Southern Accent
Deck the streets: Collegedale Christmas Parade returns
One of the largest schools to participate was Ooltewah High School, which brought several performing groups.
the Grinch riding on a trash bin; and Wright Pediatric Dentistry, which showcased a tractor towing a VW Beetle.
The Christmas spirit returned to Collegedale on Sunday as the city’s Christmas Parade marched through the campus of Southern Adventist University.
The event started at 3 p.m. and lasted about an hour, with a lively crowd cheering on the sidelines as the parade went down the road.
The parade route started at the Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists and followed University Drive to Brock Hall. It involved several schools, businesses, scout groups, first responders and local and state political representatives, among them Collegedale Mayor Morty Lloyd.
The high school band was one of the groups at the front of the parade.
“I found the parade to be absolutely astounding and exciting,” said Thien-An Le, a freshman theology major. “I just love music, and the band made a fine touch to the parade.”
According to Christina Clark, parks and recreation supervisor for the City of Collegedale, around 50 local businesses and groups participated, including gold sponsors McKee Foods and Morning Pointe Senior Living. Other participants were C&M Disposal, which featured
Nearly 100 students move to Mountain Cottages
Allisa Flores Reporter
Southern’s Reflection Pointe residents are moving back to campus to occupy the university’s Mountain Cottages apartments, located on Bear Mountain Loop.
According to Marty Hamilton, associate vice president of Financial Administration, nearly 100 students were issued keys last week and began the move-in process on Dec. 6 at noon, with females having priority until the other 16 Certificates of Occupancy from the City of Collegedale were completed.
Hamilton said he attended a meeting in Thatcher South on Nov. 18, with multiple deans and the vice president for Student Development, Dennis Negrón. According to Hamilton, approximately 40 students were also invited to ask questions and discuss the move-in plans. At the meeting, many students said that, due to outdated information given about the original estimation of the cottages’ completion, they had understood the move-in date would be Dec. 1.
Benjamin Dos Santos, a junior nursing major, said he wished administrators had communicated clearly with students
Most participating groups handed out treats—from candy canes to Little Debbie snack cakes—to attendees. One of the grinches in the parade spotted a little girl dressed in a Grinch costume and came over to hand her candy. The many smiling faces in the crowd fueled the festive atmosphere.
“I think that sitting here has made me realize how fun it is to just smile and wave and [appreciate] the joy it brings to see people walking around with [cheerful faces],” said Skyler Pankey, a junior automotive service management major.
The Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department appeared at the end of the parade with several fire engines honking their horns and flashing lights.
“I really, really enjoyed it,” said Hannah Mortenson, a senior business management major.
“I particularly enjoyed the Mr. and Mrs. Claus on top of the fire truck. She [Mrs. Claus] was so, so cute and absolutely beautiful, overall, it was a great parade.”
The parade was founded in 1999 by Steve Ray, who runs a tire service and repair shop in Ooltewah, and was an annual event for nearly two decades.
However, according to a 2023 Accent article, Ray transferred responsibility for the parade to the City of Collegedale in 2019.
Shortly thereafter, the city was forced to cancel the event due to COVID-19 restrictions.
In the 2023 Accent article, Clark said the city had difficulty finding a suitable parade route for several years and closing Little Debbie Parkway, Ooltewah-Ringgold Road or Apison Pike proved too disruptive to businesses and traffic. However, this year the City of Collegedale Commission asked Southern to host the event, he explained.
City Manager Wayon Hines said he believed the logistics of running the parade through campus would prove safer and more practical for the entire
See PARADE on page 2
Students debate SA President Edvan Benitez's leadership
Julia Juler Staff Writer
A recent petition has surfaced at Southern Adventist University as some students express concerns about Student Association (SA) President Edvan Benitez's leadership. The petition aims to initiate impeachment proceedings against Benitez, with the debate sparking a range of opinions across campus.
The push for impeachment began with conversations on social media, where some students aired concerns about the SA president’s handling of specific issues, such as bringing scooters to campus.
Chris Sandi, a freshman mass communications major, shared his perspective, citing dissatisfaction with Benitez’s leadership.
"I didn't like how he ran and what happened after it."
"I didn't like how he ran and what happened after it. ... He was talking about scooters, and that's not even allowed on campus due to our own policies,” Sandi said. “It just feels like [he] didn’t do enough research based on the school to under-
stand that that wasn’t allowed.”
At the Student Association Town Hall, Benitez explained that after initial meetings with administration during his campaign, he thought his proposal was plausible.
Sandi also pointed to a perceived lack of presence and visibility from the SA team.
