Oct. 10, 2017

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October 10, 2017

COLLEGIATETIMES

An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903

FIGHTING THE STIGMA OF DEPRESSION Cook Counseling Center hosts the Mind and Body Check Fair to encourage mental health awareness for students.

JESSICA BRADY managing editor

College is hard. Between academics, lack of sleep, extracurriculars, financial issues, moving away from home and many other stressors, it is easy to become overwhelmed. The Peer Assistance for Learning (PAL) program, in collaboration with other organizations on campus, is hosting the Mind and Body Check Fair to identify students with potential mental health concerns. “(Col lege st udent s) leave home, they leave high school and the security that they’ve typically known for maybe their whole lifetime, now living away from parents, living on their own, dealing with a lack of

structure compared to the way it was in high school is a developmental issue,” said Christopher Flynn, director of the Virginia Tech Cook Counseling Center, in an interview with WDBJ7.

College students are particularly vulnerable to mental health complications because of the many adjustments that occur between high school and college.

“Not only is the age group of college students most susceptible to development and onset of mental health disorders and mental health concerns, but this is also just a very vulnerable time for students,” said Taylor Flynn, senior at Virginia Tech and secretary for PAL. “They’re going through a lot of changes, and so our goal is not only to improve

DAVID HONG / COLLEGIATE TIMES Cook Counseling Center, Oct. 7, 2017.

self-help and mental health seeking behavior in students who might be developing some of these disorders, but also just to improve mental health in all of the students on campus because it is a concern for everyone here.

It’s not isolated to a specific population of Virginia Tech students. It’s something that everyone should think about,” Taylor Flynn continued.

Ac c or d i ng t o t he American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment in 2016, 59 percent of college students felt overwhelming anxiety, 60 percent felt very lonely and 37 percent felt so depressed it was difficult to function. Yet, despite the staggering number of college students facing mental health challenges, only 11 percent of Virginia Tech students sought counseling services during the 2015–16 academic year, according to PAL. “We like to throw these statistics out there because it helps reduce the stigma right off the bat and normalize the mental health concerns that students might be having and the anxiety they might be feeling,” Taylor Flynn said.

The PAL program aims to ameliorate the disproportion of students experiencing see COOK / page 3

Vigil held for Vegas victims A candle-lit gathering on Oct. 3 honored those who lost their lives in the Las Vegas mass shooting on Oct. 1.

IZZY ROSSI news editor

On Tuesday, Oct. 3, a vigil was held on the Drillfield in front of War Memorial Chapel. The service was in memory of and honored those who lost their lives in the Las Vegas terror attack that took place on Sunday, Oct. 1 at a Nevada music festival.

The event began with opening remarks from Tobias Sweeney, a Virginia Tech student who organized the event.

“When I woke up on Monday morning, all I was thinking about and all I saw

other people talking about was the shooting in Vegas,” Sweeney said.

Throughout his remarks, Sweeney remained firm that this is a time for the Hokie community to come together rather than become divided.

“I also saw a lot of people searching for a particular group to place blame on, whether it was about their race or their religion or their gender or how mentally ill they were,” Sweeney said.

“I just think we all need to come together instead.”

The event also included a candle lighting ceremony, a moment of silence and

a chance for attendees to speak on the way the shooting affected them personally. After the event, attendees were encouraged to sign a banner that will be sent to the Las Vegas trauma center where many of the victims are being treated.

“I would just encourage people to get involved in any way they can,” Sweeney said. “W hether that’s donating blood, monetary donations, even just giving time can be a huge help.”

@IzzyRossiCT

BILLY CLARKE / COLLEGIATE TIMES Greg Stroman (3) shows off his “WIN” tattoo alongside Deshawn McClease (33) after their victory against the Blue Hens, Sept. 9, 2017.

Hokies top Eagles, 23–10 Virginia Tech will head into its bye week with a 5–1 record after beating Boston College on the road.

CHASE PARKER assistant sports editor

After coming up short against Clemson last week, the theme for the Virginia Tech football team this go-around was simple: respond.

The Hokies did just that on Saturday night by taking out Boston College 23–10,

locking up the team’s thirdstraight victory over the Eagles in just as many years.

“Our guys responded like we asked them to do.

We didn’t play particularly fantastic at times. I’m disappointed with the penalties.

But we played well enough to beat a very physical and tough, hard-nosed football team at their place,” said

head coach Justin Fuente.

Once again, the Tech offense struggled to get off to a hot start. Just five plays into the game, Josh Jackson attempted to throw a pass to the right, but the ball was tipped and intercepted by the Boston College defense.

After that play, though, the see RECAP / page 6

New from The Killers: ‘Wonderful Wonderful’ The Killers released a new album on Sept. 22 (their first in five years), and let’s just say it’s no “Mr. Brightside.”

JOHN BATTISTON assistant lifestyles editor

With “ Wo n d e r f u l Wonderful,” released on Sept. 22 by Island Records, The Killers present some of their best musical work alongside some of their most boring.

A few weeks ago when I expressed to a friend my excitement about the impending Killers album,

she gave a rather resigned shrug. This shrug I’ve received many a time; it’s a quick way of saying, “Never heard of ‘em.”

I’ll tell you what I told her: You know The Killers. Odds are you know the words to one or more of their songs.

After further silence, I uttered a mere two words — “Mr. Brightside” — immediately beckoning a wide-eyed “Oh!” Thus the

SGA COHOSTS CIVIL ENGAGEMENT EVENT Students discuss need for participation on campus. page 3

gears clicked soundly into place.

