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1000 N. Dixie Ave. | Cookeville, TN | 38505
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Friday, November 14, 2014
RACLE Volume 99 | Issue 8 | Free in single copy
The primary news source of the Golden Eagles since 1924 Serving Tennessee Tech weekly during the fall and spring semesters
HE WENT TO JARED
> Tech Student to box at local event.
>>Page 3
IN THIS ISSUE: 2 Calendar 2 News 3 News 4 Opinion 5 Entertainment 6 Sports
Sights from Saturday’s Homecoming parade and game >>Page 2
> EXCLUSIVE:
> Sex
trafficking here in Tennessee? Kimmy shares her findings >>Page 4
Hanawi granted bond for alleged homicide By LUCAS MCCOY Beat Reporter Marwan Hanawi was granted a $10,000 bail bond by Judge John Hudson for the alleged homicide of Mohammad Albadi Oct. 3. Hanawi was placed in the Putnam County Jail in October, where he was denied bond and held on suspicion of homicide. According to a HeraldCitizen article, District Attorney Bryant Dunaway said it was difficult to speak
with several of the witnesses to the incident because they are visiting Saudi Arabia to attend fuHanawi neral services for Albadi. Dunaway also said that it appears to him that Hanawi will be charged with either vehicular homicide or criminally negligent homicide. Hanawi’s court date has been moved to Dec. 3 court docket.
Scholarship deadline: One month away 550 scholarships available to students. Students must apply by Dec. 15 deadline By CHARLI BRAY Beat Reporter
Shea Haile | The Oracle
Homecoming ends with Golden Eagle victory over SEMO By JORDAN PACE Asst. Sports Editor
The Golden Eagles keep finding ways to win close games this season at Tucker Stadium. The latest example, a 27-26 come from behind win over Southeast Missouri, came last Saturday during the team’s 84th annual Homecoming game. It was the third time this season the team has found itself with its back against the wall. “It’s like a broken record, isn’t it?” said head coach Watson Brown. “When we’re in close games, we just hang around. That’s what we do.” Tech trailed the Redhawks early Saturday 13-0 after a 1-yard sneak for a touchdown from SEMO quarterback Kyle Snyder and a pair of field goals from kicker Ryan McCrum. The Golden Eagles then responded with a 2-yard Radir Annoor touchdown near the end of the second quarter. The score capped off a five play, 61-yard drive led by quarterback Jared Davis. Davis, who had watched the previous three games from the sidelines, stepped in for the Golden Eagles after Brown opted to pull starting quarterback Darian Stone. “Darian wasn’t sharp in the first quarter,” said Brown. “J.D. got his shot and went in there and did his job.”
Davis finished Saturday’s contest passing for 216 yards and a touchdown and 51 yards rushing and a touchdown. Looking like Jared “Football,” the rushing score came on the first play of the fourth quarter on a 12-yard zone read run, which included a stiff-arm and two broken tackles from the quarterback from Manchester, Tenn. At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Davis is not typically known for scrambling. The ground performance came without surprise, though, from Brown. “The people that think he’s just a drop-back passer — Jared can run,” said Brown. “Now he don’t run a 4.3, 40 [yard dash], but he’s very athletic and strong in his legs, and he’s hard to get on the ground. He likes to run the ball. That’s what I like about him.” Davis had a Homecoming of his own after missing the past three games. He began the 2014 season as the team’s starting quarterback, but gave up his role to senior quarterback Darian Stone after posting poor performances in the first three games of the season. Davis added after Saturday’s win that he enjoyed playing with his teammates for the first time since the Oct. 4 overtime win over Murray State. “Getting to go back out there definitely gave me some confidence,” said Davis. “Having my teammates there,
Shea Haile | The Oracle JARED FOOTBALL- Quarterback Jared Davis enters game, replacing starting QB Darian Stone in the second quarter. having their support — I mean, heads and tails, that’s a major factor in your confidence level as a quarterback whenever you have your lineman coming and picking you up.” Also closing Saturday afternoon’s Homecoming win with a standout performance was strong safety Austin Tallant. See
“Football,” >>Page 6
Both mascots earn bids to UCA National Championship Awesome Eagle and Grandpappy to compete at 2015 UCA National Mascot competition By DILLON JAMES Beat Reporter Both mascots of Tennessee Tech will be soaring to Disney World in January to participate in the UCA National Championship. Awesome Eagle and Grandpappy Eagle were both announced as finalists last week for the competition that will take place in January of next year. The Universal Cheerleaders Association reviewed the national entry highlight videos submitted for each mascot and announced that Awesome Eagle received first place and Grandpappy Eagle received fourth place in the national competition. The scores for these videos are worth 50 percent of the overall scores for the competition. Interim Cheer Coach Andrew Halford said Grandpappy has never received a bid before in the Read More Online
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Sarah Dingwall | The Eagle Yearbook TWO BIRDS- Members of the Spirit Squad receive their 2014 first place UCA National Championship rings at Saturday’s Homecoming game. Both Awesome Eagle and Grandpappy Eagle will compete at the 2015 competition in January. past. “We’re really excited for Pappy. Awesome getting first was just awesome, but Pappy is just icing on the cake,” said Halford. “In our division, they only take five people so we automatically have two mascots in the top five.” Awesome won first place at the competition last year, so he’ll be putting his title on
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the line — a title that might be taken by Grandpappy. Spirit Consultant Drake Fenlon will be joining the Tech Spirit Squads when they travel to Orlando for the competition. “I’m just excited because this is the first time ever that two mascots from the same school have gone,” said Fenlon. “It’s the first time
that a secondary mascot has competed.” The mascots will prepare a short skit that will be scored and then combined with the scores from the video portion. Fenlon said Awesome and Grandpappy are keeping their skit ideas close to the cuff, just in case their competitors are lurking. “They’ve talked to me a little bit in their bird language,” Fenlon said. “There’s a lot of work to be done. Usually we build only one skit and now we have to build two. It’s going to take a lot of long hours in the fitness center, lots of late nights, lots of duct taped fingers and the whole deal.” Awesome and Grandpappy will be competing Jan. 16, 2015 in Walt Disney World’s ESPN Wide World of Sports, and the cheer and dance teams will compete the following day. “This program is unbeatable,” Fenlon said. “This is it. This is the year of the eagle.”
