ECU01/18

Carolinian

Parking plans implemented in Uptown

A proposed parking plan was approved on June 27, 2022 and was set to be implemented in Uptown Greenville, North Carolina, but after local business owners feared a drop in tourism because of the changes, Greenville City Council temporarily altered the plans to accommodate them.

Public Information Officer for the City of Greenville Brock Letchworthsaid the original parking plan was altered due to a lot of confusion about where employees, residents and tourists were supposed to park and when to pay.

ECU to celebrate its 26th annual

Polar Bear Plunge tomorrow night

studies, they have four different shirts to remember the tradition by," Gregory said.

The 26th annual Polar Bear Plunge will be hosted by East Carolina University’s Campus Recreation & Wellness (CRW) tomorrow at 6:30 p.m., where students, faculty and staff will have the chance to jump into the ice cold water of the Eakin Student Recreation Center’s (ESRC) outdoor pool.

Jenny Gregory, CRW senior assistant director of communications and promotions, said the event is hosted to celebrate the ESRC‘s birthday.

“We opened our facility in January 1997 and the Polar Bear Plunge was the first event that we had for the grand opening of this building,” Gregory said.

During the event, Gregory said the main attraction is to jump into the CRW outdoor pool into freezing cold water. She said students, staff and faculty can jump into the icy water in groups after a 25 second countdown.

“Together, they will do a countdown and jump into the pool. When they get out and come back inside, each participant will get a T-shirt. Some students jump every year so that at the end of their college

Everyone who wants to be a part of this ECU tradition can sign up on the CRW website, Gregory said. She said students, staff and faculty can sign up at the ESRC on the day of the event as well.

CRW Program Manager Mackenzie Hudson said taking part in one of ECU’s most popular traditions is her favorite part of the Polar Bear Plunge.

“Jumping into a pool full of freezing cold water is something I have never imagined before,” Hudson said. “It’s way out of my comfort zone but feeling the adrenaline rush through my veins and being a part of this ECU tradition makes it totally worth it.”

Hudson has been participating in the annual tradition since her freshman year, she said, and her first jump was during the COVID-19 in 2020.

Ever since then, Hudson said she has been looking forward to celebrating the ESRC’s birthday again.

Hudson said the CRW has put a lot of work into organizing this event. She

said she hopes many students will take advantage of being a part of the tradition.

“I just love going to the Polar Bear Plunge,” Hudson said. “With the music in the background, playing games and just hanging out with other people, it makes it so memorable. I also really enjoy the feeling of jumping into the indoor pool after the ice jump. Everything is just so fun.”

For Alayna Pettit, freshman intended nursing major, she said it’s going to be her first time attending ECU's annual Polar Bear Plunge.

Pettit said she first heard of the event during the first week of school, from a friend of hers who is a sophomore.

The way her friend was talking about the tradition motivated her to try it herself and she's very excited about it Pettit said.

“This year is my first year at ECU and I’m trying to participate in all the cool things the school has to offer,” Pettit said. “I’m looking forward to jumping into the water with my friends.”

“For the new plan there are a couple different options,” Letchworth said. “One of them is parking for the public, just general visitors in the area, the other would be reserved parking for employees and residents in the downtown area, employers, those types of folks.”

Letchworth said visitors to the Uptown area have the choice between on-street parking, the nine surface lot parking areas owned by the city and one parking garage on the corner of E. Fourth Street and Cotanche Street.

Following complaints from business owners in early January, the one hour of free parking was changed to two hours, Letchworth said.

After the first two hours, Letchworth said visitors will still be charged 75 cents per hour and can remain parked for an unlimited amount of time, with the exception of the Chico’s parking lot which has a three hour maximum. He said those parking on the street will have to pay more, though all parking north of Third Street will be free.

“The period of time that was going to be kind of an educational period that was just going to last through January has been extended through March and the issuing of warnings and citations will begin in April and full enforcement starting May 1,” Letchworth said.

The reserved and unreserved parking is for employees, residents and business owners Uptown, Letchworth said, and it allows for people to purchase spots in one of the surface lots.

Each resident can buy one reserved parking spot for an annual price of $840, Letchworth said, while employers can buy a maximum of 10 unreserved parking spots for $240 per permit per year.

“We changed the payment option for it, and we started utilizing Passport (a smartphone app) for paying for the hourly parking,” Letchworth said.

There is also a phone number to be called if someone doesn’t have a smartphone as well, Letchworth said, which can also be used to pay.

Women's basketball hosts Cincinnati tonight

Kiarra Crayton TEC STAFF

East Carolina University women’s basketball (12-6, 3-2 American Athletic Conference) gears up to host the University of Cincinnati (7-10, 0-4 AAC) tonight at 6 in Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum and will be streamed on ESPN+.

The Pirates have not played Cincinnati this season but took the win against the Bearcats in both games during the 2021-2022 season.

The last meeting between the teams was on Feb. 19, 2022, in which East Carolina won 68-57 in Cincinnati, Ohio, at Fifth Third Arena. In the first quarter, the Bearcats were held to six points but averaged 17 points over the next three quarters. The Pirates ended with double the percentage (30.8%) over Cincinnati (15.0%) in three-pointers.

Former ECU graduate student guard Raven Johnson led the game with 22 points and went 7-17 in field goals. This was the highest of the season in points, field goals attempted and field goals made in the season. She also went 6-9 in free throws, which was her highest of the season.

Cincinnati is six teams below ECU in the American because they have not won a conference game, alongside the University of Central Florida (10-6, 1-3 AAC). The University of South Florida (16-4, 5-0 AAC) is in the No.1 spot and undefeated in the conference.

attempted to field goals made (10-26) and played her first entire game of the season.

During the last four games for East Carolina, McNeal has dropped at least 20 points in each with her low of 20 being in the first of four games against the University of Memphis (10-8, 2-3 AAC) on Jan. 3 and her high against Temple on Jan. 11.

