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Thursday, May 28, 2015 Vol. 123, Issue 2, 6 Pages
auburn family
‘War Eagle’ soars across states Miller family travels from Wyoming to Auburn to accept posthumous degree
Cheyenne, wyoming
Auburn
Emily Esleck Editor-in-Chief
photo contributed by photographic services
Spring graduation means many things to students closing one chapter in their lives to start another. For Stacy Miller and her 7-year-old son, Isaac, graduation meant something different. It allowed them to accept their husband and father, Adam Miller’s, degree in his honor. Adam completed all of his classes in the Executive Master’s of Business Administration (EMBA) Program at Auburn University and would have graduated with straight As, according to Stacy. Just four weeks before graduation Adam was taken to the hospital for tests on April 10, because he was not feeling well, according to Stacy. He died that day at age 34. Blood clots the size of golf balls in each of his lungs broke loose, causing a heart attack, according to Adam’s parents, Loretta and Dave Miller. Graduating from Fort Hays State University in Fort Hays, Kansas,
» See family, page 2
graphic by ashley harris / design editor
campus
Lab tech arrested
community
Jim Little
selves.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Verne Speirs called A University employee accused of using his Auburn police detective Chris Carver as a witness. position to obtain and sell a date Carver testified he became rape drug will not be allowed bail. aware of Howard after Auburn A preliminary examination police arrested a man named and detention hearing was held Larry Harper in February for Wednesday, May 27, in the Fedpossession of drug paraphereral courtroom of U.S. Magisnalia. trate Judge Wallace Capel Jr. for “(Harper said) a man he University lab technician Stephen knew as Steve, employed Howard. by Auburn University, who Howard was arrested May could procure GHB,” Carv22 after he sold 1,4-butanediol howard er said during his testimony. to an undercover Auburn police Carver investigated Harper’s information officer during two separate occasions, May 7 and connected it to Howard. Carver then found and May 14. Capel found probable cause to bind the case a confidential informant who could introduce an undercover police officer to Howard. to a grand jury and denied Howard bail. The undercover officer arranged to meet “Women are being drugged by a predator,” Capel said. “This isn’t just someone that’s talk- Howard in the Wal-Mart parking lot on South ing bluster. This is someone that’s doing it to people so they can’t make decisions for them» See tech, page 2 Contributing reporter
dakota sumpter / photo editor
Police contain a shooting that occurred at the Auburn Mall.
Shots fired, man injured Staff Report
Police responded to a report of a possible shooting in the Auburn Mall parking lot Tuesday, May 26, at approximately 6:01 p.m. according to Auburn Police Division Capt. Will Mathews. Officers located a 57-year-old white male who suffered a single gunshot wound to the right hip. The injury is non-life threatening, according to Mathews.
intrigue
News
Page 3
Gay Street parking deck chalks tires
The victim was transported to East Alabama Medical Center, where he was treated and released, according to Mathews. According to a press release issued by APD, the victim had entered his green 1996 Dodge Ram, when he was approached by the suspect.
» See injured, page 2
index
Page 8
Former english professor releases ‘Still Waters’
News Opinion Sports Intrigue
1 4 5 7
News 2
The Auburn Plainsman
tech
DUI reports
» From Page 1
The following were arrested and charged with driving under the influence by the Auburn Police Division on May19-26: May 20 - Tyler Eric Tidwell, 23 South College Street, 1:37 a.m. May 21 - Chandler Seth Jake Kendrick, 20 West Glenn Avenue, 2:21 a.m. May 22 - Austin Russel Mawn, 23 East Magnolia Avenue, 12:18 a.m. May 23 - Gary Ray Criswell, 32 South College Street, 4:14 a.m. - Raul Alejandro Favela Puga, 28 Shug Jordan Parkway, 10:27 p.m. May 24 - Tucker Garrison Smith, 24 Tichenor Avenue, 2:43 a.m. May 26 - Lucy McConnell Williams, 23 East Glenn Avenue, 1:30 a.m. - Earnest Lee Bozeman, 42 Opelika Road, 11:56 p.m.
College Street on May 7 to buy 20 ounces of 1,4-butanediol for $2 per ounce, according to Carver. Carver said during the meeting, Howard told the undercover officer how 1,4-butanediol is metabolized by the human body into GHB, otherwise known as a date rape drug. 1,4-butanediol is considered legally the same as GHB, according to Carver. A second buy of 3 liters of 1,4-butanediol, or “water” as its known on the street, was made for $1,000 at the Burger King on South College Street on May 14, according to Carver. During the first buy, Howard showed the undercover officer his Ruger LC9 9mm handgun which he called a “micro handgun,” according to Carver. “(Howard) said he also had
a short-barrel shotgun, in his words, that he nicknamed his ‘n***** cutter’ [because it would cut a man in half,]” Carver said. Police recovered an 18inch, 12-gauge shotgun from Howard’s home when he was arrested, Carver said. Speirs said showing the gun to the undercover officer during the buy and the description of the shotgun was an implicit threat to the undercover officer if the deal went wrong. Prosecutors played clips of a video of the exchange from a concealed camera on the undercover officer. A man prosecutors said is Howard was heard describing what the drug’s effects were, including what would happen if someone took too much. “I’ve had three females pass out on me,” the man identified as Howard said. “I mean they were friends, but they were there to f***.” Don Bethel, Howard’s defense attorney, argued that
injured
A full crime report provided by the Auburn Department of Public Safety is available online at ThePlainsman. com. –Reports provided by the Auburn Department of Public Safety
family
» From Page 1 Adam wanted to further his education by obtaining a master’s. Loretta said Adam met with the representative for more than two hours when he was looking at Auburn. “He was highly impressed with the program, and he was highly impressed with the integrity of Auburn,” Loretta said. Loretta also said Adam chose Auburn University over five other universities, including Yale. Kim Kuerten, director of the EMBA program, said Adam was in a cohort of 53 students. Working as the senior adviser at Wells Fargo in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Adam traveled to campus one week per semester and spent the remaining time participating in the program from a distance. “As a class they’re all friends and colleagues and classmates, very connected to each other, and then we’re racing towards spring, and they’re going to graduate, and then this happens, so it just knocked everybody for a loop, dealing with just the reality of losing a friend,” Kuerten said. Stacy said Adam always loved education and was always taking classes of some sort, because he loved to learn. “We were just so proud of him and knew how much work he’d gone through to finish [the degree,] so we wanted to honor him by going and accepting the degree for him,” Stacy said. The University holds a memorial service each year for students who have passed away. Kuerten, staff and students in the program attended the service May 3, where families of 10 students honored their loved ones as well. Nicole Sloan, one of Adam’s classmates, informed Kuerten of Adam’s death, helped facilitate the process of bringing Stacy and Isaac to Auburn for graduation and represented the Miller family at the memorial service. The Friday night before graduation, May 9, the EMBA, Physicians EMBA and Master’s of Real Estate program held a banquet of 400 people and hosted a separate graduation ceremony. Kuerten said they had to balance honoring Adam while still allowing his class to celebrate their accomplishment. “Honestly, Stacy is what made that possible,” Kuerten said. “She was so … gracious and open, sweet, and it allowed people to just go ahead and be themselves while it was going on.” According to Kuerten, Adam always wore a bowtie, so the men in his class wore a bowtie to graduation and the women wore a multi-colored ribbon in his honor. “He was just a ray of sunshine,” Kuerten said. In remembrance of Adam, the University flew an Auburn flag behind Samford Hall and displayed it in the Student Center, according to Kuerten. Kuerten said she presented the flag and honor certificate to Stacy at graduation.
