LOS ANGELES -- Leaving Wingate is not what I thought it would be.
On the other side of the country my heart is breaking thinking about the friends I leave behind. I was always told that the grass is greener on the other side and now I am beginning to think that my grass at Wingate was pretty green, at times. That is why I want to write about the "Pros and Cons " of my experience at Wingate University.
I did everything in my power to graduate a year early because of what I felt was my uncomfortable situation at Wingate. When I first arrived I didn’t know that what a small school entailed in regards to a social life. Due to the lack of social diversity my freshman year I found it difficult to appreciate Wingate’s student body. I also found that if you didn’t belong to a fraternity or a sorority it was even more difficult to make friends. My biggest impression of Wingate’s social life was that it was an extension of high school social life. However, as the first few semesters went by I began to find myself amongst Wingate’s growing diverse society and found life-long friends.
In regards to academics, I think that Wingate’s faculty is very helpful and unique. If it were not for a few professors that were always concerned with my well-being I don’t think I could have made it out of there. The one-on-one attention from the professors is one of the biggest advantages that Wingate has to offer, because most professors will be approachable.
Wingate's small size is an advantage and disadvantage depending on how you look at it. I did njoy waking up five to ten minutes before class and making it on time -- or not. The disadvantage is that most professors will know you by name and will hold it against you if you do not show up or if you roll in late. Also the constant urge to see new faces was never satisfied because everyone knows everyone.
I remember saying that I would never return to Wingate after I leave, but the truth is that I find it hard to leave. I will miss all my friends and although I learned a lot from my classes, I also learned how to take care of myself and how to form long life friendships. I do not regret choosing Wingate because of all of the cons as well as the pros.
-- Zulema Vera completed her graduation requirements at the end of Summer Session II.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Sports Column: Confederations Cup showing has U.S. soccer fans hopeful
USA had an amazing run in the recent Confederations Cup, making it to the finals to play Brazil. The underdog US team lost to the Brazilian team 3-2 but showed the world that the US has their foot in the door in a late blossoming sport for our country.
The FIFA Confederations Cup is an association football for national teams, currently held every year by FIFA. Six teams compete from the six different divisions from the FIFA qualifications including last year’s FIFA winners and the host country for the cup. The teams that competed in 2009 cup were South Africa, Iraq, New Zealand, USA, Spain, Brazil, Italy, and Egypt.
USA has had some experience competing in the Confederations Cup, having played in the past three and placing third in two. Although the Americans are not none to be a dominant threat in the world wide sport of football, they have placed in the teens and high twenties in the previous years in the FIFA cup.
USA first games were against Italy and Brazil losing 3-1 and 3-0. At this time USA had a very slim shot to not only make it to the semi-finals but to not be eliminated from the Confederations Cup. The US had one shot to keep their team going, needed to have a six-goal turnaround to keep from being eliminated. The US needed to beat Egypt 3-0, and have Italy loose to Brazil 0-3. With a little luck and a lot of talent against the Egypt team the United States got exactly what they wanted with a victory over Egypt.
In Bloemfontein, South Africa, the world was shocked yet again to see the talented team beat Spain after their huge win against Egypt. USA beat the mighty and fearful Spain which dominated in the 2008 Euro Cup, 2-0. With the victory over Spain the United States made it to the Finals or the first time since they started playing in 1916.
Final game in the Confederations Cup was the United States versus Brazil. The US showed a tremendous amount of effort keeping the score 2-0 in the first half. The first goal was by Clint Dempsey with a cross. Second goal was scored by US loved Landon Donovan with a left foot shot. In the second half Brazil comes back to make two goals, and scores the final goal with a header over US goalie Tim Howard in the 85th minute to beat the US 3-2.
This is the closest the United States has ever gotten to win the Confederations Cup in the history of the sport in the US. Hopefully after the almost victory over Brazil the US will finally be respected as a top nation in football, and still with the FIFA World Cup coming next year I am more than positive the US team will be turning more heads.
-- Patrick Murray
The FIFA Confederations Cup is an association football for national teams, currently held every year by FIFA. Six teams compete from the six different divisions from the FIFA qualifications including last year’s FIFA winners and the host country for the cup. The teams that competed in 2009 cup were South Africa, Iraq, New Zealand, USA, Spain, Brazil, Italy, and Egypt.
USA has had some experience competing in the Confederations Cup, having played in the past three and placing third in two. Although the Americans are not none to be a dominant threat in the world wide sport of football, they have placed in the teens and high twenties in the previous years in the FIFA cup.
USA first games were against Italy and Brazil losing 3-1 and 3-0. At this time USA had a very slim shot to not only make it to the semi-finals but to not be eliminated from the Confederations Cup. The US had one shot to keep their team going, needed to have a six-goal turnaround to keep from being eliminated. The US needed to beat Egypt 3-0, and have Italy loose to Brazil 0-3. With a little luck and a lot of talent against the Egypt team the United States got exactly what they wanted with a victory over Egypt.
