Issue 6 | May 3, 2016

Editor-In-ChiefNatasha Jones

Assistant EditorsTrenton CanadaAshton Rector

Faculty AdvisorJeremiah Massengale

Staff WritersDJ Hite

Shyann NorrisLeanne Gregory

Staff PhotographersEric Ford EdwardsJay Sanksakulchai

Editorial Review BoardLisa Bartram

Marianne Worthington

The Patr iot is t he biweekly student publication of t he University of t he Cumberla nds. Our goa l is to prov ide timely a nd or igina l

content by highlighting ca mpus news a nd v iews.

Awa rd-w inning member of t he Kentuck y Press Association.

Letter from the EditorMay 3, 2016

Sincerely,

Natasha Jones

Dear Readers,

Thisismyfinalletterasyouredi-tor-in-chief of The Patriot newspaper. I’ve hadtheprivilegeofworkingatthecampusnewspaper sincemy very first day of myfreshmen year here at UC. Ever since the firstdayIwalkedintoGCR107,andtheup-perclassmenknewmyname alreadyuponarrival, I knew I had walked into a place I wouldbeabletobelongto. It was the same warming feeling whenIwalkedontoUC’scampus,Iknewit was where I was supposed to be, eventhough I had somehow anticipated goingintonursingatEasternKentuckyUniversityafewmonthsprior.Ihadmydoubts;itwasanabruptchangeintheplansIhadsetformy last two years of high school. Icouldn’tdimthisinterestIhadinUC,orinjournalism.Withmuchanxiety,andevenmoretimidconfidence,Ifollowedthatcuri-osityinAugust2012andbeganmyenroll-ment at UC. MystarthereatUCwasanythingbutsmooth.Myfirstsemesterofcollegewasnotonlyincrediblyhardtransitioningtoacollegestudent,butDecemberof2012provedtobethehardestseasonofmylife.Despiteunfortunatetragedyandthemostunpredictableofcircumstances,Ifoundmywaythroughthosepersonallosses, and those academic challenges and at the end of my freshman year, it was hardtosaygoodbyeforthesummer,asithasbeenthepastthreesummers. OneofthefirstthingsIhadheardwhenbeingintroducedtoUCwasthatitwasmoreafamilythanjustauniversity.Thatsoundslikeacommontaglineforprivateschools,butsureenoughIfoundafamilyhereandrealizedthatGodwant-edmehere,togrowthroughthosetoughtimes,tolearn,tomakeamarkinthelivesofothersandtogrowintowhoHeneededmetobe. Therearesomanylessonshavelearnedonthiscampus,bothinsideandoutsidetheclassroomsthatwillforeverstaywithme,butthemostimportantoneisthatit’snevertoolateorunrealistictofollowyourdreams.Ifyou’reunhappy,change it. Do whatever it takes. Convincingyourselftotaketheleapisoftenthehardestpartandit’snevertoo late to make that change. This is something my professors have instilled in me. Iwasn’tthemostconfidentstudentwhenIcametocollege,butthemostcalmingthingIheard,atthebeginningofeachsemester,wasthatnomatterwhatthesemesterbeforethatoneheld,itwasanewslate,andanewchancetosucceed. Soasmy timeonUC’scampuscomes toanend, that’swhat Ihope toleaveourreaderswith:encouragementtotaketheroadsthatmayseemrockyandchallengesthatseemoutofreach.We’reauniversitythat’sblessedwithprofessorsthatnotareonlywillingtoteachusourcourseworkbutalsoteachusaboutlifeandencourageusonanypathwechose. Thankyousomuchforyourreadership.Iwishyounothingbutthebest!

Page 3 News

AsUniversityoftheCumberlandsstudentsendure“DeadWeek,”acommon phrase used to describe the lastweek of classes, and prepare forfinalsweek,theyhavehadsomeoftheirwishesgrantedbyuniversityadmin-istration. Thiseventtermed“DeadWeekSOS,”wasintendedtohelpkeepstu-dentstresslevelslow.ThisphraseusestheacronymSOStostandfor“SnapourServices”inwhichUCofficialsaskedstudentstosendrequestssuchasfree icedcoffee,doughnuts,orpizza to theofficialuniversity socialmediaaccountsviaSnapchatandTwitter. UC’s social media coordinator,Abbey Cherry, commented, “CABwasahugeassetinhelpingdeliveralotoftherequestsandDr.Colemanwaseagertoserveaswell.” Cherryexplaineduniversityadministrationwasfullydedicatedtothecampaignanditspurpose:toservethestudentsandshowhowtheuniversitycares for them. “Iaskedmyself‘asastudentwhatwouldIhavewantedaroundthistimeof theyear’and theanswerwassimple I justwantedsomeone tosay‘Hey, Iknowthisweek is toughforyouall,butkeepgoingstrong;you’realmostthere!’”saidCherry.

Studentsansweredthecallbyaskingforitemsrangingfromvariousfood items, to a hug fromLindaCarter, and pizza fromUC presidentDr.LarryCockrum.Theserequests,amongmanyothers,weregrantedandalsodocumentedviaUC’sofficialSnapchataccount.Forexample,Ms.CarterandthestudentposedforahuggingpictureandDr.Cockrumdeliveredpizzastostudentsoncampus. “Idon’tknowwhatwasbetter,seeingstudentsexcitedthatDr.Cock-rumtooktimeoutofhisdayforthem,orseeingthejoythatDr.Cockrumgotoutofservingthestudentbody,”saidCherry. Several students have taken toTwitter to voice their gratitude andthankstotheuniversityforhelpingthemsurvivethisdeadweek. UCstudentCaitlynHowelltweeted,“Shoutoutto@UCumberlandsforbringingmeanOreoblizzard!Y’allareawesome#DeadWeekSOS” Anotherstudent,LaurenHammons,tweeted,“GoshIlovethisplace,”afterUCgaveherfivedollarstogethercarwashed. UCstudentKellieBallalsotweeted,“@UCumberlandsmade#Dead-Weekalittleeasierandbroughtmeanicedcoffee!#MyCollegeRocks.” UC’sSnapchatannouncedonApril28thattheyhadservedover150peopleoncampusduringthe“DeadWeekSOS”content.

SOS:Cumberlands runs snap our services campaign during dead week

By AshTOn R eCTORAssista nt editor

Photo from University of t he Cumberla nds snapchat.

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Photos by sydney Freema n

A future to better the future generations: Senior profile on Nahtae Thompson

NahtaeThompson,21,foundherwaytotheUniversityoftheCum-berlandsafterbeingrecruitedfromherhighschoolinGeorgiatoruntrack.Thompson,originallyfromLinden,NewJersey,isknownasaroundcampusasasuccessfulfour-yearathlete.Lessknown,however,isherloveofworkingwith children. “Igottoworkinapre-kcenterwhenIwasinhighschoolandIlovedbeingaroundthekids,”Thompsonsaid,“ThatiswhyIchosetobeateacher.IplantoteachinAtlantaaftergraduating.”ShemajoredinearlyelementaryeducationduringherfouryearsasastudentatUCandwillgraduateinMay. “AttendingUCfurtheredmyeducationbyallowingmetogetade-greethatnotonlyhelpsme,buthelpsmefurtherthefuturesofyoungminds.”said Thompson. “NahtaewasmyworkstudywhenItaughtpre-schoolatWilliams-burg.Thekidslovedher.Thiswasaboutfouryearsago,herfreshmanyear,andshewasamazingwiththem.Iftherewasadayshewasn’tworking,theywouldallbeaskingwhereshewas.”saidTonyaFreeman,formerpre-schoolteacher.

“Kidsthatageareimpressionable.Ifyoudogoodorbadbythem,theyalwaysrememberit.Taeleavesapositiveimpressiononeverykidshehasachancetoimpact.Shewillbeagoodteacherbecauseshelovesit,andsheloveschildren.”HunterLewis,afellowsenioratUC,said. “Themessagesteachersleaveshapeeverykidinsomewayfortheirentirelives,anditistheresponsibilityanddutyofthosewhochoosetotakeonthistasktobetterentiregenerations.Thatshouldn’tbetakenlightly,andNahtaeThompsonwasmadeforit,thereisn’tadoubtinmymind.”Freemansaid.Itisevidentthatthosewhoknowherbestbelievesheismorethancutoutforalife-longcareerofteachingyoungchildren. NahtaeThompson,whenaskedwhatadviceshewouldgive toon-comingfreshman,hadthistosay:“IfIhadtodoitalloveragainIwouldtakeitmoreseriouslyinthebeginningandworkharder.Makethebestofyourcol-legeyearsbecauseitonlyhappensonce.Workhardanddon’tprocrastinatebecausebeforeyouknowit,you’llbegraduatingandmovingontotherealworld.”

