 12. (abbr.) Opera highlight 33. Shriek 13. Stained 37. Ring loudly 38. Compass point (abbr.) 39. Traitor’s crime 41. Pro-gun org. 42. Undersized animal 44. Restaurant 45. NJ time zone 46. Tranquilized 48. Wood turner

50. Burst 51. Stately home 54. Fire residue 21. Browned bread 57. Proposed as a candidate 24. 61. FibbersKnight's suit 62. Smooth 25. Swerves 63. Marathon, e.g. 26. Publish 64. See eye to eye 27. Pay 65. Chablis, e.g.out 66. Land parcel 28. Army post 67. Tool buildings 29. Belief 68. Turner and Kennedy 30. Severe 69. Excursion Down 31. Overjoy 1. Peruvian capital 34.god Crawl 2. False 3. Loose 35. flesh Peruse 4. Renter 36. Break a fast 5. Not together 40. Hosiery material 6. Narrow boat 7. Lock of hair 8. Stitches 9. Sewing item 10. Partly cover 11. Simple 12. Opera highlight 13. Stained 21. Browned bread

24. Knight’s suit MEG POWELL 25. Swerves MARKETING DIRECTOR 26. Publish 43. Narrowed 27. Pay out ALLISON BENNETT DYCHE 47. Hurls 28. Army post ADVISER 29. Belief 49. Biblical mount 30. Severe adviser@theappalachianonline.com 51. "Brokeback 31. Overjoy Mountain", e.g. 34. Crawl The Appalachian is the award-winning, independent student-run 35. Peruse 52. Change news organization at Appalachian State University, published since 36. Break a fast 53. Baseball teams 1934. The student staff maintains all editorial discretion, and there 40. Hosiery material 54. Woeful cry is no prior review by university faculty, staff or administrators. The 43. Narrowed 47. Hurls 55. Sorrowful sound Appalachian strives for accuracy in newsgathering and reporting. If 49. Biblical mount you think we have made an error, email 56. Rabbitlike animal 51. “Brokeback Mountain”, e.g. editor@theappalachianonline.com. 57. Politician ____ 52. Change Participation in The Appalachian is open to all current full-time 53. Baseball teams Gingrich students at the university. For more information about joining, email 54. Woeful cry outreach@theappalachianonline.com. 58. Mexican treat 55. Sorrowful sound The opinions pages of The Appalachian are an open public forum. 59. Beige 56. Rabbitlike animal Contributions are welcomed via email to 57. Politician ____ Gingrich 60. Bambi, for one editor@theappaalchianonline.com. Opinions expressed are those 58. Mexican treat 59. Beige of individual columnists, and do not necessarily reflect the views 60. Bambi, for one of the news organization overall. Unsigned editorials represent the

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News

Nov. 10, 2021

Tim Futrelle elected Boone elects new town council Boone mayor The Appalachian | News Desk

Will Hofmann | Reporter

Cameron Stuart | Reporter

Tim Futrelle, running unopposed, won the election for Boone mayor Nov. 2. The 46-year-old Democrat won with 95.3% of the votes. A Verizon Wireless employee and food service supervisor at Rivers Street Cafe in Roess Dining Hall, Futrelle has been a Boone resident for over 20 years and served as Watauga County commissioner from 2008-12. Futrelle graduated from App State in 2010 with a bachelor’s in government and justice studies. Futrelle told The Appalachian that Boone’s greatest challenge is the preservation

of water. Futrelle also plans to promote environmental sustainability by “promoting the town’s current zero-carbon energy initiatives.” He also plans to prepare for energyefficient replacement of existing town equipment, vehicles and appliances to “save taxpayer dollars both short and long term,” according to the Watauga Democrat. In regard to working with the university, Futrelle said he “will continue conversations with students and student groups to voice student concerns at the town level.”

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Boone elected a new mayor and town council Nov. 2. The progressive candidates swept the election, winning all five town council seats and the mayor’s office. Todd Carter Todd Carter won a seat on the Boone Town Council Nov. 2 with 25.5% of the vote. Carter is the chief development director of the Hospitality House of Northwest North Carolina and founder of the High Country LGBTQ Youth Alliance. He is from Hendersonville and studied at UNC-Chapel Hill. Carter believes the greatest challenge facing Boone is a lack of affordable housing for students and the workforce. He said he is in favor of cooperation with App State but wants measured growth. Carter said students come before the university. “I want to ensure an open and transparent growth plan with everyone at the same table, making decisions for the good of everyone, not just the few,” Carter told The Appalachian. Virginia Roseman Virginia Roseman was elected to Boone Town Council with 25.29% of vote. Roseman has lived in Boone since 2008. She worked for Horn in the West for eight years, according to High Country Press. A Western Carolina graduate, Roseman served on the Boone Tourism Development Authority from 2011-2015 and the Boone Board of Adjustment from 2011-16. She served on the Boone Board of Adjustment again from December 2020 until February when she was first appointed to a seat on BTC. “This current council has invested great effort towards growing Boone responsibly while protecting our neighborhoods and our historic and natural assets. I want to see this positive momentum continue and the make-up of this new town council is crucial,” Roseman told The Appalachian. Jon Dalton George Jon Dalton George kept his seat on Boone Town Council with 24.2% of the vote. The community activist from Midway was appointed to BTC to fill in the remainder of councilperson Dustin Hicks’ term Aug. 3, making George the youngest elected official in North Carolina. George graduated from App State and

was the president of the App State College Democrats during his senior year. George is known as the “housing guy,” and his main focuses for Boone are to improve substantial housing conditions, both affordability-wise and scarcity-wise, as well as work for voting rights and fight for environmental issues. “Housing is an issue that transcends the divides we have in our community. It is an issue that I have fought to address and will continue to do so,” George told The Appalachian. Rebecca Nenow Rebecca Nenow won one of the two unexpired seats on the Boone Town Council with 32.1% of the vote. Nenow has lived in Boone since 2005. A graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, she owns and runs her own business, Resupply, which aims to reduce consumer waste. Nenow plans to address sustainability and climate change issues as well as problems with the town’s infrastructure. “It is necessary to consider the environmental, social and economic sustainability with every decision and policy. While this may be more time-consuming than not considering sustainability, the long term sustainability of any decision is worth the shortterm effort,” Nenow told The Appalachian. Edie Tugman Edie Tugman won one of the two unexpired seats on the Boone Town Council with 43.21% of the vote. Tugman moved to Boone for the first time in 1964. She worked in the insurance industry for the majority of her career. “I decided to run because my father said all through my highschool years,” said Tugman on the Mind Your Business podcast. “You cannot make change from the outside.” Tugman said she values local businesses over large corporations and is in favor of a buffer zone between the expanding commercial area of Boone and residential areas. She believes affordable housing should be a priority for BTC and residents should have a larger voice, according to the Boone area chamber of commerce podcast, “Mind Your Business.” “I really believe in the preservation of the integrity of Boone,” Tugman said.

News

Town and gown in tow

Nov. 10, 2021

PAC prompts questions on school, town relationship Ethan Hunt | Associate News Editor App State has been accused of improper political behavior by multiple community members. On Oct. 11, senior political science major Adam Zebzda requested the university investigate the relationship between a new political action committee, Appalachian PAC, and App State in a letter to board of trustees chairperson Kimberly Shepherd and Chancellor Sheri Everts. Zebzda also asked for the investigation of the presence of two BOT members at a meeting hosted by Appalachian PAC. PACs, political action committees, are organizations that obtain funds intended to support or oppose political candidates or legislation, according to the Federal Election Commission. Appalachian PAC states on its website it is non-partisan, and its goal is “supporting local business growth and university prosperity for the betterment of our community.” BOT member Tommy Sofield and BOT Vice Chair Mark Ricks attended Appalachian PAC’s Sept. 16 launch event. Zebzda said he believes BOT members should be free to engage in political activity as private citizens but said Sofield and Ricks’ positions as BOT members indicate they are not acting entirely on their own behalf. “I’ve been involved in Boone politics long enough to know that coincidences don’t really exist when it comes to local matters,” said Zebzda, Boone Board of Adjustment member. The Appalachian obtained a university letter dated Oct. 12 drafted by the university’s deputy general counsel Toussaint Romain in response to Zebzda. The letter denied any connection between Appalachian PAC and App State, adding that the presence of BOT members Sofield and Ricks at the PAC’s launch event did not violate any UNC school system regulations or state laws. Sofield and Ricks were photographed at Appalachian PAC’s launch event Sept. 16. The pictures were posted to the PAC’s Facebook page and then subsequently removed. Zebzda addressed their presence in his letter to the university, suggesting the BOT members may have violated North Carolina General Statutes §126-13 and or UNC Policy 300.5.1. These regulations prohibit state employees from engaging in political activity while “on duty” or during any other time they are paid by the state. The UNC System policy uses similar language to the same effect. Both sets of regulations also prohibit employees from using the authority of their position to secure support for a particular

political candidate. In the university’s response letter, Romain wrote that BOT members are not App State employees. He continued, writing, “even if they were,” they were free to exercise their political rights as private individuals. Zebzda believes BOT members shouldn’t be part of a PAC fulfilling their “personal goals” and the goals of App State, which they promote in an “official capacity,” while exercising their political rights as private individuals. “In my opinion, if you’re a trustee, you can’t really wear multiple hats,” Zebzda said. Anna Oakes, App State media relations specialist, wrote in an email that App State has no affiliation with

