The Yellow Jacket

The Yellow Jacket Autumn '13

Proudly produced by WVSU students in an on-going learning lab.

Issue Five

Yellow Jacket Staff Editor-in-Chief Bianca Prince is the editor-in-chief of The Yellow Jacket. She is seeking a major in English as well as minors in Journalism and Technical Writing. Additionally, she is an editor for the Kanawha Review and president of the English Club. She is an avid animal lover and photographer.

Assistant Editor Jessica Clark is the assistant editor of The Yellow Jacket. She is seeking a degree in English with a minor in Spanish. With her degree, she hopes to teach English as a second language. Jessica is also a member of the English Club and an editor for the Kanawha Review.

Staff Writers Marta Tankersley, named WVSU Journalism Student of the Year 2013, is a junior communications major. She writes for the Charleston Gazette, WV Executive Magazine and works with PRSSA and Tower Communications. Marta is engaged to WVSU graduate CR Hays.

Michael Snead is an Art History and History major who started as a Regents student before deciding to go for a double major. He is a member of the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and president of the Pinnacle Honor Society.

Jason Robinson is a communications major entering his sophomore year. He also has an interest in pre-law and the legal profession. He won “The Best Defensive Attorney Award” at the West Virginia University School of Law Summer Institute.

Jesse Jenkins is a senior communications major with a focus on business and advertising. When he is not at school, he works full-time as a manager at Books-AMillion. In his spare time he enjoys reading, making films, and watching them.

Bobbie Spry is a communications major with a minor in English. She is the president of the National Broadcasting Society, member of Pinnacle, Alpha Epsilon Rho, and Alpha Kappa Mu National Honor Societies. Next to her family, WVSU is the most important thing in her life.

Lena Lambert is a sophomore here at West Virginia State University majoring in Social Work. She lives in Nitro with her husband and 3 sons. She is involved with the Social Work Organization, and is looking forward to her first year with the Yellow Jacket.

Rose Taylor is an English Professional Writing major and a native of West Virginia hailing from Roane County. She is a junior and this is her first semester writing for the Yellow Jacket.

Cody Cummings is a communications major with an avid interest in video games. He hopes to work in video game production after graduation.

Tabatha Paluso is a senior professional writing major. She is a member of the GSA and English Club. She hopes to graduate in May and go on to get her MA in Journalism at UCSB.

The Yellow Jacket is published by West Virginia State University students throughout the fall and spring semesters as part of an on-going learning lab. Approximately eight issues are published throughout each individual semester. Issues are published bi-monthly. Free copies are distributed on the West Virginia State University campus. The Yellow Jacket is dedicated to being a trusted source of news, entertainment and discussion for the students of West Virginia State University. © 2013 Yellow Jacket. Content may not be reproduced without permission. Faculty advisor: Dr. Jessica Barnes Pietruszynski.

3

Step Afrika! Stepping to WVSU

By Tabatha Paluso

Dance company Step Afrika! will be performing on campus in the Ferrell Hall Auditorium on November 4. Their opening act will be performed by the WVSU Steppers at 7 p.m. The event will be free to all West Virginia State University students, provided they bring their valid student IDs. Step Afrika! is the first professional dance company that has dedicated itself to the traditional art of stepping. Stepping has a long and rich history that goes back to the African American slave community. Joseph Bufanda of Tufts University provided some insight into the history and importance of stepping.

“Stepping [was used] as a means of communication and keeping hold of traditional aspects of the denied culture… as a link back to African tribal dance, which in many areas was prohibited. Call-and-response folk songs helped the slaves to

survive culturally and to spread word about important matters, such as the Underground Railroad. Several generations later, Black World War II veterans added in a military march theme to the sounds, while Motown grooves and Hip-Hop energy added more entertainment and increased the appeal of the art form,” Bufanda says of the art.

Stepping today is most often found in schools, especially amongst college sororities and fraternities. Bufanda calls stepping “a rite of passage for pledges” that “provides an enjoyable bonding experience” within Greek organizations. Stepping is also

beneficial on an educational level.

Step Afrika! mentions on their mission page of their website that stepping can teach young people about the importance of commitment, teamwork and discipline. These key elements are important not only for step teams, but also other parts of life. Step Afrika! states that they “structure [their] performances and educational programs to connect intimately with [their] audience and create a positive influence on students’ lives.”

To learn more about Step Afrika!, their mission and to see videos of their past performances visit www.stepafrika.org .

They also have a YouTube channel with several inspiring videos, a Facebook page where they post performance updates, a Twitter, and an Instagram account.

4

WVSU Alumnus to Have Film Screened at Poland Film Festival

By Lena Lambert

West Virginia State University graduate Justin Litton is following his filmmaking dream across the ocean. One of his final master’s projects from the Northern Film School at Leeds Metropolitan University has been chosen to screen at The International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography Plus Camerimage in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

This is Litton’s 3rd time at the film festival, but his first time having his work screened there. Litton tells us that the festival is “the largest festival in the world that is dedicated to the art of cinematography,” and he is “tremendously honored that the film has been chose to screen at Camerimage”.

“The movie-making fundamentals that I learned at State were vital for my success in the program (at Leeds). I first learned how to properly frame moving shots while at State in the TV production classes,” says Litton, who graduated from WVSU in 2011.

Litton also said that the critiques of the professors helped to improve his editing skills, and even his experience in campus radio was helpful in teaching him to pay attention to detail and quality.

“Many may not think of State as a destination for aspiring filmmakers, but if you are truly dedicated to the art then there are plenty of opportunities to grow and learn,” Litton said.

