The Auburn Plainsman 2.16.17

Page 1

Students’ choice awards special section inside

The Auburn Plainsman A SPIRIT THAT IS NOT AFRAID

Thursday, February 16, 2017 Vol. 124, Issue 21, 12 Pages

First copy is free. Additional copies 50 cents per issue.

CAMPUS

KECK

CAN

MADISON OGLETREE / PHOTO EDITOR

SGA President Jacqueline Keck celebrates after SGA Callouts 2017 on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017 in Auburn,Ala.

Jacqueline Keck becomes third female SGA president in AU history Claire Tully CAMPUS EDITOR

Jacqueline Keck was announced the next SGA president after a runoff vote between Keck and Brock Hendon. Keck is the third female president in Auburn University's history — she’s preceded by Cindy Holland in 1988 and Lauren Hayes in 2009. Holland and Hayes reached out to her during campaign week, Keck said. She’s proud to be one of only three female SGA presidents in the University’s history, but Keck said she doesn’t feel like her victory is any different from past SGA presidents. “I feel like any other SGA president-elect,” Keck said. “I’m just excited to get started.”

I feel like any other SGA president-elect. I’m just excited to get started.”

—Jacqueline Keck

SGA PRESIDENT-ELECT

Keck said she was happy to earn the position after all of her team’s effort. “I was really glad that all of my team’s hard work really paid off,” Keck said. “That was the first thought. I know everybody’s tired and everyone has tests, but everyone really

COMMUNITY

No food for thought

rallied.” She plans to work on some initiatives over the summer in Washington D.C. and then hopes to expand them on campus. "[I will] really be working on the Auburn intern housing initiative, kind of getting that up and off the ground in the College of Liberal Arts," Keck said. Hendon said he enjoyed running against his friend. "Jacqueline is a close friend and a great person as well," Hendon said. "A great leader and a great Auburn woman." The experience was humbling, Hendon said. "It's been a great week and an incredible experience," Hendon said. "I want to thank all my friends and supporters who

» See KECK, 2

CAMPUS

An insight into hunger in Auburn Kris Martins

ENTERPRISE EDITOR

An Opelika man was once living his dream as a landscaper — a job he loved and had been working since he was 13 — until about 10 years ago when a stroke changed his life. On a Saturday morning at the Community Market in Opelika, the love of outdoors that fueled his love for his job was eclipsed by the cold of the morning, which caused the right part of his body from head to toe — which is disabled — to ache. The 51-year-old Opelika man, who requested his name be withheld, came to the market that morning so he could feed himself. Work ceased to be an option after the stroke, and $715 each month in governmental assistance didn’t cover the bills he had to pay. He previously relied on his siblings to help him with food needs until he heard about the market about a month ago. He strolled down the aisles Saturday, filling his cart with nuts, meat, canned goods and more as he worked toward the market’s 75-pound limit on goods for a singleperson household. “I try to survive, that’s all,” he said, citing his faith in God and his habit of praying. For him, God gets him up in the morning and puts him to sleep each night.

Outside campus borders where students have $300995 on a plastic card each semester to spend on a number of campus dining facilities, about 27,000 people — about 5,000 more people than the amount of undergraduate students enrolled at the University — in Lee County are food insecure. Food insecurity is defined as being without enough food for all household members and limited access to or uncertain availability of nutritional foods. Feeding America, a national domestic hunger-relief organization, calculates a food insecurity rate of 18.3 percent in Lee County based on the number of food-insecure people in 2014. The county population has since increased, but food insecurity data has not been updated since 2014. The Community Market is an extension of the Food Bank of East Alabama and one of several local outlets that serve the hungry in Lee County. Residents who provide proof of need can select their own food from the market four times each calendar year within set weight limits that correspond to household size. Four aisles lined with canned goods, cereals, fresh fruit and organic food meet the back wall of refrigera-

» See HUNGER, 7

FILE PHOTO

Coolers and tailgating will no longer be allowed at Rodeo.

Rodeo changes spark outrage among students

Kressie Kornis CAMPUS WRITER

Coolers and tailgating will not be allowed at this year's Alpha Psi Rodeo "Round-Up," according to changes announced on the event's website. The Plainsman conducted a Twit-

ter poll following the announcement, and only 2 percent of participants said they would attend this year’s event. Ten percent said they might attend and 88 percent said they will not attend.

» See RODEO, 2


News 2

Thursday, February 16, 2017

The Auburn Plainsman

KECK » From 1

worked so hard on my behalf and joined in my vision to build a better Auburn. I am humbled by the willingness of so many to selflessly give their time to support me." Hendon said his commitment to Auburn will not waver after his loss.

"It was a fun week, and I enjoyed getting to talk to students about their Auburn experience," Hendon said. "Again, I congratulate Jacqueline and wish her all the best. I love Auburn and, as always, I remain committed to doing anything I can to make Auburn better. God bless and War Eagle." One of her favorite memories from her campaign was when she woke up

on the day of the run-off election, Keck said. "This morning I was up at 6:45 a.m. and I drove around the corner of campus, and I saw girls on every corner of every street across crosswalks, and that was really cool to see that people were willing to wake up for me in the cold when they had tests and kind of rally together," Keck said. "It was awesome."

This week in review Your weekly roundup for state, national and international news

MADISON OGLETREE / PHOTO EDITOR

SGA President-elect Jacqueline Keck celebrates after callouts.

RODEO

has grown to be much bigger than we ever imagined,” the website states. “We could not be more excited and proud of our Rodeo, but with such growth comes a new set of challenges. It has been said that in order for something to grow, it must change, and we are very excited about the changes coming this spring. The Theta chapter of Alpha Psi Alumni Association has graciously stepped in and tak-

» From 1

Students also reacted to the changes with #NotMyRodeo on Twitter. Alpha Psi cites large crowds and safety as reasons for the changes. “In the past few years, due to the tremendous support from the Auburn students and attendees from all over the country, the Alpha Psi Rodeo

en over the process of organizing and producing Round-Up, the event formerly known as Alpha Psi Rodeo.” The no tailgating policy is designed to prevent people from spending all day in the parking lot, according to the announcement. “Between the time you arrive and before you enter the fenced in event area, please be responsible in the parking area so that we can ensure every-

one has a safe and enjoyable time,” an Alpha Psi representative said in a statement. There will be multiple locations inside the venue to purchase food and beverages, according to the announcement. Randy Houser will perform at the event, which will be held at Sistrunk Farms in Society Hill on March 25. Check ThePlainsman.com for more information about the Rodeo changes.

IMAGES VIA TWITTER

Students responded to the changes with hashtags such as #NotMyRodeo on Twitter.

CAMPUS CRIME LOG

State • (AL.com) The Alabama Legislative Black Caucus today held a news conference to say that Gov. Robert Bentley is unlawfully delaying an election for the U.S. Senate seat now filled temporarily by the appointment of Luther Strange. Bentley appointed Strange to fill the seat vacated by Jeff Sessions, who is now U.S. attorney general, until the next election. • (AL.com) Alabama’s state board of education got another round of bad news at Thursday’s work session: the U.S. Department of Education has concerns about the test Alabama uses for federal accountability, the ACT Aspire. The federal department of education, in reviewing the assessments Alabama uses for federal accountability purposes, has now asked state department officials to produce evidence the ACT Aspire aligns with Alabama’s college and career ready standards. National • (New York Times) Michael T. Flynn, the national security adviser, resigned on Monday night after it was revealed that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence and other top White House officials about his conversations with the Russian ambassador to the United States. President Trump was informed more than two weeks ago that Flynn had not told the truth about his interactions with Russia’s ambassador, and the president eventually asked for Flynn’s resignation after concluding he could not be trusted, a White House official said on Tuesday. • (CNN) Despite mounting pressure from the House Freedom Caucus to quickly repeal Obamacare, House Republican leaders insisted Tuesday morning that they would take a “step-by-step” approach to overhauling the Affordable Care Act. The Freedom Caucus, a group of influential conservatives, publicly expressed their impatience Tuesday with Republican leaders for failing to schedule a vote to repeal the sweeping health care law. But GOP leaders are concerned about the political backlash that could come from swift and wholesale repeal of the health care law without having a replacement plan ready. • (WaPo) The director of the Office of Government Ethics said there is “strong reason to believe” that senior adviser Kellyanne Conway violated federal rules by endorsing Ivanka Trump’s clothing line, urging the White House to investigate the matter and consider disciplining her. In a Feb. 13 letter to White House Deputy Counsel Stefan Passantino, OGE Director Walter M. Shaub Jr., wrote that Conway’s comments appeared to be “a clear violation” of federal ethics rules that bar federal employees from using their public office to endorse a product. International • (NPR) The half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reportedly died in Malaysia under suspicious circumstances, according to multiple media outlets. Kim Jong Nam is also the eldest son of former leader Kim Jong Il. Neither the Malaysian nor the North Korean governments have officially confirmed the death of the man who was once thought to be Kim Jong Il’s successor. • (CNN) China is aiming to own the race for space in the next decade. China’s ambitious and fast-growing space program is targeting a landing on the dark side of the moon by 2018, and reaching Mars before the end of the decade. • (CNN)Mexicans took to the streets Sunday to air their grievances against President Donald Trump and to protest corruption in their home country. Two separate demonstrations, which together drew an estimated 20,000 people, merged on Mexico City’s main avenue, Paseo de la Reforma, in a march mostly focused on the new US President.

Date Reported

Type of Incident

General Location

02/13/2017

Police Investigation/Unlawful Conduct

200 Block of W Magnolia Av

02/12/2017

Police Investigation/Unlawful Conduct

600 Block of Heisman Dr

02/10/2017

Minor in Possession of Alcohol

Hemlock Dr/W Thach Av

02/10/2017

Minor in Possession of Alcohol

Hemlock Dr/W Thach Av

02/10/2017

Theft of Article from Auto

300 Block of W Magnolia Av

02/10/2017

Indecent Exposure

600 Block of W Magnolia Av

02/10/2017

Theft of Property Fourth Degree

100 Block of E Thach Av

Want to stay up-to-date on University, sports and community news?