Maria Smith

Appalachian PAC. Oakes also addressed Sofield and Ricks’ attendance at the Sept. 16 meeting, writing that board members are required by law to disclose any conflicts of interests or the appearance of a conflict of interest. She said, according to the State Government Ethics Act, board members must recuse themselves from BOT discussions and actions relating to any conflicts of interests. “We have no concerns about the ethics of our volunteer board members,” Oakes wrote. Appalachian PAC has raised $25,379.08 as of Nov. 1, according to the state Board of Elections. Two of the largest donations came from BOT members Sofield and Ricks, both

donating the maximum amount of $5,600. Brian Tracy, former App State senior associate athletics director for development, also donated $5,600. Zebzda cited writing by J.W. Williamson, creator of the blog WataugaWatch, in his letter to the university. Williamson was an App State English professor from 19702000. Williamson believes Appalachian PAC was created to elect candidates who will assist the university in gaining new zoning designations. These changes would advance the personal monetary interests of local real estate developers and expand App State’s campus. “I don’t wanna see this town become merely a campus. I love that campus. I worked there for 30 years. I love ASU, but ASU is sometimes not a good neighbor,” J.W. Williamson said. Ricks and Sofield could not be reached in time for publication. Appalachian PAC endorsed Benjamin Ray, Eric Woolridge and Edie Tugman for town council and Tim Futrelle for mayor, Oct. 13. Woolridge wrote in an email that for App State to be “truly prosperous,” it must have a strong relationship with the Town of Boone. However, he wrote that he wants “very limited” expansion of App State’s campus. Woolridge wrote that he has not accepted any money from Appalachian PAC. He continued that Appalachian PAC has placed ads on his behalf but that he has no coordination with them. “It’s unfortunate that this organization has become such a distraction — it’s in the outer orbit of my campaign,” Woolridge wrote. Woolridge is president of Designation by Design, a design firm that partners with towns, counties and states to design and improve “built environments.” Ray told the Watauga Democrat he would like to see the improvement of App State’s “current real estate holdings for their use and development.” He also wants to lease space owned by App State “to members of the community and maximize the many facilities that the University has to offer,” according to the PAC’s website. Ray is the owner of Client First of the High Country, a realty company. He also owns multiple rental real estate properties. Read more online at www.theappalachianonline.com

News

Nov. 10, 2021

Professor shines light on Cherokee history Cameron Stuart | Reporter A professor is sharing positive stories about Native American history for students in Appalachia. Allen Bryant, associate professor in the Reich College of Education, said as director of the Gadugi Partnership, he designs and teaches college-level courses to students at Cherokee High School about Cherokee history and culture. “We’re trying to improve the number of eastern Cherokee students who go to college and also improve the numbers of those who succeed when they get there,” Bryant said. Bryant said U.S. history classes do a poor job of teaching Cherokee history, and some states, including Georgia and Tennessee, have passed laws limiting discussions of racism and negative aspects of U.S. history in classrooms. While Bryant said history can repeat itself if people are not informed, he makes sure to teach his students positive moments and people in history, not just the negative stories. “It’s a way for me to remind Native students that their history is not just one long line of sad tragedy failures,” Bryant said. “Their history is also filled with unbelievable leaders and brilliant men and women, and that there’s so much there about which they should be extraordinarily proud.” The Celebrating Sequoyah Speaker Series highlights the 200th anniversary of Sequoyah’s creation of the Cherokee written language throughout the semester, with three speakers sharing how they are working to keep the language alive. The series began Sept. 15 and ended Nov. 10 during Native American Heritage Month with Cherokee linguist James Standingdeer. Bryant said learning about Native American history in the Appalachian region is important because App State is located on what once was Indigenous land. Anna Oakes, App State media

relations specialist, wrote in an email that Chancellor Sheri Everts told the Landing Acknowledgement Working Group, led by Interim Chief Diversity Officer Jamie Parson, to develop a statement “that acknowledges the Indigenous peoples who are the original inhabitants of the lands on which our campus is located.” “The working group, which includes Indigenous faculty as well as faculty for whom Indigenous studies is their area of research, will invite the state and federally-recognized tribes in the area, as well as several Indigenous com-

munity organizations, to provide feedback on the statement,” Oakes wrote. Oakes also wrote that the statement will include recommendations for how the university can commit to the success of Indigenous faculty, staff and students. “Native culture in our area still permeates so much of what we do,” Bryant said. “The most serious form of racism that native students face right now is the feeling of invisibility.” After starting a search for Cherokee books written by

(Top Left). In addition to his App State teachings, Allen Bryant, teaches three courses at Cherokee High School to show that “Native people are still here. We come in all shapes, sizes and shades.” (Top Right). Anya Walsh, senior English major, serves as the president of the Native American Student Association. To Walsh, NASA is a place for native students to know they are “not the only one on campus.” (Bottom Left).Walsh holds her heavily tabbed copy of “The Only Good Indians,” revealing her hibiscus flower tattoo paired with her family name written in Cherokee syllabary. (Bottom Right). Bryant’s office wall is filled with framed photos of his Cherokee students participating in a variety of events over the years. Kara Haselton

female authors on Amazon by typing in “Cherokee women,” Bryant said one suggested search option was “Cherokee women costumes.” “I thought, ‘okay, what is this?’” Bryant said. “And so I clicked on it, and it was these disgraceful, so-called ‘sexy Indian’ costumes. You just look at it, and you can’t imagine that we’re still dealing with this kind of stupidity in 2021.” He said several of his students have talked to him about racist comments made to them, such as being asked if they live in tipis. In addition to cultural racism, Bryant said actions such as the theft and destruction of timber in eastern Cherokee land in the early 1900s were done to Native American people, but everyone is paying the price today. A Washington Post analysis published in September found one in three Americans lived in a county impacted by a “weather disaster” from June to August. On top of that, according to the United Nations, “Indigenous peoples are among the first to face the direct consequences of climate change.” This is the experience of the Isle de Jean Charles band of the Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw tribal community in Louisiana, who have been in the process of relocating from their island as it shrinks from erosion. Members of the tribe still living on the island were left homeless after Hurricane Ida hit the Louisiana coast in August. The destruction of Ida was second only to Hurricane Katrina. Albert Naquin, the tribe’s chief, said the hurricane damaged all of the homes on the island and all but one of the residents now live with nearby family members. The effects of Hurricane Ida on the tribe worsened due to the unfinished federally funded resettlement project. Read more online at www.theappalachianonline.com

News

Store with a story:

community found at Goober Peas Jesse Barber | Photographer Jane Trivette was 19 and had $300. This is how she started to open Highway 194 Grocery store. A story that started 50 years ago with her husband, Allen Trivette. Jane Trivette tells this story sitting in the front corner of the now named Goober Peas Country store located at the intersection of Highway 194 and Howards Creek road toward Meat Camp. Jane Trivette and her husband bought the corner plot, which was a sawmill at the time, to start their dream of owning a grocery store. Allen Trivette’s father managed the local Winn-Dixie, and Jane worked in a grocery store during high school. Soon after opening the store in 1968, Allen Trivette added onto the building, turning the addition into Allen Trivette’s 194 Tire, which he operated for the next 48 years. The front of the store is adorned with signs and posters advertising drinks, local jams and gifts. Two tubes for river floating hang on either side of the building. A display of fishing rods and tackle sit in front of the opened screened door leading into the store. Attached to the side of the store is a business selling reconditioned appliances with a graveyard of refrigerators sitting in front of the garage bay doors. Jane Trivette and her husband sold their store in 2016 to John Stacy, who is a co-owner of Boone Drug, with the agreement that Allen and Jane Trivette would work as managers of the store. The couple stayed busy with the store, running a farm, raising their kids and putting them through college.

