Valkyrie Spring 2018 - Issue 3

Spring Issue
2018

What's in
the mag?
Spring Issue

Show me the money
Story by Kristin Demorest, Funk Editor
Design by Kristin Demorest and Bailey Newhouse, Assisstant Funk Editor
Remember when you were a kid, and everyone
told you about how broke you would
be in college? They told you all about how
you’d be recycling all your dirty clothes to
save quarters and eating Ramen noodles every
day (but most of us like Ramen Noodles as
kids right?). You probably thought to yourself
how silly that sounded, because, why wouldn’t
they just get a job if they needed money?
The solution seemed simple. However, now
that you’re in college, you probably realize that
solution isn’t so simple. Between balancing your
schoolwork, your social life, sleep, volunteering,
and the one million other things you have to do
on a daily basis, you realize you barely have time
to shower daily- let alone work a part time job.
Some students can even throw a part-time job in
there, but the ones who do usually have bills on
bills on bills. They usually feel just as broke as all
the other students! So, as a college student, how
are you supposed to thrive? (By thrive, I mean
buy deodorant and occasionally put gas in your
car without begging your parents for money.)
College students everywhere have resorted
to doing things like donating your blood
plasma as many times a year as you’re allowed,
or simply living off of your pennies until
the end of the semester. However, some students
have it figured out. There are other ways
you can make money while being a successful
student that don’t involve being a medical
experiment or eating Ramen Noodles
for what seems like the rest of your life.
Open an online store
If you have ever bought products off of Ebay or Etsy,
you understand how edasily someone can make money by
selling things they mae by hand for profit through apps.
Michael’s and other craft stores have jewelery kits, knitting
and sewing kits and anything you would need to start your
online empire.
babysitting
This one may take a little work at first, because you’ll
have to get plugged into your community and get to know
some people who need babysitters in your community if
you’re not from the area. Get to know adults at your local
church, volunteer locations and even your professors. These
are all people who probably have small children and would
be dying for a night out. Babysitting is a great side job,
because the schedule is very flexible. You aren’t on a set
Pact and Viggle
Pact is an app that awards you points redeemable for
money by meeting fitness goals both in the gym and in the
kitchen.
Viggle is an app that when you listen to music or watch
TV, you open the app and log what you are watching. Logging
your activity gives you points that are redeemable for
gift cards.
schedule and times and dates can usually be negotiated.
Also, if you’re babysitting late at night, once the children
are asleep is prime time for you to work on homework.
You’re getting paid to keep up with your studies while making
sure the house doesn’t burn down. Another perk of
babysitting is that you usually get paid more than minimum
wage, and if you’re lucky, a meal is provided.
SELL YOUR Stuff
Sell your old stuff ! If you’re like the majority of students,
you probably brought a lot of things with you to
college that you never use, just in case you needed it.
But you don’t. The internet market is alive and thriving
and it’s easier to sell your stuff online than ever before!
Old clothes, textbooks, calculators, room decorations,
and so much more that you have just lying around can
be liquidated easily. Apps like Mercari, Letgo, and even
Ebay make it easy to post things you want to sell, and
most of them pay for shipping for you. You can even do
it in person at places like Plato’s Closet, or if you really
want to sell your things free-lance, start up an Instagram
or Facebook page. It’s a good way to sell locally
and usually appeals to people on college campuses who
are too broke to go out and actually shop at the mall.
Plus, the next time your mom visits your dorm room,
she will be pleasantly surprised at all the “cleaning”
you’ve done.
4 Funk
5

Travelling on a Budget
Flu Season
2018
Story by Kristin Demorest, Funk Editor
Story by Nathan Sims
Edited by Carlye McKillip
Design by Sara Arms, Editor-in-Chief
C
urious about how to start planning your first low-budget-long-distance
excursion? No worries, we’ve started one for you. Here’s a brief outline
budget for a Wednesday-Saturday trip to none other than our nation’s capital-just
to prove cheap traveling can be done.
• Travel--United Airlines: one round-trip ticket to Ronald Reagan Washington
Airport from Jackson-Hartsfield Atlanta National Airport $201
• Luggage:- one checked bag (which you can split with someone!) $25 each
way
• Housing- HI Washington Hostel, located on 11th Street, Downtown
Washington, DC. A three night stay with breakfast provided is $135 per
night.
• Food- depending on where you choose to eat during your stay, or if you
choose to bring some meals with you to eat to save a few dollars, your
food budget will vary. A good middle ground estimate would be around
$100 (which is approximately $25/day)
The flu epidemic this past year has been the worst
since 2009. According to the Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) from October 2017 until February 2018,
over 60,000 people were hospitalized due to complications
associated with the flu. The death toll is over 30 people.
