/in, Number 2
Serving the Mars Hill College Community Since 1926 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1984
ISH
ditor
CAMPUS MINISTER TRAVELS TO
NICARAGUA
sorrowful suffering
lity of revolution,
a Chaplain at Mars
spent eight days in
Central American na-
ragua. There she and
igious, academic, and
leaders traveled the
met with government
pposition spokesper-
leaders, and repre-
f the U.S. Embassy
luspices of the inter-
ecognized peace pro-
ess for Peace. This
composed of thirteen
nominations from 48
e interested in the trip
ilings and newsletters 1
states Marie Bean.
10 knew of my interest
■ and raised money for
;d that it was time for
something for world
es talk about it,” she
’ that, “If we are going
rid peace, we are going
put our beliefs in
ir Peace is a movement
out of groups such as
American Resource
sheville. An organiza-
iternational reach, the
religiously oriented
lin goal is to aid in
e present U.S. military
caragua.
rpose for the trip was
Chaplain Bean reveal-
ress our solidarity with
the Nicaraguan Christians, and to
protest American military involve
ment in this area.”
This sensitive, but well informed
woman had the opportunity to
discuss these issues with many
civilians, both peasant and af
fluent, and also leaders of the rul
ing military Junta, the Sandanista
Party (FSLN), the Social
Democrat Party, Christian
Democrat Party and several labor
unions.
Although 90% of the Nicara
guans are Catholic, there are pro-
testants who are active in the
CEPAD which is an umbrella ser
vice organization for 78 protestant
and pentacostal denominations.
Marie had dialogue with people of
this organization as well.
Wanting to see the relationships
between Christianity and the
revolution, the effects U.S.
military support is having on the
country , and what role com
munism is playing in the formation
of a new government, were three
major concerns of the Mars Hill
Chaplain.
She, along with 33 members of
the Witness for Peace Organiza
tion representing the southeastern
states, concluded that religious
freedom exists in rich diversity in
Nicaragua, but that there were also
serious differences within the
church over support for the
Nicaraguan government.
The Witness for Peace delegates
were impressed,with the diversity
of political parties, and reported
that the democratic process of elec
tions was a year ahead of schedule.
SPORTS MEDICINE
OER NEW LEADERSHIP
KISH
Editor
from Durham, North
o serve as the new direc-
: Sports Medicine Pro-
Mars Hill College is
imato, an NATA Cer-
letic Trainer. He has a
; degree from West
University and a master’s
rom James Madison
. This man presents
ith confidence, and it is
at he has exciting plans
orts Medicine Program,
en extremely busy since
at Mars Hill keeping the
iletes in prime condition
)r performance.
\TA Certified Sports
f*rogram at Mars Hill is
ly 60 programs in this
>f these programs, more
are found in large, state
iversities in correlation
lical School Program or
able hospital facilities.
College, being a small,
lege has done what most
)uld not even attempt to
>ping a curriculum at a
: size of Mars Hill,
le aid of a Medical
ogram is very deman
ds reason, the efforts of
: are highly commen-
eels that Mars Hill has a
ram here; one that is
0 prepare students to
cellent athletic trainers.
3f the program at Mars
aimed at preparing
1 be skilled and have a
knowledge of anatomy,
y, psychology, hygiene,
taping, conditioning,
of injury, method-
protective equipment.
Hill Sports Medicine
rovides the opportunity
ts to become athletic
10 are diplomatic, able
g with everyone, (team
coaches, administra-
thletes) while protecting
s well-being at a level of
tness that will enable
lieve his maximum po
ll the MHC Sports
Program has been ac-
with elections scheduled for
November of this year. In 1983,
“Political Parties Law” was pass
ed which insured the right of all
citizens to form or join a political
party, hold public meetings,
criticize the state, attempt to win
power, own property, and use the
national media to campaign.
The electoral law which estab
lished the rules and regulations for
the election was passed in March
of this year. In November, the
citizens of Nicaragua will elect 90
representatives for a constituent
assembly legislature as well as a
president and a vice-president. For
the first time in the country’s
history, according to Reverend
Bean, this will give the poor of the
country the chance to participate
at all levels of society.
