Avion Issue 8 Spring 2019

Issue 8 | Volume 151 | March 25, 2019 A B C D E

theavion.com | (386) 226-6049

Campus Industry & Technology Motorsports Entertainment Student Achievement

Blue & Gold Week

Blue & Gold Week Kicks off with Carnival, TNG Big Show

Photos by Jorja Gwaltney & Connor Strobel

Vipul Telang & Connor Strobel Photo Editor & Staff Reporter

UPCOMING EVENTS

It’s that time of year again!

Blue & Gold week officially kicked off with the Blue & Gold Carnival and concert with DJ services by WIKD 102.5. The carnival was a huge hit, and laughter filled the Saturday night within the Armstrong parking lot. There was a chair swing, spinning barrels, a fun slide, a monkey maze, and a zero-gravity ride. Food options included the ever-popular funnel cake as well as fried oreos. Touch-N-Go Productions brought back its yearly Blue and Gold Week Big Show on Sunday Night.

This year’s main act starred Chris D’Elia with special guest Matt Bellassai. With ticket prices only $5 for Embry-Riddle students, it was a great way to end the weekend. Doors opened at 7 p.m. and all the floor seats quickly filled up, prompting audience members

to sit in the bleachers in the back of the ICI center. As everyone finished filling in at 8, the show began. With Chis D’Elia’s opener up first, it was a good way to get people warmed up for the night ahead. He began to joke about his roommate and how females have the tendency to hide their fast food addictions. His standup came to an end with a very risquee joke involving Taco Bell hot sauce. Next out was Matt Bellassai, a self-proclaimed fat, gay comedian. He began his act by describing how he feels that he does not fit the stereotypical gay image, and that he thinks that he is below average within the gay community’s standards. Bellassai then moved on to his hatred for birds, with particular resentment to a certain bird from a magician’s show. He then talked about his view on straight people, including his new slur “glarth” to define straight

people. Finishing with a story about his hatred for the dentist, Matt Bellassai was a refreshing comedic value that lead us straight to the main man of the hour, Chris D’Elia.

D’Elia started off slowly, talking about how he was unapologetic about his comedy. He then moved on to growling at babies and his two Yorkie puppies. Chris managed to fit a lot of animal related humor into his act. From dolphins to dogs to possums, D’Elia managed to tell compelling stories that left the entire audience hooked.

His humor was often raunchy and some of his topics could be found very contreversial in today’s age. Finishing up with gangsters being late to the bathroom, and New Age restaurants, D’Elia said goodnight to the crowd before stepping down. Although we wished the show would never end, it was the show of the semester.

Interview with Matt Bellassai A former Buzzfeed web series host, Matt Bellassai decided that he would pursue stand-up comedy three years ago after his series “Whine About It” took off, and he’s barely looked back. He is also the author of Everything Is Awful: And Other Observations. After the TNG Big Show, The Avion Newspaper was able to ask Bellassai a few questions.

The Avion Newspaper: How did you get your start in comedy?

Matt Bellassai: I started as a writer for Buzzfeed after going to journalism school. I started writing funny stuff and got to making videos for them.

AN: Who are your comedic role models?

MB: I really love Jim Gaffigan because he’s another pudgy white guy! I also love talking about everyday stuff that people can really relate to.

The full interview can be found at theavion.com

TUESDAY MAR 26

WEDNESDAY MAR 27

THURSDAY MAR 28

FRIDAY MAR 29

Chalk Art and Field Games

Student Appreciation Day

Star Wars Cantina

Blue & Gold Block Party

Pull-A-Plane

The Squawk

TNG Movie: Aquaman

THE AVION

A2 Campus

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor

Jaclyn Wiley K’Andrew France-Beckford News Editor Nick Hernandez Business Manager Alex Lee Photo Editor Vipul Telang

Page Editors Cover Editor Vipul Telang Campus Editors Vipul Telang Sarah Fairchild Keenan Thungtrakul Industry Editors Andrew Bronshteyn Vipul Telang Korbin Martin Motorsports Editors Jaclyn Wiley Vipul Telang Entertainment Editors Nick Hernandez Victoria Jordan Comics Editor Alex Lee Copy Editors Sarah Fairchild Jordyn Taylor

Contributors

Reporters Photographers

Christina Frederick David Keck Michael Weinhoffer Sarah Fairchild Jaclyn Wiley Brandon Collins Christie Miller Akash Rathinam Matthew Lawson Korbin Martin Vipul Telang Connor Strobel

Connor Adair Chaz Pokracki Rajan Khanna Connor Strobel Jorja Gwaltney Vipul Telang

Staff Advisor Ronnie Mack Asst. Director, Media & Marketing

Contact Information Main Phone: (386) 226-6049 Business Manager: (386) 226-7697

relationship advice

weekly

Reverend David Keck & Dr. Christina Frederick

For this week’s HumanE Factors, we’d like to offer some thoughts on love. This past weekend, Dr. Keck presided over a wedding, where feelings of love are foremost in everyone’s minds. As well, Dr. Frederick has been thinking about the horrific New Zealand Mosque attack and how in the aftermath, acts of love and compassion have come to define the people of New Zealand. Love is so much on our minds this week, and we’d like to share those thoughts with you.

Chaplain Keck’s Thoughts:

One of the best parts of being a chaplain is presiding at weddings.

I get to be a part of an incredibly beautiful, joyful, indeed holy time.

In my tradition (I’m a Christian), we always read at least one passage from the Bible during the service. A popular choice for couples (including for my wife and me) is 1 Corinthians 13: “If I speak in the tongues of men and angels but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all, I have … but have not love; I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but enjoys in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”

Editor-In-Chief: editor@theavion.com The passage is a beautiful decManaging Editor: managing@theavion.com laration of the power of love, and News Editor: news@theavion.com Business Manager: business@theavion.com it speaks to the hopes that couples Photo Editor: photo@theavion.com have for a lifetime together.

Website: theavion.com @theavionnewspaper u/theavionnewspaper @The_Avion @TheAvion

The Avion is produced weekly during the fall and spring term, and bi-weekly during summer terms. The Avion is produced by a volunteer student staff. Student editors make all content, business and editorial decisions. The editorial opinions expressed in The Avion are solely the opinion of the undersigned writer(s), and not those of EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University, the Student Government Association, The Avion, or the student body. Letters appearing in The Avion are those of the writer, identified at the end of the letter. Opinions expressed in the “Student Government” and “Student Life” sections are those of the identified writer. Letters may be submitted to The Avion for publication, provided they are not lewd, obscene or libelous. Letter writers must confine themselves to less than 800 words. Letters may be edited for brevity and formatted to newspaper guidelines. All letters must be signed. Names may be withheld at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief. The Avion is an open forum for student expression. The Avion is a division of the Student Government Association. The Avion is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press. The costs of this publication are paid by the Student Government Association and through advertising fees. The Avion distributes one free copy per person. Additional copies are $0.75. Theft of newspapers is a crime, and is subject to prosecution and Embry-Riddle judicial action. This newspaper and its contents are protected by United States copyright law. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, in print or electronically, without the expressed written consent of The Avion. Correspondence may be addressed to: The Avion Newspaper, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 600 S. Clyde Morris Blvd., Daytona Beach, Florida 32114. Physical office: Student Union, Room 219.

