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2-18-2019

Rotunda - Vol 97, no. 17 - Feb 18, 2019

Longwood University

Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.longwood.edu/rotunda FRONT TheROTUNDA Letting voices be heard since 1920

PAGE 4 PHOTOS: Aaron Barksdale crowned Mr. Longwood 2019 PAGE 5 A&E: Cyborg heroine fights villains and ASKING FOR plot issues PAGE 7 SPORTS: Softball COMMUNICATION pegged Big South preseason favorites FEBRUARY 18, 2019 once again VOL 97. ISSUE 16 JACOB PUTERKO | THE ROTUNDA 02 > NEWS TheRotundaOnline.com

JACOB PUTERKO | THE ROTUNDA EDITORIAL BOARD 2019 christine rindfleisch editor-in-chief erin eaton managing editor jeff halliday, mike mergen and clint wright faculty advisers NEWS ROTUNDA JESSE PLICHTA-KELLAR STUDIOS editor NICOLE DEL ROSARIO A&E executive producer JACOB DILANDRO TJ WENGERT editor assistant producer TAIYA JARRETT ALAINA JACQUES staff staff LEDANIEL JACKSON ELLIE STUCK Haleigh Pannell, junior class president, organized the event after she felt unsatisifed with staff staff AUTUMN HIGH how LUPD and Longwood Communications has been handling students' feelings and concerns. OPINIONS staff RACHAEL POOLE ADDIE CLARKE editor staff editor-in-chief pro-tempore SUTTON REEKES staff SGA holds Town Hall SPORTS PATRICK SANDERSON LAYOUT on campus safety editor ANGELI LEONG KURT MARTIN assistant editor assistant editor LAUREN QUEZADA Students discuss incident at Longwood NICK LIONE staff staff MASON VEST Village and communication issues staff COPY by Jesse Plichta-Kellar | News Editor | @JesseKellar SARA HOLDSWORTH PHOTO editor TAYLOR O’BERRY bout 200 people gathered formed lines to ask questions. business manager editor in Blackwell Ballroom on Campus safety and related issues were HAYLEY KASSERAIE EVA WITTKOSKI staff assistant editor A Feb. 13 to discuss campus the focus of the night, but an incident JESSICA CUBILLA CARRIE BAILEY safety in light of recent events at a that occurred in Longwood Village staff staff Student Government Association was the main topic of the event. ISABELLA CORBO MIRANDA GOMEZ (SGA) Town Hall, according to On Jan. 27, an armed man who was staff staff Josh Darst, SGA president. Over later identified as Malcolm Deon CHELSEA MOORE JACOB PUTERKO the course of the Town Hall, about Leviege was reported at Longwood staff staff 50 students asked questions in regard Village by an off-duty desk aide. KC MCALLISTER EVENTS staff to transparency with communication, LUPD arrived at the scene within CHRISTEN WALLACE GISELLE VELASQUEZ security cameras, security funding, four minutes but Leviege was gone, coordinator staff campus alerts and community trust. according to Beach. Students were AMANDA KING BRANDON CHEUNG The panel consisted of Vicenotified of a “person of interest” in assistant coordinator staff President for Student Affairs Dr. the area over 24 hours later, in an RENEE COTTON staff Tim Pierson, Longwood University email from McWilliams. SOCIAL MEDIA Police Department (LUPD) Chief of "The failure and what we have come BUSINESS MIRANDA FARLEY editor Police Col. Robert Beach, Assistant here to tell you that we understand IRIS HAMMOND Vice President of Communications was the (issue) here was (that) a more staff TAYLOR JENNINGS assistant editor Matt McWilliams and Associate timely set of information of an event Dean of Conduct and Integrity Jen that occurred but was controlled and Fraley, with Darst moderating. taken care of and that information FOLLOW US ON “I want you to know we're going could have been drafted and given to do everything we can to listen to you in a way that, that would have SOCIAL MEDIA and learn and take things from here maybe intercepted some of the fear INSTAGRAM @rotundaphotos tonight and (we're) trying to do and the speculation that that started FACEBOOK @longwood.rotunda better,” Pierson said. to boil up over the next 48 hours,” TWITTER @longwoodrotunda After introductory remarks by Darst Beach said. and panelist introductions, attendees Beach emphasized that "there was FEB. 18, 2019 03 > NEWS

