Mental Health | 7
Opinion | 8
Religion | 8
Lifestyle | 9
The science of building habits one step at a time
Understanding the Palestinian struggle
Practicing availability in a busyness culture
Birdwatching: A gateway to adventure in God's creation
November 1, 2023 Collegedale, Tennessee
Southern Accent
Vol. 79 Issue 8
The student voice since 1926
Making waves: Student composer to conduct NPR show Symphony Orchestra in upcoming concert host Michel Martin to speak on campus Amy Mejias Reporter
Matthew Kimbley rehearses with the Symphony Orchestra. The ensemble will perform Kimbley's piece "Atlantic Overture" at its concert on Nov. 5. (Photo sourtesy of source)
Beatrice Pang Contributor Southern Adventist University’s Symphony Orchestra will premier an original work that will be conducted by its own student composer, a first for the ensemble under the leadership of Laurie Cadwallader, director for 24 years. On Sunday, Nov. 5, Matthew Kimbley, junior music theory and literature major and principal violist in the Symphony
Orchestra, will step up to the podium to conduct his piece, “Atlantic Overture.” The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists. Kimbley said he has been seriously pursuing composition since the age of 10. He started out creating smaller pieces like hymn arrangements that he would perform with friends. Since then, it has been mostly through trial and error that Kimbley has developed his compositional skills.
Enactus SAU represents the U.S. at World Cup in the Netherlands Htet Myint Reporter Students from Southern Adventist University’s Enactus chapter, known as Enactus SAU, traveled to the Netherlands to participate in the Enactus World Cup, which took place Oct. 17-20. According to the global organization’s website, over 42,000 university students participate in Enactus, and the World Cup’s competitors include the national champion teams from more than 32 countries. Although this year’s World Cup looked different from previous competitions due to organizational changes within Enactus, participating teams were still expected to present entrepreneurial projects making an impact in their communities and focus on the power of business innovation and entrepreneurial action. The Southern Enactus team that went to the Netherlands consisted of five team members: Kate Savino, junior accounting major; Erick Baltodano, senior business administration major; Brandon Reese, business administration major; Lauryn Daniels, senior business and public relations major and Abigail Cornelious, senior finance major. When the team members were asked about their initial motivations for joining Enactus, a unanimous sentiment emerged: They were drawn to Enactus because
of the organization’s proclivity for forging new friendships and uniting students to drive positive global change through the avenue of business. In April, Enactus SAU was among the teams from 350 universities that presented their projects at the United States National Exposition. The team placed third in the competition, earning it a position in the top one percent of Enactus teams in the country, according to Baltodano, vice president of Enactus SAU. On July 13, President and CEO of Enactus, Robyn Fehrman, announced in an email to Enactus chapters worldwide that Enactus United States and Enactus Global would be shutting down many of their day-to-day operations, citing several financial challenges. Despite the global organization being unable to host the Enactus World Cup 2023, Enactus Netherlands and a group of non-U.S. national offices moved forward with a reimagined version of the event. Because the event was seen as controversial, the top-ranked team in the U.S. National Expo chose not to participate, according to Enactus SAU's staff sponsor, Michelle Doucoumes. This decision allowed Enactus SAU and the Enactus chapter from the University of Texas at Austin, which See ENACTUS on page 3
Seeking to further improve, he approached Cadwallader and Ken Parsons, director of Southern’s Wind Symphony, with the goal of composing pieces for each of the student ensembles to perform. Thus, in addition to “Atlantic Overture” being performed by the Symphony Orchestra during its concert on Sunday, “The Pursuit of Happiness,” a tone poem by Kimbley, will premier during a Wind Symphony concert on Dec. 2.
Kimbley said he worked incessantly on “Atlantic Overture” over summer break, dedicating up to 10 hours a day to the piece. He would start by writing down his basic ideas on paper, later developing them on his computer. In broad terms, Kimbley said the finished overture revolves around three melodies that undergo a variety of changes, such as major to minor shifts and countermelodies. For one See ORCHESTRA on page 2
Michel Martin, host of National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition,” will speak at Southern Adventist University next Thursday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. in Iles P.E. Center. The Emmy-winning journalist’s visit to campus will mark the second event in the School of Journalism and Communication’s (SJC) annual R. Lynn Saul's Endowed Lecture Series. The series was inaugurated last year when Carl Bernstein, one of the journalists who uncovered the Watergate scandal, spoke with local PBS host Alison Lebovitz before a packed audience on “Why Truth Still Matters.” The theme of Martin’s upcoming presentation is titled “Making Sense of a Polarized World.” The event is open to the public and free of charge. Individuals with a Southern ID do not need to register for the event, and enrichment credits will be given to students who attend. Martin, an alumna of both Harvard University and Wesley TheoSee MARTIN on page 2
Collegedale News on page 5 Police department's social media crusade for public trust Airport receives grant for expansion
SuCasa church on track for December completion after pandemic setbacks Emma Rodriguez Reporter The Collegedale Spanish-American SDA Church, frequently referred to as SuCasa, launched construction of a new church building in October 2020. According to Richard Mendoza, director of fundraising for the church, the project has been delayed due to supply chain disruptions and a tightening of the labor market caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, he is confident the church building will be completed by the end of December. "We have been blessed by God, and we are very close to the com-
pletion of the construction project,” said Mendoza in an interview with the Accent. In addition to challenges posed by the pandemic, the church has also faced increased material costs due to recent inflation. As a result, the church is now seeking an additional $3 million to complete the project free of debt. "Historic inflation, increased material costs and a tight local labor market has taken its toll on the construction costs," Mendoza said. "These cost escalations have affected almost all construction projects in the area to varying degrees." The project’s builder estimates that the church could begin
using the building by the end of December, Mendoza added. "But [the move-in date] is subject to adjustments due to material and labor availability along with the effects of weather on a construction project," Mendoza said. SuCasa is continuing to fundraise and is asking for the support of the community in completing the building project. "We continue to fundraise, pray and trust in God's plan," Mendoza told the Accent. For more information on the SuCasa project, visit the church's website at: https:// sucasachurchproject.org.
SuCasa's new church building is located on College Drive East beside Collegedale Memorial Park. Constructiton of the building began in 2020 and is expected to finish in December. Monday, October 2, 2023. (Photo by Preston Waters)
If you would like to be a contributor, contact Amanda Blake at ablake@southern.edu
2 | Wednesday, November 1, 2023
NEWS MARTIN
continued from page 1 logical Seminary, will speak about her personal narrative and career path, both of which have shaped the person she is today, according to Karina Savelio, office manager for the SJC. Audience members will learn about the valuable lessons Martin has learned throughout her life, as well as her impactful contributions to the field of journalism, future aspirations and perspectives she's gained through her experiences.
The theme of Martin’s upcoming presentation is titled "Making Sense of a Polarized World." According to NPR’s website, Martin hosted several shows on the network before joining “Morning Edition.” She has dedicated 25 years to a career in journalism, gaining experience in both print and televised media. Her list of
previous media outlets includes ABC News, the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal. As a precursor to the event, Southern will host a convocation at 11 a.m. next Thursday, titled: “Is Journalism a Bad Word: Reclaiming Its Mission and Purpose for a New Generation.” According to Alva James-Johnson, associate professor in the SJC who will be leading the program, the convocation will “explore the role of journalism in society, the decline in trust of news media among certain U.S. population segments in recent years and efforts to restore the public's appreciation for the free press.” David Barasoain, a Peabody Award-winning podcast producer and content creator, will moderate the main event and be involved in leading the preceding convocation. Barasoain, an alumnus of Southern, currently serves as senior producer for the "Buried Truths" podcast, according to Savelio. To learn more about registering for and watching the planned livestream of “Making Sense of a Polarized World,” visit: https:// www.southern.edu/events/lynnsauls.html.