In Bloemfontein, South Africa, the world was shocked yet again to see the talented team beat Spain after their huge win against Egypt. USA beat the mighty and fearful Spain which dominated in the 2008 Euro Cup, 2-0. With the victory over Spain the United States made it to the Finals or the first time since they started playing in 1916.
Final game in the Confederations Cup was the United States versus Brazil. The US showed a tremendous amount of effort keeping the score 2-0 in the first half. The first goal was by Clint Dempsey with a cross. Second goal was scored by US loved Landon Donovan with a left foot shot. In the second half Brazil comes back to make two goals, and scores the final goal with a header over US goalie Tim Howard in the 85th minute to beat the US 3-2.
This is the closest the United States has ever gotten to win the Confederations Cup in the history of the sport in the US. Hopefully after the almost victory over Brazil the US will finally be respected as a top nation in football, and still with the FIFA World Cup coming next year I am more than positive the US team will be turning more heads.
-- Patrick Murray
Sports: New trainer has big-time background
Wingate University has added class of 2004 graduate Tim Singleton to the athletic training staff. Tim will be the trainer for the football team this fall. Tim's last athletic training stop was at University of West Georgia, ironically the Wingate Bulldogs’ first opponent of the 2009 season.
Tim has a great pedigree of athletic training background. Tim became a graduate assistant at Georgia Tech for two years, and while there he helped rehab now one of the top receivers in the NFL, Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions. Tim also won two ACC championship rings with Georgia Tech’s women’s tennis team. Tim helped the ladies rehab and manage their injuries quickly so they could make it back on the courts to compete for those ACC titles.
While at Tech, Tim said he was also was exposed to people with great character. He said Tech’s head football coach Chan Gailey was an always polished professional and great leader and teacher.
Tim later on did athletic training for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons for two years.
Tim was introduced to the most modern technology in medicine and met more great character building people like former Falcons coach Jim Mora and former Tampa Bay’s defensive coordinator and motivational speaker Monte Kiffin.
Tim said his reason for choosing to come to work at Wingate University was “to continue my career in the right direction, and the University athletic training is headed in that direction."
Tim said his background as a former football player at Wingate will help him in his new job. "It helps me relate to the athlete," he said.
Tim has already started work at Wingate rehabbing player’s injuries and preparing for training camp when an athletic training staff is literally a football player's life line. Look for Tim on the football sideline real soon.
-- Jeremiah Covington
Tim has a great pedigree of athletic training background. Tim became a graduate assistant at Georgia Tech for two years, and while there he helped rehab now one of the top receivers in the NFL, Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions. Tim also won two ACC championship rings with Georgia Tech’s women’s tennis team. Tim helped the ladies rehab and manage their injuries quickly so they could make it back on the courts to compete for those ACC titles.
While at Tech, Tim said he was also was exposed to people with great character. He said Tech’s head football coach Chan Gailey was an always polished professional and great leader and teacher.
Tim later on did athletic training for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons for two years.
Tim was introduced to the most modern technology in medicine and met more great character building people like former Falcons coach Jim Mora and former Tampa Bay’s defensive coordinator and motivational speaker Monte Kiffin.
Tim said his reason for choosing to come to work at Wingate University was “to continue my career in the right direction, and the University athletic training is headed in that direction."
Tim said his background as a former football player at Wingate will help him in his new job. "It helps me relate to the athlete," he said.
Tim has already started work at Wingate rehabbing player’s injuries and preparing for training camp when an athletic training staff is literally a football player's life line. Look for Tim on the football sideline real soon.
-- Jeremiah Covington
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Commentary: Students should be aware of Offender Registry
How safe do you feel at Wingate? How well do you know the area where you spend most of your year? Wingate’s quiet small town demeanor misleads many students to take fewer precautions than they should. After reviewing the North Carolina Offender Registry many students might want to change their habitual routines.
Around Wingate’s campus there are more than 10 sex offenders living in a 3-mile radius and in a 1-mile radius there are four on record sex offenders. The criminals mainly live on the back roads near Wingate Elementary, on Funderburk Road there are two on record sexual predators living. Although these facts might be treated as a lenient matter, the truth is that Wingate is a small town and the number of on record sexual predators in vicinity is worrisome.
Some female student were asked if they knew about the North Carolina Offender Registry website and if they had ever made use of it and both said no. After telling them the information that it provided and the amount of charged and convicted sex offenders around the campus they were very shocked.
One of the female students, Jenna Hill said that she had taken some safety precautions before. “I always locked my car the moment I got in and I never wandered alone," she said.
The other female student says that she also has taken precautions when it came to walking around campus. “ I always walk in numbers and check my surroundings. I also make sure that I have something in my hand, like my keys and before going out I always let someone know where I was going,” says Daniel Perry.
Then they said that although they know this information that they didn’t think that they needed to change their safety precautions or habitual routines on campus. Although they felt that the school could make some changes. “The school should take more precautions and take more security measures in different forms. I think that there are some areas that are not well lit and they should put security cameras up,” says Perry.
