"Passing the Baton" Choir director to leave Southern after 20 years
After 20 years of music-making at Southern Adventist University, Gennevieve Brown-Kibble, director of choral activities and a professor in the School of Music, is stepping away from teaching at the university at the end of the school year.
Kibble describes her decision as a “passing of the baton” to Southern’s next choir director. When she informed choir members of her decision, she expanded on the baton metaphor.
“We use that as a breathing technique — the idea of: ‘You pass the baton to the
next singer,’” Kibble said. “You don’t just run your lap and stop and wait. There’s this constant overlapping, so you get the momentum, and you build.”
In an email to the Accent, Peter Cooper, dean of the School of Music, described Kibble as a “dear colleague and friend” and reflected on her contributions to the university.
“Dr. Kibble has been a highly valued faculty member of the School of Music for the past 20 years,” Cooper wrote in the email. “She leaves a wonderful legacy of musical and mentoring excellence in Southern’s cho -
ral program, and she will be greatly missed by many.”
As for filling the choral director position, Cooper wrote, “There was immediate interest from a good number of applicants and, after reviewing their qualifications for the best fit for our needs, we have invited selected candidates to visit our campus for consideration.”
“During their interview, they will demonstrate their teaching and rehearsal skills with the choirs and in the classroom,” he continued. “We will complete the interview process over the next few weeks and hope to have a decision by the end of the semester.”
In her position, Kibble directs three vocal groups. When she came to Southern in 2005, the school already had the Die Meistersinger men’s chorus, but there was not a consistent soprano-alto chorus, according to Kibble.
‘It’s not that they hadn't been used in the SATB [soprano, alto, tenor, bass] choirs,” she said, “but they hadn't had their own thing, and so I was determined that they should have their presence, too.”
That determination ultimately led to the Bel Canto women’s chorus becoming a permanent choral group at Southern.
directs
In a quiet room on campus, three students sat at two pianos, playing in unison. They weren’t rehearsing for a recital. They were trying to capture a feeling, a moment in an animated film that hadn’t yet materialized.
The project is Deep Space, an animated short film produced by Southern students, set to an entirely original orchestral score. It is a collaboration between the School of Music and the School of Visual Art and Design.
Behind the music, storyboards and pixel-perfect frames were students learning how to build a film. But building the film required something bigger: Trust the process and have a shared purpose.
“It’s given me a whole new level of appreciation for what it takes to make something like this,” Matthew Kimbley, senior music theory and literature and paino performance major, said. “You don’t just write notes; you hope they fit. You’re working with someone’s vision, someone who sees the world through movement and light, and you have to honor that.” For Evan Eslava,
Pet owners in the Collegedale area can receive low-cost animal care at an upcoming outdoor community event. The Humane Educational Society (HES) will host a vaccine clinic for cats and dogs on April 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of The Commons at 4950 Swinyar Drive.
According to its website, HES will offer free DHPP shots for dogs and FVRCP shots for cats while supplies last. Other services, such as rabies vaccinations, pet licenses and microchips, will be available for $25 or less per animal.
The clinic will serve pet owners on a first-come, firstserved basis.
The clinic will serve pet owners on a first-come, first-served basis. According to Jeanine Cloyd, director
of community outreach and communication at HES, similar clinics generally reach capacity at approximately 80 to 100 people; however, she said they have doubled many of the staff and volunteer positions for this clinic to care for more pets.
Attendees can expect to stay in their car with their pets while they fill out paperwork and wait their turn in line. According to Cloyd, the final step for pet owners will be to take their animals out of their vehicles and approach the veterinarians for treatment.
HES asks owners to keep their dogs on leashes and cats in pet carriers outside their vehicles. Cloyd said wait times can be long and advised pet owners to come early and be prepared to stay at the clinic for an hour or more, depending on how many other people are present.
The clinic is run by a mixture of HES staff and approximately 17 volunteers,
Kibble also
I Cantori, a traveling
Concept art of Juno's ship headed in to space.
(Illustration courtesy of Evan Eslava)
Gennevieve Brown-Kibble
(Photo by Hannah Johnson)
Gennevieve Brown-Kibble directs the choir in Ackerman Auditorium at Mabel Wood Hall.
(Photo by Hannah Johnson)
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Gym-Masters hit the mat at Homecoming
Anaya Parker Staff Writer
The Gym-Masters Home Show took place this past Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. After weeks of preparation, the team hit the floor and gave a circus-themed performance. Filled with group routines, individual acts and trios, the Gym-Masters told the story of a circus.
The show lasted about two hours, and the Sunday show included performances from Gym Kids and Mini Masters. The event began with the song, The Greatest Show, from the popular musical The Greatest Showman followed by several other songs from the movie.
First-time attendee Skyler Perla, sophomore theology major, was surprised by the level of storytelling involved.