What makes the flu so catastrophic this year, one has to
know there are multiple strains (mutations) of the flu.
Executive Vice President and Chief of Patient Services
at Floyd Medical Center, Sheila Bennett, said every year
the flu vaccine is made for either the Type A or Type B flu,
and the vaccine type is based on which strain was worse
the previous year.
“The goal for every flu vaccine is for it to be 75 percent
effective, but this year’s flu vaccine was only 25 percent
effective,” Bennett said.
Registered nurse and Director of Health Services at
the LADD Center, Anita Errickson said the strand of
flu this year is H3N2. According to the CDC, the H3N2
strand is a Type A flu virus, and the flu vaccine made this
year was less effective against H3 flu strains.
Errickson said that 62 Berry College students were flu
positive this year, and Berry College junior Jordan Roach
was one of those students.
“I had the flu for a week and a half, but I felt horrible for
three weeks,” Roach said. “To get better, I slept a lot, went
to the doctor, and took Tamiflu. I went home to ensure the
wellness of my fellow students.”
According to Bennett the flu epidemic is just as bad in
the Rome community as it is at Berry.
“There were so many more cases this year than previous
years,” Bennett said. “The number of patients were
almost double. From Oct. 2017 to Jan. 2018, out of all of
the patients that checked in claiming to have the flu, 1,210
were flu positive.”
The flu season has brought in so many patients, that the
staff at Floyd Medical Center are overwhelmed.
“We had to restrict visitors due to the amount of people
checked in, as well as for their own safety,” Bennett said.
In order to prevent another bad flu season, precautions
must be made.
“Get the flu shot every year,” Bennett said. “Wash your
hands regularly and keep your distance from people who
have the flu.”
6 Funk
7

Written by Sara Arms | Design by Hannah Hardwell
Changing
the Face of
Cystic Fibrosis
Treatment
MaCallister Labs have been busy with potentially
life-saving research. As junior Britton
Ody explained,
“Our research is based off of re-modifying an existing
drug compound that treats cystic fibrosis and
making it more effective. We currently have about five
students working on the project. Dr. Turlington is
our advisor and hired all of us to synthesize the compounds
that he’s done the research on and believes will
be more effective than the existing drug molecules.”
By adding an azide group, a special grouping of nitrogen
atoms, into the molecule, the drug compound will
become more efficient.
Ody, junior Jake Doiron and senior Jon Brace are
working on this project, which began this summer.
“Over the summer, we all work from 9am-5pm
everyday,” said Ody. “During the day we’ll run reactions,
run columns, record data via [Nuclear magnetic
resonance (NMR)], and a ton of other chemistry lab
techniques and procedures to build our molecules. The
skills we learn in lab have really helped me do better in
my chemistry classes as well. Now seeing how all the
knowledge I’ve been building comes together and I’ve
learned to apply it, my understanding of chemistry
has improved tremendously. I really would say to any
young chemistry students that if you’re serious about
what you do and you really want to take you’re understanding
to the next level, nothing beats chemistry.”
The project goes between research and the lab,
where they continue to experiment and find new ways
to make the cystic fibrosis drug stronger.
“The in-lab stuff is my favorite part though,” said
Ody. “Actually setting up your lab bench and preparing
compounds is what I love about chemistry. I’ll
have these moments where I feel like Mr. White from
Breaking Bad.
The project has come with its fair share of surprises.
“The one thing I really didn’t expect was the amount
of time I sat down to just run a column, somedays
these will take up to about five hours…We use a variety
of instruments in the lab. The big NMR is used
two to three times a day. We also use a lot of standard
equipment like bearers, flask and columns.”
NMR machines like the one pictured above use magnets
to observe magnetic fields around atomic nuclei
8 Funk
9

Oak Hill Pavilion
under construction
story and photos by Elisabeth Martin | edited by Bailey Newhouse| design by Sara Arms,
A new indoor-outdoor pavilion at Berry College’s Oak
Hill will be a space for large events that offers a versatile
alternative to other event venues in the Rome area. The
pavilion, currently under construction, will be available to
rent as a large event space after construction ends in summer
2018. This pavilion is meant to host groups larer than
30.
The pavilion will cost around $4,000 to rent for events
such as wedding receptions, corporate conferences, and
large social events. It is available to both student groups at
Berry College and the Rome community.
“It gives us one more great space to use to introduce people
to Berry College,” Dean of students Debbie Heida said.