Emmy-winning journalist Michel Martin is scheduled to speak at Southern Adventist University on Nov. 9. Martin is host of National Public Radio's "Morning Edition" news program. (Photo courtesy of source)
Southern leaders engage in diversity discourse with Oakwood at DEEP Retreat Marian Polanco Reporter Southern Adventist University and Oakwood University student and employee leaders recently spent a weekend together in Montgomery, Alabama, during a joint Diversity Educational Exchange Program (DEEP) Retreat. The event, which took place Oct. 19-22, marked the first DEEP Retreat since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kathy Purnell, senior advisor to the president on diversity and strategic planning at Southern, described the retreat in an email to the Accent as a transformative experience designed for Southern and Oakwood University students, faculty, staff and administrators. She said she has been immersing herself in meticulous preparation for the retreat since last October alongside other members of the event’s planning team. Purnell came into her advisory position last August. In its 25th year, DEEP Retreat is a beacon of cross-cultural understanding, communication and active engagement among students, faculty, staff and admin-
istration from sister institutions, according to Purnell. The retreat is part of a more extensive program to foster diversity, unity and cultural understanding within the Adventist higher education community, she added.
“The overarching goal is inspiring and galvanizing participants into forging faithbased, genuine intercultural bonds and devising strategies that nurture cultural humility and a pervasive sense of belonging.” When asked about the purpose of the retreat, Purnell wrote, "The overarching goal is inspiring and galvanizing participants into forging faith-based, genuine intercultural bonds and devising strategies that nurture cultural humility and a pervasive sense of belonging." Jeni Bautista, junior accounting major and Student Asso-
ciation (SA) assistant finance vice president, was one of the student leaders who attended DEEP Retreat. She told the Accent that the retreat was designed to create a sense of community between Oakwood and Southern students. She added that it served as an opportunity for Southern and Oakwood to incorporate the fundamental principles of DEEP by further promoting unity and cultural understanding among participants. Bautista said DEEP Retreat united leaders from Southern and Oakwood, fostering a deeper understanding of the universities’ progress in equality and diversity. She said the event served as a reminder that every race has its unique story, and diversity continues to evolve. One of the retreat’s standout activities for Bautista was a visit to the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, which focuses on the history of African Americans in the United States and their struggles for equality and civil rights. Alfredo Trevedan, junior accounting major and SA parliamentarian, also attended DEEP Retreat. When asked about its
impact, Trevedan spoke about his experience at the museum. “I learned about the ways in which America was built on the backs of slaves and how they were forced out of their homes, forced to work almost to the point of death for decades and then still treated as less than humans even after slavery was abolished," Trevedan said. Trevedan added that participants engaged in community service during the retreat, and he was able to interact “substantially” with Oakwood students. Regarding the historic impact of DEEP, Purnell wrote, "With a legacy spanning over two and a half decades, the DEEP Retreat and DEEP Sabbath have carved a niche, symbolizing sanctuaries where faith merges with inclusivity and belonging.” DEEP Sabbath is a spiritual event Southern was planning to conduct once again with Oakwood this school year, according to Jared Chandler, senior finance major and SA president. He explained that, historically, DEEP Sabbath happened once each semester, with each university taking turns traveling to the other’s campus.
Although the universities had agreed on dates in November for Oakwood students to travel to Southern for DEEP Sabbath, which Southern’s SA had planned to transform into DEEP Revival Weekend, scheduling conflicts regarding the winter semester led Oakwood to pull out of the event, Chandler said. However, SA is planning to conduct a similar event called SA Revival Weekend for Southern students on the Friday and Saturday reserved for DEEP Revival Weekend, Nov. 10 and 11. That Friday, SA will organize a vespers focused on the topic of conversion and reconversion. On Saturday, SA will host Sabbath Chats and partner with Merge Worship to organize a church service. “Worship service at Merge is going to be talking about [how] we need to be unified as a body to preach the gospel, so [we must] remove anything that separates us,” Chandler said. Merge will host a lunch after the service, and the weekend will conclude with an outreach event in downtown Chattanooga.
ORCHESTRA
Southern’s School of Music purchased both “Atlantic Overture” and “The Pursuit of Happiness” in late August from Kimbley. In order to have copies of music for each instrument in the Symphony Orchestra, Kimbley had to get the completed parts of the overture professionally printed.
continued from page 1
DEEP Retreat participants pose for a group photo. Student and staff leaders from Southern Adventist University and Oakwood University attended the retreat. Saturday, October 21, 2023. (Photo courtesy of source)
of the melodies, Kimbley said he was inspired by a bird call. “It’s not very audible in the melody itself but basically ... I heard the pitches that the bird was using, and then from there, just kind of expanded it into this much broader melody,” Kimbley said. Kimbley regularly finds muses in nature, citing water as one of his main inspirations. Regarding his inspiration for “Atlantic Overture,” Kimbley said, “The pinnacle, when I really got the ideas, was when I went out on a trip with my family to New England. … We were visiting rocky coasts. ... The sights, sounds and all of that really gave me the inspiration I needed to get this [composition] going. I came back home, and within two or three weeks, I had written the whole piece.”
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Kimbley regularly finds muses in nature, citing water as one of his main inspirations. “The cheapest place I could find [in the U.S.] was going to charge $200 for just the First Violin parts. … The UK ended up being much cheaper,” Kimbley said. Kimbley sent digital versions of the music over to a printing company in the UK where they were printed and shipped back. The musiSee ORCHESTRA on page 3
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3 | Wednesday, November 1, 2023
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NEWS
Student missionary starts business project abroad Erin Rouse Staff Writer Mason Harmon, senior marketing and business administration major, is starting an agricultural business on the island of Ebeye, where he currently serves as a student missionary. Harmon began crafting this project to help meet the needs of the island, he told
the Accent. He also teaches high school students. “The thing that makes my mission special is not that I serve as a teacher but that I am one of the few missionaries who is serving to start a business,” Harmon said. Harmon hopes to start growing agricultural products on Ebeye so its inhabitants can purchase locally sourced fresh
fruits and vegetables. According to Harmon, Ebeye, located in the Marshall Islands, is only 80 acres but has a population of 18,000. “If you just climb up on a roof [in Ebeye], you can clearly see the ocean on either side,” Harmon said Due to its compact size, Ebeye does not produce many agricultural goods, he added.
Mason Harmon takes a photo with a student in the Marshall Islands. Harmon serves as a student missionary on the island of Ebeye. (Photo courtesy of source)
ENACTUS
continued from page 1 placed second in the national exposition, to step in and represent the U.S. Although Southern’s Enactus team did not compete in a traditional Enactus World Cup, team members were still able to showcase their projects and initiatives on a global stage. The team’s primary focus was its project titled “The Akuna Soap Industry.” According to Enactus SAU’s website, Akuna
Soap, based at Riverside Farm Institute in Southern Province, Zambia, is an initiative aimed at empowering the local women to create and sell soap. “[This project] empowers the women of Zambia to become entrepreneurs by selling the soap. So it’s really creating an opportunity for them to provide for their families while meeting the needs of having access to affordable and high-quality soap,” said Savino, president of Enactus SAU. Akuna Soap was started in 2020 by a student missionary from Southern, Joshua Draget,
who went to Zambia, saw a need and started the soap business with Enactus SAU while serving at Riverside, according to Savino. Presently, 140 women have established their independent businesses through Akuna Soap, which Southern’s Enactus team continues to support. “Having business as a mission is one of our biggest themes, and I think that is something that you definitely see going to this world cup,” emphasized Baltodano. “As students and our Enactus chapter, [we are] grateful that Southern has supported us to do all this.”