“I feel like last year, we saw a lot more of the Senate and other leaders just being around and open about certain things," he explained. "All I’ve seen is the president and the social vice, and that’s very rare."
Sandi believes that a rerun for the presidency would be necessary if impeachment moves forward.
"If he does get impeached, I would like to have, like, a rerunning for president. ... We still have the same candidates," he said.
Despite the criticisms, some students have come to Benitez’s defense. Jaziel Soto, a sophomore accounting major who has worked closely with Benitez, emphasized the president's positive impact on-campus events.
Anaya Parker Reporter
Children cheer at the Collegedale Christmas Parade. Sunday Dec. 8, 2024 (Photo by Shengzhe Zhao)
Edvan Benitez delivers a campaign speech.
(Photo by Andrew Boggess)
Nolwin Guilarte helps Erin Campbell move into her cottage. (Photo by Elias Zabala)
LEADERSHIP
continued from page 1
"He was really good,” Soto said. “For example, he organized the International Food Fair last year, and I saw him take charge with a lot of different events. He always cared about me, and I saw real leadership in him.”
Soto praised Benitez's approachable nature and support for the student body.
“He was really understandable,” he added. “He encouraged me to make the best decision for myself. He didn’t push me; he just said, ‘Don’t worry, whatever you decide will be good.’ He’s a really spiritual person.”
Soto expressed skepticism about the impeachment effort, stating: “I think it’s ridiculous. Why do people want to impeach him? It doesn’t have any foundation.
If people really took the time to research what the Student Association is doing, they’d see that they’re involved in a
lot. I just don’t get why people would push for this.” Addressing concerns about unmet promises, Soto urged patience.
“It’s only the first semester,” he said. “You can’t expect to accomplish everything right away. People need to be patient. He’s definitely doing things, and he’s working hard for the students.”
Benitez stated in an email to the Accent that he is not concerned about the impeachment due to the lack of students signing the petition and those who have used fake or anonymous names. As of now, there have been a total of 31 signatures. He also stated that there were no concrete arguments made and it was posted on an unofficial and unverified social media account.
“If you’re interested in learning more about the work we’ve done, I encourage you to explore our social media pages, read articles in The Accent, come to our Town Hall and stay connected by attending the events we host weekly. My office hours are public, so
anyone is free to come and visit us at the SA office on the 3rd floor of Bietz for further questions, clarification, or suggestions,” said Benitez.
"I would encourage anyone with concerns to come talk to me.”
He continued to express his gratitude for the administration having his back.
“I’m grateful that I have the full support of my cabinet, our sponsors from the Student Development Office, and our University President, Dr. Ken Shaw. They’ve expressed their satisfaction with our accomplishments this year, and we have been truly blessed to have such a successful year so far by the grace of God.”
In response to questions about the impeachment process, Student Development representative Negrón clarified that while impeachment is possible, it involves bringing formal charges of impropriety or incompetence against the president.
"I take student concerns quite seriously. I would encourage anyone with concerns to come talk to me,” Negron said. “If the concerns rise to the level of impeachment, I myself will begin the process of impeachment.”
He went on to explain that students do not need him in order for the process to start. There are by-laws to the constitution on how to enforce an impeachment.
The discussion surrounding Benitez’s leadership reflects a broader conversation about expectations for student government at Southern Adventist University.
Benitez said he has heard the concerns of students and is excited to announce a new initiative on campus called “SA Live,” according to an interview with the Accent. The purpose of SA Live is to bring awareness to the students about what SA is working on and accomplishing.
“So, the SA Live has the purpose of not waiting for the Townhall at the end of the semester to happen, but to
give constant updates on the things that we do and the decisions that we make,” according to Benitez
“This is something that I have been preparing since, I mean, when I ran as president; that was one of my proposals,” Benitez said.
He said it is not only used for SA to update students, but for administration to give updates as well.
“ ... In episode two, I invited Justin Moore to address the issue on the electric scooter policy,” he said. “I want to invite different administrators that are making important decisions or that are working on important projects for the students that will be beneficial for the students to know.”
In the video, Moore explained that Benitez’s plan for scooters would not be feasible due to the university’s safety and liability concerns.
Alexis Dewey, news editor, contributed to this story.
Students left puzzled over the bathroom cleanliness check process
Carlos Torres Staff Writer
Southern Adventist University recently conducted routine bathroom cleanliness checks for the Southern Village apartments. The process, however, has left many students puzzled after some apartments failed the first round of the checks.
Nov. 1 was day for bathroom checks at the apartments off Timberland Terrace. Brooke Bridges, the employee responsible for managing off-campus housekeeping, went around to check the resident’s bathrooms for cleanliness and maintenance requests.