This pavilion is a unique addition because it provides
an indoor and outdoor space for events that would have
taken place outside in the past. Most importantly, the
pavilion is different from other event spaces because it is
air-conditioned.
“Everyone who has a wedding here is always outside and
always subjected to whatever the weather is,” Alice Stevens,
the education and public services manager at Oak Hill, said.
“To be able to have this inside option with air conditioning
for that type of event is a great backup plan.”
This lack of air-conditioning for events at Oak Hill has
been a problem in the past, according to Stevens, who has
worked weddings there for the past six years.
“It kind of grabs your heart when there are cakes melting
in the June heat in the back of the house.” She said. “It’s
so hot, there’s nowhere to go.”
Additionally, events may choose to provide alcohol at
this venue, which sets it apart from event venues on Berry
College campus and offering a more appealing option for
people who want to hold their wedding receptions at Berry.
Berry College alumni have played a large role in the construction
of the pavilion, Stevens said. The construction
began in May 2016 when alumni worked on the site during
Alumni Work Week. Cyndi Court, the vice president of
advancement at Berry College, said Al Christopher is one
alumnus that has contributed greatly to the pavilion. He has
crafted much of the wood himself.
“Al Christopher is truly an artist,” Court said. “He is
somebody that knows his craft.”
“It wasn’t crafted by a piece of machinery; it’s someone
who loves Berry enough and wanted to apply his craft to
something that would be uniquely special to Berry.” Said
Heida.
Heida said that the pavilion will also provide a needed
event space that does not interfere with student life.
“We are really fortunate in the number of events that
go on [at Berry] all the time,” Heida said. “It gives us yet
another place to do events at a place [people] love, but in a
way that doesn’t necessarily mean that students are inconvenienced
or dislocated from important places.”
This new building will also provide new job opportunities
for students at Berry, which is part of an effort to get
students more involved at Oak Hill.
“It just adds another reason to be so proud.” Said Stevens.
Pictured above: Construction on the Oak Hill Pavilion.
10 Funk
11

Medical Insurance
Stay informed while entering the world of insurance.
One of the hardest parts of college is learning to be a
functionally autonomous adult. Sure, you might know
some of the items you’ll need: car insurance, registration,
paying your bills on time, taxes, registering
to vote, but there’s always procrastination accomplishing
these things because we often are not sure how the process
for these duties works. One especially grey area students
might procrastinate dealing with is health insurance.
Having health insurance gives you financial protection
in the event of a medical emergency. Checkup procedures,
surgeries, hospital trips, accidental injuries, and sudden illnesses
which would normally cost hundreds of dollars are
covered by your insurance. It also covers part of the cost
of things like antibiotics, which college students often need
to get rid of common colds and other things you get from
living in a common space.
The Affordable Care Act, passed in 2010, requires all citizens
to have a health insurance plan. Those who do not
have a plan are fined with a penalty by month which is
added to his or her taxes at the end of the year. This penalty
can be up to $325 per person not covered, or two percent of
your income, whichever is higher. The average health insurance
plan according to US Health News is around $850 per
month.
Luckily, the Affordable Care Act also says students may
stay on their parent’s health insurance plan until they are
26. This leaves about four years between typical college
undergraduate graduation and the cut-off age to procure
an insurance plan, which is the perfect plan for the majority
of college students in America.
For students who do not have the option to stay on their
family’s plan, many undergraduate and graduate colleges
will often offer insurance plans for their students; however,
Berry College does not currently offer an insurance plan.
Berry does show how to obtain one, though, through the
United States government on their Health and Wellness
web page and in the Ladd Center.
There are different ways to obtain a health insurance
plan that is right for you. Some companies offer plans to
their employees for a cheaper rate. Newlyweds should also
find an insurance company that will cover both parties for
less.
Health Insurance Marketplace is a service which helps
its users find the best insurance plan according to their circumstances.
There is a set enrollment period for applications
but an extended period may be offered due to extenuating
circumstances like marriage, having a baby, or losing
previous coverage.
Just like when you got your driver’s license, you will need
various forms of information in order to apply. Different
insurance companies might ask for different documents but
across the board you will need you social security number,
employer and income period, policy numbers for any current
insurances, and any information on job related insurance.
Applications to the Marketplace may be received online,
phone call, or through the mail. You can also find assistance
by going to different local services which will help you find
a plan and apply.
Becoming an autonomous adult does not have to be a
frightening transition. Doing proper research and learning
the processes of services can make your new life much
easier. Different individual brokers and Redmond Regional
Medical Center in Rome offer in person assistance in finding
and applying for a health insurance plan.