What does the author, Paul, mean by “love?” We use that word in several ways in English. The bride and husband love each other in a way that is different from the way someone loves to go fishing or loves to eat a steak. And friends can love

Dr. Frederick’s thoughts:

This week I am uplifted that in the wake of the New Zealand tragedy that there was an outpouring of protection, compassion, and love for the Muslim community there. I heard stories about an intoxicated man giving a Muslim man he didn’t know a hug or a group of supports standing watch while the Muslim community engaged in prayer.

While I don’t recommend inebriation and you might not get a positive response if you randomly hug strangers, I do take comfort knowing that love is still all around us.

I take my view of love from Thich Nhat Hanh and the Buddhist tradition. In its purest form, love is caring.

As we care for those around us, we spread love throughout our world.

Thich Naht Hanh wrote a simple little book named True Love in which he lays out the various forms of love that exist. He says there are four elements to love. The first is maîtri, which can be thought of as loving kindness. As you bring joy to others, you are showing this form of love.

The second type of love is Karuna, which we know as compassion.

When we have a desire to ease someone’s pain and take steps to

each other without romance.

Paul wrote in Greek, and in Greek, there are different words for “love.”

Philia refers to friendship love. It includes the intense bonds of respect, affection, and shared experience. Eros means pretty much what we’d imagine – erotic, romantic love. In some Greek presentations, Eros was a god who “loosens the limbs and weakens the mind.” In other words, this word/personified god included the “stupid” aspect of love, the force that for good and ill makes us do things that we would usually never do. Like a fire that provides light and warmth but can also burn a house down, eros can bring out the best in us – or ruin things completely.

The word Paul chooses here is agape (pronounced ag-áh-pay). It refers to the self-sacrificial love that Jesus has. Jesus shows this love by suffering and dying on the Cross.

So when Paul tells husbands to love their wives the way Jesus loves the church, he uses agape, and he is telling husbands to offer themselves up totally to the well-being of their wives.

Since there is no real English equivalent, some versions of the Bible have used “charity” to translate agape. That word does include the giving quality of the Greek term, but it still falls short, especially since these days we think of charity as something we might occasionally do, not something we begin and end our day with.

To me, the best way to think

about agape in the context of a wedding is through the English word “cherish” (which is etymologically related to the Latin word used to translate agape – word to the wise: explore etymologies if you want to understand the power of words). To cherish someone is to recognize the Wow! Factor. The person you see is so amazing and terrific that you can’t help but want to be with the person.

You’d be willing to do anything for the person, anything. You are so incredibly, delightedly, insanely glad to be with them. You want the absolute best for that person because they deserve it. Cherishing is more rational and deliberate than erotic love, but it can include that. And it certainly provides friendship love.

Just being in the same room and talking is a gift. And since agape/ cherishing includes setting your own needs aside for the wellbeing of the other, this combination of gratitude and service allows a couple to overcome obstacles, disagreements, and even fights.

This is why I am grateful for weddings. We live in a broken and fearful world. Murders in houses of worship, people doubting if they can trust anyone who doesn’t look and think as they do, lonely people all over struggling desperately and wondering if anyone cares.

Weddings are fabulous for the couple, but they are essential for everyone. Weddings are reminders that there is this thing called love, patient and kind, that endures all things and will, in the long run, win.

do so, we are showing Karuna. The third type of love is Mudita. Mudita is the joy we experience as a part of love. Thich Naht Hanh says if there is no joy, then there is no real love.

If we suffer as part of our love or cause another to suffer, then it isn’t loving. The last form of love is Upeksha. In our culture, we can think of this as acceptance and freedom within a loving relationship. Upeksha involves loving someone in a manner that they feel free to be who they are inside and out, with no worry or fear that love will go away.

True love involves all four of these components.

While Thich Nhat Hanh defines these forms of love clearly and, I think in our daily lives, many of us find that practicing the forms is not always straightforward. The key here though is that we practice the forms and, through that practice, we better ourselves, and we prepare ourselves to give and receive real love fully.

How can we prepare ourselves for true love? In the Buddhist tradition, meditation is where you start. For true love to be possible, you, as an individual, must be there. You must be present. Reflection provides the focus for us to be there. We also

have to recognize the presence of the person to whom love is projected. We can disregard, ignore or forget that person, or look the other way when they are irritable, annoying or suffering. By being present and by recognizing the other person, we set the foundation for true love.

In this perspective, there is no room for pride or selfishness. You are present in all of your various moods and feelings, and you are present for the other in the same way.

While we often think of love as directed toward a single person, this week I think we’ve seen so many examples of the various forms of love directed toward a larger group. Over the last several years, I have had moments of despair that our world is becoming less kind, less accepting and less loving. At those times, practicing the forms of love has been difficult. Maybe you have felt the same at times.

However, when I see acts of compassion and love like I have this week, it gives me renewed energy to continue to practice and become more present in myself or for others.

Namaste, my friends.

On Saturday, March 2, sixty ERAU students went out into the community to participate in the College-Wide Day of Service. There were six simultaneous projects.

Humane Society

By Tori Joseph Ten ERAU volunteers from the SGA and fraternities assisted with landscaping efforts for the Halifax Humane Society to improve the area around their two community dog parks. We worked to remove felt that was placed on the ground and then covered by mulch.to prevent overgrowth on the trails around the park when they were built over three years ago. After removing the felt, we then covered up the area again with the mulch and bagged up everything (felt, weeds, debris) into more than 10 large trash bags to be disposed of. During the event, we were able to play with the dogs that community members brought into the park and even speak to some of the older members in the community. It was a great project that required a lot of us working together to get everything done. Now the dogs have a clean and bright place to walk and play.

Positive Posters

By Alessia Ames Being able to share a smile was the goal with the Day of Service Positive Poster Project.

From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., multiple students came together to spend time making posters of positivity to give to people that need a little inspiration to spark a smile. Having various methods of creating the artwork, each sign had a unique impact. Everyone was smiling, laughing and keeping the classroom joy-filled, while painting, drawing, coloring and gluing. The time and care that we would like to share with each person are represented in the posters that will be delivered to patients in nursing homes and hospitals.

Many patients will smile thanks to ERAU students.

Sugar Mills Botanical Gardens

By Stephanie Bermude The Sugar Mills Botanical Garden is a place where people can walk through trails, look at the many different types of plants, watch butterflies, look at the remains of the old Sugar Mills and even have events like weddings. No one is a salaried employee at the gardens; therefore, they rely on volunteers to help maintain the place. This Saturday, March 2, we took a group of seven volunteers to do some landscaping, trim some vines from the trees, and help beautify the trails. All of the workers were extremely grateful for our help on this project and are looking forward to our coming back soon. Now the guests will have an even more beautiful place to visit.