(L-R) Students Brandon Reese, Lauryn Daniels, Abigail Cornelious, Kate Savino and Erick Baltodano represented Southern's Enactus chapter in this year's Enactus World Cup in the Netherlands. (Photo courtesy of source)
“There are so many people that Ebeye has to depend on,” Harmon said. “They have to import from the United States and other countries. This has led to a huge disaster with the health of the people and has left them in a really bad position. I’ve come to change that.”
“The thing that makes my mission special is not that I serve as a teacher but that I am one of the few missionaries who is serving to start a business.” Harmon added that if a scheduled supply ship is late to the densely populated island, residents will be left with minimal groceries. This extreme dependence on outside food sources has led the people to appreciate what they have, he said. So far, Harmon has been teaching locals farming techniques and telling them about his vision to help Ebeye take advantage of its agricultural possibilities, he said. Harmon’s business plan will double as a sustainable project for the school where he teaches and helps bring nutrition education to life for its students. Harmon said when he isn’t teaching or lesson planning, he is making progress on building the business by composting, germinating seeds and monitoring the early stages of agricultural growth. “Mason is trying to fulfill two roles at Ebeye. First, he is looking at coming up with a business plan that will benefit the community, but also a business that will eventually become self-sustaining, if not profitable,” Steven Manoukian, student missions director, said. “His second objective is to support the school that we have there: teach, meet the students’ parents and be a blessing to the church as well as the community as a whole.”
ORCHESTRA
continued from page 2 cal score that he will be using to conduct the Symphony Orchestra was printed in Nashville, Tennessee.
“I've taken two semesters of conducting classes here at Southern, but jumping from conducting little things for your class and small ensembles here and there with friends to suddenly being placed in front of a 99-person orchestra … frankly, it's very terrifying.” Besides composing the overture and procuring parts for all the instruments, conducting the orchestra has proved to be a different kind of challenge for Kimbley. “I've taken two semesters of conducting classes here at Southern, but jumping from conducting little things for your class and small ensembles here and there with friends to suddenly being placed in front of a 99-person orchestra … frankly, it's very terrifying,” Kimbley said. Cadwallader provided some insight as to why conducting is so difficult for beginners. “One of the challenges of being an inexperienced conductor is that often you don't know what to listen for,” she said. “ … Am I listening for the correct rhythm? Are the dynamics being done the way I want them to? And, of course, [Kimbley is] distracted by being the composer, too, because
Ebeye was not a part of Harmon’s original plan when he decided to become a student missionary. Through many answered prayers, however, he decided to serve on the island, he said. Manoukian said Harmon was planning to go to Bolivia. However, just three months before he was supposed to leave for South America, Harmon got information about the mission location that led him elsewhere, Manoukian explained. “I did a lot more praying, and, to me, it seemed that Bolivia was no longer an option for me and for what I wanted to do while serving,” Harmon said, “so I decided to change destinations.” Following this decision, Harmon reached out to the missions department at Southern Adventist University, and it put him into contact with the Guam-Micronesia Mission of Seventh-day Adventists, he said. He began networking with the mission and pitching his agricultural business project idea. According to Harmon, Ebeye showed a lot of interest in the business and accepted him to come serve.
“I saw that the Lord had opened so many doors to bring me here that I just took a step out in faith.” “When I realized I was going to Ebeye, there were actually no fears that were holding me back,” Harmon said. “Of course, I was anxious about a few unanswered questions. But I just prayed about it, and I saw that the Lord had opened so many doors to bring me here that I just took a step out in faith.” Harmon was quick to add that he has faced challenges and frustrating moments during his time on Ebeye, but nothing he has experienced has caused him to regret accepting God’s call. He said he feels very blessed to be on the island.
he knows how it's supposed to be in his head. But is it coming into his ears the way he envisioned it when he was composing? I think that's the challenge.”
“In some ways, it's kind of like riding a wave because you never know which way the wave is going to take you.” According to Cadwallader, the Symphony Orchestra is the largest it has ever been during her tenure. When asked what it’s like to steer a 99-piece orchestra, Cadwallader also took her inspiration from the ocean. “In some ways, it’s kind of like riding a wave because you never know which way the wave is going to take you,” she said. “ … So far, I've been very pleased with the development of the sound of the orchestra.” According to the School of Music website, the Symphony Orchestra concert on Nov. 5 will feature three pieces in total. Besides Kimbley’s “Atlantic Overture,” the Symphony Orchestra will accompany guest soloist Rebecca Fischer as she plays Violin Concerto No. 2 by Florence Price, and the concert will conclude with Brahms Symphony No. 1 in C minor.
Correction:
In Issue 7, the Accent misspelled the first name of Collegedale Assistant Chief of Police Jamie Heath. This was not the first time his name has been misspelled in the paper. The Accent is dedicated to accuracy and apologizes for this mistake.
If you would like to be a contributor, contact Amanda Blake at ablake@southern.edu
4 | Wednesday, November 1, 2023
NEWS
423 NIGHT MARKET
Muang Gualnam and Cha Dixon serve delicious homemade egg drop soup with Filipino desserts at 423 Night Market. October 28, 2023. (Photo by Ron Cabacungan)
A new band called Pumpkin Spice, featuring Eian Dumamon, Haley Dugaduga and Razelle Temana, makes its debut at the event. Saturday, October 28, 2023. (Photo by Ron Cabacungan)
Michael Mancia plays guitar as part of "The Nobodies" band. Saturday, October 28, 2023. (Photo by Adam De Lisser)
Danny Perez draws sketches of attendees at his booth, called "4minutes 2portraits 3dollars," alongside Sebastian DeLorey. Saturday, October 28, 2023. (Photo by Adam De Lisser)
Amber Kishihara opens up her crochet flower shop booth, called Serotonin+1, at the market. Saturday, October 28, 2023. (Photo by Ron Cabacungan)
5 | Wednesday, November 1, 2023
For more related news, visit our website at southern-accent.org
COLLEGEDALE NEWS Editor's Note: Students in the Investigative Reporting class at Southern Adventist University produced stories for this new two-page Collegedale News section as part of a national initiative to enhance community news coverage. The Accent believes local news is vital to a thriving democracy, and we remain committed to reporting about important issues, novel occurrences and interesting people in the greater Collegedale area. We will publish this special section in five issues of the newspaper this semester. To submit tips or press releases, go to https://southern-accent.org.
