Dec. 4, 2018

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EXTRA POINT COLLEGIATETIMES collegiatetimes.com

December 4, 2018

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NICOLE LOVELL’S CASE CONCLUDED AFTER TWO YEARS David Eisenhauer and Natalie Keepers were both found guilty and sentenced to prison in connection to the death of 13-year-old Nicole Lovell.

MIKE LIU

news editor

Former Virginia Tech student Natalie Keepers was sentenced to 40 years in prison for accessory before the fact of first-degree murder on Tuesday, Nov. 27. Keepers’ sentencing has finally put an end to the murder case of 13-year-old Nicole Lovell.

On Jan. 27, 2016, Lovell, who was a student at Blacksburg Middle School at the time, climbed out of her bedroom window to meet with David Eisenhauer, who was a former freshman and track athlete at Virginia Tech. According to prosecutors, Eisenhauer had struck up a relationship with Lovell and decided to conceal the relationship by killing her.

Eisenhauer allegedly then drove Lovell to a wooded area in Montgomery County and stabbed her to death.

Later that day, Eisenhauer and Keepers, who was also a freshman at Virginia Tech, allegedly moved Lovell’s body to Surry County, North Carolina.

L ovel l’s body was discovered a few days later.

On Jan. 29, 2016, Eisenhauer was arrested in connection to Lovell’s death and Keepers was arrested two days later.

26 years: Tech headed to bowl game after win over Marshall JACOB GOLASZEWSKI sports staff writer

On a cold and dreary day in Blacksburg, Virginia, the Hokies faced off against the Marshall Thundering Herd in hopes of getting their sixth win of the season — extending their consecutive bowl streak to 26 years. At kickoff, it was incredibly foggy and visibility was down to less than half a mile.

The two teams were also playing in front of a mere 31,336 fans, less than half of Lane Stadium’s capacity.

Despite all of these external factors, the Thundering Herd fell to the Hokies by a final score of 41–20.

The Hokies got off to a very strong start with star defensive tackle Ricky Walker getting a strip sack

on Marshall quarterback Isaiah Green on the very first play from scrimmage.

This set the Hokies up with tremendous field position inside the 20, but they would go three and out and settle for a field goal. On the ensuing Marshall drive, the Virginia Tech defensive line continued to get good pressure on Green, but the Herd still managed to drive all the way down into the redzone. Marshall’s hopes of scoring were thwarted by sophomore Bryce Watts, who snagged his first career interception in the corner of the end zone.

After the interception, the Hokies put together a very nice eight-play, 80-yard

MARSHALL / page 8

ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES Natalie Keepers reacts during the sentencing phase of her trial after being found guilty of being an accessory before the fact in the January 2016 first-degree murder of Nicole Lovell, Friday, Sept. 21, 2018.

Eisenhauer’s trial began on Feb. 5, 2018, and ended five days later. During which, prosecutors revealed that blood stains, a shovel and cleaning supplies were discovered in Eisenhauer’s car. Lovell’s bag and blanket were discovered in Keepers’ dorm.

On the fifth day of the trial, Eisenhauer entered a no-contest plea after the data recovered from his phone was presented the

previous day. Judge Robert Turk found him guilty of all of the three charges he faced, which were firstdegree murder, abduction and concealing a dead body.

On June 26, 2018, Eisenhauer was sentenced to 75 years in total for three charges: 60 years for firstdegree murder, 10 years for abduction and five years for concealing a dead body.

After he serves 50 years in prison, Eisenhauer will be

on probation for 20 years.

Eisenhauer’s defense attorneys John Lichtenstein and Tony Anderson of Roanoke asked for a penalty that fell within sentencing guidelines that ranged from 23 years and nine months to 39 years and seven months behind bars. However, Turk said he was exceeding the guidelines because of the seriousness of the crime.

LOVELL / page 3

ANTHONY WU / COLLEGIATE TIMES Hezekiah Grimsley (6) receives the pass from Ryan Willis for the 46-yard touchdown catch-and-run. The Hokies won 41–20 over the Thundering Herd, Dec. 1, 2018.

lifestyles

Football season is over. Guess our lives are, too With the Hokies having played their last home game, the next nine months are destined to be a slog of worthless weekends.

JAYNE ROSS

lifestyles staff writer

Ever y fall, Hok ies recognize the sweet, familiar sounds of their favorite season: the heartstopping guitar riffs of “Enter Sandman,” thousands of fans jumping and cheering in Lane Stadium, the ear-splitting thud of young men with promising futures slamming their bodies into one another over and over again, clearly unperturbed by the movie “C on cu s sion.”

Neve r mind the area’s gorgeous autumnal scenery — once the leaves change color and begin to fall, Blacksburg students and residents alike care about one thing, and one thing only — watching 11 students race back and forth across a grassy field to land an oddly shaped ball past a spray-painted line.

And then, just as suddenly as it began, football season

is over, and Hokies struggle to find any semblance of joy or meaning in the wake of its absence.

And truly, students may never experience anything that compares to Virginia Tech football for the rest of their lives. How could anything be quite so memorable as watching the Hokies pull off a rare, beautiful win, or having a fellow fan throw up all over you because they can’t hold their liquor?

Season tickets for you and your loved ones might total over a thousand dollars, but no matter — the memories one makes at Lane Stadium are priceless.

Across Blacksburg, other residents also reel from the season’s end. Local parents already long for the family-friendly atmosphere of Lane. Between its deafening screams, copious amounts of swearing and underage drinking, and insanely long game times, it’s no surprise

that they now fret over how to occupy their young ones on the weekends. Other alumni struggle to find further opportunities to yell at people and pretend to know more about their jobs than they do, now that the referees (who take years to train and study before ever officiating a college-level game) are out of commission. Sure, those fully-grown men could take out their unresolved anger at experts in another field — their doctors, maybe, or their children’s teachers — but it’s just not the same.

