North Carolina Wesleyan College, Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804
February 23, 2018
CAMPUS LIFE
Austin Mooney takes in Grace Li Wang's "Radiance in Nature"
show at the Mims Gallery. A. Stern photo.
NC Wesleyan Campus
Hit Hard by Flu Bug
As is the case around the nation, NC
Wesleyan has been enduring a tough flu season.
Jessica Brys-Wilson, the director of the
NCWC Wellness Center, repotted a dramatic
rise in the number of students that she’s
heated since the beginning of the school year.
She was interviewed by the Decree
in mid-February.
Q. Can you share stats that show the
severity of this year’s flu?
A. In a typical year, I treat between 10
and 20 cases of flu during the entire flu
season. In the last three weeks, I’ve treated
107 cases. There are many students who
have chosen not to seek treatment or who
were examined off campus so this number
under-represents the actual number of cases.
Q. When did flu season start at Wesleyan?
A. I saw my first case of the year
during the last week of January.
Q. As far as you can tell, what
percentage of your patients had gotten a
flu shot?
A. If they’re coming in sick, it doesn’t
really matter so it just isn’t a question I
typically ask.
Q. In laymen’s terms, why is this
year’s flu shot less effective?
A. The flu shot has some effectiveness.
The vaccine developers have to make
their best hypothesis about which strains
of the flu vires will circulate the following
year so that there’s time to make the
vaccine before flu season. Sometimes
the vires mutates in a way that surprises
us and doesn't match their hypothesis.
The shot is, therefore, less effective. This
year the prevalent strain, H3N2, wasn’t
anticipated so it hasn’t been a great match.
Q. Is late February too late to get a shot?
A. February is not too late to get a flu shot.
Q. In general do you recommend that
all members of the Wesleyan community—
undergrads and older folk-get a shot next year
and every year? Why should they if the shot
isn't working? What do you say to skeptics
who contend that flu shots make you sick?
A. The flu shot cannot give you the
flu. However, when you get your flu
shot you make an immune response
to it so your immune system is busy
fighting it off. That way, if you’re
exposed to the strains in the shot,
you already have antibodies and your
body is able to fight it off before you
get sick. Unfortunately, if your body
is working hard to fight off the flu
from the shot, it’s harder for you to
fight off other illnesses or flu strains
that come into contact with you. For
this reason, I usually recommend
that people get their flu shots early
in the season—like September or
October—before there are a lot of
circulating illnesses.
Q. What are the most common
symptoms you've seen?
SOFTBALLfrompgS
the conference tournament last year
and is very well coached." Brackett
expects Ferrum to be tough because of
a dominant pitcher who is returning for
her senior season.
The Bishops are aiming toward
their fourth regular season title as
well as their fourth USA South Tour
nament championship since Brackett
took over as the head softball coach.
“I believe that if all the players
on our team has a role and as long
as they accept their roles and put
the team first, then we can reach
our potential and have a shot at
winning the USA South Conference
championship,” stated Brackett.
A. Most commonly, I’m seeing
sudden onset of high fevers, body
aches, headache, and cough.
In general, flu sufferers feel
awful, but will recover without
complications. Unfortunately, with
the higher number of cases this
year, I’ve been seeing a handful
of complications, such as post-flu
pneumonias, that need to be treated
with antibiotics and watched a little
more carefully.
Q. What specific steps should
members of the NCWC community do to
help stay healthy and combat the flu?
A. The most important thing you
can do is wash your hands with soap
and water! Frequently! You should also
be sure to get plenty of rest and eat a
healthy diet to keep your immune system
working at its best. Avoid sick contacts
when possible. If you are sick, stay in
your room. If you get sick overnight or
during the weekend, ask your resident
advisor for a flu kit that contains
germicidal wipes, a mask, and some meal
tickets that will allow a friend to pick up
a meal for you from the cafeteria. The
Residence Life staff has been awesome
at wiping down surfaces in the residence
halls, and the cafeteria staff has been
wonderful about making changes to
prevent the spread, as well. These small
steps have really made a huge impact on
the number of cases I’m seeing.