A new era of accountability: Collegedale Police Department’s social media crusade for public trust Hannah Johnson Staff Writer Almost daily, followers of the Collegedale Police Department’s (CPD) social media platforms receive community announcements and updates about officers’ responses to 911 calls, vehicle crashes and other city safety concerns. The department’s constant and transparent online communication became a priority in 2021 after Jack Sapp took over as chief of police following a controversial period when former leadership instituted a media blackout, according to Assistant Chief of Police Jamie Heath, who now also serves as the CPD’s lead public information officer (PIO). According to Heath, Sapp began his career with the CPD as a reserve officer in 2003. Over the following two decades, he worked his way up the ranks. Sapp is the ninth chief of police since the founding of the City of Collegedale and the CPD in 1968. In an interview with the Accent, Heath said former police leadership prohibited staff from posting departmental information online. When Sapp became chief, he wanted to “lift that veil” and be more open with the public. Heath said Sapp has gone through media relations and PIO training, and he came into leadership with an understanding of public communication that previous administrations did not have. Prior to the CPD’s media blackout being lifted under Sapp’s leadership, the department dealt with many challenges, including lawsuits and the termination of some officers. In February of 2021, former Collegedale Chief of Police Brian Hickman resigned from his position after a Hamilton County Sheriff’s Internal Affairs investigation concluded that he pursued a suspect in his personal vehicle, according to a previous Accent article. Later that year, the City of Collegedale reached a settlement agreement with four former Collegedale police officers who filed a lawsuit against the city, according to a Chattanoogan article. The lawsuit claimed that the officers were removed from the department for
The Collegedale Police Department (CPD) posts daily highlight reports on its Facebook page. The posts include information about reported thefts, traffic stops and other police-related happenings in the city. (Photo sourced from the CPD's Facebook page)
complaining about a “ticket quota system.” In 2021, they received a $412,500 settlement from the city. According to Heath, lawsuits damaged the CPD’s public relations and created a need within the department to rebuild trust with the community. “You can’t put your agency on a blackout,” Heath said. “You have to get your information out.” Changing Course Under Sapp’s leadership, the CPD has actively used social media to be more open with the public. The department re-opened its Facebook page and created accounts on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Youtube and Nextdoor, according to Heath. The accounts are run by the department’s PIOs. Collegedale Commissioner Tonya Sadler wrote in an email to the Accent that she helped start the CPD’s Facebook page when she served as a PIO between 2013 and 2019. “I’m very pleased to see that it’s still a tool being utilized to engage with our community,” she wrote. “I’m a fierce advocate for transparency and accessibility, and this outreach on social media furthers those goals.” In addition to daily activity updates and community announcements, the CPD releases quarterly annual reports on its social media pages. “You hear ‘Collegedale stops a car and gives them a ticket for driv-
ing two miles over the speed limit’ or ‘Collegedale doesn’t do anything; they’re just ticket writers,’ but until you sit back and look into our quarterly reports that actually [show] what we are doing, see what the tickets are being written for, see what the facts are, you are going to keep going to make those assumptions,” Heath said. “I’ll put out every quarter the actual report itself so people can see it in black and white on the paper.” Sapp also pushed for increased media relations when he came into leadership, according to Heath. When the former leadership put the department in a media blackout, several local news agencies “took a sledgehammer” to the department, he said. Since that time, the CPD has worked to develop relationships with journalists and local news outlets.
“You can't put your agency on a blackout. You have to get your information out.” “If you don’t have the whole story, you are going to write what you know,” Heath explained. “Our very first action when we lifted that veil was to reach out specifically to those journalists and to be an open book.” Heath said the CPD has not only been trying to increase
The CPD released its third quarter report for 2023 on its social media accounts on Friday, Oct. 27. Assistant Chief of Police Jamie Heath explained the report on the department's YouTube channel. (Photo sourced from the CPD's Facebook page)
its transparency online but has also gotten more engaged with the community in recent years. It has experienced several positive outcomes from its increased involvement, Heath said. For example, the department has been invited to sit on different Q&A panels organized by community organizations and recently created a school resource officer (SRO) position for Collegedale Academy in the aftermath of the March 27 mass shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, which resulted in the deaths of three 9-year-old children and three adults. “Private schools can be hesitant when inviting the government into their schools,” Heath said. “After the unfortunate event in Nashville, Tennessee, this year we started really talking. We ended up creating an agreement between Collegedale Academy and the City of Collegedale to create an SRO position. This is proof that what Chief Sapp is doing, as far as the transparency since 2021, is working.” Sapp also created the Round Table Advisory Committee, which consisted of police officers from different peer groups within the
agency, a commissioner, a representative from Southern Adventist University and a community member, according to Heath. However, the committee no longer exists due to a new state law that places municipal committees with oversight over law enforcement officers and practices under the control of elected governing entities instead of respective law enforcement agencies. According to Heath, city leadership advised the CPD to change the round table to meet the requirements of the new law or disband it. The department elected to do the latter. Heath said Sapp has been pushing for the CPD to gain accreditation through the Tennessee Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (TLEA), which was created under the direction of the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police. TLEA accreditation would set increased standards of accountability for the department, as auditors would visit every three years to make sure the department is carrying out its duties. The CPD expects to be audited in three years, after which it could receive its first TLEA accreditation.
Collegedale airport receives grant for expansion Alexis Dewey Staff Writer The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has awarded a $1.28 million grant to the Collegedale Municipal Airport for an expansion project that will include additional hangars for aircraft, according to Airport Director Ryan Byford. The airport applied for the grant earlier this year and received it during the summer, he said. The funds will be used to accommodate the increasing number of people wanting to access the airport. According to Byford, a 2019 graduate of Southern Adventist University, the aviation industry has experienced a higher demand recently, and the Collegedale airport is no exception. “We currently have a hangar waiting list with over 40 people,” he said, “which demonstrates the demand for the hangar space and the desire for folks to base themselves and their aircraft at the Collegedale airport.” Byford said the airport can expect around 45 different oper-
ations on an average day. These operations include a mix of personal use and flight training. Industrywide, “[there has been] everything from shortages in pilots to aircraft maintenance technicians,” Byford explained further. “So I want to put the Collegedale Municipal Airport in the forefront to capture that demand.” Plans call for the construction of 10,000-square-foot hangars with spaces for aircraft parking. Although conceptual designs are still being developed, Byford hopes the expansion will be completed relatively soon. The grant is a five-year funding mechanism, but he wants to finish the hangars in three years. He wants to see the Collegedale airport add value to the area and help it grow. “The best way to do that is to grow our footprint by increasing our economic impact and creating good paying jobs,” he said. Byford hopes the expansion project will create new jobs in the area, as well as improve the local economy by bringing more people to Collegedale to eat at
local restaurants and stay in the city’s hotels. He said airport staff have been working to find opportunities for the airport to grow ever since he started as director in February. The Collegedale Municipal Airport was established as a private airport in 1965, according to the airport’s website. In 1970, it was licensed for public access.
“We offer a friendly, convenient alternative to the ‘big airport’ hustle and bustle with Avgas, and Jet-A fuel available, and we never charge a ramp fee,” the website states. The Collegedale airport is used solely for general aviation, often personal or business flights, Byford said. General aviation is considered civilian, non-commercial flying.
Engineers from Garver Aviation have been working on the expansion project, Byford explained further. The State of Tennessee and several stakeholders are working on the project as well. “Airports are the economic engine to their surrounding community,” he said. “It benefits everyone to have a thriving, active airport in their city.”