no imminent threat to campus safety" since talking about the Jan. 27 Leviege had already fled the Longwood incident on social media Village by the time LUPD arrived and said or in person. that is the reason no alert went out to students. “My main objective was Many students expressed concern and trying to get the people I dissatisfaction that students were not alerted know to know they aren’t at the time of the incident. One resident of in danger anymore after and staff member at Longwood Village, the village incident,” Wells Christopher R. Wells, junior business said. “(Beach) also told me administration major, said that he was how I shouldn’t be sending discouraged from telling other students about things like that because he the incident. had received phone calls “I was concerned after this happened because from concerned parents.” I had prior knowledge to it and going on and Regarding the I want to know why people in the village conversation at the town including myself (have) been encouraged to hall, Wells said he “felt keep quiet rather than come out,” said Wells. attacked for speaking When asked who told him to refrain from out again, and that my spreading information about the incident, concerns and the concerns Wells said it was Beach. of students were not met “All the information that you had put it in with intent to rectify the paragraph that you whatever that was and current situations.” Assistant Vice President of Communications Matt McWilliams acknowledged all the bad information (sic),” Beach said. During the Town Hall, the students’ concerns at the end of the night, saying, “we need to remain Wells said he had made an error, but it was in other students objected vigilant in finding ways to improve communication and giving students what reference to a separate incident in Cumberland to the wording of the they need to feel secure." County. Wells and Beach referenced a prior email and how it did not “I want to create a confidence in you that you conversation but were asked to “keep the mention that the person of interest had a gun. can trust the decisions that we made at the conversation detail-based” by Darst and the “A lot of people in (the Longwood) Village police department level and the efforts that we Town Hall continued with the next student may not have known about the gun until do to protect you,” Beach said. asking questions. after he left,” Chris Alexander, a business Many students expressed difficulty trusting sophomore said. the police and Longwood to communicate Other students agreed with Alexander, effectively. saying Leviege being armed should have been “It hasn’t worked and I'm getting tired of included in the email. hearing the same things over and over again. McWilliams said, “Police determined that Overall, I just want to see change. I don't want there wasn't an ongoing imminent threat to hear what you want to change. I want to see to safety and that's why it didn't trigger the change,” said Cecil Hayes, a senior. campus alert.” Both Pierson and McWilliams agreed Another student concern was a rumor saying communication needs to improve as a result Leviege had been released. Beach confirmed of the Town Hall. Leviege has been released on bond and “I think that's the big takeaway is that they students asked follow-up questions regarding said we need to remain vigilant in finding the preventative measures that will be taken to ways to improve communication and giving make sure Leviege does not return to campus. students what they need to feel secure,” said Jalyn Jones, an SGA senator, asked if Leviege McWilliams. had a previous altercation in the area prior to the recent incident. Beach said that Leviege had been involved in domestic incidents before with someone in the community back in November. Many students voiced a need for an increased security camera presence and an increased number of blue light phones around campus, particularly Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Tim Pierson at the Longwood Village. tells the community they are holding the town hall meeting to learn what they could do better. Pierson, McWilliams and Beach all agreed with students that more Wells later clarified to The Rotunda that he cameras would be an improvement had sent an email and made errors regarding in security. Per Beach, funding for a police shooting in Cumberland, but that security cameras is lacking and until his information about the incident on Jan. 27 seven years ago there were barely any in the village had been “100 percent factual cameras on Longwood’s campus. Christopher Wells, a resident and staff member at the Longwood information”. Community trust was another topic Village, expressed concern that residents of the village were According to Wells, he was discouraged from of discussion. “encouraged to keep quiet rather than come out.” 04 > PHOTOS TheRotundaOnline.com

Tyler Bagbey shares his acoustics with the audience to Sebastian Lacoss wears a costume head, gloves and tail while showing off his capture hearts. dance skills. The new king of Longwood 2019 by Brandon Cheung | Photo Staff | @longwoodrotunda This year’s second annual Mr. Longwood, hosted by Resident and Commuter Life (RCL), was full of fun and dancing. The eight contestants were judged by four individuals of the Longwood community, while the crowd was the extra bonus that helped crown Mr. Longwood.