» From Page 1
He said the suspect called him by name, entered the vehicle through the passenger door, brandishing a weapon, and told the victim to drive away from the parking lot. A struggle between the victim and suspect ensued, and the suspect fired a shot,
“
Thursday, May 28, 2015
I believe he’s a danger to the community. He’ll be detained. We’re done here.” -Wallace Capel Jr. U.s. magistrate judge
Howard had no previous criminal record other than a 1988 DUI conviction and should be granted bail. Bethel called pretrial service officer Blake Tolbert to testify about Howard’s record. Bethel began asking questions about threats made during the undercover officer’s interaction with Howard to a woman in New Orleans and a woman in Montgomery. Capel interrupted Bethel’s questioning and said he couldn’t ask questions without providing the full context. Capel had Tolbert read
hitting the victim in the hip, according to the release. According to the release, the suspect then exited the vehicle and fled on foot before leaving the parking lot in a vehicle. Mathews said police are still looking for the suspect. “We’re still investigating the motive for the shooting,” Mathews said, “and currently looking for a white male suspect,
“Well I can understand why Adam chose Auburn, because of the outpouring that Auburn did for Stacy,” Loretta said. “That was very impressive.” Kuerten also said EMBA students spoke at graduation in honor of Adam. Involved in his high school debate team, Adam showed a love for education at a young age. He graduated from Kelly Walsh High School in Casper, Wyoming, where he was born. According to Loretta, Adam had a full ride to a college in Casper, but one week before college began Adam had a different plan. “He told me, ‘Mom, I need to go to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to the University of Sioux Falls,’” Loretta said. “So within a week we got him packed up and ready to go.” Little did Adam know he would meet Stacy, a senior, his freshman year at Sioux Falls. Adam loved to play soccer starting from a young age, and became a referee at 12 years old. By age 15 he was awarded referee youth of the year for the state of Wyoming, according to Loretta. Adam played goalie at the University of Sioux Falls. Loretta said Stacy wasn’t interested in athletics, but wanted to attend the soccer games. “It turned out Stacy really wanted to see Adam,” Loretta said. According to Stacy, she and Adam became good friends and started dating after three months. Stacy said Adam used to snowboard, and one time he had an accident where he had amnesia. The only thing he could remember was Stacy’s name and phone number. “He didn’t even know his own name,” Stacy said. She was at her parents’ house at the time, so her mom went to pick Adam up from the hospital. “Our relationship just went on from there,” Stacy said. “We laugh because my sister said, ‘You know if a guy gets amnesia, and you’re the only one he remembers, you gotta marry him, right?’” Stacy and Adam were married in South Dakota. Adam found a love of running after his soccer career. “It was a real surprise, and he started doing marathons,” Dave said. His goal was to complete a marathon in each state, according to Dave. Dave also said there might be a memorial race in honor of Adam held in Cheyenne. Proceeds would go to Isaac’s school. “Adam was always a jokster and a teaser, he liked to really enjoy life,” Loretta said. Kuerten said students Adam worked with on projects and in class were personally affected by his death. “Every student that was honored at that [memorial] service had become an integral part of this campus and this family, and even if they hadn’t graduated, they would be Auburn people forever,” Kuerten said.
from the section of the affidavit that described the threats made by Howard. The threats including shaving the woman’s head to shame her, “like the Nazis did,” and carving the word “whore” into the woman’s forehead. Tolbert said the women who the threats were made against have not been identified. Bethel said the comments and the display of the handguns were nothing but “bluster.” Bethel argued the prosecution was trying to play up a simple drug distribution case for the media, but Capel wasn’t swayed. “I don’t care about the dog and pony show,” Capel said. When Bethel tried to respond again, Capel cut him off, and said it was his turn to talk. “I believe he’s a danger to the community,” Capel said. “He’ll be detained. We’re done here.”
who is probably in his 50s and was last seen occupying an older model light or faded blue minivan.” According to the release, the suspect was described as 6 feet tall and 180 pounds with curly gray hair. Anyone with information regarding the investigation should call APD at (334) 501-3140 or (334) 246-1391 to submit information anonymously.
photos contributed by the miller family
calendar of events thursday, may 28-wednesday, june 3
Thursday
friday
Dan Navarro in concert at Sundilla 7:30 p.m. at AUUF
Keith Moody at Bottling Event Center 6 p.m.
May Concert Series 6-7 p.m. at Town Creek Park
Rock Killough in concert at Blooming Colors 7:30-10 p.m.
USTA Alabama 3.5 & 4.5 Tennis Tournament begins
saturday
sunday
monday
Burger Wars 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Courthouse Square, Opelika
Final day of Bluegrass on the Plains
Summer Ecology Camp,Young Naturalist 1 begins 8 a.m. Kreher Preserve & Nature Center
USTA Alabama 3.5 & 4.5 Tennis Tournament ends
tuesday Summer Swing Concert Series 7 p.m. at Municipal Park, Opelika Opelika Mainstreet Farmers Market 3-6 p.m. Courthouse Square, Opelika
wednesday Final Auburn Thunder Soccer tryouts 6 p.m.-8 p.m.
News
3
Thursday, May 28, 2015
ThePlainsman.com
News
construction
Chalking it up to ‘keeping people honest’
4-hour time limit set for public use in Gay Street parking deck Emily Esleck Editor-in-Chief
Construction has been the theme for Auburn this summer. With the Toomer’s Corner intersection blocked off, there is a lack of parking downtown. Since construction started, the Gay Street parking deck has been opened for public use according to Charles Duggan, city manager for the City of Auburn. According to David Dorton, public affairs director for the City of Auburn, there is a four-hour time limit for the deck and a twohour limit on the street. The time limit is from 7 a.m.-5 p.m.on weekdays. Dorton said the point of the time limit is to create turnover in parking for the downtown businesses and people who want to come downtown. Detective Lt. Clarence Stewart said public safety officials have been chalking tires to keep track of how many hours a car is parked in one space. After four chalk marks, the owner of the car will receive a parking ticket, however, Stewart said he wasn’t sure if they were ticketing yet, since it is early in the process. Dorton said the chalking does not affect the tire, and the process of giving out tickets is “nothing new.” Dorton said the City of Auburn leases out parking in the Gay Street parking deck, but people are not given a specific parking space. People with the ability to park in the deck for long periods of time receive a parking hangtag to put on their cars and are not subject to the chalk. Those who have hangtags are not being charged for their lease this summer according to Dorton. In a college town, people may be tempted to park in the deck and leave their car for an extended amount of time, Dorton said. “It’s a place to park, but you could just leave your car so that’s why there’s a time limit,” Dorton said. Although people will have to move their cars frequently, Dorton said he doesn’t think the system is creating any more traffic congestion than before. Kristin Taylor, who works at Wrapsody, said the time limit
dakota sumpter / photo editor
ABOVE: A car has been parked for one hour. BELOW: Close-up of tire with chalk. Cars may park in the Gay Street deck for four hours.