A bird's-eye view of the Collegedale Municipal Airport. The airport aims to add more hangars for aircraft parking within the next three years. (Photo courtesy of source)
If you would like to be a contributor, contact Amanda Blake at ablake@southern.edu
6 | Wednesday, October 25, 2023
COLLEGEDALE NEWS
Commissioners debate effectiveness of position combining city manager and city engineer roles Elise Deschamps Staff Writer At a recent Collegedale Board of Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Tonya Sadler proposed a discussion regarding whether or not Wayon Hines’ combined role of city manager and city engineer is too much for one person to hold. “When you have someone doing two full-time jobs, you get part-time effort in both positions,” Sadler said at the Oct. 16 meeting. “I’d like for us at the workshop to discuss splitting up the city manager/city engineer position and what that would look like.” Sadler’s presentation of this idea sparked a conversation regarding the “typical practices” of a city manager and engineer as well as the realistic and longstanding expectations of this role within City Hall. City Manager Duties Hines’ responsibilities as city manager include, but are not limited to, ensuring that laws and ordinances are enforced as well as serving disciplinary and management action to all department heads and employees, according to City Charter Section 6-21-108. Hines is also responsible for supervising the work of the chief of police, the city attorney, the treasurer and all other departments and divisions that may be created by the Board of Commissioners. He must attend all commission meetings and has the right to be a part of discussion but cannot vote in the same way that the commissioners do.
“When you have someone doing two full-time jobs, you get part-time effort in both positions.” Hines has served the city as the city engineer since 2016 and was appointed as interim city manager in March 2021, according to the Collegedale City website. His role became permanent in May after the early retirement and fallout of former city manager Ted Rodgers, according to an article from WDEF News 12. Opposing Views At the meeting, Sadler said she believes the commissioners are “getting left out of some conversations” due to Hines potentially not having enough time to communicate with them as much as she expects. For example, she said, she was unaware of a community meeting until it was announced
online to the general public as well as conversations with the election commission that she said the Board of Commissioners was not briefed on. “I don’t understand what separating positions has to do with feeling left out of a planning conversation,” Hines responded at the meeting. When Vice Mayor Tim Johnson asked whether Hines is “able and capable of doing what we need him to do as a full-time city engineer,” Hines said the City of Collegedale does not currently have the resources to do in-house design, and it has historically been common practice for certain city projects to be contracted out.
"I feel an undercurrent here that we are looking at possibly wanting to see about replacing you as city manager. … I wholeheartedly disagree with that.” Hines said the expense of separating the city manager and engineer positions and hiring another person would be more expensive on an annual basis, and he doesn’t think it is the best value option for the city. As city engineer, Hines had an annual salary of $97,323, which increased to $132,488 when he took on the additional role as city manager, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press. Former city manager Ted Rogers had a starting annual salary of $72,000, which increased to $128,315 by the time of his retirement in 2021. Commissioner Debbie Baker came to Hines’ defense, stating that he is strong in both roles. She said Hines not only has skills in engineering, but also the other skills required for the manager position that he has acquired over the years he has worked for the city. “You are well educated in running the city,” said Baker. “And I actually think you’ve done a fabulous job at it. … I feel an undercurrent here that we are looking at possibly wanting to see about replacing you as city manager. … I wholeheartedly disagree with that.” Both Baker and Johnson expressed their appreciation for Hines’ current role, and both said if Hines needed support in his position, he should communicate that fact. Mayor Marty Lloyd said he thinks Hines has done an “excellent job,” and mayors of other municipalities in Hamilton County have
said Collegedale is fortunate to have Hines as city manager. However, Johnson said he also agrees with Sadler that there is a need for more communication. Recent City Progress The conversation regarding the separation of Hines’ two positions continued at a workshop meeting on Oct. 23, where Hines spent over 15 minutes listing the many projects, changes and progress that have been made since he became city manager in 2021. For example, the city has worked to improve transparency through social media, the Collegedale Police Department’s public information officer program and the Collegedale website, Hines said. He also mentioned the incorporation of Sadler’s idea to include expanded agendas in commission meeting minutes and send overview emails to commissioners every Friday. Hines said he reorganized the Human Resources office, started emailing payroll stubs, secured the library building and helped the city move the copy room in City Hall to create an assistant chief of police’s office. Hines has maintained an opendoor policy in his office. Hines added that there has been a 50% decrease in liability and workers’ compensation claims in the last three years. The city has also seen a decrease in employee medical and supplemental insurance costs for the past two years, he said. City administrators made two big employee manual revisions and “big strides trying to bring our workforce pay up to market,” he explained further. For example, the city has expanded recruiting efforts while simultaneously cutting costs. Collegedale has also expanded the airport, with a recent reception of a $1.3 million grant from the Tennessee Department of Transportation, according to Hines. Upgrades within City Hall and facilities maintenance include systems within the buildings that drive down utility costs. The Parks and Recreation Department developments include new qualifications of staff and the opening of the Little Debbie Park. Since 2021, the number of programs has doubled to 300, and program participation has more than doubled, with about 5,000 people participating out of a community population of 12,300 people, Hines said. He concluded with additional details regarding what’s been done since 2021 in the police department as well as Public Works. “Thank you for listing that,” said Sadler. “Seriously, that's a lot
of stuff going on every day in Collegedale. …We are making leaps and bounds from where we were a few years ago.” Closing Statements Sadler said she believes the commission unintentionally put a city employee in an impossible situation by hiring Hines as city manager and city engineer, and she is starting to see some strain and wear from this. That’s why she feels like it’s time to redirect. She added that in 2019, the commission first began discussing the possibility of hiring a staff engineer to reduce the amount of money spent on designing and completing projects all in-house. “As you all know we have a staff engineer, but we’ve been told he doesn’t do design,” said Sadler. “And then there have been instances where you don’t have time to do design, so if both of you can’t do design, we’re not realizing those savings. We’ve ended up spending more, so that’s where I’m coming from asking for this conversation.” Commissioner Katie Lamb said since she has been on the commission, the city has always hired outside engineers, and there was always work the past engineer was unable to do because of limited time or capability. Therefore, she said, it is not unusual for the city to go outside of its own pool of employees to get expertise in certain areas. In response to Sadler’s concern that Hines’ combined role is too much for one person, Lamb said Hines has shown her he is capable of performing both jobs. She continued, stating that she did not understand what the issue
with Hines’ role was, as she thinks there is better communication between the city administration and commission now than in her past years in leadership. Hines has improved the relationship between the commission and city manager, Lamb said.
"I think that you’ve accomplished a lot, and I just want to say, ‘I’m pleased with what you are doing.’” “I’m satisfied with what you’re doing and how you’re handling things,” Lamb said. “And I think that you’ve accomplished a lot, and I just want to say, ‘I’m pleased with what you are doing.’” Lloyd said he sees no reason for a change, as he has spoken to every commissioner at different times, and they all say they are happy, whether it is with Hines’ performance, the way he is running the city or with the way that he treats them. Near the end of the workshop, Johnson once again expressed his support, stating he gives Hines an “A plus” for his role as manager, while adding that he would like to see more communication with the commission. Baker said commissioners need to be able to voice their opinions, clear the air and move forward. Hines closed the discussion by asking the commission to tell him about any opportunities for improvement. “If they’re actionable, I will absolutely do it,” he said. “Just let me know.”