Dante Bowles, Mr. Longwood 2018, embraces Aaron Barksdale Alex Dowell leaves his heart on the stage as he is officially named Mr. Longwood 2019 for his rap with a romantic song.

Dylan McKercher and his crew take to the stage with vocals and dance. Aaron Barksdale is accompanied by Christaan Oliphant as they perform a rap duet. FEB. 18, 2019 05 > A&E

THEMovie reviews by Jacob DiLandro REEL | A&E Editor | @spongejay1 LIFE

PHOTO COURTESY OF 20TH CENTURY FOX, LIGHTSTORM ENTERTAINMENT, TROUBLEMAKER STUDIOS AND TSG ENTERTAINMENT.

fter multiple release date delays straddle the line between too real and not (“Moonlight,” “Spider-Man: Into the with multiple directorial changes, real enough. From the intricate carvings Spider-Verse”) fairs just barely better A “Alita: Battle Angel” has finally on her arms to her rubberized skin that than Connelly, as the bland villain made its way into theaters. An adaptation gleams with sweat during fights, the Vector. Keean Johnson, (“The Fosters,” of the classic manga series and a passion realism is staggering. “Nashville”) meanwhile, does a relatively project for director Robert Rodriguez Visuals can only go so far though, so fine job as Alita’s love interest Hugo, even (“From Dusk Till Dawn,” “Sin City”) it’s a good thing Alita has an actress as though the film completely betrays his and co-writer/producer James Cameron talented as Rosa Salazar (“Bird Box,” character arc by the end. (“Titanic,” “Avatar”), does “Battle Angel” “The Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials”). Out of everyone though, Ed Skrein live up to its long and impressive pedigree? She is the film’s highlight, imbuing Alita (“Deadpool,” “Game of Thrones”) is clearly It would be hard to summarize the basic with a wonderful optimism and a kick-ass having the best time. While his villainous plot of “Alita,” but not for an expected attitude that draws audiences in almost Zapan isn’t the most interesting character reason. While the first act feels incredibly immediately. Her acting range also means in the film, Skrein completely delivers a truncated, the rest of the movie feels overly in the smaller moments, where Alita cheesy, over the top committed bad guy long. reflects on who she is, there is no tonal who’s just fun to watch be bonkers. As it stands, there’s a very standard story shift. You may not see her real face, but There’s no better way to describe the of revenge, independence and love with a Salazar still commands the film as a whole. It has a spit-fire spirit sports subplot thrown in for good measure. screen. mixed with a white-hot sense of style and There’s a lack of explanation for this world, The supportingbizarrity that makes it a simple fun time. and while it doesn’t require a textbook’s cast, however, is Alita herself basically carries the film with worth of information, it definitely needs a mixed bag. her spirit. more world building that the few short Christoph Waltz It’s goofy and nonsensical but also scenes given here. (“Inglorious incredibly sincere, with a rock-solid While it Bastards,” emotional core. Its characters genuinely might not be “ D j a n g o care for each other, even though they may explained Unchained”) not be terribly well-written. It ends in an well, the world does about as well anticlimactic way, clearly setting up a sequel looks incredibly as he can with but just provides just enough emotional gorgeous. Practical an underwritten resolution and third act confrontations to effects and sets blend father figureclassify as an ending. almost seamlessly for Alita That manages to life “Alita: Battle Angel” with the computer- and his just above mediocrity. Its sense of action, generated ones wife, played gorgeous visual style and wonderful while bright sunlight by Jennifer characters don’t surpass the plot and streams through C o n n e l l y structural failings, but they at least make sequences that radiate (“Labyrinth,” them tolerable. It’s not a great film so with color and neon “Requiem for “Alita: Battle Angel” definitely doesn’t screens. The sequences during a Dream”) just win the day. But damn if she doesn’t put a sport called “MotorBall” are seems like the up a fight. especially impressive and wildly writers forgot entertaining. about her halfway AAA Alita herself, a full computer- through production. generated character, manages to Mahershala Ali 3/5 06 > SPORTS TheRotundaOnline.com