When the University of Notre Dame’s marching band played the storied millennial anthem at a home game I attended last year, the announcer confidently introduced it as “the song of the century,” not too shabby a label. Thirteen years after its release, “Mr. Brightside” is still a staple of rock radio, sporting events and high

school proms, and you know wherever it’s playing you’ll find at least a small crowd shouting the chorus verbatim (as did the entire ND student section).

Riding the momentum of a song for the ages, the band cemented its status as a storied hit factory. Four of its songs have surpassed the 100 million hit-mark on Spotify (something few actual rock bands can say in

FESTIVAL OF THE DOG Bring your pups out on Oct. 15 for activities galore. page 7

an era suffocated by EDM, not even U2), and it managed to release a well-rounded “greatest hits” record before a single one of its members hit 40.

You could say the pressure was on for “Wonderful Wonderful,” the band’s first LP in five years, to be good.

After one listen, it’s pretty clear that the (potential) hits are there. And they’re as satisfactory as the record’s

title suggests. But after two or three times through, a more-than-decent album still fails to materialize.

So let’s talk about the high points for a bit — even critics hate being Negative Nellies all the time.

“The Man,” lead single for a reason, is one of The Killers’ most surprising songs in years, and it deserves see KILLERS / page 4

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CAT PIPER / COLLEGIATE TIMES Students, community members and faculty march to support DACA, Sept . 11, 2017

column

Virginia Tech must remain neutral regarding DACA, other public policy issues Our nation is politically polarized, and Blacksburg is not immune to the strife.

On Sept. 6, Virginia Tech’s Division of Student Affairs and Office for Inclusion and Diversity released a st atement regarding President Donald Trump’s statement that DACA would be phased out within six months as a threat to Congress to push immigration reform. If Congress doesn’t act, DACA will disappear.

In its statement, the university said that it “hope(s) Congress will consider this matter soon in fairness to the individual dreamers.” In short, the university is supporting DACA, a controversial policy.

I’m personally undecided as to whether DACA is good for our nation. We need to have debates as to whether or not it undermines our current immigration laws.

We must also debate the idea that a different set of rules is necessary for people who came to this country as minors, who can’t be held to the same standard as an adult.

There are many arguments within this complex issue, and obviously, we don’t all agree on what is

best.

Public institutions have absolutely no place in advocating for one side or another, regardless of how unelected administrators feel. The taxpayers who fund the university and the students who pay expensive tuition ought to be represented.

Some may say that the university is obligated to fight for whatever is best for its students, regardless of whether or not it may be viewed as controversial.

However, there are limits to how far this advocacy should go. The university should help st udents navigate the current laws and help prepare them for any changing laws.

Releasing opinionated statements about the laws themselves is too much. When a taxpayer-funded institution becomes a political player in a divisive issue, it is time to scale back.

Even if Virginia Tech were a private university, picking political sides would still be an unhealthy path for the institution and its students.

Our university is highly esteemed by its students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni and those who see what Hokies do everywhere.

It would be foolish for us to lose that regard if people started to view the university as a politicized institution.

Virginia Tech exists as a university that transcends divisions, opting instead to unite, educate and serve.

We embrace all forms of diversity, including diversity of thought. When the school becomes politicized, we only become more divided and lose crucial contradicting thought.

Controversial issues will continue to arise, and there will be political tension on campus from time to time.

When heavy tension exists, neutrality is the best strategy for the administration.

The university should recognize that this issue is tough and affects some of our fellow Hokies. It should say that we as Hokies ought to show respect toward each other and lend a listening ear even if we strongly disagree with an opinion.

Remaining neutral as an institution is the key to long term cooperation and healthy debate. Because when we pick winners and losers, we all lose.

JACK MEEKS • opinions contributor • class of 2019

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True patriots should be willing to criticize nation “Great, another season of mediocrity,” I mumbled at nobody in particular.

It was a Monday night, and I had just watched the Washington Redskins lose a game on a last-second field goal at the hands of Kansas City Chiefs rookie kicker Harrison Butker; I reclined in my chair, rubbing my temples and not-so-silently cursing my misfortune.

Without so much as a pause for air, I initiated my typical post-loss diatribe, citing a need to change management, strategy and personnel. A shout came from across the room: “You’re so critical, man … do you even like them?” the voice queried.

Of course I do: Any self-respecting fan of any entity should also be that entity’s biggest critic. As a proponent of something, I demand that said “thing” be galvanized through my

critique; if it doesn’t hold up to a litmus test of excellence, it needs to change.

The mechanisms for exuding patriotism should be the same, but they aren’t.

Patriotism has recently been con f lated wit h accepting — and being than k ful for — the status quo. To be certain, American principles like equality, free speech and inalienable rights are the mantras we cite when we claim our country as the global standard for excellence. But how should we act when we feel these promises have gone unfulfilled?

It is easy to wave banners when ideological wars are being won, to simply sit back and be thankful when our conquest is righteous and our national ethos is uniform. When the chips are down and all the evils of our world manifest themselves, though, there

NHAT V. MEYER / TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE San Francisco 49ers’ Eli Harold (58), quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and Eric Reid (35) kneel during the national anthem before their NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys, Oct . 2, 2016 .

TRAVIS BAUER • opinions contributor • senior/civil engineering

column

Recent hurricanes warrant climate change initiative Scared of tigers, lions and bears? How about typhoons, cyclones and hurricanes?