A photo of City Manager and Engineer Wayon Hines hangs in City Hall. Comissioners discussed Hines' position during a meeting and workshop this month. (Photo courtesy of Jamie Heath)
Pop-up coffee bar opens at Collegedale Commons Jacob Nevis Staff Writer The Collegedale Commons, which opened in 2017, has become a hub for city events and has seen many new activities added for the community since its inception. In September, a pop-up coffee bar was opened at the location. The coffee bar – operated by Morning Brew Co., a business run by Denis Liskevich – is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 7 and 11 a.m., and it allows visitors to customize their coffee. On the Morning Brew Co. website, Liskevich shared why he started the coffee shop: “The idea behind Morning Brew Co. started when I lived in Portland, Oregon. I was introduced to the coffee culture and experienced the coffee community first hand. I saw how people come together over a simple cup of coffee whether it be to hangout, study, or work.” With a couple of new events and attractions opening at The
Commons, such as the opening of the Little Debbie Park earlier in the summer, David Barto, founder of the Collegedale Tomorrow Foundation who helps oversee The Commons, spoke with the Accent regarding a couple of new things that might be coming to the location in the future. “We are working on building two restaurants at The Commons; one will be cafe-style,” Barto said. “The reason for this is that a restaurant is one of the most requested things by visitors. We have seen a big increase in visitors with the opening of the Little Debbie Park.” Along with the coffee shop, The Commons offers other events for the community yearround. In the spring, a farmers market is held allowing visitors to purchase items such as apparel, food and home decorations. The facility also offers rental space for residents to hold their own events. A pop-up coffee bar operated by Morning Brew Coffee Co. opened at The Commons in September. Friday, October 20, 2023. (Photo by Andre Ottati)
7 | Wednesday, November 1, 2023
For more related news, visit our website at accent-southern.org
MENTAL HEALTH
The science of building habits one step at a time Tiffany Bartell Healthy Minds QEP Director Editor’s Note: The following articles are written by counseling professionals from Counseling Services in partnership with the Southern Accent. Planning to start a new health habit? Here are a few things you should know! As many as 44% of Americans make new health resolutions each year, but only half will succeed in what they set out to do, according to a 2020 research article on New Year’s resolutions published on PLOS ONE. Experts say that the key to making a healthy habit change is tapping into what they call “self-directed neuroplasticity.” What we know about the brain is that it is plastic — or able to be changed and adapted. This is wonderful news for college students, as you are constantly receiving new information, and your understanding and thinking are shaped and adapted as you accommodate and synthesize the new data. In a 2021 medically reviewed Healthline article, writer Stacey McLachlan outlines two kinds of neuroplasticity: experience-dependent neuroplasticity and self-directed neuroplasticity. She points out that the first kind happens when we practice a habit over and over again, and the second occurs as we self-reflect on our experience of doing a habit. When we practice healthy habits, we can unconsciously receive rewards and positive experiences, such as when we have a positive mood or feel proud of ourselves after exercising. By spending time in reflection, we can link our conscious thoughts and
recognition of benefits derived from the activity to the habit that is being formed. In my private practice, I often encourage clients to identify something that they always remember to do every day. We then see how we can link a new habit to the existing one in a process called “habit stacking.” Habit stacking is simple. For example, if you always remember to take your vitamins in the
morning, you could put a sticky note next to your vitamin bottle reminding you to do your relaxation breathing exercise right afterward. Or, if you have a hard time remembering to drink water but always take your backpack to class, try tucking a reusable water bottle in your backpack to carry with you and drink from throughout the day. To follow McLaclan’s advice, try setting an alarm to check in with
yourself at a time you’ve designated for a new habit activity. Or, set an alarm at the end of the day to help you cement your new habit by giving yourself an opportunity to reflect on how the habit made you feel and the positive effect of the experience. If you are someone who works well with peer pressure, another way you can help yourself is to tell your friends about a new habit you are practicing
or have someone be your habit-buddy as you start practicing it. Having an accountability partner or group can help you stay on track and turn the habit-building process into an opportunity for social connection as well. You can build new habits for your health one day at a time. The habits that will stick are the ones that you do intentionally and integrate into the fabric of your life.
A great way to create new healthy habits is to use a process called “habit stacking.” For example, if you always remember to read in the morning, place a sticky note by your book reminding you to drink water. (Photo sourced from Unsplash)
SPORTS The spookiest professional athletes no one wants to face Jacob Nevis Sports Editor Spooky season is coming to an end. Although Halloween festivities won’t start again until next October, the frights that some athletes may cause their opponents are certain to stick around for the season. One “spooky” player resides in South Florida and plays football for the Miami Dolphins. Tyreek Hill continues to frighten opponents in the NFL with his terrifying speed. Known as “Cheetah” and the fastest play-
er in the NFL, Hill has continued to run past defenders this entire season. Hill has also become the first player in the Super Bowl era to earn more than 1,000 receiving yards in the first eight weeks of a single season. Hill not only leads the league in receiving yards with 1,014 but also receiving touchdowns with eight. “Cheetah” is on pace to earn 2,155 receiving yards this season, which would make him the first player in NFL history to pass the 2,000- receiving yard mark in a single season.
While the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Texas Rangers are battling it out for the World Series title, each team has one player that frightens the opposing pitchers. Rookie sensation Corbin Carroll has been scaring pitchers left and right this entire season. Recently, the Diamondback outfielder became the first rookie in MLB history to record 25 home runs and 50 steals. His speed is almost unmatched in baseball, and he can often steal on a whim. On the other hand, the Rangers have the sensational Adolis
Garcia, who played a huge role in his team’s World Series run. Garcia went on a tear in the American League Championship Series against the Houston Astros, with home runs in four straight games. He made the game-winning homerun for the Rangers in game one of the World Series. With the basketball season just underway, there are sure to be a few players who will continue striking fear on the court. Stephen Curry, arguably the greatest basketball shooter of all time, can score
three-pointers like no other, and that’s certainly terrifying for opposing teams. Nikola Jokic, also known as the “Joker,” is one of the most dynamic players in the NBA. A swiss army knife-type player, Jokic can do it all and continues to be one of the best players in the league. While these players will undoubtedly continue to scare their opponents, we should take a lesson from Halloween movies and be on the lookout for new frights to arise and help lead their teams to the finish line.
