On November 6, the Miss Shorter University pageant was held in the Rome City Auditorium. And though the event came earlier than usual this year, the contestants want everyone to know that competing for the title of Miss Shorter is different from what most might suppose from watching a television-aired pageant. Namely, students who compete are held to a different standard because of Shorter’s “Transforming Lives through Christ” mission statement.

This said, Miss Shorter is a preliminary pageant to Miss Georgia. It is focused on scholarship, raising money for Children’s Miracle Network and getting involved in the community through service.

Executive director of Miss Shorter, Melanie Lawrimore, believed this year’s pageant would be exciting, saying “we are looking forward to having a girl who is supportive of the mission of Shorter University.”

Lawrimore also added that she is confident that the winner of the pageant will attend and compete in Miss Georgia this year, unlike last year.

There are different phases of competition for Miss Shorter. In contrast to most pageants, there is no swimsuit portion. Instead, Miss Shorter does lifestyle and fitness, which counts for 15 percent of a competitor’s total score. There is a private interview with the five judges coming in the day before the pageant worth 25 percent, an on-stage question worth five percent, a talent portion worth 35 percent and, finally, an evening wear portion worth 20 percent.

A total of $2,800 in scholarship money is given away at the event. The winner received $2,000, first runner-up received $500 and second runner-up received $300.

Former Miss Shorter competitor and this year’s second runner-up, Millie Payne, commented that she was excited about trying to gain the title of Miss Shorter again this year. 

“From my experience with Miss Shorter last year, I knew I wanted to do it again because I thoroughly enjoyed every moment” said Payne. “I truly love Shorter, and it would be the ultimate honor for me to represent this university.”

Payne was not the only one with positive things to say about her experience. Sophomore psychology major Stephanie Marrero also competed last year and did the same this fall. Marrero has competed in pageants before, but loves the initial night of Miss Shorter.

“When your turn to be on stage comes, it’s your time to shine and all the hard work pays off. My platform is to be a role model for younger girls,” Marrero said.

From here it is important to note that Miss Shorter gives girls an opportunity to branch out and try something new. Last year’s Miss Shorter University, Kelsey Kirk, said the entire pageant helped her learn so much about herself.

“I gained a greater sense of confidence because the Miss America Organization is one that prides itself in empowering women, which it absolutely did in my case,” said Kirk. 

Kirk became the reigning Miss Shorter in an unorthodox way, which held her back from competing at the state level, but by not doing this Kirk claimed she gained a greater sense of what her title meant – to be a positive role model and representative of the school she loved dearly.

As Kirk’s reign comes to an end she encourages the new competitors to remember that the true reason for winning is not about the glittering crown: “as Christians, we already have a crown awaiting us. Winning a pageant should be for a the purpose of being a strong, independent role model, and being the woman of God that uses her gifts for His Glory.”

Chandler Dedman came to Shorter from Carrolton, Ga. Dedman has a unique background as he was homeschooled for most of his life up until his senior year where he attended Holy Ground Baptist Academy. Dedman will be majoring in church music, with piano being his focus. His mother took him to his first piano lesson when he was four; he has been hooked ever since. Dedman decided to come to Shorter because he wanted to go to a Christian school.

“I wanted to enjoy myself without worrying about my faith being in jeopardy. When I came on campus for a Saturday at Shorter, I was convinced that God wanted me to come here,” he said.

After visiting campus, Dedman was ready to move in the next day. He had been saving for college since he was fourteen so he worked even harder to pay at least the first year of college. He felt so overwhelmingly happy when he paid his tuition at the business office that he had to restrain himself from doing his “happy dance” in front of everybody.

“I don’t worry about the coming up year because I know that God has a plan for me,” he said.

Dedman believes Shorter is the coolest university ever and truly loves all his professors and friends. The thing he looks most forward to this year is improving his academic skills as well as his music skills, but most of all that his faith becomes stronger. Dedman wants to pursue a career that combines his faith and love for music.

“I am thankful for my current piano teacher the great Terry Lowry, without him and God’s will, I would have never been here. I would like to accomplish God’s plan for me and hopefully become a music minister or a worship leader at a church,” he said.

