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The Voyager
VOLUME 40 ISSUE 12
The voice of UWF students since 1968
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2011
SGA ELECTIONS
RESULTS IN QUESTION
n Sixty percent of SGA election code deleted by accident W. Paul Smith Staff Writer
Student Government Association Senate President Dwayne Manuel, also a presidential candidate in the recent SGA election, has brought an election appeal case against the SGA Election Commission before the SGA Supreme Court to ask for a recall election. The court proceedings for the case, Manuel v. Election Commission, will take place on Wednesday, April 6. “The reason I’m asking for a recall,” Manuel said, “is that I basically just want
❱❱ Rundown
Special watchdog report the votes to be recounted. My main goal is to make sure all the votes were counted in the election.” The summary brief submitted to the court by Manuel calls into question the circumstances surrounding the election and the possibility of voting irregularities. Among the evidence cited in the summary brief are findings uncovered through an investigation conducted by The Voyager into missing statutory language in the election code.
Missing statutory language
After hearing several complaints voiced by students about the handling of the recent election, The Voyager conducted an investigation that found numerous
discrepancies in the current SGA statutes, specifically “Title V: The Student Body Election Code.” It is unclear at this point whether these discrepancies led to any mishandling of the election. The Voyager found that a bill, 09-10 Bill 15, passed last spring by the current SGA Senate, which made changes to Title V, was written in an incorrect manner and led to the accidental deletion of about 60 percent of the current election code. Normally, when a bill is drafted that makes amendments to current statutes, the bill will contain the entire text of the statute, and changes will be indicated by striking through the relevant text.
Because of problems with the election code and discrepancies in the paper ballot count, Senate President Dwayne Manuel has petitioned for a recall election. The court case is scheduled for April 6. SEE PAGE 3 FOR A SPECIAL EDITORIAL FROM THE VOYAGER The election bill in question, however, did not contain the entire text of Title V. It contained only the relevant text that was to be changed. The author of the bill, Tori Jones, who is the election commissioner for the 2010 SGA election, could not be reached for comment.
See RESULTS, page 2
Pool re-opening goes swimmingly
VOYAGER IN BRIEF Sports
n More than 50 people show up to check out renovated aquatic center
Winning streak reaches 17 games The UWF men’s baseball team swept Lambuth University in a three-game series. The Argos won the first game 22-6. In that game, senior Zach Taylor went 3-4 with two home runs and eight RBIs. Dustin Lawley also went 2-3 with two RBIs.
Valerie Thornewell Contributing Writer After over a year of seemingly endless construction, the University of West Florida has finally re-opened their campus aquatic center. The ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Friday, April 1 and was open to students, faculty and the public. “It was a huge team effort that turned out wonderfully,” Nancy Quina, Assistant Director of Aquatics said. “Annina Dahlstrom was in charge of marketing and pretty much planning this entire event.” Inside, guests were invited to swim, use the diving boards or play water polo with the members of the university’s water polo club. The entire pool area was decorated with balloons shaped like fish and silver ribbons. Food and beverages were also offered, including a grape juice fountain, mini sandwiches, cookies and fresh fruit. The university’s aquatic
See full story on page 7
Opinion Missing statutes cannot be excused The Voyager espouses a lengthy argument for why the judicial branch of the SGA should not allow the deletion of the missing statutes to stand. This will set a precedent that could render the organization’s constitution as completely useless. See full story on page 3
Photo By Tim Keebler
A diver takes advantage of the newly renovated diving well during the grand re-opening of the UWF Aquatic Center, held on April 1. Around 50 people showed up to celebrate the end of the construction, which lasted over a year.
Life Festival on the Green is a success
Natural disaster sparks origami crane fundraiser Gabriela Chaney Staff Writer The International Students Association, the Asian Student Union and the Japan House hosted a fundraiser for the Japan earthquake and tsunami victims April 1-2 at the Festival on the Green. Beatriz Labrada from the International Student Association volunteered at the event. Labrada said they had so many international students who wanted to help that they decided to join in the event that Japan House had been doing since its founding in June 2004. “We had a lot of Japanese students last year whom we got in touch with and sent letters in addition, so it was really special to us,” Labrada said.
A total of 350 cranes were made and sold on Friday and Saturday. An origami workshop was also set up at Argo Galley, where volunteers from the Japan House helped make beautiful origami with instructor Yachiyo Guhn. “We love to volunteer,” Guhn said. “We’ve been doing this for a while, and we usually send them to Hiroshima.” “Today is especially important,” volunteer Keiko Carter said. “We got to do something to help the victims in Japan. Our hearts are hurting.” The death toll of the 9.0 earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on March 11 now exceeds 11,000. The International Students Association, Asian Student Union and Japan House will be selling the cranes until the end of the month.
The Festival on the Green event on April 1 and 2 took place without a hitch on the University of West Florida Cannon Greens. The annual event featured booths, food vendors and a Time Portal to the Past. The UWF Theatre Department also performed songs from their upcoming production, “Brigadoon.” See full story on page 4
Photo By Gabriela Chaney
Keiko Carter, Yachiyo Guhn and Noyiko Waits sell origami cranes at the Japan House fundraiser during Festival of the Green on April 1 and 2. Over 350 cranes were made and sold at the event.
Index
News . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..2 Opinion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Life & Entertainment. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4-5 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-8
2/News
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
www.thevoyager.net
The Voyager
Pool: UWF, community excited about new renovations racing club was in attendance in an attempt to recruit new members. The club’s coach said the team is overjoyed to have their pool back and plans to begin competing as soon as possible. “I t h i n k i t ’ s awesome that after almost a year and half we finally have our pool,” Edgar Hughes Silva, coach of the aquatic racing club said. “We are so excited to get back in shape and represent our university in the water.” Although the pool may not look very different physically, most of the improvements are behind
the scenes. This includes a new filtration system, new pipes and pumps, a new temperature system, new drains and a new lighting system. Everything in the facility is fully operational except the sauna and hot tub. According to Quina, the sauna should be up and running within two weeks, but the hot tub may take another two to three months due to drainage and electrical standards. “I’m really glad the pool is open,” Lauren Hughes, a sophomore at Pensacola State College said. “It really looks a lot nicer and cleaner than
it did before, and I can’t wait to get back to swimming.” President Judy Bense was given the honors of cutting the ribbon on the newly renovated pool and said she was very pleased to finally have the facility open. “I think it’s about time,” Bense said. “It’s going to be wonderful for students, faculty, staff, kids and the public. I’m absolutely pleased with how it turned out.” The pool is open to all students free of charge, and members of the community can swim for a small fee. Its hours of operation are posted online at uwf.edu/recreation/aquatics.
Read the following stories online:
Blood drive saves lives and
Photo by Tim Keebler
University of West Florida President Judy Bense and Bill Healey, the director of recreation and sports services, cut the ribbon at the grand re-opening of the pool on April 1.
