6 days ago - ... first event of the 2017/18 season at the Appalachian State University competition in Boone, NC this pas
The
Clarion
Volume 83, Issue 12
clarion.brevard.edu
Web Edition EditionSERVING BREVARD COLLEGE SINCE 1935
BC talent show and ‘Boeing Boeing’ review in this issue! November 15, 2017
BC 2017-18 Climbing Team
Photo by Head Climbing Coach Travis Gray
The Brevard College climbing team at their first event of the 2017/18 season at the Appalachian State University competition in Boone, NC this past weekend. Pictured left to right: (back) Matt Stevens, Eli Hyatt, Sam Willis, Jordan Haak, Sam Schaer, Lauren Fowler (front) Ben Lawson, Will Christiansen, Nathan Boepple. Results to follow as soon as they are released.
BC concert honoring our Veterans By Carmen Boone
Staff Writer The Brevard College Wind Ensemble and the Brevard Community Band put on a magnificent concert Thursday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in honor of Veterans Day. Joining them were the Brevard College Concert Choir and members of the Transylvania Choral Society. The concert was held in Scott Concert Hall in the Porter Center and the program consisted of seven pieces of music. Conducting these were Dr. Eric Peterson, Mr. Jamie Hafner and Dr. Vance Reese playing the organ. The first piece was titled “Illumination,” composed by David Maslanka. He wrote, “I am especially interested in composing music for young people that allows them a vibrant experience of their own creative energy. A powerful
experience of this sort stays in the heart and mind as a channel for creative energy, no matter what the life path…. ‘Illumination’ is an open and cheerful piece in a quick tempo…” Dr. Eric Peterson directed this piece. The second piece, directed by Jamie Hafner, was “Jubel Overture” written by Carl Maria von Weber. “The ‘Jubel Overture’ is a celebratory piece…” as the description states. Much of the audience stood during the piece to sing along with the band when they played the tune to “My Country ’Tis of Thee” making it a very joyful piece of music. “Beyond the Horizon” was written by Rossano Galante, directed at the concert by Dr. Eric Peterson. It is “a dynamic composition encompassing majestic brass fanfares and sweeping melodic
lines.” The music is written as a portrayal of Earth’s beautiful horizon. Following an intermission, “Polka and Fugue,” from “Schwanda the Bagpiper,” written by Jaromir Weinberger, featured Dr. Vance Reese as an organ soloist. The piece really tells the story of “Schwanda the Bagpiper” throughout with a triumphant finish. The finish was certainly a big one and overall it was a marvelous piece. The next piece was performed as “A Salute to Our Veterans.” It was called “Journal for a Soldier,” written by Brian Balmages, and directed by Dr. Eric Peterson. An unknown source passed around a journal on an airplane flight for others to write notes in for a father and husband in the See ‘Honoring our Veterans,’ page 2
Campus News
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November 15, 2017
Security New Renovations in Dunham Hall Report By Zach Dickerson
The most recent security reports for Brevard College have been released as of Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 11:10 a.m., according to the Brevard College Campus Security. There have been several incidents of vandalism on campus. Students are reminded to please take care of school property and to report anything observed immediately to security so action can be taken quickly. Students are reminded when using laundry equipment to make sure they are not over packed. The Brevard Fire Department had to be called in due to a smoking washing machine caused from it being over packed. Students are also reminded to not smoke in their rooms. Not only is this a health hazard, but it can possibly result in a fire as well. Several incidents in addition to cigarettes, such as torches and incense, were discovered in dorm rooms and all violate the fire code. Be aware of your safety and the safety of others in the residence halls. Everyone is requested to contact Campus Security at (828)-577-9590 if wrongful or suspicious activity is observed on campus. — Zach Dickerson
Campus News Editor In the past, students have complained about the conditions of some of the rooms in Dunham (as with many of the buildings), but over fall break Brevard College began to renovate the old recording studio on the basement floor. Many of the problems within Dunham began two years ago when it rained so much that the water began to pile up in the vents and the excess water began to leak out of the vents. Teams were then brought in to clean up the vents and test the air quality and they found that there were no issues but water damage in some of the rooms was noticed. Some of the rooms had minor damage, but were also never really used by the students and school, so, as of now they are just used as storage rooms and are closed off to students. The room that took the most damage was Dunham 008, the old recording studio, on the basement level of the building. There was water damage done to the sound baffle on the walls and the organ that is already in the room is in need of repair, and the room is not in use because there hasn’t been a need for a recording studio in a long time so the room has just been closed off and not in use. Some things that need to be done are to get
rid of and replace the out dated equipment and remove the old sound baffle and put new baffle up if it is needed in the room. For now, the plan is to fix whatever they can, as the ability to do so comes up. “One of the main problems with Dunham is the lack of climate control,” said David Gresham, Assistant Professor of Music. “It’s so bad that in the colder times of the year you can see your breath even when you’re in the building. The cold even affects the tuning of the pianos and it is due to be redone.” Finally, during while a majority of the student population went home for fall break renovations began to take place within Dunham 008. Burke Ulrey, Brevard College Director of Facilities, has said that what they are doing is converting the room from a recording studio to an organ practice room. They have removed the old nasty carpet and wall boards which were harboring years of foul odors. They will be repainting the room and buffing out the floors. “I’m happy that something is being done about the room,” said Daniel Ethridge, Junior, Music and Math Major. “Honestly I think it’s overdue and it started to seem like there wasn’t a care about it.”