By sy dney FR eem A nGuest Wr iter

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Shewalksintotheinterviewwithasmileonherfacethatbringsoutthe color of her sparkling green eyes. She stylishly sits in a soft chair in the HarthHalllobby,eagertostartherinterview.AlthoughherNewYorkKnicksjerseyhurtsme(becauseI’mallabouttheLakers)shelooksupandsays,“I’mreadyT.Let’sgetstarted!” OliviaFarmer,aseniorelementaryeducationmajorandexerciseandsportsscienceminor,hasanundeniablyuniquesenseofhumorandaperson-alitythatmakesyoudelightedtobeinherpresence.“Sheisjustafunnyperson,”saidCheyenneMadden,Farmer’sroommatethisyear.“Ourfriendshiphasgrownsomuchthisyear.Shewasalwayspushingmetodobetterinmylife. Whetherit isonthecourtplayingballorotherthings,shejustlovestomakepeoplehappy.” Olivia Farmer is fromHyden,Kentucky, and speaks highly of herfamilytothepointIcanrelatetoherexcitement.“I’mamommy’sgirl!”shesays.“ImeansheissospecialtomebecausesheraisedmetofearGodandnotmanandtorememberthatmysupportsystemwillalwaysbehereathome.” Farmerhasanolderbrotherwhomshespeaksofinhighregard.“He’smysuperhero,youknow,”shesays.“Icangetmushywhenitcomestohimbecauseof thewayhehasalways lookedout formeand thewayhe takescareofmynephewandniece.IneverreallyhadtopickafavoritesuperherobecauseI’vehadonesinceIwasborn.Godhasblessedmewithagreatfamily

andwithoutthemorGodIdon’tknowwhereIwouldbe.” Farmer’sfaithisnottheonlythingthatpeoplenoticeaboutherbutalsoherwillingnesstohelpandtobeapartofsomething.AttheUniversityoftheCumberlandssheplayedforthejuniorvarsitywomen’sbasketballteamandworkedas a student assistant for theUCwomen’sbasketball team forthree years. “Shemakesthejobsoeasy,”saysNaketaHarmon,anotherstudentas-sistantforthewomen’sbasketballteam.“Icandefinitelysaysheismyfriendbecauseofherkindandgentlespirit.Everywhereshegoespeoplegravitateto her and it shows how special of a person she is. She loves to make people smileandthatinitselfiswhatmakeshersospecial.” Whendiscussingherfutureplansandwhatsheplansondoingaftergraduation,shestated,“IwanttobeaPEteacher.Ilovekids,andafterIdothatIreallywanttobeabasketballcoach.Thatiswheremyheartis.” Farmer begins to laugh as her roommateCheyennewalks in. Shescrunchesupherfaceandthenproceedstosaysomethingfunnybutinsteadshesays,“Cheyenne,Iwillnothaveyoumakingmelookbadfortheschoolafterall thiswillbe in thepaper.” Cheyenne laughshystericallyandsays,“SeeItoldyou,T.Sheistoofunnyforme.” Farmernotonlyisahiddencomedian,butsheshowsthatherloveforpeopleandlaughterwillneverchangeorstrayaway.

L ATeesh A deLOAChGuest Wr iter

Faith, family and Farmer:A senior profile on Olivia Farmer

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ThePatriot’seditor-in-chief,NatashaJones,oncedescribedUCse-niorBrodyNolanassomeone“wholightsupeveryroomthatheisin.mostlybecauseofhowpaleheis.”Thereisnoliehere.Heisgracedwithgingerfea-turesandapersonalitythatisjustaspresent.Brodybringswithhimasenseofease,asassthatcannotbecontained,andalaughthatresonatesthroughyoursoulandmakesyouwonderhowyouwereeversadinaworldwheresuchalightexists.Brodyisacreativeforcethatbringsoutthebestinpeople. ProfessorJohnVarleydescribeshimbysaying,“Brodyisreallypas-sionateaboutthethingsheisintoanddrawsotherpeopleintothemaswell.His enthusiasm is contagious.” “Contagious” is in the running for thebestwordtodescribeBrody.Hemaynotbeabletofixthingsforhisfriendsbuthemanagestobringupthemoodanddeterfromwhatseemedunbearableonlymomentsbefore.

FormerstudentChristinRottenbergersays,“He’sdefinitelyhelpedmeoutwhenIwasgoingthroughafewroughpatches.Eventhoughhecouldn’tactually‘fix’theproblem,hewasbymysidewithwordsofencouragementorjokestohelpcheermeup.” It’snotjustthepeoplearoundhimthatbenefitfromhispersonalityofmakingthebestof thingsandchangingsituationsintoopportunities.Heclaimsthatthisattitudewasintegraltopursuingcommunicationarts,apur-suitthatwillendinadegreeinjustamatterofweeks,butapursuitthatwas,inreality,asideroadtothemainpathhehadoriginallytaken.Hesays,“Mymajorkindofchoseme.IstartedoutwithabiologymajorbutItooksomefilmreviewcourseswithDr.SemmelasanelectivebecauseIlovefilmandworkinginthatindustryisthedreamjob.”Thatchoicetotakefilmelectivesled to the release of a very talented director.

That one redhead kid:A senior profile on Brody Nolan – A friend’s perspective

By Liz GUiLLeR mOGuest Wr iter

Page 7 Features

Photos by sha nda Cunningha m

ImetBrodyinoneofthosefilmclassesandwasamazedbyhiseasebehindthecameraandthecreationshebroughttolifeonthescreen.Hehasacreativemind that does not stop all while looking like it is the simplest thing in the worldforhimtobedoingatthatmoment.Ibelievethat’sthemarkofatruecraftsman,isthepeaceofmindtheyseemtoemittothosearoundthemwhenthey are in their element. AnotherUCsenior,SydneyFreeman,saysaboutBrody,“He’sthekindofpersonwhowillshockyouwithhispotential.Hemanagestodosomuchwithhistimewithoutspreadinghimselftoothinandthat’safeatinitself.” Brody’sabilitytodrawpeopleandcontinuallyastoundthemissome-thingthatheisjustnowwarmingupto,oratleastpeopleingeneral. WhenaskedwhathewishedhehaddonemoreduringhistimeatUC,hesaid,“IthinkthethingIwishIhaddonemore,isstayoncampus.Myfirstcoupleofsemesters,Iwenthome.Alot.SoI’msureImissedoutonsomefuntimes.IalsowishIhadgotteninvolvedinCABsooner.Ifoundsomegreatfriends and immensely fun timeswith these people this year. Iwish I hadjoinedsooner.” BrodyandIhavegrownextremelycloseinthepastcoupleofyears,evensharingapowercouplenameof#Briz,andinthesecoupleofyearsIcanverifythathedoeshaveacreativespiritthatbelongedoncampusevenbeforehefoundthevoicetoshowcaseit. Everyone that is graced with his friendship is also versed in his joking

nature,wheneverIaskedpeoplewheretheythoughthewouldbenext,Ire-ceivedalmostajokeofsomesortineachreply,suchasRottenbergerwhosaid,“IcanseehimbeinghappyandlivinghisbestlifewhileTaylorSwiftblastsinthebackgroundandhe’sworkingonaBuzzfeedarticletitled‘14GifsforWhenYourTinderDateIsn’tGoingasPlanned.”Ananswerthatringsbothfunnyandtrue. Brodyhimselfwilljokeabouthisfuturebysayingthataftergradua-tiontheonlythinghewantsistojustfindajob.It’sintimidatingtogointothefilmindustry,butwiththetalentthatBrodyhasIhavenodoubtthatheisgoingtobeacreativeforcetobereckonedwith. Varleyadded,“Iamreallyhappythathetookvideoproductionclassesandenjoyedthemandislookingtopursueacareerinfilm,it’swhyyouteach.IthinkheisgoingtobesuccessfulinwhateveraspectoffilmhepursuesandIamexcitedtofollowhiscareer.Ijusthopeheremembersuswhenheisfa-mous.” Idotoo,becausewhenitcomesdowntoit,BrodyNolaniscreative,passionate, and driven. He is all of the things necessary to do something great intheworldandoncehewalksacrossthatstageonMay7,heiswalkingintoabrightandunknownfuture. Walkstronglyandconfidently,Brody,anddon’tforgetallofuslittlepeoplewhenyoumakeitbigsomeday.Rollcredits.