Free speech, protection of state secrets discussed at First Amendment lecture
Results: Discrepancies regarding number of paper ballots lead to questions updating the statutes after the bill was passed, said, “I was not made aware that there were several things missing from the bill. I didn’t know that she [Tori Jones] only listed the things in the bill she wanted changed.” Manuel, who was in the very beginning of his first term in SGA, said no one showed him how Manuel to update the statutes, but he assumed he was supposed to copy and paste the text of new bills that had been passed over the text of the old statutes. Included in this missing statutory language were items that described many of the duties of the election commission, the duties of the supervisor of elections, the entire chapter on special elections — which contained information on referendum and recall elections — and large portions of the chapter on the election process, to name a few. The Voyager brought the findings of its investigation to the attention of SGA on March 31, and according to the SGA, no one in the organization was aware of the error. “Obviously someone missed it,” SGA President Josh Finley said, “and a mistake was made. “The mistake that was made was by people not really paying attention to the details and not paying attention fully or correlating between the old statutes and new statutes and making sure everything is up to speed.”
Election problems
So far, there is little to no evidence that suggests anything during the election proceedings deviated from the language in the missing statutes, but it is currently not possible to be certain. “I think that everything that was in there was followed,” Finley said. However, Manuel cited more than just the missing statutes in his summary brief. He also claimed irregularities in the online voting process on the UWF Argus website during the process of voting. Manuel cited the case of Fargol Farrokhnazar, a global marketing major at UWF who served as an SGA elections commissioner. Farrokhnazar claimed that she was not given an option to vote for candidates for president and vice president online. As e v i d e n c e Finley of this claim, Manuel offered in his brief a screenshot of a Farrokhnazar’s comment on Finley’s campaign promotional Facebook page. On Monday morning, March 28, the first day of voting in the SGA election, Farrokhnazar left the following comment: “I voted but I didn’t see the president and vice president on Argus.” At 12:23 p.m., Finley
responded with, “They are working on getting that fixed. If you had trouble you can come into the office and see if they will allow you to fill out a paper ballot.” F i n l e y confirmed that he left this response and that he was referring to the SGA office. Later in the afternoon of March 28, Farrokhnazar responded to Finley by saying, “I came by and I filled out a paper ballot just for president and vice president.” When asked about his comment on the Facebook page regarding irregularities in online voting, Finley said, “I knew that someone had made the complaint about it.” He said he knew nothing further about the issue. Although Farrokhnazar said she did fill out a paper ballot for only president and vice president, the records indicate that only one paper ballot was tallied in the overall votes in the election, and that ballot counted in every category except Clonts comptroller and “Emerald Coast Senator,” which seems to suggest the ballot that counted was not Farrokhnazar’s. Shantay Williams, the SGA elections supervisor, offered no comment on this paper ballot issue pending the upcoming recall case. While it might be suggested that Farrokhnazar simply missed the president and vice president category, she counters the argument. “I did not miss it, because I double — and triple — checked the page,” Farrokhnazar told The Voyager. “They can say I’m mistaken all they want. I know what I saw.” According to the official vote records printed by the election commission, 1,031 total votes were cast in the election. The record also indicates that 46 of the voters, did not vote in the president and vice president category. Finley and Merritt won the election by a total of 10 votes. However, according to records of past elections, it is not all that uncommon for categories to display a certain number of “no votes,” and it is entirely possible that students simply skipped those categories. For example, in last year’s SGA election, records indicate that 92 students, or about 6 percent, did not vote in the president and vice president category. In this year’s election, the record indicates that 104 students, or 10 percent, did not vote in the senate president category.
It is currently impossible to determine whether students skipped those categories or whether they were prevented from casting their votes because of technical difficulties in the online voting system. When Farrokhnazar brought her voting problem to the attention of the SGA office on Monday, Meghan Heitman, the graduate assistant for SGA, contacted UWF’s Information Technology Services. Chris Secord, a web applications engineer at ITS, looked into the problem but was unable to reproduce it. Secord later told The Voyager, “The election system is ugly because it’s rather old, and the good thing about being old is that any bugs it might have had have been discovered. We do not think there is a major problem with the election system.” At The Voyager’s request, Secord also said he checked the error log for the online voting system but did not find anything indicating problems with the ability for students to vote. The Voyager has recommended to ITS to look into the possibility of emailing the entire student body to inquire as to whether any students experienced technical difficulties that kept them from voting online. While Secord never unequivocally stated whether such technical problems were possible, he did say, “I am not aware of any technical problems that materially affected the outcome of this election. And the only line of investigation that has been suggested to me that I have not yet followed, that could possibly reveal such problems, is to contact the students. I hope to do that.” Heitman later said in an email, “It upsets me that people have left the process feeling that they were treated unfairly, because I did everything in my own power to keep things running smoothly and fairly.” Another issue that has been raised is that the SGA Student Body Statutes require all candidates running for office to be given an election packet that contains the entire election code statutes, Title V. At no point did anyone in SGA, including Finley, Williams, the elections commission, Chief of Staff Amy Bueno, or SGA Coordinator Robin Zimmern, notice that the election code statutes being given to candidates were incorrect – although anyone who had not seen the previous year’s election code would not have known. Amanda Clonts, former SGA president for the 2009-2010 school year, said when she ran for SGA president in the spring of 2009, she saw
❱❱ Rundown It appears that, through error, the majority of the statutes relating to the election process were removed from the SGA constitution. The SGA Supreme Court is expected to make a decision on April 6 on whether the code will stand as is, without the deleted statutes. it as her duty to try to memorize the entire election code and be very familiar with it in case problems ever arose. “I carried the packet with me at all times and knew it well,” Clonts said.
drafted to consolidate the statutes. On Sept. 3, 2010, the SGA Senate passed a second reading of Bill 10-11 BI, which approved all statute changes that had been entered into the copy of the statP e n d i n g re c a l l master utes at the beginning of case that legislative session. Further complicatFinley said, “Whatever ing matters in the pend- was voted on as a whole in ing Manuel v. Election the fall, those are the statCommission case, ques- utes that we go by in the tions have been raised as year.” to whether T h e the SGA Voyager has Supreme learned that “Someone, Court will not only did have to take the entire including into account executive myself, should c o m m i t the missing electee read this have picked tion code bill, includstatutes or up on this ing Finley go by what beforehand.” ap nr de s i dVei nc et the statutes currently —Dwayne Manuel S a v a n n a h say. Lewis, but the SGA Senate justices of the W h e n President and SGA Supreme M a n u e l b e c a m e presidential Court at the S e n a t e candidate in recent t i m e also president, election read it, and he said one then all of of his first the senators duties was presumably to update all of the stat- read it and voted unaniutes, many of which had mously to pass the bill. not been updated after That means that the bills were passed during entire SGA as an organithe previous legislative zation, including many session. members currently “We didn’t have an serving second terms, accurate copy of the presumably read the bill constitution and the stat- that contained the missutes,” Manuel said. ing statutes, and no one Bill 10-11 BI was voiced any objections.
