‘MAKING A DIFFERENCE’ BRINGS SOPHOMORE $20,000 De-Ann Smith Staff Reporter
@DeAnnSmith2
A Winston-Salem State student received national recognition and $20,000 for a community service effort that she began when she was 14 years old. Olivia Stinson, a sophomore business administration major from Charlotte, has been committed to helping the children of incarcerated parents in the Charlotte area for the past five years. She was one of 10 selected to be honored at the 2012 L’Oreal Paris International Women of Worth program for making a difference in their communities. Stinson was also one of six women to be recognized by the Next MAKERS organization for leadership.
She is one of two African-American women to be honored in both organizations and the only teen recognized in the Next MAKERS. Stinson’s program, Peers Engaged and Networking, was launched in October 2007 for young people 12 to 19 years of age. She created it to promote literacy among children whose parents are incarcerated. The program also aims to involve the children in many cultural and social activities. They go out to eat, attend many sporting events, movies, plays and fairs. They also have several workshops with guest speakers, and these are all funded by the grants and donations. Both Women of Worth and MAKERS have granted Stinson $10,000 each for her community project “PEN Pals Book Club.”
Actress Lynn Whitfield speaks at women’s symposium Emmy award-winning actress Lynn Whitfield was the keynote speaker at the “Black Women’s Symposium” March 19 in Dillard Auditorium. Approximately 150 students, faculty and staff were present at the Women’s History Month event. Whitfield told the women in the audience to celebrate themselves. “You have to celebrate your present self for your future. Life doesn’t get easier. Every victory you accomplish doesn’t mean you stop working hard.” The symposium was sponsored by the Office of Student Activities and the Women’s History Month Committee. Photo by Charli Conklin
Stinson said, “It’s wonderful to be a part of all of this at such a young age.” She won the awards when she was 19. She said it is “surreal” to be classified among MAKERS such as Oprah Winfrey, Hillary Clinton, Diahann Carroll and Katie Couric. Stinson said the funds from the awards will be used to fund social outings, purchase books and to have refreshments at club meetings. The money also will be used to continue helping club members and the 19 families adopted over last the five years. The idea for the club stemmed from the annual Angel Tree program at her church during the
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Sign language students benefit from iPads, app
DaYona McLean Staff Reporter
@dmclean_109
Students enrolled in the American Sign Language course are benefiting from the new iPads in C.G. O’Kelly library. The iPads will be not be available for other students until this fall because of IT issues. “We don’t have enough IT addresses on campus,” said Forrest Foster, information commons coordinator. Foster said there is an app called Sign 4 Me that teaches sign language.
“Because we don’t use our voice and were all signing, Mr. Foster happened to stumble across this app and thought it would be cool,” said Tamara Rhyne, instructor of deaf studies (a program under rehabilitation studies). “We got 10 of them [iPads] out and we had a blast,” she said. The students in this class are hearing students who want to learn sign language to be able to communicate with deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals.
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Student circulates pedestrian safety petition
Chelsea Burwell Staff Reporter
@TheChelseaBwell
Students seldom worry about their safety as they walk to classes. However, two students involved with a recent pedestrian-vehicle accident want this to change. Senior Anthonia Busuyi, a biology major from Brooklyn, was hit by a car Jan. 31, as she was walking across Cromartie Street. Busuyi said she was walking from the WB Atkinson Science building to the library. “As usual, I waited for the walk sign to appear, so I could go,” Busuyi said.
“As a pedestrian, I was expecting the car [that hit me] to slow down or stop.” She said the car continued to make a left turn without slowing down or stopping. “As I’m crossing, I’m like ‘Oh my gosh! She’s not going to stop.’ Suddenly it just happened.” Rosalyn Summers, a junior clinical laboratory science major from St. George, S.C., was also hit in the accident as she walked behind Busuyi. “She [Busuyi] saw the car before I did,” Summers said. Busuyi said she sustained injuries including a scratch to the face, internal bruising and a fractured pelvis. Summers said she experienced severe
pain in her lower back and left leg, along with a knot on her forehead. “I’m grateful it wasn’t worse,” Summers said. According to Campus Police Chief Patricia Norris, the young woman driving the car was trying to find a radio station when the car hit the two female students. “She never saw them,” Norris said. Within the past year, Norris said that there have been only two incidents in which three people have been hit by cars on campus. She said Cromartie Street was the site of an accident last summer where another female student was hit while crossing the street, making Cromartie a “hot spot.”