The football players will of course miss the sport, too. After playing for a multi-hundred-milliondollar university machine, they won’t actually get paid, despite risking injury to their bodies and GPAs by practically taking on a full-time job, but their SPORTS / page 5

TAYO OLADELE / COLLEGIATE TIMES Hokie fans celebrate as they defeat Marshall in Lane Stadium, Dec. 1, 2018.

OFFENSE STEPS UP AGAINST MARSHALL Tech put up 454 yards of total offense Saturday.

WHICH TATER ARE YOU ROOTING FOR? Our writer discusses and ranks fries on campus.

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opinions

PAGE 2 December 4, 2018

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DAVID HONG / COLLEGIATE TIMES

Student walking by Williams Hall, Feb. 8, 2018.

column

Pajamas, sweatpants inappropriate attire for lectures It is not that difficult to get up in the morning and put on jeans and a nice shirt, versus just rolling out of bed and going to class.

G

etting to morning classes can be the most trying moments of a college student’s academic career.

It’s early, it’s cold and you don’t want to leave your bed. After much debate over whether going to class is worth it or not, some settle on taking as much of their bed with them by wearing their pajamas to class. While casually going to class in whatever clothes you grab first doesn’t seem like it matters, it contributes to the way in which you present yourself to the people around you. An uncoordinated appearance signifies the internal battle that you had that morning. It conveys that you don’t care enough about the class you’re

attending or the people around you to make an effort, despite how simple it may be.

The way in which you present yourself is enhanced by the way you dress. By taking a little time to pick out an outfit, you reify that you respect the people around you and you want to be respectable around them.

It isn’t a matter of vanity, but rather how much you care.

Showing up in something that you clearly didn’t put any thought into sends the message that you don’t care or respect the class enough to put in a bit of effort for them. If you care about the message you send to your professors and peers, you will take the time and effort to look decent in order to

ensure that they know they are important to you.

It also signals that the way they perceive you matters to you. If someone plays a role

to what you’re wearing, then you can come off as the wrong person. People’s perception of you can be clouded by the fact that you

“Caring about the way

you dress means that the people around you or what you are doing matters enough for you to be attentive to how you show that.

”

in your life, you would want them to know you for who you are. How you dress is a reflection of who you are.

Clothes are one of the best ways to express yourself, but if you aren’t paying attention

aren’t trying to look put-together because it can come off as rude or disrespectful.

Wea r i ng somet h i ng presentable doesn’t mean spending a lot of money or time getting dressed or

pushing yourself too far out of your comfort zone. It can be as simple as wearing a nice pair of pants and a top.

Just making sure that your clothes are clean, fit for the occasion and are actually meant to be worn outside of the house shows that you are trying to put your best self forward. Even though it is a small effort, it says a lot about who you are and how you regard the people around you.

There are going to be times where you’re tired and you want to just wear something comfortable and easy, but the little time and energy it takes to put on something appropriate and acceptable is worth the message that you are sending to the people around you. Caring

about the way you dress means caring about how you present yourself to other people. It means that the people around you or what you are doing matters enough for you to be attentive to how you show that.

DONYA MOMENIAN • opinions columnist • sophomore, business information technology

column

Commercialization undermines meaning of holidays

T

The culture of expensive gift giving facilitated by Black Friday deals takes away from what truly matters — spending time with family. he holiday season is arguably the most wonderful time of the year, but when it starts is difficult to determine. To me, it isn’t time for Christmas until about two weeks before.

For many, Christmastime starts at 12 a.m. on Nov. 1.

We’ve all seen way too many

Christmas ads so far this fall, some of which displayed even before Halloween.

Kroger already has aisles devoted to the holidays, yet we struggled to find stuffing mix with Thanksgiving only a few weeks away. The over-commercialization of the Christmas season causes us to forget what the holidays

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY NEHA OGALE

are really about — we get so caught up in material things that we forget to appreciate being with our loved ones.

When Black Friday commercials start rolling, many see that as a cue to begin the Christmas festivities, even when Christmas is over a month away. Because of this, Thanksgiving becomes just another day before Christmas. The commercial hype of Christmas so early in the holiday season diminishes the importance of not only Christmas, but also Thanksgiving.

As a ch i ld, my extended family spent our Than ksgiving together eating lots of food, watching lots of movies and talking about how our years have been. For me, Thanksgiving is a time to cherish your loved ones and celebrate the good fortune that has come your way throughout the year.

By making Black Friday all about Christmas, we shift the focus of Christmas from

being a time to celebrate family and religious beliefs to what gifts we get and how much monetary value they have. The holiday season has been ruined by the created importance of giving an abundance of expensive or pointless gifts that may not be in use three months later.

So much time and money is devoted to gifts that people forget exactly what it is they’re celebrating.

I nstead, it’s better to wait to get into the Christmas spirit. This way, Thanksgiving can be celebrated without the distraction of Christmas

shopping and you’re not sick of Christmas music before December even starts. For me, as fun as it is to listen to Christmas music, there are limits to how much I can listen to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You.” Watching Christmas movies becomes more exciting as the holiday comes closer, and Christmas decorations look better when there’s actually a chance for snow.

As much as I love Christmas, I love it for similar reasons to why I love Thanksgiving. It’s a time to be with people I care about

ALYSSA MCCORMICK • opinions contributor • freshman, computational modeling and data analytics

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and celebrate another year around the sun. So I wait, and you should too, because allowing ourselves to get caught up in the commercial Christmas hype separates us from what Christmas is really about, and we forget to be thankful for what we have.

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December 4, 2018 PAGE 3

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LOVELL: Keepers forbidden from seeing victim’s family from page 1

Keepers’ trial began on Sept. 17, 2018, and also lasted five days. Prior to the trial, Keepers pleaded guilty to concealment of a dead body. Keepers’ defense attorneys Kris Olin and John Robertson hoped that some evidence related to the concealment charge could be excluded in the trial in September.