hasn’t affected their workers. She said most of the workers work four hours anyway and managers receive hangtags from the City. Stewart also said the four-hour time limit hasn’t affected parking congestion. Duggan also said it’s possible that they are not chalking the tires if the parking deck isn’t close to full. “Someone might risk it and gamble that the parking lot’s not full, “ Duggan said. “If we notice that the parking lots are getting full, then we’re definitely keeping a closer eye on it … we’re trying not to be too militant about it.” “We may do it randomly, just to keep people honest,” Duggan said. According to Dorton, when the corner construction is complete in August, parking will return to normal with active parking meters.
Downtown construction slightly affecting businesses Ben Wallace reporter
Though the construction at the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and College Street will bring welcome changes to the historic location, the process involves the obstruction of several key parking spaces in front of adjacent businesses, preventing customers from driving directly to the business. According to the City of Auburn’s website, the construction should be completed by Aug. 16. It also said the intersection will be raised to match the elevation of the sidewalks for downtown events. In addition to providing information on the construction, the website also briefly encourages people to attend the restaurants and businesses during the summer. Updates on the construction can be followed on Twitter using the hashtag #CornerConstruction. What used to be parking
spaces in front of businesses such as Toomer’s Drugs, The Bank Vault and the University Barber Shop is now part of the construction. Potential customers are able to park farther down Magnolia Avenue and College Street and go to the businesses on foot. Eric Stamp, manager of the custom design works and Tshirt store, Stamp, and president of the Downtown Merchants Association, said the municipal parking deck is available for customers’ use during the summer. “A lot of (Stamp customers) just come and stay anywhere,” Stamp said, “A lot of those people just walk from wherever they have parked. The city’s opened up a lot of new parking. The parking deck – all three floors are available all summer long, for free. There’s additional parking on South College on the street by Samford tower.” Mark McClurg, manager of
the Little Italy Pizzeria said the construction has only affected business a small amount, and it will be worth it. “We’ve had just a little bit of a difference in our normal business, obviously, since construction started,” McClurg said. “It hasn’t affected us as bad as I thought it would. We still got enough locals that still walk over here everyday and help support us. A lot of our traffic is walk-in traffic. I think it’s going to be great once they finish it up. Yeah, it’s a pain in the butt for everybody right now but it’s going to look great.” A visit to the site shows the entire intersection has been scraped clean of its asphalt and dug into by excavators. Sarah Griffin is a sales associate for Wrapsody, a local gift shop in downtown Auburn said they were surprised by the amount of business they have had, and that it is a welcome surprise.
adam sparks / photographer
Work has begun at Toomer’s Corner. The area will be blocked off until August
“We’re pleasantly surprised by the business we’ve had in spite of the construction,” Griffin said. In light of the construction, an there is an effort to aid the local businesses in downtown Auburn. A small movement of supporters spawned on Reddit.
com. The top post relating to the movement said, “So downtown Auburn is basically dead this summer. I think we should help the small businesses stay in business.” The movement asks for people to attend the businesses in groups once or twice per week
to help the businesses financially. According to the Reddit.com, the movement’s leader will meet anyone interested in aiding the local businesses in downtown Auburn at The Bean, a local coffee shop Friday, May 29, between 3-5 p.m. on 139 S. Gay St.
Campus
Veggie Village: Market place for community, vendors to interact Maria McIlwain News Editor
Pulling up their trucks in a wide circle on campus, vendors sell local produce and other wares to Auburn citizens at The Market at Ag Heritage Park, which is in its 10th year. The vendors sell everything from strawberries to rabbit meat, and Gene Thornton, owner of Sneaky Crow Farm, said his produce was picked the same day it was sold. “Our stuff is picked when it’s ready to be picked,” Gene said. “Stuff that’s picked in California is picked when it’s immature, not ripe, so obviously it hasn’t had time to develop the sugars, et cetera, the flavors.” Gene and his wife, Rose, said they are sixth-generation farmers and farming has been in their family since
1805. Gene said there are many benefits to buying food at farmer’s markets. “Its cheaper,” Gene said. “The quality is much superior to stuff that’s trucked in from California and foreign countries.” Ben Harman, owner of Harman Family Farm started his farm nine years ago to help fund a handicapped van for his sister. He said he enjoys running a small farm. “Just being local there, it’s just something local folks enjoy coming back to,” Harman said. Harman grows tomatoes in greenhouses on his farm and raises chickens and rabbits. “I feel like commercial tomatoes aren’t what they say they truly are, they say they’re ripened, but these are truly ripened,” Harman said. “They are home-grown, we put our hard work into it and you get a good
quality product out of it ... plus it’s locally gown, you don’t have to travel far to get to it.” Pia Kulakowski, graduate student in biology. said she anticipates the market every year. She said she usually buys fruit, such as watermelon and strawberries. “I’m usually here over the summer, and I love the farmer’s market, getting fresh produce, supporting local businesses,” Kulakowski said. Kulakowski said she enjoys the atmosphere at the market. “I like all the families, how Auburn’s more than just college students,” Kulakowski said. Laura Herring, outreach administrator with the College of Agriculture, said the market is a community service, as well as a way to support local farmers. “It’s a benefit for the farmers, but we do it for the com-
munity to have this as a resource to come buy their food from, learn about their products, that sort of thing,” Herring said. Herring said there has been a good vendor and customer turnout so far this year. She said there will be as many as 35 vendors this summer. The University does not make money off the event, but it is a major outreach event for the College of Agriculture, according to Herring. However, other University departments, such as the School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences and poultry science sell their products at the market. Herring said she expects the fisheries to come back with their shrimp, but poultry science will not be participating this year. “I have customers ask every week about fisheries and poultry,” Herring said. “If they’re
David topper / senior photographer
A shopper samples goat cheese at the farmer’s market.
not here, I’m always asked by multiple customers, so I know that the community loves having them here and looks forward to having them here.” The market is Thursdays from 3-6 p.m. until Aug. 27. For more information about the market, go to http://agriculture.auburn.edu/community-industry/the-market-at-agheritage-park/.