Story by Bailey Newhouse
Design by sara arms
Photo by Shannon bostic
*Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this piece do not
reflect the opinions of Valkyrie or the Berry College communication
department
12 Funk
13

Buying produce in season
Organic Foods
|
Just a Fad?
What does buying produce “in season” mean?
Eating seasonally essentially means including certain
foods in your diet that are being grown and harvested
at the same time you are purchasing them. Ever notice
how some things just taste better in the summer or
the winter? The seasonal harvesting of produce is the
reason. The next time that you make your grocery
list, try and include fruits and vegetables that are in
season. Your body will thank you and so will your
wallet.
Produce harvested in season has more nutrients
and flavor than those grown out of season. For
example, apples grow well in the winter season. When
summer rolls around, you may notice that they lose
their crispness and become “mealy.” Fresh produce is
Pro tip:
Do not let frozen fruits or vegetables scare you away.
|
Story By: Olivia Stevens
Design by: Grace Bailey
often better quality than that grown out of season
because they are being harvested in the environment
that encourages their best growth. Because it is easier
to grow produce in their correct season, the price
tag at the grocery store tends to drop. Distributors
pay less to transport the produce from farms to your
grocery store. In turn, cheaper, fresher produce tends
to increase the demand and encourages local farmers
to grow more of that food. More importantly, when
we support local farmers, we decrease our need to
import produce overseas. This ultimately means we
can expect less contaminants from traveling and less
chemicals and pesticides needed for the neccessities
of travel. In short, we get healthier produce for less
money while being more environmentally friendly
when we buy in season foods.
Organic foods have been on the rise; we can barely scroll
through Instagram without seeing some type of healthy,
organic recipe or individual praising their “so natural”
lifestyle and diet. What can we make of this trend of eating
green? Are organic foods really healthier for us, or is it all a
myth? It is true that the USDA stated that organic produce
proves to come at a heftier cost. How do we decide what is
actually better for us, and what justifies breaking the bank
for our health?
First, it is important to understand what “organic” means.
When we talk about organic foods, we are referring to the
processes in which that food has been grown and harvested.
You can check if a food is organic or not by looking for
the USDA Organic seal. That produce marked with the seal
Food for Thought
Buying completely organic is simply not an option for some.
There is controversy on what to buy and what not to buy
organic, but there are some foods that the majority agree
it is best to buy organic because of the pesticides used on
means that they are grown without pesticides, unnatural
fertilizers, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and
radiation. Animal products that are labeled organic are not
given additional hormones or antibiotics. There is a catch,
however. Before busting out your wallet, it is important to
educate yourself on different labels that you will find at your
grocery store. The label “100% Organic” means exactly that,
all ingredients will be certified organic. The label “Organic”
means that at the very least, 95% of ingredients are certified.
“Made with Organic Ingredients” however means that 70%
of ingredients must be certified organic. Do not be confused
with labels saying “farm-raised” or “natural” because these
have not been government regulated.
the crops. This list include, but is not limited to: peanut
butter, popcorn, strawberries, spinach, apples, grapes, beef,
tomatoes, cucumbers and lettuce.
Multiple studies have proven that frozen bags of
berries, mangos, and broccoli test fairly equally for
the amount of nutrients they contain, specifically
fiber and iron concentrations. One particular study
conducted from the Department of Food Science and
Technology and Analytical Lab from the University
of California concluded that there were no significant
differences found comparing frozen and fresh produce’s
nutrition content. If you’re craving a mango smoothie,
or perhaps you want to stock up on some broccoli for
dinners, go ahead and buy the frozen bags.
15

GARDENING:
Want a way to brighten up your dorm with some greenery
and a way to spruce up your meals for free? Grab some pots
and dirt and get ready to give your succulent a friend in
your windowsill.
Growing fresh herbs in your dorm will give your small room a more
homey feel. You also get free ingredients that you no longer have to
pay for at the grocery store! Growing certain herbs can freshen up
your dorm room, so instead of grabbing your air freshener, prop open
a window and get planting!
dorm-edition
Story by: Olivia Stevens and Grace Bailey Co Food Editors
Photos by: Bailey Albertson
Before choosing what herbs you’d like to buy, know
how much light your room gets. Some dorm rooms are
blessed with a window full of streaming, golden sunshine.
Some rooms, however, only get a glimpse of light in the
morning. Knowing how much light you can provide can
save you from dealing with the frustration of slowly
dying plants.
Research the herbs you plan to buy. Know how much water
you need to give them and how often. Over watering can
kill plants just as much as under watering can.