The first score of the SMU game was off a defensive rebound from the Pirates. The Mustangs took the lead early in the quarter after the score was tied 4-4. In the second quarter, East Carolina scored the first seven points.

McNeal scored back-to-back over a minute to help the Pirates make a comeback. With two minutes to go in the third, East Carolina got within four points of the lead but couldn’t grab it from SMU. There was five minutes to go in the fourth when the Pirates tied the game and the teams battled back and forth until the final seconds of regulation.

ECU had the lead for 17 seconds in overtime before the Mustangs tied the game back. SMU scored with 29 seconds left and kept the 68-66 lead for the win.

The next meeting between Cincinnati and ECU will be on Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. in Cincinnati.

ECU’s latest game against Southern Methodist University (SMU) (12-5, 3-2 AAC) on Saturday in Moody Coliseum at Dallas, Texas ended in an 68-66 overtime loss. At the half, the Pirates were down 38-22 and made a comeback and scored 37 points to tie the game.

Senior guard Danae McNeal posted 26 points, made four three-point shots and shot 100% at the free throw line. Her highest of the season was on Jan. 11 against Temple University (7-9, 2-2 AAC) in which she had 28 points. She had her highest of the season in field goals

Kim Kassner TEC STAFF

Julia Lawson TEC STAFF

HALIE MILLER I THE EAST CAROLINIAN

The Polar Bear Plunge will take place tomorrow night at 6:30 for students, faculty and staff of the East Carolina University community.

COURTESY OF ECUPIRATES

Senior guard Danae McNeal takes three-point shot from the corner against double coverage from Temple.

SGA to hold student assembly

Today, the Student Government Association will hold their weekly student assembly meeting. The meeting will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. in Ballroom C of the Main Campus Student Center.

Study abroad to host information session today

Today, ECU study abroad will host an information session for students regarding many aspects of the study abroad process. The event will take place at 4 p.m. in the International House.

WGO to hold stalking awareness speech

Today, the Women and Gender Office and the ECU Police Department will hold a safety speech for Stalking Awareness Month. The event will be held at 4:30 p.m., in the Black Box Theater.

Joyner Library to host Bystander Intervention

Friday, a session will be held to teach individuals how to be an active bystander and ways to safely intervene. The session will review harassment and ways to recognize these behaviors in Joyner Library at at 11 a.m.

CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS

A day of racial healing recognized

The National Day of Racial Healing was celebrated yesterday in East Carolina University’s Main Campus Student Center in an effort made by students, faculty and staff to acknowledge the pain experienced by communities of color and encourage racial unity.

Tamra Church, teaching instructor for the Health and Human Performance Department (HEP), said she planned the event which included a screening of last year's National Racial Healing Day event and a documentary highlighting the many ways communities across the U.S. are working to heal centuries of racial inequality.

“The whole idea of this is coming together, really to allow people that creative freedom to share what they want,” Church said.

Tables were set up by about 20 different departments to assist students and guests as they discussed their feelings about racial healing in an effort to assist in creating a safe environment.

The main goal of the event was to encourage students, staff and faculty to share their experiences with racial healing, Church said, as well as to celebrate diversity.

Jodi Quemelen, a graduate student working towards her masters degree in public health, works for the wellbeing team at ECU’s Campus Recreation & Wellness.

Quemelen said she was at the event to promote a mental health exercise for the individuals that have suffered from racial inequality and stigmas against them.

“We’re doing a mental health exercise where we are trashing our insecurities about some racial misconceptions that others have made about us in the past,” Quemelen said.

The event gives people of color an opportunity to meet others from campus they have not met before, Quemelen said, as well as to find a community of others who have endured racism.

Quemelen said the National Day of Racial Healing event is for everybody and is an opportunity to educate the masses on a variety of racial misconceptions, racial injustices from the past and those still being perpetrated in the present.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Quemelen said she was a part of the MLK Day of Service and went around campus doing acts of charity for those in need.

John Dixon, associate professor with the dance program at the School of Theatre and Dance, volunteered to work the table being run by the theatre department at the event.

As a university it is important to address the process of racial healing, Dixon said, as well as acknowledge the deep racial issues which have existed and continue to exist within the university institution and American society as a whole.

“We (ECU) need these times and important occasions to come together and acknowledge the work that we’re doing, and acknowledge the goals and commitments that we’re making to further improve our racial equality and inclusion,” Dixon said.

The main goal of the National Day of Racial Healing event was to allow students to see what work the university is putting in to ensure student’s of all backgrounds feel accepted, Dixon said, and allow them to also give their input on what more can be done.

Andy Bonilareyes, freshman intended nursing major, said the National Day of Racial Healing event is important for all students on campus.

Bonilareyes said he thinks the best way for the ECU community to learn more about one another and their struggles with racial tension is through communication.

The best way to bridge the racial divide is to learn more about one another and acknowledge our differences, Bonilareyes said, as well as our various similarities.

“The reason I’m attending the racial healing event is because I want people to know their differences and at the end of the day we’re all human beings so we should all know our differences and where we come from,” Bonilareyes said.

CRIME LOGS

Note: The East Carolinian Crime Logs are derived from East Carolina University Police Department’s (ECU PD) public crime logs accessible to all individuals. Crime Logs are done within the partnership of ECU PD and The East Carolinian, as this publication is meant to act as an additional resource for Pirate Nation. Below are listings of criminal activity that has occured on or within proximity of main campus.

Jan. 14, 2023

Possession of Marijuana < 1/2 oz. was found at Clement Residence Hall at 1:04 a.m. and was cleared/prosecution declined.

On College Hill Dr. Possession of Fraudulent ID and Underage Drinking was cleared by citation at 2:28 a.m.

A Warrant Service for Other Agency was cleared by arrest at 9:32 p.m. on Third St. and Meade St.