During the trial, the prosecutors presented evidence including security photos of Keepers and Eisenhauer

at Cook Out, where they allegedly planned the murder, and Walmart, where the pair purchased a shovel, among other items.

In addition, the prosecutors also presented GPS data that mapped the pair’s route to Cook Out and Walmart, as well as a trip near Lovell’s home and a location off of Craig Creek Road where Lovell was reportedly later killed.

The defense made the claim that Keepers was in love with Eisenhauer and the murder would still happen even if Keepers was not

DAVID EISENHAUER

involved. However, Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Patrick Jensen presented a series of text

NATALIE KEEPERS

messages between Keepers and Eisenhauer following the murder of Lovell. In the messages, Keepers

instructed Eisenhauer to get some sleep because he deserved it. Jensen then exclaimed, “She’s proud!”

On the fourth day of the trial, the jury found Keepers guilty of accessory before the fact and recommended a 40-year sentence in prison.

Turk followed the jury’s r e c om m end a t ion a nd imposed the sentence.

Keepers pleaded guilty to concealment of a dead body in August. Turk added five years in prison for the concealment charge, but the term will be suspended after Keepers serves 40 years in

prison.

In addition, Keepers is also required to be supervised by a probation officer for 10 years after she serves her prison sentence and cannot have any contact with Lovell’s family.

@Zelia_Liu

Researchers breed new edamame for US production Researchers are developing new bean plants that can help the U.S. become a major competitor in the global edamame market.

TAHREEM ALAM

assistant news editor

Virginia Tech researchers are collaborating on a research project that focuses on growing stronger and sweeter edamame in the U.S. to boost edamame production and satisfy the growing number of edamame consumers.

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture has granted Bo Zhang, an assistant professor in the school of plant and environmental sciences at Virginia Tech, $3.7 million to study and generate new edamame breeds that both taste sweet and can be grown in the U.S. The research is taking place across three research institutions in the nation, including the University of Arkansas, the University of Missouri and Virginia Tech.

Currently, over 70 percent of the edamame in America is imported from countries such as China and Taiwan. Haibo Huang, an assistant professor in the food science and technology department, explained that the U.S. edamame market is expanding quickly as people are looking for new sources of proteins and dietary fibers.

But, the problem is the U.S. doesn’t have a good variety of edamame or

vegetable soybean products, which is the reason for the large importations.

“I think it is very important for us in the U.S. to develop our own best varieties of edamame,” Huang said. “This project is important because it is one of the first kind of multimillion dollar projects that’s including qualified, interdisciplinary scientists ... including crop, agriculture, economics (scientists) all working together to form a bigger team to tackle the grand challenges in this area.”

Additionally, Zhang, who is the principal investigator on this project, said the team has two main goals.

“One goal is that the varieties (of edamame) should have good plant structure suitable for harvest,” Zhang said. “The other specific goal is to meet the requirements of the customers.”

Forming better plant structure means growing edamame that are longer than current edamame plants so that they are easier to harvest with tractors.

Moreover, Zang and her team are working on developing edamame with smaller canopies, which are currently too wide.

Meeting the requirements of American customers includes growing edamame that have larger and sweeter

seeds. The team is testing hundreds of these beans to find the best edamame plant.

Moreover, the long-term goals are to increase the competitiveness of the edamame product in the international market. Susan Duncan, a professor in the food science and technology department whose expertise is in sensory evaluation, is guiding the research on how consumers feel and how they assess the edamame as they take it from the various breeding lines the researchers are creating.

According to Duncan, this study will become part of the opportunity to purchase American product as opposed to having to rely on imports. It can also help increase the American population’s awareness of edamame as a good source of nutrients, create economic growth and workforce development opportunities, and be a model for other products that need improvement along the local and mid-Atlantic region.

“What we daydream about is that we will help identify some good soybean varieties that can be used to produce fresh edamame for the American market,” Duncan said. “That it will create opportunities for alternative crops for our region and across the

COURTESY OF VT NEWS Assistant professor Bo Zhang and graduate student Nick Lord are working on a project to increase edamame production in the U.S.

country ... so this could be an opportunity to expand that market substantially and allow small businesses to grow higher.”

At the frontlines of this project are graduate students from interdisciplinary backgrounds, including those studying food science, plant pathology and agricultural economics.

Dajun Yu, a graduate student in the department of food science and technology, has taken part in the blanching process

and chemical analysis for measuring flavor. She analyzes the sugar content and the amino acid content, specifically the sucrose and the alanine in the edamame plants.

“For ou r g raduate students, it’s a really good opportunity to be involved in such a big project,” Yu said. “I think (this is) an opportunity for the graduate students (to be) involved in this project, to learn lots of things. I think that’s why I’m excited about this project,

I learned a lot and we’re excited to see what we will do (to) change the future situation of the edamame in the U.S. It’s exciting.”

@Tahreem304

Town-Gown meeting discusses local housing options Assistant to the town manager of Blacksburg Matt Hanratty sparked a conversation about affordable housing options in Blacksburg.

ARIADNE MANIKAS news staff writer

On Thursday, Nov. 29, the Blacksburg Town/ Gown team hosted its bi-monthly forum. The meeting was hosted in the new O’Shaughnessy Hall

classroom and was focused on the steps Blacksburg is taking to improve affordable housing within the town.

Matt Han ratty, the assistant to the town manager for the town of Blacksburg, opened up the meeting by explaining the

greatest issue with housing in Blacksburg. “( Bla ck sbu rg) is ultra-competitive,” Hanratty said. “What that means is there is not enough supply to meet the demand.

Some of that is driven by the university, but generally

CAROLINA HERNANDEZ / COLLEGIATE TIMES Town-Gown meeting discussion about “The Affordable Housing Puzzle” in O’Shaughnessy Residence Hall, Nov. 29, 2018.

speaking there is a shortage of supply. Houses that are adequate fly off the market very quickly.”