‘Honoring our Veterans’ Continued from Front page
military, inspiring “Journal for a Soldier.” The music is based on “Lullaby” by Brahms and the old hymn “Eternal Father, Strong to Save.” For the next composition, the Brevard College Concert Choir, Dr. David Gresham (director of concert choir), and members of the Transylvania Choral Society joined the 44 performers in the band to sing along with “Hymn to the Fallen,” written by John Williams. Peterson recalled that many members of the audience stopped him after the concert to tell him how much of a difference that piece made to them to have voices join the already magnificent band. It touched the hearts of many audience members and really stood out above the other pieces of music. The last piece of the night, paired back to back with “Hymn to the Fallen,” was “An Armed Forces Medley.” It honored the United States Coast Guard, the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, the United States Marine
Corps, and the United States Army. The composition included the songs “Semper Paratus ‘Always Ready,’” “The U.S. Air Force” song, “Anchors Aweigh,” “The Marines Hymn” and “The Army Goes Rolling Along.”
The concert was a large success, going as planned. Every tune played had a purpose and was chosen specifically to evoke feeling or passion from the listener. All the performers and directors worked hard to make the concert as outstanding as it was.
Photo by Peter Trench
The Brevard College Wind Ensemble and the Brevard Community Band performing in honor of Veterans Day on Thursday, Nov. 9.
November 15, 2017 | The Clarion
BC Theatre Review
Campus News
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‘Boeing Boeing’: A farce in the best sense By Jordon Morgan
Editor in Chief In the face of impending final exams and heightened drama, BC Theatre’s production of “Boeing Boeing” by Marc Camoletti is a funny, engaging, and even tension-filled comedy that manages to tell a potentially chaotic story in a very efficient way. Set in Paris, France, “Boeing Boeing” follows Bernard (Anthony Zuniga), a well-off businessman who is simultaneously engaged to three different women: American air hostess Gloria (Katelyn DiDio), an Italian air hostess Gabriella (Lisa Arrona), and a German air hostess named Gretchen (Clara Reichard). In addition, Bernard is visited by his friend Robert (Derrick Hill) and lives with his housekeeper Berthe (Faith Alexander) The fact that the women are all air hostesses is relevant because it sets up the situation of Bernard feeling confident under the delusion that he can manage the timetable of all three women’s flights and arrivals to be able to get away with
all this. However, obviously he doesn’t and it leads to some pretty frenetic and humorous cover up situations. All of the cast play their parts extremely well and on top of that, the romantic chemistry between them (minus Berthe) is palatable as well. The relationships and emotions all feel real, which makes all of the jokes and frantic comedic moments all the more hilarious. Despite the fact that all of the cast were great, the highlight of the play has to go to Faith Alexander’s portrayal of Berthe. While it’s mostly a supporting role, Alexander’s performance as the wisecracking, sarcastic but helpful housekeeper adds some break to the insanity of the situation. Often calling out Bernard and Robert’s behavior with no shame or regret (which she should) it gives a sort of voice to the audience’s feelings about the two men as well. Meaning, she basically says what we’re all thinking which is, “you two are idiots.” The play also has some genuine moments of
tension as at certain points, without spoiling too much (though you probably could’ve guessed it would happen eventually), all three women find themselves at the home and the rest of the play from there finds Bernard, Berthe, and Robert all trying to make sure they don’t see each other. This leads to several minutes of the viewer thinking, “oh man they are in the next room and they are in so much trouble.” It does a good job of keeping this tension throughout, as the coming and going of each of the characters is so well timed that it feels like a natural progression of events and within the context of the story, it feels like just pure luck that Bernard does not get caught sooner. As such, the play is entertaining from start to finish and at no point during its two-hour runtime does it feel like it’s dragging or trying to spin its wheels. ‘Boeing Boeing’ opens tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the Morrison Playhouse at the Porter Center and runs through Sunday, Nov. 19. For tickets, visit etix.com.