Underage Drinking (x3) was found on Founders Dr. near Whichard Bldg and cleared by citation (x3) at 10:46 p.m.

Jan. 15, 2023

A Weapon on Campus (Misdemeanor) (x2) was found on Fifth St. and Founders Dr. at midnight and was cleared by citation (x2).

At Still Life Club, Larceny charges were found, and has an Open Investigation following it as the incident occurred between 1 and 1:15 a.m.

Injury to Real Property was found at Fletcher Residence Hall at 11:58 a.m.and the investigation went inactive.

PARK continued from A1

Judy Edwards is the owner of Catalog Connection, a local business in uptown Greenville, and she said she and many other local business owners are displeased with the proposed parking plan, even following the new changes made by Greenville City Council last Monday

“In the past we (business owners) have paid for our employees to park and it was $75 a year, which I thought was a lot, because some only work like 12 hours a week,” Edwards said.

The cost of parking for employees has more than tripled, Edwards said, which has now been raised to $240 a year.

Employees at Catalog Connection have tried sharing one parking spot, Edwards said, but it doesn’t work because her employees are students at East Carolina University and their conflicting class schedules interfere with their ability to acquire the permit from their co-worker.

“If they could share it would be one thing, but it’s just hard to share when it's not the same person everyday, it’s just very hard for our people to remember to change (permits) when they don’t even know who they're giving it to,” Edwards said.

Many other employers in the area are having similar problems, Edwards said, because most businesses uptown employ students.

Edwards said the proposed parking plan also discourages people from shopping at Catalog Connection because they’re now having to pay for parking for longer time periods.

“They (Greenville City Officials) tried working out the system, and I understand that they have tried, but it’s still not working for my store,” Edwards said.

Mayor of Greenville P.J. Connelly said the proposed plan was created to support the growing city as more tourism, businesses and housing options are expected to be coming to uptown Greenville.

Connelly said one of the main complaints made by both Greenville residents and visitors was the lack of parking available in the uptown area.

“The reason behind trying to create a proposed plan was to be able to create more turnover and make sure that people were not parking in certain parking places all day long,” Connelly said.

There will be mixed emotions about this proposed plan, Connelly said, as some will be grateful for the extra parking spaces. However, he said local business owners have expressed their disdain with aspects of the plan, but the city is working with them to find better ways to satisfy their needs.

The parking plan was not designed with the intention of hurting local businesses, Connelly said, and the City of Greenville is still currently working to better accommodate them.

“I just ask people are patient with the process, I think that there’s a lot of things that we’re gonna learn through this process, we’ll make sure that we make any modifications that we need to so it doesn’t hurt anybody down there,” Connelly said.

This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.

Local construction stirs controversy for Greenville businesses

Eli Baine TEC STAFF

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and the City of Greenville, North Carolina Dickinson Avenue construction project that began last September has spurred concerns among small business owners in the area regarding the project's impact on foot traffic.

NCDOT resident engineer Sarah Lentine said she acts as the project manager for the Dickinson Avenue construction. She said most of the road work construction is taking place underground.

“Currently Dickinson Avenue has some issues below the surface of the pavement that has continually caused some issues with potholing and issues with the pavement because of the underlying materials,” Lentine said.

The NCDOT is also upgrading the area’s drainage system to prevent flooding, Lentine said. She said the sewer and water utilities will also be updated.

Sidewalks around Dickinson Avenue will be widened to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Lentine said, and handicap ramps around intersections will also be added. She said the construction project does not only include improvements to the road itself.

“We’ll also be adding plants and trees, and towards the Uptown (Greenville) area there is a very small park being put in,” Lentine said.

Local motorists trying to reach some of the local businesses on Dickinson Avenue are permitted to drive through the construction site with safety, Lentine said. She said other drivers only intending to drive through the area are placed on a detour around the avenue.

Supply chain delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic have pushed back the completion date for the project, Lentine said, which is now expected to be done late summer of 2023.

“Prior to these times, we could get some utility pipes in a six to eight week

timeframe, and now we’re looking at 52 weeks sometimes,” Lentine said. “It’s slowing down other projects starting, and that’s what happened to this project.”

Employee of Mack’s Furniture Warehouse William Knight said the project made it difficult for customers to reach the location of the business.

The confusing placement of signs in the area is a factor in the decline in foot traffic, Knight said, and the issue has made some customers not know if Mack’s Furniture Warehouse was still an active business.

In the last two weeks, Knight said some new signs were placed by the NCDOT indicating many businesses in the area are still open. Since then, Knight said more customers have been able to find Mack’s Furniture Warehouse.

“Some of the signage made it hard for our customers to verify that we are actually open or that they could get to us,” Knight said.

Co-owner of Pirates Wireless, a cell phone store located on Dickinson Avenue, Kristin Soboh said the NCDOT misled her on how the project’s construction would take place.

“They (NCDOT) have blocked off entrances to our business, and neither the city (of Greenville) nor the state made any effort to accommodate that for about a month,” Soboh said Soboh said her business has been affected “greatly” since the beginning of the project, and not much has changed since then.

Many different Greenville and North Carolina construction projects fail to accommodate and communicate to local businesses in the project areas, Soboh said. She said business owners have also been given different answers on when the construction will be completed.

If you feel there are any factual errors in this newspaper, please contact Emily Peek at editor@theeastcarolinian.com.

Julia Lawson TEC STAFF

JAYLYN GORE I THE EAST CAROLINIAN

The National Day of Racial Healing is celebrated annually the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day to bring acknowledgement to racial injustice issues.

Editor’s

P.J. Connelly

`

SGA connects student body, administration

As the spring semester commences, students at East Carolina University should communicate well with the Student Government Association (SGA) to create the best experience on campus for both the student body and administration.

“We (the SGA) exist to serve the students of East Carolina University, and are the source of governance for the students so that they may be heard collectively. The focus of the Student Government Association is to advocate for the East Carolina University Student Body by creating Student-University engagement,” according to ECU’s website.

