By: Hai Yan Chen & Rayce Lamb

New York: Flashing Lights, Broadway, Greenwich Village, Times Square, Macy’s, Tiffany’s, Junior’s Cheesecakes, Empire State Building, ESPN Zone, Hard Rock Café, Planet Hollywood, 24/7 excitement. . .

Behind the Glamorous Curtain is a side no one would imagine experiencing: depression, poverty, sorrow, and contamination of the environment. Despite the non-glamorous side of New York City there are still people who have hope and strive for happiness every day.

Emory & Henry College students Hai Yan Chen and Rayce Lamb experienced this on their spring break trip with the Bonner Program, and it was not long before they were tossed into reality. Within her first day of service, Hai Yan’s stereotypical image of New York City changed.

“My first day of service was in Brooklyn,” Hai Yan said. “My image of the stereotypical rude New Yorker changed within moments of my encounter with the needy. Instead, they were respectful and welcoming hosts.”

Once they found out that Hai Yan was from Southwest Virginia instead of Brooklyn they would exclaim loudly, “Welcome to Brooklyn!” The image of the vulgar, uncut New Yorker quickly began to fade for students involved in the Bonner experience.
“On my last day of service” Rayce said, “I had the opportunity to experience how poverty reached multiple ethnicities working through a soup-kitchen in Manhattan.”

Despite living in a society where English is the dominate language, people who cannot speak English still manage to smile and say “xie xie” or “gracias,” instead of the “thank-you” we usually take for granted. Despite having to live in a society where they are misunderstood daily, the immigrants still try to make the best of their situation.

On their last night of service, Hai Yan and Rayce had the opportunity to dine with six homeless individuals. Even after three days of service, Hai Yan and Rayce were still surprised to discover that the homeless were everyday people like the remainder of the society.

Regardless of the hardships they face every day, they strive to push forward and live every day to the fullest. In spite of the “stereotype” that society has placed on the homeless, the unique characteristics of their personalities shines through the mask civilization has placed upon them.

“It was an experience I would not give up for anything,” Rayce said when asked about his overall experience. As for Hai Yan, the experience “was life-changing.” Next time you find yourself amidst the glamour in a city atmosphere, look past the shining lights and discover the true life behind the Glamorous Curtain.

“Thanksgiving is great to me because I get to see all the people I love and eat some great food, and there is no better combination than satisfying the heart and the stomach at the same time!” Faith Walker, Sophomore.

“It is a time to reflect on all we have to be thankful for, our families and our Freedoms!” Veronica McGlothlin, mother of two.

“Reuniting with my family over a good meal and telling college stories,” Brittney Price, Sophomore.

“Everyone in my family chooses their own casserole to make, and my mom and I cook all of them for everyone,” Megan Evans, Senior.

“Thanksgiving is a chance to take a step back and realize all the good things you have in life, instead of focusing on the bad,” Jordan Loupe, Senior.

“I’m so excited for Thanksgiving. All I want to do is eat, sleep, watch football and hang out with my friends,” Brittney Price, Sophomore.

“My plans for Thanksgiving are eating turkey, and turkey sandwiches,” Ana Owens, Junior.

“For Thanksgiving I plan on spending it with my family in Roanoke. I’m excited that I get to see my cousins I haven’t seen in such a long time,” Amanda Ragone, Junior.

“Thanksgiving means loving your family and friends. It means not taking a second on earth for granted. It is our time to realize that God is our peace, our plan, our love and happiness. Thanksgiving helps us realize that with God’s blessings we cannot fail and that by his rules we will succeed,” Kondwani Patterson, Public Relations and Real Estate Specialist.

“Thanksgiving is significant to me because it reminds you to count your blessings and not take what you have for granted,” Ashlyn Baird, Sophomore.

“Thanksgiving is important to me because you get to go home and spend time with your family,” Baylie Snyder, Senior.

“Thanksgiving is important to me because I get to go home and see my family that I hardly get to see while being at school,” Joshua Rigney, Junior.
“Thanksgiving is significant to me because it is one time of the year I get to sit at one table with my whole family,” Thomas Larimer, Junior.

“Corn Pudding,” Anastasia Owens, Junior.

“Thanksgiving is significant to me because it brings back great memories from my childhood,” Matt Fisher, Sophomore.