If not, now is the time to embrace that fear. Evidence condensed by Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory suggests that the intensity and severity of hurricanes in the Atlantic region will reach an all-time high as Earth’s average global climate also reaches an all-time high. Global warming is a concept we have all heard of at some point or another. It is a term that separates many people — both socially and politically — but with the rise of passing and growing danger, many unite, including fellow Hokies, to help each other in times of danger. The damage caused by Harvey, Irma and now Maria was unprecedented, as they have left entire beaches wiped of water, complete cities wiped of power and whole countries wiped of people.

The effect of future hurricanes is only going

to get worse as greenhouse gases continue to collect in Earth’s atmosphere. Global warming, encouraged by both humans and nature alike, is causing Earth’s climate to grow warmer due to the accumulation of greenhouse gases.

The immediate effect of this is an increase in the temperature of Earth’s oceans. Unfor tunately, hurricanes thrive off warm water. The warmer the water, the stronger the hurricane. This means that as global warming persists, and Earth’s oceans continue to grow warmer, the hurricanes we face will continue to grow more powerful.

Confirmation of this growing threat is documented in an article in Live Science, in which writer Ker Than notes that the average number of hurricanes has increased significantly in only a little time. In 1970, the average number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes sat at 10 per year. Now, that

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is nothing more patriotic than demanding a change.

The flag, our anthem and our purpose as a country are hollow if we place gratitude for the status quo over fulfilling the mandate of our founding.

As Da i ly Cou r ier columnist Ken Sain aptly put it: “True patriotism shows when there is a cost, when it hurts to show how much you love your country.”

True patriotism is not the worship of symbols or creeds but the constant demand for a better tomor row. Democracy crumbles under apathy; on the contrary, there is nothing more patriotic than using one’s guaranteed rights to protest, to demand the most out of the land of the free.

The state of our union does not currently earn passing marks in the eyes of many of its constituents; instead of getting angry at dissent from the norm, we must get to work.

I love my country and am likewise thankful for the many avenues it affords me to critique its form. Make no mistake, though: The chips are down. Our response hangs in limbo, dependent on exactly how we qualify patriotism and dedication to the country’s endeavors.

I am a fan of D.C. sports, and I am a fan of the United States. I demand excellence from both.

365 Squires Student Center

CAROLYN COLE / TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE On the hill above Cruz Bay on St . John Island, the house where Eugenio Santana Santana, 61, was living was completely blown away by Hurricane Irma .

average is about 18 per year.

This statistic becomes even more alarming when you learn that meteorologists are thinking about adding another, more intense category to the scale: An article by the Weather Channel, though, hints that a new Category 6 hurricane may be possible by the year 2100. This new category would include hurricanes with wind speeds over 174 mph and would most likely include a multiplier of some kind that could help citizens understand the severity of damage that could be inf licted by a specific hurricane. While Hurricane Irma would indeed be a Category 6 hurricane on this theoretical scale, researchers from Think Progress suggest that future Category 6 hurricanes could reach wind speeds of over 200 mph.

With all of this in mind, it is important to also think of ways to mitigate the growing dangers of these storms. An easy way to start is by being conscious of greenhouse gas imitations.

One way you can do this is by choosing to walk, ride a bike, or carpool to school and work each day. Just this one, simple step could help stop the exponential growth of global warming, and the looming threat of Category 6 hurricanes. Finally, just knowing the effects and risks involved with climate change and hurricanes could help save your life, as well as others.

MORGAN RE • opinions contributor • class of 2021

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October 10, 2017 PAGE 3

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SGA hosts roundtable discussion On Oct. 4, SGA Vice President Julia Billingsley and Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth Traci DeShazor co-hosted a discussion on civic engagement.

MIKE LIU news reporter

BILLY CLARKE / COLLEGIATE TIMES A duck sits in the rain at the edge of Duck Pond, Sept.

28, 2016.

T

he Blacksburg community has seen some warm temperatures over the past few days with some showers in the vicinity on Saturday. Over the next few days and into the weekend, we will continue to see some rain showers.

On Monday, the high is forecasted to be in the upper 70s and low in the mid-60s with a 40 percent chance of precipitation.

Tuesday’s forecast calls for a 40 percent chance of rain throughout the day and night with the highs in the upper 70s and a low in the lower 60s.

This rainy trend will continue into Wednesday, with a 50 percent chance of rain. The high for the day is forecasted in the low 70s and low in the mid-50s.

Continuing into the week we can expect to see more rain with highs in the low 70s and lows in upper 50s. Moving into the weekend the weather will clear up to give us some mostly sunny skies.

Follow @HOKIEwxWatch on Twitter for any updates!

AUSTIN VIGIL

• weather correspondent • @HOKIEwxWATCH

The G o v e r n o r ’s Millennial Civic Engagement Task Force host e d a rou ndt able discussion about civic engagement with Virginia Tech students Oct. 4.

Traci DeShazor, deputy secretary of the commonwealth, and Julia Billingsley, vice president of the Student Government Association at Virginia Tech who is also a member of the task force, presided the discussion.

Students from different majors participated in the discussion and shared their opinions and concerns about civic engagement and participation.

“The purpose of the event is to get some Virginia tech students in the room, hear their concerns, talk to them: ‘What do you see as the barriers to engage, specifically at Virginia Tech and then Blacksburg?’”

Billingsley said.

According to DeShazor, Kelly Thomasson, secretary of the commonwealth, was unable to participate at the roundtable discussion due to illness.