Buy new plant pots for your new friends. Often times,
store plant pots are not big enough for your growing
plant. The roots can overcrowd and wither your plant
Best herbs to grow in your room::
Thyme, mint
Aloe Vera, Rosemary
a
Sage, Oregano
Parsley, Basil
Cilantro
away. Terra cotta pots work the best, you can even
decorate the outside if you wish. I recommend recycling
containers and poking holes in the bottoms. You can use
yogurt containers, egg cartons, bottles, old cosmetic pots/
jars. Make sure to clean them thoroughly before reusing
them. The larger the pot, the more it can grow and give
you fresh ingredients!
Mason jars are cute, and maybe they can sustain a few
plants, but most plants need a pot with draining holes at
the bottom. This ensures your plant won’t sit in stagnant
water and rot.
16 Food
17
17
1.
2.
3.
4. .

A look into Celiac Disease
Design by Olivia Stevens and Grace Bailey, Co Food Editors
Illustrations by Hallie marie McErlain
personal reflections:
Celiac disease is defined as a life-long autoimmune disease
of the small intestine, characterized by gluten intolerance.
Celiac disease can be diagnosed at any age, and the spectrum
may differ in symptoms and severity. Celiac disease is
regarded as one of the most common genetic disorders,
affecting 1% of the West’s population. The most common
screening test is a tTG-IgA test that test for celiac disease
antibodies; a biopsy of the small intestine may be analyzed
to also confirm diagnosis. The current treatment for Celiac
Brain
-headaches
-migraines
-seizures
-ataxia
-dizziness
Autoimmune Disease
-type 1 diabetes
-rheumatoid arthitis
-ulcerative colitis
Miscellaneous
-mouth ulcers
-hair loss
-shortness of breath
-muscle cramps
disease is to follow a strict gluten-free diet.
Disclaimer: The symptoms described below may not all
manifest in a person with Celiac disease.
(Gujral, Naiyana, Hugh J Freeman, and Alan BR Thomson.
“Celiac Disease: Prevalence, Diagnosis, Pathogenesis and
Treatment.” World Journal of Gastroenterology)
Symptoms of Celiac:
HEART
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetur adipiscing elit.
Integer in est vel arcu ultrici
fringilla vel egestas nisi.
GI Tract:
-diarrhea
-constipation
-irritable bowl syndrome
-bloating
STOMACH
-heartburn
Lorem -nausea ipsum dolor sit amet,
consectetur adipiscing elit.
Integer -acid reflux in est vel arcu ultrici
fringilla vel egestas nisi.
Reproductive
-infertility
KIDNEYS
Lorem -irregular ipsum dolor menstrual sit amet, cycles
consectetur adipiscing elit.
Integer in est vel arcu ultrici
fringilla vel egestas nisi.
“I can still clearly remember the day we got the call,
and the words “celiac disease” were used to explain
the harsh medical issues I had been having for most
of my high school career. The official diagnosis was
confusing, but the directions that followed were not:
I was no longer allowed to eat any amount of gluten
or dairy among a list of other things. Being seventeen
years old at the time I didn’t really know what I was
walking into. I knew the big ones of ‘no bread’, ‘no
cookies’, ‘no pizza’, but I didn’t know the foods you
don’t even think about that gluten is slipped into or
that it is used in make-up or shampoos. And for the
first few years of navigating what was what and what
all the weird words on ingredient labels meant, I
found myself learning the hard way of just how much
gluten is put into the foods we without even thinking
about it. Which lead to developing a fear of food by
time I was nineteen. Feeling like anything I put in my
body could possibly lead to a severe, painful reaction
that could knock me out for up to three to four days--
I really ate only a very small circle of foods because
I was terrified. I would rarely eat out because I was
afraid to ask a restaurant what I could or couldn’t eat.
This past summer was the six year mark of living
gluten free, and it looks a lot different than being
afraid anytime I ate a meal and using exceptionally
lame excuses to not eat out. Now, I live on my own and
cook gluten free almost every night. Eating out just
means being careful and being okay with speaking up
and asking questions. Living gluten free may seem a
little like missing out on ‘the fun’, but it brought me to
a level of healthy that I wouldn’t ever trade back. It’s
taught me to eat healthier, to be more bold in asking
questions, and more self-aware about exactly what I’m
putting into my body.”
-Kristen Reeves, Berry Alumni
“I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2012. I was
only thirteen, but I’d already been dealing with painful
stomach cramps, muscle and joint pain, and fatigue for
years. When my doctor put me on a gluten-free diet, it
literally changed my life. It was the first time in years
that I felt healthy. I actually had energy, and my aches
and pains were completely gone! Like most people,
I hadn’t realized how seriously Celiac affected me. I
thought it was just a food allergy -- but it’s actually a
serious autoimmune disorder, and if left untreated it can
cause some very serious health problems. I am so, so glad
that I got the diagnosis and was able to make the diet
and lifestyle changes I needed to make to be healthy and
happy.