The Dec. 15 deadline to apply for scholarships is quickly approaching. Each December, Tech accepts scholarship applications for the following school year. All students are encouraged to apply, regardless of major. “Each department has specific scholarships that they award. Then we have a lot of scholarships that are not major specific. So it doesn’t matter what major you are; you will be reviewed,” said Kelly Chambers, scholarship manager. There are over 550 scholarships offered to current and incoming students. Each year Tech awards about $7 million of scholarship money, not including the HOPE scholarship and athletic scholarships. “Most of our scholarships are donor-funded, so donors have given money to Tech specifically to help
students with scholarships. Of the 550 scholarships that we have, about 500 of those are donor-funded,” said Chambers. Although Tech offers hundreds of scholarships every year, many students are unaware of the opportunity. “I didn’t apply for any because I really didn’t know about them, and I was a transfer student,” said senior communication major Chambers Jared Anderson. However, there are students on campus who take advantage of Tech scholarship opportunities every year. “The scholarships I have received through Tech have helped me focus more on my academics and good grades,” said senior nursing major Danielle Miller. See
“Scholarship,” >>Page 3
Printers, water, food SGA passes three bills to provide easier options for students on campus
By MATTHEW PHILLIPS Beat Reporter Tennessee Tech resident hall tenants could soon be able to print their assignments without having to leave their building. The Student Government Association passed three bills at this week’s meeting, including a bill designed to provide printers in all of Tech’s dorms, with the exception of Maddox-McCord, which already provides printers. At least one printer will be provided in the study rooms of each dorm, and an ID scanner will be in place for McDonald student-only access, similar to the Angelo and Jennette Volpe Library. Originally the bill, “The New Hall Printing Kiosk Act of 2014,” was designed to benefit residents of New Hall North and New Hall South, but was changed after members of the senate voiced concerns that it would discriminate the other dorms. “By no means should we stop at the New Halls,” said Lydia Cantrell, senator for the College of Arts and Sciences, who presented the bill in place of the author, Will Schenk. “I don’t see
why the traditional halls on Capitol Quad shouldn’t have the same opportunity. Will just wanted to get the ball rolling, and he thought the New Halls would be a good place to start.” Bills that were also passed include “The Hydration Installment Act of 2014,” designed to provide hydration stations in the library, and “An Act to Provide Refreshments for University Committees During Dead Hour,” constructed to arrange lunch for members of the SGA who have University committee meetings during dead hour. However, not all of the bills presented were as fortunate. “The Community Garden Act of 2014” failed to pass in the senate. The bill was designed to establish a half-acre community garden on Tech’s campus. Despite receiving support from senators during discussion, the bill failed because of past attempts to start this project. “The senators felt that the bill would not be implemented because, in the past, other organizations and student groups have tried to have a community garden on campus, but have hit roadblocks by Facilities,” said SGA President Emily McDonald.
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Page 2 || THE ORACLE || COOKEVILLE, TN
NEWS
Friday, November14, 2014
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>> Campus
Tennessee Tech Homecoming 2014: Every Day’s A Holiday
events @ tech November
14 All Day
Michael Aurbach sculpture exhibition Joan Derryberry Art Gallery
All Day
2014 Santa’s Workshop Hyder Burks Ag Pavilion
6p.m. - 8 p.m.
Men’s basketball hosts Piedmont International University Hooper Eblen Center Sarah Dingwall | The Eagle Yearbook
7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Pulte Studio Senior Showcase Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building
15 All Day
Michael Aurbach sculpture exhibition Joan Derryberry Art Gallery
All Day
Sarah Dingwall | The Eagle Yearbook
2014 Santa’s Workshop Hyder Burks Ag Pavilion
1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Football hosts University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Tucker Stadium Sarah Dingwall The Eagle Yearbook
Sarah Dingwall | The Eagle Yearbook
HO-CO 2014 - From left to right: (Top left) Cheerleading alumni Lowell Tapp Jr. and Chelsea King lead the football team out of the tunnel at the beginning of the football game. (Top right) Fiji brothers lead their annual Kazoo band lead the Homecoming parade to onlookers. (Bottom left)Awesome Eagle entertains a young, aspiring Spiderman during halftime of the Homecoming football game. (Middle left) A Fiji brother captivates the judges table as the kazoo band passes. (Bottom right)Homecoming Queen Peyton Caldwell and King Drake Sarah Dingwall | The Eagle Yearbook Fenlon walk off the field after they were crowned during halftime of the football game.