The man behind the microphone “Skip” has brought out the Lancers since 1996

by Kurt Martin | Assistant Sports Editor | @IamKurt14

JACOB PUTERKO | THE ROTUNDA

“Skip” announces the women’s basketball game against High Point, while Longwood tries to make a cting as the PA announcer for Longwood athletic events, Carlton and even when the conditions were rough he teaching field, and that he did, teaching A “Skip” Maynard Spain has seen the was still there. physical education and sixth grade math at transformation of a campus, five different "We had no press boxes," he said. "The only Cumberland High School for 15 years. athletic directors and the growth of the press box that we had was the baseball press Through all of these different ventures and Longwood athletics department altogether. box, the rest of them we fought the weather, experiences, sports has always been a constant. The Colonial Heights, Va. native moved to we put tarps over us.” Part of his experiences in sports has landed Farmville in 1988, where he announced his him to meet some of baseball’s legends. first Longwood athletics event in the spring “In where I’m from (Colonial Heights) they of 1996. Longwood, a Division II program "We had no press boxes. have a little league tournament every August, at the time, hosted the Carolinas-Virginia The only press box that we and back in the 50s, 60s and 70s they would Athletics Conference baseball tournament had was the baseball press have a celebrity to come throw out the first with Hampden-Sydney College. pitch, and it was my dad’s job to drive to the “When I was asked to do baseball, Coach box, the rest of them we airport and pick them up,” said Spain. “Once I Buddy Bolding, our longtime baseball coach, fought the weather, we put became driving (sic) he let me take them back his wife was the announcer for baseball and tarps over us." to the airport. I took Mickey Mantle back to she couldn’t do it that weekend, so that’s when the airport.” Jack (Williams) called and asked if I wanted Carlton “Skip” Spain (Longwood The experience with Mantle was something to do it, and I told him ‘yeah I do’,” said Spain. Athletics Public Address announcer) Spain will never forget, he said. Announcing for the Lancers ever since Spain went on to drive other legends Warren with over 90 games per year, Spain recalls Spahn, Satchel Paige and Hank Aaron all in the athletic field transformations as well Spain works as the public address announcer his 20s to the tournament. throughout the program's history. on a volunteer basis and yet the dedication has The way Spain carries himself in a work “Where the maintenance facility is (behind not subsided. setting is something that has resonated with ller Hall) was the field hockey field, but it “He could be at home spending time with coaches at Longwood. was not the legal size for the NCAA, so (for) his wife or spending time with his kids, or “He is a consummate professional in what field hockey we had to use the University of just spending time at home,” said Director of he does, you can tell with the passion that he Richmond field as all of our home games,” Athletic Events Jamal White. “We try our best exudes on the mic,” said men's soccer head said Spain. knowing that and appreciating everything he coach John Atkinson. “He has found his niche Spain also remembers how the Lacrosse does for us because if it wasn't for him we with the announcing and you can tell that he team used to either play at the field located on don't know what we would do, trying to find gets great joy from being apart of the successes First Avenue, or on the practice field behind somebody new, somebody who is going to be behind the mic at Longwood and being able Longwood’s softball stadium, Lancer Field, consistent to be a PA person.” to announce these athletes to the world.” Spain has always had a connection with Adding to his vast experiences, Spain also baseball, as he played for four years at Virginia spoke about the run of continued success State University, while also playing football from the Longwood softball program, a run on scholarship. featuring the Lancers clinching three straight Prior to college, Spain enlisted in the Air Big South Championships from 2015-2017, Force, then after college worked full time in one of which came on the team’s home field in the National Guard. 2017 - a tournament and championship that “When I was in the Air Force I had a job Spain was able to announce. of making maps and that indirectly affected “Skip has been so service oriented since I've what was going on in Vietnam,” said Spain. known him, that’s the first thing that really Even though Spain was working to have an comes out to me. It wasn’t like I had to go ask impact on the war through his service, the love him for help, he actually came and asked us of sports never left him as he played football all the time ‘hey do you want me to run the and baseball while serving in Germany. scoreboard, hey do you want me to drive you In his time in the National Guard, Spain guys?’” said head coach Kathy Riley. worked as an Operation Sgt. Major in which After all of this time as a member of the he served during Operation Desert Storm Longwood community, he keeps taking it all spending six months abroad during the crisis. in. “Skip” says that in his 24 years of announcing, he's probably only ever missed three games. Spain then retired from the Guard in 1994. “Watching the campus grow, it is unreal," Upon retiring, he wanted to get into the said Spain. FEB. 18, 2019 07 > SPORTS Longwood softball looks to repeat previous successes Big South preseason favorites seek consistency by Nicholas Lione | Sports Staff | @longwoodrotunda

