Defining activism Student leaders express their views on pushing for positive change Hannah Marley Staff Writer
Cory Hodge, student activist. Hannah Cather • The Daily Beacon
Volume 128 Issue 18
From protests and picket signs to public policy, the social change that continues to transform countries and campuses alike begins with an idea and a passionate voice. The causes these five UT students represent are just a few of the biggest conversations happening across campus and across the nation. Corey Hodge, a senior in Africana studies, said he thinks activism is ... “Not just thought,” Hodge said. “Activism is making a difference.” Hodge practiced student activism by acknowledging the inequalities between numerous demographics through an event called Break the Silence, where students put tape over their mouths and wore signs acknowledging the inequalities people from every race, religion and creed face every day. Hodge said he had often acted on behalf of social equality for AfricanAmericans in high school, but after coming to UT, realized there are many more people who feel silenced by the privileges of others and must cope with their own personal struggles. “I had the epiphany that by no means am I undermining blacks by acknowledging the inequalities that other individuals are going through, such as the LGBT community and the Women’s Coordinating Council,” Hodge said. “I can acknowledge, as a heterosexual male, that there are members of the LGBT community who do not have the same equality as I do because I am a heterosexual male.” Hodge said he hopes that through
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Break the Silence, students might also become aware of the inequalities everyone in the campus community encounters. For Drost Kokoye, an undergraduate in political science, activism is … “Always moving forward, and as you’re moving, adding someone to the group you’re walking with,” Kokoye said. Kokoye has been a community organizer for five years, working on issues ranging from youth and gun violence to Islamophobia in the state legislature. She was the primary organizer of several protests against police brutality in tandem with protests in Ferguson, Missouri, last semester. She said she believes in the power of channeling emotions into activism and community developing. “When you take that anger and organize it and turn it into power building, that’s when true community happens,” Kokoye said. Kokoye is also one of the original founders of the American Muslim Advisory Council and succeeded in forcing legislators to amend the 2011 “Anti-Sharia” bill that would have restricted basic religious freedoms for Muslims across the state of Tennessee. Kokoye added that while she may work with specific issues, it is important to remember that all political and social activists are working towards the same goal. Through working together, she said, any group is able to impact change. Koyoye said, “If you stick your head up and see the bigger picture, you will see that we’re all fighting the same octopus, just different legs.” See ACTIVISTS on Page 4
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
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The Daily Beacon • Tuesday, February 3, 2015
INSHORT
Special session begins TN healthcare debate Altaf Nanavati Staff Writer
Tennessee legislators have avoided expanding federal Medicaid for almost two years. Now, Gov. Bill Haslam has introduced a state-specific, alternative plan to accommodate Tennesseans. Haslam is holding a special session, which began Monday, in order to persuade state lawmakers to approve the new Insure Tennessee program. First introduced on Dec. 15, Insure Tennessee would serve as a two-year pilot program that would provide more than 200,000 Tennesseans with an affordable health insurance plan they lack under the current Medicaid program. However, the plan would only apply to those who are currently earning up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, approximately $16,000 for an individual and $33,000 for a family of four. Rep. Joe Armstrong, D-Knoxville, said he believes the plan will not only assist those who qualify for the program but also those contributing to the plan. “Most of the folks who fall into the Medicaid gap rely on the emergency room for medical care, which is costly to the hospitals and local
governments who pass the cost on to the tax payer,” Armstrong said. “Insure Tennessee will give these individuals the ability to access health care on a regular basis, reducing the cost of health care overall.” The program will be split into two different plans: the Volunteer Plan and the Healthy Incentives Plan. The Volunteer Plan would be specifically tailored toward those who are currently employed but cannot afford to pay for the insurance plan their employer is providing for them. Under the new program, the state would offer the individuals vouchers, allowing them to purchase their employer’s private insurance plan. In return, the employer would be required to pay at least 50 percent of the cost of insurance for any eligible employee. Those who do not qualify for an employer-provided insurance plan will most likely fall under the Healthy Incentives Plan. Administered under the present TennCare program, this plan would allow people between 100 and 138 percent of the federal poverty level to have access to adequate health insurance, but with monthly premiums and co-pays. UTDAILYBEACON.COM For the full story, check out utdailybeacon.com!
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CAMPUSNEWS
Tuesday, February 3, 2015 • The Daily Beacon
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How to land the perfect summer internship Jennifer Webb Contributor
The spring semester is well underway and the deadline to land a summer internship is quickly approaching. Summer internships provide crucial work experience for students and allow students the opportunity to network, build a resume and get their foot in the door. However, the abundance of internship opportunities available to college students can often be overwhelming and difficult to navigate. Here are a few tips to get started in the search for the best summer internship.