“There’s not much left,” Jane Trivette said, after putting their kids through college but she feels proud of the life they built together. Two years after they sold the store, Allen Trivette died unexpectedly in a car accident on NC 194 Aug. 1, 2018 after being reported missing a day before. “It’s been hard,” Jane Trivette said. Trivette’s family encouraged her to stay involved with the store, maintaining connections outside of her farm duties. Now, Trivette wakes up before the sun at 4 a.m. every morning to finish her farm chores before working at Goober Peas until the store closes at 7 p.m. She manages the store with Andy Pennestri, a D.C. native who moved down to North Carolina with his mother when he graduated high school 40 years ago. Pennestri wears a gold cross necklace around his neck and a matching hat and shirt combo to work. “I have my son and my two children,” he said, pointing to his dachshund shirt and hat in reference to his dachshunds, Tadpole and Tiny. Two of the original set of his five dachshunds. Pennestri and Trivette work as a team, stocking shelves, running the register or arguing over the price of pumpkins. A customer comes in and asks for Squirrel Nut Zippers, a vanilla nut caramel candy produced in 1926. Another customer comes in looking for glass marbles; he’s a collector who heard these collectible items were manufactured near Boone. It’s un-

common items like these that people come to the store for. Others stop in for ice cold drinks or a hot cup of coffee in the morning as a respite from the day. Other than a watercolor picture of the store and an antique sign hanging above the door advertising farm equipment, everything in the store is for sale. Pictures and signs line the walls up to the ceiling with little white tags displaying prices. The front of the store carries typical convenience items, various sodas, motor oil, inflatable tubes and candies, including tequila lollipops with crickets in them. The back of the store has shelves lined with products like jellies and apple butter, frozen barbeque from Sims Country BBQ in Granite Falls and eggs from local farmers. Pennestri creates a display with local fall items. He opens his laptop to draft up a quick sign for their new fall products of honey, sorghum and apple butter. A customer comes in, interrupting his design work, and he happily jumps to the register. They’re visitors from Cary looking to buy local products. Pennestri gives his high praise for a jar of apple butter, his favorite, and hands the visitors a jar for free. As Jane Trivette comes in for her evening shift, she makes her way to the front corner of the store and grabs the TV remote. “M.A.S.H” had been playing while Pennestri worked. Trivette changes it to “Wheel of Fortune.” “She’s gotta see her story at 12:30. Her soap operas,” Pennestri said.

(Top) Andy Pennestri stands for a portrait in front of Goober Peas Country Store. Pennestri is a D.C. native who now manages Goober Peas with Jane Trivette. (Middle) Every morning, regulars gather in the front corner of the store to catch up over coffee. Andy Pennestri sits with Will Osier and Joe Hayes. (Bottom) Opening at 7 a.m., the store offers coffee to start the day as well as many local goods produced by farms in the area. Jesse Barber

Nov. 10, 2021

Turning over a new reef

News

Local aquarium shop gets alumni owners Hollie Moore | Reporter Even at 3,333 feet above sea level, two aquarium store owners managed to bring the saltwater lifestyle to the mountains of Boone. Two alumni find themselves back in the heart of Boone, obtaining new ownership of the local Reef Magic aquarium store after a short ride with corporate careers. Reef Magic, which opened in 1992, is one of the oldest aquarium stores in North Carolina, according to

its most recent owners, Jacob Hudson and Noah Privott. Hudson and Privott, co-owners of Reef Magic since Jan. 1, 2020, graduated in 2018 with degrees in biology and exercise science, respectively. Both worked “almost corporate jobs for a little while” before ending up with Reef Magic. They came to the curiosity “hey, maybe we can do this on our own instead of under

someone else,” Privott said. Hudson worked for the previous owner of Reef Magic as a student, seizing the opportunity to buy the business from the previous owner. “I’ve always done this. This has always been my hobby, ever since I was a kid,” Hudson said. “I honestly don’t know how I got here. It’s weird. I just took some chances.” Privott worked as an EMT for three years before the COVID-19

pandemic with the intention of being a physician’s assistant. But he said once the pandemic hit, he lost his passion for it. Privott said he had “no intentions of buying into a fish store, but things happen, and about a year ago, I kind of quit being a medic.” Hudson and Privott have spent most of their time in the past few months focusing on their website, The Coral Lab. The website exhibits many types of coral with their expressed dedication to reversing recent damage on coral from bleaching in saltwater ecosystems. “Our hobby is the coral. That’s been both his and I’s hobby for a while,” Privott said. “And we started a website for it, just growing our own coral as well as buying it through a local wholesaler.” With Hudson and Privott spending most of their time based at home, north of Winston-Salem, and commuting to Boone at least twice a week, they have four part-time employees who run their store in their absence. Jules Silver, the Reef Magic general manager, is an App State graduate student. She has been working at Reef Magic since June 2020, witnessing its changes through new ownership. “There is something about it to

me that remains timeless,” Silver said. “Not necessarily in the renovations but just that it’s like the only place for authentic, unique, rare, exotic saltwater and coral.” Silver said the position with the business has been “one of, if not the coolest job” she has ever had. Hudson and Privott try to support companies who don’t harm the environment as they also make similar strides toward sustainability in their business. “It’s important for the hobby too because, overall, the aquarium hobby is very bad for the environment,” Hudson said. “So it’s very important, in my view, to just set a standard because it can be done sustainably, but a lot of people don’t.” R e e f Magic should be fully renovated by the end of next year, Hudson said. They are waiting for the economy to stabilize and prices to come down, but the store remains open for customers. “I’d like to just let people know, we are here, this is available, it’s not that expensive,” Hudson said. “It’s also free to look. We got lots of cool stuff.”

I’ve always done this. This has always been my hobby, ever since I was a kid ...I honestly don’t know how I got here. It’s weird. I just took some chances.”

Reef Magic recently reopened in Boone under new ownership. It offers different types of coral and fish to purchase. Maggie Busch

A&C

Nov. 10, 2021

Student stands “pop up” in Boone

Lily Sanders

Kara Haselton

Torri Marshall | Reporter When walking along King Street on weekends and weekdays there are small tables spread throughout the sidewalk. On these tables are bright vibrant colors, unique materials, and diverse styles. There are necklaces, rings, clothes, even some art. These tables have gained a name and popularity in Boone: pop-ups. And within App State and Boone, there is an overflow of innovative creators showcasing what they can do through pop-up shows. Cadence Stucker, a sophomore international business major, said she likes the diversity among the pop-up shops. Stucker not only shops at popups but also sells her own products and says it’s “really cool and self-fulfilling.” Erin McIntyre is a junior advertising and public relations major who sells products at popups. She mostly sells jewelry, designed tote bags, pouches and some clothing of various styles that appeal to all shoppers. While multiple styles and products are represented at pop-ups, senior journalism major Xanayra Marin-Lopez uses pop-ups as a way to channel her craftiness into products like clothes, jewelry and totes reflecting their style, which can be available and affordable to everyone. “If it’s going to have my name on it, it’s going to reflect me,” Marin-Lopez said. Marin-Lopez said they feel their style is a blend of “feminine and masculine energy together,” which allows her products to be open to every identity and style.

Kara Haselton

5 Kara Haselton

Lily Sanders McIntyre said pop-ups give her an opportunity to connect with the community and her customers in a way she wouldn’t be able to when selling online. “I do like pop-ups because you can talk to the people, whereas the other, I don’t know anyone who’s buying my stuff,” McIntyre said. She said when she presents her products at pop-ups, it doesn’t feel like work. It’s a relaxing environment where McIntyre can show off her hard work and mingle with shoppers and other fellow creators, including Marin-Lopez, she said. Marin-Lopez and McIntyre hosted a pop-up party Oct. 23, where other creators could display and sell their products and art. Music, food and a raffle were open for shoppers while they meandered around searching through unique items. Hannah Wright, a customer at the party, said this and other pop-ups make her feel accepted because everyone there has “a love and a passion for art.” “You get to see the local artists, and you know some of them might be your classmates and people who go here,” said Wright, a junior elementary education major. “And so just being able to see the talent that’s around is awesome.” Morgan Branham, a shopper at the party, said they enjoy being out and around other people after the pandemic. “It’s always super exciting because I never know what’s going to be there,” Branham said. Xanayra Marin-Lopez is the Visual Managing Editor for The Appalachian.

1. A spread of illustrations and embroidery by Andie Aldred and Lorena Calvillo. 2. Dayra Reynoso, a local sophomore at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute stands in front of her stands of upcycled clothes. Reynoso started her business in March 2020. 3. In addition to handmade art, many pop-up shop owners sell secondhand and upcycled clothes. 4. Erin McIntyre, a junior communications major, stands by her table at the Oct. 23 pop-up. McIntyre has been making jewelry and painted tote bags for two years. 5. Cadence Stucker, left, and Elissa Paula, right, hang out at a pop up hosted by From Xanayra where they sell their art. After making art for several years, Stucker was encouraged to start participating in pop-ups by Paula, who works as manager for pop-up collective Student-Made Store.