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AconversationwithAnnaClaytonissuretobefilledwithlaughterandjokes.Sheislovinglydescribedbyherfriendsascrazy,fun,andadven-turous.Likethesongfromthe“LionKing”“HakunaMatata,”itseemslikeshehasnoworriesintheworldbecausesheisveryoptimisticandencourag-ingtootherswhoaredealingwiththedifficultiesoflife.Herstrongconvic-tionsinherfaithhelpherwhenlifeisreallyrough. “MyrelationshipwithGodisahugepartofmycollegeexperience,”saidClayton.“ItrusthimandHisplan.” AccordingtoClayton,partofGod’splanincludedattendingUniver-sityoftheCumberlands.AsamemberofUC’swomen’sswimteam,shehasbeenanationalqualifier,afour-timeall-American,andhasbrokenacoupleofschoolrecordswithherteam.Atthe2016nationals,shewasapartoftheteamthatbrokethe200freestylerelayandthe800freestylerelay.Lastyear,shewasn’tabletoswimforsixmonthsbecauseshehadtorntendonsinherwristandthumbarea.Shehadtoadjustandkeepherselfbusybecauseafter14yearsofswimming,shemisseditalot. Claytonhaslearnedtojugglethechallengesthatcomewithbeingastudentandathlete.Notonlywassheadedicatedstudentandathlete,butshewasalsoaresidentassistant,amemberofUC’sStudentGovernmentAssoci-ationandtaughtswimlessons. “I saw a fighter because she had homeworkwith psychology andcriminaljustice,swimming,anddemandsofbeinganRA,”saidCierraGam-ble,friend,fellowRAandHarryPotterenthusiast.“Itcangettoapersonandthroughitallshekeptwhoshewas.”

HerrelationshipwithGodhashelpedherthroughcollege.AccordingtoClayton,Hegaveheropportunitiestosinginthepraiseandworshipbandatherchurchandinvestmoretimeinherfriendsandjobwhenshegotherinjury.Thisyear,Claytonandherfriend,StefanJohnson,ledtheswimmer’slifegrouptogether. “Anna’sgottenthemtoreadtheirBibles,helpedthemtogrow,andhasbeentheirmentor,”saidJohnson.“I’veseenhergrowalot.She’sgreatforsupportandagoodfriend.She’sanamazingyoungwomanwhocanac-complishanythingthatsheputshermindto.” WhenClaytoncametocollege,herparentsencouragedhertomakeherfaithherown.AccordingtoClayton,hermomshowedherwhatuncondi-tionallovefromJesuslookslike.Shehasalwayswantedtolovepeoplelikehermomlovesthem.Herclosefriend,GraceVanRyckeghem,describedhercharacterinsuchawaythatshedoes. “Shehasagreatstrengthandaheartthatreallycaresforpeople,”saidVanRyckeghem,captainofthewomen’sswimteamatUC.“It’safriendshipthatissoraretofind.Someonewhoiswillingtowalkwithyouinlifethrougheverything.She’sgoingtobethereforyouanywaythatshecan.” Van Ryckeghem and Clayton have walked, swam, and danced along-side of each other ever since they were freshman. As swimmers, they spend a lot of time with each other in the pool, weight room, traveling, and on dry land.Whentheywerefreshman,theyenteredaGillespiehousecouncilpag-eant.Theyhadfungettingdressedupanddancingto“PeanutButterandJellyTime”astheirtalent.

Adventures of Anna Clayton:A senior profile

By Ly di A hUGGinsGuest Wr iter

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Photo submitted

“She’s really crazy and fun to be around,” said Van Ryckeghem.“You’renevergoingtobebored.That’slifewithAnna,youneverknowwhatnewadventureyou’regoingon.EvengoingtoWal-martisanadventure.” Along with playing “Wal-mart tag” as an adventure with friends,Clayton likes to go hiking, driving late at night with the windows rolled down andmusicplayingloud,andsittingaroundabonfirewithfriendsands’mores. “It’sallaboutthepeople,”saidClayton.“Findsomefriends,investinthem,andbevulnerableandopenwiththem.Goadventurewiththemallovertheplace.” Claytonalso loves toreadandwriteadventurous,fictionstoriesaswellaslivethem.Whenevershe’sstressedout,shereadsherfavoritebook,“PeterPan.”Sinceshecan’tbeakidforeverlikePeterPan,Claytonplanstousehermajorinpsychologyandminorincriminaljusticetobeaprobationorparoleofficerbeforebecomingaprofiler.Sheisheartbrokenbythethingsshelearnsinclassandwantshelpimprovethejusticesystem.ShewouldalsoliketojointheCoastGuardtoservehercountrybecauseasshesays,“Thewateriskindoflikemydomain,myhome.” Although,asofrightnow,herplansaren’tquitesolid.“Ikeeptellingpeoplethatit’sasurpriseforeveryoneincludingmyself,”saidClayton.Aftergoinghomeforthesummer,shehopestomovetoNashville,Tennessee.

Shelooksforwardtolivinginabigcitywithlotsofopportunitiesandfamilynearby. Claytonhaslearnedtoembracethedifferencesofothers.Thisper-spective has helped hermake friendswith people from a variety of back-grounds.InthecasewithherfriendCierraGamble,theywentfromunlikelyfriendstoclosefriendssharinginmanyadventurestogether.ClaytonhadtheopportunitytotakeGambletothebeachforthefirsttimewheretheyenjoyedlongboardingtogetheraswellassavingtwostarfishinsteadofkeepingthem. “Werealizedthatontheoutsidewelookeddifferentlikeoursocialcirclesandeverythingweredifferent,butalotofthethingswebelievedin,loved,andwerepassionateaboutwereexactlythesame,”saidGamble. Along with the advice of investing in friends, Clayton also has per-spective to share with incoming freshman. “Takesomemoretimetostudyalittlebitbecausethatmathgradeisgoingtolastalotlongerthanthatcuteboy.Allfreshmanneedtohearthat,”saidClaytonwithalaugh. Sheadded,“Cumberlandsisagreatplacetogrowinyourfaith.Therearealotofpeoplestandingaround,waitingtonurtureyou,andinvestinyouandit’sawesome.”

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WhenUCseniorSydneyFreemanwasayounggirlshetrulybelievedthatifsheweretotraveltoSydney,Australiatheywouldhavetomakehertheirqueenbecauseshesharedanamewiththeircity.Thisbelieffadedwithwisdomasshegrewolder,butherpassiontotaketheworldbystormhasnotdwindled. BornandraisedinCorbin,Kentucky,SydneyFreemanadmitsgoingtotheUniversityoftheCumberlandswasthelastthingthatshewantedtodo.Shesays,“IpromisedI’dneverattendthisschoolbecauseIhaddreamsofgoingoffsomewherefaraway,butcominghereendeduppayingoff.IwillnotbeindebtafterIgraduateandIwasabletorunforallfouryearsofcollegeonthecross-countryandtrackteams…andIdon’tknowwhereIwouldbewithoutthefriendshipsI’vebuilt.” Friendshipcomeseasytoher,accordingtothoseclosesttoher.

I’vebeengracedwithknowingSydneycloselyenoughtobegivenaccess to her family,who clearly showcases the love and support that shepassesontoeveryonearoundher.WhenIaskedafewofthemwhatherbestqualitywas,theyallhadsimilaranswers.Bothofherbrothersdescribeheras“superpersonable”andsomeonewho“likestohelpfolksalot,”atraitthatisagreedonbyhermotherandboyfriend,whobothsaythatherbestqualityisher willingness to help others. This passion also translates into a passion for creativity and writing. WhatpeoplemaynotknowaboutSydneyisthatsheisanincrediblygiftedartistwhosehand-drawndoodlesneverceasetoblowmeaway. Creativityand“herpassionforlife”whichherfather,Brad,citesasherbestqualityarethedrivingforcesbehindhermajorinEnglishwithami-norinjournalism.