WEHC News 11-18-2009

William King’s most recent exhibition, Wide Eyed Garden by Abingdon native Leila Cartier is not your typical museum experience. Guests leave traditional gallery views behind as they step into an imaginary world complete with rose petals and a pink ceiling. Cartier’s vibrant colors and intriguing subject matter leave the viewer yearning for more.

The space was designed by Curator Adam Justice, whose suspension techniques alone are enough to impress the average viewer. He goes beyond this through the placement of paintings around the edge of the room, allowing guests to wander as they please and also experience the exhibit as a whole. Cartier also contributed her own ideas, including silver curtains created by her mother and a play list reminiscent of the days she spent at the museum.

The show features Cartier’s early abstract works and more recent works with darker subject matter. She combines human, animal and arthropod forms, often in natural settings. When viewing the entire show, a sort of theatric nature emerges.

The Queen (Shrimp Mantis) and Belle of the Ball in particular invoke a sense of energy and can’t help but gain the attention of everyone in the room. The rich colors, the flat backgrounds, and the flowing nature of Cartier’s brushstrokes contribute to the central figures’ prominence.

In Everlasting Peace has a certain glow that invites the viewer closer. The soft texture found here and also in A Song to Keep Us Warm is enchanting. The canvas’ texture is revealed through light paint layers that appear to be almost floating. The figure in A Song appears surreal and almost nostalgic, fading into memory.

Overall, the show offers a fresh take on the gallery setting, a unique perspective unseen at William King previously. The energy and talent of both Cartier and Justice are extremely present and I thoroughly believe that missing this exhibit would be a mistake.

In the crowded cafeteria of Emory & Henry College and behind the cashier stand in the Van Dyke center, Susie opens the doors every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In her Emory & Henry cashier uniform, fellow students at Emory & Henry know Susie as the coolest cafeteria worker.

Susie, whose full name is Susanne Lynn Becker, was born April 2, 1969. Born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, Susie moved to Glade Spring, Virginia, to pursue her dream of being an EMT-B teacher. Susie works as an EMT-B with the Glade Spring Volunteer Life Saving Crew, continuing her day after she leaves the cafeteria by saving lives at night. Susie’s variety of occupations does not stop there, either. Working as a cashier operator and EMT, Susie is also a substitute teacher for People Inc. as well as the Washington County school system.

When asked why she enjoyed her job at Emory as well as her other occupations, Susie said, “I enjoy my job at Emory because of the people I meet. I like to be of assistance to people in the community, and I enjoy being able to give back to the people who are in my community, and thank them for the donations that they give in return. It’s part of my job to give back to the community, and I do the best that I can.”

When Susie was a young girl, she decided that she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up. She says that by being a teacher, she is able to help anyone and everyone she possibly can. It is obvious to the community and to the students and faculty here at Emory that Susie is a giving person and is someone who should be recognized more often.

Susie shows strong emotion when talking about her occupations and ability to give back to her community from the sincere look in her eyes when sharing her experiences throughout her 16 years as an EMT. As an EMT for over a decade, Susie has been able to see a whole variety of situations, ranging from delivering babies, automobile accidents, gunshots, fires, drunks, suicides, heart attacks and strokes. “There is no way to really list all the things I have seen over the years,” Susie explains. “Every night is something different, and there is always a different story to tell. Even after 16 years I still get to see something new every now and then.”

No one would ever guess that Susie is a competitive person. Her competitiveness is seen when she is not saving lives, teaching, or feeding college students. In her spare time, Susie participates in the competition EMT team where she competes against different agencies in the county. “When I have more spare time, I love spending time with my wonderful niece and nephew,” Susie said. “Going to their sporting events is my favorite thing in the world to do.”

Susie is still relatively young and has not made any new plans for the future. “I don’t see myself making any large adjustments with my life in the near future. I’m just living life to the fullest, one day at a time.” It is only expected that with all of her occupations and hobbies, Susie is proud of who she is and what she does with her life. “Knowing that I have made a difference in one person’s life is what keeps me going from day to day,” Susie says. “No matter how big or small the problem may be that I have to face, just knowing that I am able to leave a smile on someone’s face is the greatest achievement for me. It is also great to hear someone tell me they are proud of the work that I do every now and then as well.”

Susanne Lynn Becker, also known to Emory & Henry students and faculty as Susie B., is one marvelous and exciting person who should be thanked. Without people like her, the Glade Spring community and Emory & Henry College would not be the same. From all of us here at Emory & Henry, we say thank you, Susie!