“I thought it was going to be a bunch of flips and twirls, nothing much more than that,” he said. “It was very creative how they tied in different acts to fit their themes.”
His favorite act was the teeterboard, where gymnasts jumped and flipped onto foam mats on either side.
“It was just cool seeing dudes being dudes,” Perla said. “...They were challenging themselves, and it felt realistic as what you would get if you put a seesaw in front of a bunch of athletic guys.”
This was also the first time
Film continued from page 1
ativity the music department had,” he said. “I imagined what could happen if we brought that together with the visual side of Southern— artists creating something bigger, something unified.”
The music team, composed of Kimbley; Susanna Ziesmer, junior psychology and music theory and literature double major; and Samuel Vargas, senior music theory and literature major, worked closely with Eslava throughout the process. Weekly meetings, detailed notes, scene breakdowns and constant creative exchange became the norm.
“We always opened in prayer,” Eslava said. “And somehow, we just clicked. They brought our characters to life through sound.”
He described the energy between the teams as electric.
“It felt like the Holy Spirit was in the room with us,” he said. “We were students, yes—but we were also professionals in that moment. No ego, just collaboration. Just purpose.”
One of the students translating the story's emotional core into sound was Ziesmer.
“Evan has been an anchor,” she said. “He had a strong vision, but he also gave us space to be creative. That balance made all the difference.”
Ziesmer, who joined the project after being invited by her advisor, described the experience as an emotional and academic intersection.
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Sienna Escobar, freshman public relations major, saw the Gym-Masters perform. She was impressed by the amount of variation performed.
“I was very surprised by the amount of different performances and skills that they had,” she said. “I didn’t realize they were so advanced and able to perform a lot of really difficult stunts and skills.”
Escobar said the couple's aerial strap performance was her favorite.
“It was so poetic and lyrical,” she said. “It was beautiful to see the amount of trust they had for each other.”
Houston Beckworth, junior archeology major, came to see his brother perform during the home show. He enjoyed the routine during the mini-tramp, where several male gymnasts flipped over a line of girls. Though he said the performance was good, he felt previous years had been stronger.
“There was a level of comedy not seen in other shows, but I think the last two years were slightly better compared to this year,” Beckworth said. “Though my perception could be influenced by how drawn out it was.”
Bryson Beckworth’s, Hous -
ton Beckworth’s brother and freshman finance major, said that preparing for the show was tiring but it was fun connecting with the team.
“It was definitely a lot of
hard work, but it was fun being with everyone every day. It was very tiring but very fun seeing how it turned out,” Bryson Beckworth said. “Obviously, the gymnastics part is fun, but the community and the friends you make are why I do it every day.”
"We call it the blue church, and we do it for God."
Michael Blood, a junior marketing major, transferred to Southern from Union Adventist University. He said the team has been practicing several hours Monday through Thursday for weeks.
“We have been prepping for Home Show for the last month or two,” Blood said. “We practice every night from 6 to 8 p.m. We put a lot of time and effort into our performances. Throughout the semester, I was working on front layouts and moves that took me out of my comfort zone.”
Specialty acts required even more practice time. Brayden Standish, sophomore nursing major, was involved in a pairing routine with Aliyah Trott.
“My favorite routine that I was in was probably my pairs routine. I had been working on it individually for most of the year since August,” he said.
Standish emphasized how being a part of Gym-Masters has positively affected him socially and spiritually.
“Working on this score let me connect my two majors in a really personal way,” she said. “I was constantly thinking about how the characters would feel and then how to translate that feeling into a sound.”
"It doesn't feel like homework. It feels like art."
For her, one of the most powerful scenes came during the film’s climax, when the main character faced a heartbreaking decision.
“The pacing of that moment was everything,” Ziesmer said. “The music had to build tension without rushing. It had to hold its breath.”
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“It is like one big giant family of 40 kids. We all come from different backgrounds, but pretty much all that gets set aside on the mats,” Standish said. “I have grown spiritually. I am probably at the best place spiritually that I have ever been due to the people on the team and the emphasis on our team.”
The Gym-Masters said they place importance on doing what they do for God. The members call it “blue church” after the color of the mats they use in practice.
“We don’t really perform for us. We call it the blue church, and we do it for God,” Blood said.
“We call it the blue church
“There’s a big climax near the end,” Kimbley said. “I remember watching the raw animation while listening to the music I had composed for it. And it just clicked. It was like the story finally exhaled.”
The orchestral score was recorded live, and the entire production was treated with the same care and complexity as a full studio feature, according to the creatives.
“It doesn’t feel like homework,” Ziesmer said. “It feels like art.”
The creators hope Deep Space will inspire more interdisciplinary projects at Southern.
"They make us feel."
Kimbley said the animation team would send rough clips and outlines of each scene, along with emotional cues and story intentions.
From there, the music students composed drafts, which were revised through a back-and-forth process that often stretched into late nights and multiple rewrites.