SGA is a liaison between administration and the student body, ensuring advocacy and communication on behalf of all students, both on campus and remote. As we continue to live in a post COVID-19 pandemic society, the latter becomes increasingly more important.

Regardless of location, the SGA cannot thoroughly do their job to the highest level without communication from the student body. We, the editorial staff of the East Carolinian, believe that it is important to interact with the SGA on the issues that matter to the student body.

Information on how to contact the SGA directly is available online at ECU’s website. While the current administration has several initiatives underway, it is never too late to let your voice and your issues be heard.

Along with semester and year long initiatives, the SGA will also hold events throughout the spring semester to engage with students.

“DiverseYouSee,” “Moral Mondays” and “ECU Against Racism” will take place during the spring semester.

PIRATE RANTS

The East Carolinian does not endorse the statements made in Pirate Rants.

The Starbucks in the student center never fails to mess up a drink order, give you the wrong food item, or be out of products…and it’s only day 3 of the semester.

I wish they would fix the WiFi. It’s really annoying that when my phone is even on it I can’t even scroll through Instagram or TikTok. Not only that, I can’t sometimes send messages.

I cannot keep almost getting run over by the Sci Tech skater boys on my way to class. Find somewhere else please. Supdogs jalapeño tater tots be hittin different.

I hate guys wearing khakis when it’s 30 degrees out. What are you doing man? Did your mom raise you in Antartica?

Please leave the early 2000’s trends where they belong. The early 2000’s. Why was there a slug in my kitchen!!!!! Twice!!!!!

Can the elevator in White Hall PLEASE get fixed. I hate having to wait at least 10 minutes for the only working elevator to work. Living on the higher floors shouldn’t be this inconvenient.

I pay ECU big bank every year, the least they can do is give me free parking.

I feel like a zoo animal with all of these high school tours on campus.

Questions regarding Pirate Rants can be directed to Breanna Sapp at opinion@theeastcarolinian.com.

Submit your Pirate Rants on our website under the opinion tab or scan the QR code.

2023 will be the cornerstone of the decade

We are living in a pivotal time in history where we get to witness mankind reach unimaginable heights.

TEC COLUMNIST

This can be seen in our rapid technological advancements in healthcare, energy, and, unfortunately, warfare.

If the 2020s are anything like the previous decade, it will be a rollercoaster with extreme highs and terrifying lows.

Constant war, a tense political atmosphere, and a worldwide struggle with COVID-19 are creating a perfect storm of chaos - perhaps a storm that will come to a head within this year. 2023 is the year that will define the rest of our decade.

The unexpected bang that launched off the decade, COVID-19, has not stopped in its destruction. Its variant, the SARS-CoV-2 virus, continues to evolve.

China, in particular, has been greatly affected by its spread. Rising numbers of COVID-19 related deaths, a drastic increase in policing and a plethora of restrictions have left the “People’s Republic” in turmoil.

With the country’s focus becoming more and more internal, the issue regarding Taiwan’s independence finds itself left on the back burner, leaving the US more time to come up with a de-escalation strategy.

The strained relations between China, Taiwan and the US will reach a dangerous impasse if the latter does not utilize this year to begin separating itself from the issue entirely or enabling Taiwan for self-defense.

Separation would mean the US must downsize its dependence on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Taiwan’s main microchip manufacturer. President Joe Biden alluded to this in October of 2022, stating, “America is going to lead the way in microchip manufacturing.”

Though it would take decades to reach the same level of influence as TSMC, this first step would signal that the US is stepping back from Asia’s politics.

Moving onto the issue of Ukraine, the war between Russia and Ukraine will continue to cause more casualties as tensions rise throughout Europe.

Putin will, of course, tread the thin line between escalation and de-escalation. The same line he and the United Nations have been tight roping for years. With Western aid seemingly increasing, Ukraine could eventually gain the upper hand causing even more internal problems in Russia.

Drifting away from politics is the equally nightmarish reality of artificial intelligence

advancing before our very eyes. ChatGPT, a popular chatbot that can answer complex questions in mere seconds, will undoubtedly be used to its fullest capabilities here at ECU. Numerous essays and papers would have some form of A.I. involved in their creation.

What should worry the masses is the quickness with which these simple programs will evolve. ChatGPT now could be used to create a decent high school essay when left unedited. This year, I believe ChatGPT will progress into writing above-average code.

This will mark the beginning of certain jobs being in jeopardy. While it will take some time, 2023 will spell out the incoming conflict fully.

With last year bringing its madness into this one, 2023 is shaping up to be a year of great importance. Make the most of this year because, by the end of it, we will all be in a completely different world.

Waddell is a junior majoring in Film and a TEC columnist. To contact them, email opinion@theeastcarolinian.com.

Wake up, Mr. West: Kanye as a Christian

Kanye Omari West is one of the most polarizing figures in all of pop culture, creating divides with his words, actions and intentions as he commonly finds himself in the spotlight for less than honorable reasons.

The problem with his actions is that, while he claims that slavery was a choice and that Jewish people are controlling the media, he also claims to be a born-again Christian. I am here to tell you that Kanye’s actions do not reflect those of someone pursuing the Christian faith.

Kanye has had a rocky background with faith, though his lyrics would suggest clear influence based in Christian culture. In his debut album, 2004’s The College Dropout, Kanye released a song called “Jesus Walks” in which he talks about the struggle of getting radio play for faith-based music. Ironically, the song took home the Grammy for Best Rap Song in 2005.

As his career grew, Kanye stepped away

from his faith to a level of self-confidence that towed the line of narcissism before jumping into the deep end of self-love and blasphemy with his 2013 song “I Am a God” on the album “Yeezus.”

After yo-yoing from one extreme to the other, the line would not pull Kanye back to his faith until a hospital visit following a nervous mental breakdown in 2016. From there, the artist focused on his family and faith after leaving the hospital.