TTU student to fight in Throwdown Thursday boxing event on Nov. 20 Business Administration major Tyler Howard to compete in the main fight for promotional boxing event at the Hyder-Burks Agricultural Pavilion next Thursday night. By JORDAN PACE Asst. Sports Editor Last weekend, the Golden Eagles wrapped up Homecoming weekend with a 27-26 win over Southeast Missouri. This coming Thursday night, Tech junior, Tyler “Hercules” Howard, will have a homecoming of his own as he squares off with Tim Hill in the ring at Tech’s Hyder-Burks Agricultural Pavilion. Howard, 20, is a business administration major from Crossville, Tenn. What sets him apart from his classmates, however, is that he is a professional boxer. At 5-0 with three knockouts, Howard looks to continue his undefeated streak to the top of the ranks. The road to the top travels through Cookeville for a title fight in the six-card “Throwdown Thursday” boxing event. Although he’s still considered a prospect, it’s safe to say Howard is not lacking in confidence against his
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opponent in the main The fight is being proevent. moted by long time box“I’m not going to ing promoter Brian Young sit here and say that of Prize Fight Boxing. I’m invincible or I’m Young, who promoted Superman. I’m not,” said the 2002 Lennox Lewis Howard. “All I’m saying and Mike Tyson heavyis I train harder than him. weight championship, I’m better than him. If I says Howard has all the go in there and execute intangibles necessary in the way I’m supposed to, becoming a champion one it will be an easy night day. for me.” “Boxing is just anHoward Howard takes on vetother day at the office for eran Tim Hill, who Howard says has Tyler,” said Young. “He says he’s not fought in over 30 professional fights. going to stop until he wins a world tiWith as much experience in fighting tle, and quite frankly, at my age at 50 against young prospects as Hill has, years old, I would never have signed Howard says he has plenty of re- a kid unless I thought he could win a search on his upcoming opponent. world title. He’s still in the learning “I’ve watched him on YouTube process, but he has that potential.” before,” said Howard. “I know he’s Fighting most of his matches in going to be in there throwing a crazy Mississippi, Thursday’s match will overhand right, and I already know be the first time the boxer has fought what I’m going to do to counter it. I’ll in his college town. In fact, it will likebe thinking about it the whole time.” ly be the first time in many years that
an event of its kind has taken place in Cookeville. Howard says while boxing is an individual sport, he feeds off support from others. “I’m going to go in there 100 percent, put on a show for everybody and then hopefully make some good friends and get a bunch of supporters and fans, so if five years from now when I’m fighting on HBO for a world title, they’ll be able to say, “Hey, I met that guy. I watched him fight in person.’” “Throwdown Thursday” will take place on Nov. 20 at the HyderBurks Pavilion. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with fights squaring off at 7:30 p.m. General admission tickets will be sold for $15 with VIP tickets available for $20. There will be a main event weighin at the Fit Wednesday before the fight at 5 p.m. The event will be open to the public.
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Women’s Volleyball hosts University of Tennessee at Martin Hooper Eblen Center
16
All Day
Michael Aurbach sculpture exhibition Joan Derryberry Art Gallery
All Day
2014 Santa’s Workshop Hyder Burks Ag Pavilion
3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Bryan Symphony Orchestra Concert Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Center
17
All Day
Michael Aurbach sculpture exhibition Joan Derryberry Art Gallery
12 p.m. - 1 p.m.
New Faculty Research Seminar with Dr. Hicham Chaoui Prescott 225
18
All Day
Michael Aurbach sculpture exhibition Joan Derryberry Art Gallery
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Mix-It-Up-At-Lunch Day Multipurpose Room, RUC
6 p.m. - 7:50 p.m.
THE SCAN OF THE EAGLE According to Lindsey Maestri, Exhibitions & Programs Manager of the Appalachian Center of Craft, a digital 3-D scan of the recently removed Derrberry Eagle was conducted this week so that copies can be made in different sizes by use of 3-D printers.
Community Cinema: “Evolution of a Criminal” Cookeville Performing Arts Center
7:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Phil Barham, Saxophone, Faculty Recital Wattenbarger Auditorium, Bryan Fine Arts Building
19
All Day
Michael Aurbach sculpture exhibition Joan Derryberry Art Gallery
9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Meet the Recruiters from Pine Grove camp RUC 1st Floor
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Photo courtesy of the Appalachian Center for Craft
Blood Drive Tech Pride Room
www.tntech.edu/calendar
Friday, November 14, 2014
COOKEVILLE, TN || THE ORACLE || Page 3
Campus << >> “Scholarship”
Continued from Page 1 “It has taken some of the financial pressure off of my mind so that I can focus my attention on what college is all about, which is building a foundation to become successful in your career path.” Students concerned that their GPA is not high enough to receive a scholarship should not be dissuaded from applying. The scholarship committees take other criteria into consideration as well. “Even if your GPA isn’t a 4.0 or a 3.5, we still encourage everyone to apply because with 550 different scholarships, there are a lot of different ones and a lot of different criteria,” said Chambers. “We have scholarships for financial need, students who are involved on campus, students with leadership positions, maybe SGA or a Greek organization. We have some that specifically look at students who have employment of some kind.” The deadline to apply for scholarships is Dec. 15, although students are encouraged to apply earlier. “Don’t wait until the last minute. Apply now. Start the application process early because, while the application is not going to take you very long to complete, some scholarships do require an essay,” said Chambers. To be considered for TTU scholarships, apply online via ScholarWeb. Scholarship offers for the 2015-2016 school year will be made by March 15, 2015.
UNCLE to bring One Tree Hill star to Playhouse By REANNA YOUNG Beat Reporter A free concert hosted by UNCLE will be held for students at the Backdoor Playhouse Nov. 20 as actor and singer Tyler Hilton comes to Tech. UNCLE (Underrepresented New and Creative Live Experiences) is mostly known for their open mic nights, but they are taking it up a notch this time. “Hilton will be playing a 75-minute set and we’re very excited to be bringing someone like him in who
The Tom Wolfe Quartet will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 and 20 when the jazz group comes to Tech’s Bryan Fine Arts Building. Jazz guitarist Tom Wolfe composes his own music and performs with the quartet. “Most of the pieces the quartet will play are originals of mine that are featured on my new CD, ‘Solerovescent,’” said Wolfe. These pieces can also “change based on the musical interaction that the group has. That is an extremely important aspect of jazz performance,” said Wolfe. “When I compose a piece and give it to the group to perform, they will interpret the music in their own personal way and it becomes a unique embodiment of my composition.” Wolfe and the Tom Wolfe
is pretty well-known,” said Maria Davis, president of UNCLE The doors will open at 7:30 p.m., and the concert will start at 8 p.m. Like other mic nights, there will be refreshments served at the concert. Hilton is widely known as the musician Chris Keller in the WB’s teen Drama, “One Tree Hill.” Hilton has been a musician most of his life, so the character of Chris Keller was not out of the ordinary for him. Hilton sings and plays a rock and roll style in “One Tree Hill,” and though much of his music does consist of pop mixed with the
Americana sound, his new album, “Indian Summer,” is more of a country sound and will hits stores Nov. 18. Hilton also starred in the 2005 movie, “Walk the Line,” as Elvis Presley and sang a few cover songs for Hilton the GrammyAward winning soundtrack. He also played in “Charlie Bartlett” in 2007 with Robert Downey Jr. and just be-
gan starring with Halle Berry in the new TV show, “Extant.” There are currently three members in UNCLE including President Maria Davis, Vice President Stuart Neal, both of Byrdstown, Tenn. and Andy Smith, English professor and faculty adviser of UNCLE. A local artist and former Tech student, Austin Lee, will open the show before Hilton takes the stage. “It’s going to be really good because it will be a more personal setting there in the Playhouse,” said Neal.