Norris said the student was hit by the car because the driver claimed the sun was in their eyes. “I thought I was the first person that this happened to, but I’m not and it’s really sad,” Busuyi said. After the accident, Busuyi started a petition to build a pedestrian bridge at the intersection of Cromartie Street and MLK Jr. Drive. She said she has received support from her instructors and other faculty in the health and science departments. As of March 14, 276 people had signed the petition. She said she hopes to reach 1,000 signatures.
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Photo by Charli Conklin
Instructor Tamara Rhyne (left) teaching her sign language students (from right) Jelisa Durroh, Shaquana Jimerson, Shelly Merck and Zannetta Brewington using the app Sign 4 Me on the iPads in the library.
The Campus Incident Report is a summary of the up-to-date incidents that affect the WinstonSalem State campus and community. Incidents can lead to News Argus articles.
she had asked him several times to get back in the vehicle. The traffic officer requested backup. Campus police advised the traffic officer of her rights to press charges against the student at a local magistrate’s office. The student was referred to Judicial Affairs. The case is closed.
Saturday, March 2 Disorderly Conduct At 12:44 a.m., a report was sent to campus police about a female student driving a Chevrolet Impala that ran through the security checkpoint toward Gleason Terrace. The driver parked the car in a handicapped parking space and did not have a permit. Campus police called a towing company. The car’s passengers – two students -- returned to the car, and the female driver argued with campus police. Campus police ordered the students to get out of the car and stand on the sidewalk. They told the students they would be arrested if their behavior continued. When the tow truck arrived, the student driver paid the towing bill. Both students were referred to Judicial Affairs. The case is closed.
Monday, March 4 Trespassing At 9:57 p.m., campus police responded to a report from Gleason Terrace about a disturbance in a dorm room. When campus police arrived, they overheard yelling and a male’s voice telling a female to leave. Campus police entered the room and observed the door had been kicked in. The male student was yelling at the female to get out of his room. He was holding her back as she tried to advance toward him. Campus police separated the two and spoke to the female visitor who said they were arguing when he locked her out of the room, so she continued to bang on the door and then kicked it in. The female was arrested and charged with second-degree trespassing and damage to real property. The case is closed.
Communicating Threats At 1:46 a.m., campus police received a call from a traffic officer who reported someone attempted to assault her. Campus police spoke to the traffic officer who said she was checking identifications at her checkpoint when a male student driver of a white Lincoln Navigator approached her checkpoint. She asked the driver for his identification, but he refused. She told the driver that he needed to exit campus. The traffic officer said the driver pulled his car forward, got out of his car and approached her. The officer said the student argued with her after
All information provided in the Campus Incident Report was provided verbally by the Campus Police. These were the most updated reports available before The News Argus deadline.
Source: WSSU Department of Police and Public Safety Compiled by DaYona McLean
Rhyne said the students meet either in the library or Anderson Center a couple of times a week for labs, where they practice sign language vocabulary on the iPads. She said she and another instructor, who is deaf, meet outside of class to have labs with students. Rhyne said students get more one on one and group time when they meet for labs. She said the iPads are really helping with vocabulary. “That’s the one thing the students always say, ‘I don’t have anybody to practice with outside of class’ so now they have something to practice on.” The Sign 4 Me app has an animated figure on the screen. Students can type in a sentence or a word into the search bar, and the figure will show the student how to sign the sentence or word. The figure can also turn around, so they can see how to sign words from behind. Rhyne said her students are really excited to use the iPads. “When it [the class] was over and I told the students they had to turn [the iPads] back
in, they looked at me like ‘We love it’.” Director of Library Services Mae Rodney said, “We have to bring it [new technology] to campus so that the students can learn and know what’s out there.” Rodney said the staff asked for the iPads, and she challenged them to find new ways to use them. Bryson McCall, a junior human resources major from Fayetteville, said more laptops should also be available in the library. “iPads are a matter of convenience; you can do certain things, and there are certain things you can’t do,” McCall said. “There’s no USB port. If I wanted to go on there and maybe finish typing a paper, I couldn’t do it. They should provide more laptops, as opposed to iPads.” Foster said there are about 15 iPads that will be available with apps such as Skype, Blackboard, Prezi, Evernote, ESPN, Garage Band and imovie.