Other recent improvements that
the Peace groups were informed
about included the increase of
health care. Seventy percent of the
population now have access to
health care and there is a great
thrust of emphasis by the govern
ment to teach mothers how to care
for their children properly and
decrease the infant morality rate.
Prior to the revolution, while the
government was under the repres
sive Samosa Regime, it was against
the law to teach a peasant how to
read. Now, the illiteracy rate has
dropped from 60% to 11%.
Also, the amount of the coun
try’s land that is in private owner
ship is currently 60%.
Another fact learned by the
Nicaragua is a shocking 15. The
group reports that is was not
Witness for Peace members, how
ever, is that the median age in
unusual to see cadres of youngsters
marching to patrol community
borders since local residents are
responsible for their own defense.
“We are waging war against
children,” says Reverend Bean
with a sincere shade of alarm and
intensity in her eyes.
The group toured several com
munities where they saw the results
of Contra raids. In Ocatol, a city
near the Honduran border with a
largely rural farming population of
15,(KX) and with no military instal
lations, the Contras had destroyed
a coffee processing plant, a lumber
mill, a grainery, the radio station,
and the electric administration
building, allegedly with U.S. sup
plied arms and munitions.
About the trip back to Mana-
gue, traveling through areas of
Contra activity. Reverend Bean
reports, “It was very unnerving to
see truck loads of civilians going in
the opposite direction, being
evacuated from the towns.” The
oppressed Nicaraguan people are
burying friends and family mem
bers every day. Civilians are kid
napped in their fields or homes and
pressed into Contra armies or
murdered.
Although Reverend Bean and
the others witnessed severe afflic
tion, in the homes where members
of the Witness for Peace delegates
stayed, they were welcomed warm
ly by the Nicaraguan people.
Special food was prepared for
them on clay stoves since most of
these adobi homes have no elec
tricity. Reverent Bean strongly em
phasizes the openness of the
Nicaraguans to the peace group
members. “They are not dumb
people! They realized that we were
North Americans and that it is our
government that is causing them so
much suffering, but never once did
I hear an ugly word or see an ugly
gesture.”
In Jalapa, A northern Nicara
guan village, the Witness for Peace
group held a prayer vigil and wor
shiped with 400 Nicaraguans.
In an attempt to greet and have
fellowship with the peace group,
the members of the peace organ
ization were often welcomed with
simple, but eventful fiestas. Even
in private prayer, the Nicaraguans
participated and pleaded with
members to return to America and
intervene for them.
“They hold the same values that
you and I hold,” related the MHC
Chaplain. “They want a govern
ment of Nicaraguans, for Nicara
guans, by Nicaraguans. My obser
vation is that Nicaraguans are try
ing to build a society that is neither
communistic nor capitalistic, but
one that involves the church and
all levels of society in the
country.”
What she would like to do now
is to share what she has seen and
heard with others. Her three pleas
to the American public are: First
of all to become informed by
various available sources; Second
ly, to register to vote and find out
what stands legislators take; and
Thirdly, she challenges Americans
to develop a simplified life style, so
credited by NATA, graduates of
the program are not automatically
certified by the NATA. Such cer
tification is only achieved by pass
ing the NATA certification ex
amination.
As a graduate of an NATA ap
proved curriculum, the student
needs to have successfully com
pleted an NATA approved Ath
letic Training Education Program
from a college or university spon
soring an NATA approved
Graduate or Undergraduate Pro
gram. Mars Hill College offers this
for its students. The students en
rolled in this curriculum are re
quired to have a minimum of thirty
hours of coursework and are also
required to have at least 800 hours
under the direct supervision of a
NATA Certified Athletic Trainer.
Every five years, the Sports
Medicine Programs are reevaluat
ed by the NATA. In the Spjring of
1985, the MHC Sports Medicine
Program will be reevaluated.
There is a possibility that the cur
riculum may be discredited.
However, the program is receiving
much support from the adminis
tration, and the school is doing
everything feasible to maintain the
NATA standards, as well as
meeting the demands of all those
involved.