“Someone, including myself, should have picked up on this beforehand,” Manuel said. “It’s everyone’s mistake. It’s unfortunate that it happened.” “There are a lot of people who made the minimal mistake of not paying attention to detail that ended up becoming a much larger mistake. What we can do is learn from it and make the necessary changes and priorities to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Finley said.
Resolution unclear
It is currently unclear what will become of the missing election code statutes and what the process might be for putting them back into the statutes as a whole. Regardless of Manuel’s challenge to the results, the incomplete election code also makes it unclear whether the results of the just-completed election will stand. Though familiar with the basics of the situation, UWF Interim Dean of Students Tammy McGuckin said, “I have not had the opportunity to review the actual concern that has been brought forth by Mr. Manuel and therefore do not feel comfortable commenting on that issue at this time.” For now, everyone will wait to see what the SGA Supreme Court decides in Manuel v. Election Commission. “I trust the justices to do what is right here,” Finley said. “I have full faith in the process and in all their abilities to make a very fair, unbiased decision.”
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Opinions Editor, W. Paul Smith
opinions@thevoyager.net
Editorials
1-in-4 rape statistic is accurate
— Dr. Argo
Dr. Argo questions are answered by staff members of the UWF Health Center and UWF Counseling and Wellness Services.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Green cars will cost too much green Robert Fahnestock Contributing writer
Dr. Argo: I keep seeing the statistic 1 in 4 around campus to represent the 1 in 4 women that will be raped — is that true?! — Concerned college student Dear concerned college student: Unfortunately, the 1 in 4 statistic is true, but let’s examine it a bit more. With April being Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Wellness Services aims to inform students and faculty about the intricacies of sexual assault, including the facts, the myths and the stigma surrounding issues of sexual violence. Therefore, you may see our ribbon display speaking about the 1-in-4 statistic, fliers and other marketing related to this issue. The 1 in 4 statistic represents the national statistic for the number of college women who will be the victim of rape or attempted rape. It is important to note that men also experience sexual assault, though the statistics are more difficult to determine for men. Sexual assault is one of the most underreported crimes in our nation and is even less likely to be reported by men. It is estimated that between 1 in 10 men to 1 in 33 men will experience sexual violation. For college students, the risk of sexual assault is higher because of the dynamics of getting to know new people and experimenting with alcohol. Ninety percent of sexual assaults involve alcohol, and it is estimated that 80 percent of all sexual assaults are committed by acquaintances. Because assaults of this nature often involve a “friend” or significant other, the experiences can be especially upsetting and confusing for the survivor. Research suggests that many perpetrators of acquaintance rape or sexual assault do not define it as wrong; however, ignorance or lack of “deliberate intent” to rape on the part of the assaulter is not an excuse. This knowledge changes everything when it comes to how we think about sexual assault and what we know about staying safe. Education is an essential part of helping to end sexual violence. It is important to know that consent to engage in sexual activity must be given before any sexual activity occurs. Mutual consent means that both parties willingly and knowingly agree to the behavior and are not under the influence of a substance. It’s also important for you to know what services are available on campus for you or a friend to use if needed. UWF has a free and confidential counseling center that can be reached at 850-474-2420 to help out if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual assault. Finally, we should all know that there are ways we can help others who have been affected by sexual assault. We can offer the survivor a safe and trusting environment to sort things out, call a counselor or support person (with the survivor’s consent), go with the survivor to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible after the event and let the survivor know that we believe them and that it is not their fault — no matter what the situation was. Additionally, if a student’s academics are affected by the assault, they are encouraged to go to the Dean of Students office in Bldg. 21 or call the office at 850-474-2384. This office will be able to provide students with assistance in dealing with their academics and professors to make sure they have the time they need to cope with the issue, all while keeping the situation confidential and allowing the student to make the decisions that are best for him or herself. We encourage you to be proactive about this issue by coming out to Counseling and Wellness Service’s annual event, Take Back the Night. This year’s event will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Wed., April 6, and will consist of a campus march starting in front of Martin Hall, with a cookout and colloquium to follow in the University Commons. Free t-shirts, prizes and food will be given out. For more information, please contact wellness@uwf.edu. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Opinions &
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Courtesy of Andy Marlette/amarlette@pnj.com
Why the SGA constitutional crisis matters
I
n light of The Voyager’s recent discovelection code statutes as they currently stand ery that 60 percent of the UWF Student are unconstitutional. Government Association’s election The SGA Supreme Court can very easily code statutes were accidently deleted, we at determine legislative intent in this issue, and The Voyager feel it is our duty to express our the intent was not to delete the statutes. thoughts on this very important issue — one It does not matter that the senators later that amounts to a constitutional crisis. voted on a bill that contained the same erroAlthough we endorsed Dwayne Manuel neous statutes. as a presidential candidate, it is important to Everyone now knows that what is currently make clear that our only agenda is reporting in the statutes is a mistake. Therefore, the the truth to the student body. mistake cannot be considered law. As a newspaper, we feel we have an obligaThere are numerous examples of legal tion to endorse candidates whom we feel are precedent dealing with issues such as this. stronger and better suited to serve the UWF In legal language, this kind of mistake is student body, but even if Manuel had won the referred to as “vitium scriptoris,” or a “scrivSGA election, we would have conducted this ener’s error.” investigation. Webster’s New World Law Dictionary Some questions have been raised as to why defines a scrivener’s error as “a mistake by The Voyager’s investigation into the missthe preparer of a document that results in the ing election code statutes is important. Some intent of the parties involved being thwarted; perhaps feel this issue has been blown out of basis for not enforcing the document or proportion and was an honest mistake by SGA reforming it.” that should just be fixed, forgiven and forgotIn contract law, it is sometimes referred to ten. as a “mutual mistake.” We at The Voyager do not think anyone in When a scrivener’s error occurs in a piece SGA acted maliciously in this situation, but of legislation, the legal precedent for dealing we do feel that unless this issue is dealt with with such a mistake is often referred to as “the in the appropriate manner, scrivener’s error doctrine.” the integrity of the entire The following is from SGA as a democratic instia 2009 law review article Everyone now tution will be called into published in the Santa question. Clara Law Review journal knows that what We call this issue called “The War on Error: is currently in a constitutional crisis The Scrivener’s Error because that’s exactly what Doctrine and Textual the statutes is a it is. Criticism: Confronting In the pending election Errors in Statutes and mistake. recall case, Manuel Literary