WVSU 2011 Graduate Justin Litton (left, and wearing the WVSU The film hat) and Peter Baumann on the set of the film “Border Patrol” in itself is a Jachenau, Germany. Photo taken by Oliver Roberts.

Germanlanguage short comedy, which much of the film was shot Litton says was shot in a “tiny handheld. and quaint little Bavarian vilLitton worked closely with lage” called Jachenau. Litton the director of the film, Peter worked on the film as the direcBaumann of Germany. Bautor of photography. mann and Litton started by havAs director of photography, ing a number of discussions the choice of camera crew, about what direction they wantwhich lights and which camera ed the mood and feeling of the to use was all up to him. He defilm to be. They had to discuss cided to shoot on the ARRI shooting style, lighting, color, Alexa because “it shoots the camera angles and movement – most beautiful images, and also all the things that the viewer because it performs phenomedoesn’t think about when they nally well in low light.” are watching the finished prodWhile shooting the film, to uct. stay on their strict budget of Litton says that “the end $16,000, they were restricted to product is a good combination shooting with their only availaof both my and the director’s ble light – daylight. Litton says ideas.” Three weeks prior to the

5 beginning of filming, the two of them flew to Munich to work out logistics and plans, and says “intense pre-production is very important if a film is going to succeed and be made on time and under budget.”

Litton seemed thrilled to give insight into his experience working on the film “Border Patrol” and about sharing the information with his WVSU family. A teaser trailer for the film may be seen at

http://vimeo.com/borderpatrol/te aser. Producers for the film were Nishad Chaughule and Simon Bolton-Gabrielsen.

Democrats and Republicans Negotiate Student Loan Interest Rates

By Jessica Clark

On July 1st student loan interest rates nearly doubled to 6.8% on Federal Direct Subsidized loans, however after nearly a month long debate a final decision was made on July 31st.

President Obama agreed to sign the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act of 2013, which was considered a compromise for both Democrats and Republicans. In the new bill, loan interest rates were lowered to 3.9% for undergraduates and 5.4% for graduates.

As a part of the negotiation, when the economy improves, then the student loan interest rates will eventually increase with it. They will top out at 8.25% for undergraduates and 9.5% for graduates. These percentages are based on the rate at which the government has to borrow the money.

The passing of the bill will save students about $1500 per loan this year alone. Another positive to all of this is that the interest rates are locked in for the duration of the loan period.

Interest rates for Federal Direct Subsidized loans are not ex-

President Obama signs the Student Loan Certainty Act (Picture provided by CNN)

pected to exceed the current rates until sometime in 2015.

WVSU Board of Governors Student Representative Scotty White has a different suggestion as to how the government could help with the interest rate problem saying, “Congress should eliminate student loan interest.

Bettering one’s life shouldn’t put them in debt for years and years.”

Of course there is still the underlying problem: rising costs of a college education.

“Though we have been able to stabilize interest rates on student loans, our job is not done.

As the cost of college remains extraordinarily high, it is out of reach for a lot of folks and for those who do end up getting into college, the amount of debt people are coming out of school with is a huge burden on them.

It’s a burden on their families,” said President Obama before signing the bill.

6

Run for Shelter

By Morgan Sontag

On Wednesday, October 2, there was a chemical leak that came from the Clearon Plant in South Charleston, W.Va. Apparently, the chemical that was released was chlorine and this happened early at around 8 a.m. in the morning. Many schools in the Kanawha Valley were forced into a shelter in place, including West Virginia State University. Around 10 a.m. on campus the sirens went off alerting everyone to go to their designated areas.

Many students thought it was just another boring drill, but it was the real deal. Campus police were sent around to find stray students and tell them to find a shelter immediately.

Laura Hedrick, a communications major, said that the Ferrell Hall auditorium was packed

with over three hundred students.

In Wallace Hall, Lee Altiery, secretary for social work and regents, said the same.

There was The Clearon Plant is approximately 5 miles from campus. Iman administra- age courtesy Google Maps.

Later in the day President tive e-mail sent out saying, Hemphill sent out a campus “Please go to the nearest shelter wide email thanking the univerin place location and await fursity representatives of the Shelther instructions.” But there ter in Place Task Force for dowere many students who didn’t ing their duty and for students even get that email until after obliging to their instruction. the all clear had been given.

If you aren’t registered on Still yet, some didn’t know the WARN please do so by visiting shelter in place had been lifted www.warnsignup.com/wvsu to until they checked Facebook. receive texts, calls, or emails for Also, there were some students emergencies in the area. who didn’t even get the warning and all clear emails.

Football Stadium Named in Honor of Dickerson Family

By Bianca Prince

The stadium where the Yellow Jackets play football is about to go by a different name.

The West Virginia State University stadium will be renamed the Dickerson Stadium to honor a donation made by Dr. Edward E. Dickerson IV. Dickerson is a 1988 graduate of WVSU and the owner and medical director for Cape Fear Aesthetics, Rejuvenating Med Spa and Fayetteville Plastic Surgery.

An artist’s rendering of what the new entrance to the stadium will look like.

“Dr. Dickerson is a fourth generation graduate of West Virginia State University, and many members of his immediate and extended family have

attended the university,” says WVSU President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. “His father, grandfather, and great grandfather all distinguished themselves as athletes, and Dr. Dickerson served as one of State’s most energetic mascots during his student years. His generous commitment is a fitting tribute to the Dickerson family legacy at West Virginia State.”

7

WVSU and Dow promote Science and Math with STEAM Commitment

By Jesse Jenkins

Dow Chemical made a $150,000 commitment to fund STEAM, a new program at West Virginia State that promotes Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture and Mathematics.