According to Bridges, the purpose of the cleanliness checks is not so much for the aesthetic cleanliness of the bathrooms but to ensure that the upkeep of the buildings is maintained.
The cleanliness checks are what help keep the cleaning and maintenance staff aware of the needs of the buildings and their residents, according to Bridges.
Residents should be alerted via email a week prior to the check date so that they may have time to prepare and clean. In the email, they receive the schedule of the checks, an outline of what areas will be inspected and many tips on how to clean those areas.
The Village bathroom checks are based on the same checks
PARADE
continued from page 1
community, as stated in a previous Accent article.
Many families from the community attended, alongside students and faculty from Southern. The sidewalks were filled with eager viewers smiling and laughing.
“It's really awesome to see such an amazing event,” said Melindy Van Asperen, a general studies major. “It's very well organized, and people are very generous and kind.”
that occur in the dorms, which most of the Village residents have experienced in the past.
According to Bridges, there is a difference between both residential areas in regards to cleanliness.
“A lot of freshmen [in the dorm] are learning how to be away from home for the first time and need a bit more checking up on in the cleanliness department,” Bridges said. “Thankfully, that’s not the case in the Village. As far as cleaning goes, everybody was pretty good about it.”
However, for some Southern Village residents, this was not the case.
Edward Backer, senior psychology major and Village resident assistant, shared some of the concerns his residents voiced to him.
One particular resident Backer mentioned had a situation where he failed for grainy bits around the toilet floor that were caused by rusty screws despite his constant cleaning of that area.
According to Backer, many residents expressed their grievances about the checks and how they felt they were being judged too harshly.
“The thing that I think was really on everyone’s mind was, ‘If you failed the check twice,
you were going to be fined,” and no one wanted to be fined,” Backer said.
In his opinion, “The standards that were placed on these checks were a little higher than I would recommend.”
Regardless, to help meet the standard, Backer and the other resident assistants aided in preparing students for the checks. They helped remind the students of upcoming check dates, provided them with cleaning tips and even helped them get cleaning supplies.
“[Many residents] didn't realize what I would be checking because, unfortunately, many of them didn't read the email where I told them, but that's why we have two checks.”
Brooke continued, “Those who weren't maybe quite up to what it said on the paperwork, it was the first round, and they did such a good job improving that the goal was met.”
Bridges encourages students to continue doing a good job in maintaining their apartments and to continue being watchful of the emails to ensure that they are prepared for the upcoming checks.
She also invites them to email brookebridges@southern.edu with questions or if they need advice on how to maintain their bathrooms.
Santa and Mrs. Claus wave to the crowd from a fire truck.
Sunday Dec. 8, 2024 (Photo by Shengzhe Zhao)
Children walking the parade route pass candy to the crowd.
Sunday Dec. 8, 2024 (Photo by Shengzhe Zhao)
A typical college shower unit.
(Photo by Hannah Johnson)
Southern Village students are notified a week prior to a bathroom check.
(Photo by Hannah Johnson)
JP
Debbie Baker re-elected to Collegedale Commission after tie
Hayden Kobza Managing Editor
On Nov. 25, incumbent Debbie Baker was re-elected to the Collegedale Commission after a 5-0 vote by the Board of Commissioners, with Baker voting herself back in, breaking a tie with Billy Burnette, according to a Collegedale Special Commission meeting minutes.
Her new term comes after the Nov. 5 Board of Commissioners race in Collegedale, which resulted in a tie between Baker and Burnette. Burnette has unsuccessfully run before, according to the Hamilton County elections website.
Because the unofficial election results showed Burnette winning the race by one vote, the Chattanooga Times Free Press and the Accent initially announced Burnette’s victory.
However, once the election
COTTAGES
continued from page 1
during the semester regarding the timeline and other details related to the move..
“I am not the happiest about having to move while having the stress of taking [final] the examinations,” Dos Santos said. “I was planning on having to move the first weekend of December, which I believe would have been better for everyone. It did not necessarily make me change all my plans, but now I have to manage my time way better than I was expecting I would have to.”
According to Dos Santos, administration made it clear, from the beginning of the school year, that the privilege of living in Reflection Pointe was temporary and that affected students would move to Mountain Cottages during the fall semester, as soon as construction was complete.
Hamilton acknowledged that some students initially seemed frustrated during the meeting in November.
“I would say it was a little tense because they felt like more emails or communication should have gone out to them to keep them posted on what’s happening,” Hamilton said.
closed, the official vote count was a tie because, according to Baker, provisional votes had not yet been accounted for during Election Night.