When Campus Security was asked about the issue they said that they were not aware of the website and the information that it offered, but that they have done everything in there power to keep the campus as safe as possible. They said that they were aware of some sexual predators that had been charged and convicted and that if they ever came on campus they kept an eye on them from the moment they stepped on to the premises until they left.
This information is unsettling and should serve as a sort of awareness within the Wingate community, on and off of campus. The truth of the matter is that Wingate University is an open campus and down the road is an Elementary school with a park right next to it.
The North Carolina Sex Offender registry is a tool that was set up by our state government to help the public sector be more aware of their surroundings; therefore, it should be put to use.
-- Zulema Vera
Around Wingate’s campus there are more than 10 sex offenders living in a 3-mile radius and in a 1-mile radius there are four on record sex offenders. The criminals mainly live on the back roads near Wingate Elementary, on Funderburk Road there are two on record sexual predators living. Although these facts might be treated as a lenient matter, the truth is that Wingate is a small town and the number of on record sexual predators in vicinity is worrisome.
Some female student were asked if they knew about the North Carolina Offender Registry website and if they had ever made use of it and both said no. After telling them the information that it provided and the amount of charged and convicted sex offenders around the campus they were very shocked.
One of the female students, Jenna Hill said that she had taken some safety precautions before. “I always locked my car the moment I got in and I never wandered alone," she said.
The other female student says that she also has taken precautions when it came to walking around campus. “ I always walk in numbers and check my surroundings. I also make sure that I have something in my hand, like my keys and before going out I always let someone know where I was going,” says Daniel Perry.
Then they said that although they know this information that they didn’t think that they needed to change their safety precautions or habitual routines on campus. Although they felt that the school could make some changes. “The school should take more precautions and take more security measures in different forms. I think that there are some areas that are not well lit and they should put security cameras up,” says Perry.
When Campus Security was asked about the issue they said that they were not aware of the website and the information that it offered, but that they have done everything in there power to keep the campus as safe as possible. They said that they were aware of some sexual predators that had been charged and convicted and that if they ever came on campus they kept an eye on them from the moment they stepped on to the premises until they left.
This information is unsettling and should serve as a sort of awareness within the Wingate community, on and off of campus. The truth of the matter is that Wingate University is an open campus and down the road is an Elementary school with a park right next to it.
The North Carolina Sex Offender registry is a tool that was set up by our state government to help the public sector be more aware of their surroundings; therefore, it should be put to use.
-- Zulema Vera
News: Council divided over skateboard park
MARSHVILLE -- At the Marshville Town Council meeting last week, the topic of reopening the town’s skateboard park emerged from the agenda’s liability insurance update issue.
The question was supposed to ask whether or not the council wanted to implement insurance for the unsupervised area for $377 per year. However, it turned into a question of reopening the park or keeping it closed. When put to a vote, the decision to keep the park closed remained with a 3-2 vote.
The park only opened last year, under the condition that skater patrons follow the rules and regulations set by the Town Council. One reason it was opened was to get the skaters out of the streets. Skateboarders and their parents petitioned to construct a park especially for them. Mayor Franklin Deese said, "We’ll do this for you but you must follow the rules because you’re really putting us at risk."
A sign with these rules is posted at the park. Deese said, "We leave it to whomever who goes over there to follow those rules and regulations." According to some council members, the skaters had not been following the rules—namely the one requiring skaters to wear a helmet and protective gear. It is an unsupervised park, however, there are still liability issues. Though no one has been injured in the park, there is still a danger factor that is put into account.
"My concern more than anything is just the liability. I love for the children to have somewhere to go, but we have to be frugal," explained Deese.
Now that the park is closed, skaters have returned to the streets. Deese said, "It is a misdemeanor to skate downtown at all. So, in that instance, they’re breaking the law. We’re not liable if the person is breaking the law." This is because the council passed a special ordinance prohibiting skating in downtown Marshville.
Alan Thifault, parks and recreation director, was concerned about the limits put on these skaters. He said, "Stop putting the magnifying glass on these kids."
-- Kelsey Trabue
The question was supposed to ask whether or not the council wanted to implement insurance for the unsupervised area for $377 per year. However, it turned into a question of reopening the park or keeping it closed. When put to a vote, the decision to keep the park closed remained with a 3-2 vote.
The park only opened last year, under the condition that skater patrons follow the rules and regulations set by the Town Council. One reason it was opened was to get the skaters out of the streets. Skateboarders and their parents petitioned to construct a park especially for them. Mayor Franklin Deese said, "We’ll do this for you but you must follow the rules because you’re really putting us at risk."
A sign with these rules is posted at the park. Deese said, "We leave it to whomever who goes over there to follow those rules and regulations." According to some council members, the skaters had not been following the rules—namely the one requiring skaters to wear a helmet and protective gear. It is an unsupervised park, however, there are still liability issues. Though no one has been injured in the park, there is still a danger factor that is put into account.
"My concern more than anything is just the liability. I love for the children to have somewhere to go, but we have to be frugal," explained Deese.
Now that the park is closed, skaters have returned to the streets. Deese said, "It is a misdemeanor to skate downtown at all. So, in that instance, they’re breaking the law. We’re not liable if the person is breaking the law." This is because the council passed a special ordinance prohibiting skating in downtown Marshville.