The program is designed for K- college age students. It will promote Biology and Chemistry using a hands-on research method.

“On behalf of West Virginia State University, I am extremely appreciative of this generous commitment from The Dow Chemical Company Foundation,” said WVSU President Brian O. Hemphill. “Along with its strong presence in the Kanawha Valley, Dow has been a longtime supporter of State. This

donation will assist the University in expanding our research and public service mission while providing additional opportunities for the next generation of researchers.”

Officials of the program, state that their first objective is to increase awareness of and the desire to seek occupation in the STEAM fields. This outreach to the K-12 grades is expected to touch more than 6000 students through the WVSU Center for the Advancement of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (CASTEM) and the University’s extension service Participation in these programs will include lessons covering the STEAM subjects

as well as hands-on activities.

These involve agricultural production and natural resource conservation, which covers such topics as hydroponics and greenhouse productions.

With the new Research Rookies program, freshman and sophomore students with have the opportunity to study first hand with contemporary researchers as well as working and participating in laboratories.

This new program will have students actually researching in labs alongside faculty and explore topics that coincide with their majors. It also gives the students an opportunity to build working relationships with members of their field.

WVSU Sports Hall of Fame Inducts 8 New Members

By Alex Naylor

The “W” club, WVSU’s athletic booster organization, inducted eight of its alumni members into the University’s Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 5th. The “W” club held an 8:30 a.m. brunch in the Wilson University Union, and gave the new inductees gold jackets.

The new inductees include: James L. Henry (’83) for football, Julius A. McLeod, II (’89) for football, Shawn Harvey (’96) for basketball, Alfred G. Vance (’75) for basketball, Richard L. Dunlap

(’65) for track and field, James M. Hill, Jr. (’60) for swimming, Taryn Haas ('07), Judge Reggie Walton (’71) honorary inductee.

After the brunch, the inductees were led to the Canty house, which holds the Hall of Fame, and they went through a lineup of former inductees. The new inductees were also introduced during halftime at the homecoming football game.

“I have seen how other colleges bestow this honor, and truly, we don’t take second place to any of them. When they present the Hall of Famer’s line up and extend their hands to welcome

the new inductees into the ‘House,’ and then we line up at halftime on the football field, the feeling of Yellow Jacket pride is at its highest peak,” says William Lipscomb.

The Hall of Fame ceremony was part of WVSU’s annual Homecoming activities.

8

Yellow Jackets Nearly Pick Up Win in Buckhannon

By Bianca Prince The Yellow Jackets played to win in their game against the Bobcats in Buckhannon on October 12, but it wasn’t enough to score them a victory as the team lost 45-30.

The team started out strong, taking a lead of 7-0 early in the game after taking the opening kickoff. Freshman Josh Reuber scored a field goal with 9:48 left in the opening period to take the score to 10-0.

Wesleyan turned things around with their next possession, scoring with a 64yard drive and soon upping that to a 14-10 lead.

The Yellow Jackets responded with a scoring pass from senor quarterback Tyler Seals to junior Jon CabralRamsey, taking the score to 17-

14.

The Bobcasts responded before halftime, making the score 21-17 before taking the opening kickoff in the second half of the game and taking the score to 28-17. They then picked up a fumble by the Yellow Jackets and scored again, widening their lead.

Another Seal to CabralRamsey pass scored again for the Yellow Jackets, closing the gap to 35-23. They almost turned the game around with 9:55 left to play, as sophomore Mark Guerin ran the ball to make the score 35-30.

That was where the Yellow Jackets luck ended as the next major play was a fumble that allowed the Bobcats to pick up the ball and score.

"I'm happy overall that for

Head Football Coach Jon Anderson.

Photo Courtesy wvsuyellowjackets.com

the first time since early in the season all three phases were doing some positive things," says head football coach Jon Anderson. "I was really proud of the effort the team put out to put together a complete game."

Volleyball Team Wins Four Game Streak

By Jessica Clark Earlier this month the Yellow Jackets’ Women’s Volleyball team defeated Glenville State on October 4 in the Mountain East Conference.

The final score was 3-2. Juniors Hayley Kirby and Anneelise Albrecht had 23 kills and 13 digs.

Freshman Madisen Manqus had 28 assists. The team made a comeback from a two set deficit at Glenville.

Kirby was also named Mountain East Conference Co-Player of the week. The match scores were 24-26, 21-25, 25-23, 25-20 and 15-4.

On October 8 they beat Charleston 3-2. Kirby had 20 kills plus 17 digs and Albrecht had 14 of both. Cassie Ford, on defense, had 28 digs and Naomi Burke 28 assists. The match scores were 15-25, 25-15, 1725, 25-19, and 15-8.

They won 3-2 against Notre Dame College (Ohio) on October 11. Cassie Ford, who is also named athlete of the week, had 38 digs, Karee Vaughn had 16 kills and Mangus had 34 assists with the following match scores of 22-25, 25-23, 26-28, 25-23 and 15-13.

The following day they went on to beat Ohio Wesleyan 3-0 where Mangus had 21 assists and Albrecht 14 kills. The final match scores were 25-18, 25-6 and 25-21.

The team is now on their fourth game win streak. Their current record for this season is 7-9.

9

West Virginia State University Homecoming Week 2013

Fans cheer on the Yellow Jackets from the stands at the Homecoming Game.

President Hemphill and Mrs. Hemphill pose with the new Yellow Jacket at WVSU vs. Urbana.

The Yellow Jackets play to win against the Urbana Blue Knights during the Homecoming Game.

Runners prepare for the Yellow Jacket 5K, held on October 5.