Tyreek Hill, nicknamed “Cheetah,” terrifies opponents with his speed. Hill leads the NFL in receiving yards and touchdowns. (Photo sourced from Flickr)
8 | Wednesday, November 1, 2023
If you would like to be a contributor, contact Amanda Blake at ablake@southern.edu
OPINION Real peace requires liberation: Understanding the Palestinian struggle Stefanie Green Copy Editor The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is complex and multi-faceted. Though there are nuances and strong opinions incorporated into all stances on the conflict, it is possible to understand the issue at hand because information and knowledge are readily available. Recently, the media spotlight has been on the violence generated by Hamas, and that has clouded many people’s ability to see the root of the issue and understand the depth of this 75-year-long conflict. In seeking to better understand this conflict, there is an important distinction that often goes unrecognized: the difference between seeking peace and seeking freedom. For Palestinians and many other oppressed peoples around the world, these two concepts do not walk hand in hand. This is because peace, from an oppressor’s perspective, can often mean silence and submission. Over the years, negotiations, peace talks and international interventions have taken place in hopes of finding a peaceful solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to Y&S Nazarian Center for Israel Studies at UCLA. Yet, again and again, these efforts have failed to address the heart of the Palestinian people’s aspirations. To many, peace has come to represent a position where the Palestinian people are expected to yield to their oppressors and accept a reality that continues to restrict their autonomy. I think the notion of “peace” is sometimes weaponized by those in power to maintain the existing condition and silence the voices of the oppressed. “Peace” has been a buzzword in the media recently
in relation to this conflict, and it effectively makes those who believe in a free Palestine seem “anti-peace” or pro-Hamas. Peace, in this context, has meant Palestinians conceding to an oppressive occupation and having to live by the terms of their oppressor. It has been used to excuse the illegal settlement in the West Bank and the blockade of Gaza, suppressing any real opportunity for Palestinian sovereignty. But for Palestinians, the ultimate goal is not peace, as the media might define it – the goal is liberation. Liberation is freedom from restraints; it’s equality; it’s the ability to act and think and move about freely. Liberation is autonomy and
an end to occupation. Liberation is the ability to make decisions for your own future, to own your own land and enjoy the rights and dignity that other people get to enjoy. In this pursuit for liberation, Palestinians have attempted various means of resistance, from peaceful protests and negotiations to armed struggle, according to Open Democracy. While many have disagreed on these methods, the overarching goal is still the same: freedom from oppression. This understanding of liberation can be used to understand other social conflicts around the world. It reflects the experiences of oppressed groups throughout history, from activists fighting apartheid
in South Africa to civil rights leaders fighting Jim Crow laws in the United States. For these individuals and communities, “peace” often meant accepting a system that was inherently unjust and oppressive. Those who protested and took a stand against this system were perceived to be “disrupting the peace” and creating trouble. Protests and activism can be uncomfortable for those who believe that things should stay the way they are or don’t fully understand the cause. Oppressors may talk about a desire for peace, but what they are often seeking is submission of the oppressed and return to a status quo that benefits them. When oppressors are able to change the
narrative to a desire for peace, they can draw attention away from the root of the issue and convince the masses that they are the ones who are suffering. In conclusion, it is crucial to recognize that for Palestinians and other oppressed peoples, the quest for liberation is a deeply rooted and essential goal. The global community needs to acknowledge the difference between peace and liberation in order to not be complicit to oppression. Only by doing so can we move closer to a world where we can experience real peace, which exists only when there is freedom and equality for every person.
Chattanoogans rally for Palestine’s call for a ceasefire as they march across Walnut Street Bridge in downtown Chattanooga. Saturday, October 28, 2023. (Photo by Yara Hourani)
RELIGION The test of time: Practicing availability in a busyness culture Madison Wilcox Religion Editor Busyness is a prerequisite to American middle-class life. We learn early that success falls most frequently into the lap of the overworked. Thus, the rhythm of busyness is the metronome we order our days by. Each moment marks a point on the path towards success. The more we do — the more thickly we fill the space between each beat of the metronome — the more successful we are. But what happens when God speaks off-rhythm? Does the busyness framework we’ve adopted as average Americans leave any space for divine interruption? Hardly. In fact, I believe that dedication to busyness has become one of the primary barriers in Western culture to responding to the voice of God. We are so shackled to productivity and what seem to be necessary activities that we often meet God’s interrupting voice with excuses. We don’t have enough time. We are too busy. We have too many responsibilities already. This response is, of course, logical. Life, especially the increasingly complex modern life, is full of necessary pursuits. Accepting an interruption does pose real risk. Yet how logically did Christ live while He served on earth? Instead of insisting on what was “necessary,” He responded immediately to divine interruptions, however illogical they seemed. Matthew 9 illustrates this attitude of availability. As Jesus followed a distraught ruler to his house to heal his dying daughter, He felt a hand touch His cloak. Though from a human perspective, Jesus’ circumstance called for intense hurry (the girl would die if He didn’t come soon enough), Jesus responded
immediately to the interruption, sensing the divine voice. In a moment when hurry seemed most essential, He stopped. How could He stop? How could He move restfully into an interruption when He was in the middle of a desperate mission for a desperate man? Jesus could stop because He knew the God who interrupted Him. He knew that God is never desperate, for He is not restricted to time as we are. God could heal the sick in the
moments before death. But He could also raise the dead in the moments after. Thus, Christ relied fully upon God, ready at all times to respond to divine interruption with restful obedience. The God Christ trusted has not changed. As we move through some of the busiest years of our lives in a culture that embraces busyness as essential to success, we have a special opportunity to trust His changeless provision. While our
college years are intended to be full of diligent study, the lessons we must learn extend beyond our classes. Here, we get to practice the lesson of trusting God with time. He may interrupt us frequently — a friend may need to talk, a service project may request more volunteers, a sibling may go through a crisis — but each time we risk accepting the interruption, we will find that beyond divine interruption lies
“The world doesn’t need busy Christians. It needs available Christians.” (Photo sourced from Pexels)
abundant provision. And with each terrifying step of faith, we will cultivate a habit of availability that extends into our careers, families and churches. The world doesn’t need busy Christians. It needs available Christians. Let’s embrace the secret of restful service that Christ described in John 4:34: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” Surely, we will find His food to be sufficient.
9 | Wednesday, November 1, 2023
For more related news, visit our website at southern-accent.org
LIFESTYLE Birdwatching: A gateway to adventure in God’s creation Daniel Baldwin Contributor After being a bird watcher for the better part of three years, I am used to the general stereotypes: birds are scary monsters; birds are really boring and just kind of sit there; and the famous “Bird watching? Like the thing sad old retirees do?” However, bird watching (or birding) has taken me on fantastic adventures and brought me immense joy. The first question I get when bringing up birding to people is “Why birding?” Birding is an excellent way to get out in nature and go to unique places. But why can’t I observe any other old animals to get outside? Why is birding superior? First off, birds have adapted to live in all the places that humans do, making them easy to find. They spend the majority of their time on the ground, in trees, in the sky or above water. Those, coincidentally, are all the places that humans can observe very easily. Birding is also an easy hobby to become involved in, as there is a far greater wealth of literature concerning birds and how to find them compared to any other type of organism. Well-written field guides can be found for most regions of the world, while only a smattering of guides exist for insects, mammals and fish. In addition, birding is relatively cheap to get into. At the beginner level, you can download field guides for free and just use your eyes and ears to identify beautiful birds. However, birding isn’t just standing around and admiring beauty. The art also requires a significant amount of spontaneity and adventure.
I have had the pleasure and privilege of traveling throughout the world to see amazing birds. Within the United States, I have hiked up an active volcano in Northern California to see a sooty grouse. In my international travels, I’ve visited the Galápagos Islands to see blue-footed boobies dive thirty feet to catch fish in the frigid Pacific waters. In South Africa, I was able to see African penguins waddling along rocky beaches. All of this goes to show that birding can bring a life of adventure and is not just the favorite sport of your local retirees in the park. While birding often consists of planned adventures, a good deal of it is spontaneous. Once, I was on a musical tour with my class in Arizona. As we were visiting the Grand Canyon, walking along its edge and taking the occasional photo, I spotted it: the California condor. The California condor is one of a handful of birds in the United States classified as code six: likely extinct within its native range. In the 80s, the total population of condors dropped to just 22 birds, at which point all of them were captured and brought into a breeding program. Now the wild population is rebounding, and there are currently 347 condors living in the wild. But not only are these birds very rare; they are also majestic. The California condor has a wingspan of around 10 feet, making it the largest bird in North America. In fact, my field guide lists small airplanes as a species that could be confused with the condor. Seeing this massive California condor soar over the Grand Canyon reminded me of how amazing birds can be seen at any
time, demonstrating the natural beauty God has gifted the world. Birding is an exceptional hobby that is truly what you make of it.
It has allowed me to bear witness to the complexity and majesty of God’s creation. Furthermore, I have appreciated how birding
Daniel Baldwin poses while dressed in his birdwatching attire in the Great Smoky Mountains. (Illustration by Emily Rice)
SOCIAL
For a chance to be featured, use or tag @sauaccent on Instagram in your posts!