Women’s Center to collect t-shirts for spring Clothesline Project By ELLEN CONTI Beat Reporter In honor of victims from domestic and sexual violence, Tech’s Women’s Center will be hosting its annual Clothesline project. Although the display of hanging shirts will not be presented until April, preparation starts months in advance. Stop by the Women’s Center during office hours to make a shirt representing violence against women for the Clothesline Project. Made by students, the line of shirts represent victims or someone who knows a woman that has survived a sort of sexual harassment. This project’s goal is to show support towards victims as well as survivors of the discrimination against women. This event will strive to also help people deal with the feelings of lost loved ones. Also, people might not be aware of
Tom Wolfe Quartet gets jazzy By KAYLEE GENTRY Beat Reporter
NEWS
Quartet will perform alone Wednesday night, and then with Tech students in the TTU Jazz Ensembles Thursday night. “The students get a chance to play with these really top notch professionals,” said Chris McCormick, director of jazz studies. “He’s a jazz guitarist who tends to have a little bit of a modern feel, a little bit of a rock, I don’t want to say pop because it’s not-it’s more complex than most pop music, but it’s got that kind of feel… it’s kind of contemporary rock,” said McCormick. Jacob Burgess, junior music education major, has been playing guitar for eight years and integrates aspects of different artists into his own music. “I think I’m most excited about seeing his approach to the guitar,” said Burgess. “The guitar is such a versa-
the violence many women face and therefore this event plans to raise that awareness and will work to inform the society. The overall intention of this event is to create a network of encouragement. Tech’s Women’s Center has been involved with this event since 1998 and coordinated with Pi Sigma Alpha to create the event this past year. “The group I was with was Pi Sigma Alpha, the political science honor society, and we worked equally with the Women’s Center to put on Take Back the Night and the Clothesline Project,” said Andrew Jefferies, head coordinator of Take Back the Night. “We worked with the Women’s center to coordinate and essentially combine these events into one large showing.” The event consists of a speaker along with Take Back the Night marching around campus with chants and banners to advertise the tile instrument that there are a lot of different ways you can play it, and each guitarist has sort of his own voice, especially at that professional level. He’s established sort of his niche and like his voice in the guitar.” Wolfe plays the bass guitar and used to play tuba, but he has been playing guitar since he was six. “When I was young, I saw someone playing guitar on TV and told my parents I wanted to play the guitar,” said Wolfe. Brant Poindexter, senior music education and performance major, says it’s really awesome to have a guest artist at Tech. “People should stay, if for no other reason than to listen to him because it’s not every day that we get a true professional on campus playing music with the students,” said Poindexter. Wolfe and his quartet will be at the Wattenbarger Auditorium.
cause. A poetry reading as well as a candlelight vigil takes place after the march. This is a time to pay respect towards victims, survivors, or the ones that have lost a loved one. Each shirt color represents a particular women’s experience. Beige or yellow stand for the assaulted or battered women. Blue or green stand for survivors of sexual abuse and incest. Lavender or purple stand for women that have been attacked for their sexual orientation. Orange, Pink, or Red stand for the survivors of sexual assault or rape. White stands for women that have died because of violence. “By the time a survivor is able to physically make a shirt, they have usually been on their healing journey for some time. It is difficult and most people shed a few tears while making their shirt at events,” said Diana Lalani, administrative associate in the Women’s Center. “But
most find that it is freeing to get the pain out and put the blame where it belongs – on the perpetrator.” Once the shirt is made with the respectable color, make sure to include the symbol or name of the feature that the shirt represents. Include the state, town or city where the shirt can be presented. When submitting a shirt, make sure to indicate the relationship of the maker(s) to the person represented on the shirt. Finally, the name of the maker(s), the address and a phone number are all optional suggestions. The Women’s Center has shirts to offer during office hours. The maker(s) can provide their own in advance and can be brought the day of or mailed to the Clothesline Project. When customizing the shirts, they need to be made of a natural fabric along with being sewn rather than using glue. Also, photocopy photographs onto iron-ons
onto the shirts. Make sure to use acrylic or textile paint, colorfast dye or indelible ink for the specific shirt’s memorabilia. “The night we did it we had over 100 participants in attendance at the Clothesline Project and taking part in Take Back the Night events,” said Jefferies. “Feedback I heard was all positive and shows a great success in raising awareness of this important cause.” The Clothesline Project is a group of people from diverse backgrounds. Together they represent the challenging of homophobia, racism, sexism and other oppressions. They strive to make the correspondence of that violence’s along with violence women experience. Many communities over the country participate in this event that started in 1990. The project started in Hyannis, Massachusetts with thirtyone hanging shirts.
Live Mas: Taco Bell enters 21st century with new app By ZACK WARFIELD Beat Reporter Taco Bell has made a giant leap for fast food after releasing an app that allows you to order and pay for your food, then go pick it up. At first, I was skeptical of the whole situation, but almost instantly I was swept up and cradled by the simplicity of the app; everything was so user-friendly and well organized. The menu option showed everything they have as well as all the ingredients in every option. I have to say that this app has left me in awe. The best part about the menu is the everchanging pictures that scroll across the screen providing a sample of what they offer. They have done an exceptional job at attracting their target market. After going through the menu and selecting what I wanted to purchase, it gave me the option to choose which Taco Bell location I wanted my food from. As we all know, not
every Taco Bell is made in the same image. The “My Bell” option keeps track of your favorite picks. For me, it’s the Doritos cheesy gordita crunch box and an order of cheesy fiesta potatoes. I know I can never go wrong with these options. One of the coolest parts is that the app keeps track of your location and sends you a notification when you arrive to choose whether you will be picking up your food inside or at the drive-thru. This really comes in handy around noon and dinner time when the lines can get pretty long. So, I chose my pick up spot and entered my payment information and headed to pick up my food. I was worried they did not have all the kinks worked out and when I got my food it would be messed up, but to my surprise everything was correct. The hardest part was resisting the urge to throw my money at the window when I pulled up. In conclusion, if you are a Taco Bell lover then this app is for you. The simplicity and convenience this app brings is unrivaled.
