highland cavalier oct 29 issue

Today is the last day to drop a second seven weeks course.

CAVALIER Volume 66, Issue 4October 29, 2014

The Official Student Newspaper of UVa-Wise

The Highland

news

et cetera

opinion

sports

IndexUpcomingpage 2

page 4

page 6

page 7

highlandcavalier.com

Hannah Graham Vigil

The UVa-Wise Jazz Ensem-ble and concert band will play at the David J. Prior Convocation center on Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.

Jazz Ensemble

A vigil to honor Hannah Gra-ham, as well as all victims of sexual assault and abuse, will be held tomorrow at 8 p.m. in front of the campus lake.

Last day to drop 7-week course

see Red Flags, page 2

Red flags spotlight dating violence

Damean MathewsSenior News [email protected]

Red flags are once again cover-ing the campus and The University of Virginia’s College at Wise is the flagship school for a campaign that, until last year, many didn’t know much about.

Last year’s Red Flag campaign began with a bit of a mystery, with red flags showing up everywhere on campus and videos being made chronicling the “Red Flag Mys-tery.”

Once the reveal had been made public and the mystery cleared up, the Red Flag Campaign became a topic on campus.

Proposed in 2005, the Red Flag Campaign seeks to promote aware-ness on the topic of dating violence among students on college campus-es nationwide.

Senior psychology major Jor-dan Viars, a student member of the board in association with the Red Flag Campaign said he feels the at-tempt to promote awareness is go-ing well and having the proper ef-fect.

“I’ve seen a big difference [since the campaign started]. We need to work on making sure we know that it’s a serious issue, not only at UVa-Wise, but everywhere. I just think that’s one thing we need to work on as a human race,” Viars said.

UVa-Wise, as a flagship school, has taken the campaign to a new level, making another awareness video which was released during Fall Break and repeated the mes-sage that sexual and dating vio-lence are “not the UVa-Wise way.”

Viars, who was featured in the

video, said that students have had a good reaction to it as well.

“I had a student come up to me and say, ‘Jordan, it’s like you’re peering into my soul,’... which is the point,” Viars said.

One of the key goals of the cam-paign is to make sure that students remember the mantra “see some-thing, say something” according to Viars and a press release written by college officials.

“It may seem a little awkward, but you may not only be saving someone from a bad experience … you could be saving their life on


Missing UVa student Hannah Graham has been con-firmed dead, according to police.

Graham disappeared early on the morning of Sept. 13, and has been the subject of a statewide search as well as nationwide news.

Remains found last week in Albemarle County, Vir-ginia have been revealed to be those of the missing 18 year old, according to news reports Friday.

see Halloween, page 3


Halloween is fast approaching and many students on campus are seeking ways to celebrate the holiday. The annual G&J Corn Maze in Wise is one celebration that is very close to the college, but it is not the only one of its kind.

Another celebration that occurred just a little farther than G&J is the murder mys-tery dinner at Mountain Rose Vineyard, also in Wise. The dinner and murder mys-tery, titled “Betting on Death,” had a Las Vegas theme and offered an interesting

Halloween is finally upon us

Photo courtesy Help Find Hannah Graham Facebook

UVa student’s body found

Jay David | The Highland Cavalier

see Hannah Graham, page 3


time for all, according to Suzanne Lawson, tasting room manager and owner.

Also in the area is the Mountain Em-pire Community College Haunted Forest. Hosted each year in the forest behind the college, the attraction boasts a yearly re-newal of haunts and scares and promises a unique experience for everyone involved. With an admission of $10 per person, the Haunted Forest is open to visitors from 7-11 p.m. every Friday and Saturday night

through Halloween. The Wise Business Association is

hosting a movie at Big Glades on Hallow-een night.

The celebration is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. with a costume contest. The top two participants will receive prizes in the form cash and gift cards.

The feature film, “Hocus Pocus,” will begin as soon as it is dark enough to be enjoyed, according to Town Planner Laura

G&J corn maze invites all to try and find their way.

Red flags are displayed on the steps of the Slemp Student Center with statistics and words to bring awareness to dating violence.

news The Highland Cavalier Oct. 29, 2014


Faculty Row will soon see a science lab in one of the for-mer houses.

House 5, one of the only remaining original faculty houses on campus, will soon be transformed into an environmental science lab, according to Wally Smith, as-sistant professor of biology.

The Dominion Founda-tion, the philanthropic arm of

House 5 being converted into science lab

Gabriel DillionStaff [email protected]

With the midterm elections just two weeks away, many have asked themselves whether or not their vote will even matter in the election. Both political parties have taken notice of this, and have attempted to motivate the public to participate in the coming election.

However, with the current political environ-ment of gridlock, shutdown and polarization, it becomes easily understandable why many avoid politics altogether.

While candidates constantly attack policies, platform, and one another, they largely fail to offer any reasonable ideas or reforms. This fail-ure has consequently alienated many citizens.

However, several students here at UVa-Wise have expressed both an interest in voting and an understanding of its importance.

Junior math major Shelby Stewart said, “It is very important to vote in local and national elections, because if a person wants a say so and has an opinion, they should voice it.” Regarding those who do not vote, Stewart said, “If a per-son does not vote, then I personally think they should have nothing to say about the issues in this country… If you want something done, you have to participate and vote your opinion.”

As for participating in elections, some are beginning to enter the political process and ex-press their beliefs. Senior Adam Boring said, “I’ve always been the type of person who thought my vote wouldn’t really matter. How-ever, in recent years, I have really debated on registering to vote.”

When asked what made him consider regis-tering, Boring spoke of Obamacare and its im-pact on his insurance.

Exercising the right to vote and participat-ing in government are all important for us to better grasp the arena of confusion that has be-come our democracy.