Texts” by David v. Election Commission, M. Sollors: the SGA Supreme Court “The scrivener’s error must make a decision as to how to deal with doctrine, broadly speaking, is a common law the missing election code statutes. doctrine allowing courts encountering legal On Sept. 3, 2010, the SGA Senate passed documents they believe to be in error due to bill Bill 10-11 BI to update and consolidate the a vitium scriptoris — literally ‘the mistake of statutes. This bill contained the erroneous, a scribe,’ or any ‘clerical error in writing’ — to gutted election code statutes. ignore the error and apply instead what they The entire executive committee and believe to be the correct law.” justices of the SGA Supreme Court all read Sollors notes the relevant cases of the bill, then the senate unanimously voted to Holloway v. United States, Lechner v. State, pass the bill after presumably having read it Flensburger Dampfercompagnie v. United as well. States, and United States v. Pabon-Cruz to Some have suggested that since this name a few. incorrect bill was passed — without anyone This issue also falls under the legal precnoticing that 60 percent of the election code edent often referred to as “the absurdity statutes had been accidently deleted — then doctrine.” the statutes as they currently stand must be A 2003 law review article — published in considered law. the Harvard Law Review journal called “The We at The Voyager feel the SGA Supreme Absurdity Doctrine” by John F. Manning — Court must not let this happen. defines the doctrine as a legal precedent allowTo let this happen is to essentially trash ing judges to “deviate from even the clearest the entire SGA constitution, and it would set a statutory text when a given application would dangerous precedent for years to come, upsetotherwise produce ‘absurd’ results.” ting the separation of powers, the checks and Manning cites the relevant cases of Kerr balances, and the judicial review process. v. Puckett, City of Columbus v. Ours Garage Article IV, Section 1 of the SGA consti& Wrecking Serv., Inc., Union Bank v. Wolas, tution states: “The legislative powers of INS v. Cardoza-Fonseca, and United States v. the Student Body shall be vested in the Seaboard Sur. Co. to name a few. Student Senates of the Student Government Everyone knows the current SGA election Association.” code statutes are missing 60 percent of the Article IV, Section 3 of the SGA constituintended statutory language that the SGA tion lays out the responsibilities of the Senate, Senate voted to pass. To ignore this fact would saying, “The Pensacola Student Senate shall: be absurd — not to mention unconstitutional. Enact or amend, by two-thirds vote, the Once again, we call this a constitutional Student Body Statutes.” crisis because that’s exactly what it is. This mistake happened because an elecImagine for a moment if this situation tion reform bill was written incorrectly by the befell the U.S. Congress. former elections supervisor and then entered Imagine if 60 percent of the federal election by the Senate President into the statutes with code statutes governing how presidential electhe mistaken statutory language intact. tions were handled in this country were acciIt was an honest mistake that no one dently deleted because of a scrivener’s error. caught. Does anyone think, for one fleeting second, However, if this mistake is allowed to that a mistake of that magnitude would be stand, it will set an alarming precedent that allowed to stand? the statutes can be changed on a whim by Does anyone think that the U.S. Supreme whoever enters them into the statutory record. Court would consider such a mistake constiThis would grant full legislative authority tutional? to the Senate President or anyone who altered We either take the SGA constitution seria statute behind the scenes. Anytime someone ously or we do not. wanted to alter a bill, they would simply have We either take the SGA as an organization to change the statutory language when enterseriously or we do not. ing the bill into the record and hope no one Legislative mistakes can be forgiven, but noticed. they must be rectified in a manner consistent And if no one noticed, the incorrect bill with the principles laid out in the SGA constiwould then have the full force and effect of the law — even if the mistake was later found. The tution. We at The Voyager respect the SGA as a SGA Supreme Court must not allow such an vital democratic institution and want the orgaunconstitutional precedent to be set. nization to exist only with the most integrity This case amounts to a usurpation of possible for the sake and best interest of servpower. ing the UWF student body. The senators did not vote to delete these — The Voyager statutes from the election code, therefore, the
ast week an old proposal now known as the Green Fuel Tax resurfaced in Congress. Basically, this proposal would require people to report to the federal government the number of miles they drive each year and pay a tax on them. Currently gasoline and diesel fuel carry federal and state fuel taxes, plus any state and local sales taxes assessed on each gallon purchased. The federal fuel tax is 18.4 cents per gallon on gas and 24.4 cents per gallon on diesel. The Florida fuel tax is 16.2 cents a gallon on gas and 30 cents a gallon on diesel. Fuel taxes are known as use taxes because a taxpayer incurs the direct cost only if they consume fuel in their own vehicle or via mass transit. The federal fuel tax is referred to as the primary fuel tax and is collected for use on primary highways. A primary highway is an interstate highway or a U.S. highway such as U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road) or U.S. 98 in this area. The state fuel tax is known as the Secondary Fuel Tax and is reserved for secondary or state highways and purchasing the right-of-way for both primary and secondary highways. The right of way is the land that must be acquired to construct a new road or widen or alter an existing road. The problem, it seems, is that the federal government is not collecting enough tax dollars to repair, alter and construct primary highways. This situation exists because of the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards imposed on auto makers, which has resulted in a continual decline in the collection of fuel taxes. Contributing factors to this problem include the high cost of fuel, which results in people driving less and the proliferation of green vehicles. In this area, if you buy an electric car, your source of power is coal instead of oil. While Congress intended for CAFE standards to conserve energy, not much thought was given to the impact on tax revenue that the conservation measure would have. The result of mandating higher gas mileage requirements is less money to maintain and construct roads. CAFE standards (as do all regulations) have an impact on the cost of constructing automobiles. So, if the Green Fuel Tax is enacted, drivers will have to pay higher fuel costs, higher costs for vehicles, and both a fuel tax and a green tax. Taxi drivers and truckers are not happy with the Green Fuel Tax proposal. The sad state of affairs is that CAFE standards, ethanol and electric power are poor substitutes for a sound comprehensive energy policy — and tax policy.
Letter to the editor
We don’t need a golf course The Baars-Firestone wildlife refuge should be preserved. The university is getting too caught up in the potential “golf course” bullet point that they can put on some brochure. They are sacrificing one of the good things about this campus (actual trees), and ignoring what is actually important. I know that it’s the University’s goal to improve the athletic program, but the destruction of a wildlife preserve is much too high a cost, especially with the recent discovery of a bald eagle nesting in the refuge. What is the benefit of a golf course on campus, anyway? It’s not to provide a place for our golf team to practice. There is already an 18-hole golf course not even a half-mile from campus that’s currently being used by the team. I have been to that course; it’s beautiful. Is that eighteen hole course really inadequate to the point where we have to destroy an eagle habitat to build a puny three-hole course on a wildlife refuge? Our athletic program is already enhanced by this space anyway because of the cross country trails established in the area. Put that on a brochure, and leave the refuge alone.