Billingsley, DeShazor and students discussed and shared their personal experience about barriers to engagement such as issues in registering to vote, getting to and from the voting precinct

COOK: Virginia Tech hosts Mind and Body Check Fair for stressed students from page 1

mental health challenges and those actually seeking help.

“I am inclined to say the stigma that prevents them from getting the help they need (is the greatest mental health challenge college students face),” Taylor Flynn said. “We give presentations that help people develop life skills as well as hopefully increasing help-seeking behavior both by reducing the stigma and making the resources and services available to students and allowing them to see how and where they can access those things.”

The Mind and Body Check Fair, which is to take place on Monday, Oct. 9, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the McComas Hall lobby, was strategically created five years ago with the intention of breaking through the stigma. Even the name itself was carefully selected due to the stigma surrounding depression.

“The Mind and Body Check Fair is implemented in observance of the National Depression Screening Day (Oct. 5, 2017),” said Charlotte Amenkhienan, assistant director for outreach and community engagement at the Cook Counseling Center.

“We call ours Mind and Body Check Fair to attract more students because if you call it a depression screening event, because of the stigma attached to mental health,

students are not going to participate, that was our experience; that’s why we now changed the name.”

In order to take the spotlight off of students who want to seek help, the Mind and Body Check Fair is designed to create a safe and welcoming environment. “(We) sort of create a festive atmosphere, and the whole idea behind that was that when students are talking to one person on the table, they are not s el f- c o n s c io u s a b o ut talking to someone at the Cook Counseling Center table because there are lots of tables around so nobody is going to care,” Amenkhienan said.

The PALs also create incentives to get more students involved, such as T-shirts.

“What the PALs do, they wear their T-shirts ... and they hold up a sign that says, ‘Ask me how to get this T-shirt’... so they sort of draw students in to come and participate in the program.

And, of course, the whole focus is on the students taking that survey that we’re using to screen students …

The (Cook Counseling) staff — they review the students’ test or survey scores,” Amenkhienan said.

Once reviewed, if a student’s survey demonstrates a possible risk for mental health issues, the staff encourages the student to make an appointment at Cook Counseling Center.

Since the implementation

of the T-shirts, the Mind and Body Check Fair has been able to survey 50 percent more individuals, a total of at least 300, according to PAL. Additionally, there are at least 200 other students who come to the event, but do not take the survey.

Because of the wide reach of the Mind and Body Check Fair, it is a significant event for mental health awareness on campus; however, the implications of the event do not stop at 4 p.m. on Oct. 9.

“I think (students) can also benefit too because if they do take the screening and maybe it’s not as applicable to them, if they have all these resources and they’re aware of the warning signs, … they can see that in their peers and their friends and their loved ones. Which can also be a conversation starter for if they notice these things to kind of help their friends or just make their friends aware of these resources if they maybe weren’t able to come to the Mind and Body Check Fair,” said Andrea Wright, senior at Virginia Tech and outreach chair for the PAL program.

Additionally, even if students are not screened for depression, they are provided with a pamphlet containing resources for how to seek help on campus.

“We just want to reach as many students as possible,” Amenkhienan said.

@TheJessicaBrady

ARMAHN RASSULI / COLLEGIATE TIMES 2017–18 SGA President Rex Willis and SGA Vice President Julia Billingsley, April 17, 2017.

and requesting absentee ballots.

The roundtable discussion took place in room 300 at Squires Student Center. The event started at 10 a.m. and lasted for one and a half hours.

As a student representative and the Virginia Tech liaison on the task force, Billingsley single-handedly organized the logistics part of the event, including time and location arrangement and advertising. Billingsley said she was pleased with the outcome of the event.

“It was great to see a lot of students come out and really engage in the questions,” Billingsley said. “I was pleasantly surprised at

all of the great feedback we received as well as the very legitimate concerns that we brought forth.”

The G o v e r n o r ’s Millennial Civic Engagement Task Force held its first meeting on July 28, 2017. According to an executive directive issued by the Executive Department of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the task force is responsible for coordinating and implementing statewide civic engagement initiatives and fostering the development and growth of a culture of civic engagement among millennials at Virginia’s colleges and universities.

The members of the task force include Thomasson,

DeShazor, Liz Howard, deputy commissioner from the Virginia Department of Elections, Teresa Sullivan, president of the University of Virginia and Jonathan Alger, president of James Madison University.

The task force held a number of roundtable discussions at many public colleges in Virginia such as the College of William and Mary, the University of Virginia, George Mason University, James Madison Un ive r s it y, Vi rgi n ia Military Institute and Longwood University.

@CollegiateTimes

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PAGE 4 October 10, 2017

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KILLERS: ‘Wonderful Wonderful’ turns out less than from page 1

some kudos. Though we love the band for delivering teen anthem after teen anthem, each dripping with more shameless sentiment than the last, “The Man” boasts a healthy dose of self-assertion, backed by an irresistible groove that gives the Bee Gees a run for their money. It seems that his band’s near-occult status finally caught up to Flowers, so he opted to take a second and let his ego inflate just a bit (“I got gas in the tank/I got money in the bank/I got news for you baby, you’re looking

at the man”).

The band’s occasional return to form doesn’t disappoint either. “Rut” harmonically characterizes the woefully common lows of depression with Flowers’ trademark vulnerability and relatability, made wholly cathartic with delicate 808s and drum machines that offer a nice contrast to The Killers’ usual wall-of-sound. “Tyson vs. Douglas,” chronicling many a young man’s reaction to the legendary boxing upset, mourns the falling of heroes and the sudden necessity of self-reliance that swiftly follows.