02/09/2017

Theft of Property Third Degree

600 Block Heisman Dr

Follow

02/08/2017

Harassing Communications

300 Block of Quad Dr

02/08/2017

Criminal Mischief

The Auburn Plainsman

600 Block of DeKalb St

02/07/2017

Duty Upon Striking an Unoccupied Vehicle

400 Block of W Thach Conc.

02/07/2017

Theft of Lost Property Fourth Degree

200 Block of Heisman Dr

02/07/2017

Theft-From Public Building

200 Block of Beard Eaves Ct

02/07/2017

Leaving Scene of Accident

100 Block of Hemlock Dr

02/07/2017

Miscellaneous Theft

700 Block of Biggio Dr

02/07/2017

Lost Property

Wright St @ W Magnolia Av

02/07/2017

Duty Upon Striking an Unoccupied Vehicle

600 Block of DeKalb St

Page 3

Page 7

Page 8

online and on social media today.

ThePlainsman.com

theauburnplainsman

The Auburn Plainsman

@TheAUPlainsman @PlainsmanSports

theauburnplainsman1

Page 11

theauplainsman

INDEX Campus

3

Opinion

5

Community 6

AUDM exceeds goal

House bill would punish sanctuary campuses

Makayla Martin poises for another championship run

Student goes unnoticed with duck in dorm

Sports

8

Lifestyle

11


Campus

3

Thursday, February 16, 2017

ThePlainsman.com

ORGANIZATIONS

Campus

ELECTIONS

The ‘G.O.A.T.’ reflects on losing the SGA vote Claire Tully CAMPUS EDITOR

ADAM SPARKS / PHOTOGRAPHER

TOP LEFT: An AUDM dancer crowd-surfs during the marathon. BOTTOM LEFT: Gracie Slade, a Columbus Regional Health Miracle Kid, runs about the stage during the opening ceremony. TOP RIGHT: AUDM dancers react to the Final Reveal MIDDLE RIGHT: The Final Reveal announcing the total amount raised was $41,832.06 more than the $500,000 goal. BOTTOM RIGHT: Aubie dances in the crowd late into the night.

AUDM exceeds goal of $500,000 Kressie Kornis CAMPUS WRITER

The University held its sixth annual Dance Marathon in the Student Center Ballroom to raise awareness and money for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. There were 1,442 participants this year and 108 teams. By the end of the 14-hour dance marathon, participants surpassed their goal to “Flip the Five” by raising $541,832.06, beating their total from last year of $424,617.01. Proceeds raised by AUDM will go to Children’s Hospital at Midtown Medical Center at Columbus Regional Health. Sarah Tatom, sophomore in accounting, said she personally raised over $300 for AUDM. “It was really fun; they had different

sessions where they taught us how to do the line dance,” Tatom said. “My favorite thing was silent disco, which was where we put headphones on and listened to the same music, and we danced and sang, but anyone who was there without headphones just saw a ton of people dancing in silence.” Tatom said there was an Iron Bowl hour at the event, which was a competition to see who raised more between Auburn and Alabama. “We beat them, so there was toilet paper everywhere like Toomer’s Corner,” Tatom said. AUDM beat Alabama by raising $19,060.83 for a fundraiser. Alabama raised $17,931.01. “I got to hit the gong which means I raised $100 that day alone, so that was

definitely one of my favorite moments of the day,” Tatom said. “I’m really happy the Children’s Hospital at Midtown Medical Center at Columbus Regional Health is going to get a new NICU because of us.” Below are the recognitions received throughout the event: Top fundraising male: Gage Fenwick Top fundraising female: Riley Somers Top fundraising fraternity: Alpha Tau Omega Top fundraising sorority: Alpha Omicron Pi Top fundraising student organization: Camp War Eagle Miracle Cup Winners: Samford: Ukirk Heisman: Alpha Xi Delta Nova: Tri N Beat Us

ORGANIZATIONS

Involvement Ambassador stays busy so students can get involved Chris Heaney CAMPUS WRITER

While most students think adding another responsibility to their already-packed schedule of school, work and a social life seems close to impossible, AU Involvement Ambassador Lauren Leahy proves the opposite. Leahy, senior in public relations, is the vice president of communications and marketing for the Involvement Ambassadors, and, until last December, president of the Auburn Hockey Hostesses and Sigma Kappa vice president of philanthropic services. “I actually work better when I have more going on,” Leahy said. “It’s easier for me to plan out my day and figure out what I need to get done at what time.” When asked about what she does in her free time Leahy joked, “Free time? What a concept.” During what free time she does have, Leahy said she’s begun an online jewelry company, Made with Lauren, where she’s been hand making custom necklaces. All of these positions take up a lot of time, but Leahy said it’s her ambassador duties she works on most. Ambassadors act as liaisons

between on-campus organizations and the rest of the student body, Leahy said. “We work to promote upcoming campus events and to get students that aren’t involved or aren’t sure how to get involved, involved,” Leahy said. In her time as an ambassador, Leahy said she’s worked on things such as leadership and interview workshops for new organizations, the Sweets in the Suite event and giving the “getting involved” presentation to classes, organizations and Camp War Eagle groups. Leahy started with AU Involve her freshman year when she was a part of LEAP in the Freshman Leadership Program. Her sophomore year, after doing a lot with her sorority as their webmaster and assistant director of recruitment, Leahy decided she wanted to branch out. After reading a Student Involvement newsletter, she applied to AU Involve and became director of publications. “I went from reading the involvement newsletter to writing it,” Leahy said. Becoming an ambassador the next year, Leahy said her biggest takeaway is how it has helped her try new things and meet new people.

Most of the student body will remember Caleb Marshall, junior in mathematics, from his stand-out performance in the 2017 SGA Debate last week where he encouraged students to “vote for the G.O.A.T.” Marshall regards himself as an “innovative thinker” and the “greatest of all time.” His campaign attire went against that of the traditional candidate’s suit and tie, and his campaign board, a spraypainted piece of plywood, was visibly different than the intricately painted ones his rivals spent hours creating. Though his methods seemed out-of-the-box, Marshall said his focus was primarily on doing things his way rather than the way people expected him to. “There’s usually a regular way to do things, you know? A normal way to do things,” Marshall said. “People have their way of doing things, but I usually don’t give that much thought because I like to do things my way.” In the SGA Debate, Marshall said his friends gave him the final push he needed to finally decide to run for SGA president this year. “I had something to offer that nobody else had,” Marshall said. “It wasn’t a matter of ‘why run,’ but more of just ‘why not?’” Marshall said he decided to run because he believes there are several things SGA needs

CONTRIBUTED BY CALEB MARSHALL

to change. “Nothing really kept me from doing it, so I did it,” Marshall said. “No doubt about it. There’s tons. I could make a list of things and bring it to you. There’s lots of stuff that should be different.” Marshall said he got to know David Facteau the most and even got to share a few laughs with him throughout the campaign week. “David and I were campaigning next to one another on the concourse,” Marshall said. “I talked to him, and we had a few quips. He had the sign that said ‘what can David do for you?’ and I said ‘well, you can drop out.’” Marshall said even though he respects his fellow candidates, he believes the student’s made the wrong choice in not voting for him. “Whenever people run for office, a lot of people miss opportunities and vote in the wrong people,” Marshall said. “There’s no denying the fact that I’m the greatest. It’s more other people’s loss than it is my loss.”

SENATE

SGA begins transition Romy Iannuzzi CAMPUS REPORTER

Senior class SGA members said their goodbyes and welcomed the new, or transitioning, senate members succeeding them. The meeting took place on Monday, Feb. 13 and introduced new SGA President Jacqueline Keck, new Vice President Justin Smith and new Treasurer Frank McEwen. Sitting senate members grappled with their final orders of business before the new administration is to take over. School of Nursing Senator Mason Easterling, School of Business Senator Schaefer Amos and School of Pharmacy Senator Stephen Caton moved to pass their resolution to amend pre-finals week test-

ing practices. The resolution said students should not receive “tests or quizzes accounting for more than 10 percent of the final grade in any course” during the week before finals “in courses that also administer a final exam.” Courses in which a formal final exam is not given would be exempt if this recommendation were to pass through administration. Though the resolution was passed in a unanimous voice vote, sitting SGA Vice President Brandon Honeywell said the appeal was “just a resolution” and not a finalized bill, and students should not accept the resolution as “set in stone” unless the University administration approves it.

ORGANIZATIONS

BSU holds race relations panel Romy Iannuzzi CAMPUS REPORTER

CONTRIBUTED BY LAUREN LEAHY

“I definitely think I’ve become more outgoing because I work with groups of people that I never really interacted with before,” Leahy said. “Working with organizations and getting to collaborate with them to promote their events is definitely a high for me.” Leahy graduates in May and said while she’s a bit nervous, her time as webmaster and vice president of philanthropy for her sorority has given her real life skills and perspective to make her confident for the future. “Being the philanthropy chair, I really got to see how big an impact helping other people leaves,” Leahy said. “I

really like serving others now. I want to do something along the lines of digital media in a nonprofit organization. We’ll see.” Leahy’s number one tip for students who are struggling to get more involved while keeping up with school, besides going to AU Involve events, it to get a planner. “Get a planner and a couple different colored pens,” Leahy said. “Assign things different colors and write everything down. I write things down in my planner, my phone and my laptop. Just keep writing things down so that you remember them; it’s what got me this far.”