Photographs courtesy West Virginia State University.

10

Interview with WVSU Student, Author Frank Larnerd

By Jessica Clark

Frank Larnerd is a local author and an English major with a focus on professional writing. He was the first person to win the Giardina Award consecutively. He writes both fiction and non-fiction short stories and is currently a senior editor for Woodland Press. Larnerd has had several of his works published in anthologies including “Fed from the Blade” and “Mountain Magic”. Most recently, he was the editor for “Hills of Fire”.

He also has book signings regularly at local book stores and horror/science fiction conventions.

When he is not in class or working, Frank loves spending time with his wife and children.

Yellow Jacket: What do you think makes a good horror story?

Frank Larnerd: A good horror story always starts with a character that you can relate to.

Somebody who seems human, somebody who seems reasonable and like they fit in the real world. Because they are the pillar that everything else in a horror story rests on and if you’re not invested in the characters in the story, then you won’t be invested in what scares them or what happens to them throughout the length of the story.

YJ: Do you have a favorite horror writer?

FL: Oh, Stephen King without a doubt. He is one of the first people you kind of get introduced to. His work is so prolific and so wide and so varied that it’s easy to fall in love with him and to want to hear more of his stories.

When I was a little boy, about 11 or 12 years old, I got a copy of “Skeleton Crew,” and I read it on a car trip, and I was hooked. Every story was so different and so fun and so fresh and entertaining. I think that is the main reason why I like him, because I am always entertained. I always want to see what he’s going to do next and that is why he is my favorite.

YJ: Do you have a preference between his earlier or his later works?

FL: I like his short stories more than I do his novels because they are so fun and so imagi-

native and so compact. It shows his skills as a writer to be able to squeeze so much into a little story.

YJ: After you graduate, do you plan on writing full time or do you have another career choice?

FL: After I graduate from West Virginia State University, I want to pursue a master’s degree in creative writing and after that I want to pursue a doctorate. But I plan on writing the whole entire time just like I have done in my undergraduate years and hopefully my writing career and my academic career will somehow merge at the end.

YJ: Would you like to teach?

FL: I would love to teach. I think that would be really fun. I love going to class. I mean, I love West Virginia State University. Its history and culture behind it is amazing. It’s the coolest place to go to school, especially if you like scary stuff because there are so many scary things related to the college.

YJ: You are writing a piece for us about some things that have happened on campus.

Would you like to share about anything that you have found out?

FL: I will just say that no matter where you go on campus, you are never very far from a ghost or evil spirit. I think most people are

11 shocked to learn that it was once a slave plantation. For me, campus has been a continuing inspiration to my horror writing, whether it’s stories that I’ve heard or just the place itself.

YJ: Have you ever visited any local haunted site in our area?

FL: Oh yeah, sure, I’ve been Mothman hunting. I’ve gone to local ghost hotspots in the area and they are all really interesting. I am not a believer in the supernatural, but I am a believer in stories and the power of stories. Ghost stories especially interest me because they are stories that continue on and that are passed from generation to generation that inform the listeners about a moralistic tale, based directly in their own area. So for me they are incredibly important but not because of any supernatural significance to it.

YJ: What’s your inspiration for writing?

FL: My family, particularly my wife and my kids. When I first came to West Virginia State University, I was coming to get into the medical field and I happened to win the Giardina Award and it changed my life. It was the first time that anyone had taken an interest in my writing and it really gave me the inspiration

and the feeling that I could write more. The more I wrote, the more I that I was recognized, and the more I felt like writing was for me. Ultimately it comes back to my family and wanting to do well for them and wanting to give them something generations from now, they can have. These words will never go away. They will always exist in some kind of book somewhere and my lineage will be able to read them and maybe learn a little bit about me and that feeling in itself is really cool. Like those ghost stories, my stories will continue on and have a legacy long after I am gone. It is still a way to live forever.

You can find his books at Amazon.com or Books-A-Million. From more information about Frank Larnerd visit his website at www.franklarnerd.com.

WVSU Joins Instagram, Creates Hashtag for Students

By Bianca Prince

You probably won’t see President Hemphill taking selfies anytime soon, but West Virginia State University has joined the filtered ranks of Instagram.

In an effort to garner more student involvement, WVSU (@wvstateu on Instagram) has created its own hashtag, #mywvsu, where students can tag photographs taken at WVSU or WVSUrelated events.

Students were recently encouraged to use the hashtag to document their homecoming week photos.

12

United States Government Shuts Down Over Affordable Care Act by Morgan Sontag In case you haven’t heard or you’ve been living under a rock since October 1, the United States government has been on shutdown. The reason why this has happened is because the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) bill was sent to the Senate and then sent back to the House of Representatives.

Then the President Obama delivers a statement about the government shutdown on October 8.

House sent back a version of the Americans are hurting because bill that postponed enactment of  of it.”

Obamacare for a year, and the I am happy to talk with Senator Cruz is also the man Senate shelved the bill and who held the floor in the Senate him [Boehner] and hasn’t considered passing it. for 21 hours and 19 minutes Since Congress didn’t pass the other Republicans with a speech of defunding law the government shut down. about anything — not Obamacare. Yet he talked about So Congress has to pass bills just issues I think are Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and that can spend money, since Ham and how he liked White important, but also isthey don’t want to pass this bill, Castle burgers, which is rather they can’t spend any money. sues that they think irrelevant.