These are gems to be sure, and I sincerely hope they survive as legitimate pop-rock items like so many Killers singles have. But it’s the monotony between these peaks that will likely bury “Wonderful Wonderful” as another in an unfortunate many faceless rock records.

The main problem that so many of these tracks share is that they simply don’t have much going on; the discernible joy that pervades The Killers’ many hits often feels diminished if not missing entirely, a vacancy as audible as it is palpable.

The titular opener (which

study break

“Some Kind of Love” and “Out of My Mind” to the spiritually-charged “The Calling” (which can’t seem to decide whether it’s uplifting or sour), the last third of the record does all it can to keep from running out of gas, even though the meter’s been on “empty” for miles. Cap it all off with “Have All the Songs Been Written?”, the defeatedness of which threatens to answer its own question.

I love The Killers and everything they’ve contributed to the alt-rock world I’ve long called my musical home. Still, “Wonderful Wonderful”

honestly shouldn’t have been put on the record at all) fits so little into its five-plus minutes that it drags horribly, rendering it neither interesting nor exciting and keeping us wondering when it’ll be over — bad news for a first track.

While another clunker or two pops up over the five tracks to follow (such as the tragically uninspiring “Run For Cover”), it’s the album’s final four songs — a solid 15 minutes of sheer boredom — that ruins “Wonderful Wonderful.”

From the remarkably unremarkable and stale romance

suggests they’ve lost the ability to discern between their truly great material — something they’re still beyond capable of creating — and stuff that’s best left on the recording studio floor.

Here’s hoping that we can come to expect more from the still-youthful quartet, and that they’re simply in a “Rut” of their own.

I give “Wonder f ul Wonderful” two and a half out of five stars.

@CollegiateTimes

Today’s Birthday Horoscope (Oct. 10): A profitable two-year phase dawns on your birthday. Regular communications advance your cause. A group venture faces a hurdle this winter, leading to a flowering phase for fun and romance. Navigate career barriers next summer before your team pulls through. United we stand.

FOR RELEASE OCTOBER 10, 2017

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

ACROSS 1 Pet adoption agcy.

5 West Indies tribe for which a sea is named 10 “Rhyme Pays” rapper 14 Boxers Laila and Muhammad 15 Carne __: burrito filling 16 Benelux country: Abbr.

17 Legendary terror of the deep 19 __ blocker 20 Action hero Jason in three Ludlum novels 21 Swedish vodka brand 23 Material 25 Prefix with space 26 “__ the Sheriff”: Clapton hit 28 Under threat 32 Like most people 33 Comic’s perch 34 Label for Elvis 35 “Supervixens” director Meyer 36 Honor roll student’s disappointment 37 Fashion line 38 Author’s ending?

39 Celebrated chef Ducasse 40 Copycats 41 Lovers of wordplay 43 Get big on Twitter 44 Gumbo pod 45 Sierra Nevada lake 47 Ginger’s “Gilligan’s Island” hutmate 50 Repaired, as a fence 53 Awesome, nowadays 54 “Doesn’t matter to me” 57 Old film dog 58 “Family Matters” misfit 59 Mirror shape 60 Quantum movement?

61 Body of verse 62 Sunday benches DOWN 1 Airline to Oslo

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The Leaves

Fall Break apple cider

friends hiking homework leaves

10/10/17

By Samuel A. Donaldson

2 Working-class Roman 3 Padua parting 4 Even though 5 Lacks what it takes to 6 Equipment, in a ledger 7 Lab rodent 8 Brainstorm 9 Rihanna’s home country 10 Congenital 11 “Forget You” singer who was a coach on “The Voice” 12 Caesar’s last question 13 The one over there 18 Lightweight synthetic 22 Elite Navy fighter 24 Names given to an assassin 26 Rodeo automaker 27 “Aye, lass,” in Acapulco 29 Sentence subject, usually 30 Birthday greeting opened with a click 31 Ewes’ guys

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Monday’s Solved Tuesday’sPuzzle Puzzle Solved

©2017 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

32 Give it __: swing hard 33 Prep for fight night 36 Tidies 37 Radar gun user 39 Big name in razors 40 Rice-__ 42 Airport porter 43 1986 horror film in which a man becomes an insect

10/10/17

46 Female French friends 47 Repast 48 Church area behind an altar 49 Detective Wolfe 51 Roof overhang 52 Sketch 55 Just get (by) 56 Golf Hall of Famer Ernie

Brewster Rockit: Space Guy! by Tim Rickard

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October 10, 2017 PAGE 5

The dog days aren’t over Bring on the pups! The Festival of the Dog is Oct. 15 and it will be a day filled with activities for all dogs — big or small.

GRETCHEN KERNBACH lifestyles staff writer

On Sunday, Oct. 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., bring your dog out to the Blacksburg Recreational Center for the sixth annual Festival of the Dog. Hosted by Fetch N Fly, the New River Valley Kennel Club and Blacksburg Parks and Recreation, the festival will be a packed day filled with agility, disc, food and relaxed fun with wagging tails.

The Festival of the Dog is an opportunity to try out various activities with your furry friend. Purchase a $5 armband to compete in an event called Try It. This event lets you test out an obstacle course with your dog, or even try your hand at disc.