The choices made during this time began to jeopardize Kanye’s career in a way that was never before threatening. While scrutiny began to build against the artist, he leaned more heavily into his faith with his own church service in Chicago, known as Sunday Service. By 2019, Kanye was openly professing his faith as a born-again Christian.

Things have continued to spiral for the artist since then, with his most egregious comments being his most recent. With a tirade of antisemitic tweets and claiming that he loves Hitler on the Alex Jones Show, time and time again Kanye has been a poor example of a Christian.

From an outsider’s perspective, Kanye’s faith appears to be surface level at best, and

disingenuous at worst. As a Christian, there are a series of “Fruits of the Spirit” that reflect characteristics of which a follower of Christ should demonstrate. Galatians 5:2223 lists these attributes, “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

Which of these can you see within Kanye’s character? What, of his conduct, reflects healing or repentance towards an unacceptable way of living? It is important to note that the Christian experience is a discourse in healing, but what does not grow dies. From the outside looking in, it looks as though Kanye’s faith is dead.

The pendulum of discovering his faith and relapsing into self love has led Kanye down a path of destruction - destruction of his family, destruction of his relationship with others and destruction of his public image. However, despite his past, it is never too late to truly pursue faith. Time is ticking away and if there is a change to be made, it needs to be made now. Wake up, Mr. West.

Long is a junior majoring in English and a TEC columnist. To contact them, email opinion@theeastcarolinian.com.

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Emily Peek Editor-in-Chief

Jala Davis Managing Editor Breanna Sapp Copy & Opinion Editor

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Audrey

Ray Waddell

Chris Long TEC COLUMNIST

COURTESY OF ROBIN WORRALL UNSPLASH

TEC Columnist Ray Waddell describes what he predicts will be a year of both global highs and lows.

Long Story Short

Aries (March 21-April 19)

— Today is an 8 — Negotiate, collaborate and network. It’s easier to advance professionally, with Mercury direct. Brainstorming gets more productive and creative again. Discuss possibilities. Develop opportunities.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is an 8 — Make long-distance connections. It’s easier to travel and launch, with Mercury direct. Traffic flows better. Confirm reservations. It’s easier to get your message out.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Buy, sell and discuss finances. Money, invoices and payments flow with greater ease now that Mercury’s direct. There’s less confusion. Sign contracts and negotiate deals.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is an 8 — Partnership misunderstandings diminish. Communication clarifies naturally, with Mercury direct today. It’s easier to persuade, compromise and reach consensus. Send love letters and invitations.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

— Today is a 7 — A physical obstacle dissolves. It’s easier to concentrate and communicate, with Mercury direct for three months. Traffic flows with greater ease. Discover health solutions.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is an 8 — Listen to your muses. It’s easier to express yourself, with Mercury direct. Practice your persuasive arts. Share your passion, possibilities and affection. Get creative.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

— Today is a 7 — Family communications clarify now that Mercury stations direct. Collaborate and strategize. Share your visions. Determine domestic improvements. Clean up messes and resolve irritations.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov.

21) — Today is an 8 — Creative efforts leap forward. It’s easier to learn and express, with Mercury direct. Sign papers, post and publish your views. Communicate and connect.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec.

21) — Today is a 9 — Financial transactions flow better, with Mercury direct in Capricorn. It’s easier to discuss money. Confusion diminishes noticeably. Barriers dissolve. Make deals and bargains.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan.

19) — Today is an 8 — Listen powerfully. It’s easier to resolve misunderstandings, with Mercury direct in your sign. Translate for others who don’t get each other. Communication comes naturally.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb.

18) — Today is a 7 — Consider dreams. Articulate your feelings privately. Words and traffic flow better, with Mercury direct. Review where you’ve been. Keep a journal, plan and strategize.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

— Today is a 6 Communication barriers evaporate. Team coordination comes together naturally now that Mercury is direct. Background noise quiets and you can hear each other again.

THE

CROSSWORD

by Jacqueline E. Mathews

EVENTS

Gel Plate

Painting & Printing

Emerge Gallery and Art Center

404 S. Evans St.

1 to 3 p.m.

(252) 551-6947

Scott Avett: After the Fact

Greenville Brushstrokes 802 Evans St. Noon to 11:59 p.m.

Super Family Game Day

Greenville Museum of Art 802 S. Evans St.

TOMORROW

Daytime Handbuilding

Emerge Gallery and Art Center

404 S. Evans St. 1 to 3 p.m. (252) 551-6947

Lift Like a Girl Registration opens

Richard R. and JoAnn M. Eakin

Student Recreation Center, Room 238 7 p.m. (252) 328-4947

Intramural Triva 128 E. 7th St. 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (252) 328-4947

FRIDAY

Lighthearted City Art Gallery

511 Red Banks Rd. 6 to 9 p.m. (252) 353-7000

Victor Hudson & 13 AJ McMurphy’s

1914 Turbury Dr. 8 to 11 p.m. (252) 355-5795

SATURDAY

Nick and Dean Live

@ Nash Nash Resturant Fifth Street

7 to 10 p.m. (252) 999-5444

Glass Workshops at The GlasStation

The GlasStation

3732 W. Wilson St. 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (252) 328-6665

Exploring the Arts

Emerge Gallery and Art Center

404 S. Evans St.

1:15 to 2:45 p.m. (252) 551-6947

SUNDAY

Family Workshop Series

Emerge Gallery and Art Center

404 S. Evans St.

1:30 to 3:30 p.m. (252) 551-6947

Honors College to host talent show

The Honors College Student Council (HCSC) will host a talent show and art exhibit featuring performances from Honors College students at the Hendrix Theater from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday.

Amrina Rengar, senior history major and president of the Honors College Student Council, said the talent show is free to attend and will feature seven performing acts from Honors College students and a walk-in art exhibit for students with non-performing talents such as photography, painting and drawing.