Having Celiac Disease really isn’t that big of a deal...
as long as you’re willing to stick to a very strict, very
limited diet. My case is on the more severe end of the
spectrum, so I have to avoid all grains and dairy as well
as gluten. I have a friend who jokes that the only thing
I’m not allergic to is salad, but he’s not actually that far
off. I can usually find something “safe” in the D-hall, but
I end up eating a lot of grilled chicken and vegetables;
my vegan friends and I bond over the lack of exciting
dining options. I’ve had people ask me how I stick to
such a healthy diet, and I tell them that I’m just allergic
to junk food.”
-Samantha Warner, Berry Student
Body
-fatigue
-joint and bone pain
-hypoglycemia
-weight BONES loss/gain
-insomnia Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet,
-anemia consectetur adipiscing elit.
Integer in est vel arcu ultrici
18 Food
fringilla vel egestas nisi.
19

JUST A FAD?
What to Know About GMOs
Story by Grace Bailey, Co-Food Editor
Photograph by Spencer Russell
GMOs are genetically modified organisms. They have
been modified with the DNA of a different species,
and often with the DNA of a completely unrelated
species. The genetically modified organisms or GMOs
are the animals and plants that are genetically modified
in order to develop the useful or desired traits.
The techniques used to carry out genetic modification
are known as genetic engineering techniques.
John Graham, Reid Professor of Biology at Berry,
goes into detail about his experience with GMOs and
connects it to the research that has been done to illustrate
that there are both pros and cons to the scientific
endevour.
Graham said: “I’m neutral on whether GMOs are
dangerous or not, or whether they are harming our
health. In general, there is nothing related to the technology
that should be dangerous, though it would
certainly be possible to create a dangerous GMO...
There is much the public needs to know beyond what
it hears from the two competing camps: the agricultural
industry and the health food industry. If the
public understood the technology they would be better
able to judge the various claims about GMOs. In
general, scientists are far less worried about GMOs if
they understand the technology.”
PROS
- There is nothing related to the technology
that should be dangerous
- Non - GMO plants can be dangerous, Most
plants synthesize a variety of carcinogenic and
teratogenic chemicals to defend themselves
against herbivores. Most agricultural varieties
have had these chemicals bred out of them to
some degree.
- Some GMO foods have been modified to
make them more resistant to insect pests. The
University of California in San Diego reports
that a toxic bacterium can be added to crops to
make them insect repellent, yet safe for human
use. This can reduce the amount of pesticide
chemicals used on the plants, thus potentially
reducing exposure to pesticides.
- The FDA requires that GMO foods meet the
same requirements as all other foods
- If a GMO somehow reactivated the synthesis
of these chemicals, that would be a
problem
- GMOs that involve having a plant synthesize
an insecticide could be as problematic
as spraying a plant with a pesticide. But that
isn’t the technology’s fault.
- Create an increase in food related allergies
because the genetic engineering can trigger
allergies from alternative foods.
- Unpredictable
CONS
20 Food
21

What is the best trip you have taken?
What is the biggest obstacle you have had to overcome?
What is the scariest thing you have ever done?
HUMANS
OF
BERRY
I went with a group of friends to Tennessee to hike to a
waterfall. Even though it was a popular hiking area, we felt
like we were isolated once we began walking on the trail.
When we were close to one of the falls, there was this steep,
metal spiral staircase that we had to navigate in order to
get to the bottom of the fall, then some more, less damp
and dangerous stairs to get to the rocks and vines, and
since nobody else was there, the atmosphere gave off an
air of seclusion. At one point, I was able to go behind the
waterfall. The view from there, combined with the roaring
of the water, absolutely took my breath away. i will never
forget that trip, and it was made better by the fact that I
took it with people that I will sustain lifelong friendships
with.
-Victoria Mashburn, senior
The best trip I’ve ever taken was to Vienna, Austria with
the communication department my junior year. Even
though I went there for class credit, I received a lot more
in return than that. I spent my time following around a
traveling opera troupe in order to create a vedio story. It
was amazing. Traveling to other countries opens your
eyes to a world that is much bigger than you perceived.
It’s exciting to learn about new cultures and experience
something enexpected.
-Lia Batista, senior
The biggest obstacle that I have overcome was learning
how to walk again after my car accident back in October.