Data presented at the meeting shows that another challenge to affordable housing in Blacksburg is cost. The average sales price of a house in Blacksburg is $277,102. However, in Christiansburg and Radford, the average cost is significantly lower. A house in Blacksburg that costs $250,000 costs about $220,000 in Christiansburg and about $190,000 in Radford.

A f ford able housi ng means that a family does not pay more than 30 percent of their gross annual income toward housing costs.

However, according to Hanratty, in Blacksburg, the median income for a family of four is $69,800 meaning that over half of Blacksburg families cannot afford to own a home there.

Several communities have

been built as replacement affordable housing. Grissom Lane Apartments is a 55-and-older community with eight available units for rent. Cedar Hill Homes consist of 10 singlefamily homes. Fieldstone Apartments are rentals available to people 55 and older and single families.

The newest of these communities will be built by Habitat for Humanity and seven townhomes will be up for purchase.

However, with these adva nces, Black sbu rg is still losing affordable housing. Three previously project-based subsidized housing complexes, Shawnee, Lantern Ridge and Cambridge Square apartments, no longer accept the vouchers that low-income tenants need to pay rent there.

Another one of the biggest concerns with building more affordable housing in Blacksburg is whether

or not that housing will become student housing, be bought by investors to rent to students or be bought by alumni as a “game day condo.” Students can pay more per bedroom and are often willing to live in worse conditions than a family.

“Families that are impoverished struggle to find decent safe housing and they’re taken advantage of by their landlords,” Hanratty said. “That’s a struggle that we have in our community with student housing. It’s a similar phenomenon for much different reasons and much different population segments, but it’s something that relates to Blacksburg.”

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PAGE 4 December 4, 2018

SPORTS: Lack of football team to root for gives way to town-wide identity crisis from page 1

efforts are covered by something even greater than money: love. Even after a string of losses this season, Hokie fans remain steadfast in their possessive admiration of the team, constantly using the word “we” to cope with their heartbreak. “We” had a tough season, they’ll say, or “we’ll” come back next

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year. The way these Hokies talk about their team, it’s a miracle that almost none of them actually play for the team or coach it.

Anyway, now that Lane Stadium no longer blasts ear-splitting music or shoots off expensive fireworks every other week, campus really is quieter, sadder.

The weather is cold and bleak, and students shuffle to class, their eyes glazed over, a lingering sense of

depression following their every move.

Some may chalk up this misery to the impending doom of finals week — but no, really, it’s because football season is over.

And when football season is over, nothing is left.

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Honors student entertains fellow Hokies by performing banjo bops You can spot 16-year-old sophomore Monty Campbell showcasing his musical talents around Tech’s campus.

CELINA NG assistant design editor

Students at Virginia Tech have many hobbies that provide them with an outlet for creativity and allow them to de-stress after a long day. For Monty Campbell, a sophomore studying physics, playing instruments during his free time gives him an enjoyable break from his physics and math classes.

As if being a 16-year-old in the Honors College did not make Campbell stand out enough, he can play four instruments in total.

Campbell has been playing the banjo for three years, the low D whistle for two years, the mandolin for a year and the concertina, a free-reed instrument that is similar to an accordion, for six months. Although he could not bring the concertina to campus due to a lack of space and a case, he was able to bring his other three instruments. He practices about eight hours per week, and students might even see him strumming his banjo or mandolin around campus when it is warm outside.

“I think it is more relaxing to play outdoors because I do not want to annoy the people in my dorm (East Ambler Johnston). The building carries sound very easily, especially in the lounge, so I play the banjo and mandolin outdoors because they are loud instruments. However, I can play the low D whistle inside since it is not too loud.

I usually perform old-time and bluegrass music near D2, but I have not played outside as much recently

because it has been cold,” Campbell said.

Campbell’s mother has a D.M.A. (Doctor of Musical Arts) in flute performance, so he grew up in a household full of music. His parents wanted him to play an instrument, so he learned the banjo first because his mother had a banjo that she did not use often. Since Campbell enjoyed playing it, he decided to pick up more instruments. His mother has been influential in his pursuit of music by giving him new instruments and advice.

“My mother got the concertina from an auction, and I was able to learn a tune overnight. She has taught me the importance of tuning and playing instruments on time. Also, she demanded that I should memorize the music, which has helped me to avoid messing up in the middle of a performance and maintain steady rhythm,” Campbell said.

Campbell has Irish heritage on both sides of his family, and his mother performs at a traditional Irish music session at a pub in Harrisonburg every Sunday afternoon for two hours. About two months after learning the banjo, he started performing at the music session with his mother. He enjoys getting the opportunity to play all four instruments at the pub.

“I improve my skills by learning the technique from the other musicians, while I teach myself the actual music. A mandolin and banjo player named Dave Nealon (one of the other

pub performers) inspired my picking and backup chord technique. The same group of musicians usually comes every week, and we are a solid group in terms of our ability to play together.

We typically practice individually since the session is more recreational than a formal performance,” Campbell said.

Throughout his experiences of performing, his happiest moment was overcoming the challenge of learning a benchmark tune, “Gravel Walks,” which is often revered as difficult.

He was able to play it on his mandolin during a music session without making a mistake, which made him feel accomplished. In the future, Campbell hopes to save up enough money to learn how to play the bagpipes because he thinks that they sound cool and he likes to play traditional Scottish and Irish music.

As a result of Campbell’s musical upbringing and the opportunities it has given him, music holds a special place in his heart. He also has advice for aspiring musicians.

“For people who want to learn how to play an instrument, you should always tune your instruments. Also, if your fingers hurt, and you feel that your music needs improvement, then you are doing it right,” Campbell said.

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CELINA NG / COLLEGIATE TIMES Monty Campbell, a sophomore in physics, plays the banjo in East Ambler Johnston, Nov. 13, 2018.