Olive Garden
Named Favorite
Local Restaurant
In Decree Poll
The Italian eatery Olive Garden
received the most votes in an informal
survey of Bishops asked to name their
favorite sit-down restaurant in the
Rocky Mount area.
In contrast to the results of The
Decree's annual survey of fast-food
restaurants, there was not one or two
sit-down restaurants that dominated
the voting. And there was near equal
support for both national chains and
local establishments.
Olive Garden finished first with
11 votes, while in second was the
Mexican Restaurant El Tapatio with 8
votes and Applebee’s with 7. Outback,
Chili’s and Brian’s Cheesesteaks each
received 6 votes, followed by San Jose
with 5.
About Olive Garden, one fan said,
"Their foods is delicious and always
done right."
Added a second, "I have a love for
Italian food and their endless soup and
salad deal is excellent.”
Said a Brian’s voter, "Best food in
Rocky Mount,” while a Mexican food
aficionado, a student, cited El Tap’s
“big portions and small prices." An
Outback supporter likes the restaurant’s
“menu as well as the atmosphere.”
The Decree survey, conducted last fall
in conjunction with the fast-food poll,
contacted 100 members of the Wesleyan
community. While all 100 stated their
preferences for fast food, only 89 filled
in a choice for a sit-down restaurant.
Twenty-nine different sit-down restau
rants were named by survey respondents.
Perennial favorites Cookout (39
votes) and Chick-fil-A (32) dominated
the fast-food race with more than 70
percent of the total votes.
Has Valentine’s Day Lost Its Luster?
Three staff writers interviewed
members of the Wesleyan community
on the importance of February 14th.
By Maggie Rankin
Decree Staff Writer
NC Wesleyan students offered a
range of views on whether Valentine’s
Day is still a significant day.
Carolynn Davem, a senior, said she
enjoys Valentine’s Day. “You can take the
time to show loved ones that you care,"
she said.
Like Davem. junior Cali Green
enjoys February 14th. "It's a day of
happiness,” she said. Green added that
Valentine's Day allows you to show
appreciation to the ones you love.
Dr. Brent Dozier, assistant professor
of mathematics, expressed a nuanced
take on the subject. He said that
Valentine’s Day can be meaningful, but
that if it becomes a duty, then it's empty.
“If there are no expectations, then giving
and receiving a card, note, or gift can be
very meaningful,” he said.
Like other interviewees, Valentine's
Day makes Dr. Dozier think back to
childhood. In elementary school, he
remembered, he’d design and exchange
valentines with other pupils. “It turned
into a class party." he said.
Most Bishops either used to celebrate
Valentine’s Day with their families or
retain a tradition. Sophomore Bradley
Pennington celebrates the day of love
by exchanging presents with his parents.
“My parents go on a date," he added.
Chris Green, a senior, also receives
gifts from his folks. “My mom always
gets me and my brother a box of
chocolates,” he said.
Davern recalled one of her parents’
customs before she came to college.
"They used to give me little candies
and gifts before school in the morn
ing,” she said.
While many students enjoy Valentine's
Day and celebrate it in some fashion with
their families, most have not made plans
for the day. Junior Kevin Berry expects to
follow his normal school-day schedule.
“I’ll go to class, go to practice, do some
homework, and go to sleep," he said.
Junior Madeline Williams hopes to
earn a little extra cash on Valentine’s
Day. A waitress at Outback Steakhouse,
she anticipates a busy night for a special
occasion like Valentine’s Day. “You make
a lot of money,” she said.
Of the Bishops interviewed about
Valentine’s Day, about three-quarters
felt that it was less important in today’s
society than it was 10-15 years ago.