Dr. Eric Smith, political scientist and assis-tant professor of political science, said, “[Vot-ing] gives us a stake in the largest, meaningful collective of human beings, which is our gov-ernment. If you don’t participate in something, you’re less likely to understand it or have a stake in it.”

And he’s right; although becoming politi-cally active seems exhausting and overwhelm-ing, we are only able to better understand the political landscape by actively scrutinizing the actions and innards of every level of govern-ment. So be productive; go vote on Nov. 4 and participate in your government.

Commentary:

Time to vote

down the road,” said Viars. Local organizations are also acting as a part

of the Red Flag Campaign on campus, Family Crisis Support Services, Inc. being one of them. This organization is one of the permanent agen-cies in Wise County that is available to help vic-tims of sexual assault, assisting 112 victims in 2013, according to Lisa Skeens, sexual assault advocate for the facility.

The campaign has been started at UVa-Wise, but it’s just starting.The work of promoting what red flag means is not finished and will never be finished until everyone on campus sticks up and says something about it, according to Viars.

“No matter who you are, what you’re a part of...this [dating violence] is not OK to watch. This is not OK to be a part of,” Viars said.

Red FlagsContinued from page 1

Zemery GilliamStaff [email protected]

Is UVa-Wise haunted? According to some legends, it is.

Thursday night, the Residence Hall As-sociation held its annual “Ghost Walk” on the UVa-Wise campus. Dean of Students Jewell Worley led a multitude of students around sites on campus and told stories of the strange and supernatural that have resonated through UVa-Wise's history.

Worley led the group of students from the Jefferson Lounge to the side of the bottom floor of John Cook Wyllie Library to tell stories of “The Lady in White.” Worley explained that late one night, 30 minutes after the library had closed, an employee of the library kept hear-ing multiple loud bangs deep within the library. After originally dismissing the noises, they per-sisted and the employee had no choice but to investigate. The employee saw in front of her “a woman in a long, white dress that would appear to be from the 1800's,” Worley said.

“The woman looks at her, turns around and walks though several rows of books. After fol-lowing the woman, the employee notices that she is gone,” Worley said.

Campus police were notified and no one was found in the building. Worley explained that this possible apparition was seen again several years later by a student around the same time and place.

After a few stops and stories, Worley led the group to Bowers-Sturgill Hall and told the story of someone who met an unfortunate end.

She explained the building currently known as Bowers-Stugill Hall used to be a home for un-wed mothers between the 1930s and the 50s and that the building was a part of the Poor Farm property that existed before UVa-Wise was es-tablished.

“Legend says that there was a woman who lived here who had a child that became ill and died and the young woman, wrapped with grief, hanged herself in a second floor apartment in this building,” Worley said.

Years later a family living in the same apart-ment noticed their only child talking in another room to someone, Worley said. When the par-ents checked on the girl, the furniture had been rearranged and the girl said she was talking "to the girl hanging in the window." On a later occa-sion, the family was woken in the middle of the night by a woman standing at the foot of their bed, shaking the bed.

"This caused the mother to jump out of the bed and run to their child who had become very ill in the middle of the night,” Worley said.

The legend says the apparition was “wrapped with grief” for the loss of her child, and protect-ed another child in a time of need.

The group found its way near McCraray where Worley told the story of someone she knew when she was alive. In the 70s, Wor-ley lived in McCraray and there was a person named Lois Lowry who had a position of “dorm mother” or what we would refer to now as a community coordinator. Worley was very fond of Lowry during her time at McCraray, Worley said. At some point after Worley was a student there, Lois died, and shortly after that students had begin to report sounds coming from the sec-

The haunting of UVa-Wise

Photo courtesy Zemery Gilliam

Photo courtesy Warblogle.com

Dean Worley tells UVa-Wise ghost stories to students in the Sculpture Garden.

Dominion Resources, has giv-en The University of Virginia’s College at Wise $25,000 in order to turn the former living facility into a lab/classroom/meeting space, according to Smith.

The lab, introduced largely in order to give science classes an easier means of studying the wetlands on the college’s cam-pus, will hopefully provide op-portunity for more instruction time, according to Smith.

“UVa-Wise is one of the only colleges that has the benefit of having a wetlands, which is great, but the distance between the lab and the area

made things difficult,” Smith said.

The wetlands are located near Martha Randolph Hall at the edge of campus. The area is home to several species of plants and animals, which stu-dents study.

Right now, professors have to deal with preparing the equipment and making the trip down to the wetlands, but the lab will make the difference, Smith said.

Professors can tell students to meet them at the wetlands lab and then we can be on site in 30 seconds and go right back to do research, he said.

Smith said that the con-struction on campus hasn’t had any negative effects on the wetlands area so far, and the lab will help to make sure things don’t change.

The lab will be used not only for environmental labs, but is being considered a sort of all-purpose meeting place, that can be used for groups and clubs, according to Smith. “We can have K-12 groups come in for outreach programs,” Smith said.

The final project is expect-ed to be completed by next fall or sooner, as the grant has a one year term.

see Ghosts, page 4


House 5 has previously been used for students to live in a more home-like environment while on campus.

news The Highland Cavalier Oct. 29, 2014

Mullins.The event, planned in coordi-

nation with the UVa-Wise Alumni Association offers free drinks, popcorn and candy for college stu-dents, said Town Council Member Cindi Smoot.

In order to receive the free re-freshments, students need to see Smoot at the event to be given a ticket which can then be redeemed for the items.

Big Glades, home to many events in Wise, is an open shelter, so it would be a good idea to dress warmly and bring blankets, accord-ing to Smoot and Mullins.

UVa-Wise is celebrating Hal-loween for its students, offering events such as trick or treating, storytelling and pumpkin carving all through the week of Halloween during what is being called “Freak Week.”

HalloweenContinued from page 1


Poverty levels throughout the nation are an issue that can be a big concern for college students pre-paring to graduate.