Attend the Spring Job & Internship Fair The Spring Job and Internship Fair is an event that allows UT students to network and connect with over 170 employers. Students have the opportunity to meet potential employers, ask questions and give out resumes. This fair is open to all classes and majors and will be held in Thompson-Boling Arena on Feb. 11 from 2-6
Know where to look One of the first places students could look to find available internship opportunities is Hire-A-VOL, a job and internship database maintained by Career Services. Hire-A-VOL can be accessed through a student’s MyUTK account. Students can search for internships in their desired field by selecting “internships” under “position type” and typing in their desired area under “keywords.” Mary Beth Browder, a career consultant at Career Services, said more than relying on technology to land an internship, students should use their own connections and relationships. “Using your friends, your parents, your parents’ friends, your professors, your advisers, anyone that might know of an opportunity in an area that you’re interested in is a great place to look for an internship,” Browder said. Browder also suggested making a list of organizations and researching their internship opportunities online, taking note of the application deadlines.
Craft and present a great resume A resume is one of the first impressions an employer has of a candidate. Browder emphasized that resumes should be neat, easy to read, mistake free and ordered in a logical manner. “Any kind of experience that you have that might be relevant to what you’re applying for needs to be easy to find on the resume,” Browder explained. A good resume is tailored to the specific job that a student is applying for. This can be achieved by pulling out key skills from the job description and highlighting them. Career Services provides assistance to help students with their resumes, allowing students to make appointment with a career counselor or stop in during the office’s walk-in hours to receive help and feedback on their resumes.
Finally, nail the interview Being prepared for an interview is a crucial step in obtaining a summer internship. Even though employers get an initial impression through cover letters and resumes, interviews allow the employer to assess whether a candidate’s personality is a good fit for the company. Career Services, among their many services, also provides mock interviews where consultants for every different major stimulate an interview with a student and provide feedback. For Jack McElroy, editor of the Knoxville News Sentinel, a company which regularly employs UT students for internships, the most employable student he meets is one who researches and becomes familiar with the organization before stepping into his office. “If you’re interviewing for an internship at the News Sentinel, then be knowledgeable about what the News Sentinel does,” McElroy said. “That will show that you’re the kind of candidate who is willing to go the extra mile.”
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The Daily Beacon • Tuesday, February 3, 2015
ACTIVISTS continued from Page 1 For Alina Clay, senior in College Scholars, activism is ... “Working with others to fight for a cause inherently bigger than yourself,” Clay said. Currently, Clay is working toward a more civil and inclusive campus environment through her policy-centric student activism. Serving as co-director of Diversity Affairs, a member of Vice Chancellor for Diversity Rickey Hall’s advisory council and the Commission for Women, Clay strives to push initiatives which promote the discussion and recognition of privilege and diversity on campus, including the “Gender-Neutral Bathrooms” bill as well as an upcoming civility campaign. Clay said her personal experience as a Russian-American influenced her understanding of diversity, stating it is made up of more than just superficial differences, a realization that has inspired her to practice student activism and promote understanding amongst students. Clay said using policy to protect marginalized groups is what motivates her to continue her work. Clay said, “Because you understand that what you’re doing breaks from the status quo that traditionally discriminates against so many different people, that is what gives you the power to continue.” For Amira Sakalla, senior in supply chain management, activism is... “Using the voice that, for my entire life until college, I never knew I was allowed to have,” Sakalla said. Sakalla is a founding member of UT’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine. Sakalla, a Palestinian-American, said her time with family and friends in the Gaza Strip gave her the desire to educate and spread awareness about the ongoing conflicts in Palestine. “Students need to realize that not only is this going on, but we need to do something about it,” Sakalla said.
Sakalla, along with the other members of Students for Justice in Palestine, has led protests and hosted educational events centered around informing the student body about what the conflict is like from the Palestinian perspective. Through her activism, Sakalla said she hopes Americans will start dialogue about what it means to live in an occupied territory and take action to promote change. She said, “I’ve felt what it is like to lose my freedom, and as an American, you just don’t know until you feel it just how terrible it is to not be free.” To Colleen Ryan, junior in global studies, activism is .... “Working towards benefiting their campus community in whatever way they see fit,” Ryan said. “Not just signing a petition, but working to create meaningful change.” As an executive member of Sexual Empowerment and Awareness at Tennessee, Ryan is working now to promote an inclusive and open campus community capable of discussing issues such as sexual assault, health and identity. She plays an active role in organizing Sex Week as well as working closely with events promoting the campus LGBT community. Ryan said through the continual efforts of S.E.A.T. and OUTreach, she believes the campus community is more open to discussing these issues than it ever has been in the past. “I’ve seen a student body who is more willing to communicate about these issues and who recognize the importance of dialogue in preventing sexual assault and giving people the opportunity to express their identities,” Ryan said. For Ryan, helping students become educated about sexual health as well as learning how to express their sexual identities is what encourages her to continue working for S.E.A.T. and OUTreach. “To me, sexuality is a critical part of a person’s identity,” Ryan said. “So, I wanted to be a part of a movement that allowed students to have more autonomy over that.”