The Black Student Union held a panel to discuss racially-charged issues that have come to new light since Donald Trump’s inauguration. The panel was held on Monday, Feb. 13 and included Vice President for Student Affairs Bobby Woodard, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Outreach Johnny Greene, Assistant Provost Taffye Benson Clayton, City Councilman Ron Anders and Police Chief Paul Register. Some of the topics discussed included racial profiling by police officers as well as microaggressions, a term defined by one student as “an insult that is not verbally said as an insult.” BSU members discussed the reactionary “counter-protests” that emerged during last week’s peaceful anti-Trump protest.

BSU Assistant Director of Public Relations Brian Young said while BSU members may not agree with the counter-protesters, he respects their right to protest peacefully. “It’s never progressive when you have something that you’re against or something, and you have everyone up in there and everyone is against it,” Young said. “No, you want to bring it to the people that are for whatever you have. I think it’s more progressive to see true colors.” Woodard addressed complaints of physical aggression by counter-protesters including spitting on students. “We don’t say yes or no to a protest, we ask you to know about it so we can make it safe,” Woodard said. “We didn’t see anyone attempt to spit on anybody, but if we would have, we would have taken them through conduct.”


COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE | RAYMOND J. HARBER COLLEGE OF BUSINESS | OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDEN FOR RESEARCH & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | COLLEGE O EDUCATION | SAMUEL GINN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING SCHOOL OF FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE SCIENCES | SCHOO OF NURSING | HARRISON SCHOOL OF PHARMACY COLLEGE OF SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS | COLLEGE O VETERINARY MEDICINE | JULE COLLINS SMITH MUSEUM OF FINE ART | HONORS COLLEGE | GRADUATE SCHOOL ALUMNI AFFAIRS | COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS | AUBUR UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES | DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIR UNIVERSITY OUTREACH | | COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION | COLLEGE OF AGRICULTUR RAYMOND J. HARBERT COLLEGE OF BUSINESS | OFFIC OF THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR RESEARCH & ECONOMI DEVELOPMENT | COLLEGE OF EDUCATION | SAMUEL GIN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING | SCHOOL OF FORESTRY AN WILDLIFE SCIENCES | SCHOOL OF NURSING | HARRISO SCHOOL OF PHARMACY | COLLEGE OF SCIENCES AN MATHEMATICS | COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE | JUL COLLINS SMITH MUSEUM OF FINE ART | HONORS COLLEG MARK YOUR CALENDAR. GRADUATE SCHOOL | ALUMNI AFFAIRS | COLLEGE O PICK A PROJECT. GIVE. LIBERAL ARTS | AUBURN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES | DIVISIO What do a dinosaur egg, a satellite, and puppies | | COLLEG OF STUDENT AFFAIRS | UNIVERSITY OUTREACH have in common? Find out on February 21, 2017 — OF ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION | COLLEG Auburn University’s second Tiger Giving Day. OF AGRICULTURE | RAYMOND J. HARBERT For 24 hours the Auburn Family has a chance COLLEGE O to come together online PRESIDENT at TigerGiving.org,FOR RESEARC BUSINESS | OFFICE OF THE VICE a project, and help fund different projects & ECONOMICpick DEVELOPMENT | COLLEGE OF EDUCATIO in our colleges, schools, and units. SAMUEL GINN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING | SCHOOL O FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE SCIENCES | SCHOOL OF NURSIN HARRISON SCHOOL OF PHARMACY | COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS | COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICIN JULE COLLINS SMITH MUSEUM OF FINE ART | HONOR COLLEGE | GRADUATE SCHOOL | ALUMNI AFFAIRS | COLLEG OF LIBERAL ARTS | AUBURN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES DIVISION OF STUDENT AFFAIRS | UNIVERSITY OUTREAC | COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN & CONSTRUCTIO COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE | RAYMOND J. HARBER COLLEGE OF BUSINESS | OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDEN FOR RESEARCH & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | COLLEGE O EDUCATION | SAMUEL GINN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Campus 4

The Auburn Plainsman

Thursday, February 16, 2017

2.21.17

TigerGiving.org


Opinion

5

Thursday, February 16, 2017

ThePlainsman.com

Opinion

OUR VIEW

Running for office should require more SPRING 2017 EDITORIAL BOARD

SGA molds the leaders that help implement change on our campus. From freshman senators to committee chairs to executive members, the student senate has the power to hear the grievances of their constituents. They use that information to collaborate with University administrators who can help make Auburn a better place. These elected campus officials help facilitate student success and make the student body happier as a whole by utilizing their SGA office hours, meeting new people through their classes and reaching out to constituents they might not otherwise have the chance to speak to. The resolutions the student senate propose have the ability to change minute details on campus such as adding Weagle Water stations, to monumental administrative updates such as Tiger Scheduler, football ticketing and campus dining options. This fact makes it especially daunting that there are fewer requirements of those major SGA candidates than that of Miss Homecoming, Miss Auburn and other positions requiring an interview and narrowing-down process before choosing a winner. Those positions on campus that allow for that kind of change should be taken seriously by the students running and by the students

putting them into power through the election process. That’s not to say an SGA-run interview process is the way to successful rectify this situation. To those who worry that would make the system “rigged,” there several other ways to make sure those who the student body see most fit to lead are running for office over those less deserving. While SGA’s Code of Laws has requirements addressing factors such as academic standing, the character of those choosing to lead the student body is just as important as their grades and previously held positions. The content of each candidates character is just as important as the students are putting their trust in them. The SGA campaigning process requires a lot of time, money and effort on behalf of the candidates. But it also takes up the time of those students willing to listen to their ideas and goals. To not take that seriously would be robbing fellow students and “the Auburn Family” of their time, as the campaign process can be both physically and emotionally exhausting. Hence, having fellow students legitimize ones candidacy provides proof that a large enough group believes that candidate is fit to serve, at least in the eyes of that group. Although the Code of Laws has gone

JESSICA BALLARD / COPY EDITOR

through a complete audit over the past year, it’s worth considering making more changes to the elections laws. Something as simple as requiring students who’d like to run for major SGA positions to obtain 100 signatures in a petition could help legitimize the candidates by getting the stu-

dents voice behind them right off the bat. If a petition is just one hurtle candidates have to leap to prove they’re willingness to serve the student body’s best interests, it’s worth at least a second thought to ensure our campus is content and our students’ precious time is protected.

HER VIEW

The hidden costs of the Dakota Access Pipeline Emily Hale COLUMNIST

As President Donald Trump took office almost a month ago, it was reasonably expected that he would try to undo much of former President Obama’s legacy. Environmental issues were, not surprisingly, among some of Trump’s first priorities. On Jan. 23, President Trump issued an executive order that stopped the conduction of an environmental impact statement and “the acting secretary of the Army to expeditiously review requests for approvals to construct and operate the Dakota Access Pipeline in compliance with the law.” Obama halted the construction of the pipeline through federal lands surrounding Lake Oahe, a reservoir that sits along the Missouri River on the border of North and South Dakota. The intersection of the Lake Oahe and the Dakota Access Pipeline are located a half mile above the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, and the requirement of deep drilling underneath the body of water poses an elevated threat to their primary drinking source. Not to mention, construction has been permitted on federally recognized ancient native burial grounds, violating a handful of environmental and historical preservation statutes. The pipeline touts a potential $3.7 billion economic impact, the creation of 12,000 temporary and 40 permanent jobs, as well as the ability to shuttle enough barrels of crude oil to produce 374.3 million gallons of gas per day. Proponents also argue that it could decrease American dependence on foreign oil as well as get rid of the currently risky crude oil transpor-

tation via freight train. This project would span the course of four states, starting in North Dakota and stretching all the way down to southern Illinois, a total of 1,172 miles. If the project had the potential, however small the likelihood, to poison the primary water source for countless communities, accelerate climate change, violate rule of law and ignore public outcry, would it still be worth it? The pipeline’s construction path spans hundreds of waterways and at least 22 of those crossings must be drilled deep underneath the bodies of water. The juncture of environmental degradation and mistreatment of native land is illustrated best in the rejection of an alternative route that would have passed through the relatively more affluent and politically influential community of Bismarck, North Dakota. Dakota Access, the corporation building the pipeline, claimed the rerouting decision was to find land that was not residential. They chose the land sitting a half mile upstream from the Standing Rock Reservation. Even if the likelihood of a disaster such as the BP oil spill is low, the magnitude of the impact is immense and a direct threat to human health. That damage is immediate and irreversible. Citizens and governments bear the cost in taxpayer-funded cleanup and in medical costs and a decreased quality of life. The pipeline threatens nine endangered species and would arguably produce an increased rate of greenhouse gases due to an increased rate of oil extraction, only furthering climate change and all of the consequential phenomena. The typically ignored social and individual costs incurred due to pollution from non-renewable sources outweigh the economic bene-

NITTYG / WIKIMEDIACOMMONS

fit of the pipeline and provide further justification to divest efforts away from oil. Various estimates have us running out of global oil reserves anywhere from 70 to 200 or more years from now. It is easy for CEOs to only be concerned with the immediate future that includes their lives, and bank accounts, but while we are sitting here debating, we could be investing time, money and collective energy into a long term plan for energy. We must prioritize a long-term view of energy sources and focus on developing reliable sustainable and renewable energy sources. While Native American rights or the right to clean water or the protection of our environment or investing in creation of innovative and

Claire Tully CAMPUS

Madison Ogletree PHOTO

Dakota Sumpter MANAGING EDITOR

Chip Brownlee COMMUNITY

Anne Dawson SOCIAL MEDIA

Jessica Ballard COPY

Kris Martins INVESTIGATIONS

Parker Aultman MULTIMEDIA

Weston Sims OPINION

Jack Winchester

Lily Jackson LIFESTYLE

SPORTS

Emily Hale is the state chair of the Alabama College Democrats.