Blue Jay Academy

By Jim Myers When I arrived at Blue Jay Academy, a school for children with special needs, with three other students, we met Eugene who was a staff member for Blue Jay. He had tools, latex gloves, and garbage bags available for us to use. He gave us a quick tour of the building and showed us the back, outside where we would be working. The building had been previously owned by a law firm, and the back part was neglected. We aren't sure if it was from the previous owners or neighbors throwing trash over. Regardless, we worked to clean up all the garbage.

Other than the pavement there were beds of plants and sand wrapping the perimeter.

One student went through with a rake to collect the leaves and debris. Another student used the clippers to cut low hanging and dead branches. The rest of us picked through for any trash and glass on the ground. All the garbage, pruned branches, and leaves were collected in trash bags. The result was much a much cleaner and safer place for the students to play.

Habitat for Humanity

By Christie Miller Eight Embry-Riddle students arrived ready to help at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Daytona. In the back of the store, there is a parking lot that is used to sell sinks, shower enclosures, and other large items. The area was surrounded by a wall covered in vines and in need of paint. The ERAU students quickly set to work painting, removing vines, and picking up the piles of yard debris. After a few hours, the wall gleamed a bright white with two coats of paint and no creepers. The ReStore staff assured us the positive appearance of the back lot would be more appealing to customers. The sales from the Restore go to fund new home builds for families in the community. ERAU students felt great to contribute towards the great cause.

Beach Clean-Up

By Korey Lee The project I was placed in charge of was a beach clean-up at Sun Splash Park. Upon arriving at the beach, the group of sixteen went onto the beach and split into two groups, each taking on one side of the beach. A few minutes into walking the beach, we realized that the beach was not all that dirty.

Upon this observation, we decided to take our time and find small pieces of trash that were lying around. These little pieces can pose a choking hazard to marine life and birds. Using this time, we sang songs while picking up trash and cracked jokes; a real bonding experience. Some participants even bought ice cream (makingsure to dispose of their waste after). All in all, it was just a day of fun and service.

Special thanks to all of the ERAU students who came out to help and make a difference in the community on our College-Wide Day of Service.

The Perfect Partnership Christie Miller Interim Assistant Director of Leadership & Civic Engagement What do Embry-Riddle students and the kids at the Boys & Girls Club have in common? Not much. That is what makes it a perfect partnership. Our students can be an inspiration for these disadvantaged youth.

You may be wondering, what exactly does the Boys & Girls Club do? According to the website, “Boys & Girls Clubs provide young people with a safe place to go after school as a positive outlet for their energy...Boys & Girls Clubs of America seeks to ensure that all kids, especially those who need us most, have a positive and enriching experience when the school bell rings, putting them on the path to success.”

That’s where ERAU students come into the picture. ERAU student organizations have been a part of helping these kids on the path to success

by sharing their time and talent with them. Recently, the Honor Student Association visited and shared a computer coding activity. By the end of the hour, the boys and girls were able to program the digital cat to chase the digital mouse.

They even added sound effects! The students were excited that they were able to control the action on the screen. The honor students were proud of them for their accomplishments.

Photos Courtesy: ERAU Boys and Girls Club

Alpha Omicron Alpha, the aeronautical honor society, also went to the Boys & Girls Club this month. They taught the kids how to read flight charts using a scavenger hunt activity,

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Student Service A3 Paying it Forward

Photo Courtesy: Volunteer Network

making it like a game. The kids learned what the symbols and numbers mean! It was amazing to hear them using the correct terminology to refer to the chart! After the chart-reading activity, they made paper airplanes from their papers and had a competition. Everybody, including the ERAU students, had a great time!

ERAU may have inspired future computer programmers or future pilots just by sharing what they know and love with kids just down the road at the local Boys & Girls Club.

THE AVION

A4 Student Life

Boarders, Get Your Bearings

Matthew Lawson Eagle Watch You just left your dorm. You start riding to the Student Union on your brand new Boosted Board™. The wind is blowing through your hair. You have never felt more alive. You are crossing Richard Petty Blvd. You feel your phone vibrate and look down to see who texted you.

BEEEEEEEEP. You swerve out of the way. Your heart is racing, and you feel the sweat drip down your face. That was a close one. You continue riding past Doolittle Hall and round the corner, still recovering from your near death experience. BANG. You hear a scream. It was just someone excited to see their friend. You continue on. Riding through campus, you go to cross Legacy Walk and all of a sudden… silence.

You wake up. You see the Student Union. Someone is helping you up.

You had collided with another person on a skateboard. Your board is in pieces. You are devastated.

From that moment on, your life is a slippery slope. No board? No showing up to class on time. Not showing up to class on time? Bad grades. Bad grades? Failing classes. Failing classes? Staying at Embry-Riddle another year. Staying an extra year? The love of your life has moved on and finds someone better in every way. Your life feels empty, and you ruin the interview that was going to change your life. No job. No money. You can’t pay off your student loans, so you join the circus. Don’t join the circus. Ride safe.

No more clowning around… the Safety and Risk Department, Eagle Watch, the Student Government Association, and Campus Safety are working together to reduce the number of wheels-related injuries on campus. With your help in riding safely, we can all achieve our goal of pedestrians and riders operating together without incidents.

If you have any questions, please contact the Safety and Risk Department at (386) 226-4926. If you are interested in Eagle Watch, please go to @ERAUEagleWatch on Facebook and Instagram.

SGA Updates

New Bylaws for Student Representative Board

The number of representatives will be based on the percentage of the voting population of each represented population: 0.0-9.99% of population: 1 representative 10.0-19.9% of population: 2 representatives >20% of population: 3 representatives In the past, each college would be assigned a specific number of representatives from the student population of that college using a formula.

The higher the population, the higher number of spots earned on the SRB. With these new bylaws, the number of representative spots earned is now determined by voter turnout.

Along the Path

Aakash Rathinam Correspondent Thousands of years have passed since the first man started walking on this earth; from then on not a single path was crossed alone. By the law of nature and existence, man cannot live in desolation. As water to the fish, as air to the birds, is the man to his friend. A human fundamentally develops a relationship with every object around. We can exclude nothing that is either mentally or emotionally not bonded with humans. Why a human need these bonds can be a pestering question.

An excellent query that can can lead to the rock bottom of the very existence of the human race.

Humans are one of the fastest adapting animals to a new environment, but this doesn’t assure mental adaptability. Over time, a man develops a delicate and subtle relationship with people and objects around them. This relationship brings comfort, emotionally and mentally; at this instant, the link turns into a strong bond. This transformation can happen over the comforting nature of the relationship. After that, the bond not only serves as a tool for comfort but a significant caviot for existence. When any threatening situation arrives, the bond is the first memory which pushes the barriers of performance. A human’s

emotional attachment to people is never a weakness; but rather the biggest strength. Because that is the sole purpose which makes him bear all the difficulties and go further.

Now, away from the philosophical discussion, let’s see how friendship can impact us. As we discussed above college is a very new place.