Rengar said the performances of the talent show will be judged by four people: Todd Fraley, dean of the Honors College; Tomeka Jernigan, business administrator for the Center of Leadership and Civic Engagement; Maggie Baile, secretary of the Honors College, and one more Honors College faculty member.

“Besides the original talent show, we wanted to include talents that can’t be performed,” Rengar said. “For the art exhibit, the idea is that each submission will have a number on it, and at the end of the gallery there will be a box where people can vote on their favorite piece.”

After the acts and pieces have been judged, Rengar said the art exhibit will feature one winner, while the performance category will have first and second place. Each winner will receive a recognition trophy, Rengar said.

Rengar said they’ve been planning the talent show since the end of November. Rengar also

said the council decided to host the event due to another successful talent show that was hosted before COVID-19.

Besides showcasing the talents of Honors College students, Rengar said they’ll host a performance from one of ECU’s a cappella groups, the Magnolia Belles.

“We thought it’d be a fun way to get the community back together for this because of COVID(-19) and all that,” Rengar said. “We don’t usually get to come together as a college, underclassmen and upperclassmen, so we wanted to give a chance to people to showcase their abilities, and for people who wanted to come see it and support.”

Junior health sciences management major and vice president of the HCSC Kasey Perkins said she’ll be one of two hosts of the talent show. Perkins said the decision to feature the all-female a cappella group was finalized last minute. Despite the delayed confirmation, Perkins said the HCSC is looking forward to hosting the Belles.

Perkins said she hopes to invite students to connect with the Honors College in a social sense, outside of academics.

One of the most challenging aspects is getting students involved with social events that don’t correlate to their professional or academic careers, but Perkins said she hopes students will

see the community the Honors College offers.

“We’ve been trying to get groups on-campus to get involved in this event,” Perkins said. “Besides showcasing individual students, we’ll be taking this time to showcase those more groupbased student organizations. The talent show is also a platform for them so they can showcase their talent and promote their club if they’re taking new members.”

Shaun Gizdic, senior business management major, said he’ll perform his original songs on his guitar to showcase a talent that isn’t related to his major.

“If you have a hobby or passion, it doesn’t matter if you’re going to school for it or not,” Gizdic said. “You’re still an artist even if it’s not your day job. I’m a business student, so playing guitar isn’t what I go to class for every day. But, at the end of the day, I’m still an artists”

Despite wanting to show his passion for music, Gizdic said it was difficult to find opportunities to perform to larger audiences. Because of this, Gizdic said he joined the talent show to showcase the songs he’s been working on while out of class.

Gizdic said the HCSC is built on creating a community to bring students together by providing more opportunities to connect and socialize outside of the educational aspect of being at ECU.

“I think the talent show will show that the Honors College is more than just rigorous aca-

‘Alice in Wonderland’ comes to ECU

Martha Nebab TEC STAFF

The Dance Collective and Greenville Civic Ballet will perform their production, “Alice in Wonderland” at East Carolina University’s Wright Auditorium from Saturday to Sunday starting at 6 p.m. and 3 p.m. respectively.

Cherita Lytle, the assistant artistic director of The Dance Collective, said she worked with her Co-Director Kimberly Saad to refine the concepts for the ballet’s dance, costuming, sets, props and the storyline.

Lytle said the performance started production in June 2022, where she and the other directors drew up plans for the set, choreography and music before rehearsing with the student dancers of the Greenville Civic Ballet, The Dance Collective’s training school, in mid-August.

“Our artistic director is a history major from Appalachian State University. She loves history so she did a lot of research on the classical stories, but not so much the Disney versions,” Lytle said.

Lytle said the production will run for about two hours, including intermissions between the acts. She said she hopes to entertain the audience and educate those who may not normally go to ballet performances often.

Tickets will cost $20 each, Lytle said, where a portion of the ballet’s proceeds will be donated to benefit Breast Cancer Awareness and Screening.

Lytle said her organization, the Eastern North Carolina Dance Foundation, will partner with the Pitt County Health Department to provide these resources to women throughout Eastern North Carolina.

“Our organization’s treasurer is a survivor of breast cancer. And, unfortunately, we’ve had several of our parents over the last several years become affected by breast cancer,” Lytle said. “After seeing this, she reached out to the Pitt County Health Department, where she knew the director, John Silvernail, and asked him what the needs are here in Eastern North Carolina.”

Lytle said her organization has benefitted other organizations over the years, so this year the goal was to donate the proceeds in order to help as many women as possible.

Junior dance performer and choreography-

“I think having those resources there for you is very important, or to be able to get those screenings, because the earlier you see them, the better it is to take the right steps and procedures,” Pabst said.

Noelle Kebebew, a sophomore attending D.H. Conley High School, said she’s been at the Green-

Kebebew

“I think the most challenging thing was getting into character because my personality isn’t exactly like the Queen of Hearts,”

Martha Nebab TEC STAFF

This

major Samantha Pabst is one of the performance’s rehearsal directors. Pabst said her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, but she’s fortunately been cancer-free for five years. Because of this, Pabst said the donations could help fund early detection screenings for women.

ville Civic Ballet school for seven years. Kebebew said this show was different because she had to incorporate acting into her dancing.

said she hopes people will reframe their stereotypes, such as ballet being boring or slow, when the audience sees how colorful and vibrant the performance will be, especially with the dancers’ acting.

Kebebew said.

Cherita Lytle

COURTESY OF THE DANCE COLLECTIVE

The Dance Collective will bring the classic story of “Alice in Wonderland” to life on ECU’s campus.

CONTRIBUTED BY AMRINA RANGARI

East Carolina Univeristy’s Honors College council will allow their fellow honors students to showcase their different talents to their peers in Hendrix Theater.