The Auburn Plainsman

The Editorial Board Corey Williams EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

flexible labor markets may not appeal to you, perhaps the idea of protecting the long-term trajectory for corporations may. If corporations want to stick around for the long haul, they have to consider the nonmonetary impact they have on the societies that assist them in the production of their wealth. Companies such as Patagonia have already shown that it is not only possible but rewarding. Government must take on a role that ensures that the rules work equally for all citizens and secures blessings and liberties not only for ourselves, but for posterity as well.

255 Heisman Drive, Suite 1111, AU Student Center Auburn, AL 36849 Newsroom - (334) 844-9108 Advertising - (334) 844-9101

Editor-in-Chief - Corey Williams

Managing Editor - Dakota Sumpter

NEWSROOM

ADVERTISING

CAMPUS

OPINION

Editor - Claire Tully Reporter - Romy Iannuzzi Writer - Loren Kimmel Writer - Amanda Ronan Writer - Kressie Kornis

Editor - Weston Sims

COPY DESK Editor - Jessica Ballard

COMMUNITY

Submissions

Policy

The Auburn Plainsman welcomes letters from students, as well as faculty, administrators, alumni and those not affiliated with the University.

The opinions of The Auburn Plainsman staff are restricted to these pages.

Letters must be submitted before 4:30 p.m. on Monday for publication. Letters must include the author’s name, address and phone number for verification, though the name of the author may be withheld upon request. Submission may be edited for grammar and/or length. Please submit no more than 400 words.

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.

Editor - Chip Brownlee Reporter - Sam Willoughby Writer - Tori Linehan Writer - Alex Hosey Writer - Gabby Dance

ENTERPRISE

PHOTO AND GRAPHICS Photo Editor - Madison Ogletree Staff Photographer - Matthew Bishop Photographer - Catherine Wofford Photographer - Adam Sparks Design Editor - Emily Shoffit

ADVERTISING AND MARKETING ADVISER Elizabeth Snider advertising@auburn.edu

ADVERTISING MANAGER Lacey Gosset admanager@ThePlainsman.com

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Lauren Bagby Katy Knight

Editor - Kris Martins

SPORTS

ONLINE

DESIGNERS

Editor - Jack Winchester Assistant - Will Sahlie Reporter - Nathan King Reporter - Nathan Deal Writer - Matt Barrentine

Editor - Anne Dawson Assistant Editor - Carley Prichard Assistant - Su Jin Park

MULTIMEDIA

DISTRIBUTION

LIFESTYLE

Editor - Parker Aultman

Dakota Sumpter Zach Clark Lily Jackson

Editor - Lily Jackson Writer - Brooks Glover Writer - Madison Church Writer - Karl Hackmiller Writer - Rebekah Middlebrooks

EDITORIAL ADVISER Alec Harvey adviser@ThePlainsman.com

Grant Peterson Montana Cole


Community Thursday, February 16, 2017

6 ThePlainsman.com

Community

STATE

Governor Bentley appoints new attorney general Sam Willoughby COMMUNITY REPORTER

Gov. Robert Bentley announced Friday that Marshall County District Attorney Steve Marshall will take over as Alabama’s attorney general, filling the office made vacant by his appointment of Luther Strange to the U.S. Senate on Feb. 9. “Steve is a well-respected district attorney with impeccable credentials and strong conservative values,” Bentley said. “I know he will be a great attorney general who will uphold the laws of this state and serve the people of Alabama with fairness. Steve has been instrumental in key legislation to protect Alabamians when it comes to opioid abuse, and I know he will continue to uphold the law as he serves as the state’s top law enforcement official.” Marshall is a native of Atmore and a 1990 graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law. He has served as district attorney for the 27th Judicial Circuit of Alabama, comprised solely of Marshall County, since he was appointed in 2001. He was subsequently re-elected in 2004, 2010 and 2016. Previously, he formed the law firm McLaughlin & Marshall in 1995 with Jeffrey McLaughlin. “It is a great honor to be named attorney general, and I am thankful to Gov. Bentley for the opportunity to serve the people of Alabama,” Marshall said Friday. “The time spent working alongside law enforcement for the last 20 years has been a remarkable privilege. As attorney general, we will continue to support their efforts to keep Alabamians safe and free from violent crime.” In addition to Marshall, Bentley also interviewed state Board of Education member Mary Scott Hunter; acting Attorney General Alice Martin; Fayette County District Attorney Chris McCool; former state Sen. Bryan Taylor; state Sen. Cam Ward; state Sen. Tom Whatley; and state Sen. Phil Williams. Marshall’s appointment is the latest in the past week’s evergrowing chain of seat-filling. On Feb. 8, Jeff Sessions, then U.S. senator, was confirmed by the Senate as the U.S. attorney general. Strange was chosen by Bentley to fill Sessions’ seat in the Senate on Feb. 9, giving Bentley the opportunity to appoint a replacement Alabama attorney general. In April of 2016, after Bentley admitted to sexual misconduct

JAMIE MARTIN / ALABAMA GOVERNOR’S OFFICE

Gov. Robert Bentley shakes hands with new Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, after signing his appointment letter at the state Capitol in Montgomery on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017.

with his longtime aide Rebeckah Caldwell Mason, 23 Alabama legislators signed a resolution to impeach the governor. They planned to charge him with willful neglect of duty, corruption, incompetence and “offenses of moral turpitude.” The Alabama House Judiciary Committee then began an investigation into whether there were grounds for impeachment. In early November, Strange, then attorney general, wrote the committee recommending it cease its investigation, saying it could “intersect” with “necessary related work” of his office.

Spencer Collier, former Alabama Law Enforcement Agency secretary, accused Bentley of using state funds to maintain his relationship with Mason. Bentley fired Collier after accusing him of misusing state funds. The attorney general’s office later announced Collier had been cleared of wrongdoing by a Montgomery grand jury. The scope of the attorney general’s investigation under Strange still remains unclear, as well as the status of it going forward. Marshall’s new seat will be up for election in 2018.

EVENTS

New downtown ‘Krewe de Tigris’ Mardi Gras parade set for this month Alex Hosey

COMMUNITY WRITER

You won’t have to drive all the way to Mobile or New Orleans for Mardi Gras this year. Krewe de Tigris, a local social organization that emphasizes the Mardi Gras season, is organizing a parade in Auburn — the first one since 2012. The parade starts at 5 p.m. on Feb. 25. “I’m hoping that after this year, everyone’s in agreement that [the parade] is something great for the city,” Barry Dorman, chairman of the Krewe de Tigris. “I think it’ll be a good thing for Auburn, and I think it’ll be something the family as a whole can enjoy.” The majority of Auburn City Council

members voted in favor of allowing the parade to take place and to invoke the entertainment district downtown to allow open-container beverages. Dorman considers the celebration of Mardi Gras to be an important part of Alabama’s history and hopes to model it after Mobile’s celebration of the holiday. Mardi Gras began in Mobile, Alabama, in 1703, 15 years before the founding of New Orleans. Numerous local businesses and organizations will be participating in the parade, such as the Tuskegee University Band, Dimensions Hair Salon, Auburn Furniture, Mint Julip Boutique and the Red Clay Brewing Company.

Ward 8 Councilman Tommy Dawson, however, had reservations about the idea of a Mardi Gras parade in Auburn and voted against it. “The Mardi Gras parades I’ve seen in New Orleans and what not, I don’t feel like it’s appropriate for Auburn,” Dawson said. “That’s why I voted against it. ... From a lawenforcement background, I have concerns about it, of course. There’s so much that could go wrong anytime you have parades.” Ward 3 Councilwoman Beth Witten is in favor of the parade and said, like the Christmas parade and Summernight parade, it’s a great way to bring the community together. “This is just another extension of activities

to get everybody out downtown and into the community that may not have otherwise been to a Mardi Gras parade, or they used to grow up going to Mardi Gras parades and so now they get to enjoy one in our own community,” Witten said. Witten is also a member of the Krewe de Tigris and says planning for this year’s parade has been in progress since January 2016. The parade will follow the same route as the Homecoming parade, beginning at Mary Martin Hall and making its way through downtown Auburn along College Street, Tichenor Avenue, Gay Street and Thach Avenue. Portions of these streets will be closed off to vehicle traffic starting at 4 p.m. on Feb. 25.

CRIME

Former University public safety lieutenant to face grand jury

Chip Brownlee COMMUNITY EDITOR

A former Auburn University Public Safety lieutenant’s case will head to a grand jury after a judge ruled Feb. 9 in a preliminary hearing that there is enough evidence and probable cause in the case. Former lieutenant Dennis Rae Ledbetter, 46, was arrested in early December on three felony warrants charging him with possession of child pornography, according to court documents. Ledbetter, who was a contract instructor for a women’s selfdefense class in addition to his position at University Public Safety, became the subject of an Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and Auburn Police Division investigation. Agents discovered that someone downloaded more than 800 images of child pornography on a University campus computer, according to court documents. The files were downloaded between Oct. 20 and Oct. 21 of last year. The Office of Information Technology on campus was able to isolate the IP address of the offending computer, which belonged to Ledbetter. Police later confirmed the IP match. ALEA’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force contacted the Auburn Police Division about the downloaded

Dennis Rae Ledbetter, 46, was arrested in December on three felony warrants charging him with child porn possession. images on Nov. 30. Ledbetter was arrested a few days later on Dec. 2 and charged. After police obtained permission from the University to search his computer, they found 868 files, but they had been deleted. The files were downloaded through a peerto-peer file-sharing program, according to police. After being questioned by police, Ledbetter told detectives where seven flash drives were in his backpack on campus. He said the items on the flash drives would be of interest for evidence, according to police. On the thumb drives, police found more than 5,500 containing suspected child porn along with 111 videos. Ledbetter admitted to possessing the child pornography in a rights-advised statement to police, according to the documents. The University immediately placed Ledbetter on leave upon notification of his arrest, according to a statement from Mike Clardy, interim assistant vice president for communications and marketing, sent to The Plainsman in December. “Auburn University

officials were notified by the Auburn Police Division of an investigation Wednesday and began providing all requested information,” the statement read. “Upon notification of an arrest, the University immediately placed Mr. Ledbetter on administrative leave. The University is

continuing to work with police.” Lee County District Judge Russell Bush agreed to send the case to a grand jury Feb. 9 after finding probable cause from preliminary evidence and testimony presented by police. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children also confirmed, according to police, that many of the images contained known child victims. According to the University’s website in December, Ledbetter taught a popular self-defense class focused on teaching the

Rape Aggression Defense System, or RAD. He is no longer listed as an Auburn University employee. Elizabeth Blessing, senior in accounting, took Ledbetter’s self-defense class during the spring 2016 semester. “It was one of the most applicable classes that I’ve ever taken at Auburn in terms of dangerous situations you could find yourself in,” Blessing said. “Mr. Ledbetter was completely professional in his instruction. He was always very proper in explaining and demonstrating

defense moves.” She saw no visible signs that he would do something like download child pornography. “I gave him extremely high marks on his evaluation,” Blessing said. “I thought he and the other officers did a great job. This is a complete surprise to hear that he would be involved in something like that.” Ledbetter, whose case could go to a grand jury in the spring, did not attend the hearing, according to multiple reports. Ledbetter remains out of jail on a $90,000 bond.