A&C

Nov. 10, 2021

Students manage to keep it fashionable as they play the waiting game during the spaces between their busy days. Here’s what the average App State student wears on the way home from class, coming back from a grocery run or headed to an off-campus party. Trevor Steward-derqui awaits the AppalCart Pink Route in shades of blue. In a Carolina blue beret, pastel blue mask and a Pantone 628C rain jacket, Steward-derqui stands outside Peacock Circle, heading home from one of his classes. In tune with his half-Spanish identity, he admires European fashion with his beret from ASOS. Another aspect of his identity, his gender, plays into his binary-defying look. “Gender-wise like yeah, he/him, we’re thinking, we’re questioning, right?” said the junior social work major. “And so it’s like I aim for, my goal is, more of like a feminine-European look.” When creating the outfit, he started with the beret as the focal piece to build everything off of. Next, he added white pants to balance the bright color of the head accessory. The jacket from Goodwill in its respective shade paired well for Steward-derqui, and his boots kept him warm in Boone’s October. While Steward-derqui heads home, Aria Barstow, freshman global studies major, makes a mental note of her

On their bus behavior Xanayra Marin-Lopez | Visual Managing Editor

grocery list while waiting for a bus to take her to Walmart. With their hair up in clips at the front of her head, they were the starting point of her red and white outfit. She bought them from a Comic Con in Raleigh. Barstow waits patiently for the Red Route in her red sweater over a white dress with white sneakers. On her neck is a leather-like choker with a scorpion charm, matching the red theme. “Usually, my outfits range from very edgy to absolutely not. So it’s kind of like, I guess, gothic Harajuku?” Barstow said. “Rocking” the t-shirt and skirt combo, Ella Drymon, an obvious Iron Maiden fan, mixes grunge aesthetics and florals to create a Pinterest-worthy ’90s outfit inspo. This is a merge the freshman theatre arts major makes often, mixing floral dresses and skirts with band tees and oversized sweaters. Channeling Sky Ferreira’s early Tumblr days, the soft grunge look is a fit for Drymon, who listens to music from the early ’90s and ’70s. She layers her necklaces and rings, saying, “the jewelry makes the outfit.” Opting for two heart necklaces of amber, she sticks to silver with her rings and metal with her bracelet in the shape of a guitar. The AppalCart aisle may not be an ideal runway for Boone’s fashion scene, but many come and go from various destinations, representing who they are in their outfits.

(Left) While Steward-derqui waits for the bus, he keeps warm in his blue ensemble from head to toe. (Middle) Barstow sits patiently at the College Street bus stop in a “gothic Harajuku” look. (Right) Drymon layers necklaces with a long skirt for her bus stop wear. Xanayra Marin-Lopez

A&C

Nov. 10, 2021

Alumna’s art featured in Our State

Savannah Brewer | Reporter

Intricate ink creations take shape in the hands of one local printmaker whose artwork includes depictions of the Blue Ridge Mountains, swirling lettering and illustrations reminiscent of mountain folk art. Almuna Lauren Crowe runs a graphic design and printmaking business called The White Crowe. She is a resident of Boone, and her pieces can be found on display during Blowing Rock’s Art in the Park events. One of these pieces, Linn Cove Viaduct, was recently featured in the October 2021 edition of Our State Magazine. “It was an absolute honor to be included in that piece featuring so many other great artists along the Blue Ridge Parkway,” Crowe said. “And it reassured me that people are still interested in what I am creating.”

Locality is a poignant feature within Crowe’s work. Several of her pieces picture popular local geography, including Table Rock and Beacon Heights. “She is super talented and creative and has the ability to captivate the beauty of the NC mountains in her work,” said Allison Sparks, one of Crowe’s colleagues. The Blue Ridge mountains are a prominent theme in many of Crowe’s features. “I love to hear about my collectors own connections to this area through my pieces,” Crowe said. Crowe was introduced to printmaking while taking a required elective at App State. She found relief printmaking to be especially interesting. “The physical analog process and

the graphic nature of relief printmaking seemed like the perfect combination,” Crowe said. The process of printmaking includes carving away at a surface to create an elevated design that can be replicated on a different surface with ink. “Because of that first relief printmaking class at ASU I have been able to continue to study printmaking and grow in my technique and knowledge,” Crowe said. “I believe my professor Scott Ludwig is still teaching at ASU and active in the local art community.” Ludwig still works as a professor and printmaking area coordinator in the Art Department and continues to inspire students as a visual artist. “Lauren was one of those unique students that excelled with the relief process almost immediately,” Scott

said. “She possessed strong design and drawing skills, and this ability, along with her sensitive, detailed carving technique, really paved the way for her to be successful with the relief process, and I am thrilled she is still making beautiful relief prints and marketing her work on the White Crowe website and beyond!” Boone’s local art community influenced both Crowe and Ludwig. “Whether it be exposure through my social media, local connections, wholesale or markets, I have found the High Country to be very supportive of the arts,” Crowe said. Ludwig has also experienced the benefits of Boone’s local art community. “Under the leadership of Amber Bateman, the Watauga Arts Council

has become a beacon for the arts in Boone, especially with the current presence of the King Street Collective in downtown,” he said. Ludwig has high hopes for the arts in Boone. “The future of a vibrant creative culture is bright in Boone,” he said. “I can only hope a few more gallery spaces emerge as the town continues to grow.” Crowe operates an Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Pinterest account for her work. “My social media is somewhat of a process blog for me,” Crowe said. “I think the curation of it is more of my natural taste coupled with my graphic design/art background.” Crowe’s work can be purchased on her website or through her Etsy.

A&C

Nov. 10, 2021

Senior documents college experience through vlogs Ansley Puckett | Managing Editor The top result for “App State tour” on YouTube isn’t a university-produced video but rather one student’s passion project. Zoe Raymond, a senior public health major, balances classes, work, life and a side project that has garnered her attention from strangers on

King Street and unexpectedly at work. “It’s crazy honestly that there are people on campus who know who I am,” Raymond said. Now with more than 2,000 subscribers, Raymond has become one of the few YouTube vloggers at App State, though she put off starting her

Zoe Raymond, senior public health major, posted her first YouTube video in July 2020. Raymond said sharing her hair care routine for her natural curls was one of the things that pushed her to start her channel. Caroline McNair

channel for years. A vlog, short for video log, is a blog in video format especially popular on YouTube, where creators document an event or what they do regularly. After discovering YouTube vlogging in middle school, Raymond decided she wanted to do the same, but scared of what people would think, she delayed posting videos in high school. When she arrived at App State, Raymond said she realized “nobody cares.” “I’d always wanted to do it, and I just decided I needed to stop overthinking it and just click record and just do it,” Raymond said. “Or else I would have never done it.” Raymond posted her first video July 7, 2020 and decided that to start her channel, she wanted to help people. She used the video to tell viewers about her journey embracing her natural hair, hoping it would help someone else with curly hair. “There are so many people with curly hair that have no idea what they’re doing, and that’s a big deal to people with curly hair. It’s a whole world,” Raymond said. As of Nov. 8, the video has over 3,600 views, and her App State tour video has around 8,300 views. Raymond said she’s glad those videos can help people who might need it, like those thinking of attending App State. “It’s just crazy to me to know that I’m helping people,” Raymond said. “I never thought I could do that, which is crazy, so it means the world to me when people share my video or comment or comment something nice.” Now, Raymond posts videos on college advice, daily life, night routines and more on her normal schedule. Some of her most viewed videos are where she deep cleans where she deep cleans her bathroom, which has over 10,000 views, and another where she decorates her apartment for fall, which has over 15,000 views. Raymond mostly posts on Fridays

Raymond gained over 2,000 subscribers in the past year. One of her most popular videos is her tour of campus. Raymond said students have approached her saying her video is one of the reasons they chose to enroll at App State. Caroline McNair

and said she gets inspiration for videos from her everyday routine and with the help of her friends and family, who give her video ideas. Hannah Rogers, Raymond’s roommate and friend, helps her film videos like her campus tour and brainstorm video topics when she needs it. “I mean, I know that’s not an easy thing to put yourself out there like that on the internet,” Rogers said. “But I think she has a lot of great advice to give, and she’s a really good example.” Rogers said she enjoys watching Raymond grow into herself through posting on YouTube and getting recognized for her efforts. “She’s a really hard worker and a student, and it’s really cool to see people recognize her and come up to her and be like ‘You’re the reason I decided to go to App,’ just because she’s really giving them true insight of being a student,” Rogers said. With a smaller audience, Raymond enjoys the low pressure that comes with running a small channel and said she’s thankful for the room it gives her to keep a private life. “People don’t need to see every aspect of my life,” Raymond said. “I don’t think that I’m going to post everything about my life, and I’m totally okay with that because that would be super scary and just unnecessary.” Raymond said YouTube has motivated her to continue posting past college and even pursue a full-time career on the internet after completing graduate school, but she doesn’t want to be as well known as some YouTubers who have subscribers in the millions. “I do really want YouTube to be the thing that I do every day and just film my life pretty much, hopefully not too much,” Raymond said. “I don’t want to be super famous because I feel like that would just be a lot of stress. But enough to where it’s something I can do and be fine and happy.” However, Raymond has other concerns besides her future and balancing her responsibilities, including the challenge of filming in public. “If you ever see me in public with a camera, don’t look at me,” Raymond said.