Chuckles with Cheeny
Created by: "Cheeny the great"
Page 4 || THE ORACLE || COOKEVILLE, TN
OPINION
Friday, November 14, 2014
>> Think Free
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Without a choice or a voice KIMMY MANNING Opinion Editor Shaking, cold, overw o r k e d and underinformed. Without hope, without rescue, trapped and alone. I shudder at the thought. Twenty-seven million know a familiar feeling. Yeah, that number is right. Right now, on our planet, there are 27 million trapped in the exhaustive and perilous torments of human trafficking, according to the International Justice Mission. Wrapping my head around that number is just like wrapping my arms around the Grand Canyon. I can’t grasp it or deny its weighty presence. Two million of those victims are children who are exploited and used in the commercial sex trade industry. Forced prostitution holds a decent amount of those stuck in human trafficking, but that’s not the only means of involuntary labor. The other epidemic is the amount of people working as animals, forced to do unnatural labor until their bodies fatigue with their last strength. These people are strained to commit to a life of servitude against their will. Many are kidnapped, and many come from ancestral lineage that has never broken the chains of bondage. These people have lost hope, and I think I know why. We aren’t aware. As I sit in my apartment under my warm covers with my dark roast in hand, I can’t help but choke up. It’s sick.
I’m sick. I have it all, and I still come home after a hard day and get upset that my day was nothing special — yet I am breathing. I have blood in my veins, a pumping heart and the free will to subject myself to nothing and no one. Forms of forced labor include work on farms, domestic work, being a hostess, working in strip clubs, the restaurant and food service, factories, peddling and begging rings and the hospitality industry. Unfortunately, child labor falls under this category, as many children are losing their childhood innocence. Days on the playground are now replaced by carrying bricks for 19 hours or exposing themselves to 10 accounts of rape a day. It’s disgusting, and it’s in the world we walk on. These kids don’t know the joy of feeling safe and the comforts of our life. They just know their humanity isn’t valued, and this is how our earth works. Sadly, this isn’t happening too far from home. It’s here as well. According to The Polaris Project, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, 41 percent of those sex trafficked and 20 percent of people in labor trafficking are U.S. citizens. These are our neighbors, our families and our co-workers. They are us. We may think this is a problem surrounding developing countries, but sex trafficking is happening in Tennessee, in our counties and on our streets. End Slavery TN said it best: “To deny that sex trafficking happens in our own backyards is to avert our eyes and hearts from seeing and helping the young people who need us most.” In fact, the state of
Courtesy of the Diversity, Cultural Outreach & Prevention Department
TRAPPED - Over 27 million men, women and children are trapped in modern day slavery. This epidemic does not only happen in third world countries, but is prevalent here in Putnam County. People do not have a price tag. Tennessee had 1,200 cases of sex trafficking in a single year, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. The TBI studied 21 of the highest reported of the 95 counties, so we can safely assume the actual number is much higher if all were studied. Putnam Country unfortunately was part of the 21-county roster. Half of the 25 trafficking reports made in a single year were from minors. Let’s stop here for a second and chew on that. Twelve sweet children in our county, our city and our stomping grounds
were forced into prostitution in the last year. Cookeville is not separate from this world issue. Davidson County, home of our state capital, had over 100 reports in a single year. They have the highest percentage of adult and minor cases reported. Seventy-three percent of them were minors. Luckily, this can end. Want to know how? Because we are graced to live in this beautiful state and have the ability to do more than just move on with life when this article is over. We have been gifted with freedom — one
where we can exercise justice over others. These people need a voice and a hand to pull them out of a ditch, an undeserved place they’ve been living in as the clock ticks by. As 27 million tread on, let’s not forget to walk alongside them. We all have one life, and I promise you this is not the life they asked for. To get involved, visit the national agencies mentioned, and inform yourself on the matter. We can’t make change in the world until we know what needs to be changed. We could have easily
been born a victim of trafficking, though many of us are privileged not to have seen that ugly world. Stand in their shoes that we can only hope they have. This is not OK. Push harder. Educate yourself. Fight back, and don’t be afraid to ask if someone’s in a tricky situation — you have the opportunity to give back a person’s freedom.
through purchasing or piracy usually leads to an increase in one and not the other. Swift still sold more copies of her new album in one week than any other album this year and is on track to become the biggest album of the year despite the Spotify removal. I still think this move will only lead to more people pirating her album rather than purchasing it. Even to write my review of “1989” I had to listen to the leaked version of the album then a bootleg CD copy later on to finish my review. Every other review I’ve written thus far has been listened to via Spotify or Soundcloud. This isn’t some petty platform to say everyone needs to boycott Swift’s music or they need to support Spotify during this tiff the two are going through. It just upsets me that this day in music age where any song can be available at the click of a button or a Google search,
we still have some artists who aren’t about the music and act like they only want a bigger paycheck. If this is the new direction that streaming music is taking, then Spotify and services like it may not be long for this world. Spotify has been working to rectify the situation by adding a playlist titled “What to Play While Taylor’s Away.” The playlist should keep those who didn’t purchase Swift’s latest effort happy until she returns. I don’t condemn Swift for a smart business move. I’m upset that she and other artists like Jason Aldean treat the music industry more like a business now; it would seem that payday is more important than fans.