Opinion
4
Thursday, May 28, 2015
ThePlainsman.com
Opinion
our view
SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE PLAINS
Responses to “Auburn University employee arrested for distributing date rape drug” Trey Kelly “He sold them to Sky Bar lol” Jessica Beysselance Crutchfield “‘Evaluating his employment status?!’ What is there to ‘evaluate?’ That should constitute immediate dismissal.” Danielle Pritchett “Sounds like some Walter white breaking bad s*** to me” Anslie Brant Gurden smith / contributing designer
Construction: a necessary annoyance It’s no secret getting around downtown Auburn is hectic this summer. The intersection of College Street and Magnolia Avenue, also known as Toomer’s Corner, closed down May 11 for the summer. Construction includes raising the intersection to sidewalk level, adding trees and seating along the sidewalks, installing decorative light poles and putting a permanent tiger paw in the middle of the intersection, according to the City of Auburn’s website. Utilities, such as sewer and water will be updated, meaning workers have to dig two feet underground. According to City Manager Charlie Duggan, the corner will be blocked off until early August. Duggan said the plan to shut down Toomer’s Corner was picked strategically to start after graduation but end
before football season. He said spreading it out would only be more disruptive over time, and breaking the construction down into segments would not have made navigation around downtown any easier. This is an ongoing project, as landscaping will go into late fall and early winter. The amount of construction going on downtown has made navigating irritating to say the least. The walkways are so thin they quickly become packed and almost unmanageable on nights where there is heavy bar traffic, and driving anywhere in the heart of Auburn now takes at least a few minutes longer because of all the detours and changes in people’s driving habits they’re not used to. It’s hectic, but it’s necessary. Duggan said it would have
been nearly impossible to leave open walkways to ease the congestion of the intersection, but the final product will be worth it. Not only will the water and sewer lines be updated, but the overall aesthetic beauty of Auburn’s beloved corner will be improved. He said he believes people will be pleased with the changes and said it’s something Auburn University should be proud of. While it may be irritating for us to travel downtown now, the efforts will not go to waste. Auburn has been consistently named one of the best cities to live in the state by magazines such as Southern Living, and it’s largely because of the beautification efforts put forth by the city. By constantly changing, our city is constantly improving and embodying the phrase,
“as if sexual assault cases aren’t already high enough at college campuses”
Response to “Campus bike share coming in the fall” Suzanne E. Chapman
question of the week:
“Great idea!! All you need is a good bike to get around! Can they be sponsored by alumni?”
Do you think downtown Auburn needed this facelift? Yes, it was looking old. No, but it’ll still be nice. No, it’s inconvenient and unnecessary.
Vote online at ThePlainsman.com “The Loveliest Village on the Plains.” The momentary lapse in downtown travel and barhopping convenience is well worth the wait.
Response to “Editorial: We should get what we pay for” @stan_try “they were literally handing them out like they had too many. I saw kids walking with two or three at a time.”
Response to “BREAKING: Shots fired at Auburn Mall” @TrentFlubbs “Somebody needs to locate Harvey Updyke and FAST!!!?”
Response to “Auburn University employee arrested for distributing date rape drug” @manmeatpie “I’ve never said ‘holy s***!’ louder”
her view
Handle with care: dealing with depression Raye May Managing editor
According to the World Health Organization, more than 350 million people suffer from depression. I am one of them. It isn’t an easy thing to tell people about. Nothing about it is simple, and the fear of being misunderstood by family and friends, and least for me, only makes the desire to withdraw even stronger. Trying to tell someone what it’s like to suffer—yes, suffer—from depression can feel like attempting to explain the ocean to someone who has only ever seen a pond. So here’s what depression isn’t. It isn’t sadness, heartbreak or anger, even though those things are present. It isn’t crying yourself to sleep every night. It isn’t something you can just get over, and
it most definitely is not a choice. Depression is a disease—a physical chemical imbalance. It’s not knowing how to tell your friends you’re not unhappy, you’re just not happy either. It’s numbness and absence and apathy. It’s an utter lack of motivation. More than anything, it’s miserable. There are good days. There are moments of genuine laughter and joy. People with depression can be happy and silly and goofy. The problem is we can’t make it stay. We hold onto those light feelings so tightly we crush them back into ourselves and close the shell. Depression is frustrating. It’s knowing your pain doesn’t make sense but not being able to stop yourself from feeling it. It’s absolutely maddening to know you need help but not have the motivation to get out of bed in the morning to seek it. It’s infuriating that, even when we get help, no amount of pills will ever make it completely go away. And it’s scary to wonder if this is just who
you are, if the pills are changing your personality and making you into something you were never meant to truly be. It can be absolutely terrifying. I’m one of the lucky ones. My parents are psychologists. My whole family understands. We’ve all been through it—I never have to try to explain. I have friends who, even though they might not be able to relate to what I’m feeling exactly, love and support me through it all. But not everyone has that. If someone reaches out to you to talk about their depression, listen to them. It’s OK to let them know you don’t understand, but let them know you care. You can encourage without trying to correct. Listen without trying to advise. You can love them. And, speaking from experience, that’s all any of us really want.
Emily Esleck
Lauren Christopher
multimedia
Dakota Sumpter
news
Photo
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Yes, I got one.
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43% No, but I don’t care about having one.
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last week’s poll results:
The Auburn Plainsman
Elizabeth Tiller Editor-in-Chief
“What is the deal this summer Auburn? Drug dealer and shooting in one day!”
Raye May is the managing editor for The Auburn Plainsman. She can be reached at managing.editor@ThePlainsman.com.
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Policy The opinions of The Auburn Plainsman staff are restricted to these pages. This editorial is the majority opinion of the Editorial Board and is the official opinion of the newspaper. The opinions expressed in columns and letters represent the views and opinions of their individual authors. These opinions do not necessarily reflect the Auburn University student body, faculty, administration or Board of Trustees.
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Sports Thursday, May 28, 2015
5 ThePlainsman.com
Sports
baseball
‘Heck’le of a ball game with Section 111
Lauren Christopher
Sports Editor The Helmet Guy is known around campus for his booming voice when he leads cheers for Auburn baseball, and recently, softball as the team continues to succeed. But it’s not just the Helmet Guy who keeps the crowd pumped. Baseball’s official heckling club, Section 111, has been filling the gaps of game silence in thier own fashion. With a solid group of 20-25 people, Section 111 keeps the game interesting by heckling the opposing players, calling them out by name. Thier most popular cheer is yelled when the opposing pitcher tries to throw a runner out on first for inching off first base. They start by yelling to the pitcher the runner is on the move, but when the pitcher throws to first and the runner stays safe, the leader of the section yells ‘‘Not even!’’ and the rest join in with ‘‘Close!’’ According to former Section 111 leader and Auburn alumnus Tim Penix, the group was assembled around 2000 when the baseball team was under the leadership of former coach Steve Renfroe. “It was passed down to me,” Penix said. “It was started by a group of students and coach Renfroe actually wanted something unique from other baseball venues. When Auburn baseball traveled and went to different locations, every baseball venue had its own unique feel to it. He wanted something that the students could get involved in with Auburn baseball and the heckling section evolved from that.” Beck Smith, recent graduate in civil engineering, currently leads the section in what the members call a ‘‘Becktatorship.’’ “Beck was a more veteran member, and I felt that he was responsible enough to take over and help the group to progress forward,” Penix said. “Having a loud, echoing voice definitely helps. There are times when you have to play along with the moment. One of the things that stood out to me with Beck was that if I wasn’t there,
contributed by todd vann emst
Section 111 sings during the seventh inning stretch in Auburn’s game against Kentucky in the SEC Tournament on Tuesday, May 19.
he would take the reins. Also, he stood out as someone I could depend on to keep everything going.” Smith said a few things make up the leadership role. “I’ve been to pretty much every game since I’ve been (at Auburn),” Smith said. “Being committed to going to games, baseball knowledge is a big one, knowing about the program, knowing how everything fits in together and of course having a loud voice.” He also said the loud voice trait takes time to develop. “After the first few games, I’m pretty hoarse,” Smith said. “It takes building up through the years to get to where I can holler the whole game.”