ALEX NAGELI / COLLEGIATE TIMES Chick-fil-A waffle fries from Hokie Grill, Nov. 27, 2018.

Prized potatoes: The best french fries at Virginia Tech’s dining halls, from tasty taters to duds of spuds Our writer reviewed the french fries served at on-campus eateries. See which of your fave taters made the (crinkle) cut.

ALEXA BEMENT

sports bar experience from the convenience of campus.

In my time so far at Virginia Tech, one thing I have come to appreciate is the food. If you spend a few days trying out food on campus, you will understand why Tech consistently ranks in the top five colleges in the nation for on-campus dining. That said, one thing I can’t help but notice is how many different kinds of fries are available to us through VT dining, which begs the question: Which are the best and which are overrated?

With a sacrifice to my dining dollars, I set out into the blustering Blacksburg wind to answer this question for myself. And with some regret later, I now bring to the table the fruits of my labors.

But first up, some ground rules for my research: As the title suggests, this pertains only to fries found in the dining halls on campus; off campus is not covered in this guide. Also, no sauces were used in this test. I’m reviewing purely the fries as they stand on their own, as tempting as it is to dunk them in ketchup or even honey mustard. Last but not least, Dunkin’ Donuts’ fries and Burger ‘37’s sweet potato fries do not count and will not be covered.

Chik-fil-A (Hokie Grill) Chick-fil-A waffle fries on their own without any of the various Chick-fil-A sauces are pretty good.

The advertised sea salt addition makes for a unique seasoning compared to others, one that appeals to the taste buds in most cases of fry cravings. There’s a good reason people always line up for these fries in Hokie Grill — it’s hard to deny the appeal of the waffle fries, at least until a couple inevitably fall out of the open containers.

lifestyles staff writer

Fighting Gobbler (West End) Fighting Gobbler fries are about what you’d expect from an eatery that’s going for sports-bar style, at least minus the curly fries — whether eaten in or taken out, these spuds are seasoned to give a very slight kick and flood the senses with all the associations of a sports bar, from the TVs on the wall and the eager crowd to the flavor of a burger to go with the fries. While not my personal favorite, they go over well when I desire to have a

Flip’s (Owens Food Court) Flip’s fries have been one of my personal favorites besides Chick-fil-A’s. They go well with the burgers served there, and while I’m not sure what they’re seasoned with, it sets them apart from all other fries on this list in a similar manner to Chick-fil-A’s fries. The flavor is rich, soaking in the very essence of being a fry.

While I wouldn’t say they have the universal flavor appeal of Chick-fil-A’s, they are great to be savored if you are in the mood.

DX (Exactly What It Says On The Tin) DX fries taste a bit different than the rest on the list. They are pretty much what you’d expect for a dining institution situated for convenience and late night purchases — serving their purpose as fries, but not trying to be anything more. They’re to be appreciated when one has a fry craving at 1 a.m., but during the daytime, you’re better off going to another dining hall for fries.

Philly City (Owens Food Court) I discovered Philly City’s

fries by accident when Flip’s was out of theirs, and I am glad for the opportunity, or else I may not have ever noticed they existed. Philly City’s fries are seasoned in a similar, yet very distinct way to Fighting Gobbler’s.

As weird as it sounds, their flavor vaguely reminds me of macaroni and cheese.

They’re not my personal first pick compared to Fighting Gobbler’s, but they still represent the fry food group well.

Burger ‘37 (Squires) I’ve heard conflicting opinions on Burger ‘37’s fries. Some people say they like them, but I personally haven’t found the appeal.

They lack a clear flavor compared to any other fry on this list, and tend to be oddly semi-soggy as well.

Perhaps I’m just missing something or have gotten a bad bunch multiple times, but they don’t hold up to the other fries available on campus.

If I were, in my unprofessional opinion, to sort the campus fries into a ranking, I would sort them into a high and a middle tier of quality as follows: High tier: Chick-fil-A, Flip’s, Fighting Gobbler Middle tier: Philly City, DX, Burger ‘37 This is my humble opinion. Fries are a universal food, and we’ve got plenty of them here on campus — so why not venture out, enjoy a bit of fry action and draw your own conclusions?

@CreativeWinds

editor@collegiatetimes.com

December 4, 2018 PAGE 5

collegiatetimes.com

Goodbye Grad: Finding a home (and lots of spelling errors) at the CT Hannah Goode has been the backbone of the editing process at the Collegiate Times since her sophomore year at Tech.

HANNAH GOODE copy editor

I spent the majority of my freshman year at Virginia Tech freaking out — just ask my mom, whom I sometimes called multiple times a day. I felt crushed under the pressure of having to decide what to major in, what to get involved in and what to do with my life.

It wasn’t until sophomore year that I started to make some decisions. Along with deciding to major in professional and technical writing, deciding to join the Collegiate Times was one of the smartest decisions I made, and it defined my college experience.

I could not imagine my life without going to Sunday production or checking pages every week, although now unfortunately I will have to. Working for the CT has helped me discover my affinity for editing, which is one of the few things I have been genuinely passionate about in my life.

It may be strange that I find myself getting excited about learning an AP Style rule (did you know that in french fry, french is lowercase because it refers to the style of the cut instead of the country? It’s truly riveting stuff) or reading a book about grammar (yes, sometimes I read books about grammar for fun), but that’s how I know that I love

what I do.

P.S. Sorry, AP Style, for using so many parentheses, which I know you loathe.

Did I at least get the other punctuation correct?

I have especially enjoyed my position as copy editor because I get to closely read every article from every section and help ensure that it is the best it can be before publication. I learn about topics that I may not have otherwise, and I am able to experience the different writing styles and formatting that characterize each section. In this way, I feel connected to every staff member and every aspect of the production process.