“I am told, too, that I usually don’t talk a lot,” Dedman said, “but Abraham Lincoln once said, better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt”.

“They thought that we were going to be a bunch of snooty college kids,” said Arden Shanklin, sophomore liberal arts major as she reflected on her visit to the William S. Davies Homeless Shelter in Rome.

“They thought, ‘oh these kids coming from a Christian school are just doing this because they have to,’” Arden added, but clearly these “snooty college kids” from the Christian studies department had a greater purpose for serving at the shelter.

The William S. Davies Homeless Shelter, Inc. has been “providing a safe haven to the homeless of Rome/Floyd County … since 2003,” according to the website.

The shelter, located at 228 South Broad St., houses both men and women 18 years and older. The residents are allowed to stay as long as they need until they can move into homes of their own, but the residents must be pursuing better lifestyles in order to be accepted into the shelter.

Due to financial circumstances, the William S. Davies Homeless Shelter is raising funds to build a new establishment in East Rome.

Dr. Jeffrey Audirsch’s Christian studies students took it upon themselves to raise funds among the Shorter community to assist with building the new shelter. Shanklin is a member of the Christian studies class, which volunteered at the shelter and realized the need the William S. Davies organization has for a new location.

The class then formed a campaign team, which collected more than $1,200 to donate to the shelter.

“They have no idea … that we are going to write them a check for all the money that we have raised,” said Shanklin.

The campaign team raised money through the Good Food, Great Cause auction dinner and the “pie a professor” event, sponsored by the Christian studies department, as well as a spirit night at “Sweet Frog Premium Frozen Yogurt” sponsored by Greek students.

Phi Mu President Kaitlynn Cantrell, a senior early childhood education major, attended spirit night and said, “I think giving back to an organization such as the William Davies Homeless Shelter is a great way to serve your community. There are many homeless people in Rome … and I think that building a new shelter that’s larger and can hold more people is going to be beneficial to the Rome community.”

The Good Food, Great Cause auction dinner brought in the majority of the funds raised through the campaign. The auction dinner allowed Shorter students to bid on homemade dinners served at a number of professors’ houses.

“We feel it’s our job not only to teach students but to minister to them as well, and so we felt like having dinner in our home for students would give us a chance to really meet and greet and get to know them on a personal level,” said Communication Arts instructor Melissa Baskin.

She and her husband, Dr. Brent Baskin, assistant Christian studies professor, was just one couple who participated in the auction dinner.

Many of the Christian studies students have revisited the shelter and built relationships with its residents.

“It’s really cool … just to love on them, so that maybe [we] can impact their lives,” Shanklin stated. “Then maybe they can go out and impact someone else’s.”

Jessi Clark

Monday—Today we don’t have practice because we have one last performance tomorrow afternoon. I can’t stop thinking about all the school work I need to get done. I somehow have to manage to stay focused on one task at a time. I’m extremely overwhelmed.

Tuesday—Today I have my last performance and practice at Shorter before we leave tonight. It’s so bittersweet and makes me sad and happy at the same time. The school performances make me more nervous than actually competing in Daytona for some reason. No one really knows how hard cheerleading is… or the time, blood, sweat and tears we actually put in every single day. I hope the performance goes well and we stay respected by everyone for all of our hard work.

Wednesday—Nerves haven’t completely set in yet, but we’re here in Daytona and it’s practice time. Complete chaos and hundreds of teams everywhere around us. We’re in the grass/sand and I’m just praying we don’t have any injuries. It’s time to work, get comfortable and mentally prepared in different weather conditions. Once we get back I know I have school work, but there is no way I can concentrate on that. I am so focused on prelims tomorrow, so it’s lights out early for me.

Thursday— It’s prelims day! As soon as my feet hit the floor, I’m so nervous I could throw up. I have the same feeling all day until we are done competing.