Homecoming Week

Nov. 10, 2021

NPHC Yard Show Aubrey Smith | A&C Editor

Jesse Barber | Photographer

App State’s National Panhellenic Council hosted their annual NPHC yard show Oct. 29 as Homecoming week came to a close. During the show, chapters took turns stepping and strolling as cheers erupted from the audience, and fellow sororities and fraternities shouted chants of support.

(Top) Kyndavee Bichara breaks into her solo during the Rho Theta chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority stepping performance at the yard show at Legends Oct. 29 (Middle) Mu Upsilon chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi members Charles Fennell, left, and Mac Sanders step together before the yard show (Bottomwith their fraternity signature canes. (Bottom) Alexis Lawson, left, and Ashelyn Rucker of the Rho Theta chapter of Delta Sigma Theta sorority pose together during the yard show. Lawson and Rucker organized their sisters to come to the event.

Homecoming Week

Nov. 10, 2021

App State vs. ULM

Hiatt Ellis

Max Correa | Associate Photo Editor

Hiatt Ellis | Photographer

Dan Davidson | Sports Editor

App State defeated the University of Louisiana at Monroe 59-28 in its annual homecoming game Oct. 30 to become bowl-eligible for the seventh straight year. The Mountaineers dominated the first half, outsourcing the Warhawks 49-7 and outgaining them by 276 yards. Super senior defensive lineman Caleb Spurlin doubled his career touchdown total, catching two touchdown passes in the first half. ULM entered the game top 10 in the country in turnover margin but were forced into five turnovers by the Mountaineers. Despite the Warhawks winning the second half 21-10, App State held on to win by 31. With four receptions, super senior receiver Thomas Hennigan became the all-time receptions leader at App State. Super senior kicker Chandler Staton also etched his name in the record books, breaking the program record for most made field goals with 56.

Max Correa

2 1. Sophomore running back Nate Noel stiff arms University of LouisianaMonroe defender Jordyn Riley while running down the sideline. Noel currently sits atop the Sun Belt with 765 rushing yards. 2. Junior offensive lineman Anderson Hardy lifts running back Cam Peoples after Peoples scored his second touchdown of the day. 3. Fifth year wide receiver Malik Williams beats ULM safety Nick Roberts to the ball in ULM’s end zone to score App State’s second touchdown of the day 4. Two fans dress as Bob Ross and one of his paintings. With the homecoming game being one day before Halloween, many fans dressed up in costumes. 5. Super senior wide receiver Corey Sutton celebrates with the crowd after running for his one touchdown of the game.

Max Correa

Hiatt Ellis

Homecoming Week

Nov. 10, 2021

Ambassadors raise awareness with annual Neerly Naked Mile Denise Casalez | Reporter After an unexpected storm hit Boone, not even the rain and winds could stop the dedication and energy of Homecoming Week, especially for one event that had several people in their underwear. The Appalachian Student Ambassadors hosted the eighth annual Neerly Naked Mile Oct. 25. Ambassadors host this event every homecoming to raise awareness of home-insecure people and prep communities for the cold in Boone. Participants either walk or run a mile around campus dressed in as little clothing as possible. To qualify for the race, participants had to register on Engage or donate winter clothing or blankets donated directly to Hospitality House from Ambassadors. “Personally, this is something I’ve been working on for a while, and it’s exciting to see it actually happening,” said Gracie Ziegelmann, Neerly Naked Mile coordinator. Ziegelmann, a senior recreation management major, also said it’s exciting to see Neerly Naked Mile actually happening and to see homecoming being back in full swing on campus.

“It’s a way to connect and support our local community,” said Savannah Stanbery, assistant director of Alumni Affairs and Ambassador adviser. Stanbery said Neerly Naked Mile was a fun kickoff for homecoming and helped bring more recognition to clubs as well. Neerly Naked Mile allows participants to feel how home-insecure people feel, especially in the mountain winters of Boone, Stanbery said. Ben Negin, a sophomore participant, said the mile is a really great cause and believes it’s a part that students can do to help out. Around 250 people registered for the event, and a total of 350 warm clothing and blankets were donated, according to Ambassadors. Todd Carter, chief of the Hospitality House, said this was the biggest crowd for Neerly Naked Mile he has ever seen. Read more online at www.theappalachianonline.com

Participants in the Neerly Naked Mile take off, beginning their loop around campus, going past East Hall, through Durham Park, along Rivers Street, and past Edwin Duncan back up toward Plemmons Student Union. Evan Bates

Alpha Delta Pi’s Barnes crowned Top of the Rock Aubrey Smith | A&C Editor When Macey Barnes first arrived at App State four years ago, she was an introvert who was not one to put herself out there. Now, Barnes stands with one of the largest recognized titles of the school: Top of the Rock recipient. Each year, student organizations nominate representatives for homecoming court. After a round of interviews, students vote on a final “Top of the Rock” to be recognized for their success and contributions to the university. Barnes was nominated through her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, where she serves as the vice president of operations. She’s been a member of the sorority since her sophomore year, she said.

“The funny part is that I told myself I’d never join a sorority,” Barnes said. When she went through recruitment, Barnes said she felt like the girls in ADPi cared about her as a person. Barnes said she felt they pushed her to be better, and now they’re like family. Barnes said she wouldn’t be where she is now without the community who pushed her and that “this is just the starting point.” “I always say that Boone is a place that loves back as equally as it is loved. I really am appreciative of everyone who’s supported me in this,” Barnes said. “They’ve reminded me of what it feels like to love and be loved.”

Macey Barnes stands for a portrait outside her apartment in Boone in her Top of the Rock regalia. An elementary education major, Barnes was nominated for Homecoming court on behalf of her sorority Alpha Delta Pi. The interview process for this position “was a blast,” Barnes said, “I got to meet a ton of new people.” Kara Haselton

Homecoming Week

Nov. 10, 2021

Class of 1970, 1971 celebrate 50th anniversary Aubrey Smith | A&C Editor App State Alumni Affairs honored the classes of 1970 and 1971 with an on-field recognition at the homecoming football game Oct. 30. Every year, Alumni Affairs recognizes the graduating class celebrating their 50th reunion. This year, they honored two classes because the class of 1970 did not get a recognition last year due to the pandemic. “We have members of that class that are gonna come and be on field so we can recognize them and just thank them for their continued support of Appalachian for over 50 years,” said Stephanie Billings, executive director of Alumni Affairs. Alumni were spotlighted on the field in between the first quarter and second quarter of App State’s game

against University of Louisiana Monroe. Despite the overcast weather, the alumni were glad to be back at The Rock. Bennie Anderson, class of 1970, said his strongest memory of App State was when he attended a snowy football game with his late classmate. “I remember the snow. They had to scrape it, and it was like 18 inches before a game,” Anderson said. “That was about ’68 I think. That was a big memory.” Pat Peacock, class of 1971, said it felt good to be back at The Rock and recalls all four years at App State as a “great experience.” During the recognition, the Alumni Association presented a check for $973,334 to the university

accepted by Chancellor Sheri Everts for the class’ “reunion giving.” “It’s such a special weekend because sometimes people haven’t seen each other in 50 years, and they just pick right back up where they left off,” Billings said. The alumni recognition fell at the end of Homecoming Week and was one of many activities held to highlight graduates. As a part of their annual engagement plan with alumni, Billings said Alumni Affairs has been planning homecoming activities for about a year and more seriously for the past six months. “We’re just very excited. This is one of our favorite times of the year,” Billings said.