I also love seeing what our hard-working and talented writers bring to life with each new article, and the punny headlines and eye-catching designs our creative editors come up with.

The CT has challenged me on numerous occasions, not only professionally, but also personally. I never thought I would be the type of person who enjoys going to a party or going downtown, but that’s probably because I never had the right people to go with. I found the right people in the CT staff, and I only wish my social anxiety hadn’t prevented me from attending more events when I first joined.

Joining the CT has also helped me become a

more confident person and determine what I am looking for in a career. I feel like I am making a difference, and I feel a great sense of pride every time I see someone pick up a paper or share an article on Facebook.

I have learned how important journalism is in informing the public and sparking discussion, and how hard journalists work to make this happen. For full-time students, working for the CT is a major time commitment, but there is no doubt in my mind that it’s worth it for what you get out of it and what it helps you bring into the world.

Because I admire and appreciate every member of the staff, including writers, editors and photographers, I originally wanted to refrain from mentioning anyone in particular in this piece.

However, I have to mention Meg and Jess, who helped train me when I was a wee assistant copy editor who was scared of the newsroom because it was filled with loud editors — I now realize that they were loud because they were comfortable with one another and were passionate about the work they were doing. Meg and Jess, I have enjoyed seeing both of you excel in various roles over the past couple years.

I also have to give a shoutout to Becky and Alyssa, who are the best

study break Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

DOWN 1 Obey an eviction notice 2 “He scammed me!”

3 Neon diner sign 4 Food service giant 5 College faculty head 6 End of a professor’s URL 7 Italian scooter 8 Playwright Eugene 9 Emmy winner Steve of “60 Minutes” 10 “Good shot!”

11 Quito’s country 12 Crayola Factory’s Pennsylvania home 15 Trains over the street 17 Running rate 21 Unified whole, in psychology 23 Film title “Citizen” 27 Trappings of royalty 29 One of a calendar septet 32 Incoming flight info

not trying to write articles sooner, now is not the time for regret. Now is the time to reflect on and celebrate all the amazing experiences I have had as part of the CT staff, and all the memories I hope to never forget.

I am super sad to be leaving everyone, but I promise I will be back to visit and will never stop keeping up with the CT and all the excellent work its staff is doing.

Like I was when I started college, I am freaking out as I prepare to say goodbye.

However, this time I know I will be “all right” (ugh, AP Style, that is truly ugly) because joining the CT is proof that I am capable of making good decisions.

@CollegiateTimes

Holiday Season

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

12/4/18

By Agnes Davidson and C.C. Burnikel

co-editors I could ask for and always make the newsroom fun and interesting. I am proud of both of you for all your accomplishments in your chosen fields, as different as they are, and I know you will continue to do great things.

This semester has gone by faster than I thoughs possible, and I have tried to cherish every moment.

Although I could regret not joining the CT sooner or

Today’s Birthday Horoscope (Dec. 4): Dreams and visions articulated this year last for a decade. Focused financial attention grows prosperity. Adapt to work and health changes.

Hit the jackpot this winter, before launching your next adventure. Summer collaborations reap extra largesse, inviting new income sources. Grow what you love.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

FOR RELEASE DECEMBER 4, 2018

ACROSS 1 Fights (for) 5 “Whip It” rock band 9 __-slapper: funny joke 13 On the road 14 Biblical paradise 15 Dr. Hahn on “Grey’s Anatomy” 16 Hesitation from Sylvester?

18 Center of activity 19 Fireplace receptacle 20 Accomplishment

by Porky?

22 Former Fox TV series set in Newport Beach 23 Curly cabbage 24 Minor flap 25 Ringing organ, at times 26 Detergent brand 28 ’60s hallucinogen 30 Pierre’s negative 31 Near-failing mark 33 Reach its destination, as a trip 35 Slim candle 37 Affirmative from Tony?

40 Royal crown 42 Slim fish 43 Tech sch. near Albany, N.Y. 46 Win, place or show 47 Seasonal shelf sitter 49 __ moment’s notice 51 Curved shape 53 “Frozen” sister 55 Charged particles 57 One of Crayola’s hundreds 59 Story from Remy?

61 Greek goddess of wisdom 62 “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” musical 63 Water source for Simba?

65 Fainthearted 66 Fairy tale heavy 67 Out of the wind 68 “Frozen” reindeer 69 “That was close!”

70 Scottish monster’s loch

TAHREEM ALAM / COLLEGIATE TIMES Hannah Goode is graduating this December with a Bachelor of Arts in Professional and Technical Writing. Hannah is a copy editor and has been part of the Collegiate Times for two and a half years, Dec. 2, 2018.

Previous Puzzle Solved Monday’s Puzzle Solved

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Mistletoe Presents Snow Stockings

Family Joy Snowflake Ornaments

Wreath Mittens Cocoa Fireplace

Brewster Rockit: Space Guy! by Tim Rickard

©2018 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

34 “The Chronic” rapper, familiarly 36 Each 38 Rage 39 Red and Yellow 40 Israeli port on the Mediterranean 41 “The hour has arrived” 44 Brewpub draft 45 Unexpected turns of events

12/4/18

46 Special Forces headgear 48 Abide by 50 Plays a part 52 Construction site sights 54 “The Lord of the Rings” actor Sean 56 Horse’s mouthful?

58 “Not again!”

60 Smidgen 61 From the top 64 Portland’s st.

xkcd by Randall Munroe

xkcd.com

PAGE 6 December 4, 2018

collegiatetimes.com

editor@collegiatetimes.com

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sports

editor@collegiatetimes.com

collegiatetimes.com

December 4, 2018 PAGE 7

collegiatetimes.com/sports

No. 13 Hokies rebound, outgun CCSU Blue Devils After 28 assists and a school-record of 18 3-pointers, Virginia Tech shoots Central Connecticut State out of Cassell.