Alan Thifault, parks and recreation director, was concerned about the limits put on these skaters. He said, "Stop putting the magnifying glass on these kids."
-- Kelsey Trabue
News: Marshville council discusses parks director's schedule
MARSHVILLE -- Maintenance of the town's park shelter was a hot topic at the recent town council meeting. Council members discussed the job description of Parks Director Alan Thifault.
The park covers approximately 13 acres. Featuring walking trails, benches, picnic tables and grills, it's the first new park in Marshville since 1978.
Thifault told council members he was having a hard time knowing what to clock in as his hours. Thifault is a resident of Monroe, so he has to drive 30 minutes every time he visits the park and leaves. He is in charge of the park, which includes cleaning and doing maintenance in the public restrooms.
Thifault said on some weekends would take close to five hours cleaning just one restroom. When he is finished he would go back home, until someone contacts him about renting the park and then he would have to travel back to Marshville.
Mayor Franklin Deese and council members told him that he should clock in anytime that he is having to travel to the park, clean the park and travel home.
The park is located on Park Drive, north of downtown, off Olive Branch Street. For more information about Park and Recreation activities, contact Thifault at 704-624-6808 or via e mail at marshvilleparks@windstream.net.
The park covers approximately 13 acres. Featuring walking trails, benches, picnic tables and grills, it's the first new park in Marshville since 1978.
Thifault told council members he was having a hard time knowing what to clock in as his hours. Thifault is a resident of Monroe, so he has to drive 30 minutes every time he visits the park and leaves. He is in charge of the park, which includes cleaning and doing maintenance in the public restrooms.
Thifault said on some weekends would take close to five hours cleaning just one restroom. When he is finished he would go back home, until someone contacts him about renting the park and then he would have to travel back to Marshville.
Mayor Franklin Deese and council members told him that he should clock in anytime that he is having to travel to the park, clean the park and travel home.
The park is located on Park Drive, north of downtown, off Olive Branch Street. For more information about Park and Recreation activities, contact Thifault at 704-624-6808 or via e mail at marshvilleparks@windstream.net.
--Kayla Walker
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Review: Four restaurants for student budgets
College students are known for having to pinch their pennies, as they have to pay for their education. They are also known for wanting to eat well for a decent price. While making the transition from home-cooked meals from mom to cafeteria prepared dishes, students may want to escape from the easy eats at the café or the microwaved ramen noodles in their dorm. Here are a few frugal places that will provide students a bang for their buck while being collegiately delectable.
JB’s Midway Country Café: In the mood for some authentic southern cuisine? JB’s is located in downtown Monroe and boasts some of the best BBQ around. They provide customers with a generous portion for a great price. They have everyday lunch and dinner specials with a large variety to choose from—hamburgers to chicken and all the vegetables you can think of! JB’s has a true southern diner charm that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. It is located at 723 N. Charlotte Avenue.
Blu Moon Café: If you are looking for warm, cozy, and sophisticated, this quaint café is it! The Blu Moon Café’s chef is constantly thinking of new creations that open the palette. It is located in the Historic Downtown Monroe with an outdoor patio. The menu contains tasty salads and signature sandwiches that will fill you up and also keep your wallets full. The restaurant even has entertainment with having live music on the weekends.
Taqueria La Unica: Who doesn’t like a good, low-cost, authentic Mexican meal? La Unica is one of the most popular places to go for Wingate students. It possesses great food with large portions for low prices! You are welcomed with unlimited freshly baked tortilla chips and hot queso along with several different salsas that are on the casa! Customers have a great variety of Mexican meals to choose from like the Burrito California or Chimichanga. La Unica is located at 1621 Walkup Avenue.
Italiano Restaurant: Large portions, great tasting food… It must be Italian! Italiano has some of the best Italian food in Monroe. Though the service is slow and the site is a bit shaky, the food is most definitely worth the wait. You can create your own pizza and pasta or choose from different filled strombolis or calzones. The restaurant also serves complimentary bread. Italiano is at 1226 Roosevelt Blvd.
--Kelsey Trabue
JB’s Midway Country Café: In the mood for some authentic southern cuisine? JB’s is located in downtown Monroe and boasts some of the best BBQ around. They provide customers with a generous portion for a great price. They have everyday lunch and dinner specials with a large variety to choose from—hamburgers to chicken and all the vegetables you can think of! JB’s has a true southern diner charm that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. It is located at 723 N. Charlotte Avenue.
Blu Moon Café: If you are looking for warm, cozy, and sophisticated, this quaint café is it! The Blu Moon Café’s chef is constantly thinking of new creations that open the palette. It is located in the Historic Downtown Monroe with an outdoor patio. The menu contains tasty salads and signature sandwiches that will fill you up and also keep your wallets full. The restaurant even has entertainment with having live music on the weekends.
