Bare as a broken hearts left hand,

But steady.

Stretch up to the sky.

Point in all directions.

Solid as a church pew,

But bending.

Grab the sky confetti.

Take in rest.

Wrap up close,

Like a jogger in January.

Hold tight to yellow warmth.

Waiting for tomorrow.

Prepare your leaf buds,

Protect beauty from ice.

Sink deep into the dirt.

Settle into home.

Spring, like waves on the shore,

Will come.

Entertainment editor

On Nov. 22, 23 and 25, the Shorter’s theatre department will be continuing their recreation of Little Women.

Little Women is based on Louisa May Alcott’s classic 1869 semi-autobiographical novel. It focuses on the four March sisters: aspiring writer Jo, romantic Meg, pretentious Amy and kind-hearted Beth, as well as their beloved mother Marmee.

Their home is in Concord, Mass., where the family patriarch is away serving as a Union Army chaplain during the Civil War. Intercut with the vignettes in which their lives unfold are several recreations of the melodramatic short stories Jo writes in her attic studio.

According to visiting theatre professor Jan Gompper, the Shorter theatre department has a wonderful cast for Little Women.

“The four girls that are playing the March sisters could not better suited to their role,” said Gompper.

Taylor Camp, sophomore musical theatre mjor, who portrays the character Jo March, said that being in Little women has been one of her dream roles.

“Jo March is the epitomy of a strong woman, and it’s been such a fun experience getting to play her while working with these directors,” said Camp.

While rehearsing, Shelby Folks, who plays the role of Amy March and Clarissa, happily commented, “One of the best things about playing this role is being able to play a sister to my dearest and closest friends, which makes it extremely natural trying to act like I really care about them, because I already do!”

By a way of giving to the community, the cast of Little Women are asking for their audience to bring any can food item upon arrival to the play.

Entertainment editor

On Oct. 26, Shorter’s cross country teams took the course Saturday morning to compete in the Gulf South Conference Championships. Despite being able to bring home any awards, Shorter’s runners still made an impact.

In the men’s 8k race, the Hawks’ Jordan Cross, who was announced athlete of the month in October, turned in the best time of 25 minutes and 32.93 seconds to become the men’s unofficial winner.

Not only did this result from hard work and dedication, but also from Cross’ strong faith and trust in God.

The day before the race, while performing their usual warm-ups, Cross was experiencing sharp pains in his right quad and had the fear that he wouldn’t be able to run in the race the following day. After noticing how excrutiating the pain was, he began to pray for God to let him run. Cross said that not only would the absence of him running affect himself, but also his teammates.

“We only have five distance runners, and that’s what it takes to score,” Cross said, “and if I wasn’t out, there was no way we would have a team score.”

About 15 minutes before starting, Cross realized he wouldn’t be showing faith if he didn’t at least try and prepare himself for possibly running.

“I’m not really showing any faith by asking the Lord to fix me,” said Cross. “It would be like the farmer planting a field and asking the Lord for rain, but not really preparing the field.”

Shortly after making this acknowledgement, track coach Scott Byrd asked why Cross appeared to be warming up with his teammates for the race.

“I asked him, ‘what are you warming up for,’ and he said, ‘well, I wanted to warm up with the team, and when we go out there, to just encourage them,’” said Byrd.

But as the conversation continued, Byrd said Cross tried to convince him that he felt better and could run.

“After several minutes of conversation, and him promising me that he wasn’t in pain like he was the night before, we devised a little plan,” said Byrd.

This plan consisted of Cross giving him his watch so he couldn’t run any faster than what Byrd wanted him to run. They also devised hand signals, so at every mile, if Byrd thought he was in pain then he would give the signal for Cross to come out of the race. The only other stipulation was that he could not sprint, so Cross’ race was based entirely on endurance.

Byrd said that Cross ran the race very “concincely”- but he did run it.