DILLON CAMPBELL assistant sports editor

Bouncing back from their down-to-the-wire 63–62 loss at Penn State in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, No. 13 Virginia Tech men’s ba sketba l l outg u n ne d Central Connecticut State 94–40 in the first-ever meeting between the two schools, moving to 6–1 on the season.

“The spirit in how we played was arguably as good as we’ve played all season,” Virginia Tech head coach Buzz Williams said. “I think this is one of the better (performances from) start to finish and our spirit, our body language, our togetherness on both ends has been regardless of opponent.”

Kerry Blackshear Jr., who finished with 18 points, started off on a tear, scoring 12 of Virginia Tech’s first 17 points. The 6’10” forward converted on everything from an and-one layup and 3-pointers to a no-look finger roll. Blackshear’s strong play forced the Central Connecticut defense to collapse into the paint, which opened up the floor for Virginia Tech’s shooters.

“At the start of the game, I got into a solid rhythm,” Blackshear said. “After that,

they started going through me a little bit and that opened it up for my teammates. I got four other guys who can score, so that makes it easy for me.”

From then on, Virginia Tech fans had their umbrellas out inside Cassell because it was raining in the gym. The Hokies made nine threes in the first half on 60 percent shooting with Ahmed Hill, Nickeil A lexa nder-Wa l ker, Ty Outlaw and Blackshear each hitting two apiece and Wabissa Bede getting in on the fun with one as well.

After the first media timeout, Virginia Tech was up just 10–8 on Central Connecticut, however, the Hokies outscored the Blue Devils 39–15 the rest of the half, taking a 49–23 lead into the locker room for halftime.

Starting right where they left off, the Hokies’ 3-point barrage continued into the second half behind Hill’s sweet stroking from beyond the arc. The 6’5” guard caught nothing but nylon on his first three 3-pointers of the second half, setting the tone for the rest of team. Hill, who didn’t score against Penn State, finished with a team-leading 24 points. Subsequently, Isaiah

Wilkins, Alexander-Walker and Bede followed suit with each of them hitting a three, seemingly putting the game out of reach.

The Hokies finished shooting 18–33, a staggering 54.5 percent and a school record for 3-pointers made in a game, from 3-point land, while the Blue Devils shot 7–26, a meager 26.9 percent, from downtown.

Virginia Tech can attribute its great ball movement to its knockdown shooting and coming out with the win, dishing out 28 assists as a team, including a school-best 13 from Justin Robinson, who came off the bench and registered just one assist to six turnovers in Happy Valley.

“I think we’ve got to utilize this month to answer some questions that haven’t been posed yet,” Williams said. “We’ve got to figure out what those questions are before they arise.”

On Military Appreciation Day, Virginia Tech will return to action against VMI at Cassell Coliseum on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. in game two of the Hokies’ three-game home stint.

MEHHER HASNANY / COLLEGIATE TIMES Ty Outlaw (42) looks for an open teammate to pass the ball to during the second half of the Virginia Tech vs. Central Connecticut men’s basketball game, Dec. 1, 2018.

@CTSportsTalk

MEHHER HASNANY / COLLEGIATE TIMES Ahmed Hill (13) drives to the basket during the second half of the Virginia Tech vs.

Central Connecticut men’s basketball game, Dec. 1, 2018.

MEHHER HASNANY / COLLEGIATE TIMES Isaiah Wilkins (1) sprints to gain possession of the ball during the second half of the Virginia Tech vs. Central Connecticut men’s basketball game, Dec. 1, 2018.

Hokie wrestling competes at Cliff Keen Invitational Coming in at No.13 at one of the tougher tournaments of the season, the Hokies finished with three place-winner trophies.

NICHOLAS HATCH sports staff writer

The Virginia Tech wrestling team took a trek out to Las Vegas, Nevada, for a tournament at the Cliff Keen Invitational this weekend. Five of the Hokie grapplers earned pre-seeds prior to start, and Virginia Tech looked to boast a Cliff Keen champion for the fourth season in a row, but was unable to keep this streak alive. The Cliff Keen has a reputation for being one of the toughest fields of any tournament during the season, excluding only that of the NCAA, due in part to the multitude of nationally ranked opponents competing.

Tech entered Vegas as the No. 13 team in the nation following its second straight ACC championship prior to the start

of the season under coach Tony Robie. Competing for the Hokies was 141-pound Mitch Moore, who provided a key upset in last year’s ACC Championship along with redshirt-senior Zack Zavatsky. Zavatsky finished sixth in the nation last year at 184 pounds and claimed the title of NCAA All-American while also reigning as the NCAA champion two years straight during the 2016–17 campaigns.

Zavatsky along with Korbi n Myers, Rya n Blees, Mekhi Lewis and Tom Sleigh each earned a pre-seed at their specific weight class. At 165 pounds, Lewis was defeated by Isaiah White, one of the nation’s top-ranked wrestlers out of Nebraska, in a 2–0 decision. Additionally, Zavatsky would continue his dominance yet fall short

of the podium, placing fourth after an early defeat

by Northern Iowa’s No. 10 ranked Drew Foster.

Zavatsky would finish 6–2 in the tournament. Redshirtsenior Sleigh would be the final Hokie to place at the Cliff Keen Invitational, finishing seventh in his 197-pound weight class and falling short to wrestlers out of Clarion University and the University of Virginia.

Overall, the Virginia Tech wrestlers showed out against many of the top competitors in the nation, resulting in three place-winner trophies along with a tie for 11th place with 84.5 points as a team. The Hokies will look to gain on this performance and dominate even more in a duel against Princeton, Dec. 7. @CTSportsTalk

COURTESY OF HOKIESPORTS

editor@collegiatetimes.com

collegiatetimes.com

EXTRA POINT

THE

PAGE 8 December 4, 2018

MARSHALL: Hokies roll over Thundering Herd Saturday from page 1

touchdown drive that ended with a 46-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Willis to Hezekiah Grimsley. After this, the two sides would exchange three and outs until Marshall got something going thanks to a 67-yard carry by running back Brenden Knox that was nearly a touchdown by Watts. Knox would then punch the ball in from the goal line, but Marshall would miss the extra point, keeping them at six points.