Cherita Lytle

Emerge Art Gallery offers youth art classes

Johnson TEC STAFF

The Emerge Gallery and Art Center will begin offering their six-week course called “Art FUNdamental” starting today and ending April 26 at 404 S. Evans St. in Greenville, North Carolina to allow students to engage in different mediums and levels of art.

Paula Rountree, Emerge programs director, wrote in an email statement that Emerge encourages people to come early and explore the building if they signed up for the class for the first time. She wrote that Emerge puts the descriptions of the course together but allows the instructors to “create and inspire” so the sessions for the children and adults are different and allow their interests to guide the lessons in small ways.

“The experience for the student depends on how much they want to get out of the class and what they are hoping to gain from the experience,” Rountree wrote.

Due to all of their classes and workshops being on a community level, Rountree wrote, no one can pass or fail them. She wrote that for the first class, they are not expected to come with supplies first-hand but instructors will be available to help with questions that come along. She wrote that the gallery also offers a variety of mediums in workshops for adults and families to participate in.

The Art FUNdamental class allows children to be exposed to a wide variety of mediums, artists and techniques, Rountree wrote. She wrote the adult classes the gallery offers include different mediums like painting, ceramics, pottery, metal design, jewelry, drawing and mixed media.

“Our goal is to create a safe and creative space for our community of all ages to come and create,” Rountree wrote.

Sarah Lazure, Emerge marketing coordinator, said the classes have a very vivid and engaging environment where the students and instructors discuss art elements or artists who make work similar to what they’re learning or discussing.

Lazure said every school doesn’t offer art regularly, so this class allows creative or curious students to learn and experience art outside of a school setting but in a “structured learning environment.”

“It (the class) focuses on, kind of the fundamentals of art, so the students are exploring lines, shape, color, value through different mediums, whether or not that’s painting, drawing, textile, or pottery,” Lazure said.

Simone Smith, a sophomore majoring in graphic design with a minor in computer science, wrote in an email statement that the creative process from the class will help the children develop “great” cognitive skills and creative skills.

Smith wrote that while others are growing up in the school

systems and are being brought into societal judgments, children are not. She wrote people were taught what art pieces were and were not acceptable as well as which art pieces got more views.

“My view upon youth programs that are held under the museum is such a good way for kids to figure out what they are into because most of these programs are advertised through schools and represented as school field trips,” Smith wrote.

Children achieve the highest form of art, she wrote, as well as the purest form of art because children aren’t coached by societal norms on how art should be interpreted.

Smith wrote because of the freedom of expression and challenges that art brings out from the human mind, it can be an inspiration to everyday life. She wrote that there are many philosophical meanings and impactful things that can come from art like knowing science, math and other subjects were incorporated into the simple pleasures of paint and brushes.

“I think once they learn about those things, their view on art would be more enlightened about how they go about their own work and how to interpret others work as well,” Smith wrote.

This writer can be contacted at arts@theeastcarolinian.com.

Candaisha

HALIE MILLER I THE EAST CAROLINIAN

The Arts FUNdamentals

classes offered at the Emerge Gallery are part of a course that will allow children to be exposed to many different types of art, and different artists over a period of six weeks.

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spertZ

Sports

Brendan Cavazos Sports Editor

ECU Basketball vs Temple on Wednesday Score Prediction?

Temple 70 - ECU 62

Why? The Pirates struggle with shooting the ball as well as keeping their opponent from feeding off long misses. ECU will need to improve its defensive efforts and take more efficient shots to beat Temple. After a 1-5 start in conference, it will be difficult to steal a win against the Owls who currently only have two losses against conference opponents.

ECU basketball hits the road to Temple

East Carolina University (10-9, 1-5 American Athletic Conference) men’s basketball team will be facing off against Temple University (10-9, 4-2 AAC) today on the road at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Pirates look to bounce back because they have been losing lately. Since beginning conference play on Dec. 28, 2022, ECU has gone 1-5 over and is currently on a four-game losing streak.

with 16 points and 12 rebounds, but ECU’s efforts were not enough to stop USF.

Head Coach Michael Schwartz will be game planning next for Temple, a team that the Pirates played earlier in the season to start their conference schedule.

Their previous game was a close one that came down to the wire where the Owl’s pulled out the victory 59-57.

50 for men’s college basketball. Temple’s rebounding leader is 6’10 sophomore forward Jamille Reynolds, who averages 6.3 boards a game.

The guard matchups will be something to look out for in this upcoming game, as sophomore guard Javon Walker for the Pirates and Battle for the Owls both lead their teams in scoring output. Walker averages 15.8 points per game while Battle averages 17.4 points per game, both with 39% efficiency.

ECU Basketball vs Temple on Wednesday Score Prediction?

Temple 77 - ECU 65

Why? The Pirates’ defense has been subpar in one area that’s killed them all season long. Behind the arc, ECU has allowed a flurry of high percentage looks that teams are making at a high percentage. For that reason alone, I think Temple will pull away as most conference opponents have before.

ECU’s last matchup was against University of South Florida (USF) (8-10, 1-4 American Athletic Conference) on Sunday where the Pirates took a loss against the Bulls. The final score was 81-70 in a game that was highlighted by USF’s shooting from beyond the arc. The Bulls shot 11/23 or 47.8% from three-point land which gave them the edge over the Pirates as they only made nine out of their 27 attempts.

USF was led by senior guard Tyler Harris and junior center Russel Tchewa that night as Harris scored 24 points and Tchewa scored 20 points. Sophomore forward Sam Hines Jr. and senior forward Keyshawn Bryant for the Bulls owned the glass in that contest securing 11 and 10 rebounds each.

For the Pirates, sophomore guard Quentin Diboundje put up a fight in the loss, scoring 18 points. Sophomore forward Brandon Johnson recorded a double double

ECU will need to prepare for sophomore guard Khalif Battle in this upcoming game. Last time these two teams faced off, Battle led all scorers in the contest with 18 points and came off the bench playing a key role for the Owls.