Taqueria La Unica: Who doesn’t like a good, low-cost, authentic Mexican meal? La Unica is one of the most popular places to go for Wingate students. It possesses great food with large portions for low prices! You are welcomed with unlimited freshly baked tortilla chips and hot queso along with several different salsas that are on the casa! Customers have a great variety of Mexican meals to choose from like the Burrito California or Chimichanga. La Unica is located at 1621 Walkup Avenue.
Italiano Restaurant: Large portions, great tasting food… It must be Italian! Italiano has some of the best Italian food in Monroe. Though the service is slow and the site is a bit shaky, the food is most definitely worth the wait. You can create your own pizza and pasta or choose from different filled strombolis or calzones. The restaurant also serves complimentary bread. Italiano is at 1226 Roosevelt Blvd.
--Kelsey Trabue
Sports: Q&A with Blake Holmes
Blake Holmes is an outside linebacker with the Wingate Bulldogs football team. He came to Wingate in the fall of 2004 and, after leaving for a time due to personal reasons, he returned for the 2008 season. He is a graduate of Irmo High School near Columbia, S.C.
Q: What's in your Ipod right now?
A: A lot of Pastor Troy, some T.I., some Three-Six and a little bit of Drake. And some Jagged Edge for the ladies.
Q: What's the last book you read that wasn't for school?
A: It's "Educating Dexter," by Dexter Manley, the former Washington Redskins player. He didn't learn to read until he was 28 and he had a lot of struggles with cocaine addiction and with being a good father to his children.
Q: Complete this sentence: "I'd rather not hear any more stories in the media about..."
A: Michael Jackson and (former Tennessee Titans quarterback) Steve McNair. The news is too upsetting.
Q: What do you like best about yourself?
A: My ability to have fun and enjoy myself.
Q: What would you change about yourself?
A: I'm too nice to people sometimes, and some people just don't respect niceness.
Q: What was your favorite thing about high school?
A: Playing football. I remember the post-game parties and just hanging out with my friends.
Q: What is your greatest accomplishment?
A: It has to be my two-year-old daughter Deasia.
-- Julius Burkett
Q: What's in your Ipod right now?
A: A lot of Pastor Troy, some T.I., some Three-Six and a little bit of Drake. And some Jagged Edge for the ladies.
Q: What's the last book you read that wasn't for school?
A: It's "Educating Dexter," by Dexter Manley, the former Washington Redskins player. He didn't learn to read until he was 28 and he had a lot of struggles with cocaine addiction and with being a good father to his children.
Q: Complete this sentence: "I'd rather not hear any more stories in the media about..."
A: Michael Jackson and (former Tennessee Titans quarterback) Steve McNair. The news is too upsetting.
Q: What do you like best about yourself?
A: My ability to have fun and enjoy myself.
Q: What would you change about yourself?
A: I'm too nice to people sometimes, and some people just don't respect niceness.
Q: What was your favorite thing about high school?
A: Playing football. I remember the post-game parties and just hanging out with my friends.
Q: What is your greatest accomplishment?
A: It has to be my two-year-old daughter Deasia.
-- Julius Burkett
Sports: Q&A with Kyle Corcoran
Kyle Corcoran, a rising senior from Kent, Wash., is on the swim team at Wingate University and is majoring in Sports Management. Corcoran is on campus this summer working as a lifeguard at the indoor and outdoor pool, and receiving credit for an internship with one of his classes.
Q: What artist would I be most likely to find in a list of songs on your iPod right now?
A: Lamb of God
Q: Name a place that you’ve never been that you’d most like to travel to.
A: Spain
Q: What’s the most important thing in the world?
A: Family
Q: Complete this sentence: I’d rather not see anymore stories in the newspaper or on TV about...
A: Congressman having affairs in Argentina
Q: What’s your favorite food?
A: Pancakes
Q:Who was the person you were closest to while growing up? Why?
A: My mom, she was very supportive.
Q: Complete this sentence: Something people would be surprised to learn about me is...
A: I don’t like Chick-fil-A.
-- Sarah Thomas
Q: What artist would I be most likely to find in a list of songs on your iPod right now?
A: Lamb of God
Q: Name a place that you’ve never been that you’d most like to travel to.
A: Spain
Q: What’s the most important thing in the world?
A: Family
Q: Complete this sentence: I’d rather not see anymore stories in the newspaper or on TV about...
A: Congressman having affairs in Argentina
Q: What’s your favorite food?
A: Pancakes
Q:Who was the person you were closest to while growing up? Why?
A: My mom, she was very supportive.
Q: Complete this sentence: Something people would be surprised to learn about me is...
A: I don’t like Chick-fil-A.
-- Sarah Thomas
Sports: Q&A with Mico Drew
Mico Drew enters his junior year as a defensive lineman for the Wingate University football team. Drew Spent the 2007 season as a redshirt. In high school, Drew was named to the All-District, All-Region, and All-Metro teams. I sat down with Drew and asked him a few questions about his personal life and what sort of an impact playing football has had on him.
Q .What’s a place you’ve never been to but would like to visit?
A: I’d really like to visit Florida, Miami in particular. I love spending time on the beaches.
Q .What’s the most important thing in the world to you?