BC Criminal Justice department discusses underage drinking at Town Hall meeting By Whitney DeMoss Contributor
Brevard College Criminal Justice students Raheem Brown, Whitney DeMoss, Kelly Kearnan, Kelsey Kushner and Holly Michael held a Town Hall Meeting at Brevard College to discuss why the community should care about underage drinking. The students presented reasons for and strategies to address underage drinking, followed by a panel of local experts, who shared practical experiences from the community. During the presentation students identified reasons for underage drinking to include risktaking, peer pressure and expectancies, certain personality characteristics, and aspects in the environment such as the media and advertising and older students willing to purchase for the underage students. Strategies to prevent underage drinking included school strategies such as teacher training, support from prevention programs and experts, and development of personal social resistance skills. For example, freshman students at Brevard College are required to participate in the Alcohol.edu program, which the students iden-
tified as “a great strategy” designed to reduce at-risk drinking behaviors. The second strategy was identified as extracurricular to include supervision by adult role models or youth empowerment and leadership training. The third strategy identified was family strategies which includes strengthening family bonds. Policy and community strategies include increased enforcement of alcohol-related laws, training for retail establishments, use of best practices at community events, and counter- advertise alcohol marketing. Raheem Brown said that from his own personal experience, students who go to college think about partying and being away from their parents. Brown did a survey of his friends and identified ways that students obtain alcohol to include buying off the internet with a fake I.D., as well as getting it from their parents or even older friends who will buy it for them. At Brevard College, Brown said that there are RAs who come and check on students every night. Campus Life enforces rules on campus that all students must follow in order to prevent underage alcohol use. “Our youth is our future. We need to give back to our community through youth mentoring programs and show that we
care about our youth,” he said. Kushner said that “underage drinking can lead to permanent brain damage and increased crime rates in our youth.” Holly Michael spoke about effects on the community. She said, “It all starts with us. If our communities and parents know more about the effects of underage drinking, then they can educate our youth about the dangers and effects of alcohol to minors. We can also reduce economic costs and help the overall environment, creating a place where business and citizens actually want to live. “Underage drinking causes permanent brain damage in youth, increased crime rates and criminal records, reduces opportunity for a meaningful education and overall quality of life, and we want kids to have the brightest future they can because they are tomorrow’s leaders. We want to help reduce economic costs and crime. Today’s kids are tomorrow’s leaders. We need to take time to invest in all of our futures as well as theirs, and make sure the children are on the right paths so that they have every opportunity and all the potential to make our world a better place.”
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Campus News
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November 15, 2017
BC’s 4th Annual Environmental Sustainability Contest By Lauren Fowler
Staff Writer The Environmental Sustainability Contest is in its fourth year and takes place each fall semester and it allows students to send in their ideas for projects that will improve the overall sustainability and decrease the environmental footprint of the Brevard College campus. The Environmental Sustainability Contest is a great way for students to have their voices and opinions heard about the environmental issues on campus and immediate change begin implementation. “Everyone narrates the Earth. This generation has the greatest stake in the future of our planet. Our students realize this and want to do something about it, which is why we have this contest.” Dr Bob Cabin told the Clarion in an article in Issue 12 of 2015. Short project plans are submitted to the Environmental Issues Committee which is formed by a variety of faculty and student representatives. Entries are due by November 22, 2017. A link to the Google form is located on the my.brevard.edu home page. Throughout the years the contest had been implemented it has given life to several projects such as reusable water bottles for incoming freshman, Tesla electric charging stations, solar panels on the roof of the Meyers Dining Hall, the tower gardens located inside the caf, a freshman sustainability education module for FYE classes, and the ongoing composting project. The most developed and detailed plans that are able to be established on campus that year will be chosen as the top three. The top three projects receive prices of gift cards to the campus bookstore and their entries will be put into action by the committee and student groups. In the past, first place projects from this contest have been funded by the Environmental Sustainability fund, which faculty, staff and students can give to throughout the year by contacting the business office, as well as contributions from Campus Life and SGA. During the 2014 contest, reusable water bottles were purchased for incoming freshmen in an attempt to reduce the amount of plastic water bottles used and thrown away during CREEK week and throughout the rest of the semester. These water bottles were used as a tool to educate students on how they can make a small difference to reduce their impact daily. The electric car charging stations were a first place winning entry during the 2014 contest. The charging stations are located behind Bill’s Boiler House and next to the art building. Each station consists of one Tesla High-Speed High-Power Wall Connector and an electric vehicle charging station, both of which are free for student and community use. Electric cars reduce the amount of ozone depleting CO2 emissions given off by normal vehicles and help educate the community on the importance of reducing this impact. These stations provide access in the city of Brevard for locals and visitors to be able to drive their electric cars through the area and not be worried about having no place to recharge them. The tower gardens were a winning proposal in 2016 by then student now staff member, Kate Brandhuber. Her plan for the use of the tower gardens and how they would be maintained was well developed and even included a direct link to the type of garden that would work best in the cafeteria and what would be grown there. Currently, the gardens grow a wide variety of vegetables and herbs that are used in the creation of meals in the caf and serve as a visual reminder of where our food really comes from. “The success of the tower gardens lies within the simplicity of their sustainability,” said Brandhuber. “Students see a tangible way to easily grow their own food and can begin to consider the other methods of lo-
Photo by Lauren Fowler
The winner of the 2017 contest, Kate Brandhuber, showing off some of the recent plant growth from one of the tower gardens purchased by BC last year.