Virginia Tech’s offense would remain hot in the second quarter when Willis found Tre Turner for a 45-yard score to take the lead

17–6. The Marshall offense attempted to respond but was unable to break the Virginia Tech defense.

Marshall running back Brenden Knox was gashing the Hokies up front, but the defense did just enough to prevent them from scoring for the remainder of the half.

In the meantime, Willis added two more passing touchdowns, connecting with Steven Peoples and Eric Kumah, respectively.

Willis would finish with 312 yards and four touchdowns, and the Hokies would go into the half with a 31–6 lead.

Tech’s offense remained hot to start the second half when Willis connected with Turner for a 38-yard

completion on only the second play of the half. The team would have to settle for a field goal though after Grimsley dropped a pass that looked like it would be a sure touchdown.

Marshall showed that they still had some fight in them in the final 15 minutes when quarterback Isaiah Green found Xavier Gaines for a 34-yard touchdown to make the score 34–13.

However, the Hokies would counter a few drives later when Jalen Holston ripped off a 40-yard touchdown run.

Marshall was able to get one more score on a 5-yard touchdown run from Knox. Knox finished the game with 204 yards on the

ground and two scores.

Willis notched his third 300-yard passing game of the season, but when asked about it after the game, he did not want to focus on it.

“This was a team win; I don’t want to talk about myself,” he said.

Willis also said he felt relieved that they were able to extend the team’s consecutive bowl appearance streak. His yards were supplemented by the freshman wide receiver Turner, who led all receivers with 99 yards and a touchdown on three catches.

@CTSportsTalk

ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES Tre Turner (25) is tackled by Marshall’s Jestin Morrow (22) as he attempts to run the ball, Dec. 1, 2018.

Willis, offense ignites Lane Stadium with 41 points Quarterback Ryan Willis threw four touchdown passes in the Hokies’ electrifying performance in their last regular season game.

DEVIN SHEPARD sports staff writer

Virginia Tech extended its bowl streak to 26 years on Saturday, as it went on to beat

Marshall 41–20. The Hokies have been known for their lunch pail defense and their ability to stop anyone who comes into Lane Stadium.

However, what was probably

ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES Hokies’ quarterback Ryan Willis (5) evades a flurry of Marshall defense as he runs the ball, Dec. 1, 2018.

most surprising about this game was Virginia Tech’s first-half offense. A Hokie offense that has struggled at times this season smashed the 22nd ranked Thundering Herd defense to pieces, piling up 306 yards in the first half. Virginia Tech looked like a different team this week as it had no trouble moving the ball and its offensive game plan flowed beautifully in a game that arguably meant more than any other this season.

Quarterback Ryan Willis had one of his best games this season, throwing 18 of 26 with 312 yards and four touchdowns. He was phenomenal in spreading the ball around, throwing completions to seven different receivers—four of them catching a touchdown.

His timing was great on play action throws and he moved around in the pocket well.

He was not afraid to take shots down the field and

continuously took what the defense gave him, hardly forcing any throws. As a player who walked on and was not expected to play this season, Willis really showed how much he has improved this season and what a journey he has taken in his time at Virginia Tech.

The running game also seemed to have new life in the first half of Saturday’s game, and the force behind it may surprise some people.

Redshirt-sophomore running back Deshawn McClease carried the ball for the most times since week five vs. Duke, and he did not disappoint.

Looking at the box score, one might think Steven Peoples’ outstanding game is what sparked the rushing attack, as he finished with 78 yards on 14 carries.

However, McClease got the team moving, turning multiple would-be tackles for loss into short gains and

working well as a receiver out of the backfield. He also had a long 54-yard reception near the end of the first half that set Peoples up for a rushing touchdown. If the Hokies continue to utilize this two-headed backfield, they should have a real chance in their bowl game.

Lastly, and maybe most importantly, offensive coordinator Brad Cornelsen’s game plan for Saturday was masterful. He established the run early, forcing the Marshall defense to have to be aggressive to stop Virginia Tech’s running backs. This opened up the play action passing game, which the Hokies took advantage of by utilizing Willis’ arm strength to attack the Thundering Herd deep. The play calling seemed to be more creative and complex than usual, and it worked like a charm.

Cornelsen even found ways to run the ball with

his receivers, with Tre Turner running the ball three times, and Hezekiah Grimsley getting the ball on a sweep once. The game plan allowed the offense to confuse the defense and neutralize Marshall’s safeties and linebackers.

Virginia Tech’s offense was dominant throughout the first half of Saturday’s contest and probably would have continued to be if they had not decided to play it safe in the second. This bodes well as the Hokies try to finish the season strong and head into 2019 with an older roster and some good momentum. If they keep this up in the bowl game, they can finish out a once sad season on a great 3–0 note.

@CTSportsTalk

Hokies now own longest active bowl streak in the country

TAYO OLADELE / COLLEGIATE TIMES Hokies’ Ryan Willis (5) makes a touchdown pass to Eric Kumah (83) in the game against Marshall, Dec. 1, 2018.

ANTHONY WU / COLLEGIATE TIMES Hezekiah Grimsley (6) is lifted into the air by Dalton Keene (29) as they celebrate a touchdown. The Hokies won 41–20 over the Thundering Herd, Dec. 1, 2018.

ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES Hokies’ Rayshard Ashby (23) and Dax Hollifield (4), and Marshall’s Armani Levias (15) react to a fumbled ball, Dec. 1, 2018.

ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES Zachariah Hoyt (75) holds off Marshall’s defense, allowing Jalen Holston (13) to push toward the end zone, Dec. 1, 2018.