Baker explained the Hamilton County Election Commission told her the city could do a runoff race to break the tie, but it would not be held until March.
“It would [have] cost the taxpayers $16,000 to $20,000 to do that,” Baker said. The alternative was to hold an internal vote amongst the commissioners.
As outlined in Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-8-111, in case of a tie, the municipal legislative body—usually the city council—can either cast the deciding vote or call for a runoff election by resolution.
“I abstained from making that decision on whether they had a runoff or they did an appointment,” Baker said. “There have only been two other times in the history of the state of Tennes-
see it was a tie, and each time it was done by the Commission to pick who they wanted.”
In an interview with WTVC News Channel 9, Burnett showed disdain for the city’s decision. “Historically, that board has not listened to the public, the citizens, and that's what they've done in the past,” Burnette said.
In response, Baker said to Channel 9 that political maneuvering often involves tough decisions. “When you're on those crossroads, you're going to do what you can to get over to the side that you want to be on, and that's just part of politics,” Baker said.
According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press, City Attorney Sam Elliott confirmed that, under state law, the city of Collegedale had the option to decide the election through a vote, or call for a special elec-
tion by resolution.
Now that Baker has secured her position on the city's commission, she said that the people of Collegedale are first on her agenda.
“Priorities are what has always been [for me] the people, the citizens, not just a few, but all,”
students to use at noon on Friday [Dec. 6],” Hamilton said.
The cottages passed inspections on Dec. 5, according to Hamilton, who confirmed that the 26 cottages were ready. Females moved into the first 10 cottages, leaving the remaining 16 to males. Deans had also coordinated moving vans to assist students who made prior arrangements, Hamilton said. In addition to the move-in date, Hamilton recalled, parking and storage were two other areas of student concern.
He said his team is working on cleaning up an area for additional parking, which will include parallel parking, on some of the roads near the cottages. Also, well-lit walking paths and steps to Brock Hall and the AdventHealth building, from the Mountain Cottages, provide a greener alternative to driving to classes, he explained
Baker said. “I want to keep our economic growth, but I want to really concentrate on expanding our parks, keeping it family friendly. … I want to focus on keeping our taxes down, building our infrastructure [up] and meeting what the needs of the people are.”
orations for their apartments that will never be able to fit in the cottages. So, there will definitely be frustration around the size differences of our living spaces.”
Students have from Dec. 6 to 20 to move out of Reflection Pointe.
According to Hamilton, students have from Dec. 6 to 20 to move out of Reflection Pointe.
“Being out by the 20th is putting a lot of pressure on my team because we have to move all the furniture out, clean the apartments and then turn the keys into Reflection,” Hamilton said.
With finals, the holidays and future big move, Emde summarized how he feels as a new Mountain Cottages resident regarding these upcoming weeks.
Hamilton and his team had originally estimated the cottages would be habitable by the week before Thanksgiving.
“Weather and rain have been a constant on-and-off situation up there, and we’re also relying on multiple contractors,” Hamilton said. “It became apparent to me that, looking at their schedule and all the things that needed to be done, we were going to be working through Thanksgiving and getting a lot of stuff tidied up by the end of November.”
“You know, I can’t deny that. I don’t think the deans did, either. We all could have done a better job of making sure those students at Reflection knew what was happening. But after that, they had time to talk and discuss, and there were a lot of questions and answers that we went through.”
Hamilton also explained that the hurricanes earlier this fall had contributed to delays in construction. Electricity installation and inspections had been scheduled for earlier in the semester, but because many utility workers helped with relief efforts in North Carolina, the timeline shifted. He noted that earlier discussions among students and faculty mentioned a Dec. 1 move-in date, which surprised him as he doubted the rooms would be ready by then.
“I told my staff at Plant Services to make sure the electronic locks were ready for the
Regarding the storage issues, Hamilton said, “We’re making provisions for a trailer to be up there that we’ll have set up with cages like the dorms so that if you need a cage, then you can put your lock on, and it will be temperature-controlled.”
“The apartments we live in at Reflection Pointe are very nice,” said Collin Emde, a junior marketing major, told the Accent before his move back to campus. “Even though the cottages are very nice and brand new, the transition may be difficult for some students. I know many students who purchased entertainment centers, more clothing and even dec-
“Living in Reflection Pointe has been amazing, and I’ve truly appreciated having a spacious and set-apart apartment to call home for the last few months,” Emde said. “That said, I’m excited to be back on campus soon. The only downside is that the move-in slots for the cottages are scheduled during one of the most hectic times of the year—finals week in December. While I understand that scheduling might be tricky, adding a big move to an already overwhelming week feels like a lot to juggle.”