Freedom for a FreemanA senior profile on Sydney Freeman – A friend’s perspective

By Liz GUiLLeR mOGuest Wr iter

Photo by scott Powell. Used w it h per mission.

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Sydneysays,“Ihaveapassionforwritingandbotharegreatsubjectstopreparemeforlawschool.” Yes,youreadthatright,lawschool.UndergradwasonlythebeginningforSydney,assheplansonfollowinginherfather’sfootstepsandbecomingalawyer. She plans on taking a year off and her hope is to enroll at University of Kentucky’slawschoolsothatshewillnotbetoofarfromhomeandthosethatshe loves. Herfuturecallsherandsheismorethanreadytoanswer,whethersheherselfcanbelievethat it’shappeningornot, it isclear thatshehasworkedhard. Herboyfriend,KyleDickhaus,sumsitupnicelybysaying,“Ifeelveryhappyforher.Iknowshe’snotsoexcitedaboutitbecauseshethinksshemayhaveafewregrets,butIcanbenothingbutproudofher.She’sworkedhard.”

IambeyondgratefultoconsiderSydneyoneofmyverybestfriends,sheisdedicated,hilarious,kind,beautiful,intelligent,weird,awkward,andper-fecttoworkoutwithor“vegout”with,dependingontheday.IhavewatchedherconquersomuchinjusttheshorttimethatI’veknownherandIbelievehertobecapableofjustaboutanything. RegardlessofwhatisnextforSydney,youcanbesurethatshewillconqueritandmakeachangewherevershegoesnext. SheleavesuswiththispieceofadviceforthosewhowillcontinueonatUCintheyearstocome,“Don’tdwellonyour‘what-if’moments.Bepres-ent,makefriends,andfighttokeepthem.Don’tjustthinkaboutmakingthemostofyourtimehere,actuallydoit,sothat,whenyou’resittingwhereIam,youcanlookbackwithpride.”

Photo by scott Powell. Used w it h per mission.

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Photo by maggie moore

As I walk to the doors, they open and I feel the vastness of the foyer, thereisbeautyandintimidationallinoneplace.MyfirstcoupleofvisitstothisplaceIwouldnothaveknownwhattoexpect,butnowIhaveacclimatedto the environment. Iclimbthecurvingstaircaseandproceedtowardtoaroomfullofwhatusedtobetheunfamiliar,butbeforeIenterIhearconversationfromrecognizablevoices.Thetoneissortofmuffledbythebarrierofthewall,buttherearetonesIcandistinguish. IhearaspecificallyfamiliarlaughterandIcanjustpicturethebrightsmile and red hair that accompanies it. She’smy peer,my boss, andmyfriend:NatashaJones. WhenshebeganheracademiccareerattheUniversityoftheCum-berlands,shedidnotenvisionherselfintherolesheisinnow.Jonesbeganwantingtopursuehumanservices,butwaseventuallydrawntojournalismandcommunication,whereshefoundherpermanenthome. WhilebeginningthisareaofstudyJoneswasalittleunsure,butnowshewillbeconcludinghertimeatUCholdingthetitleofeditor-in-chiefatthecampusnewspaper,ThePatriot,andasacontributortoUSATodayCol-lege. Jonesexplainedthepathlaidbeforeherwasnotonethatshewasex-

tremelyconfidentin,atthebeginning,butthisshiftedasshelearnedvaluablelessonsnotonlyintheclassroom,butaboutherself. “Idon’treallyknowhowithappenedbutIjustrosetotheoccasionsomehowandthatwasn’tanybody’sworkbutGod’s,”commentedJones. Likeanynewventureinlife,therewasmuchforJonestogain,butalsothereweremanyinternalandexternalfactorstoconquer. “Havingconfidenceandbelievinginyourselfisthefirststep,hon-estly,” advised Jones. “I just kindof had to learn [to have] confidence inmyself and the teachers and people I have met here have really instilled that inme.” Jones’formerboss,asshewasafreshmenbloggerforadmissions,andprofessorJordyneCarmacksaid,“Natashaisoneofthoserareindivid-ualswithanknackforperseverance.Shetacklesacademic,emotionalandleadershipchallengeswithstrengthandzealdevelopednotbyluck,butbyexperienceandhardwork.” WhileJoneshaslearnedgreatlyabouttheartandskillofjournalism,shesaysthesubjectitselfhasalsoshownherafewlessons.“Nottofeartheunknowniswhatjournalism’staughtmeandthateverybodyhasastory,evenifit’snotapparent,there’sonethere,”saidJones.

Sincerely, TashaA senior profile on Natasha Jones

By AshTOn R eCTORAssita nt editor

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Photo by maggie moore

Behindthetext,thereisaprocessthatfollowsanyjournalismpiece.Fromemailstointerviewsandthenfinallydecidingonanapproachtoastory,there is a strategy involved that readers do not always see. However, Jones explainedthatbylearningnottofeartheunknown,ithelpedherrealizewhatshe initially had planned may positively change. “IwasinterviewingDeanWhitakerforthecampusplaythathewasinandIjustgottoknowhimasapersonandIdon’tthinkIreallywroteaboutit,buthewasjustsopassionateaboutthiscampusandthatwasamazing,”said Jones. Joneshasnotonlyfoundahomeinjournalismitself,butatUC,aswell,whereshewillbeleavingcherishedmemoriesandfriendships. SherecountedherfavoritememoryasonefromtheMedia,Technol-ogy,andSocietycoursetaughtbyJeremiahMassengale,wherehechallengedthestudentsthatiftheycouldgettheirtweettogoviralthentheywouldnothavetotaketheirtraditionalfinalexam,butratherwriteapaperexplaininghowtheymanagedto“trend”nationwideTwitterandalsoreflectingontheexperience. Thepicturedisplayedtheentireclassofstudentsholdingapieceofpaperthatstated,“Ifweget10,000retweets,wedon’thavetotakeourfinal!” “Ididn’texpectittoworkout,atall,”saidJones.“Weaskedstudentsoncampustotweetit,low-gradecelebritiestotweetit,andeventuallyittookonalifeofitsownandmade10,000inlikefourhours,”Jonesrecounted. Thetweetconcludedwithover11,000retweetsand923likes.

JonesalsotoldofthefamilyshehasfoundnotonlyintheDepart-mentofCommunication,JournalismandTheatreArts,butalsointheuniver-sity as a whole. JeremiahMassengale,professorofjournalismandfacultyadvisertoThePatriot,said,“It’shardtoimaginethenewspaperofficewithouther.I’mproudtocallhermypal.AtThePatriot,ithasoftenfeltlikeitwasjustafewofusagainst theworld,butTashahasalwaysbeen thereasanexemplaryleaderwithher tenacityandtalent. I’mcertainshe’llgoontodoamazingthings.” “Honestly,apieceofmyheartwillstayhereforever.I’vedonesomuchgrowinguphere,butIwillleaveknowingthatIhavetheirsupportandthattheybelieveinmeandIcancallonthemforanything,”saidJones. Asshe isoptimisticaboutwhat the futureholdsaftercrossing thegraduationstage,Jonesknowsshewillalwayscherishthisstageofherlife. Carmackreiterated,“Ihavenodoubtshewillbeanassettoanycom-panythathasthegoodfortunetohavehercreativethinkingandworkethicontheirteam.” “TherewillbeanotherchapterouttherelikeUCwhereIwillhavesomanygreatmemories,”explainedJones,“Iwillgrowasaperson,andIwillcontinuetodowhatGodhascalledmetodo.” Joneswillclosehercollegeyearswithmuchgratitudeandthanks.Whilehertimemaybenearcompleted,shepromised,“IwillneverbeabletogivebacktoUCwhatUChasgiventome.”