— Daniel A. Simmons
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Life &
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Entertainment
ae@thevoyager.net
Community welcomed to campus for festival
Theatre Department features ‘Brigadoon’ in the coming weeks Molly Bruno Staff Writer
Josh Cooper Staff Writer The University of West Florida campus was buzzing with activities, shows, food and exhibits for the annual Festival on the Green, April 1-2. The myriad of events covered all the free space around the Commons and other parts of campus. An enormous crowd flowed from table to table, from tent to tent, just to get a glimpse of all that was offered for the festival. At least three different outside stages had performances going all day. The main stage held a preview for the upcoming theater production Brigadoon, as well as a Beatles cover band called Not Quite Fab, just to name a few. One of the other stages exhibited belly dancing and the Perdido Bay Native American Tribe flute performance. Yet another stage displayed fencing and a bagpipe show. The festival had a historic section dedicated to Pensacola’s past. There were displays devoted to each war involving the United States. There was even a medieval section where sword fighting took place. Bob Bell, a Civil War Re-enactment participant, said he enjoyed the day. “I think this is an excellent program,” he said. “It’s nice to see the turnout it got.” The Perdido Bay Tribe also had a rolling museum set up for those interested in learning about Indian artifacts discovered in the local area. Robert Johns Cedarbear, one of the tribesmen, has worked with the archaeology program at UWF. The tribe has participated in the festival the past four years. “We’ve had a lot come through the museum,” he said. “It’s had an extremely good turnout.” Although the festival was on campus, many families turned out for the fun. A whole section was dedicated to children. That section included a clown who made balloon animals and a play area where the kids could have fun.
Photos by Josh Cooper
ABOVE: The Argo Cheerleaders put on a riveting performance for the festival attendees. RIGHT: Two knights engage in battle to portray a Middle Ages sword fight for the enjoyment of attendees.
Photo by Josh Cooper
A man in an American, WWII era army uniform discusses the Second Great War.
❱❱ Rundown The Cannon Greens came alive once again for the university’s annual blowout, Festival on the Green. The event featured many different things for the enjoyment of many. Among these are various food vendors, art exhibitions, musical performances and historical exhibits about the history of America and Pensacola.
Photos by Josh Cooper
ABOVE: A vendor talks to a festival-goer about 1800s living on the Cannon Greens. RIGHT: The locally-known McGuire’s Marching Band played at the Festival on the Green. Vivian Johnson, age 11, said she had fun at the festival. She said her favorite thing was looking at the glass-blown jewelry at one of the tents. Many of the tents had crafts created by local residents. Painters, sculptors and welders showed off their work for anyone interested purchasing it. There was even an old-fashioned machine that ground corn for grits and cornmeal. Food vendors had their hands full the entire day. Several different stands were open, each
providing a variety of food choices. There was a stand that served alligator-on-a-stick and shark kabobs. Most of the stands served delicacies like funnel cake, shaved ice, barbeque sandwiches, hamburgers, chicke n fingers and, of course, turkey legs. The food vendors were
located in parking lot H, close to the main stage, so the music could be heard from their location. Kathy Radzik, at the shaved ice stand, said it was a nice day. “The music was great,” she said. Students who attended the festival seemed to have fun as well. Jeremy Mitchell, a junior
hospitality major, said he liked looking around. “I liked going through the arts aisle,” he said. Mary Dougherty, a senior in the history department, said she liked the shows. “I really enjoyed the barbershop quartet,” she said. She also mentioned seeing a lot of dogs everywhere. The dog show was held behind Pace Library. The dogs were a real crowd pleaser as they competed in the obstacle course and relay race. Many of the people who attended the event also brought their own dogs out to enjoy the day. The day was sunny and pleasant, and it brought out a lot of people. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves. With a lot to do and perfect weather, this year’s Festival on the Green will be one to remember.
Southern comfort at the Opry House Terry Strickland Staff Writer Chumuckla sits on the highway, about 15 miles north of Pace and a 30-minute drive from the University of West Florida. It’s a rural community full of pine trees, churches and cotton fields – the type of place where giant tractors amble down the highway and no one seems to mind. In the middle of one of those fields, at the end of an ubiquitous country road, sits the Farmers’ Opry. The Opry is not easy to explain to the uninitiated. Start by imagining a true, Southern family reunion. Sweet old ladies offer sweet tea; the casserole is there in its 10,000 incarnations; and God and country are usually no more than seven words away. Now, imagine that Big Mama and your uncle Joe learned to play the hell out of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” and someone decided to sell tickets. On most Fridays and Saturdays, the Sawmill Band performs at the Opry. On the third Friday of each month, there is a gospel performance, and the Opry also hosts touring artists from time to time. People usually arrive early to eat dinner. The food is 100 percent Southern comfort, and most of the vegetables are grown on the property. On a recent Saturday, about 100 people filled the little tin building. Patrons were greeted by Sandy Wyatt, who was standing behind a counter, serving fried chicken to customers. Wyatt started the Opry 10 years ago. “It was just a cotton field back then,” he said. Wyatt worked as a traveling musician for 17 years, playing in bars six nights a week. Eventually, he quit the road to spend more time with his family, and now plays steel guitar in the Sawmill Band, alongside his son Jeremy. After dinner, the audience — consisting mostly of older folks and families — assembled in folding metal chairs in the auditorium. A red velvet curtain was drawn back to reveal the band, and Wyatt opened the show with a prayer. Then everyone stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The band played for two hours, with a short intermission between sets. The music was mostly old-time country — by the likes of Dolly Parton, Randy Travis and Loretta Lynn
❱❱ Rundown Top dish: The BBQ Chicken Club is a tasty and inexpensive treat for one looking for a quick and satifying lunch. Location: 8897 Byrom Campbell Road, Performances are from 7 - 9 pm on Friday ans Saturday, with dinner beginning at 4:30 pm. Verdict: The Farmers’ Opry House in Chumuckla offers live music, delicious, downhome cooking, and a relaxed Southern atmosphere for locals and newcomers alike. — and was interspersed with Wyatt’s jokes. A 9-year-old girl named Chloe, who had an astounding voice, sang several songs. The crowd slowly filtered outside after the show. It was darker than it gets within the city limits, and old-timers were smoking in rocking chairs on the porch. The silence was audible, and the stars were noticeably brighter than usually seen in Pensacola. Country music and casserole might not match every college student’s idea of a fun Saturday night, but if you want to escape normalcy for a night without having to go too far — to be surrounded by warm people, good music and fried chicken — give the Opry a try. The Farmers’ Opry is located at 8897 Byrom Campbell Road. Regular performances are Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dinner is from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets are $21.95 and include dinner. Tickets for the show only are $10.00. You can learn more about the Farmers Opry by visiting www. farmersopry.com. Photos by Terry Strickland
TOP RIGHT: The Sawmill Band plays to a crowded auditorium at the Farmers’ Opry House last Saturday night. RIGHT: Melissa Welch sings to a group of patrons at the Opry House in Chumuckla.
L&E/5
L&E Editor, Josh de Leon
West Florida Literary Federation now accepting submissions for our literary journal Emerald Coast Review. Submissions in:
Short Fiction, Poetry, Creative Non-Fiction, Art, & Photography. Open March 1 - May 2. Guidelines and submissions online:
www.wflf.org Or by mail to:
Emerald Coast Review, West Florida Literary Federation, 400 S. Jefferson St., Suite 212 Pensacola, FL, 32502.