And as first-year students, we may have come with no friends. The days would have been trying and lonely. But eventually, we all develop relationships here which turn into everlasting bonds. We also develop belongingness to the campus and its brotherhood of Alumni and students. This connection serves a purpose throughout life. Whenever we are need of help or someone’s ideas to figure out a difficult situation, we will have someone to call on. This helps us to hold onto our values and principles. Apart from this purpose, the strong bond serves as a beautiful memory which can be cherished at any moment. Memories that can bring subtle smiles at tough times.

At every point of life, man needs a companion to make the moment more beautiful and colorful. Thus we all live with a sincere motive and urge to socialize and make the moment a memorable one. This influence is the one which enhances the belongingness to the moment as well as to life.

Polling for the Next Van Shuttle Stop

SGA has a Facebook poll to decide the next Van Shuttle stop.

The options are: • Andros Isles • Legacy Apartments If you want either of these options, go to ERAU Student Government Association, Daytona Beach to vote on Facebook!

Club Spotlight: The Trap & Skeet Team

Photo Courtesy: The Trap & Skeet Team

The Trap and Skeet Team at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is an organization in which students and faculty can share their passion for competitive shooting. On the shooting team, everyone works together to teach each other how to become a better, more confident athlete.

The team participates in collegiate competitions and regular A.T.A. and N.S.S.A. events. With great comradery and an outstanding way to enjoy a Sunday afternoon, it is a terrific way to meet new people and learn a new sport. Since the culture in our organization is so dedicated, we decided that we wanted to do something to give back to those who may not be as fortunate as us. The Embry-Riddle Trap and Skeet Team is starting a fundraiser to raise money for breast Cancer patients: and all of the money raised will be donated to the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation.

The Florida Breast Cancer Foundation is an organization that was founded in 1993 by three breast cancer survivors dedicated to bringing Breast cancer to an end. Through advocacy, education, and research the brave women of the organization made it their mission to help those who were, or are, in a similar situation. The non-profit organization was founded in Miami, Florida but, with great success, they decided to open a Central Florida office located in Oviedo. Please help our team raise money for The Florida Breast Cancer Foundation: Remember that any dollar amount, big or small, will help make a difference.

If you want your club or organization featured in the Club Spotlight, contact news@theavion.com

NASA Administrator Jim Brindenstine delivers a speech concerning the NASA Moon to Mars exploration plan, which includes the Orion capsule behind him. The Orion was originally designed to be launched aboard the SLS, but delays may require the Orion to be launched aboard a commercial rocket. Read more about it on B3.

THE AVION

B2 Technology

Is This the Real Life?

Is This Mixed Reality?

UX Corner

We are graduate students in the Research in User eXperience (RUX) Lab in the Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology. RUX investigates the usability and user experience of technology in our everyday world. This is a regular column that explores different techniques typically used

by Embry-Riddle students.

RUX Lab Team Graduate Researchers Virtual environments (VE) come in many shapes and sizes. There are different types of VEs such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR).

People interact with these technologies in very different ways, but sometimes these terms are used interchangeably. So what do they mean?

VR is typically a head-mounted display that fills someone's vision.

Most VR headsets today, such as the HTC Vive, track the user in space using multiple sensor boxes as well as track the controllers used to interact with the headsets. VR creates the most realistic feeling of immersion in the virtual world, but because the device fits over your eyes and your hands are taken up by controllers, you lose the ability to see or interact with anything other than the machine.

AR on the other side overlays virtual information in the real or physical world. Google Glass was one of the first widespread forms of AR; this device was similar to a pair of glasses. However, a small transparent screen was placed in the upper right corner of the right eye that would show information.

MR merges VR and AR by tracking the user in their environment and projecting the virtual information on the physical world. This allows users to open a virtual projection and place it in one area of their environment. If the user looks away, the window does not follow their field of view, it stays at the specific location and reappears when the user looks back. Commanding the window to follow them can be done as well.

One of the most popular mixed

Photo Courtesy: RUX Lab

Photo Courtesy: RUX Lab

The Microsoft HoloLens and clicker.

The “Bloom” gesture was one of the most intuitive gestures.

reality headsets on the market currently is the Microsoft HoloLens.

Students could benefit from using MR devices, such as the HoloLens. The HoloLens is capable of common office functions that students usually do on their desktop or laptop. Some of these functions include browsing the internet, composing emails, writing papers with Word, and creating presentations with PowerPoint. Although we’re not good at it, we all love to multitask. The capability of MR devices, like the HoloLens, allow for multitasking as well. Students could place different apps in different locations in the virtual space around them.

For instance, to work on a research project, you could put the Word document in front of you, the corresponding PowerPoint presentation to your right, and the literature search to your left. You can access these things all at the same with just the turn of your head. Apps can even be placed on the floor or ceiling if you are feeling creative.

When the RUX lab evaluated the user experience of the HoloLens with students, we found that the HoloLens had pros and cons while being used in an office setting.

Students found the HoloLens reasonably easy to use, intuitive to

multitask in different windows, and enjoyed using gestures, like the “Bloom,” to interact with the virtual environment.

However, students had issues typing text, stating that it was slow, inaccurate, and not desirable for typing emails or documents. To type using the virtual keyboard, you have to use your finger to “tap” on each letter, one at a time.

It is not surprising that students preferred to use Cortana to type with voice-to-text.

Other challenges included resizing app windows, accurately aiming and selecting items with the cursor, and scrolling within a window.

Additionally, students said their arm and hand were tired from holding it up to make the gestures.

To follow up on these student reactions, we conducted two more studies examining the problematic gestures of typing and window manipulation. Typing was compared using either a clicker tool or a hand gesture input method. Students typed 20 phrases using each method while we monitored time and errors. We found that participants typed significantly faster with the clicker device but were just as accurate as when using the hand gesture method. The clicker also was seen as more natural to use

compared to the gesture method.

To test how well students can use the hand gestures to manipulate windows in the virtual environment, we conducted another study to see how well students could make each gesture with no practice and then again after practice playing a couple of games. Three main gestures were examined - the select gesture, drag gesture, and the open window, or “Bloom” gesture.

We found that all of the gestures were doable with no practice, but some were slower to learn than others. Aligning and resizing windows, for example, took almost a minute to do -- compare that to how long it takes you to resize a window on your computer screen!

Virtual environments have come a long way from the time where people could only imagine interacting with objects to where they can play games and interact with people from around the world in a virtual space. As this technology becomes more widespread, the potential is realized and can be advanced for more uses. As of now, this technology is mainly used for entertainment and some industrial applications. As people use it more, it will start showing up in our home environment and even on our smartphones; some smartphones can already use AR. For example, IKEA allows you to put a virtual piece of furniture in the picture of a real environment to see how it will look even before you buy it. With MR, there is potential for interaction of people from around the world in one physical space working together and when they are done all they would have to do is log off and return to their respective office or home. MR could potentially be used for creating a custom design for the interior of your home without you having to make any physical changes to it. There are many possibilities for the use of this technology, but until its capabilities are fully realized it will continue to stay only as an item of novelty.