CAMPUSNEWS
Alina Clay, center blonde with glasses, is the co-director of Diversity Affairs for the Student Government Association. This photo is a group photo of Diversity Affairs members. • Photo courtesy of Alina Clay
Amira Sakalla, third from right, pictured with some of the Right to Education students that visited in the fall and other UT students. • Photo courtesy of Amira Sakalla
CAMPUSNEWS
Tuesday, February 3, 2015 • The Daily Beacon
Your wish is our command UT’s celebrity guests present talent and odd requests Joe Garlington Contributor
Hours before the feminist group “Guerrilla Girls” walked on stage in the Carolyn P. Brown University Center Auditorium, one of the activists made a request to the Women’s Coordinating Council: one bunch of bananas — not too ripe, but not too unripe. They had to be the perfect bananas. For Diarra Smith, a junior in psychology and the Women’s Center co-coordinator, this is just one example of the bizarre requests she has received from speakers invited to UT’s campus. “We can provide the coffee, we can provide the bananas, that’s no problem,” Smith said. “It just puzzles you sometimes, what they ask for.” Celebrities are known for requesting strange things in their dressing rooms, like a bowl full of only green M&Ms or a 12-pack of organic coconut water, and the speakers and artists who come to UT are no different. For example, the band set to play Volapalooza this year requested a dozen vegan pizzas. Sil Lai Abrams, the speaker for Take Back the Night, requested a coffee station with specific brands of coffee, sugar and creamer as well as an hour of meditation and silence before her talk. Fitz and the Tantrums specifically
requested to stay in the historic Oliver Hotel instead of the Holiday Inn where most UT guests stay, and Laverne Cox asked for something “ridiculous” that she plans to reveal at her UT presentation Feb. 11. Some of these demands are manageable and easily accommodated, but some, like Tyga’s request for vodka and beer in his green room, are out of the question. David Brown, senior in geology and director of Volapalooza, said the Central Programming Council was unable to honor this request due to campus policies. “We just can’t supply that because we are a university event on a dry campus,” Brown said. Shawana Davis, chair of the Women’s Coordinating Council and a senior in college scholars, said the overwhelming majority of speakers and artists who visit campus are not divas and simply want to engage with the students. Davis noted, however, that to some - Diarra Smith degree she feels these speakers have earned the right to make requests small and large. “I would do the same thing if I could — I would want strawberries and a glass of champagne,” Davis said. Ashlyn Swihart, Visual Arts Committee chair and a senior in art history, is in charge of accommodating some of the celebrities. “They’re our guests, and it is a privilege to have them here,” Swihart said. “We work very hard to make sure the artists are comfortable and entertained at all times.”
“We can provide the coffee, we can provide the bananas, that’s no problem. It just puzzles you sometimes, what they ask for.”
Beacon Correction In the Feb. 2 issue of The Daily Beacon, the article titled “Insure Tennessee to be explained in special session” contained the wrong text. The correct version of the article is in today’s paper on page 2. Also, in the same issue, the Associated Press article titled “Patriots beat Seahawks 28-24 for fourth Super Bowl win,” was incorrectly attributed to Altaf Nanavati. The byline should have read “Associated Press.”