With the closure of coal mines and other big businesses in the area, Wise County has seen an influx of individuals and families having to live below the poverty level, with over 24 percent of individuals in the county being below the poverty level since 2009, according to re-cent statistics kept by the U.S. cen-sus bureau and citydata.com.

Facilities in the area are avail-able to help anyone who is in need.

Family Crisis Support Services, Inc., formerly known as the Hope House, has been active in Norton since 1982 and has seen a number of people in need of assistance.

The organization provides safe, free and confidential services for people who are homeless or have encountered sexual or domestic violence, said Sexual Assault Ad-vocate Lisa Skeens.

A grant-funded non-profit or-ganization, Family Crisis Support Services, Inc., is the only provides services for the City of Norton and Wise, Lee, Dickenson, Buchanan, Russell and Scott counties. It is the only facility that offers assistance to homeless people in this area.

The facility offers housing for homeless individuals for up to 30 days at a time, during which they are offered assistance getting hous-ing and a job, according to Skeens.

“After 15 days, they are as-

sessed to make sure they are work-ing toward their goals,” Skeens said.

The facility offers court accom-paniment if needed, gives individu-als options and helps them realize they have options, safety planning, support groups, crisis intervention counseling and if anything more in depth is needed they refer them to mental health officials, according to Skeens.

In 2013 the Family Crisis Cen-ter provided emergency shelter ser-vices for 116 adults and 19 children who were homeless, helping 30 of them with the rapid rehousing pro-gram, which assists people finding a place to live and in paying depos-its and utilities for a total of over $15,000.

In addition to helping home-less individuals, Family Crisis is available to help those affected by sexual and domestic abuse.

Last year, the agency provided shelter for 71 individuals while providing outreach advocacy to 166 others.

The facility also offers a 24 hour, anonymous hotline for any-one who needs services or wishes to refer someone who does.

In addition, they welcome vol-unteers to apply and discuss their interest in helping in the commu-nity.

“Whether you need our ser-vices or not, feel free to refer any-body,” Skeens said. “If you’d like to know more about the agency or do some volunteering, just give us a call and we will do everything we can to help, and if we can’t we will point you in the right direction.”

Poverty lives in Wise


The campus of The University of Virginia’s College at Wise on Monday joined members of local high school chapters of the Future Business Leaders of America to celebrate the birthday of Napoleon Hill, a Wise county native who has been dubbed by some the “greatest philosopher in the world.”

Hill, born in Wise County in 1883, published a number of self help books, making him widely ac-cepted as one the earliest writers of the personal success genre.

Napoleon Hill Day, officially recognized by Gov. Terry McAu-liffe, was a day dedicated to help-ing young people get the tools to succeed, with a keynote speech given by Paul R. Rushin, retired chief master sergeant of the United States Air Force and author of a children’s book.

Rushin spoke seriously about success and what must be done in order to achieve it, reminding ev-eryone that they must put in the time needed to become good with all of the basic skills and become master of at least one.

The crowd seemed to take Rushin’s words to heart.

“Napoleon Hill’s philosophy...it’s a huge, huge part of my suc-cess,” said Ahsan Majied, program manager for the Department of Labor and graduate of UVa-Wise, who comes to the celebration every year.

Hill has been a huge part of a lot of individual success all over the world, so the fact that he is from this area is very impressive, according to Rushin and Majied.

“The fact that he [Hill] has touched so many lives and he’s from Wise County, I think it’s im-portant to recognize that,” said Ma-jied.

Rushin, who spoke with vehe-mence on the time and dedication it takes to become a master of any skill, was very happy to come and speak with everyone at the celebra-tion.

“I came here to pay homage to the greatest philosopher to that ever lived and to help young people get started,” Rushin said.

One theme that was very com-mon throughout the small cere-mony is that it takes dedication in order to reach the success that Na-poleon Hill made his legacy.

“Apply the principles,” Majied said. “If you stick with it, you will see success.”

Hannah GrahamContinued from page 1

Police arrested Jesse Matthew on Sept. 24 on charges of abduction with the intent to defile. Matthew is the only person in custody in association with Graham’s death. UVa President Teresa Sullivan sent a message via email on Oct. 24 to the students and community of UVa and UVa-Wise expressing her

sorrow and officially informing the college communities of Graham’s confirmed death.

Jaime Robinson is hosting a student-led candlelight vigil in Graham’s honor Thursday at 7 p.m. in front of the campus lake. Chan-cellor Henry will be speaking. All are encouraged to attend.

Jaime Robinson | The Highland Cavalier

Rushin speaks on success

Paul R. Rushin, retired chief master sergeant of the United States Air Force speaks of success at the birthday celebration of Napoleon Hill.

et cetera The Highland Cavalier Oct. 29, 2014

The Highland Cavalier asked students how they spent their Fall Break and here are some of the fun answers!

Fun times over Fall Break

“When in Ireland, do as the Irish do.”- junior political science major Rachel Glines

“I got engaged!” -senior communications major Dalena Adams

“I went to Talladega.” - senior government major Joshua Wilson

“I was beachin’ the entire time.”-freshman communications major Josh Sawyers

“I went to NYC with my best friend and I am very sad it’s over.” - senior mathematics and music double major Jessie O’Quinn

“I met my two half-brothers for the first time when I was in Orlando.” - sophomore psychology major Natalie Battaglia

“One fun thing I did was I went to a trail in Tennessee and [my breath was taken away] by how beautiful the fall was.” - junior psychology major

Al’Leah Day

“I did do something in a hotel over break that will never happen again.” - junior accounting major Hunter Zylawy

Campus Window

Dalena Adams | The Highland Cavalier

Fall Fling held despite rain

Dalena AdamsCopy [email protected]

On Oct. 11 rain poured down on Wise’s annual Fall Fling.

The event, which features lo-cal vendors and musical entertain-ment, hosts a number of attractions for residents to come out and enjoy.