If you would like to suggest a device or technology for us to evaluate for this column, then please use the QR code below and leave your suggestions there.

THE AVION

Technology B3

Opinion: Surprise SLS Announcement

Program May Launch Orion Capsule on a Commercial Launch Vehicle Michael Weinhoffer Senior Reporter On March 13, at a hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine surprised the space industry by announcing that NASA is studying options to launch the Orion crew capsule on a commercial rocket in June 2020, instead of on the Space Launch System (SLS).

At first glance, the proposal sounds like an excellent way to accelerate NASA’s return to the Moon, but in reality, such a switch would add unnecessary risk to the first crewed flight of Orion and would further stall the launch of a taxpayer-backed rocket that has received substantial investment from the current White House administration.

There are two vehicles currently being assembled by NASA that form the backbone of NASA’s plan to return to the Moon. The first of these is the Orion capsule, formally called the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle. The capsule will be used to launch three or four astronauts to the Moon for exploration and science activities. NASA is making good progress on preparing Orion for its first lunar flight, and integration between the crew capsule and the European-built service module will commence shortly.

Orion previously orbited the Earth in 2014 on a Delta IV rocket, and its

next mission is an uncrewed flight around the Moon. Orion is not delaying the launch of Exploration Mission-1, the lunar mission scheduled for June 2020.

NASA’s other vehicle, the Space Launch System, has faced its share of challenges and delays. The initial version of SLS will produce 8.8 million pounds of thrust at liftoff, which is more potent than the Apollo-era Saturn V. SLS will be the most powerful operational rocket in the world for a year or two or until SpaceX’s BFR rocket conducts its first mission. Boeing, the prime contractor of the core stage of the rocket, completed assembly of the first flight hardware late last year, and several other components are in final stages of construction.

Despite recent steady progress on the core stage, SLS is a few years behind schedule and billions of dollars over budget. The rocket is entirely expendable, unlike the reusable rockets designed by SpaceX and Blue Origin, and it will cost at least $1 billion to launch the vehicle one time per year. Before Bridenstine’s announcement, the core stage of the rocket was scheduled to be tested at Stennis Space Center later this year, followed by final integration activities and launch in June 2020 with the Orion capsule.

At the hearing, in response to the Senate committee’s chairman Roger Wicker, administrator Bridenstine admitted that “SLS is struggling to

meet its schedule for a mid-2020 launch. We’re now understanding better how difficult this project is, and that it is going to take some additional time.”

He also said that “Certainly there are opportunities to utilize commercial capabilities to put the Orion crew capsule and the European service module in orbit around the Moon by June of 2020, which was our originally stated objective.” After further inquiry, Bridenstine described how NASA could perform the Exploration Mission-1 using commercial rockets. One rocket would launch the Orion capsule, which consists of both the crew capsule and the service module, and another rocket would launch a second rocket stage as its payload.

The second stage and Orion would dock with each other, and then the second stage would power Orion around the Moon and complete all of the mission’s objectives.

Two launches would be necessary because there is no operational rocket besides SLS that can launch Orion to the Moon in one flight. Orion also cannot dock with other vehicles at this time, so executing this revised mission by June 2020 seems relatively challenging.

Even if Exploration Mission-1 is performed in this fashion, more risk would be added to Exploration Mission-2. That flight is scheduled for 2022 and is to consist of a crewed mission around the Moon using Orion

and SLS. If SLS is not launched in 2020, then its first launch will likely be Exploration Mission-2. Launching a crew to the Moon on the first flight of a rocket seems extremely risky and is not the way NASA should proceed. Many individuals in the space industry have called for the cancellation of the SLS program altogether, but that is unlikely to happen because it has strong Congressional support and Jim Bridenstine himself is a staunch advocate for SLS, which makes his announcement more puzzling.

Another option that may be under review is the cancellation of SLS’s core stage test at Stennis Space Center, which will consist of several months of engine firings to prepare the rocket for flight.

A short hot-fire test could be conducted at Cape Canaveral instead, but the core stage test is a crucial component of certifying the vehicle for flight. Despite delays, that test should not be canceled. The best option is to accelerate work as much as possible on the core stage, without sacrificing safety. Using commercial rockets to launch Orion may have been an option a few years ago, but now the core stage is too far in development to be stalled.

If Bridenstine is committed to launching SLS in June 2020, then that should be the only option. Intentionally delaying the first launch of SLS this late in its development will further complicate NASA’s plans to return to the Moon.

Aviation Works: Fire Detection System Sarah Fairchild Chief Copy Editor Salt: It is used to season steaks, and a fair amount of it is sprinkled over fries. But did you know that salt can detect fires in aircraft?

Most modern aircraft use a fire detection system called a continuous loop; of which the two main types are electrical and pneumatic. To see how salt saves lives, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at the electrical-type continuous loop system.

Before we go any further, let us first detail what a fire detection system actually does. Contrary to popular belief, fire detection systems don’t look for flickering flames, but rather

a change in temperature. The Fenwal system in particular consists of a metal Inconel tube roughly half the diameter of a Chick-Fil-A milkshake straw. Inside the container is a strand of nickel wire that is insulated from the walls of the tube by- you guessed it- salt. However, this isn’t your typical table seasoning; instead, it’s a unique mix of microscopic ceramic beads and eutectic salt that form the insulating barrier between the nickel and Inconel.

This thin tube is routed throughout the airplane in a continuous loop and connected back to the cockpit annunciator panel where a fire warning light can be found.

So how does this system detect a fire? Well, to illuminate the warning light in the cockpit, there must be current flow. Therefore, the Inconel tube is grounded to the frame of the aircraft, and when current passes between the nickel wire to the tube walls, it conducts a current that tells the pilot something is on fire. And, much like carbon, the eutectic salt mixture gets less resistive as temperature increases.

Let’s examine a hypothetical: you’re flying along, not a care in the world when a sudden stray spark causes a fire in the cargo bay. The temperature increases as the flames slowly start to consume the passenger’s luggage. Lucky

for you, this airplane has a Fenwal fire detection system installed, so as the cargo bay gets hotter, the resistance of the eutectic salt decreases. It decreases so much so that a current can be quickly passed between the nickel wire and the Inconel tube, and BAM! You get a flashing light on the annunciator panel advising you of the fire.

Simple. Easy. Effective. Now, how you plan on compensating those angry passengers whose stuff just went up in flames may not be so simple. But at least you were able to detect the fire and take the appropriate measures to land safely: and it’s all thanks to a bit of salt.

Feature Photo: ERFSEDS Launch at Palm Bay On Saturday, March 23, the Embry-Riddle Future Space Explorers and Developers Society (ERFSEDS) launched two group project rockets. Gryphus 3 (pictured left) was launched first. Unfortunately, the main parachute failed to deploy, but the rocket managed to land successfully on its drogue parachute with no damage. Artemis was the second to launch. This was the first launch of the rocket ever, and although parts of the rocket came apart, it was held together by the parachute when it landed and only suffered minimal damage. ERFSEDS will expect to launch next on April 23 in Palm Bay, Florida.