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The Daily Beacon • Tuesday, February 3, 2015
The Super Bowl Ads of the Road
RJ Vogt The Workshop
Kate Upton is buckling an absurd armor shield over her Sports Illustrated-famous chest. War goes on all around her, but she remains … sexual. Somehow this relates to an app. Next, a movie preview. Is that George Clooney? Yes, that is George Clooney, and he’s strapping himself into a space ship blasting off to something called “Tomorrowland.” And here we have Katie Couric, 20 years ago, trying to figure out the Internet; fast forward to the present, and she’s driving a fancy eco-friendly car. And talking about twerking. This was just one of many commercial breaks Sunday night during Super Bowl XLIX, a peek into the bizarre culture of American entertainment. The in-game advertisements have become must-see moments; no longer bathroom break opportunities, Super Bowl commercials supposedly represent the pinnacle of creativity and consumerism. Though a recent CBS News report speculated the absurdly high cost of air-time may not pay off, most Americans consider the commercials something of a reflection of who America is and what America values (a.k.a. Doritos, beer, dogs and beer and Kim Kardashian.) But on the drive from our state’s capital to good ol’ Rocky Top, more permanent ads remain — the classic billboards. If Super Bowl commercials reflect something about our country, the massive signs that line Interstate-40 on the route from Nashville to Knoxville undoubtedly tell us even more about our Volunteer state. As they flash by at 70 miles per hour, it’s easy to let them fade into the scenery. But if you pay attention, you might notice a conversation happening all around you. At Exit 356, a store claims it can sell you trailers, cars and horses. At Exit 273, a huge sign depicts the promise of “man toys” – judging by the revolver in the center of the ad, I guess they’re not talking about blow-up dolls. Thirteen miles later, a gleaming white cross towers over the interstate. (No words necessary.) Two miles after
that, apparently you can buy boots at BJ’s Western Store. Interspersed with the churches and the guns and the cowboy hats appear the typical billboards promoting fast food joints and low-rent hotels. Of all the ads you pass, these offer the most immediate relevance to the average traveler. Of less relevance, of course, are those billboards which say the most about our state; the signs which tell us to “shoot, jump, fish!” and “Sin Enslaves, Jesus Saves.” Traveling through Tennessee means repeated reminders of the Bible Belt’s grip on our waist, interrupted only by promises of another adult video superstore around the next bend. The windows into our interstate commerce show pictures of guns and pontoon boats and Honest Abe log houses. My favorite billboard on the trip is honest and to the point. A shout-out to the Haslam family for this one: a Pilot billboard at Exit 320 which simply says, “Coffee coffee joy joy.” There’s pride in freedom of expression—the ability to advertise various and at times conflicting products is a privilege, especially when contrasted with the political climate within oppressive regimes around the globe. (I doubt any Syrian highways could promote a gleaming white cross or an adult video super store.) But the consequence of freely expressing yourself is the subsequent moment of exposing yourself. Just as nationally televised Super Bowl ads offer a glimpse into the values of American consumers, the local signs of Tennessee offer a peek into our own state’s demographics. As our home-state hero Ke$ha once wrote: “We are who we are.”
VIEWPOINTS
Planning on hitting the road soon? This playlist is sure to help the miles pass by faster. “On The Willy Nelson Road Again”
“Take it Easy” The Eagles
“The Distance” Cake
“I’m Gonna Be The (500 Miles)” Proclaimers
R.J. Vogt is a senior in College Scholars. He can be reached at rvogt@ utk.edu.
Columns of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.
“I’ve Been Johnny Cash Everywhere”
VIEWPOINTS
Tuesday, February 3, 2015 • The Daily Beacon
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How we all avoid one another
Julie Mrozinski In Rare Forum
Students are zipping up their backpacks — it’s a full minute before class is over and they prepare to escape. Opening the class door, students enter the masses of other students and teachers — all eagerly excited about their own opportunities to refill at the caffeine oasis and continue on to their next class. Hundreds of students crowd at the intersection of Volunteer Boulevard and Pedestrian Walkway. Outside the library and across the road oodles of students scuttle past each other making crisscrosses, avoiding one another and the university seal—all with natural ease and incredible success. This is possible because we are all looking forward to the future. We are fortune tellers who use science as our medium of prophesizing. Remarkably, our subconscious predicts and foresees how long it will take to run into another person. Adding up the time we have before impact, then, like magnets, propel against one another moments before an awkward crash of collision. Essentially, you predict the point of intersection and then move away from that point. Your thoughtless mind tracks others’ feet, absorbing subtle information like where their feet
“Remarkably, our subconscious predicts and forsees how long it will take to run into another person.” are pointing and how fast they are traveling. Then this force that drives you away from one another is called ‘repulsive force,’ according to physicist Brian Skinner. Skinner and his team found that “the strength of this force is proportional to the inverse square of the anticipated time to the next collision.” What this means is that this repulsive force only applies to oncoming traffic because two people walking side by side will do so without propelling away from one another. When crossing the pedestrian bridge, this same process occurs but instead of in an individual manner, the masses take on the same attributes.
Students and teachers form lines. The lines weave past other lines (especially in the middle) with relative ease simply by calculating and anticipating a point of intersection and then propelling away from that point. Although this law of physics and crowd assumptions is proved, there are still a handful of times when the natural order of walking around people goes wrong. Those moments are when you come face to face with another walker and you both stop mid-path. “Ugh, ugghh,” both collect your bearings and, avoiding the collision, head off in different directions. This does not happen very often, making it quite awkward when it does. Think, though, how often you walk past a human every day successfully and then compare that to the times it didn’t go so well. It is clear we are pretty good at it. So next time you’re making that cross or dodging the seal, be aware of the physics laws going on around you and within you. Even try to mess things up if you’re feeling frisky. Julie Mrozinski is a senior in English. She can be reached at jmrozins@utk.edu.