hile the Longwood softball Batten was tabbed as the number program has seen success in one batter in the early-season Lancer W previous seasons, they are lineup. She said the team has to play looking to improve and accomplish feats they with consistency in order to contend haven’t this year. when the Big South tournament After coming up short in the conference comes around in May. tournament last season, the team looks to “Consistency is very important recapture conference supremacy and has when you come out here and an ultimate goal of winning an National play for any player, (and) it is very Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) important to have a group that can be regional this season. consistent and carry the team. It is something Two players received conference preseason that we aim for,” said Batten. Being picked as league favorites comes with a great deal of pressure, and for long- time Head Coach Kathy Riley who has come to be familiar with this position, pressure won’t be a focal point. “It can cause pressure. The one thing we have really done is not talk about it,” Riley said. “We come out and we talk about how good we can practice that day or week.” JACOB PUTERKO | THE ROTUNDA The team understandsSenior Jordan Clark crosses the plate during a recent this season won’t be easy doubleheader against Robert Morris. Clark currently with other Big South leads the team with a .353 batting average. powerhouses challenging for wins over Robert Morris and a 6-4 victory a championship, including over Norfolk State University. The team newcomer USC Upstate, who will be back in action on Friday, Feb. 22, were picked second in the as a participant in the University of North preseason poll. Carolina at Greensboro Invitational in North Riley explained how this Carolina. might change their rivalry, saying former Big South program Liberty leaving would alter the dynamic of the conference. Senior Kaylynn "Bug" Batten looks to make contact to generate “Liberty is right in our run support for the Lancers. backyard and we have a natural rivalry with them, so now our accolades; senior pitcher Sydney Gay was rivalry might switch to Upstate and Radford a named the Big South preseason co-pitcher of little bit more.” the year, and senior catcher Kaylynn “Bug” This year's schedule is headlined by notable Batten was pegged as the league’s preseason out of conference opponents including: Big 12 co-player of the year. foes Texas A&M and Texas on the road, and “Definitely for my senior year it is very ACC oppositions UNC (Chapel Hill) and exciting to be named co-pitcher of the UVA at home. The regular season ends on year, definitely gives me a confidence boost May 4 as the Lancers will take on cross-town knowing people are thinking of me as being rival Liberty, now a member of the Atlantic higher up there,” Gay said. Sun Conference. Gay, who serves as captain alongside Batten The team currently sits at 5-2 early in the Redshirt senior Chelsea Whitcomb tracks in their final seasons, serves as the first pitcher season after sweeping the “Lancer Launch” down a fly ball. in their rotation. tournament they hosted, featuring two 2 TOPPINGS $6.99 2 MEDIUM EACH

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