“It’s been a challenge, but I’m really happy to have taken it on,” admits Gavin Wright as he speaks about his experiences at Emory & Henry College.

Wright is a 21-year-old who will soon have a degree in both Literature & Creative Writing as well as Mass Communications. He is originally from Stafford, Va., where he currently lives. He has also lived in Cherry Hill, N.J. and Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Wright attended an Academic Magnet High School in North Charleston, S.C., which influenced his original dream of being a textile chemist. Wright mentions some of the technical schools he had been accepted to, such as Georgia Tech and Auburn University, but says he feels he made the right choice by coming to Emory & Henry originally to play soccer.            

Wright has made a name for himself throughout his years at Emory & Henry. When he is not playing soccer he can probably be found in the Whitetopper Office, which he describes as “one of my favorite places to be because I’ve surrounded myself with people I enjoy being with.” Wright has worked for the school newspaper since the fall semester of his sophomore year. His devotion to his position and his dedication to the final product were some of the characteristics that promoted Wright to the position as Editor-in-Chief by the middle of the next semester.              

Chris Hatcher, a junior, has worked with Wright for three years and speaks about their experiences together. Hatcher says, “I find that Gavin is very fair with all of the staff members, and is committed to making the paper better every week. Gavin has gone above and beyond his Whitetopper duties by being there the night he had food poisoning, which he was later admitted to the hospital for. He has spent many a sleepless night up in the Whitetopper office with his staff members, and is usually the last person to leave.” Hatcher openly shares more memories of his boss and friend that convey Wright’s passionate work ethic as well as his friendly personality.           

Wright’s work experience with the newspaper is what led him to take up Mass Communications as a second major. “I felt like I needed a background in AP Style, so I took the Writing for the Media course with Dr. Lauder,” said Wright. He did not even declare a major in Mass Communications until the fall semester of his senior year, so you can imagine the workload he has been faced with. He admits that it has not been easy, but feels like it has better prepared him for the working world.            

Along with Mass Communications, Wright is also a Literature and Creative Writing major. He incorporates his gift of writing into all he does, including Mass Communications, and uses it to support school organizations like the Whitetopper. Wright looks forward to showing some of his work at the Mass Communications Banquet this weekend, and he is also anxious to take in all the other seniors’ work as well.            

Aside from his position as Editor-in-Chief, being a member of the soccer team and being a double major, Wright is also involved in several other student outlets on campus. He participates in MOCA, The Rainbow Connection, The Outdoor Program, The Appalachian Center Student Advisory Council, as well as a speaker and panelist for many lyceums.           

Wright reflects on his experience here at Emory & Henry and describes it as “well-rounded,” which is a phrase that most of the students can relate to. Wright is appreciative of many of his professors, including Dr. Winger and Professor Harrison, who he says, “had a profound impact on the way I think about things and have played a major role in helping me develop my writing skills and my ability to express my thoughts and feelings.” He plans on keeping in touch with professors he has connected with and friends he has made throughout his time here at Emory & Henry.

When the question was posed about whether or not he felt he was ready to leave, Wright replies, “Even though I am not entirely sure what my career will end up being, I feel my time spent on my degrees has played a major role in preparing me to be successful in whatever I do and my college experience has helped to prepare me for whatever the world gives me.”

As a graduation gift, he will be traveling with his family to England to see a Liverpool soccer game. Wright is obviously excited about beginning a new chapter in his life as he discusses his plans for the future. “After I walk at graduation in May, I will begin a Public Relations internship with the Richmond Kickers professional soccer team. I love soccer and am beginning to love PR, so maybe I’ll stay there if they offer me a full-time position,” he said.

A snap survey by MCOM 302 students at CSA this morning, found that gifts of flowers and pens were being churned out.

Emory & Henry College Registrar, Mary Ragland, who was among those interviewed in the snap survey said St. Patrick’s Day has sentimental value for her. She said her father was “a big celebrator” of St. Patrick’s Day and she celebrates the day by wearing green.

The survey also showed that knowledge on the meaning and significance of St. Patrick’s Day among the college community was mixed. When asked what St. Patrick’s Day meant to him, Emory & Henry junior, Hunter Romano, said: “St. Patty Day doesn’t really mean anything to me.”

For Robin Grossman, the day symbolizes a celebration of Irish heritage. “I think here in Southwest Virginia there’re a lot of people who have Irish heritage,” Grossman added.