“He didn’t have to sprint, and we were very fortunate and blessed that there was no injury in the race,” said Byrd, “and he is ready to run here next week for the national championship.”

Byrd stated that the team’s faith is the core thread of who they are as a group.

“What we want them to do is to just run to the best of their ability and remember that most importantly, they are running for something bigger than themselves— their Savior,” said Byrd.

And by Cross’ faith and trust in God, he prepared his field on that track, and knew that as he lept with both feet from the start, God would provide the “rain,” or strength, he needed for his victory.

Sports editor

The 2013 men’s and women’s basketball seasons have arrived. These two teams have been immensely successful in the last three years, both averaging over 15 wins a season. The men’s team is looking at a different starting scenario than they have had in a long time.

This year’s Hawks are going to be starting with only two returning guys with any experience and they are focused on the first game of the season.

“We have so many new guys, and when you have so many new faces, the next game is the most important and that is the first game,” said coach Chad Warner.

This team has some of the more talented players Shorter has had in quite some years, according to Warner, but they will determine the outcome of the season by how hard they work, how they play together and how they grow as a unit.

This is an adjustment for a team and school that are used to highly successful and veteran teams for the past three years. This year’s team will be looking to continue the recent success going as far back as 2012 when the men’s team made it to the final four of the NAIA tournament.

Still not eligible for post-season play, the Hawks will look to win the Gulf South Conference regular season championship and secure a top seed in the NCAA tournament.

The men’s team is looking to reach the NCCAA tournament for the second straight year and to continue having success in the Gulf South Conference.

The Lady Hawks are coming into this season with a different situation on their hands. They are a veteran-laden team with high expectations going into the season after a season last year that ended with them losing two of the three games they played in the NCCAA tournament.

“I see this season being even better than last year. We’re a veteran team with only two freshman and I think we have all improved since our last game on the court,” said senior guard Kristin Nash.

The Lady Hawks know they are facing stiff competition in the conference this year. Their focus this off-season has been the basics and how to be more consistent on offense. Last year’s team averaged half a point more than they gave up so they know coming into this season they have to score and hold their opponents on defense.

“Anybody can beat anybody in this league; we talked about the little things being more important and controlling what we can control to win us some games,” said head coach Vic Mitchell.

The Hawks will look to feed off the senior leadership and continue the trend of intense defense that the team has shown in the recent years.

“We just have to keep the intensity we’ve always had and take pride in stopping our opponents,” said Nash.

The Hawks look to extend their season and make it to the NCCAA tournament again this year and avenge their two early losses last year. Both teams have talent and the will to win this season and will look to continue Shorter’s success in the NCAA Division II along the way. Fans are encouraged to come out and show their support for both of these teams this season.

“Their support means so much to the success of our team, we appreciate how much they energize us as a team. I just want our fans to know just how important they are to our success and how appreciated they are,” said Mitchell.

Opinions editor

Many Shorter seniors are finding themselves facing nostalgia and a mixture of emotions as they prepare to not only say goodbye to college, but also to the sports they have played for many years.

Senior secondary education major Kelsey Kirk describes the impending closure of her college volleyball career as “bittersweet,” saying “I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to play for so long, but I’m not quite ready for it to end….I’ve invested so much of my life in this sport, and it will be hard to remove the mindset and desire to play.”

Similarly, senior business major and football/track athlete Bradley Moon notes, “I will miss playing football because it has been a part of my life for 15 years, but I know that the Lord has big and better things for me to come.”

Senior biology major Chad Ikerd corroborates these sentiments in saying, “It’s been an experience that I will always remember. I have been blessed with talents many do not receive and it is a blessing that should not be taken for granted.”

The athletes describe the hardest part of leaving collegiate sports is the fact that athletics have taught them so much during their years at Shorter.

Moon says that being a college athlete taught him “that if you work hard, you will be successful. Yes, there will be trials and tribulations that occur, but if you stand on the Word of God, you will conquer them all.”