“There were moments where we thought we had it,” Kimbley said, “but the animation team would come back and say, ‘Not quite.’ And that pushed us to go deeper, to really understand what they were trying to say with every movement.”
That refining process, though exhausting, created moments that felt almost magical.
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Sports
“There’s so much talent here,” Kimbley said. “And when we bring our departments together, something really beautiful happens. We stop being students trying to get a grade and start being artists with something to say.”
Ziesmer echoed that sentiment.
“I think this can open doors for more students to collaborate across majors,” she said. “To take risks, to trust each other, to learn new languages—whether musical, visual or emotional.”
As the film prepares for its final release, the team isn’t focused on accolades. They just hope people feel something when they watch it.
“That’s what music and film do best,” Kimbley said. “They make us feel.”
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for a reason; it’s all for the glory of God. We know God is there with us,” Bryson Beckworth said .
The performance ended with a recreation of Biblical scenes about Jesus. Houston Beckworth enjoyed this part of the show the most.
“I was very surprised by their tribute to Jesus routine,” he said. “I appreciated that.”
Perla and Escobar said they look forward to seeing what the team will bring to next year’s performance.
“I would love to be able to go again next year and see the new performances that they have worked on together,” Escobar said.
Pet
Clinic continued from page 1
including the two veterinarians on site. The DHPP and FVRCP vaccines were donated by Petco Love Care, a program run by Petco Health and Wellness Company, Inc., that has donated millions of vaccines to similar community clinics, according to the retailer’s website.
HES runs similar clinics monthly in different locations throughout Hamilton County. While clinics are typically held in Ooltewah four times a year, this event marks the first of its kind within Collegedale city limits. Cloyd said the event could return to Collegedale, depending on its reception and the level of need in the community.
The next HES clinic will be held April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The next HES clinic will be held April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Soddy Elementary School in Soddy Daisy, Tennessee.
Cloyd said she hopes to inform community members that HES can help them and their animals.
“Times are tough, and we understand that financially, animals can be very expensive,” Cloyd said. “We want to see all of the pets in our community cared for, and we hope to see them get all of the necessary vaccinations.”
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A character rendering from Deep Space. (Illustration courtesy of Evan Eslava)
The Gym-Masters performed under the theme "Cirque De Fils". Saturday, April 12, 2025 (Photo by Shengzhe Zhao)
Choir Director continued from page 1
chamber ensemble that has toured several countries, and went to Spain last year.
The three vocal groups often sing together as a combined choir. In total, 87 students currently participate in all of the different choirs at Southern, according to Kibble.
However, her choirs are not always made up of only students, and Kibble enjoys having Southern staff and alumni sing with her groups when possible.
"There is never a time when they're not welcome to sing in the choirs."
Kurt Miyashiro, a professor in the School of Music, started singing with the choir after joking with Kibble about wanting to join the group. She surprised him by seriously offering him the opportunity.
“Singing under Dr. Kibble has been one of the most musically and spiritually rewarding experiences,” Miyashiro said. “Her passion to educate her singers into becoming not just a better choir, but better, more thoughtful musicians, is inspiring.”
Along with professors, alumni often ask Kibble if they can sing with the choir when they return to town.
“I love it when they do that,” Kibble said. “They know that there is never a time when they’re not welcome to sing in the choirs.”
On April 6, at the choir’s spring concert, students invited several alumni back to sing with the group in honor of Kibble’s time with Southern.
“During her time here, she
has inspired multitudes of students through a variety of classes, organization of Evensong and involvement in ACDA [American Choir Directors Association],” Gam Reyes, senior English major and choir member, said during the concert.
“Her warmth, her inspiration in helping singers, her dedication to her ensembles, her humor and her relationship with Jesus have not only impacted my life in a very significant way but also the singers on stage and many of you in the audience,”
Linda Kirby, senior music education major and formerchoral librarian, said during the program as alumni walked on stage from the audience to join the choir.
Later, in an interview with the Accent, Kirby said she has known Kibble for five years.
"You can tell that she spends time with the Lord."
“Working with her in Bel Canto and I Cantori has taught me important rehearsal techniques and has exposed me to some of the most beautiful repertoire in the world,” she said.
“She beautifully weaves her repertoire choices together and helps the choir know and believe what they sing.”
Miyashiro shared a similar sentiment.
“After hearing and recording her choirs, I was so impressed by how expressively they communicated and conveyed the texts of each piece,” he said. “The careful thought given to each piece was a joy to hear.”
Samuel Vargas, senior music theory and literature
major and Die Meistersinger and I Cantori member, said he appreciates how Kibble’s leadership is rooted in faith and ministry.
“That transfers to even when we do secular songs,” Vargas said. “… But you feel it even more when we do spiritual songs.”
“You can tell that she spends time with the Lord, and it translates to everything that happens in the class,” he continued.