I get ready and try to concentrate and not be so nervous to where it stresses me out. We go support large co-ed and then have our practice outside in the grass. After that we go straight to warm ups inside the convention center. There are probably at least 15 other teams in the warm-up room with us. We have to all stay focused on each other and only our routine. However, there are always random thoughts in my head: “What if someone gets hurt?” I pray the entire time for God to clear my mind. After warm ups, we walk all the way around the building to wait for our turn to compete. Prelims for us are now inside first day and outside on the beach the second day. The transition into D2 is the reason behind this change. I say a prayer to myself, we pray as a team, then it’s go time.

Friday—I’ve gotten some good sleep and wake up immediately mentally preparing myself for today. It’s my last time competing, and it’s finals day. This is it (I’m shaking and feel sick to my stomach just writing this now).

We will support large co-ed again at whatever time they compete, begin practice and then will go through the warm-up process just like Thursday. The only difference is that today we are outside on the “Band Shell” (the large stage on the beach). Now that we are in D2, we are with all the bigger D1 schools and the audience is a lot larger and louder. It’s more exciting competing outside and I feel somewhat better because we have already gotten one routine out of the way.

However, I’m still very nervous and a lot more emotional today. Finals always makes me feel this way, because at that moment right before we go on, I think, “This is it, what we have worked for all year long.” This being my senior year, Iam a lot more emotional and my team expects that from me. I’ve never cried before going on the floor. My adrenaline is on another level for sure and I’m just super pumped and hoping we do great!

After we compete, awards will follow and someone will be named national champions. I hope it’s us!

Saturday—It is really bittersweet that my cheerleading career is over. It was very emotional for me after we finished competing Friday. Knowing we got second by only five tenths of a point is disappointing, but I’m so proud of this year’s team! They are the most hard working group of athletes I’ve ever been around. I was on a team with my best friends. I wouldn’t have wanted to end my senior year any other way!

Many students save their money year round in hopes of exciting spring break plans. For two Shorter students, exciting plans came unexpectedly in the form of an all-expense-paid trip to Mexico.

When their spring break plans to travel to Florida fell through, freshmen Victoria Pregibon, an undecided major, and Elizabeth Dowd, also an undecided major, ended up on a plane to Puerto Morelos, Mexico.

Upon hearing of the two girls’ change in or lack of vacation plans, Pregibon’s grandparents offered Pregibon and Dowd a trip to Puerto Morelos for a week.

Pregibon’s grandparents own a timeshare in Puerto Morelos and already had plans to stay at their unit at The Grand Residences the week of March 3, conveniently the same week of Shorter’s Spring Break. Due to delays from slow construction on The Grand Residences, Pregibon’s grandparents received enough compensation for the girls’ stay to cost nothing.

The girls had a room to themselves for the break, sharing a suite-style unit with Pregibon’s grandparents.

Pregibon’s grandparents covered the girls’ food and transportation costs. They found two cheap plane tickets and arranged for The Grand Residences’ taxi service to transport them from the airport.

“We pretty much got handed two free plane tickets,” said Dowd.

Pregibon and Dowd enjoyed a full Saturday-to-Saturday vacation. Both girls gladly welcomed the sun and sand as they left the freezing weather in Georgia.

“It was a great escape from the weather Shorter’s been having,” stated Pregibon.

The girls soaked up Mexico’s sun and culture. They had the opportunity to eat traditional Mexican food, play sand volleyball with a local family and relax on the beach.

Mexico was an exciting and stress-relieving spring break trip, according to the duo. Pregibon said the trip was an opportunity to escape the stress of school and spend time with her best friend.

“Having my best friend there, getting to relax and not having to worry about anything was really nice,” Pregibon said.

Senior Jacob Bean took first place at this year’s Georgia Communication Association Student Film Festival with his film “We Once Were.”

The film tells the story of a young man who struggles to overcome a tragic accident in his life. Footage for “We Once Were” was shot in locations throughout the United States, parts of Canada, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy, all compiled during Bean’s travels in 2013.

Bean wanted to make a video that recapped his year, which included backpacking through Europe.

“I was going through all the footage I had captured and realized I had to do something with it, so I did. I made a film that I wrote, directed, edited and starred in,” Bean said.

He also wanted to create this film to impact others. Bean alludes to some of the struggles he has been through that are seen in the film. His hope is to inspire others to persevere through trials.