This year the town of Wise made the theme of the event, “Fall-ing Inn Love Again,” coinciding with the upcoming reopening of the historical Wise Inn on Main Street.

The event featured over 125 arts and crafts vendors, eight dem-onstrators, a chili cook-off and many homemade treats for people to enjoy.

While the weather was a cause for concern, some of Wise’s town workers said the event went smoothly and the turnout was unaf-fected.

One family traveled seven hours from Pikeview, West Virgin-ia, to enjoy the festivities.

They were at the Fall Fling for the second time. One of the women said her father is a Wise natives and likes to come and enjoy the festi-val.

While the weather was a bit of a downer for the family one of the reasons they like to come is be-cause of the handicap accessibility of the event.

“Our dad has been in a wheel-chair for a while now and it’s nice to bring him to events like this when we can, there’s not many that are this handicap friendly in the area,” one woman said.

Even though they had to en-dure the rain, the family said they liked being able to stand under the shade and enjoy the musical enter-tainment.

Wise town workers stated that the weather and construction didn’t seem to deter anyone from com-ing out to the event, there were even some people who embraced it and spent their time dancing in the foggy mist and enjoying the atmo-sphere.


Zombies go after runners Saturday in the annual Survive @ Wise Zom-bie 5K Run.

Senior chemistry major Katelyn Cantrell, Senior political science major Clint Womack, 2014 UVa-Wise graduate Kimberly Hamm, and Senior spanish major Olivia Rowe dressed up and played games with local chil-dren during the St. Jude Halloween Carnival, sponsored by Phi Sigma Sigma sorority.

Photo courtesy Clint Womack

ond and third floor of McCra-ray Hall.

"Often times it would sound like hard walking or it would sound like feet running and every year a whole new group of freshman come up to me and say someone is messing with my doorknob at night,” Worley said.

Some students that were on the Ghost Walk laughed uncom-fortably after Worley mentioned doorknobs at McCraray. She also mentioned doors opening and clos-ing by themselves even when there was clear evidence that no one was there. The most recent sighting was over this past summer when a com-munity coordinator who noticed the sounds of heavy walking on a

higher floor and went to investi-gate, taking time to look in every hallway and dorm and finding no one. Worley says she knows this woman and that she can still be found in the same building she first met her.

Worley said that she has been leading the Ghost Walks on cam-pus for the last seven or eight years.

“What interests me the most about the ghosts is that the stories are intertwined with the history of the campus," she said.

If anyone has any questions about more sightings that have hap-pened on campus or if they have seen ghosts on campus themselves, visit Worley and share tales of the supernatural at UVa-Wise.

GhostsContinued from page 2

A bright yellow banner gives a warm welcome to all who attend the 35th annual Fall Fling on the dreary Saturday morning.

et cetera The Highland Cavalier Oct. 29, 2014

Understanding Ebola and what it doesMargaret [email protected]

Margaret Tomann is Program Manager for the Healthy Appalachia Institute at UVa-Wise. She received her Masters of Science in Public Health from Tulane University with a concen-tration in Tropical Medicine and Parasitology. She was asked by The Highland Cavalier to write an article explaining Ebola in order to de-ter confusion about this disease.

As of this writing, there have been 9,937 cases of Ebola and 4,877 deaths, making it the largest Ebola outbreak in recorded history. Four cases have been diagnosed in the United States, including two travel-associated cases and two of localized transmission.

A recent NPR article, (What’s My Risk of Catching Ebola, Oct. 23, 2014) calculated that the chance of being killed by a shark is great-er than that of contracting Ebola in the United States. And yet, fear and hysteria continue in the news and media.

The misinformed rumors of conspiracy with zombies and mistrust of government or-ganizations are widespread and leading only to increased panic. This is not to say the current situation is insignificant; Ebola is a horrific in-fectious disease, with a fatality rate of up to 90 percent. It is important, however, to understand the facts of Ebola, its history, cause, modes of transmission and recognize the impact of this outbreak on the field of Global Public Health.

The first recorded outbreak of Ebola was in 1976 near Zaire’s Ebola River, now the Dem-ocratic Republic of Congo. Since then, there have been 33 outbreaks, most recently in Ugan-da (2012), where six people were infected and three died.

Though the natural reservoir host of the Ebola is unknown, researchers believe that it is transferred to humans through direct contact with an infected animal, such as fruit bats, mon-keys, or chimpanzees.

The virus can then be transmitted between humans through direct contact with infected body fluids or contaminated objects, including needles or syringes. Healthcare workers, and family members caring for Ebola patients are at the highest risk for contracting the disease be-cause of their possible contact with these body

fluids.The incubation period, time from exposure

to when signs or symptoms appear, is two to 21 days.

Early symptoms are much like the general flu virus and include fever, headache, and mus-cle weakness eventually leading to vomiting, di-arrhea, and hemorrhage. Ebola is transmitted in the symptomatic stage of disease, through direct contact with body fluids; blood, sweat, vomit, and diarrhea. On average, a person with Ebola can infect two additional people.

Ebola is treated symptomatically, with flu-ids, electrolytes and oxygen. Those who recover develop immunity for at least 10 years, possibly longer. Though there is no FDA-approved vac-cine or therapy available for Ebola, ongoing ex-perimental treatments include using antibodies from Ebola survivors to treat current patients.

Ebola is one of a number of viruses that cause viral hemorrhagic fever. The Ebola virus genus includes five species, Zaire, Sudan, Tai Forest, Bundibugyo and Reston, each with a known fatality rate and identified endemic area. The Zaire Ebola virus species, associated with the 2014 outbreak, had previously been found only in three Central African counties; The

Photo courtesy Margaret Tomann

Program Manager for the Healthy Appalachia Institute at UVa-Wise

William YearoutSenior Features [email protected]

Ireland is among the many places in the world that continually piques our curiosity. We find ourselves enamoured with its culture and history, fascinated by its legends and beauty. While the most of us were enjoying a fall break with family it was those historic and ancient hills that played host to the UVa-Wise English department’s latest study abroad opportunity.