“There will be a fenced obstacle course, so if you’re not an experienced agility competitor that’s the place to go,” said Fetch N Fly club president Katie Baker. “There will be tunnels and jumps set up, and people on hand to walk you and your dogs through it so you do it right and your dog starts to gain

some confidence. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t had any experience at all before.”

One of the festival’s hosts, Fetch N Fly, is a disc dog club.

Disc is a frisbee-throwing activity that can take multiple forms such as distance catching or freestyle catching.

“If you have a high energy dog and you need to burn off some steam, it’s a great way to do that,” Baker said.

Try It provides dog owners with the opportunity to test out disc and see if it is a good match for them and their dog.

In addition, dogs will be able to participate in fun games like waggiest tail and fastest sit.

For more experienced dogs, Agility Show N Go is the event to participate in. Competitors can pay $5 a run or do five runs for $20. The informal competition is a relaxed environment that won’t pressure dog or owner.

Andrea Lenghi from All-American Dog Sports will be hosting the agility course.

To sign up, email andrea@ allamericandogsports.com.

In addition to the more athletic activities, the New

Gaga reveals true self in new Netflix documentary

River Valley Kennel Club will be there promoting responsible dog ownership. In doing so, they will be administering the Canine Good Citizen Test (CGC), a program “designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community.”

There is no limit on the breed or age of dog that can participate in the test.

The 10-item test looks at the ability to interact with a stranger, sitting politely to be pet, walking on a loose leash, sitting and staying on command, reactions around other dogs and much more.

A silent auction will be taking place at the festival. In addition, there will be local vendors to aid to dog owners’ hungry appetites after a of disc and agility.

“Anybody who comes out and tries the events is also helping maintain and upgrade the dog park of Blacksburg,” Baker said.

All dogs at the festival are asked to be leashed unless the owner is confident in their dog’s experience and behavior. Furthermore, all dogs, experienced and inexperienced, are encouraged to come out — the festival is not just for competitors.

Rescues will also be available for adoption at the festival if you or a friend is looking to make a furry addition to your household.

Come out on Oct. 15 for endless fun with people and dogs alike.

COURTESY OF NETFLIX

Lady Gaga’s documentary came out Sept. 22, and in this movie, you see a different side of the woman on the charts.

EMILY HANNAH lifestyles staff writer

Lady Gaga is known as one of the world’s largest eye-opening trendsetters.

From the meat dress to Coca-Cola can hair curlers, she is always keeping her fans on their toes.

Recently, her new documentary on Netflix “Gaga: Five Foot Two” (premiered on Sept. 22) has revealed her true emotions about her love life, illnesses and triumphs.

The movie strips her of her elaborate costumes and personas, leaving a normal person named Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta.

Since Lady Gaga is a childhood idol of mine, I immediately planned to watch her documentary, thinking I’d be watching some sort of concert film or something along the lines of that. By the end of the film, I found myself in tears.

I found Gaga’s personal testimonials playing in my ears instead of her popular hits. In the movie, I was able to see a very raw and vulnerable side to Gaga that not many celebrities allow the public to see. Gaga has never been a celebrity to shelter and hide her beliefs, but this movie revealed yet another unguarded side of her. She creates a strong sense of intimacy between her and the audience.

In the documentary, she highlights her hope of not disappointing her fans as she grows into a different woman. Her latest album, “Joanne” was named after her late aunt, who died at 19 to lupus before Gaga was born.

In the documentary, there is an emotional scene where Gaga plays the song for her grandmother. Compared to Gaga’s previous albums, “Joanne” is more emotional with less provocative themes. Her iconic outfits

became jeans and a T-shirt, several more of her songs became acoustic. She voices her worries in the film, after learning some of her fan base preferred the “old Gaga” with the outrageous costumes and naked backup dancers.

I feel that as people, as fans, as the media, we forget that celebrities are real people who appreciate some sort of privacy.

Though Gaga is not a private person, she discusses what it’s like to be disrespected and to feel completely alone in the nearly-hysterical world she lives in. As people who pay attention to the media, we hold celebrities in little snow globes that we shake repeatedly, expecting them to reinvent themselves each time and keep us entertained.

This personal documentary made me nearly squeamish, uncomfortable with the ease of underestimating the amount of exhausting work that is put into one song, one small project, one minute of a documentary.

Gaga reveals that she suffers from fibromyalgia, an “invisible” chronic disease that creates intense, widespread muscular pain in sensitive areas. Many suggest one of the main causes is stress or poor physical conditions, but the disease is still poorly examined and understood.

Gaga shows her pain and the treatments she receives in many scenes of the movie.

Her family and friends quote on her inspiring work ethic, despite the setbacks provided by her illness.

It is very clear that Gaga held the upper hand in the production of the film, the tapes are organic and her views on controversial topics are accessible. She holds the upper hand in any project she is

involved in, which I view to be important. She allows fans to follow her through the stages of creating her newest album, showcasing the important people in her life and how she deals with hardship, like the end of her engagement with long-term love Taylor Kinney. The film takes fans through her preparation for the Super Bowl halftime show, and how she balances that and the promotion of “Joanne.”

The movie received 70 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, many critics confused by the genre of documentary, some overwhelmed by Gaga’s openness. Despite the average rating, the movie is definitely one I’d watch over and over again. I feel that people who aren’t even Gaga’s fans would benefit because Gaga creates a perfect understanding of what it’s like to be an international superstar and still remain true to what she believes in. Gaga showcases not only Lady Gaga, but Stefani Germanotta. It seems incredibly difficult to balance the persona of Gaga and the humbleness of Stefani in one body without cracking from pressure.

