Gardner-Webb University
THE PILOT
Student's Santa
Wish List
See "All I Want"
page 2
No. 4 December?, 1995
The Official Campus Newspaper
Boiling Springs, NC
Miss America visits GWU
by Sunny Benton
Staff writer
Miss America 1995 Heather Whitestone
addressed the student body, met with University
President Chris White and attended a reception
given in her honor during a visit Tuesday,
November 14, to the Gardner-Webb campus.
Whitestone, who is deaf but has the
ability to conduct speaking engagements without
the use of an interpreter, spoke to students about
achieving dreams despite experiencing obstacles
that often clutter the way. Due to a large expected
attendance from students and the public, the
program was held in the 5,000-seat Paul Porter
Arena on campus. Si lent Touch, a nine-member
sign language choir that has performed
internationally, joined Whitestone for the event.
As the first-ever hearing impaired Miss
America, Whitestone developed a platform
centered around overcoming difficulties and
limitations in life, such as deafness, through a
five-step S.T. A.R.S. program. ST. A.R.S., which
stands for Success Through Action and
Realization of your DreamS, states: have a
positive attitude; believe in your dream; face
your obstacles; work hard; and build a support
team. That platform was the focus of her address
to the Gardner-Webb students.
“It is our responsibility to overcome the
barriers that prevent us from reaching for our
dreams,” Whitestone said. “As a profoundly deaf
woman, my own experiences have shown me
the impossible is indeed possible... through hard
work.”
She recalled the dance she had prepared
to Christian music for the talent portion of the
Miss America pageant. An onlooker proposed
that she should drop that kind of music if she had
any hopes of winning. Whitestone declined.
“God is the most important thing in my
life. I thought if God made the world he has the
Miss America 1995 speaks at Dimensions.
power to make anything happen if it’s in His
will. So I’m not going to worry about it.
Whitestone also serves as an executive member
on President Bill Clinton’s Committee on
Employment of People w\tK Disabilities.
Especia lly significant about Whitestone’s
See "Miss America" on page 6
Handguns on
campus?
by Matt Elliot
Staff writer
On December 1, 1995, a law went into effect
that allows citizens who meet certain eligibility
requirements to carry a concealed weapon. This law
was passed earlier this year by the North Carolina
General Assembly.
To carry a concealed weapon, a person must be
a U.S. citizen who is twenty-one years of age or older
and who has been a resident of the state for at least
thirty days. A person must also take an approved
firearms safety and training course in order to be
eligible.
When carrying a concealed weapon, a person
must have a concealed handgun permit and a valid
identification in his or her possession. Concealed
handgun permits areissuedby the sheriff to applicants
who meet the criteria.
“This law does not supersede existing laws
governing the possession of firearms on the campus
of an educational facility,” said Campus Police Chief
Tracy Curry. “A person who applies for and obtains
a concealed weapons permit will not be allowed to
possess a weapon on campus.”
Final Exam Schedule
TIME DEC. 11
MON.
DEC. 12
TUES.
DEC. 13
WED.
DEC. 14
THUR.
DEC. 15
FRl.
DEC. 16]
SAT.
TTH
MWF
TTH
MWF
MWF
MWF
8-11a.m. 2:40
9:00
11:50
10:00
1:00
11:00
3:55
9:50
1:05
10:50
1:50
11:50
MWF
MW
TTH
MWF
TTH
TTH
1 - 4p.m. 12:00
2:00
10:25
8:00
8:00
1:15
12:50
3:15
11:40
8:50
9:15
2:30
Inside You'll Find...
Editorials
2
News From Foreign Languages
5
Alpha Chi Inductees
3
Faculty Spotlight
7
Youne Life News....
4
Snort.s
8