A play about a mythical utopian town that appears once every century and an unusual love connection that could change the course of the story will be performed at the University of Florida. The UWF Department of Theatre is presenting the play “Brigadoon” on April 13 through April 17. It is directed by Leah Arington and will be performed in the Mainstage Theatre in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. The play is free for UWF students with a valid Nautilus Card, $16 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and active military, $10 for non-UWF students and UWF faculty and staff and $5 for high school students and younger. “Everybody at some point in their life is searching for something, and Brigadoon is the one place you can find that,” said Caroline Atkinson, a junior and bachelor of fine arts musical theatre major. Atkinson, who plays a lead role as Fiona MacLaren, a villager in Brigadoon, said this play represents a way to get away from the outside world and go to a peaceful place. “The whole theme of the show is, ‘Everyone could use a little Brigadoon’,” she said. Brigadoon is the name of a mysterious Scottish village that appears for only one day every hundred years. Although the villagers feel that each century is no longer than one night, those living in Brigadoon may never leave. When two American tourists get lost in the Scottish highlands, their interactions with the inhabitants could result in consequences for Brigadoon. One of the tourists, Tommy, falls in love with Atkinson’s character, and she said that is something that really affects Fiona. “I don’t like to think of it like she’s looking for love,” Atkinson said. “She’s looking for that missing piece of her
Photo Special to The Voyager
The UWF Theatre Department is featuring “Brigadoon,” from April 13 until April 17. life. She’s looking for that feeling of home.” Atkinson also said that this story has more depth than a “cliché love story.” “There’s a lot that can still be relevant to today,” she said. Atkinson said playing the role of Fiona has been easy but challenging at the same time. She said that she related to Fiona more than any other role, but found it hard to “put
it all out there.” She also said that working with cast and crew members has been a positive experience. “Everybody in this cast is absolutely amazing and talented,” she said. “It’s been a lot of fun, and sometimes it’s hard to remember that you’re in a rehearsal.”
6
Community &
Classifieds
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Voyager
MOBILE
Editor-in-Chief
April 6
April 10
Mike Greear editor@thevoyager.net
Please join UWF Counseling and Wellness Services for the 11th annual Take Back the Night. The commitment march begins at 5:30 p.m. at Martin Hall and ends at the Commons. Following the march, there will be a cookout and information fair in the Great Hall, along with distribution of free t-shirts and food for UWF students. The Colloquium will begin at 6:45 in the UC Auditorium where we will have winners from the Rhyme for Reason Contest showcase their work and highlight information about sexual violence through speakers and media presentations.
Recreation & Sports Services presents a Beach Kayak Day Trip for $10.
Learn how you can get FREE Unlimited Talk,Text and Web Cellphone Service!!! No Contract or Credit Check!!!
For more information, email Recreation at outdooradventure@uwf.edu.
Great plans and great phones at www.shoplightyearwireless.com.
News Editor Brittany Carr news@thevoyager.net
Sports Editor Jack McMullen sports@thevoyager.net
L&E Editor Josh de Leon ae@thevoyager.net
Opinions Editor W. Paul Smith opinions@thevoyager.net
Web Editor Kristen Dressel voyager.webeditor@ gmail.com
Design Editor Georgia Adams
Copy Editors Bobby Bone Rebecca Barnhart Friedrich Langerfeld Kathryn Middleton Kristi Noah
Graphics Editor Jarrett Moore
Distribution Manager John Strickland The Voyager is produced weekly by students of the University of West Florida and is partially funded by Student Activities and Services fees with assistance from the Office of Student Affairs. This public document was promulgated by the president of the University at an annual cost of $.275 per copy. Opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views of UWF, The Voyager or its staff. Advertiser and advertising agency will indemnify and hold harmless The Voyager and its staff for all contents supplied to publisher, including text, representation and illustrations of advertisements printed and for any claims arising contents including, but not limited to defamation, invasion of privacy, copyright infringement, plagiarism, and in the case of a pre-printed insert, deficient postage. The Voyager is printed by Freedom Florida Commercial Printing, in accordance with Florida Law. The above information is presented in compliance Section 283.27 of Florida Statutes.
Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor must be signed and must include the author’s address and telephone number for verification purposes. Only the author’s name will be printed. Letters are published as space allows and do not necessarily represent the views of The Voyager staff. The editor reserves the right to edit letters or refuse to publish letters. Email letters to opinions@thevoyager. net with “letter to the editor” in the subject line, or stop by Bldg. 36 Room 120 to hand-deliver your letter.
Corrections The Voyager strives to accurately report the news. If you see any errors in our newspaper, please let us know so we can issue a correction in this space. Send corrections to voyager@uwf.edu, with the subject line “Voyager Correction.” Please also include the issue in which the error occurred.
For more information, email Lindsey Greeson at lgreeson@uwf.edu. April 7 The final Writers in the Gallery event of the year will take place on Thursday in the Art Gallery in bldg 82. The reception starts at 7 p.m., and the reading begins at 7:30 p.m. For more information, email Jonathan Fink at jfink@uwf.edu. April 7 Battle of the Bands brings out some of the coolest bands from our campus and it's a chance for our student bands to duke it out to claim the GRAND PRIZE of $400. This event is sponsored by the Center Stage Committee of the Campus Activity Board and funded with A&S fees allocated through the Student Government Association. For more information, email Jhonny Denis at jd24@students.uwf.edu.
April 10
HOUSING
Communities Editor, Bobby Bone voyager@uwf.edu
JOBS
ANNOUNCING
If you have a job listing, email The Voyager at voyager@uwf.edu. For more information on employment on campus, visit jobs.uwf.edu.
The Voyager is now accepting classifieds from faculty, students and staff at no cost.
If you would like to place a classified with more than 20 words, or you Models needed for figure are not affiliated with drawing classes. Monday UWF, please contact our Business Manager, Jeff & Wednesday midday Hagedorn classes. Call 850-4742045, the UWF Art Office. The deadline for your classified ad is the CLUBS Thursday before the week you want it to be PERSONALS printed. The Voyager is now accepting personal Please email your ads of 20 words or fewer classifieds to voyager@ to voyager@uwf.edu with a uwf.edu with “classified” subject line of “classified.” in the subject line.
The Phi Alpha Delta will induct their new officers at 3 p.m. in the Mock Trial Courtroom. Immediately following, PAD Members and faculty will be meeting at a location off-campus to celebrate the end of the term!
Off campus housing easy walk to campus. Available March 1, $350/mo.,includes utilities, furnished, excellent study environment. Contact 850-474-2255, 850-484-9829 or email cpatters@uwf.edu.
For more information, email Susan Harrell at sharrell@uwf.edu.