Miyashiro said that during rehearsals, Kibble often facilitates discussion of texts that the choir sings.
“The students open up and share such powerful insights into the words — that is a blessing I will always cherish,” he said. “Dr. Kibble does not simply ‘talk’ about Jesus; she reveals His love, His acceptance and welcoming of all and His passion to bless others.”
Kibble said making her decision took many months and was carefully considered to make the transition as smooth as possible for the School of Music and the choirs.
“As a musician, [timing] is kind of important,” she said.
Last semester, the School of Music was being reviewed by the National Association of Schools of Music. The evaluation happens every 10 years for the school to maintain its accreditation. Southern also hosted the Honors Choir Festival, and Kibble did not want her leaving to be a focus during the festival.
"We will greatly miss her."
“I wanted those things to go by so that it didn’t have to impact anything else,” Kibble said. “That’s how I decided on the timing.”
Another important factor to Kibble was how her departure would affect the students in her choirs. She said most of her students are sophomores due to the large number of freshmen classes in recent years.
“It’s a great time for them to have had a foundation with me, learn some things, hopefully, and then be ready to learn from somebody else,” she said.
Miyashiro reflected on Kibble’s announcement to the choir.
“Dr. Kibble told the choirs that before each of our current faculty members were here, they weren’t here,” Miyashiro said. “Now, it is difficult to think of our School of Music without any one of them. This will be the
same for the next person, whom she said will take the choir program even further than she has. That tells you just what kind of person Dr. Kibble is. We will greatly miss her.”
Kibble started at Southern two decades ago through the Honors Choir Festival. In 2005, Southern invited her to direct the festival and then offered her the position of director of choral activities. At the time, Kibble was enjoying her time in a similar position at Pacific Union College, and she was not initially interested in coming to Southern.
“Getting up and going halfway across the country — it’s not something you just do on a whim,” she said. “But after a long process … I finally decided to come this way.”
In addition to her responsibilities at Southern, Kibble is currently finishing her second year as president of the Tennessee Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. She took office as president-elect in 2021, according to a Tennessee ACDA Facebook post.
Kibble said she is especially thankful to be one of very few Black female collegiate-level choral directors.
“The reason I’m so grateful is because until you see somebody who looks like you, you don’t know it’s possible,” Kibble said. “If my legacy was only that some Black and brown students, not just female [students], could say, ‘Oh, I think I could do that, too, because she did,’ that’s enough for me.”
According to Kibble, what she will miss most about directing Southern’s choirs is collaborating with her peers
and the students she works with. However, she has no plans to stop singing, directing and making music with others.
Outside of Southern, she has sung with local choirs like the Chattanooga Bach Choir and Choral Arts of Chattanooga, as well as a new select treble choir directed by Jeffrey Dean, a Southern alum, and Lorali Carbajal-Reyna, adjunct voice teacher in the School of Music.
“We’re too busy to sing, but we cannot not sing,” Kibble said. “It’s a hand-picked group, and we’re just having an incredible time.”
Kibble said her plans for where she will be after the school year are not fully determined.
“There’s so much to do, just to finish the school year,” she said. “ … So I really, to be honest, don’t have time to even think about it.”
According to Miyashiro, Kirby, Vargas, and others, Kibble will be missed after her departure. At the same time, they emphasized the importance of welcoming the new choir director.
“[Dr. Kibble] is such a great person, and you can’t imagine the School of Music without her now,” Vargas said. “In no time, I’m sure the new director will be that way as well.”
Kibble said her advice to the next director would be to “do the things that you were trained and called to do.”
“I want them to have the freedom to express their God-given gift in the way that they are gifted,” she said.
Futsal and Pickleball courts cancelled
have reacted.
The futsal courts planned for Southern’s sports facilities have been cancelled, according to an announcement in the Feb. 26 Student Association (SA) Senate minutes. In a meeting held between SA and Dennis Negrón, vice president of Student Development, it was decided that not only would the futsal courts project be shut down, but also the possibility of pickleball courts.
The idea was abandoned after much deliberation and trial through SA.
The idea was abandoned after much deliberation and trial through SA, according to Negrón.
“The decision to end this discussion on the Senate level
was based on the sense that the discussion had gone on long enough with little to no progress one way or the other,” he stated in an email to the Accent.
According to Alfredo Trevedan, SA executive vice president, he met with Negrón Monday, Feb. 24, to discuss the controversy and a final decision regarding futsal courts. Trevedan said that the final decision was made to eliminate both courts due to miscommunication and insufficient support.
In an email to the Accent, Judy Sloan, dean of the School of Health and Kinesiology (SHK), said the SHK asked SA to consider funding pickleball courts last fall, and she was surprised to learn that the plans had been canceled.
“SHK did not have any vote regarding the decision and were shocked by the news” she explained in the email. Negrón also said in an
interview with the Accent that originally the SHK had asked SA to use some of their contingency fund to possibly build pickleball courts.