Interested in joining ERFSEDS? Come to the meetings at 6:15 p.m. in COB room 118 to learn more about the club and its various activites!

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THE AVION

B4 Technology Fresh Graduates in the Modern Enterprise

Gaining a Foothold in the Digital Marketplace

Karoline Gore Correspondent

In the 2018-2019 school year alone, colleges and universities expect to see around 3.86 million graduating students across the US based on the data of the National Center for Education Statistics. The modern job market has taken a turn toward the digital landscape, and it would be logical to go where certain jobs and skills are in demand. It wouldn’t be surprising to realize that leads you toward digital marketing.

As a new graduate, it would be smart to know why a job in digital marketing is worth it and how you can get a toe in the door.

With most consumers browsing the web to obtain leads for purchases, businesses needed

to step up their digital marketing game. Digital Marketing ranks number 18 in the 25 most in-demand skills in 2019 based on the information from LinkedIn Learning. Digital Marketing has many roles like Content Managers, Social Media Manager, and Digital Integrated Copywriter. These jobs form the trends that govern client interaction and the persona that brands show online. No matter what industry a business is in, they will need digital marketers to build their online presence.

A lot of those brands are willing to compensate handsomely.

Take note of recent marketing trends like software use, measuring impact, and eliciting positive audience reactions. You can find patterns through digital marketing social media groups. You

can also see them through digital marketing classes and dedicated digital marketing sites.

They will help you narrow down an area in digital marketing you excel at like SEO Analytics or UX. You will also need the practical application of those skills and software. Try signing up for freelance work sites and work on small-scale digital marketing projects. Not only will it get you the experience that you need but gives you a feel of what’s expected of you.

Create a resume that showcases the particular field of digital marketing that you are suited in. For example, if you’re trying to go into Analytics, emphasizing skills like data munging or emerging analytics fluency make you highly attractive. Showcase your

existing experience. Try joining job fairs to maximize your job opportunities as companies use job fairs to heighten their visibility.

Ultimately, if you want to land a digital marketing job, you’ll need to have proof that you do have the skills required and the experience that is necessary to get results. That proof will show itself in the interview when you are asked to speak about trends or past experiences.

As a new graduate, the digital marketing field is worth exploring as a potential option. A career in digital marketing is challenging, but it is one that is best suited for the tech-savvy generations of today. So now it’s time to review what sort of skills you presently have that fits this in-demand work market.

Ignite Grant from the Office of Undergrad Research to continue investigating this strand of research.

Assembling a team to aid her research, DeMattio built a greenhouse to grow a combination of foods that would complete a vegetarian diet. The greenhouse will not feature your everyday staple vegetable such as tomatoes and carrots, but rather more specialized superfoods such as the Moringa Olefera, whose leaves are edible. Chia, goji berries, kale, and spurlina are other potential yields from plants which can grow in a hydroponic environment. To simulate the Martian sky, the greenhouse was covered in a manner as to which only about half the sunlight that reaches the greenhouse ends up entering. With the generous donation of two solar panels from the Mechanical Engineering department, the greenhouse sustains itself. The solar panels are also partially covered to simulate their diminished effectiveness on Mars. The research project started in August 2018, and the team currently has completed all construction of the greenhouse, four hydroponics systems, and the solar power system.

The research team is ready to purchase their plants and begin cultivation this semester. The group plans to grow the plants for one year, at which point they will compare their yield with USDA standards of growth for each respective plant.

If the project is successful, they should see a crop’s yield on par with USDA standards. Project success also means that Martian obsta-

cles aside, these hydroponics systems will have enough power from the solar panels to grow the plants year round. The yield from the plants would be used to complete an astronaut’s diet. Scaling this operation would be feasible because of its simplicity.

“As with all research, this project is significant in the advancement of humankind. With the recent progress in space exploration, it is imperative to establish successful means of food production. And thanks to preliminary results from our project, plants can still grow efficiently in a controlled hydroponics system,” said DeMattio The project team is looking forward to expanding upon their research. Collaboration with another

project on campus which aims to create an atmospheric chamber to simulate Martian conditions can further aid in a more realistic result for plant growth.

This six student ‘groundbreaking’ team hopes to expand their roster in future semesters. With the recent success of SpaceX’s crew demo mission, the promise of a return to beyond Low Earth Orbit exploration remains in the crosshairs of humanity. When the day comes to send astronauts to Mars finally, astronauts will be able to look up in the Martian sky, as they eat their greenhouse-grown dinner, and be thankful that students took the time to figure out how to grow their meal.

To be a part of this project, contact Deanna DeMattio.

Students Grow Superfoods to Facilitate Mars Exploration

Deanna DeMattio Correspondent

There is no space exploration on an empty stomach.

Thousands of Embry Riddle students dedicate their studies to the mechanics of space travel. Seldom is it, however, that the topic of feeding future astronauts arises.

It goes without saying that without adequate food, it doesn’t matter how much effort students put into their studies of rocket engines, piloting techniques, or behavioral studies- without food, there can be no human exploration of Mars.

This space focused university would benefit from studying the methods of practical agriculture on Mars, and as it turns out, a group of students already have the green thumb and are looking to recruit more eager students.

Last year, in the Civil Engineering Department, Professor Peter Merkle and student Deanna DeMattio conducted a year-long experiment, which focused on the growth of Moringa Oleifera, a substantially nutrient-rich tree, under simulated Mars lighting conditions. The research was done to see how this plant could sustain growth in a reduced light intensity environment. The tree was kept in a hydroponics system to simulate the lack of nutrient-rich soil on Mars. Successful results indicated that Moringa Oleifera could grow under Mars lighting conditions.

With the knowledge that it would be possible to grow a food source with limited Martian light intensity, DeMattio has been awarded an

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C1

THE AVION

C2 Bike Week 2019 Embrace the Noise

A Review of Daytona Beach Bike Week

Every year, thousands of motorcycles arrive in Daytona for Bike Week. Usually, this means most students will leave to avoid the event. Embry-Riddle’s spring break coincides with the duration of Bike Week so students have the opportunity to leave Daytona.

For students who are not fans of Motorsports, leaving is the obvious choice, but if you like racing, stay for the races.

Motorcycle racing is one of the most dangerous forms of motorsport in ex-

istence right now. That also means it is one of the best to watch.

The beginning of the week brought us Monster Energy Supercross, the premier level of competition in the motocross category. The course, designed by the legendary Ricky Carmichael, changes every year so no supercross is ever the same. Supercross involves 20+ drivers navigating a tight, dirt course on a purpose built dirt bike. The course involves narrow turns, huge jumps, terrain changes, and fast straight sections. This year, Eli Tomac riding the No. 3 Bike brought it home first place in the 450SX category.

Rajan Khanna/The Avion Newspaper

After Monster Energy Supercross finishes, the amateurs take to the track. These amateurs, part of the Ricky Carmichael Amateur Supercross circuit, vary in age from ten years old to over sixty! The course is slightly modified for them, and they participate in races all day so there is no shortage of competition.