Photos by Ashton Rector

Page 14 Features

By BROdy nOL A nGuest Wr iter

ThefirsttimeImetPaigeEdwards,allIcouldthinkwas,“Dang,sheis tall.” That feelingneverquitegoesaway,even thoughIknowthat fact,probablybecausesheisabouttwoinchestallerthanme.Butsheismorethanjusttall;sheisadedicated,honest,andfunny.She’salsoapersonthatespe-ciallylovesmusic,chickennuggetsandnaps. WhenIaskedhertositdownwithmeforaninterview,sherespondedwith“Canwegogetfood?BecauseIsleptthroughdinner…”Itoldyoushelovedhernaps.AfteraquickstopatWendy’stogetsomenuggets,sheandIstartedourtalk. Edwards,fromBerea,Kentucky,majoredinfitnessandsportsman-agementwithaminorinbusinessandwasoneoftheUniversityoftheCum-berlands’ cheerleading captains this year. Her cheerleading career startedbackwhenshewasfouryearsold,butreallyprogressedinhighschoolunderthecoachingofherbestfriend’smom. “Ihavebeenhookedsincethen.Cheerleading,Ithink,hadalottodowithhowwellIadjustedandgotalonghere,becauseitishowImademostofmyfriends.Thatiskindofmyidentifier,beingonthecheerleadingteam.I

havealwaysbeenknownas‘thetallcheerleader’.Whileitiskindofinconve-nientforbeingacheerleader,Ikindofenjoybeingdifferentthatway.Itwasahugepartofmylife,anditwasgreat,soit’salittlebittersweettoseeitend,”she says. ThededicationthatEdwardshasshownthroughouthertimeatUCisevident.Byhersenioryear,shemadecaptainofthecheerleadingteam.ShealsoreceivedaccoladessuchasFirstTeamAllMid-SouthConferenceandAc-ademicAllMid-SouthConferenceforallyearsthatshewaseligible.Outsideofcheerleading,shewasalsoanAcademicResourcetutor,devotedtohelpingotherstudentsintheirclasses. “IthinkPaige’sbestqualityisthatsheisstrongwilled.Sheknowswhat she wants and she does not let anyone get in her way or change her mind,”saysBethTackett,whohasbeenfriendswithEdwardssincehersoph-omore year. Edwardsattributesthischaracteristictoherparents.Sadly,herbirthmotherpassedawayatanearlyage,butshesaysthat,“EverythingIdo,Idotomakeherproud.”

Not your average

Paige Edwards

cheerleader:A senior profile on

Page 15 Features

“Mystepmomiswhatmademesostrongwilledandindependent.Idon’tknow,it’shardtodescribe.Iguessherpersonalityrubbedoffonmebecauseshewasinmylifefromanearlystage,”Edwardssays. “OncePaigedecideswhatshewants,shegoesforitfullforce,andIknowthatwhateversheplanstodoinlife,shewillachieve,”saysAlyssaParrott, a longtime friend of Edwards. Edwards’ dedication in friendship lends itself over into her honesty. Sheisoneoftheeasiestpeopletotalkto,becauseyouknowthatshemeanseverything that she says. “I think that that is themost important thing Ihave learnedwhilebeingincollege.NomatterwhatIsay,IalwayssticktomywordandIvaluemyselfonbeingreliableandhonest.Honestyjustmakeseverythingeasier.Ithelpsyoubuildandkeeprelationships.” These relationships have taken her to many places, from Harry Pot-terWorldtoseeingWarpedTouroverandoveragaintoaplethoraofotherconcerts.MusicisoneofEdwards’definingqualitiesthatshesayshasinflu-enced her over the years. “Musichasdefinitelyaffectedmebecauseithelpedmefindmyself,

forlackofbetterwords.Rockmusicfinallymademefeelsomethinganditreassuredme.Iadorethevibe,thecarelessnessofit,andtheoutsider,re-bellioustone.Itjustspeakstome.Someofmybestmemoriesarethroughmusicbecauseofgoingtoconcertsandmeetingartists,”sheexplains. “IrememberthistimewherewewentandsawCassadeePopefrom‘TheVoice.’Wegottomeether,andshewillprobablykillmeforsayingthis,butshebasicallycriedaftermeetingher.Iknewatthatmomentwewouldbegreatfriends.WehavedoneWarpedTour,too,anditwassuchablastrockingoutwithher,”saysParrott. Having gone to a concert with her, I can attest to the screaming and crying.IthoughtthatIlostmyhearingaftershegottobrushtheshoulderofJoeJonasattheDNCEconcert.(ThankfullyIdidnot.) AndthankfullyIhavegottentoknowher.Thesayinggoesthatourfriendsarethefamilythatwegettochoose.PaigeEdwardshasbeenagreatfriendandhasevenhelpedmerealizesomethingaboutmyself.Hercarefreeattitudeandconfidencehavebolsteredmyownsenseofconfidence,whichIthinkissomethingweallcoulduse.

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She walks into her dorm room, greeting me with ahigh-five and a smile as shewalks over to her desk. Ibegintotakealookaroundherroom,andmyattentionisautomaticallydrawntothelightshanginguponthewalls.Thelightingoftheroomiskindofdark,yetsoothing.Withfurtherinspection,Ilookaroundatthevariouspiecesofartcoverherwalls.Oneparticularpaintingcatchesmyeye.The painting is colorful, and thewords on it are from awell-knownBeatlessongentitled“LetItBe.” ArynBowling,a23-year-oldseniorattheUniver-sityoftheCumberlands,takesalookatthepaintingasshesmiles.“Afewyearsago,myfriendTaylorMayespaintedthatforme. I am a fan of theBeatles.My favorite song by theBeatlesis‘LetitBe.’Ithasbecomeamottoofmineovertheyears,”saidBowling,asshesatdownontheedgeofherbed. Bowling, who is originally from London, Ken-tucky,cametotheUniversityoftheCumberlandstopursueadoublemajorinhumanservicesandcriminaljustice.Assoonasshegraduates,sheintendsonfindingajobtostarthernewlifeasacollegegraduate.Bowling is the typeofperson thateveryonewants tobefriendswith.Shehasagreatsenseofhumor,acaringper-sonalityandtheperfectamountofsarcasm.Bowlingde-fineswhatatruefriendreallyis. “ArynisoneofthefirstfriendsthatImetwhenItransferredtoCumberlands.Whenwemet,neverinamil-lionyearswouldIhavethoughtthatwewouldbeascloseaswearetoday.Notonlythat,butIneverthoughtthatI’dmeetsomeoneascrazyandweirdasmyself.Sheistrulyjustthat,maybemore.ArynhasacceptedmeformesincedayoneandIknowthatregardlessofwherelifetakesusafterwegraduate,IampositiveIwillalwayshaveherinmylife.IamsoluckytohavealifelongfriendlikeAryn,”saidAlexSchaich,oneofBowling’sclosefriendsthatshemet in her time here at UC. InBowling’ssparetime,shelikestoplaythegui-tar. She also likes to write music.You can usually findBowling sitting in theCABoffice, playingher guitar asshehangsoutandchatswithherfriends.WhenBowling

chatswithherfriends,anytypeofconversationisboundtohappen. “WeweretalkingaboutstuffthatwewouldandIremembersayingthatI’ddoanythingforahigh-fiveandaKitKatbar,”saidBowling,asshelaughed.ThejokehasstuckwithBowlingsincethatday.DuringtheCABChrist-maspartybackin2015,BowlingopenedhergiftfromUCseniorCameronSmoaktofindthatSmoakhadgottenheraKitKatbarandafakedollarthathadhisfaceonit,grantingBowlingalifetimesupplyofhigh-fives. “ArynandIhavebeenfriendssinceourfreshmenyear.Webothcameintogetherin2010.Wemetinthelob-byofGillespiewhileplayingagameofTaboo,”statedUCgraduatestudentandclosefriendofBowling,SaraDona-hue. “Since then, we’ve been partners in crime. Sheismore likeasister tome.We’vereacheda level inourfriendship where we can make each other mad and then talkitoutanditisasifnothingeverhappened.Wecanbea100percenthonestwitheachother,andhaveeachother’sbacksandwe’realwaysineachother’scorners.She’sbeenthereformethroughalot.We’renotjustfriends,wearefamily.Iamsuperproudofallofherhardworkandcan’twaittoseewhereGodtakesheraftergraduation.Icouldn’timaginemyexperiencehereatUCwithoutAryn.ShehasplayedabigroleinmytimehereandhashelpedmegrowintothepersonIamtoday,”saidDonahue. “It’s reallyabittersweet feeling. I’mready tobedone,butatthesametime,Ireallydon’twanttoleavetheplace I called home for the past few years. I’m not ready to leave all ofmy friends that have becomemy family,although I’mexcited to seewhat they accomplish,” saidBowlingasshelooksbacktotheBeatlespainting. As I leave Bowling’s room, I begin to laugh atsome of the memories we have made over the last few years.Bowling has truly touched our lives.Whether it’sfromhergivingadviceorgivingusagoodlaugh,weknowthatBowlingisatruefriend.Asshegraduates,IknowthatgreatthingsaretocomeforBowling.Iamgratefultohaveagreat friend likeher.Graduation isn’tgoing toendourfriendship;itwillonlybringuscloser.