Com fall in lo

Leman’s

FAB FINDS at ANTIQUE ROCKING HORSE Look for a new find each week! Unique

We don’t just do antiques!

Finds for College angelsantiqueandfleamall.com 900 Columbus Pkwy, Opelika 36801 Dorms! 334-745-3221 •

Come into Quiet Comfort

Pet Friendly • Sparkling Pools • Spacious Floor Plans On-site Management • Tiger Transit Route Water/Garbage included • Only 4 blocks from Auburn University campus

A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE!

(334) 821-9192 560 North Perry St. Auburn, AL www.lemanssquare.com


Thursday, February 16, 2017

Community 7

The Auburn Plainsman

STATE POLITICS

House bill would punish Alabama ‘sanctuary campuses’ Chip Brownlee COMMUNITY EDITOR

MONTGOMERY — The Alabama House of Representatives on Tuesday night passed a bill that would crack down on “sanctuary campuses” by restricting millions in state funding. If the bill passes the Senate and is signed by the governor, the Alabama Attorney General’s Office can withhold any public funding from public colleges and universities that attempt to defy state and federal immigration law or declare themselves sanctuary campuses. The “Americans First Act” passed 72–28 along party lines after two hours of debate Tuesday night. It adds to a 2011 immigration law that allows the withholding of funding from cities, counties and other municipalities that declare themselves as sanctuary areas. Democrats filibustered the bill proposed by Rep. Phil Williams, R-Huntsville, for over two hours. “If we’ve got a college that does not uphold state or federal law, that college is setting it up to be apart from the law of the land,” Williams said. “If a college acts that way, this would give a mechanism to turn off their funding so that we can ensure that Americans are served first, that tax dollars that support these colleges go to colleges that uphold the law.” Democrats pressed Williams on the purpose of the bill. They asked if any college or university had declared itself a “sanctuary campus.” “This bill, to me, is a solution in search of a problem,” said Rep.

The bill adds to a 2011 immigration law that allows the withholding of funding from ‘sanctuary’ cities and other municipalities. Patricia Todd, D-Birmingham. “It is already illegal for these colleges not to follow federal law. They get federal funds, and I know that when you get federal funds, you have to sign a lot of papers that say you’re going to follow federal law.” Auburn University has not made any such declaration and no large student movement has arisen to push for such a change. Williams said he knew of no colleges or universities on the “faculty or president level” that have declared themselves sanctuary areas or have refused to comply with state or federal immigration law, but he doesn’t want to wait. “I don’t know of any in Alabama today,” Williams said. “Are we always going to be reactionary in this body? Are we going to be the last ones to have helped get something on the books to clarify something when it does become a problem? Do you really think that tomorrow, next year or the next year that this won’t be a problem given what we’re seeing?” The bill was filed in response to a student movement at the University of Alabama in Huntsville to declare that campus a sanctuary campus. The movement drew little support and the university there never made a move on the administrative level, according to

The Montomgery Advertiser. “There are movements among students today,” Williams said. “They’re part of the puzzle. They are going to put more and more pressure on the adults.” But Williams’ bill does nothing to limit students who wish for their school to become a sanctuary campus. It only regulates actions by administrators, officials and boards of trustees. “We’ve had some campus issues with students,” Williams said. “But they are free to do what they want to do.” It’s about the future, though, Williams said. The bill is an incentive for presidents and boards of trustees to continue following the law. Williams said some college officials are even in support of it because it will give them a “get out of jail free card” to shut down pro-sanctuary movements on their campuses. “It would be helpful if we had evidence that a problem does exist in Alabama,” Todd said. “Do you see how the public thinks that we’re ridiculous when we’re doing this? Why don’t we deal with Medicaid? Why don’t we deal with adequately funding DHR?” The bill adds a section to the Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act to clarify that two- and four-year public institutions are subject to the act, which gives the state authority to strip funding. To lose their status, the university, through its board of trustees or another official, must make a public declaration of sanctuary status, refuse to comply with the law or fail to cooperate with law enforcement. The bill will now head to the Alabama Senate.

KRIS MARTINS / ENTERPRISE EDITOR

People shop at the Community Market in Opelika,Ala., on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017.

HUNGER » From 1

-tors and freezers full of meat, dairy-free milk, vegetables and cheeses to create a supermarketstyle environment in which people can choose items they need instead of receiving pre-made boxes. The market served 2,768 households last year with 20 percent of people assisted living in Auburn and 39 percent from Opelika, according to a 2016 report. For some, being able to use the market means having food on the table. An Auburn mother pushed her cart past a shelf of applesauce, which caught the eye of her son, who was sitting in the shopping cart seat. His favorite foods, aside from applesauce, are yogurt and cereal bars, she said. The single mother, who also requested her name be withheld, said she has worked at an Auburn hotel for about two years making minimum wage, which isn’t enough. “This helps fill my cabinets up,” she said of the market, where she has visited since last year. Her 75 pounds of food, which she tries to ration, will last her more than a month. Many people who face hunger do have fulltime jobs despite some misconceptions, said Martha Henk, executive director of the Food Bank of East Alabama. Some jobs simply don’t pay a living wage. Often times, people face a balancing act of what to shortchange, as Henk discovered while driving to work one day. Car lights flashing on the side of the road caught her eye, and she noticed a woman walking. When Henk asked the crying woman if she needed help, the woman explained that on her way to work as a transit driver, her car ran out of gas. Henk offered her a ride to the gas station and on the way, the woman explained that her husband was disabled and stayed home to care for their 3-year-old granddaughter whose mother was in prison. The woman was a few days shy of receiving her regular pay and knew she didn’t have enough gas to arrive at work, so she decided to ask a neighbor for money. When her neighbor gave her $20, she thought about the food they needed and tried to divide her resources for gas and food. But she had miscalculated. And that is one of the many people Henk has come into contact with who was in need. She remembers a woman eating cat food and rice and a girl who said her father advised her to drink extra water at the water fountain if she felt hungry. Sometimes it’s deciding what to do with the money you have, and other times, as Henk recalled another instance, it’s deciding between the apartment and the car, opting to use the car as both transportation and a living space. “There’s this misconception a lot of times that these are sort of welfare queens that are sitting back and don’t want to work, and they’re

getting food stamps, and they’re getting TANF [Temporary Assistance for Needy Families], and they’re just coasting,” Henk said. “But the truth is … about one-third of the ones that we see are the working poor.” Others struggle with health problems, mental issues, becoming a single parent or losing a job. Betty Wimberly, of Loachapoka, came to the market to get food for herself and her father, who has dementia. Since 2014, her full-time job has been taking care of him, though it was her health that pulled her out of her work. Nerve damage, which her doctor told her is connected to her diabetes, causes her legs to hurt and go numb, which keeps her from standing for long periods of time. She could only work part time —15–16 hours — at the convenience or grocery stores and used food stamps that provided “barely enough.” After moving in with her father to care for him, she no longer qualified for the food stamps but said the market is “a good help.” She said she thinks it’s important to note “you’re not homeless.” Rather, people are making use of an available resource. “Not everybody is in the system to take advantage of it,” Wimberly said. “Some people really do need it.” The Food Bank of East Alabama is a nonprofit organization that feeds people in need by partnering with different agencies. Of the approximately 224 partner agencies in the food bank’s seven-county coverage area, about half are in Lee County. People can qualify for assistance at the food bank and its partner agencies through a variety of factors, such as whether they receive food stamps, TANF, Supplemental Security Income or by assessing their income. Henk often thinks of the Yiddish proverb that says, “If you sit in a hot bath, you think the whole town is warm.” It’s difficult for people who don’t experience a specific struggle to believe it exists around them. Before being a part of the Auburn United Methodist Food Pantry, Reeder Dulaney admits she wasn’t aware of the hunger in the area based on the county’s affluence with the University and educated citizens. The reality of hunger in Auburn manifested to Dulaney, now the director of the Food Pantry, when she saw a mother come to the Food Pantry whose son was in the same class as Dulaney’s son. “And I was like, ‘There’s hunger in Jay’s class,’” she said. She listed off other stories of hunger that bled into her world — stories that she said stick with her. “It can be people right where you are, but they’re living week to week. … People need to know that there are hungry people here, and they look like you and me and you would never know it. They have a job, they have an income, but they’re living paycheck to paycheck.” The Food Pantry, founded in 2000, receives from the Food Bank, businesses and