The Wild Winter Film Festival showcases student filmmaking
lights the work of film students in the School of Visual Art and Design (SVAD).
Organized by Nathan DeWild, an SVAD instructor, the festival will be held this year on Dec. 18,
7 p.m., at the SVAD Art Annex. According to DeWild, though the event is mainly for SVAD film students and their friends, others are welcome.
Now in its fourth year, the festival cel- ebrates the work of students.
Now in its fourth year, the festival celebrates the work of students involved in the film program and features a compilation of short films, documentaries and other projects created during the year. The films are grouped into a one-hour presentation, then screened before peers, faculty and guests.
After the screening, SVAD professors present awards to students whose films stand out in different categories: Best Documentary, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing and Best Production Value. Students also receive additional awards, including the High Hopes Award and Best Original Short Screenplay Award.
The Best in Fest Award is determined through an audi-
ence vote, allowing attendees to choose their favorite film after the screening.
Jephter Moura, a senior film major, said the festival helps strengthen the film community within the university.
“It’s more of a place to showcase people’s best work,” Moura said. “You submit your films, and there are people who decide what gets in based on which works are the best but, in the end, most films get shown.”
In addition to awards, the festival also recognizes contributions to the film program. Moura has received the Nick Pie Award, an honor given for being a helpful and supportive member of the film department.
“I've won the Nick Pie Award, which means you’ve been a good help to everybody, a nice person and you’ve showcased what you’ve worked on,” Moura said.
“It’s more of an appreciation gift than anything.”
Sophia Schwartzrock, junior film major, said she loves seeing the variety of work shown at the festival.
“The creativity is very inspiring,” she said, “and the diverse range
of projects really helps encourage me to keep exploring the film industry for opportunities.”
“I will be submitting my work from [SVAD’s] Directing the Documentary class this year,” Schwartzrock added. “I don’t know if my submissions will be accepted, but last year my cinematography final made it into the show lineup!”
The Wild Winter Film Festival benefits students in the Adventist community
According to Moura, the Wild Winter Film Festival benefits students in the Adventist community who want to tell stories through movies or shows. He said it also displays the growth of Southern’s film program.
“It’s nice to have a place to put all of our work and share it with others,” Moura said.
Swartzrock added, “It’s definitely motivating to see the work of my classmates, and it’s a fun opportunity to hang out with the SVAD community before winter break.”
Debbie Baker smiles for headshot. (Photo courtesy of source)
Eva Raez Reporter
The Wild Winter Film Festival is an annual event at Southern Adventist University that high-
Nathan Dewild, film professor at Southern, poses for a photo.
(Photo by Felix Gillette)
Josh Issa helps Esmeralda Alejo-Alvarado move into her cottage.
(Photo by Elias Zabala)
Christmas Tree Lighting
Forrest the Bear plays with children at the Christmas tree lighting.
Tuesday December 03, 2024. (Photo by Hannah Johnson)
The Christmas tree -is lit in front of Wright Hall.
Tuesday December 03, 2024. (Photo by Hannah Johnson)
Briana Hanson and Jorge Pontarelli pose in front of the Christmas tree.
Tuesday December 03, 2024. (Photo by Liz Livergood)
Shannelle Bennett bundles up to stay warm.
Tuesday December 03, 2024. (Photo by Hannah Johnson)
Students gather for the lighting of the Christmas tree.
Tuesday December 03, 2024. (Photo by Hannah Johnson)
MENTAL HEALTH
You might be burned out, not just lazy
Abby Dizon Contributor
Editor’s Note: The following articles are written by counseling professionals and students from Counseling Services in partnership with the Southern Accent.
Laziness and burnout are known as deadly obstacles when attempting to accomplish tasks. They are often seen as having similar behaviors, sharing a common symptom of lacking the motivation to accomplish tasks.
However, disentangling the two is important as it impacts how they are approached and treated. So, how does one properly discern between them? This article will explore several key differentiations between burnout and laziness.
Cynicism and Irritability
According to an article from Clinic Les Alpes, typically, lazy individuals are laid-back, relaxed and unaffected by things, even with the tasks in front of them. This is because laziness is a deliberate choice, and emotional energy is not typically drained from them.
On the other hand, burnt-out individuals act with heightened irritability and emotional volatility simply because they have lost the emotional energy to regulate themselves properly.
Additionally, as laziness generally impacts specific tasks requiring disinteresting effort, burnout carries over into relationships. Burnout individuals can have a shorter fuse than usual and can become easily frustrated, or they may withdraw and isolate themselves, further exacerbating their sense of hopelessness.