ARGONUTS
A comic by Zach North
PILED HIGHER DEEPER
A comic by Jorge Cham
LAST DITCH EFFORT
A comic by John Croes
April 11 Career Services will present a Interview Workshop from noon to 1 p.m. in bldg 22, Rm 265. This workshop is designed for students who are interested in learning about interview skills. The workshop addresses issues including the types of interviews, screening methods, in-person interviews, dress and different style interview questions. All students are invited to attend. Preregistration is available. R.S.V.P. by calling Career Services at 850-474-2254, stopping by Building 19, North Entrance, or R.S.V.P. through JasonQuest. For more information, email Career Services at career@uwf.edu. April 11 A SCUBA Certification Class will be taking place on Sunday. For more information, email Nathan Woods at ndw5@students.uwf.edu. April 12
April 8 The next Math/Stat Colloquium will be held Friday, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. in bldg 4, Rm 402. It will be a panel discussion, led by Jia Liu, on the quality of our mathematics and statistics program. The panelists will be Josaphat Uvah, Rohan Hemasinha, Florentina Tone, Raid Amin and Gabriel Odom. A question-and-answer session with the panel will follow the discussion. For more information, email Jia Liu at jliu@uwf. edu. April 8 A Street Self Protection Seminar will be held at no cost from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Ladies can learn to avoid situations that propagate crime.
The UWF Book Club will be hosting its annual gala event. This year's title is "Frankenstein: Monster on Trial," and it will feature a live trial of Mary Shelley's deadly monster. The trial features perfomances by UWF faculty including David Baulch, Kathy Romack and Terry Prewitt and is sure to be a blast. Join us at Phineas Phoggs in Seville Quarter at 7 p.m. for a night of gothic fun. General admission costs $10 while student admission costs $7, but anyone arriving in costume only pays $5. So be sure to dress up and join the festivities, which will also include a costume contest and a raffle. It's sure to be a great time. Everyone is welcome to attend, although we recommend a minimum age of 13.
For more information, contact Gregory Riley at For more information, 251-236-1245 or email at email Amber Padilla at anp12@students.uwf.edu. bookclub@uwf.edu. April 8 - 9 Relay for Life will be held from Friday 6 p.m. to noon Saturday. It will be held at the track around the soccer fields on campus. For more information, email Sarah Norman at sjn5@students.uwf.edu.
April 12 UWF is presenting a jazz and combo concert performed by UWF music students. The cost is free. For more information, email CFPA at jbrisky@ uwf.edu.
Sports Editor, Jack McMullen
sports@thevoyager.net
Sports
Argos win final GSC game UWF Sports Information by winning all three doubles continued their winning a 7-5, 6-4 victory over The No. 5 University of West Florida men’s tennis team (16-8, 3-1 GSC) blanked No. 47 North Alabama (4-10, 1-2 GSC), 9-0, in a Gulf South Conference match on March 29. The match wraps up regular season conference play for the Argonauts, who is currently riding a fourmatch winning streak. UWF started the match
7
Fitness &
matches. ways as they At the No. 1 defeated Arthur position, Leandro Neme and T.J. Ferreira and Andrey Drake, 8-4, at the Pozhidaev defeated No 3 line. Lue and Merlin Witt and Larsson have now Mirko Sommerfield, won seven straight 9-7. Argonauts Gunnels doubles matches. Sean Gunnels and UWF won all six Domenico Sano did singles matches in not drop a game as they straight sets. At the No. 1 teamed to defeat Matt Feury position, No. 20-ranked and Rob Whitsitt, 8-0. Mike Pozhidaev defeated Witt, Lue and Lukas Larsson 6-3, 6-3. Gunnels recorded
Sommerfield at the No. 2 line. At No. 3, Lue tallied a 6-2, 6-1 victory over Whitsitt. Sano did not drop a game in his straight set victory over Neme. UWF freshman Guilherme Canineo defeated Drake, 6-2, 6-1, at the No. 5 spot. Argonaut Mallory Leighty lost just one game in his 6-0, 6-1 victory over Corey Griffin. The Argos finished GSC play with a 3-1 record.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tennis Schedule April 9 vs. Lambuth Unversity April 10 vs. New Orleans April 16-17 GSC Tournament May 1-3 NCAA South Regional May 11-14 NCAA Championships
Photo special to The Voyager
Senior Zach Taylor shown in 2010 play, provided the offense in game two against Lambuth University with three hits, two home runs and eight RBIs.
Argos complete the sweep UWF Sports Information
Photo special to The Voyager
Jason Postill, shown here in 2011 play, won his eighth game on April 2 against Lambuth University.
Senior Jason Postill took the mound in game one for the University of West Florida on April 2, and threw five innings, allowing two runs on four hits while striking out five. Postill remained undefeated and improved to 8-0 on the season. Zach Jadofsky, Jordan Rasinski and Shane Waller combined to pitch the final four innings and gave up just two hits while striking out seven. The Argos struck quickly in the first inning off back-to-back RBI hits by seniors Dustin Lawley and Greg Pron, making the score 2-0. UWF tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the second after three errors by the Eagles plated Korey Domenick and Eric Kroll, giving UWF a comfortable 4-0 lead. The University of Lambuth tallied its first run in the top of the fourth when Cable McMinn ripped an RBI double down the left field line to cut into UWF’s lead 4-1. The Argonauts answered back in the bottom half of the fourth inning, scoring twice off some aggressive base running by Taye Larry and a solo home run by Lawley, making the score 6-1. The Eagles scored another run in the top of the fifth off a RBI single by Daniel Saxson that brought in Tanner Hoechlin. UWF held on to win game one, 6-2. In game two of the three game series, Lambuth struck first when Eric Wilson came in to score on a
throwing error by the Argonauts, putting the Eagles up 1-0. The Argonauts answered with 23 runs through the next six innings. Junior Ben Hawkins got the start for UWF and allowed one unearned run while striking out nine in four innings. Hawkins (8-0) matched Postill with his eighth win of the year. The Argonauts racked up 23 hits in the dominant offensive performance in game two, led by junior second baseman Justin Bennett with four hits in five at bats. Senior designated hitter Zach Taylor provided the power, hitting his first two home runs of the year and driving in eight runs, including four on a grand slam. Five other Argonauts had multi-hit games.
Argos force Eagles to mercy Due to the mercy rule, the Argos won game three in seven-innings on April 3. Daniel Vargas-Vila was on the mound, throwing five scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out two. Senior Zach Taylor continued his hot-hitting with a two hit game. He also drove in two RBIs and scored three runs. The Argos’ next game is on April 9, against the University of West Alabama.
Carney breaks UWF record
n Cross country runner excels on the track and in the classroom Chris Elkins Staff Writer The Argonauts’ top 800 meter runner doesn’t only have high ambitions on track, but she hopes to have success in the classroom as well. McKenzie Carney strong start her track and field career at the University of West Florida by breaking the school record in 800 meters with a time of 2:17.79 on March 26. The previous record of 2:18 was set by Kasey Countryman in 2002. “I knew it was going to
happen,” Head Coach John Bergen said. Carney ran a 2:15 performance at the 2010 Indiana State Track Meet in high school. “She’ll probably break the record again next meet,” Bergen said. Carney said that she was very excited about accomplishing her main goal for the season and that she now hopes to break the record again and try for the record in the 1500 meter. However, the freshman pre-med major isn’t talented only on the track.