Kimmy Manning is a senior in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations She can be reached at kemanning42@students.tntech.edu
Swift shaking songs off Spotify ADAM WEBB Staff Writer Prior to the release of her album “1989,” Taylor Swift pulled all of her music from the online music service Spotify stating that the service devalues artists’ work. Swift cites the reasoning for removing her music as thinking the artists should get paid or paid more for their work. Swift’s album went on to sell 1.3 million copies during its first week on store shelves. From a business standpoint this makes a lot of sense for Swift. Spotify does offer listeners music for free, and in exchange users have to sit through a 30-second ad every once in a while. Fair trade. But the artists don’t see a lot of that revenue and some, like Swift, demand more in royalties. By pulling her catalogue from Spotify, Swift is forcing people into purchasing her music. Again this is a
THE
Courtesy of Business Insider
GOODBYE - To promote sales of the purchase of her new album, 1989, Taylor Swift withdrew her music from many music websites as well as Spotify this past week. smart business move because it means Swift’s paycheck will only add more zeros, but I think it shows that she cares more about a paycheck than she does the listener. Some bands like Death
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Grips or The xx release their music for free and seek exposure or a wider fan base. T-Swizzle only seems interested in earning the almighty dollar from her fan base, and I agree artists should be paid
for their work. Where I disagree is that removing your music from a service like Spotify seems like it will only hurt your chances of increasing your fan base. Making your music available only
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Adam Webb is a senior in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations. He can be reached at adwebb42@students.tntech.edu
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ENTERTAINMENT
“Interstellar” is out of this world Gambino drops double feature By ADAM WEBB Staff Writer
By HANNAH BENJAMIN Entertainment Critic Arguably one of the most hyped movie releases of the fall season, “Interstellar” landed second in the box office this weekend following the release of “Big Hero 6.” Directed by Christopher Nolan, this movie is the dark, edgy version of “Gravity” audiences wish existed last Oscar season. The star-studded cast, including Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine and Jessica Chastain, deliver a powerful performance transcending space and time. The film is set in the near future, though the dates are never specified. A second Dust Bowl is ravaging the Earth and entire species of crops are dying out while millions of people are starving. On this Earth, life is about survival rather than excess. Cooper (McConaughey) is unusually recruited by NASA to lead a team of explorers into deep space to determine whether there is life on other planets. “Interstellar” chronicles their journey, the amount of time lost in space, and the heartbreaking struggle to do what is right for humanity rather than for one’s family. Additionally, the film is a commentary about what may happen to Earth if humankind does not take care of it. The acting in “Interstellar” is superb. Though audiences see more of a typical McConaughey character, Hathaway and
& DAVID MCMINN Beat Reporter
Courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter
INTERGALACTIC- “Interstellar” opened in second place at the weekend box office with over $47.5 million. Chastain bring more than enough emotion to their roles to make up for it. The plot line is complex, but the leading trio humanizes the scientific struggle. Because of the plot complexity, however, it is easy to get lost in the technical jargon and become confused. “Interstellar” is a film audiences have to pay attention to. With a run time of 169 minutes that may be hard for some moviegoers to do. Overall, Nolan does a decent job explaining complex space theories at a level the
audience can understand. He weaves emotion into cold, deep space leaving a significant impact on viewers. “Interstellar” seems to have it all: intense science fiction, cool space explosions, complex themes, a blockbuster score and an emotional storyline about love and loss. Those with weak bladders beware; you will not want to leave your seat. “Interstellar” is rated PG-13 for some intense perilous action and brief strong language.
“Avenue Q”: laugh out loud fun By LUCAS MCCOY Beat Reporter I went to watch “Avenue Q” on Nov. 11 and stood in line for 30 minutes before I got to my seat. I had no idea what I was in for. It was one of the greatest plays I have ever seen, and it is my favorite play I have seen at the Backdoor Playhouse. “Avenue Q” is the story about Princeton, played by Josh Rapp, and his quest to find his purpose. He is a college graduate and doesn’t know what to do with his life. He ends up moving to “Avenue Q,” a fictitious street in New York City, where a series of hilarious antics ensue. Along the way, Princeton falls in love with Kate Monster, played by Samia Anderson. Some of the characters are puppets and some are actors, like Christmas Eve’s character and her husband, Brian, played by Mary Pashley and Julio Godoy, respectively. One character I found highly amusing was a grown Gary Coleman, who is the superintendent of “Avenue Q,” played by Kristin Weathers. His character is also not a puppet. There is even a chance for the audience to become involved with the play in the second act. The puppets remind me of Muppets with a risque twist. Trekkie Monster makes me think of Animal from
Courtesy of Theatere Yeti
“IT SUCKS OT BE ME”- In 2003, the Broadway production of “Avenue Q” earned the play three Tony awards. “The Muppet Show,” only a perverted, porn-addicted version. Nicky and Rod are pretty much Bert and Ernie. My favorite singer was Anderson’s Kate Monster. Her voice was powerful, and she should go on to sing professionally. I see a bright future for Anderson. The song and scene that received the most laughs by myself and the crowd was “You Can Be as Loud as You Want.” “Avenue Q” is possibly one of the most controversial theater productions out there. It is a musical that covers the topics of alcohol consumption, homosexuality, death, racism, pornography
and homelessness. I laughed through the entire performance, and I was amused at songs like “It Sucks to be Me” and “Internet is for Porn.” If explicit language and puppets bother you, then don’t watch “Avenue Q,” but you’ll be missing out on a great show. If you do attend, make sure you bring a needle and thread so you can sew your sides back together when you’re done laughing. The last performances are Nov. 14 and 15 at 8 p.m. with a matinee showing on Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. All shows are in the Backdoor Playhouse in Jere Whitson Building.