Loss of Interest
A common symptom that separates burnout from laziness is the loss of interest in tasks such as work or schoolwork and a diminishing passion towards activities you once loved or were enthusiastic about, such as hobbies, talents or sports.
This differentiates from laziness by its pervasive impact on all areas of life. Laziness often only affects areas with tasks requiring discipline and effort, and burnout is an extended sense that causes a complete disengagement and loss of motivation over obligatory tasks and enjoyable tasks.
Desire to accomplish tasks
In my view, there are distinct differences in the desire to accomplish tasks regarding burnout and laziness. Laziness is often a lack of effort by choice and a lack of motivation. Individuals who are burnt out also have a diminished sense of motivation.
However, even with their limited motivation, they feel mentally drained and incapable of accomplishing even simple, straightforward tasks.
Personally, I have encountered situations where pushing myself to accomplish tasks was challenging as I lacked the mental energy to push forward.
Inability to Relax
Additionally, when experiencing burnout, I often feel unable to relax or disconnect from my stressors. Laziness does not usually come with a sense of guilt when disconnecting from tasks, except for the lingering reminder of unfinished tasks in the back of your head.
However, with burnout, even during acceptable leisure time, one may have persistent thoughts or have constant pressure to accomplish tasks. This creates a harmful cycle of your mind becoming fatigued from thinking about unaccomplished tasks during your relaxation time.
Laziness and burnout are significant obstacles when attempting to accomplish tasks, like homework, especially in academic settings. It is important to distinguish the two, as while laziness can be overcome, burnout requires more proactive steps to battle.
Recognizing and addressing burnout early can help prevent further physical and emotional exhaustion and enable you to seek necessary support, leading to better well-being and improved academic performance.
SPORTS
College football playoffs now set
Jacob Nevis Sports Editor
This past weekend, NCAA football ended its regular season with the conference championships. The competition was exciting, with a few of the teams punching their last-minute ticket to the college football playoff.
This season’s format saw 12 teams selected to compete for the national championship. Five teams were the conference champions, one from each Power Four conference — SEC, ACC, Big 10, Big 12 — and one from a non-Power Four conference. The other six teams will be the other highest-ranked teams. The top four conference champions will receive automatic byes, and the first round will be played at the home stadiums of the higher seed.
The college football playoff committee selected the 12 teams after the completion of the conference championships. However, the committee said it would not dock teams for losing the conference championship.
While it’s usually the SEC conference that seems to have the most teams at the top of rankings, this season was different, with four teams from the Big Ten making the college football playoff.
The Oregon Ducks were the only undefeated team this season at 12-0. The Ducks defeated Penn State in the Big Ten Championship to claim the number one seed in the playoffs and win the Big Ten in their first year in the conference. With the loss to Oregon, Penn State became the sixth seed in the playoff and will host the 11th-seeded SMU Mustangs in the first round.
The Mustangs, who lost to Clemson in the ACC Championship, earned the nod over the Alabama Crimson Tide to secure the last seed. The winner between SMU and Penn State will face one of the Heisman favor-
ites (and the one I want to win), running back Ashton Jenaty and the three-seeded Mountain West champions Boise State Broncos.
In the SEC championship, the Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Texas Longhorns for the second time this season to secure the second seed in the playoff. The Bulldogs will now face the winner of the surprise team of the year in 10th-seeded Indiana and 7th-seeded Notre Dame. With the loss in the SEC Championship, the Texas Longhorns will now host ACC champions Clemson. Clemson missed the automatic bid for a bye after being the fifth-highest conference champion. The Texas and Clemson game-winner will face Heisman candidate running back Cam Skatteboo and the Big-12 champion
Arizona State Sun Devils.
In one of the first round’s most intriguing matchups, the ninth Tennesee Volunteers will travel to Columbus to take on the eighth-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes. The winner of this matchup will take on Oregon.
The first round of the playoff will be played on Dec. 20th and 21.
Editor’s note: It has been my great honor to serve as the sports editor for the Southern Accent for the past two and a half years. I want to thank everyone who was able to enjoy and read my sports sections. One last time before I graduate: Go Dolphins and A’s!
Intramural Schedule
Thursday 6 p.m. Ladies Championship Game 7 p.m. Mens B Championship Game 8 p.m. Mens A Championship Game
The Georgia Bulldogs play the Louisiana State University Tigers. (Photo sourced from the Wikimedia Commons)
Burnout and laziness share some symptoms, but they also have several distinct characteristics. (Photo sourced from Pexels)
OPINION
Social media is limiting the way people meaningfully document their own lives
Allison Grundy Opinion Editor
Many parts of life are worth documenting, keeping and sharing. It can help individuals keep track of memories and also measure their growth over the years.