English 3140 - “Irish Literature, History, and Music”, taught by Cyndi Newlon and sponsored through the International Programs Office, was a nine day, one credit hour excursion described as “like walking through time” that took students and faculty through a wide range of historical and natural wonders on the Irish isle.

Some of the sights included the Cliffs of Moher, where Ireland meets the Atlantic with a 390 foot drop and Coole Park and Garden, one of the most revered parks in the world and home to a famous 18th century walled garden.

The tour also visited the home of Michael Collins, the controversial revolutionary who helped create the modern Republic of Ireland.

Despite being sponsored through the Eng-lish department this event clearly stretches be-yond just a single subject, covering material rel-evant to most any student.

Likewise is the goal of the International De-partment at UVa-Wise, “akin to Thomas Jeffer-son's idea to promote a global and liberal edu-cation that grants our students the opportunity to become ‘the ultimate guardians of their own liberty.’”

“It was all incredibly beautiful,” said sopho-more Logan Patrick. “We went to a lot of places throughout Ireland, starting in Doolin, going through Dingle and Killarney. We saw the Cliffs of Moher, and the Giants causeway ... We basi-

cally had free time each evening to do whatever we felt like doing, such as exploring the cities such as Dublin, and the other places we stayed in.”

Students also expressed a great fascination with interacting with Irish culture, being able to conversate and dine with locals and exploring the ancient ruins of places like Tara, a ceremo-nial spot said to declare the next King of Ireland. It brings to the forefront the focus of interna-tional programs here at UVa-Wise, which is “to promote better understanding of international issues by disseminating information on interna-tional opportunities, promoting courses abroad, providing support to international students on campus and developing an international outlook

among students and staff.”However, international programs are not

just for the benefit of those of us here in the United States but also the benefit of those whom we travel to.

“There was this one moment,” Patrick said, “I met this Irish family, and had really great con-versations about many different things - such as America. They were so interested in America. I find it crazy that the US represents, and means, so much to people outside America. They were so excited... and it kind of shows our role in the world is not all bad.”

To find out more information about studying abroad, contact Dr. Witold Wolny at [email protected].

Students explore Dunluce Town which was established by Randal MacDonnel in 1608.Photo courtesy Cyndi Newlon

Students spend Fall Break abroad

Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo and Gabon. The current outbreak began in Guinea, thousands of miles from where Zaire ebolavirus is usually found.

Before this year, Ebola had been seen only once in West Africa. In 1994, a scientist working in Cote d’Ivoire became infected with Tai Forest ebolavirus. He was treated in Switzerland, and ultimately survived.

In the resource poor countries of West Af-rica, unfamiliar with Ebola, an already weak health infrastructure easily collapsed when the outbreak began in March of this year. Unfortu-nately, with the collapse of the health system in West Africa, it is not only Ebola patients who go without treatment. There are far more common and fatal diseases endemic in West Africa, in-cluding HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, teta-nus and lassa fever.

A lack of knowledge about the cause, symp-toms and treatment of Ebola has left patients and their families stigmatized, in hiding from authorities and health care workers, often self-treating, or seeking care from traditional heal-ers.

Cultural and personal hygiene practices in West Africa have contributed to the spread of disease, including the burial practice of washing bodies after death, putting family members as risk of contact with infected body fluids.

As the world responds to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, supplying financial, health care and military resources, The Center for Tele-health at the University of Virginia is working to develop and patent a system that will connect patients with their health care providers, fami-lies and friends through a HIPAA compliant vid-eo conferencing system, minimizing direct con-tact with infected patients and those in isolation.

While the United States is focused on Ebola, we need to recognize that the idea of “Global Health” can no longer encompass only what is beyond our borders. The world is too small.

We are not immune from the preventable diseases and health disparities that plague de-veloping countries around the world and we have the education, resources and ability to do something about it.

Accurate and up-to-date information on Ebola and the current outbreak can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website, www.cdc.gov.

opinion The Highland Cavalier Oct. 29, 2014

Hannah McNewOpinion [email protected]

I will be the first to admit that I am no stick thin model with perfect skin and glorious hair.

Managing my weight does not come easy, as is the case with most people. Like most, I also suffer with body image issues.

Last year I decided that I needed a change. I began dieting and exercising regularly.

My workouts consisted of cardio and strength three times a week, and I jogged twice a week.

In only two months, I had lost 25 pounds. My weight dropped almost too quickly, but I was proud of myself.

I had gone down a pants size, and I loved the way I felt.

As soon as things were beginning to look up for me, I went through a rough patch in life.

Running with the colors

Photo courtesy Hannah McNew

Cavalier ReviewJaime [email protected]

Getting a massage is one of the most relax-ing and beneficial things I have ever experi-enced in my life.

Being a relatively athletic person who works out daily there are constantly aches and pains that I feel from the exercise that my body goes through. When your body hurts you can take some sort of pain reliever or stretch all night long but that won’t get rid of the knots you feel in your muscles.

This is why I have fallen in love with get-ting massages. Over this past fall break my boy-friend and I got our first ever couples massage. A couples massage is simply when two people get a massage in the same peaceful room.

The massage therapist listens to you about your pain and then focuses on those specific ar-eas to make sure you leave feeling like a you have a completely new body, which is the best and most relaxing feeling.

The benefits that come from having some-one massage away your pain for an hour is sim-ply amazing. Getting a massage can provide you with less body pain, fewer headaches, less anxiety, reduced stress and even help with your bodies digestion.

On top of those benefits, there are special prices for spa members, students and first timers making the massage not too far out of the aver-age person’s budget. My last massage was less than $50 and helped me to release over a months worth of pain from working out.