Dear Kevin
#SAUlife B
Dear Kevin, I have a crush on a guy who’s literally in all my classes. I want to tell him I like him, but if he doesn’t feel the same way, it would be super awkward for the rest of the semester. We’ve been talking, but sometimes I’ll hint that I want to hang out with him, and he doesn’t get it. How do I share my feelings about him without losing him as a friend if he doesn’t feel the same way and making it awkward for our entire class? Dear Anxious Kangaroo, This is a tough situation, but one that many college students go through. There are a few things to keep in mind as you take your first steps on this journey: Choose the right time and place: If you decide to tell this person how you feel, the time and place you choose do so is
has pushed me to experience out of the way places and the breadth of the world.
N
Brandon Reese
Nathalie Jacome
important. You want the setting to be relaxed and friendly. Make sure you have a quick getaway just in case it gets a little awkward. Be direct but respectful: In your conversation, don’t leave anything ambiguous. Let this person know how you have been feeling and be open to hearing how they feel. Keep it simple and to the point. Be prepared for any outcome: No matter what the outcome is, be proud of yourself for having the confidence to tell this person how you feel. Rejection is a part of life, and it doesn’t mean the end of your friendship. It may feel scary to tell them how you feel, but know that it’s better to bring clarity to the situation than leave it in the dark. Rejection is redirection.
brandon.reese_ peanut butter cups forever Photo Credit: Matthew Thomas
💍🤍
J
Jeanette Olayo
nathalie_jacome i always say that sunsets are a proof that a bad day can also have a pretty ending Photo Credit: Noemi Lozano N
Noel Lewis
Stay Positive \(-u-)/
Do you have a question for Kevin? Scan the QR code or click on the link in the Accent’s Instagram bio to submit your question.
This week’s winner is @aprilwestttt. To collect your prize, go to the Student Development office.
🍁🧡✨
dat.girl.jeanettey Photo Credit: Herself
E
Emma Forbes
no_l.lewis The boys are back part 2 Photo Credit: His Mom
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Katelyn Alvarez
Knowing that students need pizza in their lives, Kevin is offering a:
$10 Gift Card to Dominos DM us on Instagram with a photo of where Kevin is hiding! emma_lemon_peppa
💿💿💿
katealope wknd Photo Credit: Herself
10 | Wednesday, November 1, 2023
If you would like to be a contributor, contact Amanda Blake at ablake@southern.edu
CHATTER Today — 1 53 - 27
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Weekly Birthdays
GYCSE - Jonathan Walter Faculty Development - 12:00 p.m. @ Presidential Banquet Room SA Senate - 8:00 p.m. @ Bietz Center
TODAY |1
Thursday — 2 • •
GYCSE - Jonathan Walter W24 Registration Opens Online for Returning Junior >54 hrs Fall Preview Southern Convocation: Jonathan Reisman Schutte Family Lecture Series. 11:00 a.m. @ Iles PE Center VPAA Council. 3:30 p.m. @ Presidential Banquet Room 2 Invoke Concert. 7:30 p.m. @ Iles PE Center
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GYCSE - Jonathan Walter Fall Preview Southern Payday: Hourly/Student I Cantori Concert Tour Begins Sunset 6:43 p.m. Vespers - Jonathan Walter. 7:30 p.m. @ Collegedale SDA Church Star Watch. 7:30 p.m. @ Hickman Science Center Parking Lot Afterglow 8:45 p.m.
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Daylight Saving Time ends (set clock back one hour at 2 am) SA Fall Festival 4:00 p.m. Southern Symphony Orchestra Concert. 7:30 p.m. @ Collegedale SDA Church
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GYSCE Connect. 9:00 a.m. @ Goliath Wall // Rain: Collegedale Gym Collegedale Church Service: Adoration. 9:00 a.m. @ Collegedale SDA Church SOAP Outdoor Church: Rock Climbing. 11:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. @ Wright Steps 9/23 Collegedale Church Service: Renewal. 11:45 a.m. @ Collegedale SDA Church Merge Worship. 11:45 a.m. @ Collegedale Academy Elementary Evensong – Organ Students of Judy Glass. 5:30 p.m. @ Collegedale SDA Church
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Tuesday — 7 67 - 44
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W24 Registration Opens Online for Returning Sophomores >23 hrs Undergraduate Council 3:30 p.m. Archeology Museum Lecture - Michael Hasel. 7:00 p.m. @ Lynn Wood Chapel
Benjamin Kim
James Mendez
Josh Norris
Andrew Cornelius
Genesis Ramirez
Luke Perkins
Mimi Lane
Bill Rogers
Tyler Ritterskamp
Caeden Scott
Claudio Sandoval
Lilyan Saliba
Adeline Sihotang
Noah Seibel
Nazanin Shams Mowlavi
Saturday |4
Macaela Strother
Eugene Choi
Garik Brown
Zary Vargas
Olivia Chong
Dean Charlson
Monday |6
Chris Dietel
Eric Eiselstein
Josh Cole
Jason Alexander Du-
Francisco Funes
Aliyah Cox
Bose
Mimi Huerta
Claire Elias
Cy Durias
Aidan McCollough
Hayden Grundy
Lukas Evans
Liesl Meadows
Maria Hernandez
Rachel Illingworth
Christiana Nardi
Liana Hillebert
Ella Jalba
Jisu Park
Aidan Kim
Ben Juarez
Thursday |2
Mateo Toledo
Logan Kim
Randy Kim
Sunday |5
Gabriel Reed
Wesley Moore
Angela Binder
Evelin Sanchez
Miyoung Park
Erica Dalley
Tuesday |7
Jay Villalobos
Leroy Dewe
Charlene Arnold
Friday |3
Amy Dias Nogueira
Matthew Chung
Ambar Melissa Acevedo Paityn Foszcz Nicole Iniguez Santana
Laurence Clayton Ignacio Lizarraga
Tomorrow Arnold
Anna Ivashchenko
Roshney Puthankalam
Ekaterina Beresneva
Erika James
Cody Stooksbury
Karl Camacho
Joshua Jenkins
Student Activities Announcements Futsal Tournament Come out for some fun and friendly competition with classmates! Futsal Tournament will be happening Saturday, Nov. 4, in Iles P.E .Center. Games will start at 7 p.m. and will go until 10 p.m.
Monday — 6 •
Zach Henski
Janetta Byrd
SA Fall Festival starts this Sunday at 4 p.m. 73 - 51
The Experience Collegiate Sabbath School Come out to The Experience Collegiate Sabbath School! The Experience is a discussion-based Sabbath School that meets from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the fellowship hall of the Collegedale SDA Church.
Southern Union Education “Get Acquainted” Interviews. 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. @ Presidential Banquet Room Tornado Siren Test. 12:00 p.m.
BSN DEGREE TO DNP Skip the master’s!
Become an advanced practice nurse and earn a doctor of nursing practice at the same time. The BSN to DNP program mentors bachelor’s degree-level graduates as they gain necessary RN experience through an advanced nursing practice emphasis of their choice. Options include: • DNP/MBA • Lifestyle Medicine • Nurse Educator • Nurse Practitioner (emphases include Acute Care–Adult/Gerontology, Primary Care–Adult/Gerontology, Family, and Psychiatric Mental Health) Call or visit online to find out how to get started.
1.800.SOUTHERN • southern.edu/graduatestudies