“

Motorcycle racing is one of the most dangerous forms of motor sport in existence right now. That also means it is one of the best to watch.

“

Rajan Khanna Senior Photographer

Rajan Khanna/The Avion Newspaper

Connor Adair/The Avion Newspaper

After a three day break, The American Flat Track circuit takes to a heavily modified dirt track with only one jump. Their track features wider turns, one large jump, and a section where they traverse the banked start/finish section of the oval. American Flat Track Racing uses modified Indian and Harley Davidson motorcycles which, before modification, are not fit for use like this. The strain on the motorcycles goes to show the amount of

work and engineering that goes into making a street bike into a dirt racer. The races give the audience plenty of close racing and even some contact between racers in the turns. Flat Track Racing is truly a sight to behold in person.

The last event of Bike Week is none other than the historic Daytona 200. 2019 saw the 78th running of this superbike race where skilled racers traverse the full road course layout including the high banks. The whole day involves festivities which really bring the fans into the race.

All drivers participate in autograph sessions and are very available for meet and greets. The 200 itself was full of close racing which may cause spectators to momentarily forget to breathe. Racers lean into the turns to the point where their knees are scraping on the pavement and keeping them from falling over. It is unlike any other form of motorsport.

Overall, Bike Week 2019 was worth every second spent at the track. All the races are so different than any other kind of motorsport that every motorsport fan should experience it at least once. Coinciding with spring break just makes it easier for everyone to go.

Connor Adair/The Avion Newspaper

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Bike Week 2019 C3

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THE AVION

D2 Entertainment Marvel’s Newest Captain

Korbin Martin Staff Reporter

I had the opportunity to watch Captain Marvel at the start of my spring break, and it was a fun experience. Captain Marvel is the 21st film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe(MCU), and the final movie before Avengers: Endgame releases on April 26.

With the last two films in the MCU (Avengers: Infinity War and AntMan and the Wasp) both having rather dark endings after Thanos' Snap resulted in half of the universe being turned into dust, Captain Marvel was a breath of fresh air for fans of the MCU. Captain Marvel was fun, fast-paced, and looked terrific throughout. The film had an al-

most perfect blend of old and new. Brie Larson (Captain Marvel) and Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury) had great chemistry and gave the movie a tremendous buddy-cop feel.

Fans of the MCU will also be pleased to hear that Clark Gregg (Phil Coulson) appeared in Captain Marvel as well, albeit in a minor role. Both Jackson and Gregg were digitally "de-aged" in the film, and it looked terrific. Samuel L. Jackson is 70 years old. In Captain Marvel he looks 30 years younger.

Marvel Studios did a truly incredible job on the film, especially with the special effects.

From the Kree homeworld of Hala to 1990's Earth, the scenery looked and felt authentic.

The planet Hala was very futuris-

tic and incredibly detailed. The Kree and Skrull ships and weapons were brightly colored, sleek, and looked stunning in action.

Thrilling action scenes depicted those ships in high-speed fights, performing dangerous aerial maneuvers. These scenes were of such high quality that they looked like Lucasfilm produced them. I remember sitting in the theater and commenting to my friend "Wow. This feels like I'm watching a Star Wars movie."

At times, the film gave off major Top Gun vibes. From going over Carol Danver's history as a pilot to the exciting dogfights to Danver's cocky attitude as a pilot, you got that giddy feeling that you get when you watch Top Gun. Captain Marvel's cat

"Goose" is a reference to Top Gun. Executive Producer Jonathan Schwartz said "The name "Goose" is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the classic action flick Top Gun...".

Despite the similarities to other classic films, Captain Marvel was one of a kind. It has its own unique story to tell within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It took some elements of movies that everyone loves and used them to better explain the story of Captain Marvel, who I suspect will be one of the most important characters in the future of the MCU. If you haven't watched Captain Marvel yet, make sure you set aside some time to see it.

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Now That You’ve Trained Your Dragon

Dreamworks’ third and final entry into the How to Train Your Dragon universe, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, is a strong ending to the beloved animated trilogy. Hiccup, now Chief of the island community of Berk, faces his most daunting challenges yet when a new threat reaches Berk’s shores.

Movie-goers have grown up with Hiccup and the other residents of Berk; who went from dragon hunters in the first film, to Dragonriders in the second.

The evolving relationship between humans and dragons is further explored in The Hidden World when Hiccup must grapple with his evolving relationships with his people, his girlfriend Astrid, and, most importantly, his dragon, Toothless.

Hiccup and Toothless’s relationship is complicated when a new dragon arrives on the scene of Berk - a Light Fury. The Light Fury is very similar in appearance to toothless, with the sole exception of her white pigmentation.

The female dragon is the love interest for Toothless, who is supposedly the last of his species.

On a side note, it was left unclear was whether or not the Light Fury and the Night Fury were the same species of dragon or not.

Are the two dragons of the same species but with two different phenotypes, like two different breeds of dog, or two very similar species, similar to the difference between a grizzly bear and a polar bear? While overall unimportant to the movie, I was still bothered by this question, even after the film concluded.

The finale of the movie was emotional and, as is essential in the series-obsessed movie industry of today, final. The series answered all of its unanswered questions (except the Light Fury/

Night Fury species issue) in a compelling and exciting manner. While the ending was satisfying, at times, it did seem a little cliche and paint-by-numbers, especially in the epilogue. Still, the final choice made in the film was strong, tonally-appropriate, and probably just as hard for the filmmakers to make as it was for Hiccup and the citizens of Berk.

I would recommend seeing the other two HTTYD movies before watching the third, as The Hidden World references the first two films heavily. Characters introduced in the second movie were incorporated into The Hidden World readily but were not given much to do. That feeds into a major problem the film had, in my opinion: the over- or under-utilization of certain characters.

“

... “The Hidden World” was a satisfying conclusion to the HTTYD movies...

“

Jaclyn Wiley Editor-in-Chief

The weakest part of the movie is its comic relief, which is heavily reliant on minor characters who bear little other relevance to the plot of the film. Their antics very quickly devolve from endearing to annoying, especially in the case of the characters Snotlout and Ruffnut.

Further, it seemed like some aspects were granted extremely unimportant plotlines for the sole purpose of being able to show them on-screen. While it was nice to know that these characters are still around, too much screen time was dedicated to these minor plotlines.

Though it had its issues, "The Hidden World" was a satisfying conclusion to the HTTYD movies, which have individually been some of the most influential animated films released by Dreamworks in the last decade, and also one of the best-animated film series of the modern era.

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Image Courtesy: Dreamworks

THE AVION

Entertainment D3

A Hulu Original Series: “The Act” Please note, this review contains potentially disturbing content, including discussion of violence and child abuse. It also contains spoilers, though the reviewed material is based on actual events that were widely reported in the press.

Jaclyn Wiley Editor-in-Chief Hulu brings the twisted story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her mother Claudinea, "Dee Dee," Blanchard to life in "The Act." The eight-episode Hulu Original Series premiered on March 20 and will drop new episodes weekly. Patricia Arquette and Joey King star in the real crime drama, which chronicles the hidden lives of a mother and daughter caught up in a cycle of abuse and deception.