So I ask you this, would you rather spend a little money on an incredibly relaxing expe-rience that benefits you for weeks or save that money for a few doctors visits when your back pain has gotten out of control? I pick the mas-sage.

Tutoring: What’s it good for?


I attend multiple classes that cover a variety of subjects. Some subjects I need no assistance with not because they are easy, but because I have always excelled at them.

In other subjects, however, I’ll take any help I can get.

It helps me to have a “translator” for these subjects when: A.) I need assistance with the materials provided or B.) I feel the instructor has done an inadequate job of teaching me the subjects (C. All of the above is also an option).

I’ve noticed a great deal of people in my classes, to put it lightly, not doing so well and I have also noticed that those same students don’t go to tutoring. Personally, if I had a great deal of money and time invested into a semester, I would do whatever I could to make that invest-ment into myself worthwhile.

So I find it crazy (with a capital C) that stu-dents I know are not taking advantage of this opportunity and not signing up for tutoring.

I can understand pride in not needing one, especially if you have made it a few years in without a tutor, but I know far too many people who are nearing graduation and are suddenly in a rut with one miserable class.

I can even understand laziness. For these people appear to be going to college because someone else is paying for it and they want to avoid the real world for a few years by wasting money on a freshman year and dropping out al-together in the spring.

But, if you are reading this, and you need the help to get to where you want to be, it is ri-diculously easy to sign up for tutoring.

Walk into Tutoring Connections beside the Writing Center on the first floor of Zehmer.

Introduce yourself to Marshell Bradley; she will set you up.

I became stressed and had begun to pick up old habits. My exercising slacked, and I would use the excuse that I just didn’t have time.

Needless to say, I gained my weight back plus a few more. I was wearing my old jeans again that I had long forgotten about.

Though I’m at a much happier place, I still know that my health isn’t what it should be.

A few months ago, I heard about the Color Me Rad 5K race that was coming to Johnson City, Tennessee. It wasn’t like any race I had heard of.

Everyone wore white to the race, or at least some of their clothing was white. There were several stations throughout the race where paint would be thrown at you.

By the end of the race, people had all the colors of the rainbow in their clothes, hair and shoes. It was so much that you’d think as if you belonged in Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory. I knew then that it was something for me.

I went all out. I made my own shirt, and I even bought a tutu just for the occasion. Yes, I bought a tutu.

I had full intentions of walking with a few friends during the race, but when I got there, I wanted to try to run it.

The excitement of having color thrown all over you while running had my adrenaline pumping. I knew that I could push myself.

I realized soon that I could not run the entire time. Instead of feeling upset that I had failed, something sparked inside of me that made me understand that giving up is no longer an op-tion. I have something to fight for.

I never would have thought that it would take people throwing color bombs at me for me to realize I could do anything I set my mind to.

So, here I go again. I hit a stumbling block in my life, but I realize that it is not over for me.

I am now ready to lace up my running shoes again and get back on the road to healthy.


I graduated from Moun-tain Empire Community Col-lege with an associate degree in general studies. At that point in time, the iPad was finally hitting its stride with unique apps that give laptops a run for their money, and a tremendous all day battery life that make normal laptop batteries, in car terms, have the mileage of a Hummer.

Now, these general educa-tion classes mainly require two things, a way to keep notes and something you can do research

An Ipad is all you need

on. Previously, pencil, paper and a laptop would accomplish all of these things, a tried and true method.

However I then noticed a great deal of productivity apps on the App Store that would not only accomplish these things but steamline my stud-ies in a way that these previous methods were not capable of.

The main app that I use is “Notability.” A $3 app (people spend more money on the extra large meal at McDonald’s) that combines the word processing of Microsoft Word, the person-al touch of a notebook, and the voice recording of a pro micro-phone.

During a lecture you can type word for word what is

being written on the board, record whatever the instructor is saying for detailed info and draw sketches that you can’t copy with a keyboard.

Whatever you record is tied to the notes that you take and when you replay the audio, the notes show a second by second replay of your session along with the audio.

For some serious word processing, I use Google Docs, which is for free with no strings attached. The same Google Docs processor that is taking a vast majority of Mi-crosoft Word’s business on the computer is on the iPad with no compromises.

For the 12 point, Times New Roman papers that we

all have to write, there is no program better for the job and every letter you type on it is saved automatically.

If the electricity goes out in your dorm (high possibility), it’s no big deal. If your profes-sor is feeling lazy and wants a copy of your paper instead of in email, just log on to Google in the library and print out the document, it’s in the cloud.

I understand that this doesn’t apply to some de-grees here at UVa-Wise but if you are tech savvy and want a more convenient way to make it through your general educa-tion and communication class-es, the iPad is a viable, stream-lined and contemporary way to get your work done.

The Highland Cavalier is the official student newspaper of The University of Virginia’s College at Wise. The newspaper is published bi-weekly on Wednesday. It functions to inform, educate and entertain readers accurately and responsibly. It does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the college’s administration, faculty or staff. Also, the opinions expressed on the Opinion Page are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of newspaper editors and staff members. The Highland Cavalier welcomes all contributions, which can be delivered to the newspaper in person (317 Slemp Student Center); by standard mail (Campus Box 4682, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, 1 College Avenue, Wise, VA 24293); by phone (328-0170); or via e-mail ([email protected]). Letters to the editor can also be e-mailed to Opinion Editor Hannah McNew ([email protected]). All letters to the editor must be signed — including the writer’s department or major, address and telephone number. Letters may be edited for length, grammar, clarity and libel.

Staff Writers/PhotographersEditorial BoardJaime RobinsonDamean MathewsJustin DavidDarrian Pickett Hannah McNew Dalena Adams William YearoutStella MatheosDakota GallimoreAllie Gibson

Editor-in-ChiefSenior News Writer

Photo EditorSports Editor

Opinion Editor Copy Editor

Senior Features WriterAd ManagerWeb Master

Staff Adviser

Zemery GilliamJacob StallardDanielle BunnBetty PearlZackery CastleGabriel Dillon


Ipads are available to be rented for academic use in the John Cook Wyllie Library.