Chancellor Sheri Everts accepts a check presented by the Alumni Association for the class’ “reunion giving.” Hiatt Ellis

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A&C

Nov. 10, 2021

women’s track and field team member offers affordable A beauty services to community Brionna Dallara | Reporter

Finding satisfactory cosmetology services can be challenging in a college town, but to one student athlete, your “Eyelashes Matter.” Hassani Burris is a certified lash technician and senior healthcare management major. She manages her own lash business as a full-time student, athlete and vice president of the Black Athlete Association. Burris started her business, Eyelashes Matter, over a year ago and named it after the Black Lives Matter movement. “Around the time I established the name of my business, a lot of police violence and crazy things in general in my hometown against Black folks was unfolding, and all I ever saw was Black Lives Matter. So, just by those sayings constantly running through my head, I came up with the name Eyelashes Matter,” Burris said. “Behind that name stands a strong Black woman who is just trying to stay on the right track and by any means make my family proud.” Balancing extracurriculars and school is a challenge in itself, and Burris said owning a small business on top of that requires another level of organization. “I’m a senior this year and a healthcare management major taking 18 credit hours so I can graduate on

time and an athlete on top of all that,” Burris said. Burris manages her time by making her schedule on Sunday nights and releasing it for her customers to see. This way, she can prioritize her schoolwork while also working up to 10 appointments each week. Recently, Burris took a short break to focus on her mental health and well-being before returning to her work. “It’s very important to take your mental health seriously because if you don’t sit down and get it together, your body will sit itself down for you,” Burris said. Beauty and business have always run in the family of the track star. From a young age, Burris would watch her mom do her neighbors’ hair, and she fell in love with the process. Burris’ mom is a big inspiration to her business, and she said she values her family and how supportive they have been in her endeavors. “I really appreciate my friends and family for keeping me sane,” Burris said. “I don’t know what I would do without them reminding me to slow down sometime and remember to enjoy life.” Fellow student Kariana Holloway is a regular customer and said she’s had consistently positive experiences with Burris’ business. “Her lashes boost my confidence, and she’s really serious about what she does and professional,” Holloway said. “I always do leave satisfied and happy.” Holloway shares this positive experience with numerous customers. Anaelle Moleka is another App State student and returning customer to Burris. “It’s not one of those things that you feel more beautiful with them on. It’s just a nice way to wake up and go out while still looking like you put effort in,” Moleka said. “It’s also a confidence booster and fun to have.” Burris values customer service and naturally loves getting people glammed up. “I just love the bright smiles I put on my clients’ faces after each set when they look in the mirror,” Burris said. Burris can do a full set of bottom and top lashes and offers the option of adding color to your lash. Her prices range from $60 for a classic lash to $80 for more voluminous lash. The price of a hybrid lash is $70. Burris accepts appointments through her business Instagram account @eyelashes.matter and her personal Instagram account @__.hassani.

(Top) Burris puts great care into each individual lash, making sure each they are placed perfectly to produce a set. She has been running her lash business for about a year and a half. (Bottom) Burris’ efficient use of space in her studio apartment makes for a professional and relaxing atmosphere, putting her customers at ease while being able to use her skill. Evan Bates

Sports

Nov. 10, 2021

Alumnus honored at home opener overcomes bout with leukemia Cameron Burnett | Associate Sports Editor The App State community rallied around 2019 graduate Michael Morgan in February when he was going through a third battle with acute myeloid leukemia. Morgan made a full recovery in the spring. In August, Morgan went through what was believed to be the third relapse and has been wheelchair bound while battling through his fourth bout of chemotherapy. While in the middle of a challenging time, Morgan received a message from Jason Schick, the partners service coordinator for App State, informing Morgan with surprising news. Morgan became the Alumni of the Game for the home opener against Elon and was honored during the third quarter fieldside with a special announcement, where he was welcomed with cheering and clapping from App Nation. “It’s just crazy. I love my school, and I never would’ve imagined this honestly,” Morgan said. “The fact that they were willing to reach out to me and make me the Alumni of the Game is pretty cool. I knew I was going out there for the third quarter, but that was the extent of it.” After being on the field, Morgan went immediately back to work on investigating his situation and if he could go back to a normal life. During Morgan’s initial prognosis at Wake Forest in August, he was told he had no more than one to two years left in his life. He and his wife, Emily Morgan, were shocked by the news and decided to take a trip to MD Anderson, the University of Texas’ comprehensive cancer center, which specializes in the cancer Morgan has.

The GoFundMe that was set up in 2019 for the family has now reached over $9,000 and counting, paying for the trip to Houston. “We decided we were going to go down there, get a second opinion. Got a bunch of tests done… basically made a complete 180 from what we originally heard. They were saying that my cancer did come back the first time,” Morgan said. “They were saying I had a leukemia seed back in my spine that grew, and that’s where my second relapse came from.” What was once seen as a life-ordeath situation for Morgan turned out completely different during his visit to MD Anderson, with doctors saying he never truly had a third relapse. The doctors at MD Anderson said the bone marrow transplant he had in 2019 would make sure cancer never returned. In just a matter of days, Morgan went from preparing for the worst to overwhelming joy. “It was something that presented itself as a relapse, but it wasn’t. At this point, they’re saying I’m good,” Morgan said. “They don’t think it’s going to come back, they think everything looks good from here. Of course, there’s always a chance that it does come back, but it’s not the inevitability that they were telling me before.” Initially, there was a real thought for Morgan that the Elon game would be one of the last games he would attend at The Rock. In MD Anderson, the emotions flowed for the Morgans once doctors gave them the good news. “Sitting there in the hospital, and they told me that, I grabbed my wife’s hand. We were beyond elated. Made that trip a lot better than you

thought it was gonna be,” Morgan said. “Thinking that’s going to be one of the last big trips of your life and it ended up not being. It was crazy.” Knowing this, the Morgans have their sights set on the future. After many years of coping with Morgan’s diagnosis, their biggest plan now is to become a foster home soon. “We’re going to continue to live our lives, and we’re working on becoming a foster home at this point and just fulfilling my life goals,” Morgan said. After Morgan got home from that

trip, he made a last second decision to attend the App State-Coastal Carolina game Oct. 20. He was able to attend the Mountaineers’ thrilling victory in front of the fourth largest crowd in school history. There was still a bit left to be desired for Morgan, even after the incredible night. “I did some last second finagling. A friend of ours on Twitter actually gave me the tickets, and I’ve been to a lot of App games, but that was probably one of the best,” Morgan said. “Definitely glad I was able to go to that one, but the one thing that I wish for

was that my leg was well enough to go out on the field with everyone else, but that was something else.” Once Morgan recovers from the bone marrow transplant and is able to walk easily on his own, he’ll be able to attend more App State games without worry. “I’m going to get to every single game I can get to,” Michael Morgan said. “Completely depends on the recovery time of the surgery, but as soon as I’m able to get up and get around normally, I’m going to every single one from here on out.”

It’s just crazy. I love my school, and I never would’ve imagined this honestly ...

Michael Morgan, a 2019 App State grad, waves to the crowd while being honored as Alumni of the Game at the home opener versus Elon Sept. 18. Max Correa

Sports

Nov. 10, 2021

Stegen breaks field hockey assist record Alex Urquiza | Reporter App State field hockey traveled to Bellarmine and secured a 4-2 victory over the Knights Oct. 10. What was supposed to be a normal conference match-up ended up becoming a game that will go down in university history within just two minutes, thanks to an assist from one player. In the second minute of the first period, the Mountaineers took the lead after a goal by sophomore midfielder Pauline Mangold. She was assisted by senior midfielder Friederike Stegen, who recorded her 23rd collegiate assist, becoming the program’s all-time leader in assists. “She draws a lot of attention during games, but when drawing the attention, she likes to give the ball up,” head coach Meghan Dawson said. “She doesn’t want to be singled out and be special. She wants to be part of the team and wants to help her teammates get better.” Born and raised in Laatzen, Germany, Stegen came to the U.S. to play field hockey and be a student athlete. In Germany, students are not allowed to play sports while in college. They have to play sports in their free time. Stegen was attracted to the idea of becoming a student and an athlete, so when Dawson asked her to represent the Black and Gold, it was an opportunity she couldn’t turn down. “I really liked the idea of being able to go to college and play a sport too,” Stegen said. “I actually didn’t know of App State before, but Megan reached out to me. We set a time to meet and talk on Zoom, and I really liked it.” Before coming to App State, Stegen played for field hockey club Hannover 78 and Eintracht Braunschweig. Stegen also goes home during the summer to practice and play with Eintracht Braunschweig to help her stay in shape and improve her game. Coming from the flatlands in Germany to the cold Appalachian mountains, Stegen man-

aged to integrate her field hockey talents easily her freshman year. Stegen hit the ground running as she started all 21 games and was ranked first in the Mid-American Conference with nine assists and 0.43 assists per game. Stegen finished the season with seven goals and was named to the MAC All-Tournament team after recording two goals and two assists in postseason play. “I’m glad I could help the team to win games and to assist my teammates to score goals,” Stegen said. “It’s a team sport. That’s what the game is about.” Stegen continued her form from her breakout season her sophomore year, ranking first in the team and tied for fifth in the MAC with six assists. She earned All-MAC second team honors and was one of 14 Mountaineers selected to the Academic All-MAC team. “It’s funny because back home in Germany, we don’t have any awards whatsoever. I didn’t even know what that was the first time, but I was obviously happy that I got it,” Stegen said. Stegen doesn’t just assist her teammates on the field but also off of it. “She loves competing, so she brings a good dynamic, and all the girls love her off the field,” Dawson said. “She has the best of both worlds, where she is both a good hockey player, and she also wants to be good friends with everyone. She wants to make the most out of her experience.” App State played its final home game against No. 22 Kent State, falling 2-1 in an overtime thriller, where Stegen secured an assist in the final second of the fourth period to force overtime. Stegen plans to expand her assist record as Dawson confirmed Stegen will be staying for a fifth year to represent the Black and Gold.