As the credits rolled, I found myself very proud of a woman I’ve never met.

Though many celebrities have provided their fan bases with documentaries, this documentary was not the same. My heart was not warmed. I felt slightly sickened and disheartened, understanding Gaga when she explained that fame is empty and the world she lives in is draining.

This documentary was an important asset to her career, not only complementing “Joanne” but herself as Stefani: the star of the show.

@CollegiateTimes

@GretchtheCatch

COURTESY OF KATIE BAKER

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Mixed grades for Hokies after win over the Eagles

The Virginia Tech defense made the honor roll while the offense had mixed reviews in the week six report card.

ROBBY FLETCHER AND RYAN WILSON sports staff writers

Offense Quarterback: It was a solid rebound perfor mance for Josh Jackson after a rough outing against Clemson last week. Aside from an opening drive interception off a tipped pass, Jackson looked solid throughout the night against a solid Boston College secondary. He was especially effective on playaction calls, one of which was a beautiful strike to receiver Sean Savoy across the middle that resulted in a 53-yard touchdown.

Jackson’s 322 yards passing was his second most in a game this season behind his 372-yard performance against East Carolina.

Grade: B Running back: Boston College’s run defense caused all sorts of problems for the Hokies running back committee Saturday, allowing only a 2.3 yard average on 48 carries. Travon McMillian seemed to be the only real standout on the night for Virginia Tech after rushing for 88 yards on 17 carries.

His 23-yard score in the second quarter was a thing of beauty as he burst through the hole after a fantastic block by Dalton Keene.

Besides the big run, McMillian consistently helped set up manageable third downs for the Hokies with some hard running up the middle. It certainly wasn’t pretty, but the running game did contribute to the hard-fought win over the Eagles.

Grade: C Wide receiver/tight end: It’s hard not to come away impressed by the guys who stepped up in Cam Phillips’ absence. While it certainly hurt seeing Phillips watch from the sidelines, Eric Kumah and Henri Murphy stepped up and provided some solid options for Jackson. Their combined seven catches for 93 yards showed the famed “Next Man Up” in full effect.

Dalton Keene also provided a solid outing,

catching four passes for 66 yards. The man of the night however is none other than Sean Savoy, who looked unstoppable as Jackson’s go-to target. His 139 yards and touchdown off of nine receptions showed just how quickly Savoy adapted to being the No. 1 receiver last night. All in all it was a very strong showing from the receiving core.

Grade: A Offensive line: Boston College’s front seven gave Virginia Tech’s offensive line all it could handle Saturday night, getting constant pressure on Jackson and holding the run game to only 109 yards on 48 carries. The five sacks on Jackson, three of which came from Preseason First Team All-American linebacker Harold Landry, did not look good for the Hokie line and the hits on Jackson definitely seemed to be taking a toll on the freshman. Coming off a rough performance against Clemson last week, you’d hope the offensive line would have had a more inspiring performance than what it had against Boston College.

Grade: D

Defense Defensive line: Tech’s defensive line put on yet another good performance on Saturday night.

While Boston College did put up 153 rushing yards, the bulk of it was in garbage time toward the end of the game. The Hokies’ defense did not let the Eagles’ dualthreat quarterback Anthony Brown get loose too much, holding him to just 51 yards rushing, and the running backs for the Eagles made no plays of note. After getting pushed around last week, this was a good bounce-back week for the defensive line.

Grade: B+ Linebackers: Boston College attempted many routes over the middle throughout the game that were stuffed by Virginia Tech’s linebackers. Mook Reynolds had a great game, leading the team with nine total tackles and making plays in space. When any

running backs got past the line of scrimmage, the linebackers were there to shut those plays out, thanks to Tremaine Edmunds and Andrew Motuapuaka. The linebackers were also key in not letting Brown make too many plays in space, and they did a good job of not letting him create big plays with his legs. All in all, a solid performance once again.

Grade: B+ Secondary: Even though a few penalties were called in the back end of the defense, the secondary still played a good game. With the exception of the fourth quarter when the Eagles moved down the field on one drive, the secondary did not allow any plays over the top all night long. Cornerback Brandon Facyson had an important pass break-up in the end zone after Jackson’s interception that led to a missed field goal from the Boston College kicker, which kept the Hokies in control of the game early on. While the secondary didn’t force any turnovers Saturday night, the defensive backs locked down the Eagles’ receivers and held them to only 191 yards passing, and 113 of them were in the fourth quarter when the game was already out of reach.

Grade: ASpecial teams: Kicker Joey Slye may finally have his confidence back after a shaky start to the season, as he was 3-for-3 on field goal attempts against Boston College and became Virginia Tech’s all-time points leader, passing former kicker Shayne Graham. In a low-scoring game, field positioning was important, and punter Oscar Bradburn was able to pin Boston College deep into their own territory for most of the game, leading to the Eagles having to punt out of their own end zone a few times. In turn, that created scoring opportunities for the Hokies, and helped them keep the lead for the entire game.

Grade: A @CollegiateTimes

CAT PIPER / COLLEGIATE TIMES Joey Slye (46) kicks the ball to score a touchdown, Sept. 23, 2017.

ALEXYS RIVERS / COLLEGIATE TIMES Virginia Tech goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard (1) plants foot to strike goal kick, Oct. 6, 2017.

