Jacksonville State University’s Student-Published IN THIS Newspaper since 1934 ISSUE: The Art Exhibition starts, film project Chanticleer debuted today WEATHER: Sunny, High 56, Low 32 Thursday, December 3, 2015 Bibb Graves gets brighter JSU administration hosts annual holiday lighting ceremony Lauren Jackson Staff Reporter The JSU campus became much brighter after the an- nual JSU in Lights on Mon- day, November 30. The traditional event marks the official start of the holiday season across campus as it attracted students, faculty and community members alike to the decorated front steps of Bibb Graves Hall. The event started with a performance by the Christ- mas hat adorned JSU Cham- ber Singers. Featuring Christmas carols, the group performed on the front steps surrounded by bright poin- settias, garland and several unlit Christmas trees. “It was an honor that President Beehler invited Chamber Lauren Jackson/The Chanticleer Singers to sing,” said Jessie JSU Chamber Singers perform on the front steps of Bibb Graves on Monday as part of the JSU in Lights event. Hill, a member of Chamber Singers and a Junior at JSU. hosted their annual toy drive spreading Christmas cheer man Forum. of the community together, In addition to enjoying as well. “Everyone brought all around,” said Destiny The toy drive is a service and helps make Christmas the holiday cheer, the SGA gifts for children and is Jordan, a member of Fresh- project that helps bring all Please see LIGHTS, page 2 Griffin’s Jewelers in Jacksonville DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT opens under new ownership Secondary Education Lauren Jackson prepares students to be Staff Reporter future educators of Ala. After 30 years of busi- Katelyn Schneider been the Department Head ness in the same location, Staff Reporter for a year and a half. Griffin’s Jewelers of Jack- Students majoring in sonville is now under the di- One of the initial pur- Secondary education learn rection of Talladega native, poses of Jacksonville State in university classrooms, Richard Merrell. Merell has University was to serve as a but they are also able to been with Griffin’s Jewelers teachers college. Education gain real world experience. for 40 years, and has served is the focus of every col- They are able to participate as the manager at the An- lege, but preparing students in both practicas and intern- niston location before mak- for a career in education has ships. Students handle real ing the purchase of Griffin’s been a goal of the universi- classroom situations and Jewelers of Jacksonville. ty since 1930. learn lessons to aid them in He made the decision to That is one reason why their teaching careers. keep the name because “ev- such a high percentage of David Crunkilton, a stu- eryone knows it and trusts JSU students major in edu- dent majoring in secondary it.” cation. The Secondary Edu- education, said, “My time Merrell was trained under cation Department has con- with the secondary educa- the direction of Millard and tinued the focus of turning tion program has definitely Sarah Griffin at the Anniston students into teachers. prepared me for gradua- location before becoming The department is located tion. All of the courses that the manager for 20 years. in Ramona Wood Hall. Dr. they offered and all of the “They taught me everything Emily Sims serves as the in-school experiences have I know about jewelry, and Secondary Education De- helped me develop skills keeping the name is a way to partment head. that I will use as long as I pay homage to them,” said She received her Bach- teach.” Merrell. Lauren Jackson/The Chanticleer elor’s and Master’s degrees Before a student may The transition from man- New owner Richard Merrell and employee Susan from Jacksonville State enter the Secondary Edu- ager to owner has had very University before receiving cation program, there are few changes for Merrell. “I Barrs stand behind the counter of Griffin’s Jewelers in Jacksonville. The store will celebrate its grand her Doctorate from the Uni- specific requirements that Please see STORE, page 2 opening this weekend. versity of Alabama. She has Please see TEACH, page 2 One Large one (256)-435-7272 topping pizza $6.99 702 S Pelham Rd Order online @ www.papajohns.com Promo Code JSU699 Delivery Charges may apply. Customer pays all applicable sales taxes The Chanticleer December 3, 2015 2 Opinion: Bryant’s retirement is shocking Nathan Cavitt player, was announcing his It all started in 2003 when should have retired years en a least 60 attempts before Staff Reporter retirement. The NBA would Bryant