“It’s more commercialized and people
don't take it seriously," said senior
Samantha Morton.
Berry and Trey Jones expressed similar
views on the subject. “Everything is done
for an Instagram picture,” Berry said.
Added Jones, a senior, "Ain’t no
love round here anymore."
Musa Ceesay, a new student, was even
harsher in his response to the approaching
holiday. "Forget Valentine’s Day,” he said,
using a different “F' word (one not suitable
for a family newspaper) to communicate
his feelings.
Dr. Dozier said that Valentine’s Day
has become more meaningful for him
as he's grown older. For a time, the
day was insignificant to him. “It gained
meaning when I met my wife,” he said.
* * * * v
By Alijuah West
Decree Staff Writer
Valentine’s Day is the day of love, the
day of affection, the day of cherished
memories, the day that gets less and less
important every year.
Wesleyan students have expressed
their views on the holiday—how they
feel about it and how it’s changed.
When asked about their holiday, a
majority expressed negative feelings.
With a habitual smile, sophomore
Richard Smalls is seldom negative,
but when Valentine’s Day came up in
conversation, his mood changed. “I
really can’t stand Valentine’s Day,” he
said. "It's one of those holidays I feel
has no purpose to it.”
Eron Darby agrees. “I think it’s pointless
to celebrate Valentine's Day,” he said. “You
shouldn’t have to pick one specific day to
show someone you love or appreciate them."
Other students claimed that
Valentine’s Day has changed since
they were younger. “When we were
little, it was a better time because
everyone was included,” said
sophomore Matthew Swales. “We’d
give a little extra to our crush, but
everyone would still feel important.”
lyanna Weathers added, "It’s not
that the holiday has changed; it’s
more so that the holiday is really
meant for couples and it’s just not
that important to us anymore.”
Valentine’s Day may be on the
decline for some, but to others it's
still one of their favorite holidays.
Sophomore Taryn Washington loves
Valentine's Day. She likes the pres
ents, the way her boyfriend makes
her feel. She likes to get spoiled on
a specific day.
"My boyfriend already does a lot for
me.” she said. "But it’s nice to know there’s
at least one day he’ll go out of his way.”
She explained that sometimes students
look at this day in a negative light
because they've been hurt or they're not
in relationships. “I’d probably dislike
Valentine’s Day too, especially if it comes
up after a tough break-up," she said.
Eric Melton is pro Valentines Day
as well. He feels like it’s a day for new
experiences. “Why not use this day to try
something new?" he said.
Instead of doing the cliched dinner
and movie. Melton suggested trying
new date ideas such as roller skating,
indoor sky-diving and bowling. “When
you’re with someone for a long time,
you can’t keep doing the same things
over and over again,” he said.
Sophomore Breon Foust is another big
fan of Valentine’s Day. "Valentine’s Day
became very special to me when I was
younger and it still is today." he said. He
follows a tradition where he goes out with
a group of friends for Valentine's Day. “It
gives you that childhood feel," he said.
“Your friends are all included no matter if
they’re in a relationship or not.”
For sophomore Donnell Alexander,
Valentine’s Day has taken on new
meaning now that he’s a father. It gives
him alone time with the mother of his
child. “Almost every day is about your
kids besides your birthday, anniversary
and Valentine's Day,” he said. “You
learn not to take those days for granted
because you rarely get time just to be
with your significant other.”
When it comes to Valentine’s
Day, sophomores Jarrod Lassiter and
Monteris Cromartie neither hate nor
love Valentine's Day. "Valentine’s
Day doesn’t affect me in any way”
Lassiter said. Cromartie added “It’s
just another day to us.”
By Brooke Bayse
Decree Staff Writer
By the beginning of February, many
couples were preparing for Valentine’s Day.
Many love February 14th, especially
Nepal native Shreya Thakuri. She described
the way she and her boyfriend, Sunny
Khanal, celebrate the day in her country.