Chandler Fullman, sophomore in social science education, joined in the start of the 2015 season and said there are rules to abide by when deciding what cheers to yell out during a typical day in Plainsman Park. “We have our 10 commandments,” Fullman said. “No cussing, be nice to the kids, we try to be family friendly because baseball is a family game, and we just want to have fun with it.” Smith said the cheers are mostly passed down, but the group looks to add more as they go. “Some of them were already come up with like the, ‘Not even close,’” Smith said. “But we try to come up with new stuff all the time. If it’s funny, it’s funny.” As much as the group tries to keep the cheers
family friendly, it still runs into negative feedback from fans sometimes. “I’ve had family members and fans from the opposing team come up and very proudly let us know how they feel about us,” Penix said. “One of the (Auburn) parents would explain who we were so that they understood, and then after that it would be fine. We try to be compromising.” Several years ago, Penix said an opposing pitcher’s father approached the section in frustration and cussed them out for picking on his son’s performance. However, Penix said the more information parents give to the group, the easier it is to heckle the opposing players. “We tried to signal the security to come over and [the pitcher’s father] said, ‘No, no, no I’m sorry, my son’s in a slump, and I don’t know what it is, but you guys are frustrating me,”’ Penix said. “But then we started chanting, ‘Slump.’ We thought this guy was going to crawl into the bleachers and beat us up.” Although these issues happen, Smith said there’s more positive feedback from the other side. “Whenever I’m at the bars, the players come up and say they enjoy it,” Smith said. “I’ve had parents tell me how much they enjoy it also, and I’ve had opposing parents even tell me they enjoy it. Two years ago when Vandy came and played, one of their starting pitcher’s granddads was there, and we all went out to eat, and he ended up buying our dinner that night.” Fullman also said in Auburn’s opening round of the SEC Tournament against Kentucky, the section sat behind third base and heckled the third baseman, who tweeted them after the game saying, ‘‘Best hecklers ever.’’ Whatever the response from the crowd may be, Section 111 isn’t leaving any time soon. Smith graduated from Auburn in May and is planning on joining the Navy, but the search for a new group leader is underway. “It’s just something fun to do, we all enjoy it,” Fullman said.
transitions
Coming or Going?
Players and coaches leave and join Auburn’s athletic programs this summer
contributed by 247Sports
Blake Countess was added to the Tigers’ 2015-16 roster as a graduate transfer from Michigan.
Basketball going
Australian native Jack Purchase will transfer from Auburn, according to Auburn.Rivals.com. Purchase was one of the last signees in the Auburn basketball era under the leadership of Tony Barbee. The 6-foot-8-inch forward was recruited from Melbourne, Australia, in September 2013, and during his time at Auburn he contributed a total of nine points with 21.4 percent shooting. Purchase was a member of the popular ‘White Caboose’ alongside Patrick Keim and Alex Thompson, who left the program in April for Samford. The name represents the three who took the bench for most of their careers under Bruce Pearl. “Well we had a good run,” the White Caboose tweeted Monday morning, May 25. “To the fans, we love you and appreciate the support. Without you we are nothing. May the legend of the boose never die.”
Football Coming Michigan transfer Blake Countess announced over Twitter Tuesday morning, May 26, he’s set on heading south to join the Tigers’ 2015 football roster. “Excited to attack the next chapter in my life! #WarEagle #BoomEra,” Countess tweeted. After visiting Auburn the weekend of May 2224, he was expected to visit Oklahoma and Oklahoma State before making a decision. The 5-foot-10-inch, 185 pound graduate student holds a career-high of eight tackles, two interceptions and two pass breakups during his time at Michigan. Since confirmed by AuburnUndercover, Countess is expected to join the Tigers as a cornerback immediately as a graduate transfer under the reins of Will Muschamp.
women’s golf going
After 21 seasons as women’s golf coach, Kim
Evans has accepted a new position within the University and has decided to end her Auburn coaching career. Evans led Auburn to eight SEC titles and seven top-10 finishes in 21 seasons. An Auburn alumna, Evans is one of the most successful coaches in Auburn athletics history, leading the program to 20 consecutive NCAA Regional appearances and seven top-10 finishes in 14 NCAA Championships. “To all my past and present players, it has been an honor to coach you and share great memories with you and your families,” Evans said. “I will always appreciate and admire your hard work and character. Because of you, Auburn golf is the best program in the country.” Evans led Auburn to a tie for second nationally in 2002 and a third-place finish in 2005, while winning SEC titles in 1996, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2012. Her eight conference titles are tied for the second-most by a coach in Auburn athletics history. She compiled a 2,586-999-46 record while leading the program to 36 tournament victories and 96 top-three finishes in 223 tournaments. Auburn achieved a program-first No. 1 national ranking at the conclusion of the regular season in 2002 and was ranked No. 1 at the start of the 2002-03 season. In all, Evans coached seven SEC Golfers of the Year, 13 All-Americans with 29 honors and 19 All-SEC recipients. She had seven SEC Freshmen of the Year and one National Golf Coaches Association National Freshman of the Year, while four of her golfers; Marci Clemons (1996), Danielle Downey (2000), Maria Martinez (2006) and Patricia Sanz (2012) were SEC Champions. Eight of Evans’ players went on to play professionally on the LPGA Tour. The Decatur native was also awarded the Horton Smith Award for education by the Dixie Section of the PGA at its 2009 annual meeting. In the spring of 2015, Evans received the Auburn University Women of Distinction Award. Evans, 56, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer
contributed by auburn athletics
Women’s golf coach Kim Evans retires after 21 seasons.
in May 2013, just before the Tigers were set to begin postseason play. She has been cancer-free since October 2013. Since then, Evans has been active in promoting awareness of ovarian cancer throughout the state of Alabama and around the Southeast. The search for a new women’s golf coach begins immediately.