cally and ethically sourced food available outside of the colleges efforts. Since the implementation of the towers, food services bought one more tower and donated it to the culinary village to ensure the students have a chance to reap the benefits directly.” The Environmental Sustainability FYE module was developed by students in the Environmental Issues class and implemented this year by FYE teachers and student leaders. The section was created to provide freshman with an overview of the environmental issues on campus and in the world and how they can make a positive change for sustainability in their personal lives and in the community. The composting project is still ongoing through SGA and the Science Department. The goal is to raise funding to purchase a closed loop system to begin composting pre-consumer food from the cafeteria to be used in the new greenhouse. The fundraising goal for this project is around ten thousand dollars for the system. An account has been created specifically for this project and can be donated to by contacting the Business & Finance office. “This contest is a direct success for all students involved; by simply entering they are becoming cognizant that they can make a huge impact with a single idea. I hope every student enters their ideas to the contest this year!” said Brandhuber encouraging others to enter the contest. Students can enter the contest by going to the homepage of the my.brevard.edu site and clicking the link to the Google form or by contacting Dr. Bob Cabin. Again, the deadline for contest entries is Nov. 22 and winners will be announced soon after as well as the plan to begin implementing the projects.
November 15, 2017 | The Clarion
Campus News
Brevard introduces new Applied Physics major By Calum McAndrew
Managing Editor Brevard College recently announced that it is introducing a new major to its catalog. Effective as of now, Brevard College students will be able to earn a Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics. The new major has a large host of concentrations available, including Chemistry, Geology, Astronomy or Biomedical areas, according to the Brevard College website. A teacher licensure is also available to be paired with the major. In addition to these four concentration areas, a minor in Physics and Astronomy will also be available to students. Associate Professor of Physics at Brevard College Mike Castelaz explained the new major as “rounding out the sciences” at BC, with a change that has been in the works for more than a year. Previously, students interested in studying topics such as physics and astronomy would have to major in General Science, but Castelaz believes the new Applied Physics major to be an upgrade. “General Science is what was on the books, but it didn’t do areas of concentration,” Castelaz said. Not only does it allow for a more in-depth study of precise concentrations, but according to Castelaz, it will also carry more weight for students entering the workforce or applying for further education. “If you want to go to graduate school, an Ap-
plied Physics major is stronger than General Science,” Castelaz said. “It will also provide skills that industries will like. With this major, they will know you are good at problem solving.” The process to create an Applied Physics major has been in the works since the beginning of the Fall 2016 semester, and came to fruition as a result of increased interest from current students and prospective students alike. “I asked administration, and heard maybe 10 percent of prospective students said they were interested,” Castelaz said. On top of this, Castelaz said that within current science classes at BC, “there is now interest that was not this strong in the past.” The Applied Physics major is built on a basis of core physics and core mathematics classes, but will also see the introduction of several new courses for students to take. Among these in the Astronomy concentration are PHY 302, Astrophysics, and PHY 402, Observational Astronomy. The major is immediately available to students. While it does not appear in the printed version of the 2017-18 catalog, it will appear in the online version, meaning students can declare Applied Physics as their major at any time. With the introduction of BC’s newest field of study, students have already taken the opportunity to study Applied Physics. “As of today,
BC international students celebrate Thanksgiving
The annual Brevard College international Thanksgiving dinner will take place on Sunday, Nov. 19 at Deer Lake Park. This event will be hosted by the Board of Visitors and the Host families who will provide food for the students. This event is free and open to all Brevard College international students plus the members of the Internationals Club. There will be shuttles available for the students participating. The vans will be leaving the campus at 4:15 p.m. from the gym. For international students, this dinner is a very
unique occasion to gather in a same place and share a moment with community members. The goal of this event is to make BC foreign students get to know each other better, connect with their host parents and make them feel like home at a moment of the year when most American students are able to go back home to celebrate Thanksgiving. For international students who want to be part of this event, the person to contact is Alessandra Tavoloni (
[email protected]) to sign in, or to request additional information. — Florian Peyssonneaux
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I have four physics majors and minors,” said Castelaz. The current list of faculty for the Applied Physics major includes Mike Castelaz, Kristen Hewitt, Kathryn Rasmussen, Trisha Vickrey and Charles Wallis. According to Castelaz, the new major is “built on the strengths of this faculty.” “We’ve known in the division for a long time that we would like something,” Castelaz said, and with the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institution just 30 minutes away, he added, “we have the perfect resources for both Life Sciences and Physical Sciences.” If you are interested in becoming an Applied Physics major, the course is designed for students who “aspire to be space scientists, chemists, engineers, biomedical scientists or geophysicists.”
the Clarion Senior Staff Editor in Chief . . . . Jordon Morgan Managing Editor . . . Calum McAndrew Copy Editor . . . . . . Jeni Welch Campus News . . . . Zach Dickerson Opinion . . . . . . . . Florian Peyssonneaux Arts & Life . . . . . . Jessica Wiegandt Sports . . . . . . . . Calum McAndrew Layout & Design . . . Jeni Welch Faculty Advisor . . . . John B. Padgett
Other Staff Amber Blanton Carmen Boone Amanda Heskett
Lauren Fowler Cody Manning Taffon Alexander
The Clarion is a student-run college newspaper produced by student journalists enrolled at Brevard College. Unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of the staff of The Clarion. Other opinions expressed in this newspaper are those of respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the faculty, staff or administration of Brevard College.