was accused of sex- ago. his announcement. never be the same. ual assault, darkening his It was thought that over However, this isn’t exact- It was a strange scene However, I thought back squeaky clean reputation. the last couple of years Bry- ly a sudden change. Bryant Sunday night. One wouldn’t to all the times Bryant had He pleaded not guilty, and ant would admit his falling has been steadily declining have expected to see Kobe been talked about in the the charges were eventually production, his age, and ac- since 2011. Some would Bryant smiling after the Los media. Everything from the dropped after the accuser re- cept a lower paid contract, say that the contract situa- Angeles Lakers lost 107-103 sexual assault allegations fused to testify in court. allowing the Lakers to ac- tion is not on Kobe, it’s on against the Indiana Pacers back in 2003 to the more Furthermore, Bryant has quire a big name in free the Lakers. while shooting only 4-for- recent talks of Bryant refus- often been described as a agency to supplement the While maybe true, there 20 from the field, but he did ing to take a pay cut, despite difficult and demanding aging shooting guard. How- have been several aging so hours after officially an- lack of production and little teammate. Former Laker’s ever, according to ESPN, players in NBA who have nouncing his retirement. to no support cast behind. center Dwight Howard, Bryant has been the top-paid taken pay cuts in order to “I’ve known for a while,” All around the world ana- when asked about playing player in NBA over the past build a better team. Bryant Bryant said, “A decision like lysts are talking about his with Bryant, described it as six years. wasn’t going to be one of this, you can’t make that Hall of Fame career, and being “very tough.” The lack of production them. decision based on outside what a great career Kobe Most notably, Bryant and this year had been a hard In the end, Bryant was a circumstances. It has to be had, but little are talking former Laker Shaquille pill to swallow for the future great player—anyone who an internal decision, and fi- about the smudges, the O’Neal seemed in constant Hall of Famer. Bryant had can score 81 points in a sin- nally I’ve decided to accept black-caked grime of his ca- frustration with one another been shooting around 31%, gle game is great. However, that I can’t actually do this reer. Marks that were caused on the court, despite winning a career-low and the lowest whenever I think about Bry- anymore, and I’m OK with by Kobe himself. three of Bryant’s five NBA in the league among players ant I think about the man that.” Bryant is a great player, Championships together. who had taken at least 150 who forced Dwight Howard The five-time NBA Cham- maybe one of the best, but a A most notable mark on attempts. His three-point out of Los Angeles, or the pion’s words rang home to severely flawed player who Bryant’s career is his de- percentage of 19 was also a man who failed to live up to me. A historic basketball could have been the best clining production, leaving career-low and a league-low his own expectations toward player, a record-breaking player of all time. many to believe that Bryant among players who had tak- the end of his career. STORE, from page 1 LIGHTS , from page 1 ran the store then The store makes, possible for children like it was mine,” repairs, and remounts that would otherwise he said. “I love jewelry and also not have one. Roxanne making people hap- change watch batter- Bailey, an ambassador py.” ies, repair watches, at JSU, said, “JSU in The husband and have clock repairs Lights is my favorite father of three is from and offer free jewelry event of the entire year Talladega originally, cleaning on the spot. because it brings all of but drives from his “We would like to JSU and the community Lincoln home each start getting afford- together in the name day to the store. He is a able jewelry that can of community service member of Eastaboga meet the college bud- and Christmas, and you First Baptist Church, get,” said Barrs. can practically feel the and his wife works The store has col- cheer in the air.” with the Alabama In- lege sections dedicat- President Beehler stitute for the Deaf and ed to Auburn and Ala- helped ring in the fes- Lauren Jackson/The Chanticleer Blind in Talladega. bama, and features a tivities with a short Susan Barrs is a Santa holding a Jack- speech among the unlit The Gold Room in Bibb Graves is decorated and holds refreshments for those in attendance of JSU in Lights on Monday retired high school sonville State flag.