As regards the question of how people around campus were celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, green was the theme that weaved through most of their responses.

“You can see I pulled out my bright green shirt today, so no pinching me,” Grossman said.

Hunter said he was going to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by drinking “green beers.”

Kelli Smith, however, is not a fan of green on St. Patrick’s Day. “My grandma always tells us not to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day. That we should wear orange because we’re protestant,” Smith said.

Historically, St. Patrick’s Day traces its roots in Catholicism. St. Patrick’s Day, which falls on March 17, is the day when British-born Patrick who was taken into slavery in Ireland at age 16, died.

 St. Patrick’s Day, is the one day during the Lenten Season that the bishop can lift the obligation of Catholics to abstain from eating meat and merry-making. Emphasis on green symbolizes Irish nationalism and loyalty to the Roman Catholic faith.

Chris O’Connor, the student government president of Emory & Henry College, has many plans to improve the retention rate for students on campus.
A big problem at Emory & Henry is that campus activity is at a low, which is decreasing the retention rate of students. O’Connor said he wanted the legacy of his cabinet to be “make some improvement on the student experience and make people want to stay weekends, and not transfer.” He wants to do this by encouraging more organizational action and use of funds.
Each year, the student government gets $35,000 to dole out to the 35 student organizations. Last year, seven groups spent all of their funds. Eight spent nothing at all. The rest just spent a portion of their funds. This is a problem because they are not holding enough events to keep students interested.
The student government has an accountability plan to encourage spending of funds. They have a new bill in the works that involves each organization presenting a written report at the end of each month detailing their use of the funds.
O’Connor also wants the organizations to work together to create more ideas and support for activities. There are two organizations on campus that work as inter-club councils. They are the Peace Alliance and the Progressive Student Alliance. While these two exist, they are not as visible on campus as they have been in the past. They are meant to serve as leaders in improvement and cooperation.
Another possible program was pilot tested last semester: the mentoring program. Incoming freshmen were paired up with upperclassmen, who took them out to eat. After discovering their interests and favorite activities, the upperclassmen could help the freshmen find the right organizations to get involved in. “
If you don’t know someone, it’s hard to find someone in their niche,” said O’Connor about the struggles of freshmen.
The student government has many plans, but O’Connor made it clear that he is an advocate for more student involvement in these decisions. The student government meets at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesdays in the Calliopean Room in Byars Hall. All students are welcome to share ideas or bring up issues.

I have great sympathy and concern regarding the racist events that took place last semester. I respect the Men of Color Alliance (MOCA) for taking such an appropriate and peaceful stand against such events. However, I have lost much respect for some of the guys to which the events affected. The freshmen to whom I refer are not members of MOCA, but were at the meeting that MOCA held in Hillman. Dr. Aris Winger, advisor to MOCA, said, “[The meeting in Hillman was about] people in general being treated respectfully.”

This semester, those two participants who were involved in the Hillman meeting were responsible for homosexual slurs in the cafeteria. In light of the racist events, I would have expected more appropriate behavior from those who have been degraded and ridiculed in the past. It is demeaning to one’s own character to be so passionate about a particular issue such as racism and be so disrespectful to those going through similar scorn, such as homosexuality.        

Dr. Kathleen Chamberlain advisor to the Rainbow Connection said, “You see the damage that racist behavior does; how can you not also see the social and personal damage that sexist behavior does with sexual orientation criticism? I think we need to say we are not going to be silent about this any more.”

Sophomore Devin Adkins, who was present during the racial slurs said, “Even though [the homosexual slurs] don’t affect me, it still hurts me to hear them because they are talking about my sisters.” Adkins also mentioned that not only was the word “faggot” uttered by one of the guys, but one of the girls sitting with Adkins was pulled aside by the guys table and was told that if she continued  to hang out with the Delta Rho’s, they would “turn her out.”

Slurs of any kind are hurtful and show a low level of self-respect and class, and are both unacceptable at Emory & Henry College and in society. I would like to remind those people who participate in homosexual slurs that E&H has a new sexual orientation clause that disciplines students who utter such slurs.

Emory & Henry College prides itself in its diverse student population. As one may think, “diverse” does not just mean color or race; it also encompasses national origin, age, religion, sex, handicaps of all kinds, and sexual orientation. Unfortunately, E&H students are still struggling with these diversities as demonstrated with the Hillman and recent cafeteria events.