I was unable to walk for almost three months, and I was
trapped in my room upstairs at home the entire time. Since
I walked everywhere while I was at Berry, it was a very
significant change for me. For a while, we had to call the
paramedics to help me get down the stairs just so I could
go to the doctor, then call them again when we got back.
Now, while I still use a cane and have a brace on my foot, I
can walk around just fine, and even use the stairs normally.
-Victoria Mashburn, senior
I went into fostercare when I was a kid and people always
told me that I was never going to amount to anything. Most
foster kids hardly graduate high school. Here I am a junior
in college studying biology and doing it on her own.
-Meagyn Brown, junior
First, my blood cancer known as Myelodysplastic
Syndrome. Now, my second cancer which may be
osteosarcoma, chondrasarcoma, or osteosarcoma with
chondrosarcoma-mimicking cells. Either way, it’s a tumor
on my spine.
-Anna Trahan, senior
The scariest thing I have ever done is experience cancer
for the first time at the age of three. I didn’t know what
was wrong with me nor why I had to be isolated from
everyone in a hospital room.
-Anna Trahan, senior
The scariest thing I’ve ever done is palpate a cow here on
campus. I was an animal science major when I first got to
Berry and we had a lab in which we were going to learn
about the cow’s reproductive system. I had a horrible fear
that my arm was going to get stuck inside the cow’s back end
or that I was going to hurt its baby. It was very traumatizing.
I’m now a visual communication major. I think photos and
videos may be more within my field...
-Lia Batista, senior
This past summer I went on a road trip with three friends for
a month. We went to 20 states, 3 countries, and drove 10,000
miles. We saw the northern lights.
-Matt Zimmerman, senior
I hitchhiked from Idaho to Spokane, Washington and along
the way met the coolest people ever, learned to snowboard,
and watched a bald eagle soar along the car.
-Meagyn Brown, junior
The best trip that I have taken was to Disney World when
I was 5 years old. It was my Make-A-Wish wish, and I got
to stay at this little Disney town thanks to Give Kids the
World.
-Anna Trahan, senior
22 Buzz
Berry College Class of 2019 during their 2015 Viking Venture. Taken by Bryanna Perry
23

STUDENT SYMPOSIUM SPOTLIGHT:
JAKE DOIRON AND ANNA CLAIRE TUCKER
JAKE DOIRON
Every year, Symposium provides Berry students with
the opportunity to showcase the research they have been
diligently preparing all year. Junior biochemistry major
Jake Doiron has spent the past year studying the orkanbi
drug, which is used to treat cystic fibrosis in patients six
years old and above.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation defines cystic fibrosis as
a progressive, genetic disease that causes persistent lung
infections and limits the ability to breathe over time. The
gene associated with cystic fibrosis causes a buildup of
mucus in organs like the lungs and pancreas, among others.
This disease causes infections in the lungs and prevents the
release of enzymes that break down food.
Orkanbi was approved in 2015 for patients 12 years old
and older and in 2016, the FDA approved it to be used for
cystic fibrosis patients as young as six years old.
Doiron has been working on synthesizing a functional
group within the orkanbi drug to improve both its efficiency
and stability.
“Our goal is to substitute that original functional group
for its “2.0 version”. The original functional group is called
an amide, and the new one is called a triazole. We are trying
to substitute that amide group within the orkanbi molecule
with the triazole, which is supposed to make it work better.”
Doiron is partnering with the University of Alabama-Birmingham
(UAB) to complete his biological research. UAB
has been testing the synthetic version of the drug on cystic
fibrosis-infected tissue at their lab, but contrary to what
past research has said, the new synthetic functional group
in the orkanbi drug is not working as well with the tissue
as orkanbi.
The triazole functional group is common in drug molecules,
and has generally been proven to improve the drugs it
is in, but that does not seem to be the case with the orkanbi
drug.
In light of this, Doiron has begun to examine physical
properties of the orkanbi drug and his synthetic functional
groups to figure out why his synthetic version is not working
as well as other researchers said it should. He believes
that perhaps the triazole works only on a case-by-case basis.
To actually do the research, Doiron begins with a starting
molecule and develops a plan for how to create the final
molecule, using click-reaction techniques to put together
molecules. He then sends these new molecules to UAB,
where they are tested on cystic fibrosis-infected tissue to
test how the new molecules bind.
The next phase of Doiron’s research involves examining
the physical data of his synthetic molecules in comparison
with the orkanbi drug. To do this, he makes crystals of his
molecules and sends them to Emory, where they analyze
the physical data and structure of the molecules. This data
will ideally provide some insight into how the drug physically
interacts with molecules and proteins within the body,
in addition to its chemical reactions.