Kirk also realizes that “being involved in athletics has taught me so much about myself. I have become a better student in result. I am better at time management, am more committed and I understand the idea of working for the success of others.”

Emphasizing the relational and team-minded aspect of athletics, Ikerd comments that “the biggest take away from playing baseball is the relationships I have built.”

And while these learning experiences and deep, unique relationships that came as a result of being involved in campus athletics will make leaving difficult, many senior athletes also are adamant that their past experiences as university athletes will benefit them tangibly in the future.

Specifically, Kirk is “hoping that my knowledge of volleyball will help me become a coach when I start teaching. Being a high school teacher with the ability to coach a sport will hopefully make me marketable to schools.”

Similarly, Moon shares, “I think it will play a big role in my future because it shows that I am able to be disciplined in doing what is required of me. Playing sports is just like a job.”

With all this in mind, these senior athletes are both willing and able to share tidbits of wisdom with the underclassmen student athletes who will be in a similar situation before they know it.

Moon suggests that non-senior athletes “embrace the whole college experience and get involved—not just in athletics but with on-campus organizations,” and that they should “always work hard in everything you do.”

In a similar vein, Kirk’s advice to other athletes is to “cherish every moment. We are not guaranteed the opportunity to play. It is a blessing to be able to do what we love on a daily basis. Never take for granted the skills and talents that God has given you, and always play for His glory. Also, remember who you are playing for. God first, teammates and coaches second, and yourself third. If you play with that order in mind, you will be successful.”

Opinions editor

The Shorter University International Justice Mission chapter recently launched awareness events regarding the issues of human trafficking and modern-day slavery.

These events included a “Hello My Name Is…” day, in which chapter members wore the names of survivors of exploitation around the globe and shared these stories to spread awareness for the gravity of injustice-related issues around the Shorter and Rome communities.

There was also a “Day of Action” on Nov. 19, where members got signatures to send to Congress regarding upcoming anti-trafficking legislation and encouraged students to call their local representatives to advocate.

News editor

Guest writer

It’s almost impossible these days to drive across campus without having to hit the brakes before going over countless speed bumps. One can’t help but notice that new speed bumps were added to not only the S curve, but that a second set was also added to the front gate.

Needless to say, many students have been questioning why such additions were added to the already existing number of speed bumps that have been at Shorter in the past.

To these questions Paula Penson, director of campus safety, explained that Shorter has had numerous wrecks on campus this semester, especially in the S curve due to students driving too fast.

“Two students flipped their vehicle over and off the embankment while coming down the S curve, all in the same area,” said Penson.

However, she was happy to report that no serious personal injuries occurred.

Regarding the other set that was added behind the already present speed bumps at the front gate entrance, Penson said that something needed to be done to prevent people from driving so fast through the gate-house entrance.

Penson said students are speeding through the gate and “putting my officers in harm’s way of being struck and injured by a vehicle and knocking off both gate arms, causing extra expense to Shorter.”

The good news is that since the new speed bumps have been added, there haven’t been any accidents on the S curve.

Also, according to campus safety, vehicle traffic on campus has slowed down tremendously. But students have generally not been enthusiastic about the speed bumps.  For example, junior early childhood education major Darci Brandon commented that she does not like the speed bumps.

“I feel like when I go over the [speed bumps] I bottom out and am going to drop my transmission,” said Brandon.

But while the speed bumps may force students to slow it down even when they are going to be late to class and possibly, as senior middle grades education major Savanna Rhinehart explains, “cause me to spill my coffee all over my car every morning,” the much bigger picture is that the extra speed bumps were added with the safety concern of the faculty, staff and students.

Penson concluded that the speed bumps on campus are necessary.

“The speed bumps are a vital tool and asset to help enhance safety on campus.”