All correspondence should be mailed to: The Clarion, Brevard College, One Brevard College Drive, Brevard, NC 28712, or send E-mail to
[email protected] clarion.brevard.edu
Letters Policy: The Clarion welcomes
letters to the editor. We reserve the right to edit letters for length or content. We do not publish anonymous letters or those whose authorship cannot be verified.
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Opinion
The Clarion
Texas Mass Shooting
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November 15, 2017
Are Americans paying the price of owning guns? By Florian Peyssonneaux
Opinion Editor A few days after the deadliest mass shooting in Texas history, people are still stunned by the tragedy. How can this attack happen in such a small town? The gunman, a white man living in a neighboring city walked into the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, TX and opened fire with a rifle killing 26 and injuring another 20. The shooter, later identified as Devin Patrick Kelley, entered the church a couple minutes after shooting from the parking lot. The gunman used an automatic rifle against the churchgoers which didn’t leave much of any chance for them to run away. When he exited the church, Kelley fired at the neighbouring houses. In response, some local inhabitants shot back with a rifle and injured him. Before the police arrived Kelley escaped with his car as he was chased by the inhabitants. The gunman was then found dead inside his vehicle because of a “self inflicted gun wound,” said Wilson County Sheriff Joe Tackitt. The small town where the shooting happened has only a couple hundred residents, and as a consequence everybody knew the victims of the massacre. After the shooting, the community was hurt to its roots as people from different origins and age were impacted. In this lethal rampage, like many others, the shooter was not motivated by racial hate, but by personal reason and mental instability. As so often the case, this attack was similar in many ways to the mass shooting that happened in Las Vegas on Oct. 1, 2017. Past records shows that Kelley already shown dangerous behaviors. The gunman used to be in the U.S Air Force, and was dishonorably discharged for assaulting his wife and breaking his stepson’s skull. Additionally, some charges from his case have been withdrawn, one of them included the allegation that he pointed a gun at his wife in multiple occasions. As a consequence, Kelley had to undergo a confinement of 12 months, and a reduction of grade to the lowest possible grade. Ultimately, he was discharged from the Air Force for bad conduct. Even though Texas is a state where most place are able to openly carry a gun, legally Kelley shouldn’t have been able to purchase any firearm after his conviction. But in reality, when Kelley was living in Colorado and Texas after those events, he bought multiple rifles, and guns including the ones that were used in the Sutherland Spring Church. After calling for a day of prayer the governor of Texas Greg Abbott explained that Kelley was denied a permit to carry. “And so under the current system of federal law, he should have prevented from being able to make this purchase,” Abbott said. Over the past years, mass shootings have become commonplace in the U.S. 26 people died at a church in November, 58 died at a country concert a month before and 49 at the Pulse nightclub in Florida in 2016 just to mention a few recent examples. All those situations were created by different shooters, from different parts of the country, and with different backgrounds. However, there is a common denominator to those situations: a person with mental instability issues, had easy access to guns. The irony of the Sutherland Springs shooting is that a rifle owned by a private citizen helped to stop Kelley from shooting more people. And even though people in Texas may see this as a positive sign, and be firmly attached to their right of carrying a gun, they should think about the consequences and responsibilities that it brings. Many people want to have a gun to protect themselves and their family
from any possible threat. However, if there is no limitation for people to buy a gun, especially for someone who is mentally ill, then there is a real danger. In the latter part of the 20th century, Australia had a similar gun problem just like America. Laws weren’t strict and people were able to purchase all kind of guns. From 1979 to 1996, Australia had 13 mass shooting and the deadliest one in 1996 which cost the lives of 35 people was the call for a gun ban, and tough gun laws across the country. For people who don’t trust numbers like the President of the United States this information might not be convincing, but ever since the gun ban took place Australia has yet to experience another mass shooting on the scale seen in 1996. On the other hand, president Trump recently opposed Obama’s actions on gun control, and chose to facilitate the gun access for more people. Indeed, in February he signed a law that facilitates the process of buying a gun for mentally ill people. Acting as the puppet of the NRA, Trump seems to be in accordance with the gun industry as he called the Texas shooting “a mental health problem” and never questioned the toughness of gun laws in the U.S., or lack thereof.
Photo by Eric Gay -- AP
Flowers left at a makeshift memorial dedicated to the victims of the mass shooting at Sutherland Spring Baptist Church on Nov. 5.