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Christmas season. The program provides gifts and donations to children of incarcerated parents. However, Stinson said she felt as though enough wasn’t being done. Stinson said she wanted unity between the groups so the children of incarcerated parents wouldn’t feel uncomfortable. “I wanted it to be a situation where someone walks in the room and wouldn’t be able to say ‘all of you have incarcerated parents.’” Stinson chose a book club because she said reading was a big part of her life. Her family always pushed the importance of reading, and she felt the ability to read heavily impacted academics. “Sometimes they [the children of incarcerated parents] have issues in behavior or staying stable in school, and I figured if they are at least reading, it could help steer their education in the right direction.” Stinson said she chose the ages 12 to 19 because she believes youth see and understand more of what is happening in that age group. Although PEN targets chil-
dren of incarcerated parents, the club also incorporates youth from her church and around the Stinson community in efforts to not isolate the target group. As the book club grew, it started to become more of a support group. Jacqueline Stinson, Olivia’s mom and WSSU alumni, said she realized her daughter was genuinely interested in the children when she kept asking about them. Stinson said her mom is responsible for obtaining the first grant she received to start the club, entering her into Women of Worth and MAKERS and overseeing all the finances. Her mom also stays in touch with the families as well as maintains the club, while she is at school. Stinson usually goes home every other weekend. When she graduates, Stinson said she wants to set up a foundation for the children.
SAFETY continued from Page 1 “We should raise our voice about our major concerns and changes that need to be made on this campus,” Busuyi said. “Not just building and things to make our campus attractive, but things that can actually benefit us safety wise.” Winston-Salem State students are not the only ones concerned about pedestrian safety on campus. “We have received quite a few emails back and forth from staff and faculty that try to cross the street,” Norris said. Summers said that one of her instructors has made an effort to contact Winston-Salem city officials to lower the speed limit driving through campus, post signs for turning vehicles and increase traffic patrolling. She said her instructor has already started a petition of her own. Summers said one of the major dangers at the intersection of Cromartie and MLK Jr. Drive was the lack of signs posted for turning vehicles. “The turn lanes are someTMP PRODUCTION thing that we need to be more 4.94 x 7.5” cautious of,” Summers said. “You have to worry too rv much when someone is making a turn.” Both Busuyi and Norris said
that the major problem with pedestrian safety falls in the hands of drivers who venture throughout campus. “Of all the accidents that we’ve investigated involving people being struck, it’s not
“W
e should raise our voice about our major concerns and changes that need to be made.” — Anthonia Busuyi
student
due to speed,” Norris said. “It’s due to driver inattentiveness.” Busuyi said that drivers should be more cognizant of their surroundings, and remember that they are on a CH049762B college campus. “As a driver, you should be going a certain speed limit and you should be able to stop,” Busuyi said. She said that crossing guards should be brought back to help
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students, faculty and staff cross intersections safely. During the spring 2011 semester, campus police enlisted crossing guards to help people cross campus intersections of MLK Drive, Rams Drive and Cromartie Street. The crossing guards were only used for one semester. Norris said having guards was costly. “It was good to have [crossing guards] there in the morning, lunch time and afternoon, but having them there all day was just not cost effective.” Norris said although consideration has been made about overpasses, people walking across campus likely would not use them. “We are not ruling out an overpass, but we are looking to see if there are any other plausible solutions that are cost effective,” Norris said. According to Norris, the University met with the Winston-Salem and North Carolina departments of Transportation and discussed 1 2012 other solutions to improve ALTR pedestrianKGOEBEL safety. She said that the Salem U.S. State 52 Universi Winston bypass that is being constructed will lower traffic flow through the campus.
Each company in the Altria family is an equal opportunity employer that supports diversity in its workforce.
’Oz the Great and Powerful’ Maurika Smutherman Staff Reporter
@MaurikaX
If you’re looking for a movie that’s visually appealing and stunning, then look no further. “Oz the Great and Powerful” is Disney’s latest fantasy production. Released March 8 with a profit of $79.1 million its opening weekend, the film remains one of the leading box office hits for this month. Sam Raimi, best known for directing the “Spiderman” trilogy, “Drag Me to Hell,” and “The Evil Dead,” doesn’t disappoint as he presents an adventure-filled film full of eye-catching twists and turns in “Oz the Great and Powerful.” The movie features top billed actors and actresses including James Franco (“Spiderman 3,” “127 Hours”) Mila Kunis (“That 70’s Show,” “The Black Swan”) Rachel Weisz (“The Mummy) and Michelle Williams (“Brokeback Mountain,” “My Week with Marilyn”). The film serves as a prequel to the legendary movie, “The Wizard of Oz,” chronicling the origins of writer L. Frank Baum’s wizard character.