SA chose to look at the option of futsal as well due to some commentary from cabinet members, which received less enthusiasm from the SHK.
... The initiatives made by SA create a good stepping stone for refining something in the future.
Trevedan said that while there is absolutely no way new futsal or pickleball courts will break campus grounds this year, the initiatives made by SA create a good stepping stone for refining something in the future; such as the use of the Collegedale Elementary Academy Gymnasium.
Trevedan expressed his
disappointment with the outcome of his and SA’s initiatives, “It's cost a lot of my time, energy and mental [health] dealing with everything, trying to balance it all, trying to please students," he said. "I really did try my best, and a lot of it [wasn’t on] my own.”
As for the contingency budget of $134,000 , Trevedan shared that it will be allocated to fund a transportation van for handicapped students. He estimates that it will initially cost $15,000.
In the end, Trevedan said he wants to extend his apologies to students who were expecting something to happen from this project. He acknowledged that there were many things that could have been done differently, such as doing more project research or coming into it with a broader perspective in terms of how the School of Health and Kinesiology might
“All I can say is that Student Senate came to the conclusion that it would be best to put the discussion on possibly financing the project on hold and possibly take it up next year,” Negrón stated in an email.
"I really do just want to apologize to students on SA's behalf."
Amid ongoing discussions about the issue, Trevedan acknowledged the situation's significance, saying, “I really do just want to apologize to students on SA’s behalf, and I'm looking forward to seeing any opportunities that might happen in the future because of this.”
Kibble directs a variety of choirs on Southern's campus. (Photoby Hannah Johnson)
Kibble directs the singing choir.
(Photo by Hannah Johnson)
Alissa Flores News Editor
Gym-Masters: "Homecoming"
A performer jumps through the air as others watch.
Saturday, April 12, 2025 (Photo by Shengzhe Zhao)
A student performs a routine on aerial straps. Saturday, April 12, 2025 (Photo by Shengzhe Zhao)
Matthew Hallam spots two performers as they do a stunt.
Saturday, April 12, 2025 (Photo by Shengzhe Zhao)
The show featured costumes and other circus characters. Saturday, April 12, 2025 (Photo by Shengzhe Zhao)
A performer laughs as they are dipped. Saturday, April 12, 2025 (Photo by Shengzhe Zhao)
Performer juggles clubs in front of a crowd. Saturday, April 12, 2025 (Photo by Shengzhe Zhao)
MENTAL HEALTH
Dealing with the uncertainty of panic attacks
Abby Dizon Contributor
Editor’s Note: The following articles are written by counseling professionals from Counseling Services in partnership with the Southern Accent.
Navigating through college can be a thrilling experience filled with new opportunities, challenges and uncertainty for many students. However, for others, it can be a stressful experience, leading to unexpected struggles. This article will delve into panic attacks in college, exploring the potential causes and coping strategies.
According to Boyce Jubilan, a psychology professor at DeSales University, “Student anxiety can come in different forms and degrees,” often stemming from stressor stimuli such as deadlines, exams, work, finances and social conflicts.
Panic attacks can be triggered by stress and use of stimulants, such as caffeine, chemical imbalances and hereditary factors. College students are specifically at a high-risk for panic disorders as they navigate the transition to independent living while dealing with social challenges and academic pressures.
Awareness leads to control
While there is no single solution to stopping a panic attack after it starts, there are some suggestions for managing it before the attack worsens. According to a Healthline article, one way is to acknowledge that you are having a panic attack and to remember that
this moment is temporary. Although intense fear and feeling as though you are going to die are symptoms of the attack, acknowledging that this moment will pass allows you to focus on other techniques to lower your symptoms. If you are aware you are having a panic attack, you can take control by practicing breathing techniques and finding a focus subject. To practice the deep breathing technique, start by slowly breathing in deeply through your nose and exhaling through your mouth, each for four seconds, paus-
ing for one second, and then breathing out in four seconds. You can also determine a focus subject by picking an object nearby and consciously noting every detail about it. Describe the pattern, color, size and other distinctive features that catch your attention.
Take care of yourself
Although taking care of yourself and prioritizing your own needs might seem like a cliche response to many mental health problems, treating it seriously and being consis-
tent with self-care can significantly reduce the chances of experiencing a panic attack later on. Consistently taking care of yourself through the challenging and easy times prevents stress from accumulating, leading to a breakdown later on. Make sure to take care of yourself daily in all aspects. Focus on your physical health by getting adequate rest, exercising and taking rest days. Nurture your creativity through journaling and playing music. Attend to your spirituality through reflection and attending
church. Strengthen your social connections by participating in campus clubs and spending time with friends
As you adapt to new academic demands, the uncertainty of college expectations can be daunting and potentially lead to unexpected struggles such as panic attacks. By being aware of the signs of panic attacks and learning effective coping methods, you can maneuver through your college journey with more control and greater resilience.