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“STN MTN” is the mix tape portion of Childish Gambino’s “STN MTN/ Kauai” dual release. It’s a notable departure from his previous styles. Gambino’s previous release, 2013’s “Because the Internet,” was a very experimental record that Gambino himself described as “not a rap album.” 2011’s “Camp” was a lighthearted and joke-heavy outing from an artist just finding his style, while “STN MTN” is a relatively straightforward rap offering and a tribute to Atlanta culture and musicians that came before Gambino. That’s not to say that it runs on cliches. “STN MTN” is a well-made production, the product of collaboration between Childish Gambino and DJ Drama (of Gangsta Grillz mix tape fame). It also folds into the screenplay behind “Because the Internet,” with the “STN MTN” mix tape being representation of a dream had by The Boy, the central character of “Because the Internet.” In the end, though, production values and collaborators and cool concepts aren’t what matter about a mix tape. The music is what matters and on this front, “STN MTN” delivers; assuming hard-hitting Atlanta rap is your thing. It borrows beats from various artists, including Kari Faux and Maceo. Rap aficionados will surely recognize and appreciate these musical allusions, but even if they go over your head they still sound just fine. “Dream/Southern Hospitality/Partna Dem,” “No Small Talk,” “Money Baby” and “Go DJ” are the standout tracks here; they carry the harsh, bassheavy tone of the mix tape well while still delivering a healthy dose of Gambino’s signature flow. The entire is still well worth a listen, though, and the tracks fade into one another smoothly enough that you often won’t notice the tracks changing. “STN MTN” also transitions flawlessly into its companion EP “Kauai,” a vastly different piece of musical work that’s also worth checking out (and reviewed in this issue of The Oracle). On the whole, “STN MTN” is a solid offering
Courtesy of Hypetrak
1-2 PUNCH- “STN MTN/Kauai” debuted at number 18 on the Billboard 200, selling 16,000 copies in its first week. To date, the release has sold over 42,000 copies. from Childish Gambino. It may not be quite up to the standard of “Because the Internet,” but given that it’s coming so close on the heels of that album’s December 2013 release, I’d feel wrong complaining. In conjunction with the release of his mix tape “STN MTN,” rapper Childish Gambino dropped his new EP “Kauai.” The EP is meant to be a companion piece to “STN MTN.” “Kauai” deviates from Gambino’s usual alternative rap for more of an R&B feel. Gambino does more singing than he does rhyme spitting, and his vocal delivery is solid throughout the seven-song EP. Jaden Smith is also featured on two tracks on the album as “The Boy” for the story encompassing “Kauai” and “STN MTN.” The EP’s opener, “Sober,” features repetitious keyboards and a guitar on the hook, showing that Gambino wants this collection of songs to sound different than his previous work.The tracks “Poke” and “The Pallisades” showcase Gambino’s singing ability and that he really knows how to lay down a groovy beat with a catchy hook. The production for the entire EP is the main highlight, but these two tracks in particular are the best examples of the R&B sound for which Gambino seems to be aspiring. The new direction Gambino takes on the EP is an interesting one especially after his sophomore LP, 2013’s “Because the Internet.” The R&B route mostly works on this EP when Gambino actually sticks with it. The track “Late Night in
Kauai” features Smith narrating an evening on a beach. In a five-minute song that’s half devoted to Smith describing the setting and just saying random sentences to an island beat, it seems almost like filler. Gambino comes in on the track around the twominute mark and starts doing a hybrid of his rapping/singing, and it sounds smooth and on point. It’s after that where the track loses steam, with two more minutes of Gambino making grunting noises. The last track on the EP, “V. 3005-Beach Picnic Version,” is a remix of Gambino’s lead single “3005” from “Because the Internet.” The track features a sped-up rendition of the chorus from “3005” with horns added in the give the track a spacey feel. Overall the track is mellow and is a solid song to end the EP, but the chorus feels unnecessary when it’s virtually the only thing on this beat. In the end “Kauai” is a step in a different direction for Gambino; not strictly the correct one, but it isn’t a total misfire either. Where “Kauai” falls short is some of the song styling and the unnecessary usage of Jaden Smith to narrate some of the tracks. Most of this EP should please Gambino fans because it shows that he can make a mostly R&B track collection work. If Gambino continues to work on his writing and production in the R&B realm, he could soon be a doublethreat in that arena as well as hip-hop, and that’s something to look forward to for fans and genre enthusiasts alike.
Page 6 || THE ORACLE || COOKEVILLE, TN
SPORTS
Friday, November 14, 2014
>> Inside the Game
Volleyball tames TSU and Jax State By TYLER RANDOLPH Beat Reporter
Jim Dillon | Guest Contributor TALLANT’S GOT TALENT- Senior defensive back Austin Tallant wrestles a SEMO player to the ground for one of his 12 tackles in Saturday’s Homecoming game. Tallant also had one interception in the one point victory.He earned Co-Defensive Player of the Week in the OVC.
> “Football” Continued from Page 1 The senior finished with 12 tackles and an interception on the Redhawks’ first drive of the game. He also played a role in his defense’s late-game turnaround. The key play came on a third-and-goal stop after a blitz from Tallant, which forced SEMO to kick a 19-yard chip shot field goal. “Man, it was awesome, wasn’t it? There’s really no other greater feeling in the world,” said Tallant. “But first, I want to thank my Lord and savior Jesus Christ. I want y’all to put that in the newspaper if you can. If you’re going to get fired, then I’ll understand. He’s the one who makes this all possible. Man, the guys that I play defense with — to be on this Golden Eagle football team, I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else in the entire
Tallant world.”
The performance earned Tallant honors from the conference as he was named the OVC’s Co-Defensive Player of the Week. Brown praised Tallant’s performance after the game. “Austin was on that championship team [in 2011], and now he’s had to be on a team that’s not ready to win one, and he’s been a fantastic leader for us all year long,” said Brown. “He hasn’t dropped his head and he understands what his role has to be and try to get the next team or the next team after that back to that championship level. When you’ve
tasted it and you’ve gotten to do it, and then you have to turn around and not get to do it in your senior year, it’s hard. I don’t care what you say, that’s hard. And I’m just very proud of Austin for that.” The Golden Eagles secured the Homecoming win on the final play of the day on a blocked kick from defensive end Jordan Patrick. The game-winning, 62-yard field goal attempt came from SEMO kicker Ryan McCrum, who Brown described as “the best in the country.” “He [McCrum] kicked extra points over our machine [north end zone scissor lift]. I mean, I’ve never seen that before,” said Brown. Saturday’s win over SEMO was the fourth week in a row that Tech’s defense has given up 300 yards of rushing or more. They allowed 348 to the Redhawks last week. The Golden Eagles return to the field this Saturday as they take on No. 9 Chattanooga (7-3) for the final game at home this season. The Mocs are the sixth nationally ranked opponent Tech has faced this season. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.