It begins with the introduction of shady small-time magician, Oscar Diggs (Franco), who makes his living performing at a traveling circus. After experiencing “technical difficulties” at a stop in Kansas, he is forced to flee the circus in a hot air balloon only to become engulfed in a tornado. The tornado leads him to a magical world called Oz. The movie is full of excitement, dark humor and love, as audiences learn how Oz and the great and powerful wizard came to be. Viewers will be on the edge of their seats as they’re in for some surprising twists. The flick begins in black and white with Diggs performing in Kansas, and switches to color as he enters Oz, just like the original “Wizard of Oz” made in 1939. Flowers are as vibrant as can be, and animated characters add charm and creativity to the movie. The PG-rated film is two hours long and family-friendly, but not specifically geared toward children. Couples and those that fell in love with the first “Wizard of Oz” will enjoy this action-packed movie.
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The Editor’s View Why does Satan have dark skin?
The History Channel has been under scrutiny the past couple of weeks for its television series, “The Bible.” Airing weekly on Sunday nights, it is based on characters and stories that come from the Bible. The series producers have been heavily criticized since the airing of their March 17 episode because some viewers claim the character Satan resembles President Barack Obama. News stations and social networking sites have been very critical of the series for the resemblance in looks Satan has to our president. A tweet by conservative media personality Glenn Beck said, “Anyone else think the Devil in #TheBible Sunday on History Channel looks exactly like That Guy?” (As “That Guy” referring to Obama.) DANIEL The series creators are denying reports BRASWELL that the Satan character intentionally Editor in Chief resembles the president. “This is utter nonsense. The actor who played Satan, Mehdi Ouzaani, is a highly acclaimed Moroccan actor,” said executive producers Mark Burnett and Roma Downey in a statement to FOX 411. “He has previously played parts in several Biblical epics – including Satanic characters long before Barack Obama was elected president.” To further end the rumors, The History Channel released a statement, “It’s unfortunate that anyone made this false connection. History’s ‘The Bible’ is meant to enlighten people on its rich stories and deep history.” The network and the producers can say what they want, but the resemblance between the character and Obama is unmistakable. However, people are upset over the wrong thing. Even if the series creators say the similarities in looks between the president and the character are unintentional, they can’t deny the color of Satan’s skin. Instead of asking why does the character resembles Obama, the real question should be, “Why does Satan have dark skin?” The History Channel also said that the show aims to have “a diversity of respected actors.” If somebody does play the character of Satan, makeup and special effects should be used so viewers can’t tell the race of the actor. I was offended when I heard about this story. I don’t like the idea of the most wicked character in the Bible being portrayed with dark skin – I don’t care if it’s just a show.
Argus Letter Policy
As a matter of policy, The News Argus will publish corrections for errors in facts. The corrections will be made as soon as possible after the error has been brought to the attention of The News Argus at
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The News Argus is a student publication of Winston-Salem State University. The News Argus encourages written comments to the editor and guest columns, but some rules apply: q A signature, address and phone number must accompany all letters. Letters should be double-spaced and no more than 250 words. q Letters will be verified by The News Argus by a phone call prior to publication. If The News Argus is unable to contact the writer of a letter, the letter will be held until contact is made. Letters intended as advertising will not be published. q The News Argus does not publish “form letters”or letters sent to multiple newspapers outside the Triad unless the issue discussed in the letter is of importance to the WSSU community. q The News Argus reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for clarity, length and libel. The News Argus will edit letters that are grossly inaccurate or cross the boundaries of good taste. q The News Argus allows readers to reply to someone’s response to any earlier letter only once. q Guest columns may be no more than 400 words. The News Argus will accept endorsements of candidates, but only one per writer per candidate. The letter may challenge a candidate’s record, but no intensely personal attacks will be printed. The News Argus permits candidates to write letters to the editor to specifically respond to another letter. Photos and Interviews by Jada McElrath and LaToya Sifford
WSSU students, faculty and staff are selected randomly to answer a provocative question developed by The News Argus staff. Comments do not represent the opinions of the Argus staff. To listen to the complete responses visit www.thenewsargus.com.
LEONZA SANDERS SENIOR, MARKETING WILSON, N.C. College students don’t really care about sexual assault because they are not aware of it.
In the morning hours of Feb. 13, a Winston-Salem State student reported to campus police she had been sexually assaulted in Brown Hall. According to a 2010 U. S. Department of Justice report, one in four women
in college will be the victim of rape or attempted rape before they graduate, and many of the assaults will go unreported.
This issue’s Campus Crew asks...