Web editor

Editor’s note– This is the second of a three-part series on the events occurring in Syria and the implications those events may have on us as Americans. The first story provided an overview of Syrian history. This second story summarizes what is going on in Syria now. The third story will explain the implications Syria has to an everyday Christian and why what’s going on there should matter to us.

Syria is rich in history and filled with diversity. Today, that diverse pressure has led to what seems like the volcano’s eruption. Syrian citizens have lived with fear for many years, but the younger generation attempted to end the oppression in March 2011.

A little over two years ago, college students decided to take a stand against the government. They filled many Syrian walls with graffiti that demanded the government for freedom.

The government reacted with harsh punishments for those students — punishments that only led to more Syrian protests. Today, these series of protests are known as the Arabic Spring.

To this day, these Syrian rebels are still fighting for political freedom.

Assistant history professor Dr. Charles Carter said that the reason for the protests arise from a lack of economical national development.

“There hasn’t been a lot of economic development, and there’s a lot of unemployment,” said Dr. Carter. “They (Syrians) are angry at the government.”

Carter adds that the protests have led to Islamic terrorism.

“So this has really created a hot bed for the radical Islamic terrorism,” said Carter.

History professor Dr. Terry Morris added that Syrian citizens are also fighting for freedom from the oppressive Syrian government.

“Citizens are trying to free themselves from the government,” said Morris.

The situation only gets more complicated. Morris explained that the rebellion opened the door for radical Muslims, including the Shiites and the Sunnis.

Today, the civil war is led by four distinct groups: rebel citizens, Assad supporters (which includes Orthodox Christians), Sunni Muslims and Shiite Muslims.

Morris said the situation is more complex than anyone can imagine.

“Whichever side you get in bed with, you’ve got fleas,” said Dr. Morris.

The problem, however, is not so much about taking sides; the problem is that tension only grows as power nations get involved.

On one side you have France, the U.S., Britain and Turkey against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. On the other side you have Iran, China and Russia supporting Assad.

Carter explained why Russian President Vladimir Putin is aiding Assad: Russia is increasingly growing with Orthodox Christians, and Syria’s population is about 20 percent Christian Orthodox.

“The situation is difficult because the Russians are leading the opposition to the United States,” Carter explained. “The Russian form of Christianity is Orthodox Christianity. In Syria, about 20% of the population is Christian.”

Carter said the clear link between Russia and Syria is Orthodox Christianity.

“The type of Christians that are in Russia are the same type of Christians that are in Syria,” said Carter.

Carter explained that Assad is protecting the Christians mostly due to political pressure from Putin.

“Assad, despite the horrors that he has perpetuated, has actually protected the Christians,” said Dr. Carter. “He has done that for political reasons; he knows if he protects these Orthodox Christians, Russia will protect him.”

The political situation is extremely complicated, but what about the average Syrian citizen? Dr. Morris said that they are the ones suffering the most.

“The people who are suffering are obviously the ordinary people,” said Dr. Morris.

According to CNN Middle East News, refugees fleeing to Syria’s surrounding countries have reached a record high.

Since March this year, “more than 400,000 have fled since the beginning of this year to countries such as Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Egypt. About half the refugees are children,” reported Holly Yan of CNN.

The surrounding countries have been completely sympathetic toward the refugees. Yan wrote that unfortunately, time, space and money limitations are making it difficult for them to cope with the increasing number of Syrian refugees.

“The endless flood of refugees has drained resources in neighboring countries in unpredictable ways,” said Yan.

It has put a tight squeeze on necessities such as energy, water, food and shelter. Health issues only increase as essential supplies decrease.

The penalty for this civil war has been increasing death, according to CNN.

“The United Nations estimates more than 70,000 Syrians — mostly civilians —have been killed in the past two years,” Yan reported.

That number is only an estimate since Syria has strict policies for reporters. There is no way of getting a total number.

The war has been officially going on since March 2011 and there has been no progress. The light at the end of the tunnel is still not visible.

* See the next edition for the final piece of this series.

Web editor