You’re probably wondering, are important. But I alThe United States Governwhy can’t the Republicans and ment has only shutdown sevenso told him that having Democrats come to an agreeteen times in the past thirty six ment? The Republicans are the such a conversation years. The last shutdown was in majority of the House and high[…] shouldn’t require late 1995, when President Clinly disagree with Obamacare and ton was in office, and that lasted hanging the threats of Democrats want this bill passed until early 1996.

According to but without change in policy. a government shutUSAToday.com, the shutdown One of the many voices against down or economic that happened seventeen years Obamacare is Senator Ted Cruz chaos over the heads of ago lasted the longest at twenty of Texas. He writes on his Faone days. Apparently previous the American people. cebook page blasting Democrats shutdowns have only lasted for and Obamacare saying that it, -President Obama three days at the most. This time “[…] is the biggest job killer in this country and millions of



13 the shutdown is well into a week.

Many people are out of jobs because of this shutdown and they are very unhappy with the predicament they’re in. On the MSNBC broadcast, a woman who had lost her job and was filing for unemployment stated that the government is acting like “spoiled child” and that they needed to be “bent over someone’s knee.”

Gerald Celente publisher of the Trends Journal got on English News Today and said that this whole shutdown thing is nothing but a bunch of “theatrics” and that the United States is nothing more than a bunch of “drama queens.” Whether or not that is the case, people in other countries are looking at the United States as a more of joke and less than world power.

What is still open, closed, suspended, unaffected and limited?

- Suspended: Passports, gun permits, and federal/government loans.

- Open: Postal Service, Medicare, Social Security, Congress, Law Enforcement, Federal Prisons, Immigration Services, Air Traffic Control, National Weather Service, Boarder Patrol/Customs, the Food Safety and Inspection Service, the Department of Health and Human Resources and the Department of Energy.

- Closed: National Parks, Centre for Disease Control (CDC), Small Business Administration, the Smithsonian Museums, National Archives, and Federal Housing Administration.

- Unaffected: FEMA, Federal Court Judges, and Trials/Arrests.

- Working but Limited: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Homeland Security, National Transportation Safety Board, State Department, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Defense, and Census Bureau. Military Personnel is still working but being paid with IOUs.

Obama Administration OK’s Use of Race in College Admissions

by Bianca Prince

The Obama administration reiterated its stance on the use of affirmative action in colleges and universities in September, backing the use of the policy months after the Supreme Court ruled that such programs much be put through “strict scrutiny.”

“The Court preserved the well-established legal principle that colleges and universities have a compelling interest in achieving the educational benefits that flow from a racially and

ethnically diverse student body and can lawfully pursue that interest in their admissions programs,” said in a joint letter sent to college and university presidents from the Departments of Justice and Education. “The educational benefits of diversity, long recognized by the Court and affirmed in research and practice, include cross-racial understanding and dialogue, the reduction of racial isolation, and

the breaking down of racial stereotypes.”

The ruling from the Supreme Court stems from the Fisher v.

University of Texas at Austin case. In 2008, undergraduate Abigail Fisher was rejected from the university. Fisher then claimed her rights were violated due to the university’s consideration of race during the admissions process.

Critics claim the ruling is too vague, leaving room for error.

14

Game Review: From X to Y

By Cody Cummings

On October 15, Nintendo released their newest installment in the Pokémon series, Pokémon X and Y for Nintendo 3DS. Pokémon X and Y keep the same formulas from the previous titles that made many people fans of the Pokémon Games. However, this game is far more advanced with a new 3D Pokémon world to explore and new mechanics that improve upon the series. In the U.S., the game has sold the second most units, just behind Grand Theft Auto V. Many people criticize that Pokémon games are basically the same game just repackaged-- but here are some reasons why that isn’t true.

One of the newest improvements in the series is the new 3D virtual world. Many old school Pokémon gamers will remember the old 2D sprite worlds with the little Pokémon that stood stationary or barely moved. However, in this game you can see your favorite Pokémon come to life in 3D. Each Pokémon looks masterfully detailed, the older generation Pokémon even looking digitally correct and moving as you would expect them too.

Unlike the old games, now the Pokémon have animated movements when they attack, which differ upon the type of moves. Also, Pokémon X and Y have an impressive new list of new Pokémon. The first glimpses of these new Pokémon are the three starters you receive at the beginning of the game.

A new feature is the “Mega Evolution,” where certain types of Pokémon can transform in battle by using a specific stone.

During Mega Evolution, that Pokémon has priority and can react before others. Also, Pokémon in the new form have an incredible boost in stats to better help them in battle. Some Pokémon even change their types or abilities.

Pokémon X and Y also have two new features called Poke Amie and Super Training. In Poke Amie, you can pet, feed, and play with your Pokémon to increase their fondness of you to a point they will gain 30% increase in critical hits and chance to evade moves. In Super Training, trainers can play mini-games like punching a punching bag with a Pokémon to increase their base stats as well. A new Pokémon type has also been introduced called Fairy. It is super effective

against Dragons, making team setups different than previously.

The game even lets players create 10 second PR videos that friends can view. The editing takes time to master but with practice trainers can create beautiful or hilarious videos for others to see.

Playing online with others is far easier than in previous titles with the bottom screen of the game showing multiple people active that you can trade, battle, or even give power ups to help them on their journey.

Pokémon X and Y is a beautiful and excellent addition to the old Pokémon series. Now with some fresh life and many new trainers who have never played Pokémon before, the world is vibrant and engaging.

You can either cruise through the game or spend time with your Pokémon and take the journey slow and steady. Even if someone has never picked up a Pokémon game, X and Y will be a fun new addition to their 3DS library. This game is highly recommended and will no doubt receive multiple awards in the near future.