High-Fives and KitKats:A senior profile on Aryn Bowling

By CheL sA BOW m A nGuest Wr iter

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LaceyReliford,aseniorUniversityoftheCumberlandsstudent,ar-cherandhumanservicemajor,ismorethanjustalabel.She’sawomanwithaspirations, hopes, talents and fears, yet she’s known to her teammates as a re-curvebowarcher.She’srecognizedasathree-timeAll-Americaninthecom-petitivecollegiatearcheryrealm.She’sahumanservicemajorwithaminorinearlyelementaryeducation.ByMay7,she’llbelabeledagraduateofUC.Butlabelsaren’tsomethingshewantstobeknownfor. Relifordisanarcher,butthat’ssomethingshelovestodoratherthanbeidentifiedby.Sheisamemberofthefirstgraduatingclassofarcherssincetheschooladdedthesportfouryearsago.She’samemberofthe3-Darcherynationalchampionshipteam,claimingsecond,third,andfourthplacefinishesindividually.Thesportdoesnotlabelher;it’shertalentthatencompassespartofherbeing. “Igotmyselfintoit,”Relifordsays.“Iwasn’treallygoodatanyothersport.IknewIwasgoodmysophomoreandjunioryearofhighschoolwhenthehighestscoreis300andmyaveragewas280to285.WhenIcametocol-lege,Istartedshootingacompletelydifferentbow.” Despite the four years of experience since switching bows and 10yearsoftotalexperience,Relifordcontinuestolearnherbowandgrowasanarcher.Shedescribeshowshehastotunenewarrowstoherbow,makesmalladjustmentsandhowthere’salwaysroomforimprovement. “WhenIfirststarted,Ididn’tknowwhatIwasdoing.”Relifordsays.“Likeyesterday,Ifinallylearnedhowtoreplacemyowntips[onthearrows.]” OneofReliford’sbestfriendsandteammates,JamieBell,competedinarcherysincemiddleschool.Althoughtherecompetedagainstoneanoth-erbeforecollege, they’vebecomeclose teammatesandfriendsatUC.Bellsaysthey’recloserbecausetheycomefromthesametown,andtheirbrothersplayedlittleleaguetogether. “She’sgoodatbeingverysupportivebecauseshepicksyouupwhenyou’redown,”BellsaysaboutRelifordasanarcherandasafriend. EventhoughcollegerecruitmentbroughtRelifordtoUC,herpassion

for helping people, especially children, kept her involved in her majors, and itdrivesher towardsgraduateschool.She’sgoing toattendCampbellsvilleUniversitytoobtainamaster’sdegreeinsocialwork.Althoughshestartedherundergraduatedegreeasanelementaryeducationmajor,herpassionpushedher towards a different path. “Iwasinelementaryeducation,butinthebackofmymindIwasal-waysthinkingaboutsocialworkandchildprotectiveservices,”Relifordsays.“WhenIwenttotheschoolsforobservationhours,Iwouldgravitatetowardsthe troubledkids,so Idroppedmymajor toaminorandpickeduphumanservices.I’mgladIdiditbecauseit’ssorightforme.” Relifordhadaroughchildhood,soshewantstohelpchildrengetthehelptheyneed;shewantstohelpchildrendespitenotgettinghelpsheneededasachild.Shesaysherjobisgoingtobegruesomeandheartbreaking,butshecan’tthinkofanythingelseshe’dratherbedoing.She’llgetatasteofrealworldsocialserviceworkin thefallasan intern.Herclassesequippedherwork,butthelessonscanonlyprepareRelifordsomuch. “Laceywantstobeaprofessionalhelper,”Dr.StevenHalstead,Reli-ford’shumanservicesprofessorsays.“That’saboutbeingaservant,andthat’shardtoteach.I’mexcitedforhertodowellbecauseshehaspassion[forherwork].” IfthereisanylabelRelifordis,it’sthatshe’sagood,kindandcaringperson.Onlythoseclosetoherunderstandherforgivingnature,buttheyalsoknowshedoesn’ttoleratenonsense.Bellsaysshe’slikeMirandaLambertinthesensethatshe’scrazy,hilariousandhasacaring,nurturingside. “Once you get to knowLacey, you see she has this southern sass,andit’snaturaltoher,”Bellsays.“She’snottryingtobeanythingelse;she’salwaysjustherself.” Everyoneliveswithbeinglabeledbywhattheystudy,whatsporttheyplay,wheretheygrewuporwheretheygotoschoolorchurch.ButReliforddoesn’tlivebythoselabelsorthestandardsothersholdherupto.She’scer-tainlyherownperson,notjustalabelortwo.

Lacey Reliford:More than a label

By A m A ndA K eLLyGuest Wr iter

Page 18 Features

Twoknocksupon thedoor,anticipatingandwaitingforananswer.Thesoundoftheknockingechoesloudly,andfinallythedooropens.Greetedwithasmilethatcouldlightupanyone’sworld,AlexandraSchaichinvitesmeintoherdormroom,whichisdecoratedelaboratelywithvariousinspirationalquotesandpaintings. “It’sabouttimeyoushowedup,”Schaichsaidasshelaughedsoftly,sittingdownonherbed.Hermediumbrownhair,putup inabun,andherclothingwasasignthat theroomitselfwasalittlechilly,bundlingupinablanketthatiscoveredwithlittlesugarskulls. Schaich,a22-year-oldseniorfromLawrenceburg,Indiana,cametotheUniversityoftheCumberlandstopursueadoubledegreeincriminaljus-ticeandhumanserviceandhasfull intentionsonputtingherdegree touse

aftergraduation. With a lotofhardworkanddedication,Schaichhas accomplishedmany thingsduringher timehereatUC.Asidefromobtainingherdegreesinhumanserviceandcriminaljustice,SchaichwasalsothevicepresidentoftheUCChiMuChapteroftheNationalHumanServicesHonorsSocietyinthe2014-2015schoolyear.Inthe2015-2016schoolyear,Schaichwasnamedpresident. Ittakesalotofhardwork,patienceanddedicationinobtainingade-greeofanykind.Schaichisonetoneverletanythinggetinherwayofbeingsuccessful.Ofcoursetherearetimesthatshemayfeeldiscouraged,butshekeepsinmindthatherfamilybackhomeistheretosupporthereverymove.

Finding AlexandraA senior profile on Alexandra Schaich

By CheL sA BOW m A nGuest Wr iter

Page 19 Features

Photos by Abbey Cher r y

“WhenIgetdownordiscouraged,Ilooktomyfamilyandmyboy-friend.Theyaremybiggestcheerleaders,andtheyhaveneverletmegiveup.TheyhavebelievedinmeattimeswhenI’venotbelievedinmyselfordoubt-edIwasabletodosomething.Idefinitelywouldn’tbewhereIamtodayifitwasn’tforthem,”saidSchaich. Schaich’s personality is one thing that stands out. Just by sittingdownandtalkingtoherwillshowanyonethatSchaichhasahumorousyetcaringpersonality,andyoucan’thelpbuttoloveeverythingabouther. Schaich’sfriendswilltellyouthatsheisaverykindperson,andthatshe isn’t afraid to tell anyone how it is. She is also one of the most caring peopleIhavegottentoknowduringmytimehereatUC.IwasblessedwiththeopportunitytohaveSchaichasaroommatemyfreshmanyear.Therewasneveradullmomentwhenshewalkedintotheroom.Eventhoughshehasanadmirablehumorabouther,sheisalsooneofthemostkind-heartedindivid-ualsIhaveevermet.Shetaughtmehowtobecomeabetterpersonandtobealittlemoreoutgoing.Ireallyappreciatedherandthethingsshetaughtme.