corporations but also buys other goods with church funds. Every Friday morning the doors of the Food Pantry open for families to receive and select food. Volunteers also deliver food to those who are unable to come to the physical location, such as through the East Alabama Services for the Elderly. Several people who visit the Food Pantry have diabetes, so the organization aims to offer more food options for diabetics. “I’ve learned not to judge,” Dulaney said of what she’s learned through the Food Pantry. “You don’t know what they’re going through, and that’s been hard.” She thinks of seeing people in need with cell phones or nice cars, something people criticize of the poor. “It may be the last thing they have,” she said. She’s seen people underemployed, working at fast-food restaurants and as hotel maids; people battling mental health issues; and disintegrated families leaving single parents to care for children. And she, too, disapproves of the welfare-receiver stereotype. “They’re making decisions that I couldn’t even fathom,” she said, citing someone’s need to decide between enough food and enough medicine. Some people get back on their feet, as Dulaney has seen over time. A man once stopped her at a Verizon store after recognizing her from the Food Bank and said he had gotten a job. She sees others return to the church, not

for food but to give money or donate clothes. The food pantry saw the number of families served decrease by about 9 percent from 2015 to 2016. But Dulaney acknowledges that the Food Pantry isn’t solving hunger in Lee County; rather, it’s serving as a “Band-Aid.” A 13-year-old poem hangs on the wall of a cubicle-shaped station where residents receive assistance with the screening and intake procedures of the Community Market. Anonymously written and titled “The Other Side of the Desk,” the poem confronts people with the reality that anyone — including you — could be on the “other side of the desk” receiving assistance. The poem, staff said, serves as a reminder to treat everyone fairly and with respect. Gripping his right hand with his left, feeling the aftermath of the stroke, the Opelika man stood in the aisles of the Community Market and still offered a wide smile after deciding the one thing he would ask for if he could have anything in that moment: to be rich. “I’d help people that need help,” he said. But what came to his lips several times was the reminder that he keeps trying to take care of himself, to “survive.” Yet he smiled again. “I try to be happy every day.” This article is the first installment of a series on hunger in and around Auburn. Check out a multiplatform version of this story online at ThePlainsman.com.

KRIS MARTINS / ENTERPRISE EDITOR

A child stands next to a shopping cart in the Community Market in Opelika,Ala., on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017.


Sports

8

Thursday, February 16, 2017

ThePlainsman.com

SOFTBALL

Sports

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Tigers struggle, fall to Florida 110-66 Jack Winchester SPORTS EDITOR

ANDREW AARON / AUBURN ATHLETICS

Ring chaser

Makayla Martin (29) delivers a pitch in a game in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Makayla Martin poises Auburn for another championship run Nathan King

SPORTS REPORTER

Makayla Martin has it hard. As the designated ace for the secondranked Auburn Tigers, Martin is tasked with pitching in practice to stud hitters such as Haley Fagan, Kendall Veach, Victoria Draper and Madi Gipson. “Being able to pitch against multiple lineups has been great,” Martin said. “I mean, they’re all obviously hitting amazing off of us. But I’m confident with whoever is put out there in the lineup.” There’s also Kasey Cooper. “No, it’s not fair,” Martin said when asked about Cooper’s home run off her pitch following a scrimmage. “That’s the second time she’s hit one over the fence like that in two days. So, it’s not fair.” Surrounded by great athletes and great expectations, Martin is no exception to either category. The San Diego, California native has been asked to take her talents above and beyond average freshman potential since her arrival on the Plains. Those opportunities were numerous in the 2016 season, in which Martin flourished as a true freshman. The right-hander finished the year with a 15-4 record as a starter and pitched four complete games. She was also named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s Freshman Player of the Year Top 25 list. It was in Oklahoma City, however, where Martin grew up before Auburn fans’ eyes. Following a dominating performance against the Arizona Wildcats in the Super Regionals to send Auburn to the WCWS, Martin was called upon again in the Tigers matchup with Florida State in the semifinals. The freshman produced, filling in late for Kaylee Carlson and punching Auburn’s ticket to the national championship series. In a surprise move before game one of the final series against Oklahoma, Tiger se-

nior Lexi Davis was named the starter. A late Auburn rally fell short as the Sooners took the opener. After the incredible game two comeback victory, Martin started in the circle in the final outing of the season. She pitched six innings with a single strikeout, allowing no runs. Despite Martin’s efforts, Oklahoma was able to outlast the Tigers, 2-1, to win the national championship. Then came revenge. “We play the game, not the team,” Martin said of the rematch with the Sooners on opening day. “That’s what coach always says. Whoever we’re put in front of, we’re going to do the same thing we would in any other game, just do what we do best.” Martin stayed true to her word, as the Tigers avenged their national championship loss to Oklahoma by besting the Sooners on opening day in Mexico. Martin kept the Sooners scoreless through the first six innings en route to a 3-2 victory for the sophomore. Kaylee Carlson replaced a winded Martin in the sixth inning as Oklahoma began to rally, landing a pair of clutch strikeouts. Auburn departed Mexico with a 3-1 start to the season in their back pockets, claiming victories over BYU and Nebraska and dropping the opening day nightcap to Washington. Auburn needs success from the entire pitching staff if another title run is to be in the cards for 2017. Carlson shared the circle with Martin in Puerto Vallarta and freshmen Ashlee Swindle and Alexa Nemeth are expected to provide instant impact with the Tigers in the thick of the conference schedule. Senior Jenna Abbott looks to contribute from the bullpen as well. Auburn’s alignment of different-aged pitchers bodes well for mentoring purposes. “I can see that Kaylee has improved so much from last year,” Martin said. “Just

from the experience and the competition that’s been put in front of her, for both of us. That’s what is going to let us have success this year because we’ve been there last year.” The pitchers’ improvement has also garnered the attention of fourth-year head coach Clint Meyers. “Kaylee came back with a rise,” Meyers said. “If she can throw some of the speeds we’ve had here, (in practice) she can hit 70 miles per hour. She’s strong, healthy and wants to pitch. “Mak’s changeup has gotten so much better. I’m not too worried about Mak and Kaylee. They’re seasoned veterans and they know what to do: take the ball and win.” Martin, who is referred to as “Mak” by her teammates and coaches, has embraced her own personal developments on the mound. “I like my changeup a lot,” Martin said. “Mostly because I don’t have to just rely on my drop now. I can throw my changeup and it can be effective, more consistently than it was last year.” With Martin in the circle and 2016 ESPNW Player of the Year Kasey Cooper at the plate, the sky is the limit for 2017 Auburn softball. The Tigers have already proven to themselves that they can more than hang with the best, evident in their avenging victory over Oklahoma. The Tigers will be tested early and often in league play however. Auburn should start to find comfort in ranked matchups, as the Tigers’ conference slate includes dates with No. 9 LSU, No. 13 Georgia, No. 14 Missouri, No. 25 South Carolina, No. 7 Alabama and the No. 1 Florida Gators, per the new Top 25 released on Monday. The home opener for Auburn (3-1) is this Thursday at Jane B. Moore field against the SIUE Cougars (5-0).

It has been an up and down season for the Auburn men’s basketball Tigers. On Tuesday, the downward spiral continued as the nationally ranked Florida Gators downed Auburn 114-95. “It’s difficult when you’re constantly taking the ball out of the net, getting beat backdoor,” Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said. “We looked, at times, very helpless out there defensively.” The offensive production did not lack for the Tigers, as six players were in double figures. Auburn also scored 15 points more than their season average of 80 points per contest. Freshman Danjel Purifoy got things started for the Tigers, hitting a plus one three-pointer for the first points of the game. Anfernee McLemore led the way for Auburn with a career high 19 points and 6 rebounds, followed by T.J. Dunans who added 13 points and 5 rebounds. Things were looking good for Auburn in the first half, and the Tigers led by eight at one point while knocking down shots from behind the arc. Things were knotted at 50 when Auburn headed to the lockeroom, and it seemed as if Auburn had the No. 17 ranked Gators right where they wanted them. Then the second half began. Florida came out of the

MADISON OGLETREE / PHOTO EDITOR Anfernee McLemore (24) prepares to shoot the ball during Auburn Men’s Basketball vs. Florida

FOOTBALL

Three Tigers earn NFL Combine invites Jack Winchester SPORTS EDITOR

ADAM SPARKS / PHOTOGRAPHER Carl Lawson (55) hits MSU quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (7)

Three former Tiger defensive standouts are set to participate in the 2017 NFL Combine later this month. Defensive tackle Montravious Adams, defensive end Carl Lawson and safety Rudy Ford were invited to the combine, it was announced Monday. Ford led Auburn in tackles for the 2014 and 2015 seasons, but his production lacked last season largely due to an injury. Still, he started 12 games in the secondary, primarily at nickel-back, before an injury kept him sidelined during the Sugar Bowl. He finished the year with 59 tackles and seven pass breakups. Adams shined in his senior

season and finished 2016 with 44 tackles, including 4.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss. Adams also scored a touchdown off of a fumble and recorded an interception last season. Lawson led the Tigers with with 9.5 sacks last season after battling injuries throughout his Auburn career. Lawson will forgo his senior season on the Plains, but as a junior, he recorded 30 total tackles, including 13.5 for a loss and nine sacks. He led the defensive unit in the latter two categories, as well as in quarterback hurries (24). The NFL Combine begins Feb. 28 in Indianapolis and runs through March 6.

half and scored three quick buckets, stetched their lead to 10 with 16:20 remaining, and never looked back. “I’m not sure if it’s because we’re young or what,” McLemore said. “I feel like we’re a good defensive team with he way we play in the first half but we have to find something to translate to the second half.” Mike White’s squad was led by Canyon Barry, who scored a game-high 30 points, and Allen KeVaughn. The Gators made contested shots and made plenty of them. Despite being out-rebounded and losing the turnover battle, Florida scored a season high 114 points, handing Auburn their 10th loss of the season and worst loss in 23 years. “Could there be an adjustment with personnel in the second half? It’s possible, but if I thought it was just personnel I would have made those changes beforehand,” Pearl said. Auburn won the turnover battle, out rebounded the Gators and had 16 more points in the paint, but nothing would give. Auburn fell to 16-10 (58), while Florida improved to 21-5 (11-2). Auburn returns to action on Saturday and will travel to Texas to face the Aggies from Texas A&M. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. CST, and can be seen on ESPNU.