A: Family. You can’t accomplish anything without family. Or respect. Both are pretty important.
Q: What’s your favorite food?
A: I love some pepperoni pizza.
Q. What do you want to be doing 10 years from now?
A: I want to be playing in the NFL. If I could choose a team, I’d want to play in Dallas for the Cowboys.
Q. Who was the person you were closest to while growing up?
A: My sister, probably because we’re about the same age and we both love doing a lot of the same things.
Q. Complete this sentence: The accomplishment I’m most proud of is…
A: Graduating from Highland Springs (Virginia) High School.
Q. And just for fun…What’s the last show you watched on TV?
A: Man, the last show….not on ESPN or Sports Center…"The Mighty Ducks " was on yesterday. I love the old movies.
-- Chris Siers
Q .What’s a place you’ve never been to but would like to visit?
A: I’d really like to visit Florida, Miami in particular. I love spending time on the beaches.
Q .What’s the most important thing in the world to you?
A: Family. You can’t accomplish anything without family. Or respect. Both are pretty important.
Q: What’s your favorite food?
A: I love some pepperoni pizza.
Q. What do you want to be doing 10 years from now?
A: I want to be playing in the NFL. If I could choose a team, I’d want to play in Dallas for the Cowboys.
Q. Who was the person you were closest to while growing up?
A: My sister, probably because we’re about the same age and we both love doing a lot of the same things.
Q. Complete this sentence: The accomplishment I’m most proud of is…
A: Graduating from Highland Springs (Virginia) High School.
Q. And just for fun…What’s the last show you watched on TV?
A: Man, the last show….not on ESPN or Sports Center…"The Mighty Ducks " was on yesterday. I love the old movies.
-- Chris Siers
Monday, July 13, 2009
Video special: Marshville Town Council meeting
Our class visited a recent meeting of the Marshville Town Council, where among the items discussed were the possibility of re-opening a closed town skateboard park and an amendment to a floodplain ordinance to make the town eligible for participation in the National Flood Insurance program. Also discussed were general policies related to operation of the town park. Class members Chris Siers, Kelsey Trabue and Zulema Vera talked with Mayor Franklin Deese after the meeting.
News: Wingate still busy place over summer
Though school has let out months ago, the campus of Wingate is still a hustling and bustling place. “Summer at Wingate is actually busier in June and July than it is during the entire school year,” said Residence Life Director Chris Ziegler.
Wingate University offers students summer courses along with a place to live. But it isn’t the students who make Wingate an active campus, it is the people who come from outside.
Wingate hosts several different sports camps during the summer including soccer, basketball, softball, lacrosse, and football. The university also hosts a program known as Passport where churches from several different locations come together at Wingate and perform an array of activities such as service projects, daily worships, and bible studies. According to Residence Life, there are over 5,000 campers that occupy Wingate’s campus over the summer in 20 different camps.
Assistant Director of Residence Life Gary Bodford said, “It’s a logistical nightmare,” and “a vicious cycle.” Bodford also said, “We have campers leaving on a Friday and then new campers coming in on Sunday.” This only gives the campus services a little over a day to clean the dorms for the next batch of campers.
To live on the campus of Wingate during the summer can be a high price to pay. Students are charged $325 per credit hour, $360 for a room to live in per four-week session, $200 if one wants to eat in the café or at the Klondike, and another $200 for books.
For the high price Wingate University students pay to attend summer classes, the Beam Apartments are designated for them—8-person, 4-room apartments. Whereas the Passport Kids and summer sports camps stay in the single-person 4-bedroom apartments of Jefferson. They also occupy New Beam, North Campus, New Cannon, Old Cannon, and Helms. Several students have mixed feelings about the kids, who do not attend the university, walking around campus and staying in the seemingly “better” dorms.
Bodford said that the Jefferson dorms are designated for the Passport kids, whom have over 300 campers per week, and other camps, to make it easier for the camp. “They can contain the kids in one area,” explained Bodford. The Passport camps also bring a great deal of revenue to Wingate University. “It does help Wingate out tremendously… it will save some people’s jobs,” said Bodford.
Bodford also said when asked why summer school students could not stay in New Beam was because it was not ready to be lived in at the time of the beginning of the first session of summer school.
Junior Cheryl Vaccaro feels that these camps are positive for their campers. She said, “I think it’s a great opportunity that they are able to attend these camps that are on our campus. I wish I could have gone to a sports camp like the ones that are here when I was their age.” Vaccaro added, however, “On the downside there’s a lot of kids on campus and they are allowed to live in Jefferson and have a meal plan. I think that if they are allowed to have a meal plan, we should be able to have one too that’s cheaper.”
Junior Kelye Perry thinks that taking summer classes is another good opportunity. However, “I think we’re essentially paying the same amount (as the campers), we should have the same accommodations accessible to us, like free printing in Bridges and less expensive meal plans. $10 a meal is outrageous,” she said.
Bodford said that he tries to get in as many of a variety of camps as possible. “We’re branching out with different things,” he said. Bodford explained that Wingate had to turn away a huge national football camp because there wasn’t enough field space because other camps had to use the fields as well.