The Yellow Jacket presents

Gg The Halloween Edition

16

Milton’s Pumpkin Festival Welcomes Autumn

By Jessica Clark

The 28th annual Pumpkin Festival in Milton, W.Va., took place October 3-6. This year the event attracted over 60,000 people from all over West Virginia, as well as parts of Ohio and Kentucky.

The event is a tradition for local residents, says Yellow Jacket editor Bianca Prince.

“Many of my friends plan to go each and every year. It’s just something nice to get out and do to celebrate the beginning of fall,” Prince says.

The festival is filled with family fun such as magic shows, local music and hayrides from morning to evening. There is a beauty pageant for children and teens that also takes place.

Many people just go for the food. Vendors are lined up down the long sidewalk as soon as you walk in the gate. There is pretty much anything deep fried that is imaginable from Oreos and pickles to funnel cakes.

Since it is the Pumpkin

Photo Courtesy West Virginia Pumpkin Festival Facebook.

Festival, there is a variety of pumpkin flavored goodies: popcorn, fudge, sticky buns, butters, jellies, ice cream and breads. They also have a bakeoff every year that several people enter. The top three win a cash prize.

There are 130 venders for the arts and crafts. Some of them spend all year making homemade wreaths, yard

Photo Courtesy West Virginia Pumpkin Festival Facebook.

decorations, candles/tarts, yard signs for the festival and some of them are there to boost business. There is quite a bit of primitive decorations there too, however most of the items are fall and winter themed.

“The festival gives families something to do this time of year. They make it free for children and they have so many activities for them. It is a great opportunity for the arts and crafts in the state, too,” says senior and communications major Jesse Jenkins.

There is also a largest pumpkin contest every year.

The largest pumpkin this year was well over 1000 pounds.

Proceeds from the contest provide $2000 scholarships to three high school students in the area.

All the proceeds made from the festival go into making an even better Pumpkin Festival for next year.

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Five Terror-ific Movies to Watch This Halloween

By Bianca Prince

Grab some popcorn, candy corn, or just that candy you’ve stashed away so you don’t have to hand it out to screaming kids in overpriced costumes. It’s time to sit back, relax and enjoy some of the best movies of the Halloween season. I’d recommend having something (or someone!) to squeeze—you never know what might scare you.

Halloween.

An obvious choice, but when the name of the holiday is in the title of the movie it is definitely something you need to sit down a watch. A tradition in my house, the Michael Myers theme music will definitely make you wonder what (or who) is hiding outside in the bushes.

Freaks. A group of carnival sideshow performers discover that the beautiful trapeze artist, Cleopatra, is marrying one of their own and plans to kill him in order to gain his inheritance. The group plots revenge on her in the only way they know how—they turn her into a “freak.”

The film, released in 1932, caused a great deal of controversy as Tod Browning, the director and producer, hired actors with real deformities as opposed to using makeup and prosthetics. Critics of the film and, later, some cast members believed the film exploited the actors. Despite that, the film remains a classic: it has even been preserved by the U.S. National Film Registry.

The Corpse Bride. Ah, a Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter classic. And, really, what would Halloween be without a Tim Burton flick? This fantasy-horror film set in Victorian Europe centers around Victor Van Dort (voiced

by Depp), a man who gets cold feet on the eve of his arranged marriage. After practicing his vows in the woods, he places the wedding ring on a twig in the ground—but the twig is actually the bony finger of his new Corpse Bride, Emily (Carter).

The film is done in breathtaking stop-motion-animation, the third produced by Burton.

The coloring is amazing, providing a somewhat romanticized gothic feel to the film and the soundtrack is gorgeous.

Originally panned by critics and audiences alike, the film has since become a cult classic often played at Halloween.

Creepshow.

If you don’t love this movie, you either haven’t seen it yet or you are wrong.

An anthology film released in 1982, “Creepshow” weaves together five stories inspired by the horror comics of the 50’s—two of which were adapted from writer Stephen King’s short stories.

Starring classic actors such as Leslie Nielsen, Ted Danson, Ed Harris and Stephen King himself, and directed by George A. Romero, this movie is imaginative, innovative and, like the title says, creepy. (And, trust me, you will never call Leslie Nielsen “Shirley” again. Bonus points if you get that reference.)

Hocus Pocus. So it gets played nearly a hundred times each and every October.

So it isn’t scary. (Well, maybe that song Sarah Jessica Parker sings isn’t the most comforting lullaby.) There is a reason people love it. It’s fun, light-hearted and the bad guys—or gals—get what they deserve and don’t come back for more. And there is a talking cat.

If YouTube has taught us anything, it is that talking cats are always a winner.

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Haunted Campus

By Frank Larnerd Based on True Events

West Virginia State University is beautiful in the fall. Campus trees become brilliant shades of scarlet and gold, while the autumn air turns crisp and cold. The days grow short as squirrels race around campus, eager fill their nests for the coming winter. Students meander from class to class, crunching leaves beneath their feet, unaware that WVSU has a darker side.

Tradition holds that if a soul dies a violent sudden death, it may become trapped between worlds, left to forever haunt the area the soul lived in life. If there is any truth to this legend, or student rumors, WVSU is a surely a haunted place.

The land that would become WVSU’s campus was originally granted to George Washington by the king of England. Years later, it became the property of various inheritors and eventually was purchased by Samuel I. Cabell. Cabell was a slave owner, known to be “a bitter and open rebel” from Georgia. Although his slaves worked the land once called “Piney Grove,” Cabell was no ordinary slave master. Cabell had a secret. He was in love.

Photo Courtesy findagrave.com.