Consider this, impulsive dog buyers From ditching class to see a concert to a spontaneous snowball fight in Neyland Stadium, college-goers make many impulsive decisions in their four plus years here. But of all the impulsive choices made, the decision to purchase a dog on a whim will always baffle me. Before you point a finger at me as a dog hater, hear me out. I get it, dogs are awesome. They’re the only friends
Kaila Curry School of Sarcasm
“Of all the impulsive choices made, the decision to purchase a dog on a whim will always baffle me. Before you point a finger at me as a dog hater, hear me out.“
who truly love you unconditionally, and coming home to happiness and a lick to the face is comforting. It’s at what time you get home that concerns me. College kids are inevitably busy. We have papers to write, exams to study for, part-time jobs and a small space for our social life. Fitting a dog into that schedule can be tricky. They need constant attention and are not going to understand why you cannot provide them with it. Also, dogs are expensive. One way or the other, we as college students are trying to start our lives after our time here. Thanks to tuition costs, many will start off in crippling debt from student loans. Your dog does not want to split a cup of Ramen Noodles with you every night. People who buy dogs in college rarely take into consideration the extra costs. You do not buy a dog, and that’s that. Not only will you have to pay for them to be vaccinated, you will need a crate, toys, food, leash and more. An estimate from Petfinder claims you could be blowing as much as $9,352 a year — essentially a second tuition payment. I think adopting a pet from a rescue shelter is admirable, but rarely do college students make that decision. Most people want an adorable puppy to play with that has as much youth as they do, not the 10-year-old Basset Hound with droopy red eyes that spends his days lounging about. A puppy needs even more attention than a typical dog. It needs to be house broken and trained. A puppy, much like a baby, cries in the middle of the
night to be cuddled and early in the morning to be fed. With all the other activities you endure during the day, a puppy depriving you of sleep is an added challenge. Finding a place that allows you to have a dog is yet another added challenge. Limited apartments want to rent out places soon to be hampered with pet odor, not to mention risking noise complaints from your dog’s barking. When you do finally find a pet-friendly apartment, you will more than likely be required to pay an added pet fee. Tack that on to your $9,352 a year. As I mentioned before, you are beginning your life after college, and typically, the future is unpredictable. You may be asked to take a job in a different state, perhaps in a city. Transporting your dog and expecting him or her to adapt to your unsettled lifestyle is somewhat cruel. Your dog wishes to roam freely in a large backyard with many smells to sniff and squirrels to bark at, not cramped in the confines of a one-bedroom apartment, waiting patiently each day for the return of his or her beloved owner. If after reading all of my cons of buying a dog in college you remain unshaken in decision, I leave with you this: at least consider adoption from a pet rescue shelter. The trauma that dog has endured could be far less than being fed a few Ramen Noodles here and there. Kaila Curry is a sophomore in journalism and electronic media. She can be reached at kcurry6@ vols.utk.edu
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ARTS&CULTURE
The Daily Beacon • Tuesday, February 3, 2015
The mind behind Rhythm N’ Blooms Hannah Moulton Copy Editor
Chyna Brackeen’s first love was music. From Americana to opera, the mind behind Attack Monkey Productions enjoys it all. Brackeen’s appreciation for a wide variety of musical genres came from her family and their travels, having moved around from place to place, spending most of their time in Denver, Colorado; Washington, D.C., and Nepal. While traveling, Brackeen would listen to music from her mother’s childhood as well as the new age music her older stepsisters listened to. “They would play things like Depeche Mode and things like that, that college students were listening to in the early ‘80s, but the kids my age totally had no clue even existed,� Brackeen said. Brackeen was also a fan and performer of theatrical music and opera. She was accepted into the Julliard School’s opera program, where she said classical music consumed her life. Brackeen didn’t finish the program, however, when she realized she wasn’t moved by classical music like she was from other genres and decided to explore those interests further. Before deciding to start Attack Monkey Productions, Brackeen worked a multitude of jobs: the American Heart Association, Knoxville Opera and AC Entertainment Inc. The majority of them had her working in marketing and fundraising. At AC Entertainment Inc. Brackeen was able to work with different musical acts, a job