Thursday, February 16, 2017

Sports 9

The Auburn Plainsman

WOMEN’S TENNIS

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Horace Spencer to miss remainder of season Will Sahlie

ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

AUBURN ATHLETICS

Auburn’s fear became a reality Monday afternoon as Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl announced that Horace Spencer will miss the remainder of the season. Spencer will undergo shoulder surgery on Thursday. “Health has been an issue now for Horace,” Pearl said. “After his first year he was out four months with a knee. He’s going to be out four months with a shoulder. That’s tough. You need that offseason and he didn’t

have that last season. When we were expecting, and we should, what’s Horace going to be like as a sophomore? He had no chance to train.” Spencer injured his left shoulder on Jan. 31 in Auburn’s 87-77 loss to Tennessee. “We miss the stability, and we miss his toughness, and we miss our brother,” Pearl said. The 6-foot-8 sophomore started 12 games for Auburn and was averaging 4.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. He leads the Tigers with 28 blocked shots.

“Horace is one of our toughest players, and he’s a fighter, and he’s not afraid. He’s a really good teammate,” Pearl said. “Horace has got a little bit of mother hen, and he’s got a little of big brother in him. He’s a bit of a protector.” Auburn (16-9, 5-7) is 2-1 since Spencer’s injury, but the Tigers will face one of its biggest tests of the season Tuesday night when they will welcome No. 15 Florida (20-5, 10-2) to Auburn Arena. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. CST, and the game can be seen on the SEC Network.

Tigers take down Georgia Tech at ITA National Indoors Jack Winchester SPORTS EDITOR

No. 14 Auburn women’s tennis ended its trip at the ITA Team Indoor National Championships with an impressive 4-2 victory over No. 11 Georgia Tech in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. on Sunday. “I am extremely proud of the grit and determination that our team showed today against a tough opponent,” Auburn head coach Lauren Spencer said. “Georgia Tech is a solid team, and they fought us until the very end. After dropping the doubles point, I really challenged the girls and they stepped up and took care of business.” Auburn trailed early after dropping the doubles point for only the second time this season with losses on courts one and two. Georgie Axon and Caroline Turner improved to 6-3 on the season, defeating Georgia Tech’s Nadia Gizdova and Nami Otsuka 6-1 on court three. In singles, Roos van der Zwaan was brilliant, defeating Gizdova in straight sets, 6-0,

6-3. The junior is now 4-3 in singles this season. No. 120 Alannah Griffin tied the match at two with a thriller on court four after falling in a match on court five. Trailing 5-0 in the second set, Griffin won seven straight games and wont the match, 7-5, 7-5. Alizee Michaud picked up her 19th singles victory on the season with a 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-1 win over Johnnise Renaud on court one. Michaud now has 65 singles wins for her career and has a team high this season. Freshman Taylor Russo stepped up once again to clinch the match for the Tigers on court three. Russo defeated Paige Hourigan of Georgia Tech in three sets 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7-3) to improve to 11-5 on the season. The Tigers returned home to Yarbrough Tennis Center on Tuesday, and defeated Troy and Alabama A&M. The victory gave head coach Lauren Spencer her 200th career victory in her tenth season as a head coach.

CATHERINE WOFFORD / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Horace Spencer (0) dunks the ball against LSU on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017 in Auburn,Ala

FOOTBALL

STUDENT AFFAIRS S P OT L I G H T

VIA TARHEEL ATHLETICS

Malzahn, Auburn add proven recruiter Larry Porter to staff Nathan King

SPORTS REPORTER

Auburn has hired North Carolina running backs andspecial-teams coach Larry Porter as the team’s tight ends and H-Backs coach and recruiting coordinator, Gus Malzahn announced Saturday morning. Porter’s extensive resumé stretches all over the map, most notably being a fiveyear stint in Baton Rouge under Les Miles, where Porter earned National Recruiter of the Year honors in 2007 and 2009. His success at LSU led to a head coaching opportunity at Memphis, where he directed his alma mater from 20102011. “Larry is a true professional and will be a great addition to

our staff,” Malzahn said. “He is an outstanding coach with a very good history of player development and is one of the top recruiters in the country.” The Mississippi native’s brand can be found all over the college football world, including stops at Tennessee-Martin, Memphis, Arkansas State, LSU, Oklahoma State, Arizona State, Texas and UNC. Porter produced 1,000-yard rushers with the Red Wolves, Cowboys, Tigers and Tarheels. “I want to thank Coach Malzahn for giving me and my family the opportunity to be a part of the Auburn family,” Porter said. “He has assembled a great staff and has all of the pieces to pursue a championship. Auburn has a great football tradition, and I

can’t wait to get started. War Eagle!” Porter developed two 1,000-yard rushers at LSU in Jacob Hester (2007) and Charles Scott (2008) as well as having five players (Hester, Joseph Addai, Quinn Johnson, Charles Scott, Trindon Holliday) selected in the NFL Draft. He has been part of 11 bowl teams since 2002, including a pair of BCS bowls (2007 Sugar, 2008 BCS Championship). Porter has replaced Scott Fountain as the Tigers’ tight ends and H-backs coach and replaces Rodney Garner as recruiting coordinator. Fountain’s duties also included special-teams coordinator in 2016, a position to be filled by current running backs coach Tim Horton this season,

The BIG Event March 4th • 8am - 12pm • Greenspace The BIG Event is a student-run day of service which encourages college students to thank the community providing a thriving environment to live and learn. Free admission for Auburn Students Volunteer registration is now open at aub.ie/thebigevent.

auburn.edu/StudentAffairs

@AuburnStudents

facebook.com/AuburnStudents

@AuburnStudents

Auburn Students


Sports 10

Thursday, February 16, 2017

The Auburn Plainsman

This week in Auburn sports

ANDREW AARON / AUBURN ATHLETICS

CODY VOGA / AUBURN ATHLETICS

ANDREW AARON / AUBURN ATHLETICS

Kasey Cooper (13) leads off of first base during Auburn’s game against Nebraska in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on, Friday, Feb. 10, 2017.

Kaylee Carlson (16) pitches during Auburn’s game against Nebraska in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico on, Friday, Feb. 10, 2017.

Teammates celebrate with Kendall Veach (24) after her home run during Auburn’s game against Oklahoma in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017. National runner-up Auburn challenged national champion Oklahoma in their opening game.

MADISON OGLETREE / PHOTO EDITOR

MADISON OGLETREE / PHOTO EDITOR

MADISON OGLETREE / PHOTO EDITOR

Anfernee McLemore (24) dunks during the second half of Auburn’s 114-95 loss to Florida on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, in Auburn,Ala.

Mustapha Heron (5) drives the ball into Florida territory during the second half of Auburn’s 114-95 loss to Florida on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, in Auburn,Ala.

Austin Wiley (50) dunks the ball during the first half of Auburn’s 114-95 loss to Florida on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, in Auburn,Ala.

Gymnastics The Tiger gymnastics team enters its rivalry week at No. 17 in the national RoadtoNationals. com rankings with a 195.718 average. “There were some positives and negatives from last week’s meet, but we mainly need to get mentally tougher,” head coach Jeff Graba said. “With a road meet at Alabama Friday, we need to mentally prepare for that environment. It’s simply another opportunity for this team to gel.” Oklahoma holds on to the No. 1 spot after defeating Auburn on Friday. The Sooners held on to the top spot with a 197.813 average, while LSU, Florida, UCLA and Utah remain in the Top 5. Alabama, Kentucky and Georgia also represent the conference in the Top 10. Auburn continues its road swing, facing No. 6

Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The Tigers and the Tide will go head-to-head at 7:30 p.m. CT on Friday, live on SEC Network. Equestrian The nationally ranked Auburn equestrian team opened the spring season with a 10-8 loss to No. 7 Georgia Saturday at the Auburn University Horse Center. The loss moves the third ranked Tigers to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in Southeastern Conference competition. “This team is very young that hasn’t lost very much,” head coach Greg Williams said. “They’re starting to see that it matters how they approach each day. This is an educational process for a young team. You can overcome mistakes and ride through it to win the point, and a

day like today will hopefully show this young team that.” Auburn competed throughout, but The Bulldogs edged the Tigers in the second half of competition, going 6-3 overall to win the meet in the final two events. The Tigers welcome UT-Martin to the Plains on Saturday to close out their regular season home schedule. Auburn and the Skyhawks are set to face off at 1 p.m CT at the AU Horse Center. The Tigers will honor their six seniors during the meet. Track and Field Auburn’s Marshay Ryan claimed gold in the women’s triple jump as Auburn track and field set nine personal bests on the final day of the Ti-

ger Paw Invitational in Clemson, South Carolina on Saturday. Ryan jumped 43-7.75/13.30m on her third jump of the day, which was good enough to win the event. Jakayla Hand finished third with a mark of 41-6/12.65m. Seniors Teray Smith and Kahlil Henderson finished third and fourth, respectively in the men’s 200m. Smith moved into third on Auburn’s all-time performance while posting a personal best 20.75. Henderson also posted a personal best with a mark of 20.93, which is good for sixth in Auburn history. Jenae Ambrose finished fourth in the women’s 200 while running a personal best 23.39. The Tigers will return to action on Feb. 24-25 for the 2017 Southeastern Conference Indoor Championships in Nashville, Tennessee.