SPORTS
The joys of the NASCAR experience
Anna Estep Contributor
“Drivers! Start. Your. Engines!!!!” The grandstands rumble as the 40 stock cars lined neatly on the hot asphalt of Daytona International Speedway roar to life.
Heat waves shimmer over the yawning track as fans are cleared from pit road, and pit crews assume their positions behind the pit wall. We are moments away from one of the most famous races in the country, the Daytona 500.
Many people seem surprised when I tell them that my favorite
sport is NASCAR. And they have a point. After all, of the many Sunday afternoon activities that could consume a person’s time, watching NASCAR isn’t a common choice. NASCAR captured my heart when I was in middle school, and it still brings me joy every time I get to attend a race or watch it on TV.
There’s something exhilarating about watching a swath of cars fly around a racetrack, reaching speeds that make their engines sound like a constant scream of fighter jets, gasping with the crowd when a car careens out of control and smacks the safety barrier
that lines the racetrack wall, breathing a sigh of relief when the driver climbs from the car unscathed, scrambling to your feet for the restart and craning your neck for the best possible view of the remaining race cars as they fly around the final turn on the last lap of the race.
While much of this experience could apply to any motorsport, for me, there’s something special about NASCAR that sets it apart.
Maybe it’s the variety of tracks that NASCAR travels to over the course of nine months. The teams compete on 33 speedways, from tracks
too big to see from one end to the other (Talladega Superspeedway) to tracks slightly larger than a football field (Bristol Motor Speedway). Perhaps it’s the fact that teams working behind the scenes are vital to the success of each driver who races in the limelight. Just this past weekend, Denny Hamlin won a race that had been dominated by another driver because his pit crew got him back on the track one second earlier than his competitors for the final restart. Or maybe it’s because the sport is truly family-centered. Not only do the families of
NASCAR teams and drivers attend each race to support their loved ones, but the sport also attracts a range of fans spanning generations, from grandpas still wearing their faded Richard Petty ball caps to little kids covered from head-to-toe in their favorite driver’s merch. Regardless of the reason, NASCAR will always be a sport that I follow and support. And unless someone attends a race for themselves, I don’t think they’ll ever quite understand. You see, NASCAR isn’t just a sport. It’s an experience.
Intramural Schedule: Today
6 p.m.
- bola bola vs messi but cute (Ladies B)
- Goalden Girls vs cleat freaks (Ladies B)
- Queens FC vs Perfectly Aged (Mens B)
7 p.m.
- Nuestro Equipo vs Sweet Kicks (Ladies B)
- Monarcas FC vs Always Offside (Mens B)
- Los Taqueros vs Vannis2Fast (Mens B)
8p.m.
- Beanz and rice vs Crudinhos FC (Mens A)
- Love Muffins vs Yellow Lock (Mens B)
- Barely Atlético FC vs Cristiano Ronaldo FC (Mens B)
9 p.m.
- Nooga F.C. vs sam and friends (Mens A)
- Christian Pulisic FC vs 2008 Antony (Mens B)
- KFC vs Ankara Messi FC (Mens B)
Badminton Playoffs: 5 p.m. & 6 p.m.
Tennis Playoffs: 6 p.m. & 7 p.m.
Pickleball Playoffs: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Knowing the signs of a panic attack and learning effective coping methods can help you be more resilient in college. (Photo sourced from Pexels)
OPINION
In response to “Senseless and Un-American: Trump suspends refugee admissions”
Brenda Wennerberg Contributor (Class of
1971)
I was intrigued by Meg Ermer’s Opinion article, Feb. 12, “Senseless and Unamerican: Trump suspends refugee admissions,” because, during Trump’s campaign trail, he only referred to the illegal immigration problem. The Executive Order in question is “ Realigning the United States Refugee Admission Program,” signed on Jan. 20, 2025, which was also Inauguration Day.
After reviewing the order on the whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions site, I see the following reasons for Trump’s executive orders:
Section 1: Migration Surge
“Over the last 4 years, the United States has been inundated with record levels of migration, including through the U.S. Refugee Administration Program (USRAP)...Cities and small towns alike...have seen significant influxes of migrants. Even major urban centers such as New York City, Chicago and Denver have sought Federal aid to manage the burden of new arrivals.”
Section 2: Strained Systems New York and Massachusetts “have recently declared states of emergency because of increased migration … The United States cannot absorb large numbers of migrants, and in particular, refugees, into its communities in a manner that does not compromise the availability of resources for Americans, that protects their safety and security, and that ensures the appropriate assimilation of refugees.”
Section 3: Program Suspension
The Realignment of the Refugee Admissions Program states that as of Jan. 27, 2025, the refugee entry program under USRAP is suspended. Still, case-by-case exceptions may be made with the joint decision by the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security.