The Blanchards entered the public eye dramatically in 2015 after Dee Dee was found stabbed to death in her bed. Troubling Facebook messages posted Dee Dee's timeline drew the attention of neighbors, who called the police when no one responded at the door to the Habitat for Humanity house owned by Dee Dee. The shocking and violent death was made even more distressing by the fact that Gypsy Rose was missing. Wheelchair-bound and diagnosed with a myriad of illnesses ranging from leukemia to muscular dystrophy to epilepsy, Gypsy Rose was feared to be abducted.

But as police started investigating the crime, the story of the sick daughter and dedicated mother began to fall apart. All of Gypsy’s supposed illnesses, including cancer, muscular dystrophy, and epilepsy, were revealed to be fake.

Gypsy, who had spent her whole life being treated for a plethora of illnesses and being celebrated for

Brandon Collins Correspondent

Photo Courtesy: Hulu

her resiliency, had never been sick in the first place.

Dee Dee Blanchard is suspected of having Munchausen by Proxy, a rare mental illness that compelled her to fake illnesses in her daughter.

Dee Dee faked the diseases to gain pity and respect from her community; she wanted to be seen as "The Perfect Mother," no matter the cost.

“The Act” features stellar performances from the two main leads, Arquette and King, as well as from the supporting cast, which features “Bloodline’s” Chloë Sevigny and “Soul Surfer’s” AnnaSophia Robb.

King is especially compelling as Gypsy Rose, perfectly replicating her mannerisms and providing great depth to the misunderstood and confused character.

All of the abuse and medical pro-

cedures that Gypsy goes through in "the Act," are real events. The creators of "The Act" were meticulous in creating an accurate representation of what happened in the years before the murder, making sure to include all of the acts of abuse that have been verified. These acts were drawn from Gypsy's testimonials and conversations with the press after her arrest.

While a terrific television show, "The Act" is not perfect. The true crime anthology show does not shy away from portraying the terrible realities of Gypsy Rose's life. Some reviewers of "The Act" have called the graphic depictions of abuse and medical procedures as exploitative, which I partially agree with, especially in the second episode. The focus of the show is on the relationship be-

tween Gypsy and her mother, and how that relationship lled to murder, but sometimes, "The Act" spends far too much time depicting the abuse.

These scenes are disturbing and upsetting, and sometimes, they seem drawn out unnecessarily for the benefit of the audience. Fans should remember that while the reality of the events is what makes it compelling and exciting, these people and the acts that they committed were real too.

For fans of true crime or people seeking out a new and compelling drama, “The Act” is a must-see. It skillfully balances a talented cast with nuanced storytelling, creating a compelling and downright haunting show.

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Metro Exodus Review

As a post-apocalyptic first-person shooter, Metro Exodus is a part of one of the fastest growing genres in gaming history, with other titles such as the “Fallout” series, the “Rage” series, and “Far Cry New Dawn,” some would think it would be hard for a game to stand out from the crowd. However, 4A Games’ Metro series, and especially Metro Exodus, has not only stood out, but it has in some areas come out on top for this growing genre by sticking to its roots as both a stealth game and a game with one some of the most engaging stories.

Metro Exodus is the third entry into the Metro series, all of which are based on Russian author Dmitry Glukhovsky's book series of the same name. The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic Russian Fed-

Photo Courtesy: PC Gamer

eration, with player's taking up the role of Artyom, a military man, who lives in the metro systems of Moscow along with other survivors of a nuclear war. The metro systems are abundant with various groups of survivors, ranging from contained to societies to fascist regimes. The previous two games in the series, Metro 2033 and Metro Last Light, both mostly take place in the metros under Moscow; however, as the name would suggest, Metro Exodus takes the game outside into the world as we follow Artyom and his band of allies look for other survivors outside of the contained societies that exist in the metro systems.

Much of this game focuses on the Aurora, a train that you and fellow soldiers found upon leaving the underground. Along the way, you and the crew confront factions of raiders and would-be allies who join your journey to assist wherever they can.

One of the most striking aspects of the game is how phenomenal all the graphics look. With a dense layer of dust, rust, dirt, and grime being almost everywhere, the metro's tight corridors and tunnels were never anything near gorgeous, but, they were always so detailed they could never have been called "unbelievable." In this game, however, the

team blows expectations out of the water with even more impressive environments, ranging from the icy wastelands of Volga to scorching weather in the Caspian Deserts. Designers included a dynamic weather system, with a day-night cycle, and their environments change along with the seasons as the story progress, helping increase the depth and full immersion of the game.

The full immersion of the game only increases as the game brings back mechanics from other games; such as the need to change air canisters to breathe in some areas, keeping both eyes and ears out for your Geiger counter to make sure your not in an area that is oozing with radiation for too long. And even having to pull out your map to make sure you are going the right way and are not entirely lost in the middle of a wasteland.

When you are not caught up in the graphics, you will be trying to stay alive, while shooting a variety of weapons at a plethora of enemies, which range from bat-like mutants to cultist who oppose the journey.

Your conventional weapons are included in the game, but the game prefers you focus on stealthily crafting and taking enemies out from the shadows. Given that ammo is

a precious commodity, it is best to either go a non-violent stealth approach if able or utilizing the world and tools around you to save your ammo for when you need it to fight your enemies.

Also, unlike the previous games, your objectives in this game take place in large, open-world maps.

Multiple missions can now take place in a single part of the map, with the Aurora acting as the home base, being filled with crafting benches, weapons, and allies for the player.

There are several different times in the story where Artyom has to stop and do something, which then produces several different missions in that area, usually allowing the player to tackle what they consider the most important thing for them first.

Although it is often an overlooked series, Metro always delivers a great game to players. Metro Exodus might be the best in the series, given that players are no longer trapped in the same old corridors as before.

And while the game might be slower than other first-person shooters, it has one of the most engaging experiences throughout, with fun combat and a unique story in every game.

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Comics and Games

We Want Your Feedback!

The flags were probably vaporized on impact, because we launched it before we had finished figuring out how to land. That makes sense from an engineering standpoint, but also feels like a metaphor.

How to Play: Each row and column of the puzzle must contain the numbers 1-5, with no repetitions. Additionally, the numbers within each outlined section must equal the target number displayed, using the mathmatical operation shown.

Fill in each row and column with the word that matches the clue. The letters in each word solution must fit both vertically and horizontally.

3/24/2019

KenKen Puzzle Official Site - Free Math Puzzles That Make You Smarter!

Puzzle No. 11236, 5X5, hard

2―

12×

12+

8+

2÷

4―

2÷

Finished the crossword or all of the Sudoku Puzzles? The first person to bring the completed puzzles to SU219 wins a prize!

1―

1―

9+

3

www.kenkenpuzzle.com KenKen® is a registered trademark of KenKen Puzzle, LLC. Puzzle content ©2019 KenKen Puzzle LLC. All rights reserved.

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Easy

1/5

1/1

Medium

2/5

Hard

5/5