she had been seeking for quite a while. Brackeen thought she had found her home at AC Entertainment Inc. until she was surprisingly laid off, despite being praised as one of the best in the business. “I was really, I mean, devastated does not even begin to cover it, because my whole life had been that job,� Brackeen said. Due to a non-compete agreement she had signed with AC Entertainment Inc., Brackeen feared she would never be able to work in the music industry again. Without realizing her non-compete agreement had expired, Brackeen took a marketing job with Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum. “I thought, you know, maybe that’s a good place to land for a while and just get completely away from music, give up on that,� Brackeen said. “Obviously the writing’s on the wall that this part of my life is over.� Working at Knoxville Botanical Garden, Brackeen saw that the place had the potential for a great concert venue. “And that’s when I realized that my noncompete had expired, and I thought ‘Screw it, I’m going to do concerts,’� Brackeen said. Brackeen began to book little known artists to come play at the garden, something she had always wanted to do at AC Entertainment Inc. After countless sold-out shows and praise from artists who played at the Knoxville Botanical Garden, Brackeen began to feel like she was back in the music scene. On a trip to Bonnaroo, Brackeen went to see her neighbor and former half of Robinella & the CC String Band, Cruz Contreras. Contreras
was playing with his newly formed band, The Black Lillies. After the show, Brackeen began to help Contreras get his band’s name out in the music industry. One day, Contreras came to Brackeen with a proposition—he wanted her to be The Black Lillies’ manager. Brackeen thought about the opportunity and made a 27-page proposal to Contreras. “It really came down to her professionalism, it came down to the specifics and this proposal,� Contreras said. “And I was like ‘Chyna, this is great, if you do half of these things, we’re going to be in good shape.’� After Brackeen quit her job at Knoxville Botanical Garden and started managing The Black Lillies full-time, she began getting calls from organizations in search of a public relations company. Within 24 hours of quitting her job, Brackeen had already signed three more clients. “I was able to really land on my feet and hit the ground running and start Attack Monkey,� Brackeen said. A week after Attack Monkey Productions had been formed, Dogwood Arts contacted Brackeen to propose a fundraising music festival in Knoxville. Brackeen agreed to organize the festival, and within six weeks, Rhythm N’ Blooms debuted in Knoxville. With her extensive experience, Brackeen has become somewhat of a mentor to those who have worked for her. Claire Dodson, senior in English and editor-in-chief of The Daily Beacon, interned with Brackeen in the spring of 2014. “(Brackeen) has such a great background
Chyna Brackeen is the owner and founder of Attack Monkey Productions and a producer of Knoxville music festival Rhythm N’ Blooms. • Photo courtesy of Chyna Brackeen in music and music management, and I loved learning from her,â€? Dodson said. “Plus, seeing her bring such a big local festival to life was awesome—her taste and vision have made Rhythm ‘n Blooms a truly standout music festival.â€? Brackeen believes that she has come fullcircle and can now enjoy doing what she has always loved. “It’s been a really incredible experience,â€? Brackeen said. “I truly do believe now that once you’ve found what you’re supposed to be doing ... it all just fits into place.â€?
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PUZZLES&GAMES
Tuesday, February 3, 2015 • The Daily Beacon
9
Get Fuzzy
NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD • Will Shortz
Dadoodlydude • Adam Hatch
Cartoons of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.
ACROSS 1 Feature of a royal event 5 What bulldogs’ jowls do 8 Food for Fido, perhaps 14 “Hasta luego!” 16 Houlihan : Maj. :: Klinger : ___ 17 “House” star Hugh 18 Xerox competitor 19 Friend of Pooh 20 Not forgotten 21 Green who was on four seasons of “The Voice” 22 U.N. grp. monitoring workers’ rights 23 Brown v. Board of Education city 24 Cheerleaders’ handfuls 27 Announcer Johnny famous for crying “Come on down!” 28 Point the finger at 31 Our planet, to Germans 33 Be impending 34 North Carolinian 38 Chem., e.g.
A M E N D O D D T H I N K
1 2 3 4 41 Maneuver for slot car racers or stunt pilots, as 14 15 suggested by this puzzle’s circled 18 letters 44 Yodeler’s locale 21 45 Jonathan Swift, notably 24 46 Food for Fido 28 29 30 47 Zairean president Mobutu ___ Seko 33 48 Goes around 50 Sound in a 41 42 lamasery 53 Had a good day on 44 45 the links, say 57 Transcribe again 47 59 Expert 60 Shakes, as in a car 50 51 52 chase 64 Iris ring 57 65 Toon chihuahua 64 66 Film producer Carlo 67 67 Like Greece or Serbia 70 68 Oslo Accords grp. 69 Ethnic group of 71 Punch-in-theSoutheast Asia stomach sound 70 Dry cleaning 72 Bird in a Hans targets Christian Andersen tale DOWN ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE 1 Setting for Seurat’s “La Grande Jatte” S T O R M E N U S L U R 2 Toon beagle A R T I O N I N T O N E 3 Victims of the Y E C O N T A C T Y W C A farmer’s wife S A L I T C H I M I L D 4 Certain water O T C O M T E E T I M E S circulator A B I T S H E P 5 Gift vouchers, H B R O T H E R O S A G E arcade tickets and such U O Z E R O G C U T 6 Olympic gold E B T S Y O U L O S T M E medalist Ohno M I C H X O U T 7 Atmosphere of E A C H E S T B T E A M S many a Poe story A R K N O R M A L B O A 8 Sexy skirt feature S L E S P E L L I T O U T 9 Kiss and cuddle Y E T O P E L N O R S E 10 Dishevel, as bed linen A Y S N Y S E E S T E S
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11 Zodiac opener 12 Socialist, disparagingly 13 Alternative to an S.U.V. 15 Waves away 25 Olympic lengths 26 Permeates, with “through” 28 Penne ___ vodka 29 Composure 30 Farm enclosure … or a farmers’ group 32 Common grass variety named for its color 35 Lily family plants 36 A Reagan 37 ___ polloi 38 Arias, usually 39 Egyptian Christian 40 Wall St. debuts 42 Schedule for takeoff?