Section 4: Review & Resumption of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program
A report within 90 days of the order by the above-mentioned government secretaries regarding the status of the migrant situation will be given to the president, and every 90 days thereafter, until it is deemed safe and appropriate to resume the USRAP.
This Executive Order connects the temporary suspension of legal refugee admissions to the large-scale illegal border crossings over the past four years, arguing that these events have
contributed to the destabilization of the country. The United States’ finances, medical and educational systems, housing and law enforcement agencies have been heavily burdened.
With the resulting crime and chaos, every state has become a “border state” due to certain individuals from around the globe entering the country illegally.
While some individuals may be seeking a better life, many others cross the border with harmful intent, such as drug
cartel members, terrorists, child sex traffickers and those who commit theft, rape and murder. America is a compassionate country that is generous to those in need, but we desperately need a reset. Unfortunately, the refugees seeking entry legally must wait, hopefully for not too long, until our country is safer and secure. President Trump, in his wisdom, has enacted this temporary plan to overall provide a stronger country. In this, he is quite sensible and patriotic.
RELIGION
The immense power of Jesus’ resurrection
Nina Bueno Religion Editor
“I said I would follow Jesus anywhere He calls me, but I could never do that. I wouldn’t be good at it, and it’s too scary anyway.”
Have you ever said something similar? I have. There are many things I’ve claimed I would never do. Yet it has always seemed like God has had some way of calling me to do just that!
I said I’d never go on a mission trip; it just wasn’t my thing. Well, I’ve ended up going on two ERC preaching mission trips. Praying in public made me uncomfortable, but now I’m leading a week of prayer. I said I’d never go canvassing, but suddenly, God hit me with the call to canvass this summer, which I have accepted. Looking back, I don’t know how I did some of those things, especially after never wanting to do them. Even now, I still don’t know how I’ll be able to do some of them. I want to follow God in everything He calls me to do, but I also want to not go outside of my comfort zone. Sometimes, I don’t think I’ll be able to make it.
Recently, God revealed in my devotions that He calls us to give up everything to follow Him, including our limits on what we are willing to do. Matthew 16.24 says, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” He often calls us out of our comfort zone to show us what He truly wants us to do. He also calls us to show us His full potential in our lives.
In Ephesians 1:18-21, Paul says, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.”
This is the truth about God’s callings; this is the help God gives us to follow Him in everything. We have on our side the POWER that God used to raise Christ from the dead!
It’s not just in Ephesians that we see this truth. In Philippians 4:13, Paul says that even when he is going through trials, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” In Matthew 19:26, Jesus says, “With man, this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
If we have all of these promises of power, what excuse do we have for not following God and doing His will in all situations? I have been convicted because I have been out of my comfort zone, feeling I cannot do what God calls me to do but knowing that I can’t deliberately disobey Him.
As I have been trying to take God at His word, these truths have also been comforting. Paul says this power and inheritance are not something of the future; they
are already ours. As Christians with the inheritance of Christ, we already have help.
The power of Christ’s resurrection is ours to guide us through trials. It is stronger than any person or any spiritual force of evil. Christ’s name is above all names, and simply by taking His name, as a Christian, we acknowledge that His power is with us; we call on it in any situation we may face.
This week, as we contemplate the life and death of Christ and approach the day commemorating His resur -
rection, let us remember what is ours.
God does not push us outside of our comfort zone just to leave us there. He calls us because of the blessings He has in store outside of what we can imagine. If we stay within our self-made limits and never venture out into the scary, anxiety-inducing, vulnerable, humbling world, then we will never understand the true power of our God.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship
or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?…No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:35, 37-39).
“America is a compassionate country, generous to those in need, but we desperately need a reset.” (Photo sourced from Pexels)
The power of Christ’s resurrection is ours, to help and to guide us through all the trials of life.
(Photo sourced from Unsplash)
Good riddance? Advice & regrets from graduating seniors
Emily White Lifestyle Editor
As the school year creeps to a close, many soon-to-be graduates are looking back at their college lives, reviewing what went well and what could have gone better. Current students: take notes! Learn from those who came before you!
OPPORTUNITIES
“Say ‘yes’ to everything that expands your experience. Try new places to eat or different circles of friends. Also, be comfortable saying no to things that would limit your experiences.”
–Corbin Weiss, math and computer science major
“Take advantage of the resources Southern offers.”
–Vashti Brantley, liberal arts elementary education major
“Try to get involved in a ministry, club or any other activity around campus! Getting involved will be your opportunity for personal growth :)”
–Nathalie Jacome, clinical psychology major
“Find a hiking group and go hiking each week. I spent many awesome Sabbath afternoons hiking with great friends in the beautiful nature of Tennessee.”
–Lucas Bueno, religious studies major
“Do ACA or be an SM!! Traveling the world and experiencing different cultures will really expand your mind.”