November 15, 2017 | The Clarion
Arts & Life
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Senior Project: Kaylee Smith
Weathering the wear
Project washed away and started anew, again By Jessica Wiegandt Arts and Life Editor
Environmental Studies senior Kaylee Smith was steadily working on her senior project for Brevard College when Hurricane Irma hit Florida, and caused her research to be quite literally washed away. Her project, focused on mangroves, was scrapped for a second time during the semester. Smith’s project now is studying the impacts of sea level rise on the mangrove forests in Southwest Fl. “I researched and found what the projected sea level rise will be for that area by ‘x’ number of years,” Smith said. Her research found by 2020 the level would increase by one foot. “By 2060 it’ll be two feet, and 2100 it’ll be three,” Smith said, “So I used a computer mapping program, GIS [Geographic Information System], and downloaded data. It was a different data layer per sea level rise, and I layered those data files to see the change on a map,” Smith said. The layered map revealed how much land will be lost in acreage as sea levels continue to rise within the clipped region Smith selected. She chose her course of study based on a research internship she had this past summer at the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Naples, Fl. “It’s in that region of the 10,000 islands, which
are all actually 10,000 small mangrove islands along the coastline,” Smith said, “And that’s where there are the most amount of mangrove forests, which I wanted to study the amount of mangrove forests lost by the land lost in sea level rise.” Smith said her research showed that in 85 years, almost 500,000 acres will be lost just in the one region she studied due to climate change. “That’s not to say 500,000 acres of mangrove forests will be lost,” Smith said, “Because they can withstand some submersion but there’s no set number of height of submersion a mangrove can take before it drowns. It depends on their environment and adaptations.” Regardless of ability to withstand taking on some water, full submersion of mangrove forests for extended periods of time will result in the loss of natural land protectants. Smith is conducting her research to be utilized by the Rookery Bay Research Reserve, where the site can know more about the effects coming in the near future due to climate change. “They’ll be able to use this to back them up in research they are currently conducting,” Smith said. “I became interested in this when I was there this summer [at the reserve], helping install the beginnings of the sentinel site program.” The sentinel site program is being put on in all 28 research reserves across the nation to measure the different impacts of climate change. “Rook-
Photo Courtesy of Kaylee Smith
Kaylee Smith, Environmental Science senior, worked with Rookery Bay Research Reserve in Florida. These are acoustic receivers on oyster beds to pick up signals from trackers placed on bull sharks.
ery Bay is one of those research reserves and it’ll have a sea level gauge, salinity water tester, a rain gauge, just to measure all the impacts of climate change in that area,” Smith said, “And then that data can be compared across the board from the different sites.” Smith’s work with organizing the sentinel site arrangement allowed her to discover a passion for working with people and less with research. “This summer I learned a lot about what I don’t want to do,” Smith said. “But what I was doing was valuable work.” The sentinel site program allows for an initiative where communication of research and monitoring between scientists and research managers is effective and educating the public about local and global impacts is a priority. Smith’s senior project is almost completed for BC, all she has left is a presentation and a cumulative paper. “I don’t really know how much farther my study could go,” Smith said, “My original plans both didn’t work out.” Smith originally had planned to measure health in mangrove forests by studying the DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) of different mangrove trees in a certain section to assess growth while she was in Naples this summer. “While I was down there, though, I ended up just not doing that project,” Smith said, “So when I got back to school in the fall, I had to redesign a project I could do from here while communicating with the reserve.” This second project was a manual that the research center could use in the meeting where the decision for the location for the next sentinel site would be made. “That meeting was supposed to happen in September,” Smith said, “I was going to create a map that would show sea level rise in regard for the potential sentinel site locations, and then Hurricane Irma happened and it wiped out everything.” Rookery Bay was “off the radar,” according to Smith, and her opportunity for research and communication with the site in Fl. was no longer an option. “I couldn’t get any information from them so I had to start over again, and at that point I only had about three weeks to get together a concept for my senior project,” Smith said. Smith still hasn’t had a lot of contact with Rookery Bay, so she is researching and creating a plan based on what she believes will be See ‘Senior Project,’ page 10
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Tongue-in-cheek review
Arts & Life
The Clarion
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November 15, 2017
Brevard’s got talent...really! K’Nique Eichelberger wins the Grand Prize in debut performance By Calum McAndrew Managing Editor
The annual Brevard’s Got Talent event hosted by CAB took place on Tuesday, Nov. 14 in Ingram Auditorium, where a healthy crowd witnessed K’Nique Eichelberger take the grand prize of $100. The judges of the show were Lynne Joyce, Michael Cohen and Christopher Bradley Center. Their job for the evening was to provide feedback after every act, and to decide upon the three gift card winners at the end of an event that included the weird, the wonderful and the worrisome. K’nique Eichelberger sang the Boyz II Men song “End of the Road,” in a performance that would bring tears to a particularly impassive stone. Rounding off the show, Eichelberger beat out reigning champion Lily Bartleson in a battle for the ages. Caroline Vargas was the first of eleven acts to take to the Ingram Stage, as she played a song which she described as “20 percent Piano Fantasy, and 80 percent random stuff.” The haunting piano solo and the blue lights almost certainly stirred Terry Pratchett’s ghost, but more importantly piqued the interest of the audience, serving as a sort of lemon sorbet to cleanse our palate for what was to come.