Are college students insensitive about reports of sexual assaults on campus?
ASHLEY SHEFFIELD SENIOR, MASS COMM. CHARLOTTE Students don’t care until sexual assault happens to somebody they know.
CASSIE CARELOCK SENIOR, FINANCE WADESBORO, N.C. I would say they don’t care about sexual assault reports. It kind of happens often with freshmen.
TRAVIS POOLE JUNIOR, MARKETING BURLINGTON, N.C. I don’t think they do. They had the student alert for the girl assaulted in Brown, and everybody was like, ‘Oh well she was in Brown.’
WAYNE FARMER JUNIOR, SOCIAL WORK CHARLOTTE Yes. College students are insensitive about reports of sexual assault because there is a stereotype that everyone is out to have sex.
Opinion
www.thenewsargus.com Tuesday, March 26, 2013
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Let’s support ALL Rams athletic teams!
Which year will the first female U.S. president be elected? 2016
36% 2020
31% After 2020
27% Never
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For the past two years, our Rams baseball and softball teams have won consecutive CIAA championships. Did you know that we have a bowling team that has been doing very well this school year? We are a Ram family. We should come out and support all KANESHA Ram athletic sports LEAK not just basketball and Editorial Assistant football. The baseball team has a great location to play and practice for their games at the BB&T Ballpark. The park is a great, friendly, comfortable environment to watch games. The games are free for students -- with Ram cards. WSSU, we have to do better.
I bet you didn’t know that the softball team plays at Washington Park. The park is located just nine minutes from campus. It has a seating area for fans to watch and enjoy the game. WSSU, we have to do better. We cannot blame the lack of support on the weather because we go out in the rain, cold, or heat to support our Rams football team. We can’t blame the lack of transportation for not going to the games
We have to do better
because the school did provide it until this school year. Due to budget cuts, the school was not able to fund buses to the games but it doesn’t matter. Why should the WSSU waste money when we are not out there supporting each other? WSSU, we have to do better. Most students don’t know we have a
bowling team. Their bowling matches are at Northside Lanes on Akron Drive about 10 minutes from campus. They’ve had a good season so far with a record of [March 20] 44-17. The team finished third at the CIAA Southern Division Meet on March 17. The bowling team is working hard and winning games but yet they don’t get any fellow Rams support. WSSU, we have to do better. When a team has a fan support system behind them, it helps them to play better. Let’s use our fees wisely and attend all sporting events. Our Ragin’ Rams Pep squad should be out there supporting our teams; other fellow athletes should be out there supporting each other, and the faculty and staff should too. WSSU, we have to do better. We are a Ram Family people. We need to help each other let’s do better SU.
Obama abandons climate change policy As the weather experiences a chaotic parade of climbing sea levels, record droughts and ferocious storms, President Obama continues to skirt around the issue of climate change, causing activists to take charge. Thousands of protestors from social justice, environmental and community groups marched on Washington Feb. 17 as part of the largest climate rally ever held at the capital — and I must say, I don’t blame them. Activists demanded the president take action, after he made promises surrounding a new climate change policy in his recent State of the Union address. They also protested the Keystone XL Pipeline Project, a proposed $7 billion pipeline that would run nearly 2,000 miles to connect Canada’s oil sands to refineries around Houston and the Gulf of Mexico. The new pipeline would spew carbon emissions into the air, possibly making America’s climate issues even worse. In his State of the Union address, Obama made it clear that if lawmakers don’t act on climate change, he would. “The fact is, the 12 hottest years on record have all come in the last 15. Heat
waves, droughts, wildfires and floods all are now more frequent and intense. We can choose to believe that Superstorm Sandy, and the most severe drought in decades, and the worst wildfires some states have ever seen were all just freak coincidences. Or we can choose to believe in the overwhelming judgment of science and act before it’s too late,” he said. But the president’s lackadaisical efforts to appease those concerned for the climate just aren’t working. While he has great ideas and solutions to protect the environment, the president’s climate change promises appear to be just that, promises. During his State of the Union address, he completely ignored the impending plans for the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline, something many say is unnecessary. This is the same pipeline he openly rejected in January, saying he needed more time for environmental review. While the pipeline would promote trade between the United States and Canada, is it really a necessity for a country with so many other things going on? The economy is still in a slump, gun control is one of the hottest issues in the
United States and the weather is completely unpredictable and, in all honesty, a major cause for concern. Last I checked, Obama was on the road to decrease America’s dependence on oil from places like the Middle East and Venezuela. Whether he truly wants to do something about climate change remains to be seen. Obama supporters say it’s the strong opposition from Republicans in Congress that is halting new climate change policies. Without the support of Congress, there is only so much Obama can accomplish. But the fact remains that he is our president, and he has a responsibility to protect this country the best way possible. That means getting out there and taking action to create a better environment for Americans and most importantly future generations. Only time will tell what will come of Obama’s vow to combat climate change, but hopefully he will realize this is an issue that can no longer be ignored. Maurika Smutherman @MaurikaxS
