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Friday, October 11, 2019
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Volume 104 | Issue 3 | Free in single copy
Tech’s primary news source since 1924
SOLO puts on double headliner By
CAROLINA HATFIELD & EMILEE PATON
Reporters
Photo by Justin Lubin/NBC
Jake Hoot from Cookeville, Tennessee, on “The Voice” during “Blind Auditions” on season 17 episode 3.
Tech alumni chosen to be on “The Voice” By MIRANDA MAYNARD
Reporter
In 2011, Jake Hoot hugged his teammates after winning the Ohio Valley Conference football championship. Eight years later, Hoot hugged Kelly Clarkson, three-time Grammy and MTV Music Video Award Winner, after she chose him to be on her team for NBC’s “The Voice.” “I blacked out when she turned around and I also don’t remember hugging her like I did,” Hoot said, “but yeah the song is only 90 seconds and I felt like it was 15 minutes so when she turned around, I just blacked out.”
Hoot performed “When It Rains It Pours,” a country song by Luke Combs. Clarkson chose Hoot to be a part of her team, making him one of 48 contestants on the show’s 17th season. “I love Luke Combs and the song is a highpowered song,” Hoot said, “but I’ve met Luke Combs a couple of times, he’s a great guy and I love his style of country music so that’s what I wanted to do.” “The Voice” is a reality television singing competition. Clarkson, John Legend, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani serve as coaches throughout the season. Each coach picks members of their team to train and hopefully
win the show. Before Hoot became a team member of “The Voice,” he was a team member of Tech’s football team. In 2011, Hoot played as a right guard on the Golden Eagle football team and won the OVC championship against Austin Peay State University. “I just remember after we won everybody rushed the field and I was hugging people I had never even met before,” Hoot said, “and it was really cool to be able to hold that trophy up and celebrate with the rest of the team.” He currently works for Zimmer BroadcastSee HOOT, page 2
Student Government Association’s SOLO Concert plans to have two headlining acts for the first time in Tech history. Scotty McCreery and Russell Dickerson are scheduled to take the stage at the Hooper Eblen Center on Oct. 17. “This is the first time that we’ve had two headliners, which is a really big deal. They’re both super awesome people and I know they’re going to put on a great show for everyone,” Courtney Fowler, SGA Executive Treasurer, said. Every spring and fall semester, SGA sponsors the SOLO concert; students receive two free tickets with their eagle card and T number. Many artists have performed over past years including Judah and the Lion, Dan + Shay and Neon Trees. “We’re hoping to get a more diverse group of students. Like, Scotty McCreery was on American Idol. So even if you’re not into country music, your like ‘oh hey!’ I’ve seen him on TV, I want to go see him,” Fowler said. Students on campus share how they feel about this semester’s selection. “It’s not really my See SOLO, page 2
Chili cookoff raises funds for food pantry By JAMIE SAUVE
Reporter
Photo by Kendyl Seals | Reporter
Tech’s chili competitor warms up his soup in hopes to win Heating up the Quad at Tech on Oct. 8.
The sixth annual “Heatin’ Up the Quad,” filled Tech’s main quad with students and community members to raise money and awareness for Tech’s Food Pantry. The event, sponsored by the provost office, is part of the Tech Togetherness Initiative. Attendees judge a cooking competition. “The goal of this initiative is to bridge the gaps and create stronger relationships between administrations, faculty, staff and the Tech community at large,” Elizabeth Sofia, executive assistant to the provost, said. Proceeds benefit the Tech Food Pantry located at Tech Village and feeds 25 people a week. The mission is to raise awareness of hidden hunger as well as feed students and those around the Tech community through donations, she said. “This event was able to raise approximately $3,800 for the Food Pantry last year,” Sofia said. This year, 35 department teams served chili, soup, chowder, wings and desserts. Sofia and her team have set a goal to have 900 guests attend, attempting to beat last year’s attendance of 881. “Getting to talk to different people in-
“The goal of this initiative is to bridge the gaps and create stronger relationships between administrations, faculty, staff and the Tech community at large.” - Elizabeth Sofia, Executive Assistant to the Provost cluding students, faculty and visiting guest is my favorite part of this event,” Alice Camiti, a grad studies team member, said. Contestants will be judged for their “Wings Up” table decorations this year as well. The office of the provost also is striving to decrease environmental impact at the event by using more recycle friendly products, Sofia said. “The Office of Sustainability has been a wonderful supporter of the event. They have provided us with all the compostable bowls, plates and utensils,” she said. “They are also providing us with recyclable receptacles for other materials such as water bottles and aluminum cook trays.”
Blood drive brings awareness By ABBY DYKES
Reporter
Tech Rotaract Club members conducted their third annual blood drive Wednesday. “One donation saves three lives. If you add it up, that saves a lot of lives,” Vice President Huyen Dam said. The Rotaract Club began in 1968, and currently consists of 81 members. They are a service-based club that focuses on helping the community, Dam said. The event was on the Main Quad near Bell Hall. The club uses Blood Assurance, located in
Cookeville, for the event. “Blood Assurance brings a mobile van that has all the equipment we need. It hosts a smaller number of people, but it makes it more accessible,” Professional Relations Director Maya Johnson said. “It takes 15 minutes. It doesn’t take long.” Along with blood drives, the club also helps with river cleanup, Habitat for Humanity, international mission trips and other service-based projects, Dam said. “Our motto is service above self, so we want to
What’s Inside?
Equestrian Show, page 2 Alumni Center exhibit, page 2 Suits2Cheap, page 2 Preview Day, page 2 Man on the Street, page 3 Soccer seniors awarded, page 4 Softball team preps for season, page 4
See BLOOD DRIVE, page 2
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