Women’s basketball coming Women’s basketball coach Terri WilliamsFlournoy announced Thursday, May 14, Tiffany Lewis, who started 17 games at Clemson during the 2014-15 season, has signed a financial aid agreement and will enroll at Auburn for the 2015-16 school year. The 5-foot-8-inch guard will sit out for the 2015-16 season because of NCAA transfer rules but will have two years of eligibility remaining, starting with the 2016-17 season. “We are thrilled to have Tiffany join our women’s basketball team,” Williams-Flournoy said. “She’s a great athlete and can really shoot the ball. Tiffany’s two years in the college game will bring great experience and strong leadership to our Auburn women’s basketball program.” Lewis played her sophomore season at Clemson after spending one year at Chipola College and appeared in 29 games, making 17 starts. She averaged 8.4 points and 2.1 rebounds in 27.9 minutes per game and was the team’s leading 3-point shooter, connecting on 50-of-183 attempts, setting the school’s record for most 3-point attempts by a sophomore. Lewis was the team’s leading scorer in two games and achieved double digits 11 times. She was a 79.6 percent free-throw shooter, making 39-of-49 attempts from the line and was also named to the ACC Women’s Basketball AllAcademic Team. In one season at Chipola College she averaged 10.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and made 86-of-235 3-point attempts. She scored double-figures in 19 games and made at least one 3-pointer in 31 of 36 games.
She was named to the 2014 All-Panhandle Conference First Team, National Junior College Athletic Asssociation National All-Tournament Team and helped her team to a third-place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament. Lewis, a Murfreesboro, Tennessee, native from Riverdale High School, helped her team to the Tennessee Class AAA state title in 2013, and her team was named national champions by ESPN. She was then rated a three-star prospect by ESPN HoopGurlz.
Swimming and diving coming Coach Brett Hawke announced on Tuesday, May 26, that Auburn swimming and diving added seven newcomers for the upcoming 2015-16 season. Zach Apple (Trenton, Ohio), Justin Checchin (San Antonio, Texas), Bryan Lee (McDonough, Georgia), Daniel McGee (Murray, Kentucky), Grady Ottomeyer (Phoenix) and Christopher Simmons (New Orleans) will join the Auburn men for its upcoming season. Auburn’s women also added Haley Black (Prince Georgia, British Columbia, Canada), who will be able to compete for the Tigers starting in the 2015-16 season. “All seven of these signees will help make an immediate impact in the pool as well in the classroom for us,” Hawke said. “We wanted to add more depth to our team, and each athlete can make a difference for us heading into next season. We’re excited for this group of student athletes to join us in the fall, and I’m very proud of the hard work our coaching staff did this spring to strengthen our men’s and women’s teams.” The six male newcomers join Auburn men’s 2015-16 signing class of Tommy Brewer, Scott Lazeroff , Liam McCloskey, Russell Noletto, Christian Selby and Sam Stewart. Black joins Erin Falconer, Shannon McKernan, Bailey Nero, Aly Tetzloff and Michelle Turek. Compiled by Lauren Christopher and Staff Reports
Sports 6
The Auburn Plainsman
Thursday, May 28, 2015
‘Our dreams are finally coming true’ softball
Tigers head to first Women’s College World Series appearance ever
Lauren Christopher Sports Editor
Not much could top the 12-11 victory in extra innings against the Ragin’ Cajuns Friday afternoon, May 22, except a second win, complete with a trip to the Tigers’ first Women’s College World Series. Through team effort, quality at bats and the extra effort from third baseman Kasey Cooper, the Tigers made thier dream a reality. “I couldn’t be more proud of them,” coach Clint Myers said. “When we started this thing two years ago, we said we’re going to the College World Series. They’re believers, and again … it’s not a goal to get to the College World Series, it’s an expectation, and I think that these young ladies, the very first ones to ever do it, are going to be the starting point for something very good here at Auburn.” The following Monday morning, May 25, was a Memorial Day the Tigers would never forget as they walked through a cheering crowd outside of the Earlon and Betty McWhorter Center that led to a bus headed for Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. “We’ve tried to explain to the girls the kind of event they’re about to undertake,” Myers said. “There’s going to be tens of thousands of people there watching… and cheering. There is no hometown favorite, so it’ll be our job to interact. We want the girls to enjoy the moment.” Pitcher Lexi Davis said the past few days have been surreal. “It’s super exciting,” Davis said. “It’s something that we’ve been talking about since last year and our dreams are finally coming true. We couldn’t be happier. It’s really something that we’ve been dreaming of since we we’re little kids.” Cooper said the fans have helped to keep the team’s confidence where it needs to be. “The fans have helped out so much,” Cooper said. “We’ve never seen crowds this much on our field and that’s going to prepare us even more for Oklahoma City.” Besides Auburn, four other SEC teams will compete in the World Series this year including LSU, Alabama, Florida and Tennessee. “We have five SEC teams there,” Myers said. “It’s just like the conference tournament. Two of us in the SEC will not play anybody else, and that’s kind of a shame, but it also talks about the strength of schedule. The SEC is now clearly the dominant conference.”
Cooper said the more SEC teams the better. “We’ve seen everybody before,” Cooper said. “We like the odds of our bracket.” The Tigers open their World Series play against LSU at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, May 28. “I think it’s a good thing for us,” Davis said. “We’ve seen their pitching, we know how they hit, we know how they play defense and I think it’s something we can prepare for.” Cooper said the game should be a good one. “They have pretty good pitching and we have pretty good hitting, so it should be a good game,” Cooper said. “We’re going to go back and look at our film and figure out a game plan.” This year, Auburn is the only newcomer to the World Series aside from UCLA, who is making its first appearance in five years. “We try to have fun and remember it’s just a game and we’ve done it a thousand times in practice,” Cooper said. “It’s just a new field. You just have to take a breath. You hear the fans cheering for you and you kind of get the surreal feeling that this could be the last game.” Myers said the key to keeping the game in Auburn’s control is to maintain a relaxed mindset. “The whole game of what we’ve got to do is enjoy the moment, stay within ourselves and go out and play Auburn softball,” Myers said. “(The team) figures out ways to win. On any given day, all you have to be is one run better than them. It is about winning. It doesn’t have to be pretty.” Davis said the team needs to continue to use the same strategy they’ve used all season to yield success in the series. “We need to continue to play how we have all year,” Davis said. “Good pitching, good defense and timely hitting. I think we’ve been great, we’re excited to go. Since (the SEC Tournament), we’ve really worked ona shorting up, being relaxed, playing loose.” Cooper said she was eager to get on the road and show what Auburn softball is all about. “We’re excited to get on the bus and show people who we are. We have to look at it as another business trip, another place on the road (where) we’re going to win.”
kris sims / multimedia editor
TOP: Lexi Davis high fives Aubie coming out of the McWhorter Center. MIDDLE: The softball team walks through a tunnel of fans toward the bus. BOTTOM: Morgan Estell salutes the fans goodbye on her way on the bus.