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43 Parts of chemistry buildings 47 “Jersey Shore” housemate 49 “The Honeymooners” husband 50 Chesapeake Bay feast 51 Western Afghan city 52 Amtrak option 54 ___ Productions (Oprah Winfrey company) 55 Big name in kitchen sponges 56 :50 58 Itches 61 The white of a whiteout 62 European smoker 63 11-Down, for one
10
SPORTS
The Daily Beacon • Tuesday, February 3, 2015
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Vols look for season sweep over ‘improved’ Mississippi State squad Troy Provost-Heron
Staff Writer (@TroyProvost)
Head coach Donnie Tyndall looking forward to UT’s second match against Mississippi State on Tuesday. Hayley Pennesi • The Daily Beacon
The tale of the tape could not have been more lopsided. Entering their Jan. 7 contest to kick off SEC play against Mississippi State, the Volunteers had won six of their previous seven games, including a victory over then-No. 15 Butler. On the other hand, the Bulldogs entered Humphrey Coliseum having lost six of their last eight, with losses to McNeese State and USC Upstate. Sticking to the script, Tennessee secured a 61-47 victory in Starkville, Mississippi. The lead up to Tuesday’s rematch inside Thompson-Boling Arena, however, paints a much different picture. “Mississippi State is probably the most improved team in our league,” Tennessee head coach Donnie Tyndall said. “From week one to midseason, I don’t think there’s anyone in the SEC who has improved as much as they have, and that’s a credit to Rick (Ray). He’s doing a great job.” Coming off a 73-67 home victory against the LSU Tigers, the Bulldogs find themselves winners of three of their last five contests, while also matching their SEC win total from last year. And the reason for their recent success isn’t hiding from anyone. “When I’m watching tape now compared to earlier in the year, they seem to be playing faster — and I don’t mean shooting it quicker,” Tyndall said. “Their team just seems to be more aggressive. Guys are driving the ball and they don’t look reluctant to make mistakes. “It just looks like they are playing with a lot of confidence.”
A large part of that confidence may come from the re-emergence of junior guard Craig Sword, who was limited earlier in the season following a surgical procedure to repair a bulging disk in his back. In the Vols’ first matchup with Mississippi State, Sword only scored nine points on one-of-two shooting in 22 minutes. But in the last five games, the Montgomery, Alabama, native is averaging 14.4 points per game, including a 27-point outburst versus Ole Miss in which he shot 76.9 percent from the field. But for Tyndall, the presence of junior forward Gavin Ware is the one the Vols will be looking to limit after a 12-point, 9-rebound performance against UT in the first go-around. “He’s a big, physical kid who played well against us at their place,” Tyndall said. “There’s a deficiency in our team when we play a guy like him. We’ll have to do a great job of fronting the post and probably double him when he catches.” In his eight previous seasons as a head coach, Tyndall sports a 41-25 record when facing an opponent for the second time in a season and a 24-7 record when the second matchup comes at home. But with the marked improvement of Mississippi State, the first-year UT head coach is not overstating the importance of that first win. “I think it helps that it is on our home floor,” Tyndall said. “But Rick is a really good coach. He’ll tweak some things and make some adjustments from the first game — as will we. Obviously, we are glad we won the first game, but I don’t know how much it will impact this game.” Tipoff between the Vols and Bulldogs is scheduled for 7:02 p.m. EST and can be watched on the SEC Network.