She doesn’t want to be singled out and be special. She wants to be part of the team and wants to help her teammates get better.

Friederike Stegen, middle, has been breaking records since her start on the team freshman year. The senior midfielder from Laatzen, Germany tied for second-most assists in a season in school history her freshman year, and as of 2018, was the only one of two players from MAC to make a spot on Division 1 Synapse Sports All-Rookie Team. Becca Bridges

Sports

Nov. 10, 2021

Golfer Wang talks golf journey, abroad COVID-19 experience

Alex McCaskey | Reporter

Sophomore Hannah Wang tees off on hole one at practice at Hounds Ear Club. Wang helped her team to the highest semester team GPA in program history in spring 2020. Hiatt Ellis

During the budding of COVID-19 last year, students had to leave campus. While some traveled home within the state and country or stayed in off-campus apartments in Boone, one App State golfer traveled back home across the world. Hannah Wang began playing golf at 10 years old after her father met a business associate at a golf practice range. After showing interest at the range, Wang’s father found a coach to help her learn the game. Wang decided to attend college in America after receiving advice from an LPGA player from China. To prepare for college in the U.S., she took English courses and the SAT. A former golfer on the App State women’s golf team recommended the school to Wang and helped her get in contact with the coach. “I just feel really lucky to be here, I really love this small town,” Wang said. When the university moved to online classes in response to the pandemic, Wang flew back home to Guangzhou, a city in the Guangdong Province in China. While she was home, Wang did not play in as many tournaments she would have in Boone. She said tournaments in China are individual tournaments, whereas the NCAA tournaments are team-based. However, she played some courses and earned money teaching people how to play golf. In order to practice, Wang had to take a 90-minute bus ride to and from the practice range.

“I just wanted to keep my life busy,” Wang said. Like some students, Wang did not enjoy doing schoolwork and classes virtually as much as in-person classes. Being at home for a year affected her academics, as she is still classified as a sophomore due to not earning enough credits while in China. “My coach knew my situation, so sometimes, if I did not understand what a professor was talking about, I would take some notes, and after, I would do some research by myself. If I still cannot find the answer, I would ask my coach or my old teammates,” Wang said. However, being home did not affect Wang’s ability to stay in contact with coaches, teammates and friends in Boone. She was still able to FaceTime with her coach and talk daily about classes and how the team was doing. Despite being in contact with coaches and teammates, returning to Boone came with some differences, including new teammates replacing those who had finished their collegiate careers. Regardless, Wang believes playing in the tournaments this season has helped the team become more familiar with each other and continue to build a strong bond. “We need some time to get more like a family,” Wang said. Now back with her teammates, Wang looks forward to continuing her career at App State, in addition to helping her team improve.

Sports

Nov. 10, 2021

Reilly Rewrites Record Books

Super senior libero Emma Reilly steps up to serve against Eastern Kentucky. The Mountaineers captured one of their seven wins on the season against the Colonels as Reilly recorded 15 digs and one kill. Becca Bridges

Ben Gosey | Reporter Two thousand digs. Only four volleyball players to ever play in the Sun Belt Conference can say they have reached that mark, until now. On Oct. 15, graduate student Emma Reilly recorded her 2,000th dig as a Mountaineer. Reilly is the first ever in program history to achieve the record. Courtney Rhein, who played for the Mountaineers from 2009-2012, previously held the school record of 1,870, but in the East Carolina Invitational Sept. 18 earlier this year, Reilly surpassed Rhein with 1,873 digs. Reilly did not stop there, becoming the fifth volleyball player ever to reach 2,000 digs in the Sun Belt Conference. Reilly said coming into the year she was not focused on breaking any records but rather focusing on the team and how

she could make it better. After finishing her senior year in the pandemic and only winning one game, Reilly came back with the goal of turning things around. “I hated the way it finished out for my senior year and also with COVID, it just did not feel like a normal year,” Reilly said. “I really wanted to come back and make up for our last season.” Reilly has always focused on the team rather than her stats but will never forget the moment in the locker room after breaking the record. Surrounded by her best friends and teammates, they shared hugs and tears celebrating Reilly’s accomplishment. “I was really happy just to be with all my closest friends,’’ Reilly said. “I was really happy to break the record, but I was even happier to break it with this group of girls.” Playing as libero, she is in charge of the defensive and mak-

ing sure the team gets a solid first touch. Reilly knows how to read the game, focusing not only on how to stop the other team but also on how to set up her teammates for success. “She’s so good, and she reads the game … She has such a high volleyball IQ that I actually forget that she also wants to be coached,” head coach Matt Ginipro said. “She has always just wanted to be really good, and players like that are awesome to coach.” Reilly played setter and libero as a younger player, eventually developing an eye and feel for the court from the back row. She felt comfortable and eventually knew that libero was the position for her. “I have always been pretty good at ball control. My mom kind of taught me to see the court really well, so I feel like I have good vision in the back row,” Reilly said. Reilly has built quite a resume with the Mountaineers. She was a part of the team that went to the Sun Belt Championship in her sophomore year. In her junior year, she earned first-team All-Sun Belt honors after finishing second in the entire conference in digs. Now, she is etching her name into the program and Sun Belt record books as she continues to climb past 2,000 digs. Ginipro knows how big of an impact Reilly has on the team, as he is now in charge of filling Reilly’s space once she officially leaves the program. He said her leadership both on the floor and in the locker room is unmatched, noting the “huge” hole that will be left in the program once she leaves. “Not only from first ball contact but also the leadership and locker room voice part. We’re going to have to try and fill that hole, and that will be a big one,” Ginipro said. While Reilly is happy she broke the record, she is even happier to have such a big impact within the program. “I’m really happy I was able to do that for App State,” Reilly said. “I guess it just means I know I gave it my all these past four years, so I’m really happy to be able to leave knowing I left my mark.”

Opinion

Nov. 10, 2021

THROUGH BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

ELLA’S EYES

Jake Markland

Stop preying on students’ finances Ella Adams | Opinion Editor Student loan debt. It’s a hotly debated topic and a serious problem. Taking out loans is, unfortunately, a necessity to afford the rising cost of college. For many students, it’s nearly impossible to get through college without taking out some sort of loan for tuition. The student loan crisis is a burden on students, parents and the U.S. economy, but it is not the only financial hardship facing the demographic. As of August, over 96% of students reported having some sort of debt. Predatory lending and credit card debt are just another financial fiasco college students have to stare down. According to CollegeFinance.com, the average college student has over $3,280 worth of credit card debt. Surprisingly, credit card debt is the most common form of debt among college students, even more common than student loan debt. About 65% of college students have credit card debt, while 58% have student loan debt. Of the 64.8% with credit card debt, missing payments and only paying the minimum amount are the most common mistakes. Colleges are a pool of young, inexperienced adults, and they are gold mines for predatory creditors. American public schools are sorely lacking in teaching financial literacy, and creditors take advantage of this naivety. Never learning how to responsibly use a credit card or the importance of credit is bad news for college students but great news for credit card companies. Young people with little education on how financial systems work, limited experience in the real world and unstable incomes are the perfect prey for credit card companies. Luckily, there are federal laws protecting students against greedy companies. Universities must disclose any agreement they have with creditors to advertise on campus. Additional-

ly, creditors are not allowed to offer any tangible items to students as marketing on campuses. Companies are banned from issuing cards to anyone under 21 unless the consumer has a cosigner or a consistent income. The importance of legislation shielding college students from predatory lending should not be understated. Although the federal government’s intervention is crucial for protecting young consumers, there is more that can be done. Students are graduating with enough student loan debt and don’t need the addition of crippling credit card debt too. It’s harder to get a mortgage, rent an apartment, sign a lease or buy a car. Debt can even affect job applications if potential employers run credit checks. Not to mention, debt can be a heavy emotional burden and source of stress. Practically giving away credit cards on campuses is reckless. The practice is reminiscent of the irresponsible lending practices before the 2008 market crash. The solution is not an easy one. Obviously, credit card companies cannot be trusted to police unethical lending practices or regulate themselves, especially when profit is on the line. Plus, regulation can only do so much. For starters, financial literacy should be taught more and earlier in schools, but that solution would take systematic change and would likely take years to implement a curriculum. Student credit card debt is happening right now, and an urgent solution is vital. It’s up to universities to protect their students. Keeping creditors off campus, ensuring students have proper financial literacy and offering student financial advice are a few steps universities can take to protect their students from a lifetime of debt. Not only is it ethical, but it’s essential for the economic well being of a generation.