UVa-Wise 2011 graduate Samantha Gilmer and junior English major Hannah McNew at the 2014 Color Me Rad 5K in Johnson City, Tn.

sports The Highland Cavalier Oct. 29, 2014

Darrian Pickett | The Highland Cavalier

UVa-Wise women’s backetball team members link arms to embrace team unity while being coached during practice.

Women’s basketball prepares for upcoming season

Darrian PickettSports [email protected]

Last season the Cavalier wom-en’s basketball team had a record of 10-17 and graduated one senior, Rey Archer.

With a new addition to the coaching staff, two freshman, three transfers and five returners, the women’s basketball team started its first day of practice on Oct. 15 while the rest of the school was on fall break.

The newcomers include fresh-men Allison Ball and Naya Wil-liams, and junior transfers Iris Hill, Blair Harding and Kehana Grayer.

“We have more of a wide va-riety of girls on the team who can shoot the ball,” said Head Coach Kristen Kunzman. “We’re defi-

nitely starting off more defensive-minded which is really good and I think that our plan is to be scrappy on a defensive end and push the ball more offensively.”

Kunaman said the team’s hard work, effort and energy has made the first practices productive.

“We’ve been able to teach and expand every single day. We haven’t had to take steps back-wards. That’s been good so far,” Kunzman said.

Returners include senior Katie Jo Lester and sophomore Taylor Sandidge, who were voted as the team captains.

Grayer transferred from Colo-rado Northwestern Community College and has been adjusting to the team and the program.

“It’s been a tough start, but I think I am catching onto the con-

cepts,” she said. “We are learning a lot in so little time, but I will be fine. With the girls it isn’t so hard, I am a very open and friendly per-son; I believe I fit in. The coaches are helping along the way as well as the girls. I look forward to our season.”

Grayer said she believes that she contributes an up tempo style of play offensively and intensity on defense to the team.

Lester is another leader on the team, and she is also the team’s only senior this season. Lester had the second highest three-point per-centage on the team last season.

“Being a senior does give me a lot of experience and I try to lead by example the best I can, but along side me leading the team this year is Taylor Sandidge and Keha-na Grayer,” Lester said.“They both

have great qualities of a leader and hopefully that will help us be suc-cessful this year.”

Kunzman believes that having experience in the Mountain East Conference will only be a positive for the team.

“Having more experience, and knowing what to expect in the Mountain East conference is going to be better,” she said.

“There were a lot of coaching changes in the Mountain East so it’ll be interesting to kind of see where the teams play out and how that goes. It’s nice knowing kind of what it takes after having that first year under our belt.”

The women’s basketball team debuts in their season opener on Nov. 15 against Millersville Uni-versity in Millersville, Pennsylva-nia.

Men’s basketball kicks off over fall break


After losing three of their top scorers in Deon Boyce, James Turner and Javon Moore and go-ing 11-16 last season, the UVa–Wise Cavaliers men’s basketball team started their first practice of the year over fall break.

The Cavaliers have five returners and add nine newcomers to their roster for the 2014 season. Head Coach Blake Mellinger, who suc-ceeded former head coach Lee Clark at the be-ginning of the 2013 season, believes that the team is heading in the right direction to be suc-cessful this coming season.

“Obviously we’re not where we need to be, not where we want to be. But most teams aren’t this time of year,” Mellinger said. “We’re still very much a work in progress, but at the same time I’m fairly pleased with where we’re at, but we still have a long way to go.”

According to Mellinger, the legacy that Boyce left behind is going to leave a void that

the team as a whole can fill together, but he sees that senior Tyler Maggard, sophomore Oliver Thompson and sophomore Brian Sydnor have stepped up and improved in the offseason.

“Tyler Maggard, I think he’s realizing this is his last go around, so he’s really come a long way from even where he was last year,” Mel-linger said. “Oliver Thompson is another guy who didn’t play a lot of minutes last year, but has really improved really developed his game. He’s another guy who could see significant min-utes if things continue to move forward for him. Bryan Sydnor was a freshman last year, he has really improved; really come along since his freshman year.”

Maggard had the third highest three point shooting percentage last season, and has now emerged as a leader for the team being its only senior.

“Personally for my senior year I want to make more shots to help the offense and hope-fully get my grades up and help the team GPA,” he said. “Expectations for the team have never changed. We want to be playing the last game in

Charleston in March.”According to Maggard, his relationship with

his teammates and coaches has gotten stronger.“We have hung out a lot more off the court

and become more of a family,” he said. “Me and Coach Mell have been here a long time together and he has really [begun] to trust me more over the years.”

Thompson, a sophomore who was redshirt-ed his first year and played limited minutes dur-ing his second year, could become a real asset to the Cavaliers this season.

“I’ve worked to improve my game this off-season by getting in the gym every day,” he said. “The biggest parts of my game that I have focused on are my ball handling and shot cre-ation. As a team we have set the goal that no team will out work us on the court. We aren’t the biggest team in the conference or the most seasoned team in the conference, but we will display a hunger to win every game so that we regret nothing, win or lose.”

The Cavaliers start the season against Eliza-beth City State University on Friday, Nov. 14.

The men’s basketball team started preparing for the 2014 season during the college’s fall break. The team plans to improve as much as possible before their season kicks off on Nov. 14.


sports Oct. 29, 2014The Highland Cavalier

UVa-Wise athletes show their supportDarrian PickettSports [email protected]

This year the Cavalier football team and volleyball team are honoring UVa-Wise Athletic Director Danny Sterling, as he battles colon cancer.

Each team has represented colon cancer awareness with team members wearing blue, the color of the colon cancer ribbon, on some part of their uniform.