Documentation used to look different than it does today, with shaky camcorder home videos kept on thumb drives and scrapbooks overfilled with photos and stationery tucked away into closets, all ready to be viewed on special occasions. In recent years, many people have decided to document and share their lives through social media, via platforms that allow users to share photos, texts and videos. However, in some ways social media can restrict creativity, turning personal documentation into a performance for an audience instead of a genuine expression of one’s life.
For example, most videos on the platform TikTok are under a minute long, which limits the length of videos people might make. On Instagram, one can post stories that only last 24 hours. Online, I’ve seen people mentioning that seeing their old posts on Instagram ignites a sense of longing for the past version of themselves.
So even with social media, documentation can be a powerful tool for self-reflection. And in theory, social media is a great tool for sharing because it allows people to easily connect with loved ones, share experiences and even create communities around shared interests. However, while creativity
still exists, it is often constrained by the rules of the platform.
More meaningful ways to share memories outside of social media could include creating a home video of a special family trip or a baby’s first steps.
Other ideas include making a scrapbook filled with highlights from the school year, keeping a journal to capture important life events or compiling photo albums to document time spent in another country. Due to the conveniences of social media, we often don’t explore other specific and interesting ways to document life based on personal tastes and interests.
While social media can encourage oversharing, some still decide
to document their lives solely for their own benefit. Samuel Guerra, senior film production major, shared his experience with documentation: “There have been trips in which I have taken videos and pictures but have kept them completely to myself. Sometimes I only share them with my close friends, because I find it nice to treasure such memories in my own archive.”
Similarly, Emma Rodriguez, junior political science major, said, “Scrapbooking is something that is meaningful to me because it’s a new way that helps me visualize the fragments of my life that are meaningful. … It helps me be creative and cute and “aesthetic”
in a healthier way because it becomes personal and so much more meaningful.”
Oftentimes, the nature of social media makes posting feel transactional when the validation of a “like” overshadows the purpose of documenting for personal reflection.
It’s as if the validation of others becomes the point of the entire experience, diminishing the personal connection. Take photography as an example.
When I separate the act of taking photos from social media, I realize how differently I approach it. With no pressure to meet external expectations, I focus on making the photo meaningful for me.
Keeping certain moments to oneself, or sharing them in more meaningful ways, is deeply personal and intimate. Putting in the effort to preserve these moments makes them even more special. Not everything that’s documented needs to be shared with an audience. The moments cherished most are often those focused on living life for ourselves.
Editor’s Note: The Opinion Section encourages multiple perspectives, so please feel free to send a response or other opinions for future articles to allisongrundy@southern.edu.
not explored
RELIGION
to
A Christmas prayer of rememberance
Lucas Bueno Religion Editor
Our Father, who is in Heaven, hallowed be Your name. We come to You this Christmas season in remembrance of the birth of Your Son and our Messiah.
We know that Christmas Day is not the exact anniversary of the birth of Christ. However, we know that this holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to bring glory to You and to remember the beautiful story of Christ’s birth as recorded in the Gospels.
As we review the story of the birth of the Savior, we pray that we might be like Mary. She was a young girl in a simple, small town who received a call from God to be the mother of the promised Messiah. She was a virgin, and the child’s birth would be by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The entire situation defied human reasoning and understanding. Yet, she said, “‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.’” (Luke 1:27)
As we remember Mary, we know that You, Lord, have placed a calling upon each one of us. Though we may not understand our callings, we ask that our response echo the response of Mary.
We remember Joseph, the betrothed of Mary. When he learned that Mary was pregnant, he decided to divorce Mary quietly, but an angel brought the truth about Mary’s child to Joseph, who chose to have faith despite this unusual and ostracizing situation. We also face situations that require faith, despite possible rejection by society around us. Yet, Lord, may we walk forward in faith as did Joseph.
When our Savior was born in Bethlehem, a host of heavenly angels appeared to lowly shepherds tending their flocks in the hills nearby and announced the
miraculous birth and the arrival of Messiah. They also prompted these simple shepherds to joyously share the good news with the little town of Bethlehem.
Also, a host of heavenly angels formed the appearance of a star and thus led kingly wise men to bear witness to the Savior’s birth. Here, Lord, we see that You call us from all walks of life to share the gospel.
No matter where we come from or what our social standing is, we are each called to share You and Your truth. May we never hesitate to come and adore You, to go tell it
upon every mountain and spread joy to all the world.
Lord, as we remember the events of Your Son’s birth, we also recall that before the visitation of Gabriel to Mary, another birth was announced. John, later known as the Baptizer, was raised before the first coming of Christ to proclaim His coming. As Christ promised before His ascension into heaven, we know He will come again.