“I want to help others if they’ve been through the same thing,” Bean said. “They can watch the film and be able to grow.”

Bean’s film was screened on Feb. 20 at the Georgia Communication Association’s annual conference at Georgia State University in Atlanta. Every year, the organization’s film judging panel selects the top films from college students who submit across Georgia.

Dr. Cassandra Johnson, chair of the Communication Arts Department, was not surprised at Bean’s win, based on his drive both inside and outside the classroom.

“We are proud of Jacob. He decided to enter the film contest of his own initiative and did everything on the film himself,” Johnson said. “I know the kind of student he is, and I know the hard work he put into the film.”

Due to Bean’s dedication to grow in his film work, he was unable to attend the screening of his film Feb. 20. Instead, he was competing alongside three other Shorter students in the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) association convention’s 36-hour film challenge in Nashville, Tenn. His honor came with a plaque and cash prize.

Completing this award-winning film for the GCA film festival adds to Bean’s already impressive film resume. He has worked on over 50 film and TV projects, including Vampire Diaries and The Hunger Games. He has worked in front of the camera as an extra and behind the scenes as part of production crews. Most of Bean’s work in film has taken place in Atlanta.

Making his own film is just the beginning of what Bean aspires to do in the future.

“As a filmmaker, I want to be able to impact people’s lives,” Bean said.

This summer Bean is interning as a production assistant with the crew of the IFC television show “Portlandia” based in Portland, Ore. He is also pursuing more film roles and an agent.

Monday, April 7 – Friday, April 11: Gaby Guillen

Monday, April 14 – Friday, April 18: Breiona Badie

Monday, April 21 – Friday, April 25: Richelle Sanders

Monday, April 28 – Friday, May 2: Jenny Pilgrim

The gallery showcased many of Argentina’s latest pieces, including plates, pitchers, jars, bowls and vases. Many of the pieces were similar in color or texture. There were many hues of light blue and tan colors.

Shelby Folks, junior musical theater major, said she greatly enjoyed the ceramic work.

“The work is very interesting and beautiful,” said Folks. “They are all pieces I would use for decoration in my home.”

AJ Argentina is a ceramics artist and educator from Roswell, Ga. His work has been on display nationally as well as locally. In the exhibit, a biography hung on the wall that detailed where the artist is from as well as other information about him. Next to the biography hung a list of all the pieces displayed in the gallery.

Many spectators found the work unique and inspiring. According to Dr. Alan Wingard, dean of the School of Fine and Performing Arts, the school hasn’t seen an exhibit this unique in the gallery.

“I like the method used and the glaze shapes,” said Wingard.

The ceramics display was of interest to students across campus. Students of all majors are encouraged to visit all the displays that come to campus. Freshman biology major Lindsey Holmes often stops by the gallery to view the featured art.

“Whenever I am passing through Minor Fine Arts, I like to stop in and see the art,” said Holmes. “It brightens my day.”

Jennifer Sharp, sophomore early childhood education major, is another student who took advantage of the opportunity to see original work. She said the ceramics in the display helped calm her down from her time-consuming schedule.

“My major can be time consuming, and the ceramics in this exhibit remind me of a beach,” said Sharp. “I especially like the light blue and sandy colors. I feel like I’m in paradise.”

Admirers of the art also said the work was peaceful and interesting.

-Oddysey Smith

Head Coach Chad Warner has been leading the Hawks for more than five years. Under his teachings, the men’s basketball team has broken many school records, including winning the NCCAA National Championship in its first season as a member.

Coach Warner was named the NABC National Coach of the Year during 2011- 2012 season. Last year, he was named Division II Coach of the Year.

Coach Warner said that it has been a transitional season for the Hawks. With six new players, the team is learning to adapt to each other this season.

“We have six new players that are currently playing substantial minutes for us,” said Coach Warner, “That is a lot of new faces and takes time to gel as a team.”

He adds that the team is transitioning successfully as the season progresses.

“I think we are starting to see some of the process pay dividends now,” said Warner.

Senior Phillip Mullins, Interdisciplinary major, played for the Hawks his freshman year during the 2010-2011 season. Though did not continue as a player, he continued to help the team throughout his time here at Shorter.