As in America, the Nepalese emphasize die
color red and the exchange of gifts. They
take a broad perspective on the day. “We
celebrate love, not just to (our significant
others), but to everyone in general,” she said.
Khanal. a junior, thinks that Valentine’s
Day is a “special day for love and
spending time with my significant other.
I've spent four Valentine’s Days with her
and it’s been amazing,” he said. “Our first
Valentine’s Day was so special to me.”
Danyelle Rube, an enrollment service
specialist in admissions, expressed mixed
feelings about Valentine’s Day, but
takes pleasure in seeing the happiness of
others. “I like watching people get super
excited to be treated special and I like the
‘hoopla’ around it,” she said.
Junior Keaira McMiller was effusive in
her opinion about Valentine's Day. “I love,
love and I like ‘mushy’ stuff and it’s a ‘mushy’
holiday. It's just a cute day,” she said.
Melissa Whitley, a staff member in
Gateway Technology Center, believes
Valentine's Day serves a vital function in
today's society. “Every relationship has
periods of ebb and flow,” she said. “So
there’s value in having an outside force to
remind you to celebrate the relationship."
James Parrish, McMiller's
boyfriend, likes Valentine's Day, but
doesn't see the specific day "making
or breaking” a relationship. "People
look forward to these extravagant
gifts based off of what they see on
social media," he said. “And that’s
not the point of Valentine's Day."
Despite this view, Parrish does spend
his day with his significant other and
“likes the idea of showering her with
affection and love.”
Although Rube delights in some
aspects of Valentine's Day, she
believes it’s changed over the years.
“I feel like we’ve gotten more and
more materialistic." she said. "Back
in elementary school, it was all about
being kind to everyone,” she said. “As
adults, it's all about getting flowers that
die and candy that you will eat.”
Whitley agreed that Valentine’s Day
has become “commercialized" and
said that she and her husband avoid
restaurants on February 14th due to the
crowds. But there’s one recent trend
that she thinks is positive. “I like the
rise of singles events on Valentine’s
Day because it celebrates another form
of self-love,” she said. "You don’t need
to have someone else to have value.”
Junior Carley Mackie also feels that
Valentine’s Day has lost its special
ness. "It’s a Hallmark holiday now,”
she said. “With the stuffed animals,
cards, and chocolate, it all becomes a
stereotypical thing.”
Mackie has been with her
boyfriend for three Valentine’s Days.
While the couple doesn’t have a
tradition, one V-Day was memorable,
she said. "I don't get to see him a
lot, but I remember my first year at
Wesleyan he came up to surprise
me,” she said. “We just got to relax
and watch movies together.”
It’s okay with McMiller if Valentine’s
Day has lost some of its luster. “James
makes me feel like it’s Valentine’s Day
every day,” she said.
Shreya Thakuri and her boyfriend,
Sunny Khanal, celebrate Valentine's
Day. Photo by Brooke Bayse
LACROSSEfrompgS
Freshman Ali Cucinotta will also
be a captain and will lead the offense.
Cucinotta has transitioned to midfield
after playing defense in high school.
She brings a team-first attitude to the
field. “My goals are for us to figure out
the chemistry so everyone can enjoy
the sport,” Cucinotta said. “I want to
help everyone be successful.”
Walker plans to challenge for a
playoff spot in the first season. “I want
to win some games," Walker said. “The
conference is expanding with a lot of
coaching turnover so our goal is to
finish in the top half of the conference
and make the conference tournament."
Walker plans on using new rules and
the introduction of a shot clock to their
advantage. “With the new rules we can
play better defense quicker,” Walker
said. “With the new shot clock we’ll
play a packed-in defense rather than
aggressively trying to force turnovers.”
The Bishops were predicted to finish
Sth out of 10 playoff-eligible teams in
the pre-season coach’s poll.
The Bishops will host Meredith, the
team picked first in a pre-season poll of
USA South coaches, on February 21st.