Carney was a member of the National Honor Society at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, received All-Academic status for the 2010 cross country season and was on the 2010 GSC Fall Academic Honor Roll. The All-GSC Second Team cross country honoree wants to pursue a career as a pediatrician, she said. Her choice to be pre-med was difficult, because she also wanted to be pre-vet, she said. “Back home I have 13 dogs and pets to take care of,” Carney said. “My mom grew up having a lot of animals. They are always random animals in my family.”
Family pets in the Carney Carney began running household have included track and field in eighth raccoons, rats and squirrels. grade, because her friend “It’s kind convinced her of difficult to, she said. being far from She enjoyed “She’ll probably home,” Carney the mile, break the said. and then her record again She said she parents made chose UWF her do cross next meet” because she c o u nt ry in “thought it’d be high school to -John Bergen an adventure.” get better for Head Coach Her sister, track. Chandler “Then I Carney, is also found out I on the UWF volleyball team, liked that too,” she said. which helped sway her deciBergen said Carney is a sion. very talented runner. “I try to see my sister, “The 800 is her specialty, but we’re both athletes so but she was really good it’s hard to find time,” she during cross country too,” said. “We try to go out to eat he said. “She was Second Team All-Conference.” together. ”
Besides the difference in temperature, Carney said it has been easy to adjust to UWF. She is roommates with teammate Ruth Ashley. “She’s been really helpful since we have the same schedule,” Carney said. “It makes it easier. We’re good friends.” Carney hopes to help the team win a conference championship in the future. Bergen said, “She has the talent to get better every year. There are three or four or five school records within her reach in cross country and track. “She’s someone you can build a really good program. She has a fun personality and she keeps the team loose.”
8/S&F
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
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Vargas-Vila a valuable asset to Argos n Success of pitching staff proves to be important part of the Argonauts’ season Shawn Handrahan Staff Writer Daniel Vargas-Vila, a starting pitcher for the University of West Florida baseball team, says his love for the game started in Miami when he was 4 years old. “I started playing because my grandfather had a great passion for the sport and passed it along to me,” he said. Growing up playing the game equipped him for the world of college athletics, and he had his eyes set on UWF for one key reason. “The strong pitching program is what brought me to UWF,” he said. “The first time I met with Coach Jeffcoat, I liked everything I heard about his approach to getting hitters out.” Vargas transferred from Wallace Community College in Dothan last year, and his success has since exploded. “Daniel was a relief pitcher when he transferred to us from Wallace-Dothan
games of his career. He pitched a nearperfect game in the final of a three-game series against Arkansas Tech University, leading the Argos to a 5 – 0 victory. It was a perfectly C.C. last year, and we pitched game going into turned him into a starter,” the ninth inning, where he head coach Mike Jeffcoat struck out 5 batters and said. “After having a solid allowed only one hit. “It’s hard to replicate season under his belt as a starter, he brings a lot more a great year like Danny experience and confidence had last year going 8-3, this year. but Danny’s game His experience, has continued to along with our improve,” pitcher other senior starter, Philip Ebert said. Jason Postill, really “After a year of gives our team a lot being a starting of confidence every pitcher, Danny has time they pitch.” maintained his Since transfer- Vargas-Vila dominance and has ring, he has become developed a better a valuable asset and routine of preparaone of the key emotions on tion for the weekend.” the field. But talent, a long with “Danny is one of the hardest-working players on practice, is always a major our team,” pitcher Zachary element to success in North said. “He works sports. well under pressure and “I believe his mental competes every time. approach to pitching this When he’s not pitch- year has had a lot to do ing, he always takes the with his high level of perfortime to help other pitchers improve. We have a very mance,” North said. “Of close-knit pitching staff, course, a powerful fast-ball and Danny is a major part and a sharp slider don’t hurt either.” of that.” This season, Vargas On the field, Vargas is a had one of the preeminent beast.
But off of the field, he has a very different personality, friends say. “He’s actually my “big,” so he showed me the ropes,” pitcher Kutler Lane said. “Despite our four year age difference, he called me a lot to hang out or just go to the field and throw.” The Argos have brought out the best of Vargas’ game, he said. With the help of Vargas, the team is having one of its better seasons.. “This year I am happy with what I have achieved so far,” Vargas said. “But there is much more work that needs to be done to improve my game. For the team performance, I am ecstatic with the way that we have played. Our team has a chemistry that is unlike any other team I have ever played on.” Under the coaching of Jeffcoat, Vargas has grown into a stronger player than he ever imagined, he said. “I feel that I have grown immensely as a player since coming to UWF,” he said. “I have learned a lot about the game and the discipline that is needed to be successful. It has definitely made me the player I am today.”
Photo special to The Voyager
Vargas-Vila has won seven games this season. Jeffcoat could not be happier with the results that Vargas is producing. “He definitely has taken more of a leadership role by working harder, and by taking pride in pushing all
of the pitchers to be the best pitching staff in the nation,” Jeffcoat said. After graduating, Vargas, a senior business major, said he has aspirations of working in the front office of a professional sports team.
Argos offense soars past the Eagles n Junior Crystal Thompson records four hits in game one UWF Sports Information The University of West Florida softball team pounded Lambuth University early and often on April 5, sweeping the Eagles, 21-0 and 8-0, at the UWF Softball Complex. The Argos ended both games in the 5th inning because of the mercy rule. UWF is now 14-2 at
home this season, and moves back over .500 with the wins, at 15-13 overall. The Argos took the field in the first game and unleashed the bats, scoring 21 runs on 21 hits, both season highs. The majority of the carnage came in the 3rd inning, when UWF sent 22 batters to the plate and
scored 16 times. Four differ- and Ashliegh McLean ent Argonauts batted three each tallied three knocks. separate times in the frame. Thompson had a team-high The Argonauts scored 13 four RBI, while Ingram, runs in the inning before McLean, Victoria Harvey Lambuth recorded and Kaley Kania an out, putting the each had three. game out of reach. The runs batted Every Argonaut in were the first of starter recorded at Harvey’s collegiate least one hit and career, as were scored at least one her two base hits. run in the game. Thompson She also picked up Amber Ingram the victory on the tied a career-high with mound, torching the Eagles four hits, while Crystal (2-20) for five scoreless Thompson, Danielle Kildow innings and four strikeouts.
In the second game, the Argos challenged to a tighter affair, but still produced a lopsided final score that necessitated the use of the mercy rule. UWF scored five times in the 5th to send both teams to the showers. McLean (10-8) threw five scoreless innings to pick up the win. She allowed just three hits. The Argonauts plated single runs in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th innings before opening the floodgates in
the 5th. Elizabeth Nugent had a career-best threehit day, while McLean, Kania and Lauren Correia all tallied two hits. Five different UWF players had a single RBI, including Lauren Butherus, who drove in her first collegiate run. Correia scored a careerhigh three times, while McLean came home twice. UWF played pictureperfect defense on the day, playing ten innings of errorfree softball.
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Apply by April 18 for fall admission. Contact Stetson Law Admissions at (877) LAW-STET, www.law.stetson.edu or lawadmit@law.stetson.edu.