SPORTS
Tuesday, February 3, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ The Daily Beacon
How they match up Texas A&M
Tennessee
64.5
Scoring Offense
62.4
62.7
Scoring Defense
62.0
.438
Field Goal %
.425
.354
3-Point %
.305
+1.2
Rebound Margin
+4.6
10.9
Assists Per Game
8.6
3.8
Blocks Per Game
2.9
7.6
Steals Per Game
7.0
+2.0
Turnover Margin
-2.2
Who to watch for PPG
RPG
APG
FG%
# 25 F Roquez Johnson
10.6
5.9
0.7
.540
#1 G Fred Thomas
10.2
4.1
0.8
.360
#20 F Gavin Ware
9.8
7.3
0.3
.511
11
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SPORTS
The Daily Beacon • Tuesday, February 3, 2015
WOMEN’S SOFTBALL
Gabriel hopes to fill Renfroe void Lucas Hunter
Contributor Without a Renfroe controlling the mound, the Vols’ softball team is in a position it hasn’t been in since 2009. Enter Erin Gabriel, ready to fill the void left by one of Tennessee’s most successful sibling duos. Gabriel said her influence stems from her big brother, Sean Gabriel, who picked up baseball when Erin was young, and her admiration for her sibling led to softball, where Erin evolved into a three-time high school All-American and two-time Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year. Following her prolific high school career, the Poland, Ohio, native knew she wanted to play for a team in the SEC, and visited Tennessee six times before committing, saying she felt drawn to UT and fell in love with the program. After four years in the spotlight at home, Gabriel fell under the tutelage of Ivy and Ellen Renfroe, who taught Gabriel the value of the mental aspects of softball. “What I’ve learned from the Renfroes is their mentality,” Gabriel said. “And their presence on the mound, and how to just stay in your bubble, and no matter what’s happening on the field you just have to keep pitching and be that strong presence for your team.” On a team that features 12 sophomores and
freshmen, having a steady hand to right the ship in times of difficulty is worth more than any amount of pitches or strike-outs. Her younger teammates are not the only ones who will rely on Gabriel to keep control and order, as co-head coach Karen Weekly knows her resilience in the circle will be the lynchpin that keeps the team focused and rallied. “She sets a great tone when she’s in the circle, she pitches with a lot of passion, with a lot of energy,” Weekly said. “She’s a great teammate on the mound, she really supports and lifts up the defense behind her and she celebrates all the great plays that people make behind her.” The leadership role is not new to Gabriel, who was the captain of her nationally-ranked high school team twice. What is new, however, is being the soul of the Vols following the graduation of the program’s five-year heartbeat. Having made the SEC’s Honor Roll her previous two years, Gabriel’s community involvement has made her more than a softball player. “Erin is the classic lead-by-example,” Weekly said. “Erin is a tremendous student – she’s a 4.0 student – she’s the hardest worker on the team, tremendous character, I don’t think you can say enough good things about her.” Though it may be a different face, the Vols’ softball team still has a calm, focused, hardworking leader manning the circle.
Senior forward Cierra Burdick celebrates during the Lady Vols game against Mississippi State. Hayley Pennesi • The Daily Beacon
Taylor White
Vols softball team anticipates season opener, celebrates 20-year anniversary Trenton Duffer Staff Writer
Foam fingers. Bobble-heads. Peanuts and Cracker Jacks. Ballpark hot dogs. It’s time for these past-time favorites to make their comebacks, as the UT softball season is just days away. However, this season is a bit more special than most. This is the program’s 20-year anniversary, and co-head coach Karen Weekly is ready for the year ahead. “In one way, it doesn’t seem like we’ve been around that long when you look at the landscape of softball across the country,” Weekly said. “To think about everything Tennessee’s accomplished in softball in 20 years, and the SEC, and how far we’ve come as a conference, it’s pretty exciting.” Tennessee was ranked No. 14 in the 2015 preseason ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 poll last week. With the top-25 ranking, UT now has had 11 straight seasons of top-20 rankings, and the team has been placed in the top-15 in 10 of the last 11 seasons. The SEC has nine teams in the preseason top-25: No. 1 Florida,
No. 4 Alabama, No. 7 Kentucky, No. 10 Georgia, No. 14 Tennessee, No. 17 Missouri, No. 18 LSU, No. 19 Auburn and No. 24 Texas A&M. However, Weekly isn’t concerned about her team’s ranking or the power the rest of the conference is projected to bring. “I think a lot of the preseason rankings are really just for the fans and to give people something to talk about,” Weekly said. “It’s really not about where you start. It’s where you finish.” Senior in sports management, Cheyanne Tarango, said she is ready to “shock” the country. Tarango is part of a senior duo alongside Tory Lewis. Lewis is a redshirt senior outfielder from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Lewis did not play last year because of her redshirt, but she has experienced a successful career at the plate, hitting for a .283 career average over three years. Lewis is also strong in the outfield, having committed only three errors over the course of her career. UTDAILYBEACON.COM For the full story, check out utdailybeacon.com!
Assistant Sports Editor