Lord, You have given us a great commission, and You have raised us before the second coming of Your Son. Like John the Baptizer, we are to proclaim the everlasting
gospel, the second coming and the three angels’ messages. Like John, we are to make disciples for Christ. Lord, John faced resistance in his time on account of his message, and we too will face resistance. We ask for his courage to stand true to You no matter what may come our way.
Father, this is our prayer this Christmas season. May we remember the first Advent and look forward with blessed hope to the second Advent. Give us Your Holy Spirit, and may we use this wonderful opportunity of Christmas to
share with others the story of the blessed miracle of Emmanuel, God with us. We ask all this in the name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Editor’s Note: Hello friends, it has been a blessing to serve as the Religion Editor for the Southern Accent this fall semester. I will be leaving as I graduate. I pray that all of you continue to have an awesome, blessed time at Southern, or if you are also graduating, that God continues to guide your paths. Always remember to stay close to Him!
There are many specific and interesting ways to document life based on personal tastes and interests, but they are often
due
conveniences of social media. (Photo sourced by Pexels)
Flipper or spatula: A logical linguistic hill I am more than willing to die on
Madeline Emde Contributor
Throughout my college years, I have discovered multiple words or phrases that my family uses differently. For one, I have always called the evening meal “supper” instead of the more traditional “dinner.”
In the case of “supper,” I have allowed my vocabulary to bend toward the norm. However, I will never waver from using one particular term, because the majority of the population is unquestionably wrong.
The cooking utensil used to turn pancakes, eggs and other pan-fried foods is a “flipper,” and those who go around calling it a “spatula” are sorely mistaken.
The simple fact is that a spatula already exists. Spatulas are the utensils used to scrape mixing bowls. Since both spatulas and flippers are used for cooking, it’s important to use different names to reduce confusion.
For instance, if I were to send friends to the store to buy a “spatula,” they would have no way of knowing which tool I required. Similarly, if a recipe called for the use of a “spatula,” an inexperienced cook could be thoroughly confused if the same word applied to two very different utensils.
Using the incorrect tool would prove highly inefficient and could even ruin the cooking experience. If the term “flipper” was used in either of these instances, there would be no cause for confusion.
Now, in the many times I have debated this issue, some have
dared to argue that calling it a “flipper” could create similar confusion and overlap with the definition that indicates the propelling limb of sea creatures such as whales or seals; nevertheless, this is not the case. While both varieties of spatulas exist within the same environment (the kitchen), both varieties of flippers inhabit vastly different areas of conversation. I
have never once found myself in a discussion that involved both the flipper kitchen utensil and an animal’s flipper, as flippered animals are rarely consumed and whales almost never cook.
I urge you to adopt the term “flipper” in your everyday cooking vocabulary. The transition to “flipper” is an easy one; “flippers” are used to flip foods in the pan; thus, the term is easily identifi-
able. Choosing to make this necessary switch will also eliminate the confusion caused by calling both “spatulas.”
This topic is increasingly relevant as the holiday season is fast approaching. With the Christmas season comes many family traditions involving cooking and baking. Unfortunately, the holidays often also bring increased tensions between family members.
Any spark of conflict could ignite an argument. During this season of holiday baking, it is especially essential to reduce misunderstanding. Subsequently, I see no further excuse to continue calling a flipper a spatula. This distinction could be the very thing to save your Christmas peace, as well as the logic on which our language is built.
(Photo
#SAUlife
Mini-Crossword Puzzle
Created by Ana K. Zelidon
SOCIAL
The cooking utensil used to turn pancakes, eggs and other pan-fried foods is a “flipper,” and those who go around calling it a “spatula” are sorely mistaken.
sourced from Pexels)
elliana.photography_
Credit: Elliana Bouz
Elliana Bouz
CHATTER
•
Weekly Birthdays
10:00 am - 6:00 pm SOAP: Outdoor
Church, Caving (Free) @ Wright Hall
11:45 am Merge Worship @ Collegedale
Academy Elementary Gym
11:45 am Renewal @ Collegedale
Church of Seventh-day Adventists
4:00 pm Concert: Choirs and Orchestra
Perform “Magnificat” @ Collegedale
Church of Seventh-day Adventists
• 6:00 pm - 10:30 pm Schools/Departments/Student Organization Christmas Parties
F24 Semester Exams/End of Term
All Incomplete Grades Due for W24/S24
Payday: Salary 3:30 pm Undergraduate Curriculum Committee
MASTER’S DEGREE IN BUSINESS
Business With a Biblical Perspective
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.