News & Features Tuesday, March 26, 2013 www.thenewsargus.com
“Apart from the different cultures, they’re just like us’
International students help increase diversity on campus De-Ann Smith Staff Reporter
@DeAnnSmith2
According to the Office of International Programs, there are 29 international students attending Winston-Salem State. Three of these students are on a semester studentexchange program, and the other 26 came to the United States on student visas. These students come from the countries of Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Kenya, Ethiopia, Japan, Bermuda, Barbados, Bahamas, Philippines, Nigeria, France and England. “The number of international students has remained relatively stable at WSSU for many years,” said Joti Sekhon, director of international programs. Sekhon said it would be good for WSSU to have more international students including exchange students. However, because of limited staff and other resources, she said the number of students they [OIP] have is what they are capable of handling. Because of a lack of resources, there is no active campaign to increase the international student enrollment. Most international students come to WSSU through student-exchange programs, athletics or word-of-mouth. WSSU is included in a website called studynorthcarolina.us, which provides information to potential international students. WSSU has been seeing an increase in the Saudi Arabian student population. There are 11 students from Saudi Arabia and most of them are in graduate programs in business, health sciences and
computer science. The government of Saudi Arabia provides scholarships to many of its students to come to the United States, particularly at the graduate level. “Initially, WSSU admitted a couple of [Saudi] students in the graduate program in Teaching English as a Second Language. They had a wonderful experience with the education they received and the word spread,” Sekhon said. Sekhon said international students are important to an institution because they diversify the environment and enrich the campus by bringing their cultures. “Through interactions with fellow students inside and outside the classroom, they help all our students become more aware and sensitized to the world beyond our borders and develop global awareness,” she said. Charles Morton-Parker, a junior economics major from Durham, said he has learned a lot from the international students he met throughout his years at WSSU. Morton-Parker said he became very close friends with some of the international students he met and has stayed in contact with them. “Apart from the different cultures, they’re just like us. To be honest, I think they’re much friendlier,” he said. Morton-Parker said one thing that stood out to him about international students is that they are very hard workers. Rickford Grant, international programs adviser, said of all the international students that come to WSSU, approximately 80 percent graduate. “International students tend
to take a lot of credits and do very well,” Grant said. “I usually worry about them taking too little credits and when I look at their classes, I wonder if they are trying to kill themselves.” Senior nursing major from Kenya, Andrew Chebii, said he came to the United States for a unique experience. Chebii said learning to speak English proficiently was the hardest part of his U.S. experience. He said teachers in Kenya teach in the English language because it is more universal, but the students speak Swahili. Avoni Seymour, a junior biology major from Bahamas, said her experience at WSSU has been great. She said she was introduced to many things. Transferring from Missouri Baptist University, Seymour said she prefers her HBCU experience. Seymour said football and Greek life are important to the American culture, but it was all new to her. She said she instantly fell in love with the band and the dancers. “When I watched ‘Drumline’ on TV, I was like, ‘I want to go to a school like that.’ I’ve never seen that live before. “It was new and exciting to me coming from a small laid back place and a predominantly white school in Missouri to such a diverse place,” she said. Seymour said she didn’t have any problems adapting to school work. She said her first two years of college classes were easier than her work in high school. “It is not as intense in the United States because teachers here give you more leeway,” Seymour said.
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Disability Services level playing field for students With enrollment of 6,600, 47 register with disability agency.
Angelik Edmonds Staff Reporter
@angelikedmonds
Imagine being a freshman at a university. In addition to a class schedule, work schedule and social life, you have to struggle with impaired mobility or a learning disability. To the community of people without disabilities, this scenario may be too far removed from their own realities. For people with disabilities, maneuvering around campus and completing assignments can be daunting tasks. According to Disability Services Coordinator Myra Waddell, there are 13 people with mobility disabilities and 34 people with learning disabilities [of 6,600 students enrolled] registered with Disability Services. “There are not set accommodations for any disability,” Waddell said. “Just as everyone is an individual, the accommodations are individualized based on the requests, the documentation, and the essential criteria of the courses and the major the student is pursuing,”she said. “The federal government mandates a free and appropriate education for children through the age of 21,” said Rachelle Barnes, an assistant professor in the psychology department. “Students are guaranteed some type of education until they age out. College, on the other hand, is not guaranteed.” Before coming to WSSU, Barnes said she served as the assistant director of Disability Services at UNC Greensboro for more than four years.