–Amy Van Arsdell, history and Spanish major
“Take advantage of the mission trips at Southern! They are fun, well organized and a huge blessing. Additionally, they’re by far the cheapest you’ll ever get to go on a mission trip, so snag the opportunity while you’re here!”
–Matthew Kimbley, piano performance and music theory and literature major
“Balance college fun with serious effort for your future! While grinding internships and projects for their own sake isn’t the goal, I’ve seen people who take this seriously do really well during and after college, while some who don’t have struggled. So make memories with friends and have fun, but at the same time take college seriously.”
–Allen Gustrowsky, computer science major
“Make time to enjoy the outdoors :)”
–Katelyn Snyder, music major
SPIRITUAL LIFE
“The most important thing is to start your day with time with God in devotions. I found it helps my confidence, my studies and my happiness :)”
–Corbin Weiss, math and computer science major
“Attend a LifeGroup each week. Authentic Christian fellowship and community is so important for your spiritual life.”
–Lucas Bueno, religious studies major
SOCIAL
“Enjoy each moment of your time in college. Find your community and make memories.”
–Vashti Brantley, liberal arts
For a chance to be featured, use or tag @sauaccent on Instagram in your posts!
elementary education major
“Meet someone new every week! College is a unique time in life where you’re surrounded with really cool people and a handful of notcool people, so the best thing is to always be expanding your circle of friends so that you can learn from both sides of life — both the people you really connect with and the people you don’t connect with so much.”
–Corbin Weiss, math and computer science major
RELATIONSHIPS
“If you’re interested in someone, ask them out! Stop sitting around waiting for something to happen — take action instead! In addition, don’t be afraid to try things
out with multiple people.
Dating around can help you figure out what you want and don’t want in a long-term relationship.”
–Emily White, music theory and literature major
“Don’t date in college. It’s not worth it.”
–Anonymous
CAMPUS LIFE
“Go to events on campus! Sometimes people get really disengaged, and they don’t go to things, but you should!”
–Amy Van Arsdell, history and Spanish major
“Attend the music concerts on campus.”
–Lucas Bueno, religious studies major
ACADEMICS
“I took too many classes. I should have taken it easier and taken more fun classes like welding and mountain biking. . . . I wish that I had taken less classes and done the concerto competition.”
–Corbin Weiss, math and computer science major
“Don’t procrastinate. You are going to do it, but if you can prevent it, by all means prevent it. It ain’t worth it to read two books in a week.”
–Lucas Bueno, religious studies major
WORK
“Sometimes, productivity can be an idol. Be sure to take some time to rest!”
–Brett Klasing, clinical psychology major
“Enjoy each moment of your time in college. Find your community and make memories.’-Vashti Brantley, Liberal Arts Elementary Education.” (Photo sourced from ADD SOURCE)
edvanjzbm “Who shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here I am Lord, Send me!” Isaiah 6:8 Photo Credit: Charlynneth Dizon
noahkeith Getting Stronk Photo Credit: Self
Edvan Benitez
Noah Keith E N
itspriscillem Photo Credit: Nicole Mann
Priscille Mikala P
haydenkobza It’s more like a hobby for unc Photo Credit: USA Climbing
nyah.ks full heart Photo Credit: Brooke Huxell Hayden Kobza
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_emma_kaelyn chapter nineteen : change Photo Credit: Jacob Myles
Emma Schmidt E
12:00
• 5:45 pm - 9:00 pm SOAP: Bat Vespers (free) @ Wright Hall
7:30 pm Recital: Trinity Hayden, soprano (2 cultural credits) @ Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists
I Cantori Concert Tour (April 17 – 20, 2025)
• 11:00 am Convocation: Departments/ Schools
Weekly Birthdays
8:30 am - 3:00 pm SonRise 9:00 pm Games and Free Slushies @ Bietz Center for Student Life
• 3:30 pm Undergraduate Curriculum Committee @ Wright Hall Robert Merchant Room 7:00 pm EA Anderson Lecture Series: VP People Development, Western Governors University “AI and the Future of Work-Based Learning” @ Brock Hall Room 3205 7:30 pm Concert: Steel Band (2 cultural credits) @ Ackerman Auditorium Easter Sunday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm SOAP: Ocoee Whitewater Rafting (free) @ Wright Hall
MASTER’S DEGREE IN BUSINESS
Southern’s Master of Business Administration degree helps you acquire the skills you need to be successful in today’s workforce—based on the biblical principles of honesty, integrity, and high ethical standards.
It’s convenient
All classes are online. Full- and part-time tracks are available, and the MBA can be completed in as little as one year. With careful planning, you can complete a bachelor’s degree AND a master’s degree in five years!
It’s affordable Southern’s competitively priced program is a valuable investment in your future
Prep for CPA Review. Students with an MBA Accounting emphasis may take the Wiley CPAexcel review courses for six of their 12 elective hours.