Hokies lose heartbreaker

Virginia Tech’s five-game winning streak was snapped after Louisville took advantage of a huge Hokie mistake.

DILLON CAMPBELL sports staff writer

What could have been a huge win for the Virginia Tech men’s soccer team turned into a huge disappointment. The Hokies’ hopes of upsetting No. 7 Louisville vanished when the team surrendered an own goal in the 76th minute of the game to lose the game 1–0.

This was only the second ACC match bet we en Virginia Tech and Louisville since the Cardinals joined the ACC in 2014, the first being a 1–1 draw at Louisville’s Dr. Mark and Cindy Lynn Stadium in 2015.

Louisville came out aggressive and dominated time of possession early on.

The Cardinals used their defensive pressure to disrupt the Hokies’ offensive rhythm and create scoring opportunities for their offense.

As t he f i rst ha l f progressed, Virginia Tech’s defense forced Louisville’s attack to become sloppy and overaggressive, which allowed the Hokies’ offense to start to get in rhythm.

In the 30th minute, Virginia Tech drew the Louisville goalkeeper Will Meyer out of the net and gave them two chances to score.

However, the Hokies could

not capitalize. For the first shot, Meyer got back in the play just in time to prevent a goal. The Hokies were able to get him out of the play again, but missed their second shot on an open goal to the right.

Four minutes later, the Louisville attack penetrated the Virginia Tech defense.

Despite that, Hokies goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard made a leaping save to keep the game scoreless.

Virginia Tech came out more aggressive in the second half, and nearly scored four times within the first seven minutes of the second half. Even though the Hokies were unable to turn those scoring opportunities into points, they controlled the tempo of the game for the early part of the second half.

The Virginia Tech defense playing more physical neutralized Louisville’s offensive attack as well.

However, it also led to Virginia Tech forward Marcelo Acuna receiving a yellow card in the 65th minute.

As the second half progressed, L ouisville started having more and more success penetrating Virginia Tech’s defense. The Cardinals’ pressuring attack eventually led to the Virginia Tech defense giving up an

own goal in the 76th minute that would seal the Hokies’ fate.

A lthough L ouisville outshot Virginia Tech 17–8, Brizendine felt that the Hokies had more quality looks at the goal, but were unable to capitalize off them.

“We don’t get those; we haven’t had those in I couldn’t tell you how long, those kind of opportunities,” Brizendine said. “We had the most, best opportunities in this game than we’ve had since I think early September.”

Before the Hokies take the pitch again next Saturday, Brizendine said the team’s main focus is to get healthy.

With the loss, Virginia Tech falls to 7–5 on the season and 2–3 in ACC play.

Friday night’s loss snaps the Hokies’ five-game winning streak. The Hokies will look to bounce back when they take the field again next weekend against ACC foe Wake Forest. The Hokies take on the Demon Deacons in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on Saturday, Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. in their first game of a two-game road trip.

@dilloncampbell

RECAP: Slye sets record from page 1

Hokies’ offense started to click. The next time the unit touched the field, Jackson hit wide receiver Sean Savoy for a 53-yard touchdown. Three drives later, Tech found the end zone for the second time by way of a 23-yard rushing touchdown by Travon McMillian.

Considering the circumstances, this may have been one of Jackson’s best performances to date. Early in the first quarter, the team’s top receiver Cam Phillips went down with a foot sprain and didn’t return. Because of this, the red-shirt freshman had to play the majority of the game without a proven veteran receiver in the lineup. He ended the day with 322 passing yards and one touchdown.

“We got pretty far down the ole’ depth chart there at the wide receiver position,” Fuente said. “But I thought the young guys stepped in and performed admirably.”

Even though the Hokies didn’t get points on every drive, they never lost control of the game — but that was to be expected.

What nobody saw coming, however, was the way that

younger offensive players stepped up to fill the void of an injured Phillips. Savoy, a true freshman, led the team in receiving. The 5-foot-9 pass catcher hauled in nine receptions for 139 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Dalton Keene, another true freshman, finished the game as the Hokies’ secondleading receiver, racking up 66 yards on four receptions.

Sophomore wide out Eric Kumah finally got into the mix as well, racking up four receptions for 53 yards.

“It was good to see Eric ma ke some contested catches in there on some slants in man coverage on third down,” Fuente said.

On another note, Virginia Tech kicker Joey Slye broke yet another school record on Saturday night. This time it was Tech’s all-time leading scorer mark (372 points), which came at the beginning of the third quarter by way of a 29-yard field goal. The previous holder of the record, Shayne Graham, congratulated Slye via Twitter once the senior broke the mark.

“I was happy to see him knock them through,” Fuente said. “It was good for Joey to respond and get out there and feel comfortable and hit

a couple of them true right through the uprights.”

On the defensive side of the ball, Bud Foster continued to prove why he is regarded as one of the best defensive coordinators in the country. Foster’s bunch only allowed 172 total yards through the first three quarters. The Eagles doubled their yardage total in the fourth quarter, however, bringing up their offensive tally to 344 yards on the day.

The unit was led by defensive tackle Ricky Walker, who recorded six total tackles, 2.5 of which were for loss.

Rest will be needed by the Virginia Tech football team as the group heads into its bye week, giving players like Phillips a chance to recover. On the other side of the break, the Hokies will face a heavy slate of ACC opponents as the race for the Coastal Division title heats up. The final six regular season games are North Carolina, Duke, Miami, Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh and Virginia.

@ChaseParker_VT