FAREWELL COLUMN I was late to the party but late is better than never. At first, I wasn’t even sure what party to go to. I thought as a freshman that Greek life would be a good place to start and decided to pursue that. It brought me some valuable experiences and connected me, directly or indirectly, to a handful of people who are now very important to me. Despite all the good these organizations can potentially do in terms of service and philanthropic work, this path provided me with only a small sense of personal fulfillment. It left me feeling that I could be doing more as a member of the App State and Boone communities. I figured it was probably time that I, as a stuCooke dent studying journalism, join theSam student newspaper. I sent an email to the former news editor in August 2020, addressing her as “Ms. Broyles” because I didn’t know how old she was, and I wanted to make a professional first impression, having no idea how close of friendships I would later form with The Appalachian staff. Things immediately fell into place. I learned more about writing, storytelling and about myself in my first few months at the student paper than I did in any of my college career up to that point. I felt fulfilled; I felt I was actually doing something valuable. Through my writing, I was able to tell students about sustainability initiatives at the university that could impact their lives, show them the tension the 2020 presidential election was creating at App State, and, in my very first article, why

their textbooks weren’t ready to be picked up yet. My time with The Appalachian, first as a news reporter, then as the associate news editor, and finally, as the news editor, has been the most formative experience during my time at App State because it has been the only experience that made me feel like I was doing something important. Better late than never. P.S. Shoutout to the news desk. Never forget how important the work you do is.

Opinion

Nov. 10, 2021

App State needs Critical Race Theory

Fred Allenstein | Columnist

At App State, there is a history of race theory education. In the 2016-17 bulletin of classes, “Unlearning Racism: Racial Literacy for Responsible Citizenship” was presented as an option for students to take. Unfortunately, no record is shown of this class being repeated in future years. There should be an option for students to further their knowledge on critical race theory. In 1994, Roy L. Brooks, a professor of law at the University of San Diego, and one of the pioneers of CRT, defined it as “a collection of critical stances against the existing legal order from a race-based point of view.” CRT has been within legal communities for years, but in the past few years has reached a new audience: the educational system. At App State, we

could benefit greatly from the incorporation of these ideas into our scholarly systems. Unfortunately, a general understanding of what CRT is and how it can help us is lacking, causing South Carolina, Tennessee and five more states to pass legislation against ideas associated with CRT. So what is CRT, and is it so harmful that eight states felt the need to create laws to “defend” themselves against it? As Kimberlé Crenshaw, the UCLA law professor who coined the term, noted, CRT is not a noun but a verb. It is an ever-changing practice and adapts as is needed. Critical race theory states that generally our legal, educational and social systems are built on institutionalized racism, created to keep inequalities between

white people and people of color, furthermore, keeping people of color in a permanently oppressed state. CRT is nothing but recognizing and accepting the U.S.’s clearly racist and bigoted history and looking for ways to change today’s systems, so they do not reflect that past. This is just one interpretation of it, however. The short answer to the question “Is CRT harmful?” is no. Far-right and racist organizations and politicians have demonized the practice of CRT with fearmongering and scare tactics. In Idaho, one of few states to ban CRT outright, legislators stated CRT “makes kids feel bad.” Tennessee has introduced fines from $1 million to $5 million, for “knowingly violating” any of the laws against teaching institutionalized racism,

white privilege and aspects of sexism in their classrooms. In an interview, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee stated students should learn “the exceptionalism of our nation,” instead of subjects like CRT, which he stated “inherently divide” people. Clearly, opposers of CRT either do not understand what CRT actually means and how it could help children, or they are actively working to keep racism in our schools and society. When states use phrases like “makes kids feel bad,” they prioritize the feelings of white children over the current struggles of the Black community. When leaders use words like “the exceptionalism of our nation,” they accept our currently extremely racist country and say it would be better to keep the U.S. the way it is instead of

truly becoming an equal land and recognizing our racist past and present. With the blocking of Black history and the promotion of an edited white history, we are led in our childhood to believe that while we used to be a racist country, now that it is the modern era and equality is prevalent, we are all fixed. This is not true. In the college generation now, learning all of this for the first time can be hard for some people to accept, but it is necessary. Implementing CRT or CRT classes at App State would help educate students and faculty on the true history of our country and ways we could help uproot the systemic racism plaguing us today.

Opinion

Nov. 10, 2021

Climate change polices hurt low-income community Jackson Futch | Columnist In January, the Boone Town Council created the new role of sustainability and special projects manager. The purpose of this new position is to oversee the newly prioritized goal of becoming carbon free by 2050. To achieve such a lofty goal, the city has committed to switching government owned vehicles to hybrid or electric and shifting to solar and hydroelectric power providers. Watauga County was the 13th highest county in North Carolina for visitor spending. Many visit Boone for its natural wonders. The environment drives the economic force here. It just makes sense that the community should do its part in helping the earth. But climate changes can impact the people just as much as the envi-

ronment. The cost and hardships created by it fall disproportionately on the shoulders of the lower economic classes. Many of the locals and students are a part of this social category. Boone’s actions to face the manmade climate crisis are commendable. These plans are going to curb the environmental footprint of the community and relieve some of the harsher effects climate change has on low-income Americans. Generally, climate change affects low-income communities across the country, including those in Appalachia and Western North Carolina regions. Climate change-induced food shortages are driving up prices and increasing the amount lower class families and students will need to allocate to nutri-

As climate change continues to be a growing concern, the city of Boone is working toward more environmentally friendly energy sources through local companies like New River Light and Power, as well as Blue Ridge Electric. Evan Bates

tion. The public health ramifications and more extreme weather is hurting Americans without property or health insurance, a group tending to be some of the poorest in the country and a group, which many students at App State fall into. Luckily, the Appalachians are not being hit by climate change as hard as other regions. The increased altitude and foliage help to reduce major temperature jumps like ones happening around the country. However, the protection the mountains offer doesn’t disqualify the region from being hit by the man-made climate disaster or the poorest residents and students from being hurt. First, it is important to understand that effects of climate change will hit the people of Appalachia hard because of the increased poverty in the area. The rural Appalachian poverty rate is at 22%, six points higher than the rest of rural America at 16%, and 11 points higher than the national rate of 11%. Watauga alone has a poverty rate of 21%, far above the state’s average of 14%. Many of these stats for the county can be linked to the higher concentration of college students in the community, a group getting hammered by the economic changes in the area. In addition to the hardship on Appalachian industry, the loss of habitable areas across the state will drive more and more people to the Appalachians. The elevated land will mean the area will be one of the last to be ruined by the changes. The influx of newcomers will accelerate the already high rates of gentrification in areas like Boone and skyrocket housing prices out of locals’ price options. These kinds of housing market spikes tend to ruin the market for younger, college-aged Americans. This could act as a mini-market disaster similar to Los Angeles in the 1970s. The policies being adopted by the Boone City Council are good.

Any action aimed to stop the climate crisis is good, but certain policies can have a negative impact on the low-income residents of the area. Take for instance the solar panels the town would be using from Blue Ridge Electric. Solar is going to be better than coal for the environment, but sometimes it can be worse for the Appalachian laborer. The majority of solar panels are made by China, which would move 140,000 fossil fuel-related jobs in Appalachia overseas to China. There is a fairly simple fix to this employment issue: switch to community-owned local operations. Locally owned energy infrastructure is exemplified through the other green power option chosen by Boone, New River Light and Power, which generated power through using dams. Hydroelectric is an industry that has helped produce American jobs since FDR’s New Deal. Climate change and class have

a very complex relationship. The low-income, especially in Appalachia, tend to shoulder the brunt of both climate change and the policies designed to fix it. There are ways around this and to even use green programs to help the low-income. We can make job programs focused on rebuilding America with green infrastructures, such as dams. We can make more carbon-conscious public transportation to help low-income individuals get to work. Students and the younger generation are most conscious of the current climate disaster because it affects them the most. But a problem as massive as this can turn into an upper class issue because the low-income have to worry about just meeting basic needs of life, leaving their voices not being heard. We need to make sure when we think about solutions and effects surrounding climate change, we think of those it hurts the most and try to save them first.

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