Dal Davis and friends then came on the stage, telling the audience he was going to “make some music for you all.” This was almost true. The jam session was split into three segments, with decent instrumental components in all. The first and second songs perhaps would have been better had they not been accompanied by vocals. The third song would have perhaps been better had it not been accompanied by vocals. Next on stage was Selina Hoxit, who on either side of a technical mishap performed an exceptional rendition of Sam Smith’s new track, “Burning.” In a controversial decision, Hoxit did not crack the top three acts on the night. All controversy was halted, however, when those upset realized it was the Brevard Talent Show. Michal Phillips was up next, and to the relief of the tone deaf among us, he did not sing, but performed a large selection of impressions. A very large selection of impressions, that lasted a very long time. It was Phillips’ Barack Obama impression that roused the most laughter from the audience, in a performance that earned him third spot on the evening, and $50 as a reward. Kendel James then took to the stage, with more energy than a Jack Russell on cocaine, which was useful, considering the show had already taken an hour. Known in previous years for lively, animated performances, James told the audience that this year he was “not singing for fun.” This, in retro-
Photo by Florian Peyssonneaux
Talent Show winner K’nique Eichelberger performing his version of Boyz II Men’s song, End of the Road.
spect, was clearly a warning. Hallie Moore rapped a song, and gave a thoroughly entertaining performance, but was not among the eventual top three. Talent show judge Michael Cohen, in a Simon Cowell impression that would have horrified Simon Cowell, perhaps described it best, joking, “That performance must be Bernie Sanders; almost good enough.” Womens Soccer freshmen once more took to the Talent Show stage to dance to a medley of songs, in what must now be America’s only non-perilous hazing ceremony. Looking to regain her title, Lily Bartleson, with $100 in her eyes, stuck to her winning formula of performing an Adele song. This year, however, it was not enough, as she had to settle for second place on the evening. Next up was an act under the stage name of “K,” who rapped, I think. It was either that or she recited most of the vowels in the English language for a couple of minutes. Either way, it earned her $50 as she tied for third place with Michal Phillips. The final performer of the evening, however, was the eventual winner, K’Nique Eichelberger, who left no doubt in the minds of the judges. He is this year’s Brevard’s Got Talent champion of the world.
Photo by Florian Peyssonneaux
Michal Phillips took home a share for third place, with his talent of impressions.
November 15, 2017 | The Clarion
Netflix Review:
Arts & Life
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‘Stranger Things’ Season 2
A great season that elevates the stakes By Jordon Morgan Editor in Chief
Since its debut, the Netflix original “Stranger Things” has taken audiences by storm and its second season rides high on that momentum with a season that increases the stakes, villains and the heart delivering a stellar ride filled with even more glorious references to 1980’s pop culture. Taking place one year after the events of the first season, the story picks up as the residents of Hawkins, Indiana are just starting to pick up the pieces from the chaotic events of the Demogorgon’s reign of terror and the U.S. government’s extensive cover up. As Halloween is approaching Will Byers starts to experience “episodes” as they’re called giving him visions or glimpses into the Upside Down, the supernatural world from which all of the monsters are originating from. In addition, the Department of Defense laboratory responsible for the events of the first season is still up and running, and whose existence continues to threaten the small town residents as a large, monstrous entity makes its move onto
Hawkins, Will especially. “Stranger Things” continues to top itself in ways many people likely didn’t think of, taking characters on unexpected, emotional journeys that do a good job of breaking traditional arcs. Steve Harrington, for instance, goes from being a typical “popular boy” jock to a confident, steadfast friend, especially to the young group of adventurers. The arc for the show itself is masterfully built up, with each episode teasing and revealing something about the greater threat that looms over the town. The multiple subplots are handled with grace, as they all eventually come together in a way that seems natural and easy to connect. The acting for all involved is top-notch as well, and it’s honestly hard to come up with a clear “best actor” as they all embody their characters so well. There are even some new faces on the show, including Bob (Sean Astin), and a new bully in town, Billy Hargrove (Dacre Montgomery). Though “bully” is too simple of a word. It’s true Billy is emotionally abusive to his young step sister, Max, and pushes people around, but the show does a great job of making him com-
plex and even somewhat sympathetic. He’s a young man pushed around by his own father and forced into a situation that wasn’t his decision, something that lends itself to making his actions somewhat understandable, though certainly not condonable. The point being, “Stranger Things 2” excels in making characters that otherwise could be cardboard cutouts and turning them into people that feel real and human. Likewise, the antagonists of the show, the Demogorgons and what the characters call “The Mind Flayer,” are also incredibly well handled. Though the effects on them are subpar and often times they look transparently fake, the atmosphere that the show builds up helps keep their threat level to one that is easy to perceive. As such, when they show up, you still feel the terror and brutality that they invoke, even if they don’t really look realistic. The show has some sorrowful moments that will very likely make you choke up if not outright cry. Despite being a heartfelt homage to 1980’s horror and science fiction, “Stranger Things 2” certainly doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to making you feel sadness for a character’s predicament. That leads to another strength of this show. Taking place in 1984, it’s appropriate that it so well captures the feeling and aesthetic qualities of 1980’s culture. Several themes and directorial aspects were inspired by the works of Steven Spielberg, John Carpenter and Stephen King, among others. In the case of entities such as The Mind Flayer, there’s definitely strong elements of Lovecraftian horror, and it makes the already palpable horror atmosphere all the more terrifying. Also, it has to be mentioned that the opening title sequence of “Stranger Things” still remains to be one of the best ones out there. It’s simple sure but it’s homages to films such as “Terminator” and “Blade Runner” with it’s music and title crawl make it something hard to skip. “Stranger Things 2” is more than a worthy follow up the first season’s success, and you owe it yourself to watch it all. It’s well worth the time and effort.