Members of the football team sport blue ribbons on the back of their helmets, and the volleyball team has worn blue shoelaces every game since the start of the season.

According to junior outside hitter and member of the Cavalier volleyball team, Kelsey Smith, the team wants Dan-ny Sterling to know that he has their support.

“We want him to know that we’re behind him 100 percent and we want to help raise awareness for colon cancer,” she said. “It means a lot to our team because UVa-Wise is a small school, [and] our athletic director supports us so it means a lot to us that we can turn around and show support to him. It brings our team together for a much bigger cause than play-ing volleyball.

According to Junior Wide Receiver Terrence Younger, the cause means a great deal to the football team as well.

“We decided to honor him as a team because he’s one of our athletic directors and also all of the hard work that he puts in each day for all athletics,” he said. “There was no better way to honor him each and every day that we go to work on the playing field.”

Sterling is often seen at sporting and he said he is honored that the athletic teams have chosen events to honor him.

“UVa-Wise and the athletic department is family, and we rally around each other in good times and bad,” Sterling said. “I am honored and humbled at the support of the college, the community and the student athletes. It is my sincere hope that the gestures of the teams and my story will raise awareness of this terrible disease.

“I have learned quickly that a positive attitude plays a major role in overcoming any adversity you face. Attitude is one of the few things you can control. The support that I have received has given me the strength to maintain a positive at-titude. I will forever be in debt to the student athletes for the strength they have given me.”

Jaime Robinson | The Highland Cavalier


Above: The Football team displays their support with blue colon cancer support ribbons on their helmets.Below: Women’s volleyball team members wears blue colon cancer support rib-bons on their shoelaces in support of Danny Sterling.

Football finally sees a winDarrian PickettSports [email protected]

The Cavalier football team won its first game of the season on Oct. 25 against West Virginia State Col-lege with a score of 16-13. Fresh-man running back Carlton Griffith led the team in rushing with a to-tal of 129 yards. Two touchdowns from sophomore quarterback, Ty Ryans and senior cornerback, Ne-hemiah Jones and two field goals from freshman Zach Large allowed the Cavaliers to leave West Virginia with a win.

Before this past Saturday, the team struggled to win a game in the Mountain East Conference. Head Coach Dewey Lusk and the team have been using their practices to improve and are continuing to work hard.

Also, according to Lusk, there are 57 out of 75 redshirt freshman and sophomores making the squad a young team overall.

“You go out there and you prac-tice hard every day and you keep trying to improve,” Lusk said. “We talk to the team often about you find out a lot about people’s char-acter and that kind of thing when times are tough. You don’t want to point fingers; there’s more than one position making mistakes. Every-one needs to get better, and we’ve got a good group of kids and we’re going to keep battling and keep right at it.”

During the game against Glen-ville State College, Lusk made a switch at quarterback as he substi-tuted sophomore Jeremy Eubank for Ryans, who has been the team’s starting quarterback since the be-ginning of the season.

“We made a switch last week at quarterback,” Lusk said. “We went with Jeremy Eubank at quarterback and we had no turnovers; that was very positive. We’ll go back and try Jeremy again this week but we’ve been playing a lot of people; a lot of running backs a lot of receivers. Defensively we’ve been playing a lot of people. So we’re trying to get as much experience as we can.”

Eubank had not gotten play-ing time at all this season until the Glenville State game, and now he has a chance to make a difference for the team.

“I’ve improved most with be-ing adjusted to the speed of the game as opposed to the speed of a high school football game,” he said. “I’ve been waiting for the op-portunity since last year. [It] came as a bit of a surprise. I was really thankful for the opportunity.”

Lusk gave a list of players who have consistently performed for the team despite their struggles. The list includes middle linebacker Zack Blair, senior offensive line-man, Kevin Enix, sophomore of-fensive lineman Randy Kumah and freshman running back Von Purvis.

Blair currently leads the league in tackles for loss and credits his success to his teammates.

“When it comes to me perform-ing every week it should be credit-ed to the defensive line and outside linebackers,” Blair said. “They do a great job of commanding double teams and taking on blocks so I can run free. The defense is made for the middle linebackers to make plays and I can’t make plays if they don’t do their jobs.”

The Cavaliers take on Concord University Mountain Lions on Nov. 1 here at the Carl Smith Stadium.

MEC Player of the Week: Allen


This past week, UVa-Wise vol-leyball player and outside hitter Karley Allen won Mountain East Conference Player of the Week.

The sophomore has been a re-liable and important asset to the Cavalier’s offense as this season she has accumulated 339 points, 309 kills, and nine double-doubles. She averages 4.5 points per set.

Allen started her career at UVa-Wise in 2013 and was a standout player alongside fellow sophomore teammates middle blockers, Lind-sey Tucker and Santana Bishop, outside hitter Erin Anderson and defensive specialist Erin Lee.

“It’s a great achievement to be rewarded with such a title in the conference,” Allen said.

“I think my personal achieve-ment shows the improvement of our program from last year and our team as a whole…without my team I wouldn’t be anything. It takes all

of us to be successful and for me personally to be successful. My best friends are on the team which makes playing and the experience even better.”

According to Allen, this acco-lade means nothing with the post season being right around the cor-ner. She wants the focus to remain on the team.

“Going into the post-season with this honor doesn’t affect me,” she said.

“It’s a nice award, but I know in order for us to be successful, I need to perform the way I have been and keep the focus on team instead of one individual.”

Senior libero Brittni Altmann said Allen played hard to win the honor.

“When she’s on, she’s on,” Alt-mann said. “It’s great having her play tough; she is crucial for our offense and defense.”

The Cavalier volleyball team takes on West Virginia State Uni-versity on Nov. 1 in Institute, West Virginia.


Sophomore outside hitter Karley Allen was named MEC Player of the Week.

highland cavalier oct 29 issue

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