baseball
Tallahasse bound:Tigers make the cut for the 2015 NCAA Regional Evan McCullers Sports Writer
The Tigers (35-24) will travel to Tallahassee, Florida, where Florida State will host No. 2 seed College of Charleston, No. 3 seed Auburn and No. 4 seed Mercer for the NCAA Regional. Coach Sunny Golloway will try to lead the Tigers back to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, for the first time since 1997. The 2015 Regional will be his 15th as a head coach. "We're really excited to be traveling down to Tallahassee," Golloway said. "It's exciting to be playing this time of year." Auburn, making its 19th NCAA Regional appearance, will open postseason play against
College of Charleston (43-13) on Friday, May 29, at 11 a.m. Florida State (41-19) will face Mercer (3521) later the same day at 6 p.m. Golloway is still unsure of who the starting pitcher will be for Friday's game. "We've got some options that we can throw at them,” Golloway said.“We're going to look at the film one more time (before making a decision)." Senior pitcher Rocky McCord said he is "absolutely" ready to pitch the opening game if called upon. "If they need me to go, I'll go for them," McCord said. "I'll be ready." Sophomore right fielder Damon Haecker said he is excited about the opportunity to play
in a regional so close to home, as he hails from nearby Altamonte Springs, Florida. “All of my family is coming (to the games),” Haecker said. “To go back to Florida and play in a regional is going to be great.” Auburn has traveled to Tallahassee for the NCAA Regionals six times in program history, advancing twice. In the past three visits to Tallahassee for the Regionals in 1998, 2001 and 2005, the Tigers have been eliminated by Florida State. Auburn also traveled to Tallahassee for the NCAA Super Regional in 1999, where the Seminoles took the sweep. Despite the historic lack of success in the Regionals hosted by Florida State, Golloway
remains confident that his team can win in Tallahassee and advance in the tournament. “We’ve got some worthy opponents down there, we realize that,” Golloway said. “We feel like all the other teams in that regional, it’s a regional that we feel like we can go in and win.” The Tigers last went to the NCAA Regional in 2010, where they were knocked out by Clemson. Auburn joins six other SEC teams in the Regionals as LSU, Vanderbilt, Florida, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Arkansas qualified for postseason play. If the Tigers defeat the College of Charleston, they will face the winner of the FSU versus Mercer game.
FILE
adam sparks / photographer
Damon Haecker tracks down a fly ball in the outfield for an out.
Kyler Deese is greeted by Blake Logan and Melvin Gray after hitting a home run.
Intrigue Thursday, May 28, 2015
7 ThePlainsman.com
Intrigue
community
Wood Duck Heritage Preserve thrives despite pollution Jordan Hays Writer
Roger Johnson, former president of the Friends of the Opelika Wood Duck Heritage Preserve, stood against the bed of his pickup truck outside the Preserve with two pairs of binoculars. He would need them further down the trail at the viewing blind. While the Opelika Wood Duck Heritage Preserve and Siddique Nature Park are a haven for wood ducks, birds and birdwatchers, the Preserve was originally, and still is, a sewage lagoon. A local plant pumps treated water waste into the lagoon through a pipe that runs beneath the Preserve, but Barry Fleming, associate professor of art and president of the Friends of the Opelika Wood Duck Heritage Preserve, assures the water is not harmful to the environment. The city of Opelika has greatly reduced the disposal of raw sewage into the lagoon, according to Fleming. But dump trucks still arrive periodically to empty landfill leachate, water waste, into the lagoon. “I’ve talked to people that said, ‘When I was a kid, I used to row my boat back and forth here to keep it churned up,’” Johnson said. “That was (their) job.” It may seem odd an area of waste disposal is a hotspot for wildlife, but Fleming said active sewage lagoons and landfills are notorious birdwatching — or birding — spots across the country. In Alabama, Magnolia Landfill in Mobile has set up a viewing blind to accommodate birders, according to Fleming.
“
We’ve had students out there … (who have) never been in the woods.So I guess, in a way, all of us that are into birds and nature … are trying to share that and hope it doesn’t become a thing of the past.” -Barry Fleming
president of the friends of the opelika wood duck heritage preserve
“At the waste ponds in the Preserve, that’s a nutrient rich area,” Fleming said. “Even though it comes from biological processes, it’s more nutrient rich, so there’s a lot of duckweed and a lot of things that the birds can eat.” Fleming said the number of habitats packed into the Preserve rivals that of Auburn University’s Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve & Nature Center, because it’s an ideal location for birds to rest or settle. Fleming said he estimates more than 175 different species of bird have been seen at the Preserve, and he estimated to have had 450 ducks at the Preserve in one day. Numerous rare birds have also been sighted at the Preserve, such as a roseate spoonbill, a large bird with an elongated bill, striking pink feathers and are more commonly found in South and Central America. “The Preserve is more for the birds and for people to get down there and see things they may not get to see,” Johnson said. Fleming said what sets the Preserve apart from other areas is the different habitats that are joined together there.
“Within one outing, you could go upland forest to lowland, big pine tree forests, a wetland area, creeks … and then of course the lagoon,” Fleming said. “It’s not the Appalachian Trail, but you can get out and stretch out there early in the morning and not see anybody and have a wildlife experience.” A grin stretched across Johnson’s face as he began to walk along the path toward the viewing blind that peeks over the bank of the lagoon. But before arriving at the Preserve, he would have to hike through Siddique Nature Park. Irtaza Siddique, professor emeritus of microbiology and pathology at Tuskegee University, served on the board of the Opelika Wood Duck Preserve until he passed away in 2008. He donated seven acres of land adjacent to the wood duck preserve, which was then named after him. “He was for education and spreading knowledge,” said Shana Siddique, Irtaza’s wife. “He wanted to help everybody.” A bird chirps in the distance. “That’s a pileated woodpecker,” Johnson said
without hesitating. He has the ability to discern species of birds by their cries after years of birding, cries that would sound like just another bird to anyone but a birder. Johnson said he has enjoyed birds since he was a small child, when he would make bird baskets out of peach crates. But that was back in Wisconsin before he transferred to Opelika with Uniroyal Goodrich Tire Company. He worked at the Opelika Uniroyal plant for 22 years until 2009, when the plant closed. Now that Johnson’s retired, he’s spending more time on his hobby. “I’ve always had an interest in birds,” Johnson said. “I love just watching birds. It’s something you can do it any place, and it doesn’t cost any money. You just get the best pair of binoculars you can afford.” As we make our way through Siddique Nature Park, Johnson mends the trail by removing fallen limbs from the path and observing the surroundings to identify if there are any fallen trees or damage. The Friends of the Opelika Wood Duck Heritage Preserve do much of the maintenance on the trails of the Preserve, such as cutting grass and removing kudzu from trees. But in addition to that, the Friends also organize educational fieldtrips for grade-schoolers. “We’ve had students out there … (who have) never been in the woods,” Fleming said. “So I guess, in a way, all of us that are into birds and nature … are trying to share that and hope it doesn’t become a thing of the past.”
Jordan hays / writer
Left: The bridge at the Preserve was constructed by a Boy Scout for his Eagle Scout project. Right: The construction of the viewing blind is such that sitting down on the benches within makes the windows eye-level.
the plainsman picks playlist : “DON’T RAIN ON MY PARADE” by barbara streisand
Emily Esleck, editor-in-chief
“SATURN” by sleeping at last
Raye May, managing editor
“ESCAPE” by rupert holmes
Maria McIlwain, news editor
“WHO’LL STOP THE RAIN” by creedence clearwater revival
Dakota Sumpter, photo editor
“Don’t let a rainy day stop you from doing what you want to do. Unless it’s outside and it requres being actually dry...”