Men’s basketball season officially begins By SHEA HAILE Sports Editor
The 2014-2015 season for the Tennessee Tech men’s basketball team officially begins tonight against the Piedmont International University Bruins. The Golden Eagles easily took down their exhibition opponent Bluefield College 93-54 on Nov. 6. Tech received a tremendous boost from their bench against the Rams. Non-starters accounted for 53 of the team’s 93 points. The Golden Eagle bench nearly tied the total points scored by Bluefield College. The impressive performance may have been fueled by the eagerness of a team filled with newcomers ready to show everyone how good they are. New faces on this year’s edition of the Golden Eagles include junior college transfers: Torrence Rowe, Charles Jackson and Ryan Martin who is redshirted for this year. Three true freshmen: Aleksa Jugovic, Josh Bougher and Savonte Frazier are also part of this year’s team. For senior guard/forward Javon Mckay, the game was a chance to see how hard work during a long offseason would translate to the court. “Seeing us work as hard as we did this offseason, it [the beginning of the season] was definitely something to look forward to and just to see how well we will do this year,” said Mckay. Piedmont International will provide a test for the Golden Eagle’s big men. Head coach Steve Payne plans to utilize post players in his scheme. “I am anxious to see how we handle pressure and how we defend smaller guys,” said Payne. “We are playing two true post players almost all the time. So when we play teams that go with a four guard line up, how we defend those guys will be
very important.” Piedmont International is a team that “plays small,” meaning they utilize their smaller player’s quickness and efficiency from the perimeter. The challenge for Tech is going to be trying to defend smaller and Payne quicker players on the perimeter with bigger players who are built for the inside game. The Bruins have scorched their opponents so far this season, averaging over 94 points a game through four contests, but the Golden Eagles will be a sizable step up in competition for them. Piedmont is a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association. It is a rare occurrence for the Bruins to face a National Collegiate Athletic Association team, which may add some extra motivation. Coach Payne does not want the Golden Eagles to overlook their opponent. “I think it will be a very good test for us in the opening game,” said Payne. “We will be ready to play. You cannot fall asleep those games.” “Those guys are on scholarships. They are college basketball players and they are good players,” said Payne. “If you come out and you are not ready to play, you can have some problems on your hands.” Tonight’s game is the home opener for the Golden Eagles. They will be looking to continue an impressive streak of home openers with a 39-1 record since 1974. Their next game will be a huge road test at the PAC-10’s University of Southern California
The Tennessee Tech volleyball team faced three worthy foes this past week in Tennessee State, Belmont University and Jacksonville State. The Golden Eagles hit the road, going to Nashville to face TSU Friday night and Belmont Saturday afternoon. Tech, despite being down 2-1, was able to hold off the Tigers in a thrilling five-set match, completing the season sweep of TSU. In the final set, Tech was able to get momentum and start off with a 6-0 lead that would prove crucial in the final result. Junior Cody Dodd led the rest of the players with 20 kills, her third 20+ performance of the season. Along with Dodd, freshman Kellie Williams finished the match with 16 kills, four of which came in the final set to propel the Golden Eagles over the Tigers. Sophomore Sharon Anderson reached the 1000-assists mark this season after adding 48 against TSU, while teammate and senior libero Courtney Smith completed the match with 24 digs, a match-high. Saturday proved to be a tougher task when Tech attempted to down the secondranked Belmont Bruins. Smith, who would also win the OVC Defensive Player of the Week, finished the match with an impressive, game-high 30 digs against a tough Belmont team. The Golden Eagles were unable to overcome the early first-set loss, going on to lose in straight sets. Even though she went on to lead the team with 12 kills, Dodd was not up to par with the stellar performances she has shown in her previous games. Finishing the weekend
Shea Haile| The Oracle MS.1000- Sophomore Sharon Anderson handles the ball during the Golden Eagles 3-1 victory over Jacksonville State. Her 46 assists in the game gave her 1000 assists for the season. with a 1-1 record, the Golden Eagles made their way back to the Hooper Eblen Center to take on Jacksonville State, a team they lost to in September. Tech was able to get hot early, starting the first set with a 10-3 lead. The team carried the momentum to a first set win over the Gamecocks with a respectable .419 hitting percentage. The team flourished behind Dodd, who recorded six kills and seven total points in the first set alone. In the second set, the Gamecocks replied with an equally impressive 5-1 secondset start of their own. JSU’s Allyson Zuhlke recorded five kills in the second set, leading her team to a point where they had Tech down 15-9. The Golden Eagles tried to rally back, but it came a little too late. The Gamecocks would go on to win the second set 25-22. However, this would be the only set Jacksonville State would win. Dodd would go on to continue her dominant perfor-
mance, but she wasn’t the only one with hefty contributions. Setter Sharon Anderson would finish the night with 48 assists and 19 digs. Smith racked up eight assists and another 17 digs. Tech went on to win the next two sets, both ending with a score of 25-22 in favor of the Golden Eagles. Dodd’s performance would end up being one for her personal record books, tying career-high 30 kills. Last time Dodd finished with 30 kills, it took five sets. “I wanted to win really badly,” said Dodd. “A team win in four sets was worth much more than possibly breaking a personal record in five.” With the win, Tech sealed their spot in the OVC Tournament for the first time in the players’ careers. The Golden Eagles will be honoring their seniors this Saturday when they play their final regular season game against UT Martin at the Eblen Center.