“WhenAlexcametocampus,IwasintroducedtoherbyhercousinKam,whoIservedwithon theActs1:8mission team.Ihadno ideahowclosewewouldbecome,”saidUCgraduateassistantSaraDonahueasshereflectedonthefriendshipbetweenherandSchaich.“Iendedupbeingherroommateforthefirstsemesterofbeingagradassistant.Alexhasabigheartandisagreatfriend.Sheisanencourager,andisalwaystherewhenIneedher.ShecanmakemelaughwhenIneedtolaugh,andshe’salwayswillingtopraywithmeorforme.I’mreallyproudofherandallofheraccomplish-ments,buttellinghergoodbyeaftergraduationisgoingtobereallyhard.IknowwithAlex,Ihaveaforeverfriend,andIamverythankfulforher.” AsIleavetheroomofSchaich,thedoorclosesbehindme.Allofourmemoriestogetherplaylikemoviethroughmymind,andIcan’thelpbuttosmilebecauseIknowhowluckyandblessedIamtohaveencounteredsuchagreatfriendshipwithSchaich.Iknowthatgraduationisn’tagoodbyebutisonlythebeginning.

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DanielFraserwalksthehallsofCumberlandsavictorinhisownright.Onlyfourshortyearsago,graduatingfromcollegewasfarbeyondwhathehadplannedforhimself.Now,heisadoublemajorinpsychologyandfitness&sportsManagement,withanendlessfutureahead. “Ididn’tthinkuniversitywasanoptionforme”saidFraser,“butmymothereventuallyconvincedmetocome.”Heradvicewouldsoonprovetobewisdom.BecauseasofMay7th,Danielsoongetstocallhimselfacollegegraduate. Theoldest sonofPatrickandMaryAnnFraser,Frasercomes fromCooma,asmalltownof8,000inNewSouthWales,Australia.Hehasfoursib-lings:Josh,Lachlan,KevinandJennifer;allofwhomresidebackinAustralia.Frasersayshavingtoreturnhomesoonwillmakehimmisstheready-mademealsinthecafeteria,aswellasthecarefreelifestylethatcomeswithbeingatuniversity. “I’malsogoingtomissallof thegreatpeopleIhavemethere,”hesaid,“andI’mgoingtomisslearning.”Admirably,attendingclassesandstrivingtolearnwassomethingFrasersayshenevertookforgrantedduringhistimehereatUC.Hecommentsthatthefieldofpsychologyparticularlysparkedhisinterest,andhastrulybecomeapassion.“Though,Iwon’tmisswritingthoselongresearchpapers”hejokes. FraserhasalsobeenastrongandenduringassetoftheUCMen’sten-nisteam,havingplayedinpositionsof#1doublesand#2and#4singles,hehasmadealastingimpressiononhisteammatesandpeers.“Dan’sagreatguy,withgreathandsatthenet,I’vetrulyenjoyedplayingwithhim,”saidFraser’s

doublespartnerandfollowseniorAriezDeenHeshaam.“Hehasalwaysbeenagreatfriendwhohasamassiveheart,andIcansayitwillbehardtoseehimgo.” Withanabundanceofoptionsaftergraduation,Fraserhopestocontin-ueplayingtennis,expressingthathemaytryenteringthefieldoftenniscoach-ing,asnottolethisvisibletalentsofthegamegotowaste.“Imightalsotrytoplaysomedoublestournaments,”hesays,“butIhavenointentionofgoingprofessional.”Intermsofhismajor,pursuingamaster’sdegreeinpsychologyisalsoahopefuloptionforFraser,particularlyintheareasofsportpsychologyorindustrialandorganizationalpsychology.“StrengthandconditioningmayalsobeacareerpaththatIchoosetopursue,Ihaveyettodecide,”hesays. Asatypicallad,Fraserenjoysplayingtheguitarandkickingthesoccerballaroundwithfriendsinhisfreetime.Heisknowntohispeersasfun-lovingperson,someonewhoenjoyscrackingjokesandhavingagoodtime.“Heisdefinitelyaverykindandsupportiveperson,”sayshisclosefriendandroom-mateDeveshwarSivam.“I’llmisshavinghimtowakemeupformymorningclasses.” WhenaskedwhathismostmemorablemomentwashereatUC,Fraserlaughsandsays,“WhenmyteammateFrancotriedoutforSpotlightoneyear,thecrowdabsolutelyeruptedwhenhebegandancing.”Hethengoesontorem-inisceaboutmealtimewithhisfellowteammatesandhowheappreciatesbeingabletogettoknowthembetter.Hesaysthosesmall, insignificantmomentswillultimatelyendupstandingoutthemostinhismemoryofthisplace.

By isA BeLL A dA LeGuest Wr iter

Photo by isabella da le

Off the court and across the stage:

A senior profile on Daniel Fraser

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Inlife,mostpeoplewanttodotheirbestinwhattheydo.Exertingtheefforttodosoisanotherstory,butwantingtheirbestisgenerallytherenone-theless.Sometimes,wantingtodotheirbestmeansexactlywhatitsoundslike.Again,theywanttheirbest,theirveryown,withminimalamountofhelpfromothers.Doesthismakethemprideful?Absolutelynot.Sometimesindividualswanttojustprovetothemselvesthattheycandoit.It’snotavendettaagainsttheworld;theyjustwanttoprovetothemselvesthattheycandosomething,purelytoknowthattheycan.Thiswayofthinkingdrivesmanytopursuetheirgoalsandhopefullyoneday,reachthem. Sowhatbecomesofthedreamwhenonedayyouwakeupandrealize,atleastforthetimebeingyouarenolongerself-reliant?Younolongercangoanddoasyouplease,andforatime,youmustallowotherstohelpyouwithtasksyouonceconqueredeasily.Ontopofthat,dreamsyouoncehadmaybegoneforever,andabilitiesyouoncepossessedallbutamemoryofthepast.Butmorethananyofthatyouloseapartofwhoyouare,yourindependence.ThisisexactlywhathappenedtoUC’sFrankEnglandinthefallof2014. In 2013 England enrolled at the University of the Cumberlands asgraduateofClintonCountyHighSchoolinAlbany,Kentucky.Englandquick-lybeganonthetoughjourneyofmajoringinappliedphysics.Onlyincreasinghisload,Englanddecideduponpursuingadoubleminorinbothmathematicsandphysics. If all of thiswasn’t enough,England joined the JVbasketballteamallwhilecarrying18hours thefirst foursemesters. “Competitive,” iswhatUCjuniorHunterCleary,andclosefriendtoEnglandusedtodescribewhohewas.Clearyadded,“Youdon’tgetintoanengineeringprogramwith-outthattypeofdrive.” While England is in his last year at UC, he is not graduating, buttransferringtotheUniversityofKentuckyandwillenrollintheirengineeringschool.HewillattendUKfortwoyearsandthenwillgraduatewithabachelorof science in civil engineering fromUKandalso effectivelygraduate fromUC.UpongraduatingfromUChewillreceiveabachelorofscienceinapplied

physics.Whilethisisanunorthodoxwaytoreceivecollegedegrees,EnglandsitesscholarshipmoneyatUCasthereasonforcomingtoUCfirst. Sowhilethispictureperfectendingseemstohaveallcometogether,therewasatimewhenitseemedtobefallingapart.Inthefallof2014Englandwasplayingpick-upbasketballgamesandinjuredleg.Infacthebrokeit.AndtherestoftheyearatUCwascompletelydifferent.Whileitshouldbenotedthattherewerephysicalpainthatobviouslyaccompaniedthisinjury,maybethepsychologicalpainhurtthemost.Englandknownbyalmostallhisfriendsforhisquickwitandhumorcouldseeadifferenceinhisdemeanor. “Itwaskillinghiminsidethathehadtositaroundandbelazy,”saidJoeyBaldasano,aUCsophomoreandfriendofEngland’s,“Itkilledhishumoralittlebit.”Whilethephysicalpainissooftenevident,sometimes,theemo-tionalpainisjustasdeep.ThedesperationthatsurroundedtheearlyweeksoftheinjuryreallygotEnglanddown.“Ijustviewthatasjustadarktime,”En-gland said. Not only did he have to receive help to get his food and open doors, buthislifewasimpactedinotherswaysaswell.Englandmissedalotofclassduringthattimeandgotbehindonhiswork.Whilehewasabletocatchup,hestilldidnotbenefitfrombeingatthelecture.Notonlythat,butEnglandwasintheprimeofhisbasketballcareerhereatUC.Inayearhewasexpectedtobeoneofthebestplayersontheteam;heendedupred-shirtinginstead. Whileallofthisseemedtoughatthetime,Englandwasabletobouncebackandcontinueonthepath toengineeringschool.Oftentimesin life in-dividualspointtoobstaclestheyhaveovercomeasareasontotheirsuccess.WhenaskedifthissituationhadhelpedEnglandinanyway,herepliedinawaythatonlyhecould,“No,Idon’treallyseehowithelpedme.”Whiletheirwashumorinhistone,hewasstillsincereinthat,thefallof2014reallysethimbackandthathedoesn’tseethegoodinit.Yet,atthesametimeitmakesovercomingthechallengethatmuchmoreadmirable.Insummary,Baldasano,England’sfriendandformersuitematesummedhimupinoneword,sayingheis,“Relentless.”