Her name was Mary Barns and she was one of his slaves. They had 13 children together. With Mary at his side, the Cabell plantation flourished. All seemed perfect, but during the last year of the Civil War, a group of armed men rode up and encircled Cabell at the fence around his property. Harsh words were exchanged and Cabell was gunned down.

Local folklore says Cabell was killed because of white hatred toward his integrated family, although there is no record to confirm it. What is known is that Cabell willed his slaves be set free and that his property was to be inherited by Mary Barns and their children.

Samuel Cabell was buried near his home. His grave still stands at the southern end of campus, near the athletic field, Photo Courtesy findagrave.com.

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Photo Courtesy WVSU Library.

under a low bent tree. Buried next to him is his beloved Mary.

Today, campus legend states that if you need help with a school work, you can invoke Samuel and Mary’s spirits for help. Students are known to visit the graves and place offerings of flowers or adult beverages on the tombstones in hopes of passing tests or improving their grades.

A more frightening tale whispered around campus is that of the headless ghost with missing hands that lurks in the parking lot across from Hill Hall.

In 2012, a woman was murdered by her jealous boyfriend in an apartment on the edge of campus. He removed her head and hands, in an attempt to avoid detection. A local hardware store employee who sold him the hacksaw and tarp alerted police. The boyfriend took his own life before he could be appended for the grisly crime.

A professor, who asked to remain anonymous, claims that the woman’s headless, handless ghost has been witnessed wandering through the parking lot by several members of the faculty on dark nights.

On the other side of campus, students have been reporting strange sounds for decades.

Home to co-ed student dorms and class rooms, Sullivan Hall is one of the tallest buildings on campus. Students living on the eight floor complain of loud footsteps at night, coming from the roof, other say they feel watched and often woken at night by the sensation of being touched.

The legend is unclear; some students say the footsteps are from a young man who leapt to his death over debts, while others claim it was because of a girl. “Whatever it is, it ain’t friendly,” declared a student who asked not to be named. “I get goose bumps just thinking about it.”

Photo Courtesy WVSU Library.

20

Run Like Hell Zombie 5K to Plague East End

By Bianca Prince

Humans may want to be careful traveling through Charleston’s historic East End on the evening of October 26.

They may come out a lot paler, cooler and, well, deader.

That is because zombies will be taking over for the first ever Run Like Hell Zombie 5K. Humans running the course can wear belts containing “life flags.” At several designated attack zones throughout the race, zombies will chase the runners in an attempt to steal their flags… and their brains.

(Okay, probably just the flags.)

Runners will begin the race at the University of Charleston Stadium and circle through Elizabeth, Quarrier, Dickinson, Smith and Piedmont Streets before finishing the event back

at the stadium.

Participants are encouraged to dress in costume as well.

“Running in costume with hundreds of other zombie apocalypse survivors is way more fun than running on a treadmill in your fancy sneakers with a heart monitor,” says the HallowEast website.

The event will benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in honor of Lindsey Anne Strader, who lost her battle with CF in December 2012 at only 33.

Registration for the event

Courtesy HallowEast.

runs through October 26. The cost is $30 for individuals and $25 per person for groups of four or more. Runner packets will include a Run Like Hell HallowEast Zombie Run Tshirt, general race information, a race bib and a special Survivor’s Ticket to the HallowEast Costume Pub Crawl.

HallowEast Features Art Show, Pub Crawl, Among Other Events

By Bianca Prince

HallowEast on Charleston’s East End will feature the only local macabre art show.

In its fifth year, ArtMares will feature over 40 artists covering various mediums. The show will open on October 26 and run through Friday, October 25.The art will be showcased in the Contemporary Galleries 3rd Floor Showroom.

Also being held on October 26 is the HallowEast Costume Crawl. Dress to scare in your

Tricky Fish, Little India Lounge, Bluegrass Kitchen, The Empty Glass and The Red Carpet Lounge.

The crawl will begin at 7 p.m. Admission to the event is $20.

Other events taking place during HallowEast Courtesy HallowEast. include a Zombie Walk, best costume and head to which will start out on the Elizabeth Street where there corner of Lee and Morris Streets will be live music on the at 6:30 p.m. on October 26, and FestivALL stage, horror movies the Murder Mystery Party at the and alcoholic beverages. The Woman’s Club of Charleston on crawl will stop by five local Thursday, October 24, at 6:30 eateries and bars, including p.m. Tickets are $45 at the door.

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El día de los muertos: It’s Not Halloween

By Jessica Clark

The Mexican holiday El día de los muertos or “Day of the Dead” is celebrated from November 1 until November 2. Unlike our culture in the United States, death is not something that is feared. The memories and life of a person who has passed is celebrated on El día de los muertos. It is believed that the souls of the dead come back to visit their loved ones on these days.

“The most common mistake people make is to equate El día de los muertos with Halloween. It is not Halloween; it is more like Memorial Day in that the main objective is to honor the memory of those who have died.

The symbol of the skeleton is the same but the meaning is different,” says Professor Rebecca Conner.

One of the most important aspects of the holiday is setting up and altar in honor of the loved one that has been lost. The altar will contain the favorite foods of the person. There will also be a photograph, candles, flowers and other decorations to remember the person by. There might be something to represent what the person was like and/or their hobbies.

“I love all of the sugar skulls and the calacas (the skeleton figures) who are found in all types of interesting situations. There are calacas playing

musical instruments, dancing, drinking, playing pool, wrestling, etc. These are placed on the altars of the loved one who has died to remember the things they loved to do in life,” says Conner Graves of loved ones are often cleaned up and decorated with flowers during this time. There are also offering such as candy and orange marigolds, which are thought to attract the souls of the dead.