At the present time there are
four students participating in the
curriculum in addition to six
students who are currently work
ing as student trainers. If the pro
gram were not reauthorized, the
program would become an appren
ticeship program requiring a
minimum of 1800 hours under the
direct supervision of an NATA
Certified Athletic Trainer. There
would be no course requirements,
however, the courses would still be
offered so that those students
presently enrolled in the cur
riculum would be able to complete
the requirements.
Under curriculum conditions the
enrollment in the program is, com
petitive based on the student’s in
dividual ability to perform in the
program. The apprenticeship
would be open to all students.
The Hilltop expresses its support
for the program and a warm
welcome to its new director.
PHOTO BT GLEH BOOR
Last.week tragedy struc k as Dallas Groom was eaten b\' his biology experiment.
The snakcy howev'er, later experienc ed trouble' digesting Dallas and was forc ed to
spit him up. Hilltop sourc es hav^e reported that Dallas is at home and resting.
ENCORE PRESENTATION BY SUSAN KING
By PAM KISH
Features Editor
Presenting the mysterious, and
remarkable life of Emily Dicken
son on stage in an incredible
reproduction directed by C.
Robert Jones of the Mars Hill Col
lege Theatre faculty. Susan King
will perform a special one-hour
version of The Belle of Amherst by
William Luce. The production was
mounted originally by the
Southern Appalachian Repertory
Theater in March of 1978 and has
toured the southeast extensively
since that time. The performance
will be on Thursday, October 4, at
8:00 p.m. in Spainhour Hall.
Mr. Luce, in his play offers the
audience an Emily Dickenson who
was passionate, sane, and whose
intense energy prevaded every mo
ment of her life, extending finally
to the world through her brilliant
poetry.
This performance is sponsored
by the Elderhostel Program and
the Center for Continuing Educa
tion for the Mars Hill Community.
There will be no charge for admis
sion.
that they can share something with
this part of the world.
She would like to encourage
people to talk and write to their
legislators to resolve the difference
between the U.S. and Nicaragua
through diplomatic channels and
to engage the Nicaraguans in re
spectful dialogue.
“It is not a perfect country,”
she states with a sensitive smile.
“The government had made mis
takes which they admit, but they
are trying to correct their mistakes
and form an independent govern
ment based on national pride,
autonomy, and justice for all peo
ple.”
MHC
STUDENTS
ACTIVE
IN
ELECTION
’84
By GENA BARONE
News Editor
November 6, 1984 is Election
Day. Campaigning for the Demo
cratic and Republican parties has
already begun nationwide, as well
as Mars Hill College’s campus.
Mars Hill College offers two
organizations for politically aware
students: Young Democrats and
College Republicans. The Young
Democrats, led by Kim Gasperson
and Stuart Jolley, is open to all
students who are interested in serv
ing the Democratic party on cam
pus. They are hosting, along with
the Grayson Scholars and Student
Activities, a presidential debate at
7:00 p.m. October 1, in Belk
Auditorium. The debate will in
clude student and faculty members
for each party, and each party will
address different issues.
The College Republicans, led by
Robin Gentry, is also open to all
students who are interested in get
ting students on campus involved
in the upcoming election. This
organization was responsible for
hosting Bill Hendon, 11th District
Congressional Candidate, at Mars
Hill College on September 25, to
speak to the community.
Besides having organizations on
campus involved in the election, at
least two students are serving their
internships working in Asheville
for different campaigns. Matt
Miller, a junior Political Science
and History major, is in charge of
the absentee balloting for Bun
combe County for the Reagan-
Bush Campaign. He helps people
who may be disabled or for what
ever reason can not get out of their
homes to vote for their candidate.
Miller, who aspires to be a politi
cian, feels that he has made impor
tant contacts working for the cam
paign. He stated, “contacts are im
portant for a politician’s career,
and they definitely are an asset.”
Kim Gasperson, a junior Poli
tical Science major, is doing her in
ternship for the Jim Hunt Cam
paign. Her job includes anything
from answering the phones to
preparing for Hunt’s rallies. Kim is
also an aspiring politician who has
made important contacts, but she
feels the most important aspect is
getting involved in the election and
making people aware of their need
to vote. She stated, “people may
feel apathetic towards voting, but
it is necessary to vote because one
of these candidates will affect your
life in some way. PeojSle should
have a say in how their life will be
affected, and if not their own life,
then their children’s.”