Lifestyle Thursday, February 16, 2017

11 ThePlainsman.com

Lifestyle

STUDENT STORIES

Student raises adopted duck in dorm room Kris Martins ENTERPRISE EDITOR

As a freshman in his second semester at Auburn last year, Jonny Bradford had no idea what a friend, a phone call and $10 would come to mean for him. His friend walked into Tractor Supply Co. in Opelika in January with the intention of buying a beanie but was drawn toward two ducklings he saw there instead. He left the store short $10, with two animals and a lingering confusion with his decision. Trying to think of someone who would take a duck, he called Bradford. “He called me, and I didn’t believe him,” Bradford said. Still, he said yes to the offer. Bradford, now a sophomore in aerospace engineering, kept a duckling in his dorm for less than two months until he realized keeping it came with consequences. The day his friend bought the ducklings, which Bradford estimated were just a few days old, they were half the size of the palm of his hand and boasted bright fuzzy yellow feathers. He picked up his duckling from his friend’s house the same day it was bought. A first-time pet parent, Bradford walked back to his dorm, opened the door — duckling in tow — and was greeted by roommates he hadn’t consulted before adopting the new member of their living space. He had called one of his roommates after agreeing to take the duckling and said he was supportive. “At first they loved it,” he said. “It was wallowing around. We put it in a duck boot.” For about the first week, Bradford didn’t have the proper equipment to care for a duckling, which added difficulty to raising Stan, the name he gave it, which squeaked all night. “It was literally like having an actual child,” he said. “It was sleepless nights.” But in retrospect, Bradford said ducks are easy to care for. He went to Tractor Supply Co. and bought a duck starter kit to help it mature in the beginning. It doubled in size about every week, he noted. After about a month of the duckling’s squeaking, one of Bradford’s friends did some research and found that females will continue to squeak after several weeks early on. Stan could no longer remain Stan. Bradford decided to rename the duckling Caitlyn — after Caitlyn Jenner — though he continued to call it Stan on a regular basis. As he continued to raise his new pet, Bradford said he and his roommates feared Residence Life would discover it. “We were on the third floor, and as soon as you came in the stairwell, you could hear the duck,” he said. “So every day when I would leave to go to class, I would kind of freak out a little bit.”

CONTRIBUTED BY JONNY BRADFORD

Jonny Bradford, sophomore in aerospace engineering, adopted a duck his freshman year.

His neighbors knew about the duckling, coming over to play with it, but Residence Life, to his knowledge, never found out about it. People frequently dubbed him and his roommates as a modern representation of Joey and Chandler from the TV series “Friends.” One roommate comes home with a chick, and when the other goes to return it, he comes back with a duck too. “We pretended it was a baby, and so we tried to teach it English and how to do everything a baby would do,” Bradford said, adding that he tried to teach it to fly but without success. After the duck imprinted on him, Bradford realized it would soon become completely dependent on him, forcing him to keep it for its entire lifespan. If they parted ways, it would have a better chance of surviving with less human interaction. Aside from that, his roommates also started to dislike the smell and mess more and more. So, Bradford opted to give the duck to a friend in Beauregard, who has a farm with several ducks, in March

2016. “It was a rough day,” he said. “[I cried] a little bit.” In retrospect, Bradford realized the duckling gave him an opportunity to make new friends and meet other people. Their most memorable moment together, he recalls, was when he was walking from his dorm to the Student Center for a meeting, with the duck tittering behind him, a result of the imprint. A Tiger Transit driver saw the duo, pulled over and asked them if they needed a lift. Somewhere on Twitter, there’s video evidence of the interaction, he said. He hasn’t gone back to visit the duck, unsure of whether it would still have the imprint on him. He’s also uncertain whether he would recognize Stan among the other ducks if he visited. Now, a year after caring for his first pet, Bradford said he misses Stan. The experience taught him responsibility and how to juggle priorities as a freshman who had to take care of himself and another being.


Lifestyle 12

Thursday, February 16, 2017

The Auburn Plainsman

CULTURE

Chinese New Year brings international students closer to Auburn community Madison Church LIFESTYLE WRITER

On Saturday night, the sounds of drums being played echoed from the Red Barn at Ag Heritage Park. From 5 to 7 p.m. that evening, Auburn Global students were invited to celebrate the Chinese New Year with the Spring Festival Finale, an event that created a space for community members and international students to interact. The directors of Auburn Global wanted to make the event as accessible as possible to their students, many of whom can’t or are unable to drive. Tiger Transit buses were provided to and from the event, making stops at student apartment complexes near campus. When the students arrived, they were greeted by familiar faces: people in the Auburn community who are a part of an organization known as Auburn Family Friends, which works to match international students to families in hopes of assimilating students to American customs and holidays. Both the families and students were encouraged to eat and fellowship along side one another, with free food offered and tables and chairs scattered around the barn. The highlight of the night was a traditional lion dance performance, put on by the Chien Hong School of Kung Fu, based in Atlanta. The school, founded by Kung Fu expert Gary Marshall, has performed lion dances across the Southeast for 22 years. Marshall learned the art of Kung Fu when he was eight years old and hasn’t stopped learning since. From 1989 to 1993, Marshall lived in Taiwan, practicing Kung Fu and learning the ways of perfecting a lion dance performance.

Two years after returning to the U.S., Marshall opened the Chien Hong School of Kung Fu and has done an average of fifty shows a year. The performance was a hit among all audiences. Marshall gave a brief history on lion dancing. He also cautioned parents on holding their children, as the lions could seem life-like during the show. The performers wore bright, glittering pants and then put on large, lion head costumes. The costumes created the illusion of two independent lions, who danced in unison to the banging of a drum and cymbals. During the show, the lions blinked their eyes, moved their ears and interacted with audience members to create the illusion of coming to life. After completing the performance, Marshall and his performers took volunteers from the audience who wanted to try lion dancing themselves. To end the evening, sparklers were handed out by Charus Campbell, director of Auburn Global, and Dawn Sherman, managing director. Children and students alike lit their sparklers with the tee-kea torches scattered along the lake shore, laughing with one another. Sparklers were used to write words in the air with the glow from the light. Overall, the event saw over 100 students and families celebrate the Lunar New Year together. The goal of the Auburn Global program is to help international undergraduate and graduate students get accustomed to university life in the United States. Auburn Global was started in 2015 and continues to provide academic and social support to the students in its program.

PLAINSMAN PICKS PLAYLIST:

this week, the plainsman editors chose songs for black history month. listen to their picks and follow the auburn plainsman at spotify.com/the_auburnplainsman.

“Strange Fruit” by Billie Holiday “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay” by Otis Redding “Stars Fell on Alabama” by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong “My Girl” by The Temptations “King Kunta” by Kendrick Lamar “I Feel Good” by James Brown “Georgia On My Mind” by Ray Charles “Roses” by Outkast

Adoptable pet of the week

Check out The Dank Dishes cooking show on The Auburn Plainsman’s Youtube channel.

MADISON OGLETREE / PHOTO EDITOR

April Kepner, an unadopted dog at Lee County Humane Society on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017 in Auburn, Ala.

To Place an Ad, Call 334-844-9101 or E-mail admanager@theplainsman.com

Spring Break BAHAMAS SPRING BREAK $189 for 5-Days. All prices include: Round-trip luxury party cruise. Accommodations on the island at your choice of ten resorts. Appalachia Travel. www.BahamaSun.com 800-867-5018

Accepting Applications

EXPERIENCED CLASS A CDL DRIVERS FOR UHAUL

in the Alexander City, Childersburg, & Opelika areas. *Benefits Package *Sign on Bonus To Apply or for More Information Call 256-794-4800 Evergreen Forest Products, Inc.

Tigermarket ALMOST ANYTHING BUY . SELL . TRADE -Retro Video Games -Vinyl Records -Comics, Collectibles - Magic Cards -Posters &Art -Phones, IPads & Laptops (we buy broken phones/laptops)

334 - 741 - 0808 221 S. 9TH ST. OPELIKA, AL 36801 NEXT TO LEE COUNT Y COURTHOUSE

To advertise email admanager@theplainsman.com For more information

Print Deadline Noon three business days prior to publication

RELEASE DATE– Saturday, February 4, 2017

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

ACROSS 1 Runway covering 11 Border 15 Hedge 16 Mellow, with “down” 17 Source of sweet-scented spice 18 Car alarm 19 What suspects may be charged with 20 Grease, often 21 Squeezed (out) 22 Something else 23 First name in legal fiction 24 Good yield 30 Not a good look 31 Made possible 32 Pan Am competitor 34 Darken, in a way 35 Ordered 36 Manage poorly 38 Leftover bit 39 Kid’s cry 41 Dresses 42 Like some horses 44 Hunting dogs 46 Business opening 47 Letter-shaped fastener 48 Depict artistically 49 Certain game extensions, briefly 50 Force user 56 Hand or foot 57 Flipper, for one 59 “Constant Craving” singer 60 Police may look for one 61 Gucci or Rossi 62 Some talk show personalities

DOWN 1 Big top, e.g. 2 Water color 3 Groovy things 4 Street performer 5 Claim 6 Minor players 7 Perform 8 War-torn Sudanese region 9 Got stuffed 10 Join for a drink, say 11 Close behind 12 Library feature 13 Not yet on the shelves 14 Gentle quality 22 Flat-panel TV component 24 1956 rockabilly hit 25 Hardly fresh 26 Code-breaking game with colored pegs 27 __ Kids: “Sesame Street” brand 28 Am or Fm

29 Fictional Soviet sub 33 Chorus line? 37 Voice of Master Viper in “Kung Fu Panda” films 40 Flamenco guitarist Carlos 41 Social worker? 43 “What’s the rush?”

45 Kicked to the curb 50 A little of this, a little of that 51 One of the March sisters 52 __ time 53 Tribulations 54 No. 2 55 Headland 58 Light head?

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:

xwordeditor@aol.com

By David C. Duncan Dekker ©2017 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

02/04/17

02/04/17


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.