Family members will somePhoto Courtesy Andrew Rollinger. times wait up all night beside the grave to greet the person who is coming to visit.

Some popular foods that are made and eaten during El día de los muertos are Mexican sugar skulls, candied pumpkin and bread of the Photo Courtesy Brian Sorenson. dead. Mexican sugar skulls are easier to buy already made and then decorate them with icing. The candied pumpkin is pumpkin flesh simmered with brown sugar and spices. The bread of the dead is sweet egg bread made into various shapes like bones and skulls.

WVSU will celebrate the Day of the Dead with a carnival on October 31. For more information, contact Bobbie Spry at spryrj@wvstateu.edu. 

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WVSU Zombies Play Sure to Scare

By Marta Tankersley

A haunting student production will open to the public just in time for Halloween, according to student director Joshua Drew.

Theater is alive and well on the campus of West Virginia State University. Well, sort of.

Maul of the Dead by Mitch Brian, the “fish out of water story of people trying to survive the zombie apocalypse in a mall,” according to student Director Joshua Drew, will be presented Oct. 24 and 25 at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. in the new Skeen Black Box Theater in Cole Complex on campus.

“It’s a funny, silly take on the ever popular world of zombies,” said Professor of Theatre Susan MarrashMinnerly. “How can you not love a play about humans being trapped by zombies in a JC Penney store?”

The intimate theater setting

is sure to give the audience an up-close and personal interaction with zombies and survivors, Drew said.

Students are handling all major areas of production, and “that’s what makes this so exciting,” said Minnerly.

Tickets, priced at $3, are on sale at the door. All proceeds will be used to advance live theater on campus.

“We are raising funds to make bigger and better productions here at WVSU. Live theater should be a top-ofmind entertainment option; with quality and affordability,” Drew said.

For more information on Box Five Theater and Maul of the Dead, contact Susan MarrashMinnerly at minnerly@wvstateu.edu.

The Haunted Barn Brings Fears to Life

by Jessica Clark

For the last few years Charleston’s East End has been host to the Haunted Barn. The Haunted Barn is a multi-themed haunted house with live actors who interact with the guests and it is the largest haunted house in West Virginia.

The theme this year is phobias. Phobias are defined as “an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something.”

Some of the most common

phobias are the fear of spiders, clowns and tight spaces.

The building itself is a century old and is rumored to be truly haunted. It offers two floors of freight and it takes about 40 minutes to get through.

“The Haunted Barn is a scary experience set to engage all of your senses as you make your way through the twists and turns, tunnels and tight passage ways past ghosts, goblins, ghouls, monsters, demons, and the criminally insane as you

attempt to find your way to safety,” says the Haunted Barn’s website.

The Barn is located at 426 Beauregard Street in Charleston.

This year’s schedule is October 24, 25, 26, 31 and November 1, 2 and 9.

The show times are Thursday 7 p.m. - 10 p.m., Friday 7 p.m. 12 a.m. and Saturday 7 p.m. - 12 a.m. General admission is $11.

For more information, visit the Haunted Barn’s website at www.thehauntedbarn.us.

Get to Know the Yellow Jacket Staff: Halloween Edition What is your favorite Halloween memory?

My favorite memory isn’t really a memory—it’s a tradition. We don’t get many trick-or-treaters, so for years my mom and I have stayed in on Halloween night, ordered a pizza and watched scary movies. We usually always stick with the Halloween series: the original, then the sequel, and then we jump to four and five because we try to forget that the third one exists. The very first movie I watched was a horror movie, so I love this time of year. –Bianca Prince, Yellow Jacket editor-in-chief One of my most memorable Halloweens was when I was in 2nd grade. I wanted to be a witch. I am not sure why, but I really wanted to be a witch and wear a witch’s hat. I had long, black, curly hair-- so perfect for a witch, right? I wanted to wear a red wig.

Not because I thought witches had red hair, but somehow I managed to get my hands on a red wig, and I wanted to wear it. My family tried to explain to me that witches aren’t generally red heads, and suggested that I either go with my own dark hair, or put baby powder in my hair to be a gray haired witch. I wanted to wear that wig though. I trick-or-treated that year as a red headed witch. –Lena Lambert, Yellow Jacket reporter During high school it was tradition in my house to host a Halloween party every year. My two sisters and I would decorate our basement with tissue paper ghosts, orange and purple string lights, and fake cobwebs. Our friends would come over and we would watch an ultra-marathon of some the

goriest and cheesy horror movies we could find.

We would judge who had the best costumes and then celebrate with pizza. At the end of the night my sisters and I would pile blankets and pillows in the living room and have our own little slumber party (with a light on, of course). That was always the highlight of my Halloweens. –Tabatha Paluso, Yellow Jacket reporter Back when I was just a little boy, around 6 or 7, I dressed up in a full suit Pikachu costume with no clothes underneath. This was when Pokemon was new to the U.S. and I fell into the fad pretty hard.

However, on that October night, it was bone chilling cold and the costume didn’t provide much warmth. In fact, I was shivering and holding myself the entire night, so much so I had to go back into the car and not go trick or treating. I learned a valuable lesson that night to check the weather channel and wear clothes for now on. –Cody Cummings, Yellow Jacket entertainment reporter My favorite Halloween memory is from last year.

My boyfriend and I sat around all weekend eating junk food and watching movies. We watched all of the Halloween movies back-to-back and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Then we carved five or six pumpkins, all disturbingly ugly, and put them outside on the porches of his house. It is easily our favorite holiday. –Jessica Clark, assistant editor

The Yellow Jacket staff

wishes you a happy Halloween!