“I’m an introspective person. i like to think, especially about the universe and our purpose, and this song is perfect for rainy day reflecting.”
“it’s a fun song and it makes me think of shrek, which is one of my favorite movies. And who doesn’t like pina coladas?”
“this song asks for more than the rain to go away; it’s a protest song that appeals to every generation, not just the flower children.”
the staff at the plainsman chose their favorite songs to listen to
on rainy days. to listen to their picks, follow the auburn plainsman at spotify.com.
“OF SPACE AND TIME” by city and colour
Elizabeth Tiller, online editor
“MAKE IT RAIN” by the fat joe feat. lil wayne Kris Sims, multimedia editor
“SUNDAY MORNING” by maroon 5
Ashley Harris, design editor
“IT’S RAINING MEN” by the weather girls
Lauren Christopher, Sports Editor
do you want to have your pick featured in next week’s issue?
“the acoustic version of this song is relaxing, so it’s really great to listen to when you’re chilling out on a rainy day.”
“i chose this song because it doesn’t only rain when it’s cloudy outside. it rains every time i walk up into the club.”
“this is a nice song to lie around and chill out to; a good reminder to slow down and take a moment for ourselves and loved ones.”
“This song helps to add spunk to a rainy day. instead of feeling trapped inside,you can have a dance party with some friends, or alone.”
watch facebook and twitter for the topic and send your pick, name, year and major with a few sentences to managing.editor@theplainsman.com.
Intrigue 8
Thursday, May 28, 2015
The Auburn Plainsman
faculty
CONTRIBUTED BY tommy barnes
Left: Parsons poses with her new book at the signing table. Right: Parsons reads from “Still Waters” at her book launch party April 21 at Red Clay Brewing Company in downtown Opelika.
Still Waters stirs audiences of all ages Sommer Henry Writer
Ash Parsons, former Auburn media studies professor, published her first novel, “Still Waters,” on April 21. Parsons said she has gone through many stages of life to be where she is now. After graduate school, Parsons attended Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Clown College. Later, she became a librarian, taught English at Beulah High School in Lee County and became a media studies professor for one semester at Auburn. Parsons said exploring different career paths made being an author even more gratifying, and said the time she spent as an English teacher at Beulah High School is what inspired her idea for “Still Waters.” “Teaching at Beulah, I saw the kids
who have it all versus the kids who don’t, and seeing that has a lot do with my experience there,” Parsons said. “I was in the middle of teaching ‘The Outsiders’ when I realized that I really wanted to write a young adult novel for these kids that engages them and that they relate to, because its about what I see them struggle with.” She said she has always adored gritty and suspenseful novels, which is what inspired her own suspense novel to take place in a contemporary high school setting. Chris Green, Auburn coordinator for campus and community events, said her book had been compared to “The Outsiders,” because there is a dark vibe. “It is so realistic that you feel like you are in the protagonist’s head and his world, even if you never grew up in a world like that,” Green said.
“
Don’t let the young adults category fool you, it is a book for everyone. It is so gripping you won’t be able to put it down.” Chantel Acevedo
Former Auburn English professor
Chantel Acevedo, former Auburn English professor, said many types of readers will enjoy this book. “Don’t let the young adults category fool you, it is a book for everyone,” Acevedo said. “It is so gripping you won’t be able to put it down.” Jessica Brewer, former Beulah student and recent Auburn graduate, said she was glued to the book.
“If you are looking for a book to keep you on the edge of your seat and keep you rooting for the protagonist, while also being scared for his life, this is the book for you,” Brewer said. “The story is so captivating, and you get so attached to the characters, I really couldn’t put it down.” “Still Waters” has only been out one month and has already caught the eye of film producer Wyck Godfrey. Godfrey, who produced movies such as “Twilight” and “The Fault in Our Stars,” tweeted at Parsons saying, “Still Waters” is his favorite book of the year, and he wants Hollywood to take notice. Parsons said Godfrey’s tweet was one of the most exciting things that has happened to her since she became an author. Parsons’ second book is set to hit shelves in 2016.
CONTRIBUTED BY ash parsons
Parsons’ first book, Still Waters, was published on April 21, 2015.
A ‘homecoming’ performance: Huntsville native Claire Lynch performing at Bluegrass on the Plains Maria McIlwain News editor
Claire Lynch and her band have performed all over the world, but Friday, May 29, they will perform somewhere familiar. Lynch, a veteran bluegrass performer and her band, The Claire Lynch Band, are just finishing a tour, stopping in Nova Scotia, Canada, before playing on the Plains. The Huntsville native said she enjoys playing in Alabama, and said it is like a “homecoming” for her. “Coming home and playing in Alabama is the sweetest thing,” Lynch said. “All of a sudden you realize, ‘I missed this, this is home.’” Lynch said she was first exposed to bluegrass when she was 19 years old at a concert at the University of Alabama-Huntsville. She said bluegrass was popular on college campuses at the time, in the late 1970s. Lynch said her first time on stage was at the University of Alabama, and it was terrifying. “I was shaking in my boots and I couldn’t sing,” Lynch said. “I probably sounded like a billy goat. Fortunately, there’s no recording.” Lynch said finding her style was a process, and it was a “wonderful moment” when it came to her. “I was climbing up the stairs to my apartment, and I stopped in my tracks and said, ‘Oh, that’s my voice,’” Lynch said. Since finding her voice, Lynch has earned many accolades. She has been named International Bluegrass Music Association’s (IBMA) female vocalist of the year three times and is a member of the Alabama Bluegrass Hall of Fame. She also won IBMA Song of the Year in 2014 for her song, “Dear Sister,” which she cowrote with Louisa Branscomb. Mathan Holt, founder of Bluegrass on the
“
Coming home and playing in Alabama is the sweetest thing. All of a sudden you realize, ‘I missed this, this is home.’ ” Claire Lynch
bluegrass singer
Plains, said he is excited to bring Lynch to the Plains because she is a big name in bluegrass. “She’s very popular and people love her,” Holt said. Lynch said her favorite memory was singing with Dolly Parton on a promotional tour. She said singing harmony on songs such as “Coat of Many Colors” was a special moment for her because of the “heartfelt reality” of those songs. Despite all of the accolades, Lynch said there are still scary moments, such as performing in storms. “It can be a little harrowing,” Lynch said. “A friend from Montana said, ‘Ain’t nothing to it but to do it.’” Lynch said technical difficulties are also distracting, and problems such as feedback and not being able to hear herself are hard because it is difficult to find balance with the rest of her band. Fortunately, she said, issues such as that don’t often happen anymore. Lynch said she performs with her dream musicians any time she is on stage. “My band, they’re my dream,” Lynch said. “They’re fabulous. I don’t need anyone else.”
CONTRIBUTED BY claire lynch
Huntsville native Claire Lynch and her band, Mark Shatz, Jarrod Walker and Bryan McDowell, will return to Auburn to perform at the Bluegrass on the Plains music festival Friday, May 29.