Both teams will be coming off of losses, as ECU will look to get back in the win column for the first time in over two weeks, while Temple will look to continue to strengthen their conference record and keep it positive as they try to push up the AAC rankings.

These two teams’ stats on the season are actually pretty similar, as both teams average 69 points per game and both average 13 assists per game. An advantage ECU will have is that they average 6.6 steals per game

As for the rebounding side of the ball, East Carolina’s Johnson will want to continue his dominance as he averages nine rebounds a game, which is in the top

ECU holds a losing record vs Temple in their program’s history. Since first playing them in 2015, they have only beat them four out of the 14 times they have faced off. The Owls have beat the Pirates in the last three matchups, all in close games.

The Pirates will seek to get their first win over the Owls since February of 2020. In this matchups history, ECU has never been able to beat Temple when Temple is at home, holding a 0-6 record at their home court, so breaking this streak will be big for the program.

After this away game against Temple, ECU will be back home for two games in Minges Coliseum in Greenville, North Carolina. They will be playing Tulsa University (4-12, 0-5 AAC) who is on a six-game losing streak and is ranked at the bottom of the conference. The game will take place next Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Pirates begin spring sports seasons

Long TEC STAFF

ECU Basketball vs Temple on Wednesday Score Prediction?

ECU 67 - Temple 64

Why? The last game was close in this conference matchup and I think the Pirates will bounce back and get back in the win column. The defense will have to step up and contain them on the perimeter. Temple is known for hitting several three-point shots. But I believe the Pirates match up well against the Owls and will pull off a nail biter on the road.

A new year is upon us, and with that, a new season of East Carolina University Athletics has arrived with several sports ramping up to compete in the 2023 season.

Along with baseball and softball, the lesser-publicized sports programs will have the opportunity to begin a new year strong or continue their seasons from the fall. Of the teams continuing their season from the fall, both men and women’s golf will continue through the new year as well as men and women’s basketball and the women’s swimming team.

Starting the new year fresh, women’s tennis, lacrosse and the coed track and field team’s seasons began this week. The tennis team faced off against the No. 2 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to kick off the season on Monday at 1 p.m. in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

ECU Basketball vs Temple on Wednesday Score Prediction?

Temple 72 - ECU 66

Why? The Pirates have not been at their best defensively this season which will give Temple the upper hand in this matchup. ECU has fallen behind in conference play and will need to step up their game on both sides of the court to come out on top in this one.

From there, the tennis team will face North Carolina Central University at home in Greenville, North Carolina, on Saturday for a noon match.

Lacrosse has a little more time to prepare before their first game of the year as the team’s season begins on Feb. 10 against Radford University in Greenville, North Carolina, for a 1 p.m. match before the team faces a conference opponent in Navy two days later on Feb. 12 for a noon match.

Track and field began their season during the Dick Taylor Carolina Challenge in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Sophomore

distance runner J Henry Lyon finished the day with the fourth fastest indoor mile in school history with a 4:09:94 mile, placing second in the event. Of North Carolina schools, 14 were represented in the event.

The next meet for the team will take place Friday and Saturday in Blacksburg, Virginia, as the team joins Virginia Tech University for the Virginia Tech Invite before returning to Blacksburg, Virginia, for the Hokies Invite one week later on Feb. 3-4.

The swimming and diving team (6-3, 0-0 American Athletic Conference) will compete in the Georgia Southern Tri-Meet on Saturday against Georgia Southern University and North Florida University to conclude their season before the conference tournament. ECU will compete in the American Championships from Feb. 13-18 before compet-

ing in the NCAA Zone Diving Championship on March 3-5 to conclude their season.

Both men’s and women’s golf have had a season that is all over the place. The men’s team began the season placing 14th of 14 at the Rod Myers Invitational against Duke University among others in Durham, North Carolina. From there, ECU finished second out of 17 teams at the River Run Collegiate hosted by Davidson University in Davidson, North Carolina.

ECU continued the strong showing by placing first of 12 in the Ironwood Collegiate Classic in Greenville, North Carolina, at the Ironwood Golf and Country Club. Then the pendulum swung back for the Pirates, who finished 13th of 14 at NC State’s Wolfpack Intercollegiate in Raleigh, North Carolina. The men then played at the University of North Carolina

at Greensboro where they placed fifth out of 16 teams in the Grandover Collegiate.

The men’s team will travel next to Francis Marion University in Hilton Head, South Carolina, on Feb. 20 and Feb. 21 where the team will compete in a field of competition in the Wexford Intercollegiate. After the February trip, the team will have five more series before the American Championships on April 21-23.

The women’s team has had less fruitful results this season, finishing better than the top half only once this season. That one first place finish was during the Pirate Collegiate Classic on Oct. 10-11 in Greenville, North Carolina. Playing on a familiar green gave the women’s team an advantage similar to the men who finished first in their home series as well.

ECU’s women’s team will travel to Lake Oconee, Georgia, to compete in the Reynolds Lake Oconee Invitational hosted by Mercer University on Feb. 17-19 at the Great Waters Golf Course. Following the competition, the Pirates will have four meets before their American Championship series takes place on April 16-18.

Both men and women’s basketball will last through March where both teams will face regular conference competition until tournament play. The men’s team is currently 10-9 with a 1-5 record in conference play. The women are 12-6 with a 3-2 record in conference play.

COURTESY OF ECUPIRATES

Sophomore guard Quentin Diboundje looks to make a play with the ball on the Memphis Tigers’ home floor in Memphis, Tennessee.

Nick Bailey TEC STAFF

Chris

The East Carolinian

experts predict this week’s events

This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.

Chris Long Sports Chief

Nick Bailey Sports Reporter

Abbie Clavijo

Arts Editor

Michael Schwartz

COURTESY OF ECUPIRATES

Junior sprinter Royal Burris (right) participates at an indoor track meet.