“I believe one of the greatest challenges in providing accommodations to students with learning disabilities has nothing to do with the students but more to do with others in the academic community having an understanding of the needs of students with learning disabilities,” Barnes said Disability Services serves as a liaison between students with disabilities and University faculty. After a student registers with Disability Services, that office will notify the student’s professors. Karlia Franklin, a sophomore social work major from Rochester, N.Y. said she has dyslexia. “When it comes to reading or writing I have to re-read things to fully comprehend what it is saying,” Franklin said. “When it comes to math I have to double check equations for fear that I mixed some numbers up or to make sure that the signs and numbers are in the right place.” Franklin said she has not registered with Disability Services. “I think that I have a lot of pride and say ‘oh, I don’t need any accommodations,’” Franklin said. “But I know that I should go because it’ll probably make things a little easier for me especially when it comes to test taking.” Franklin said she plans to register with Disability Services next semester. “So far, I have been [successful],” Franklin said. “But, I know my grades could be a lot better than what they are if I would have gone to Disability Services.”
Sports www.thenewsargus.com Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Ram Sports Preview March 27 Baseball WSSU vs. Mars Hill 3 p.m., Mars Hill, N.C. March 29 Softball (Doubleheader) WSSU vs. Brevard 1 p.m., Brevard, N.C. March 29-30 Women’s Track WSSU Invitational Winston-Salem March 30 Tennis Davis & Elkins vs. WSSU 1 p.m., Winston-Salem March 30 Softball (Doubleheader) Fayetteville St. vs. WSSU 1 p.m., Winston-Salem
COACH’S
GAME BALL featuring
Corey Bonnette By Matt Parmesano Contributor
Head Tennis Coach Brian Coxton chose Corey Bonnette as the recipient of this issue’s Game Ball. “He’s a great kid,” Coxton said. “He’s smart and gives his all every time he steps out on the court.” Bonnette, a 5’9” freshman from Silver Springs, Md., has played well to this point [as of March 19] in his first season at Winston-Salem State. He has won each of his first six official singles matches, five in straight sets. He has also been successful in doubles matches so far with a 6-1 record. The Rams are 5-2 overall, 4-0 in the CIAA conference,
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and Bonnette has had a big hand in the success. Coxton feels that the freshman has a bright future this season and beyond. “I think he has great potential to go undefeated in our conference and possibly do some damage in our regional matches,” Coxton said. Q: When did you start playing tennis? Bonnette: I started playing tennis at the age of 12. My dad really got me into tennis. I used to play around with my neighbors, and it just took off from there. I started playing in tournaments and eventually got good at it. Q: What person do you look up to most? Bonnette: I really look up to my dad. He’s a very hard worker, and he always tells me to strive hard and be the best you can be at everything you do. Q: How is college tennis different from high school tennis?
Photo courtesy of WSSU Athletics
Corey Bonnette won his first six official singles matches for the Rams tennis team this season. Bonnette: It’s a big difference. In high school, there wasn’t much competition, really, because tennis is not very big. In college, there’s competition almost every team you play. Q: What is the strongest part of your game? Bonnette: My strongest point is my speed and my quickness. I really rely on that.
What I want to work on is the mental game. Tennis is very mental. Q: What are your plans after WSSU? Bonnette: I plan to get a master’s degree. I’ll be teaching tennis at the National Training Center in College Park, near where I live in Maryland.