-- Kelsey Trabue
Wingate University offers students summer courses along with a place to live. But it isn’t the students who make Wingate an active campus, it is the people who come from outside.
Wingate hosts several different sports camps during the summer including soccer, basketball, softball, lacrosse, and football. The university also hosts a program known as Passport where churches from several different locations come together at Wingate and perform an array of activities such as service projects, daily worships, and bible studies. According to Residence Life, there are over 5,000 campers that occupy Wingate’s campus over the summer in 20 different camps.
Assistant Director of Residence Life Gary Bodford said, “It’s a logistical nightmare,” and “a vicious cycle.” Bodford also said, “We have campers leaving on a Friday and then new campers coming in on Sunday.” This only gives the campus services a little over a day to clean the dorms for the next batch of campers.
To live on the campus of Wingate during the summer can be a high price to pay. Students are charged $325 per credit hour, $360 for a room to live in per four-week session, $200 if one wants to eat in the café or at the Klondike, and another $200 for books.
For the high price Wingate University students pay to attend summer classes, the Beam Apartments are designated for them—8-person, 4-room apartments. Whereas the Passport Kids and summer sports camps stay in the single-person 4-bedroom apartments of Jefferson. They also occupy New Beam, North Campus, New Cannon, Old Cannon, and Helms. Several students have mixed feelings about the kids, who do not attend the university, walking around campus and staying in the seemingly “better” dorms.
Bodford said that the Jefferson dorms are designated for the Passport kids, whom have over 300 campers per week, and other camps, to make it easier for the camp. “They can contain the kids in one area,” explained Bodford. The Passport camps also bring a great deal of revenue to Wingate University. “It does help Wingate out tremendously… it will save some people’s jobs,” said Bodford.
Bodford also said when asked why summer school students could not stay in New Beam was because it was not ready to be lived in at the time of the beginning of the first session of summer school.
Junior Cheryl Vaccaro feels that these camps are positive for their campers. She said, “I think it’s a great opportunity that they are able to attend these camps that are on our campus. I wish I could have gone to a sports camp like the ones that are here when I was their age.” Vaccaro added, however, “On the downside there’s a lot of kids on campus and they are allowed to live in Jefferson and have a meal plan. I think that if they are allowed to have a meal plan, we should be able to have one too that’s cheaper.”
Junior Kelye Perry thinks that taking summer classes is another good opportunity. However, “I think we’re essentially paying the same amount (as the campers), we should have the same accommodations accessible to us, like free printing in Bridges and less expensive meal plans. $10 a meal is outrageous,” she said.
Bodford said that he tries to get in as many of a variety of camps as possible. “We’re branching out with different things,” he said. Bodford explained that Wingate had to turn away a huge national football camp because there wasn’t enough field space because other camps had to use the fields as well.
-- Kelsey Trabue
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Sports: Jones getting ready for 3rd NFL season
The NFL career of former Wingate University cornernback David Jones is pretty amazing, considering the fact that he was still able to be drafted while attending a Division II university.
In a recent interview Jones, who will soon start his second season with the Cincinnati Bengals, talked about his feelings when he was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2007 draft. He said the feeling is unexplainable and that it was a breathtaking experience to have his dream come true.
He was traded to the Bengals in the pre-season that year.
Jones said he considered transferring during his Wingate career, because he initially thought his chances weren't good for being drafted from a Division II school. But in the long run he said he was glad that he stuck it out and stayed.
Jones talked about his off-season, which he said is even longer than the offseason of a college football player, "because it's now a career."
He said training camp "tests you mentally and physically as a football player and as a man. As an athlete you always want to be in the best shape, and be ready for the strenuous activities ahead in training camp as well as on and off the field."
He has been participating in voluntary workouts, which he said aren't really so voluntary.
"It's all up to the kind of athlete you want to be and that it [workouts] separates the good from the greats.”
Jones said the Cincinnati coaching staff has a positive outlook and very high expectations on how the team is looking for the upcoming season. He said he plans to do whatever his coaches need him to do and to be ready when his number is called.
“At any moment it’s your time to shine," he said.
--Julius Burkett
In a recent interview Jones, who will soon start his second season with the Cincinnati Bengals, talked about his feelings when he was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the fifth round of the 2007 draft. He said the feeling is unexplainable and that it was a breathtaking experience to have his dream come true.
He was traded to the Bengals in the pre-season that year.
Jones said he considered transferring during his Wingate career, because he initially thought his chances weren't good for being drafted from a Division II school. But in the long run he said he was glad that he stuck it out and stayed.
Jones talked about his off-season, which he said is even longer than the offseason of a college football player, "because it's now a career."
He said training camp "tests you mentally and physically as a football player and as a man. As an athlete you always want to be in the best shape, and be ready for the strenuous activities ahead in training camp as well as on and off the field."
He has been participating in voluntary workouts, which he said aren't really so voluntary.
"It's all up to the kind of athlete you want to be and that it [workouts] separates the good from the greats.”