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Sports
The Clarion
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November 15, 2017
BC Tornado ‘Senior Basketball Tip-Off project’ By Jon Cole
Sports Information Director
BREVARD, N.C. – Fans of the Brevard basketball programs got their first opportunity to meet the 2017-18 team at Boshamer Gymnasium on Monday, Nov. 13 at 9 p.m. as part of Tornado Tip-Off festivities. Tornado fans were able to participate in a jersey competition and dizzy bat half-court shot competition as well as a team point shootout, which allowed fans to take part in a competition with women’s basketball player. The men’s team took part in the Dunk Contest and a Log Roll Surfing contest, which included participants from the crowd. The men’s and women’s teams squared off in a 3-point shootout which was followed by a donut eating contests with the fans. The evening concluded with each team signing posters following the event. The men’s 2017-18 slate features 11 home games along with exhibition clashes at GardnerWebb and South Carolina State. The season
begins with a trio of road games against Berry (Nov. 18), Gardner-Webb (Nov. 21) and Warren Wilson (Nov. 29) before the home opener versus Huntingdon on Dec. 2. The clash with the Hawks is one of five home games for Brevard in December, along with contests against Covenant (Dec. 16), Methodist (Dec. 17) and LaGrange (Dec. 20). The women’s schedule features 11 home games and meeting with Western Carolina. The Tornados’ season tips off on the road at Berry on Nov. 15, followed by a series of away games against Berea (Nov. 18) and Emory & Henry (Nov. 21). Brevard makes its home debut against Maryville on Nov. 29, marking one of only two appearances at Boshamer Gym in the calendar year. The second comes on Dec. 28, when Brevard hosts St. Andrew’s, before heading to Cullowhee to face Western Carolina on Dec. 31.
Brevard Cyclocross Team gearing up By Jon Cole
Sports Information Director The Brevard Cyclocross team opens the 201718 season on Saturday when it heads to Davidson, N.C., to participate in the ACCC / SECCC Dual Cyclocross event. The Southeastern Collegiate Cycling Conference was established to support collegiate cycling in the Southeast United States. The conference is made up of schools from Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and a few schools in North Carolina and Kentucky. The SECCC is one of 11 conferences in the United States that make up the National Collegiate Cycling Association (NCCA).
ACCC / SECCC Dual Cyclocross Event Times 10:00 a.m. Men Collegiate Men C 10:01 a.m. Women Collegiate Women B 10:45 a.m. Men Collegiate Men B 11:45 a.m. Women Collegiate Women A 12:45 p.m. Men Collegiate Men A
Brevard Cyclocross season opener
By Jon Cole
Sports Information Director DAVIDSON, N.C. – Brevard’s Zack Lowden enjoyed a solid weekend for the team’s cyclocross season opener at the ACCC / SECCC Dual event held in Davidson, N.C. Lowden crossed the line in second in the Men’s Category Three event, the best finish of
any Brevard men’s cyclists. Teammate Hannah Arensman also enjoyed a second place finish in the Women’s Pro 1/2. The Tornados will now begin preparing for the Brevard Cyclocross event set to be held on Dec. 9-10.
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the most useful and applicable for the research center. “It’s kind of funny because my original question for my project was ‘What are the impacts of sea level rise on mangrove forests?’ which is actually what my title is now,” Smith said. “Everyone, including Dr. Cabin, said it was too vague of a question and it’s a 20 year study, which it is, but I’m doing it by means of making map projections.” Smith has been able to incorporate her hardships with climate change and natural disasters in her research. “In my project, I’m talking about the importance of mangrove forests, mainly how important they are for climate change resiliency,” Smith said, “They stabilize the shorelines and help protect us from intense storms and they maintain sea level rise.” According to Smith, the surges experienced during Hurricane Irma along the coastline would have been much higher without the prominent work from the mangrove forests. Smith will conclude her research on this topic when the semester comes to a close. “Unless they reschedule the meeting that was supposed to happen in September, where everyone will fly in and discuss the new sentinel sites, I’m done with this research,” Smith said. “The sentinel site project has currently been put on hold because at the moment they’re cleaning things like mobile homes out of their bay from the hurricane. But if there’s a meeting in spring, I’ll pick the research back up.” Eventually, Smith would like to work in the field of marine conservation. “I used to think I just wanted to get my master dive certification and travel and work on different conservation projects and eventually go to grad school,” Smith said, “Now I’ve thought a little more about it and I think I want to go to design school for art and combine what I know about the environment and be able to get into environmental design.” Smith said the idea of design school is a new one for her and she is unsure what her future will entail. “Mainly I just want to get into environmental conservation. Climate change is real,” Smith said. “I’ll eventually go to grad school and study something that will make a difference.”