Bowling team rolls short at CIAA Championship Matt Parmesano Contributor
@mattparmesano
The Winston-Salem State bowling team ended the season with a 4-2 loss to Virginia State at the CIAA Bowling Championships in Durham March 23-25. The Lady Rams secured their spot in the CIAA Championship Tournament finishing third at the CIAA Southern Division Meet on March 17. Head Coach Jason Mai said that the conference tournament is the most competitive part of their season
Mai has coached the team since the summer 2011, and has done a good job of keeping the program competitive. Mai is also the director of football operations and tight end coach for the Rams football team. In Mai’s second season at the helm, the team finished with an overall record of 49-26. “In bowling, every tournament that you go to, you’re going to bowl 15 matches and each one of those counts toward your overall record,” Mai said. “For us, the concept is to
compete to win the CIAA. To compete in the CIAA, you have to be able to win in your division first, which means we have to be able to beat Fayetteville State, St. Augustine’s and schools like that. If we finish top two or top three in our division, we’ll go to the conference championship.” Although they are not as celebrated as the football or basketball teams, the bowling team is a full-fledged, schoolsponsored sport. WSSU offers scholarships and recruits players in bowling just like it does in football,
basketball and other sports Also similar to other sports, tryouts are held and walk-ons are allowed. The team consists of players that have bowled in leagues most of their lives as well as players with no prior bowling experience. Despite the team’s success, there has not been much recognition for the Lady Rams. This often frustrates senior captain Raven Forest. “I hate it to be honest,” Forest said. “I can’t stand it, but I just don’t think people like bowl-
ing. Many people question why it’s a sport.” Forest said that the team is open to using competition to spread the word. “It’s more word of mouth,” she said. “People find out we have a bowling team and they challenge us. We’ll go out to the student bowling nights and bowl against them. That’s pretty much how we get our name out there.” The Lady Rams practiced and bowled their matches at Northside Lanes on Akron Drive in Winston-Salem.
Sports www.thenewsargus.com Tuesday, March 26, 2013
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Lady Rams softball seek CIAA 3-peat Daniel Braswell Editor In Chief
@BraswellDaniel
The Winston-Salem State softball team has shown resilience after beginning its season with some difficulty. The Lady Rams, who have won the past two CIAA Championships, lost seven out of their first eight games. Despite that slow start, WSSU has won 14 of its last 18 games [as of March 18] to have a 15-11 record. WSSU is also a perfect 7-0 in conference play and in first place of the CIAA Southern Division. Head Softball Coach LaTaya HilliardGray said some of her team’s losses have come from playing down to their opponents and not playing to their own capabilities. “I think sometimes we get into the position where we play at the other team’s level,” Hilliard-Gray said. “We’re competing with them, but we don’t know we can compete better than them. So I definitely think we’ve given away some games.” Hilliard-Gray said some of the losses the Lady Rams let slip away were a Feb. 2 game against Mars Hill and a Feb. 5 road series against Pfeiffer. In those matchups against both schools, WSSU only lost by one run. Hilliard-Gray said having to play a challenging schedule is another reason for their early struggles. She scheduled WSSU in non-conference to play talented teams throughout the sea-
son who have the chance to make the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Tournament. “Most CIAA schools, with the exception of probably maybe Fayetteville State, Chowan and Virginia State, play a lot of conference teams and not regional [tournament] teams,” HilliardGray said. “Our schedule was built on regional competition, and I think they [the players] are finally buying into what we need them to do to be recognized as one of the better teams in the nation.” Senior outfielder Shantel Haskins, who has a .323 batting average and 21 hits so far this season, said the Lady Rams are continuing to get better each game. “I think as the season grows, you become a better team,” Haskins said. “We’ve had some bumps in the road, but we’ve made some good strides.” Haskins is hoping the progress her team continues to make help prepare them to win a third straight CIAA title. The last time WSSU won three straight conference championships was 1986. “They say the third time is the charm, but it’s hard to defend,” Haskins said. Although the Lady Rams understand other CIAA teams are trying to dethrone them in the conference, they believe they have what it takes to not only reclaim the CIAA title, but do better in the NCAA regional tournament as well. Last year, WSSU lost to Kutztown
Photo courtesy of WSSU Athletics
Senior pitcher and outfielder Brittany Lane is trying to help the WSSU softball team win their third straight CIAA championship for the first time since 1986. University 1-0 and Indiana University (Pa.) 6-1 in the regional tournament. “I think we’re capable,” said senior Brittany Lane on winning another conference championship and having more success in the regional tournament. “We have a lot of chemistry, but our biggest thing is our versatility.” Lane is one of several players on the Lady Rams team that can play more than one position. Lane is a pitcher and an outfielder. As a pitcher, she has eight wins so far and 85 strikeouts. As an outfielder, Lane has a batting average of .351 and 13 RBIs.
“Being able to have people that can play different positions helps us out a lot,” Lane said. The Lady Rams have already played half of their regular season conference games. The CIAA Championship will be April 18-20, and the regional tournament will begin in May. Hilliard-Gray said her team’s goals are very high when it comes to postseason play. “The [CIAA] conference championship we’re expected to win,” she said. “Making it and doing well in regional’s has to be our expectation.”
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