By L A ndRy WOOdsGuest Wr iter

Physics, physiology, and psychology:A profile on Frank England

Photo submitted

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Shecomestotheinterviewwithherusualsmileandsitsdownatthetablenexttome. “HarthlobbyisprettybusytodayfortheSundaynight,”arethefirstwords thatshesays tome.Shewearshercolorfulswimmingnationalshirt;sheisproudtobeaswimmer.Hercurlyhairishangingalittlebitbelowhershoulders.Hersmileisthewidestyoucanimagine.GraceVanRyckeghemisa22-year-oldseniorexerciseandsportsciencemajorattheUniversityoftheCumberlands.SheisfromFranklin,Tennessee,whichisrightoutsideofNashville. Whenaskedwhoinspiresherinlife,she,withouthesitation,says“Myparents.Theyhelpmetogetthrougheverything.” Andthisistrue,VanRyckeghemhasbeeninvolvedineverythingyoucanpossiblyimagineinherfouryearsatUC.Shehasbeenacaptainoftheswim team,vicepresidentofhouse council atMoss, treasurer and thevicepresident ofBetaBetaBetaBiologyHonor Society, vice president and thepresidentofStudentGovernmentAssociation,andapartofvariouscommit-teesthathelpedwithreaccreditationofourschoolthispastyear. VanRyckeghem’sfriendsknowherasasmilingperson;“Thereisnev-eramomentwhenshedoesnotsmile,”saysAnnaClayton,asenioratUniver-sityoftheCumberlands.AndthisdescribesGraceVanRyckeghemperfectly.Hersmileisabsolutelysincereandkind.Everysecondyoutalktoherthereisalwaysasmileonherfacethatwillshineonyourdayevenifitisathunder-stormoutside.Thiswasabigdistractionduringtheinterview. She is a people person. This is something she enjoys in her life the most – simply talking and getting to know them, whether they are from other countriesorspeakanotherlanguage.“It isamazinghowweallcanconnecttogetherbecausethereisalwayssomethinginacommonbackground,”saysVan Ryckeghem. HelpingpeopleisanothergreatqualityofVanRyckeghem.SheisgoingtoEc-uadorinthecomingfalltoteachchildren,whosesecondlanguageisEnglish.

“IwanttohelpkidsinSouthAmericatolearnandbeabletospeakEnglish,”saysVanRyckeghem,andthisisthefirstmomentinthepasttwentyminuteswhenshestoppedsmiling.“Theyreallydonothaveabigofanopportunitytolearnotherlanguages,”saysVanRyckeghemwithasadtoneofvoice. “ShehasbeenhelpingmealottoimprovemyEnglishskillsinthepasttwoyearsbytalkingwithmealot,”saysVictoriaTornelli,asophomorefromBrazilatUniversityoftheCumberlands.“Shehasahugedesiretohelppeopleandthissomethingshewantstodedicateherlifeto,”addedTornelli. It is an importantquality that everyoneneeds tohave in their lives–wantingtohelpotherpeoplenomatterwhatandputeverythingittakestosucceedatit.ThisissomethingVanRyckeghemismadeof.Herdesireisnotbeaphysicaltherapist,butjusthelppeoplebyconsultingthemindifferentsit-uations.Tobeabletoputeverythingasideandhelppeoplethatneedthathelp.Helpthemtorealizethatpeoplewithdisordersareasequalasweareandwedonotneedtorunawayfromthem.Toteachthemhowtomakeastepclosertothosepeopleandbringsomejoyintheirlives.“Everyonedeservestobehappynomatterwhotheyareandwhatobstaclestheyhaveintheirlives,”saysVanRyckeghem. ItishardtobelievebutsometimesshetakesabreakfrompeoplebyreadingorwatchingNetflix.“Ihavenothadalotoftimetoreadrecently,butIlovereading!”admittedVanRyckeghem.Herfavoritebooksare“HarryPot-ter”and“LordoftheRings.”Shesaysshelikesitbecausecharactersaregoingthroughthesamestrugglesintheirlives,justlikeweare. “Iwilldefinitelymissherandhersmilealotnextyear,”saysTornelli. Itisintegralpartofcollegeyears–studentsarecominginandleavingeveryyear,buttheoneslikeGraceVanRyckeghemwillberememberedandmissedforeverbecauseoftheircontributionstotheuniversity’sdevelopment,her candid smile, and open heart that is always welcome to immediately help anyoneatanycircumstances.

Grace Van Ryckeghem:The person that always smiles

By iGOR dOzOR Tsev Guest Wr iter Photo cour tesy of UC spor ts in for mation

Page 23 Features

NicoleNivison,referredtoasNikkibyherclosestfriendsandteam-mates,isracingtowardgraduationlikenoother.Nikkihasbeenactivelypurs-ingamajorinbiologyandminorincriminaljusticeduringherfouryearsinWilliamsburg.Whileherstudieswereahugepartofhercollegiateexperience,booksweren’ttheonlythingskeepingNikkibusyinthe‘burg.Augustof2012shetraveledawayfromhometobecomeamemberofthefirsteverUniversityof theCumberlandsPatriotarchery team.Nivisonspent thenext fouryearsleapingovernumerousobstaclestobecomethebestathlete,studentandcoachthatshecanbe. DuringherfirstyearatUCNikkiwasfacedwithoneofthetoughestobstaclesanycollegiateathletecanimagine:surgery.AftermonthsoftherapyandrehabilitationNikkireturnedtotherangestrongerthanever. “Mysurgerywasprobably the toughest thing I’vehad toovercomeduringmytime incollege.Notonlydid itpreventmefromcompeting inasportIlove,butIalsostruggledwithmyschoolworkbecauseofit,”saysNivi-son. Being injuredwasasetbackforNivison,butdefinitelynot theend.Duringthe2013-14seasonNivisonbegancompetingagainandstartedtoworkherwaybacktosuccess.Allofherhardworkpaidoffbigtimeinthespringof2015whenNivisonwascrownedchampionofthewomen’sbowhunterdivi-sionattheUSCARegionalIndoorArcheryTournament.

ArcheryhasbeenaninfluentialpartofNivison’slifeinanotherwayaswell.NikkihasworkedwithaprogramcalledCenterShotatFirstBaptistChurchinWilliamsburgduringhertimeatUC.CenterShotisanarcherypro-gramforyoungkids,whichcombinesarcherylessonswithBiblestudiesandfellowship.HannahBlevins,afellowUCarcherandfriendofNikki,saysthatNivisonisan“awesomerolemodel”forthekidssheworkswith. “Sheloveshelpingkidsshootandteachingthemaboutthesport.It’sasportanyonecandoandshelovestoteachthekidsthat,”saysBlevins. Nivisonhasapassionnotonlyfor thesport thathasbroughthersofar,butalsoforourenvironment.Thispassionfortheoutdoorsandtheworldaround us iswhat encouraged her to choose to study biology and criminaljustice.Aftergraduation sheplans topursue a career inwildlife either as abiologistorconservationofficer. Nivisonsays,“IwanttoprotectournaturalworldandIwanttomakesurethatfuturegenerationsgettoenjoythenaturalworldwehaveleft.” Assistant archery coach,MackenzieKieborz says, “Nikki is a verydeterminedperson,bothonandoffthefieldofplay.Sheworksveryhardtobegoodatwhatshedoesanditpaysoff.Nikkihashadasuccessfulacademicandathleticcareerandshewillundoubtedlybesuccessfulinherfutureendeavorsaswell.”

By sh A nnOn COLem A nGuest Wr iter Photo submitted

Aiming for the target:A senior profile on Nicole Nivison