Mullins described this season as a rebuilding season because of a number of graduated players last year.

“It’s a big rebuilding year,” said Mullins, “Because we lost a number of players after graduation in 2013.”

Mullins also described the reasons why he chose to stay involved with the team.

“I had gone on some mission trips with them, and I lived with some players on the team,” said Mullins. “It gave me an opportunity to have a relationship with them.”

Though he hasn’t been able to help as much with the team due to his schedule this year, he does have some advice for the players.

“Don’t be afraid to venture out into other aspects of the school, said Mullins. “Get involved because people on this campus look up to you, you’re not just basketball players, you’re leaders.”

Coach also has similar expectations for the Hawks.

“We don’t name captains per say because we want all of our players to be leaders,” said Coach Warner.

Though the team doesn’t have official captains, they do expect more out of those whom have been here longer.

“Dedric Ware and Brandon Pullman have been here the longest and we always ask a little more of them, said Coach Warner. “I have enjoyed seeing them mature on and off the floor.”

Junior Dedric Ware, Sports Management major, said that he looks forward for continued growth on and off the court. He also hopes to win the National Championship.

“I want to continue to grow as a team on and off the court,” said Ware “and we want to bring home another championship.”

Ware has played basketball for 15 years.  He described his motivation to play the game.

`“Basketball is just a game that everybody and my family played,” said Ware, “I just love the game so I’m always happy to set foot on the court.”

Though the Hawks are transitioning, Coach Warner describes this season not too different from previous seasons.

“This season has been a lot like many others in that you always have the process of watching a team come together,” said Coach Warner.

Even in a transition year, coach Warner has the same expectations of this team that he has of every team he puts on the court.

“I expect our team to learn to compete every day and learn to be great teammates,” said Coach Warner, “That has always been our expectation.”

Through these expectations Warner believes everything else will fall into place naturally.

“We have found that if they can learn to do that,” said Coach Warner, “then the wins will take care of themselves.”

Edith Avila

“We finished off our season very well last year and I look forward to building on where we left off,” said men’s head coach Jason Childs.

The Hawks have 5 returning seniors from last year; Ryan Baird, Kyle Van Kauwenberg, Andrew Ewers, Ken Brinson and Kyle Morris.

“ I am looking forward to these guys having a great year and building off of last year,” said coach Childs.

“We need to grow as a team and become more of a family,” said senior captain Kyle Van Kauwenberg. “We are attending chapels together and hanging out outside of the field and really getting to know each other.”

Senior midfielder Kyle Morris said, “ I am really looking forward to his last season and getting to play with all my brothers that I have grown and developed with over the years.”

The competition this year will show the Hawks how far they have come as a team.

“Our big games this year will be Coker and Berry; we look forward to playing both because we know that they are going to be good competition for us,” said Morris.

The women’s team looks to continue their success after a great season last year. Head coach Brittni Dulaney stated, “The competition for us this year is going to be great. I am excited to see how we do this season.”

The Lady Hawks have 7 returning seniors this year; Taylor Moody, Desiree’ Watson-Isom, Rachel Skinner, Katie Ott, Amber Hicks, Avery Armstrong and Bianca Rojas.

“We have a lot of depth in every position this year, and I am very excited about that. Having the option to move people around to different positions if needed is a great possibility,” said Coach Dulaney.

“Some of our big games this year will be Berry and Lindenwood. I look forward to playing in these games cause they will be very good competition for us. The Berry game is always fun because of the rivalry between our schools,” said senior attack Katie Ott.

Ott, who has been a starter the last two years for the Lady Hawks, has created long lasting relationships with her teammates and can’t wait to what her final season holds for her.

“I am really looking forward to spending my last season with my teammates that I have grown so close with over the past 4 years,” said Ott.

The Hawks first regular season action is against Coker on February 8^th, game time is set at 2 P.M. Their first home game will be versus St. Leo University on February 14^th; the game is set to start at 7 at Ben Brady Field. The Lady Hawks will begin their season against Berry College on February 5^th; game time is at 7 P.M.

Austen Trevers