Jones said the Cincinnati coaching staff has a positive outlook and very high expectations on how the team is looking for the upcoming season. He said he plans to do whatever his coaches need him to do and to be ready when his number is called.
“At any moment it’s your time to shine," he said.
--Julius Burkett
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Sports: Brown trying to move up with Mets
Former Wingate University baseball pitcher Eric Brown (Hamlet, NC) is happy with his success so far in the minor leagues.
Brown was drafted in the 18th round in Major League Baseball’s first-year player draft in 2005 by the New York Mets. He spent his first professional season playing with the Brooklyn Cyclones in the New York Penn League before moving up to the Hagerstown Suns. In 2007, Brown played for the St. Lucie Mets and he is now in his second season with the Class AA Binghamton Mets in Binghamton, N.Y.
So far this season he has a 4-8 record with a 5.57 earned run average in 21 games, both starting and out of the bullpen.
Brown said, “I’m in Double A and I never really thought I would be here and still pitching. Obviously my ultimate goal is to make it to the Major Leagues, but I’m still working on it. I’ve had ups and downs in my career just like anyone, but more ups than downs and that’s a good thing.”
With a lot of injuries on the Mets major and minor league teams, and the way Brown is pitching now, it is a good possibility that he will keep moving up.
In his first four years of professional baseball, Brown had the privilege of playing with several players who are now in the major leagues with the Mets: Daniel Murphy, Nick Evans, Jon Niese, Fernando Nieve and his roommate, Bobby Parnell.
Even though baseball takes up most of the year, Brown is able to spend a couple months at home with family and friends. He said he also comes back to the university often to work out with the baseball team.
Bulldog fans can follow Eric Brown by visiting his team website: http://www.bmets.com/
- Sarah Thomas
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sports column: Panthers need to hold on to, move the ball in '09
The Carolina Panthers are looking to rebound after coming up short in the post season in 2008. After finishing the regular season with a 12-4 record, things looked pretty good for the Cat Pack rolling into the post season.
When a team goes undefeated during the regular season at home, getting a home playoff game seemed like a sure win, especially against the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals, led by Kurt Warner, looked to shut down the Panthers.
All season, quarterback Jake Delhomme set the team’s morale, which was good, for most of the season, but when he had a bad game, the Panthers crumbled. In the final game of the season, Delhomme had only one touchdown pass to Steve Smith, late in the game, which limited the Panthers’ scoring ability.
For Delhomme, not finding the receivers wasn’t his only problem. The star QB had 6 turnovers, including five fumbles and an interception. The turnovers committed by Delhomme alone led to a 33-13 blowout Cardinals win, thwarting the Panthers’ quest for a trip to the Super Bowl.
In order for the Panthers to be a prime contender in the post-season, and make a return trip to the Super Bowl, Delhomme is going to have to take better care of the ball. After being with the Panthers for five seasons, “Jake the Snake” is looking to return for a more promising season.
With most of the starting line-up returning, there’s no shortage of talent to be found on the team. With Muhsin Muhammad and Steve Smith returning as wide receivers, and Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams, there certainly is enough talent on the field to complete the job.
The real task is getting Jake to set a good morale for team, and protecting the ball. When training camp begins, Delhomme will almost certainly be looking for better offensive coverage, as well as finding other ways to feed the ball to Smith and Muhammad.
With the mistakes of last year in mind, the Panthers are set to kickoff the pre-season on Monday, Aug. 17 at 8 p.m. against the New York Giants, and are surely hungry for that post-season brawl, the road to the Super Bowl.
-- Chris Siers
When a team goes undefeated during the regular season at home, getting a home playoff game seemed like a sure win, especially against the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals, led by Kurt Warner, looked to shut down the Panthers.
All season, quarterback Jake Delhomme set the team’s morale, which was good, for most of the season, but when he had a bad game, the Panthers crumbled. In the final game of the season, Delhomme had only one touchdown pass to Steve Smith, late in the game, which limited the Panthers’ scoring ability.
For Delhomme, not finding the receivers wasn’t his only problem. The star QB had 6 turnovers, including five fumbles and an interception. The turnovers committed by Delhomme alone led to a 33-13 blowout Cardinals win, thwarting the Panthers’ quest for a trip to the Super Bowl.
In order for the Panthers to be a prime contender in the post-season, and make a return trip to the Super Bowl, Delhomme is going to have to take better care of the ball. After being with the Panthers for five seasons, “Jake the Snake” is looking to return for a more promising season.
With most of the starting line-up returning, there’s no shortage of talent to be found on the team. With Muhsin Muhammad and Steve Smith returning as wide receivers, and Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams, there certainly is enough talent on the field to complete the job.
The real task is getting Jake to set a good morale for team, and protecting the ball. When training camp begins, Delhomme will almost certainly be looking for better offensive coverage, as well as finding other ways to feed the ball to Smith and Muhammad.
With the mistakes of last year in mind, the Panthers are set to kickoff the pre-season on Monday, Aug. 17 at 8 p.m. against the New York Giants, and are surely hungry for that post-season brawl, the road to the Super Bowl.
-- Chris Siers
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