As far as Doiron is aware, there are no published papers
that look at the original drug and the improved version in
cooperation with the physical data of the molecules.
Anna Claire Tucker (above) and Jake Doiron (left) giving their presentations at Student Symposium
ANNA CLAIRE TUCKER
Sophomore biology major Anna Claire Tucker has not
only taken advantage of opportunities within her major,
but has also been proactive about getting involved in other
disciplines, finding another niche as a part of the Berry
College forensics team.
This year at Symposium, Tucker is presenting a rhetorical
criticism and research she has been conducting with Dr.
Conn.
When she arrived at Berry, Tucker wanted to get
involved in speech and debate and discovered the forensics
team, where she began to hone her speaking skills. For a
compettion this year, Tucker presented a rhetorical criticism
of a series of President Trump’s tweets in which
he refers to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as “Little
Rocket Man” and vilifies his own (now former) Secretary of
State, Rex Tillerson.
“As a science major, I don’t get to that kind of
critical analyzing of words so I have enjoyed using
that part of my brain.”
She developed the topic idea after reading an article by
Michael Blain about the politics of victimage. This sparked
an interest in Tucker, so she began looking at how she could
apply the concepts in the article to politics today. She has
discovered that many of Trump’s tweets are not as crazy as
they can be made out to be. She believes that a lot of them
are actually based in rhetorical strategies, which she finds
very intriguing.
“They seen so outrageous, but the more
research I did, I’ve come to realize that a lot of the
things he says and does; its not just random outbursts
but there’s a real rhetorical strategy behind them.”
In addition to her rhetorical criticism, Tucker will also
present research she has completed on the mosquito populations
at Berry. Working alongside Dr. Conn, Tucker has
collected samples from mosquito populations around campus,
including areas near the Ford complex and on mountain
campus.
While similar research has been done elsewhere, this is
the first Berry-specific research that has been done. Because
different types of mosquitoes can transmit different diseases,
it is valuable to know what kind of mosquitoes live
on campus and the potential for an outbreak on campus.
To determine what kind of diseases the mosquitoes
on campus have the ability to carry, Tucker set traps at
specified locations around campus to trap the mosquitoes
between afternoon and early morning, when they are most
active. After the mosquitoes were collected from the trap,
they were frozen before Tucker categorized them into 14
species.
Tucker has discovered that a number of mosquito populations
have the vectors to carry diseases like West Nile and
Zika. As a result, those populations were heavily sprayed to
remove the potential threat for disease-carrying mosquitoes.
Tucker also believes in the importance of getting
involved.
“Since Berry is not a huge campus, all it takes is a little
bit of initiative. Reaching out to the professor who
is doing something you’re interested in, I have found
to be very rewarding.”
24 Buzz
25

Heard
Through
the DebrisStory by Abigail Collins
Design by Devon Powers, Buzz Editor
On Jan. 2nd, 2017 student Mary Grace Middlebrooks,
looked to her mother as panic began to set in. They
said a silent goodbye to their family photo albums
and handwritten birthday cards as a tornado ripped
through their home.
According to the Southeast Regional Climate
Center, Georgia averages about 20 tornadoes each
year. Dougherty County alone has recorded 19 total
tornadoes since 1950. Fortunately, the Middlebrooks
owned one of few homes in Albany, a city within
Dougherty County, that had an adequate shelter for
natural disasters.
The EF1 tornado impacted multiple counties in
southwest Georgia, reaching a wind speed of 95 to
120 miles per hour in the areas affected. The tornado
produced a one-to-four-mile swath of destruction,
while other areas had extensive damage due to strong
straight-line winds. While many surrounding counties
received warning, the sirens that Middlebrooks and
her mother heard were
signaling a severe
thunderstorm.
“We decided to
start lighting
candles because
our power was
flickering.
Then my mom
and I looked
at each other and said, ‘Oh no, this is happening,” said
Middlebrooks.
They made it as far as their basement stairs before the
ceiling in Middlebrook’s bedroom collapsed; exposing
her great grandparent’s antique bedframe. Crouched
in fear, they listened as the wind fought tirelessly with
the structure of their home.
For three minutes, Middlebrooks had forgotten about
college applications and choosing the right school.
She had been awaiting an acceptance letter that she
was worried she may never be able to receive; fearing
for both her mother and herself as the foundation
of their home began to quiver. The uncertainty that
Middlebrooks had about her future corresponded to
the way she felt waiting for the wind to
cease. When they
emerged
from their
basement
they saw
insulation and glass in every corner and hallway of
their home. “My mom and I knew in that moment that
for years we were going to deal with all the pain and
damage. Not only physically rebuild our house, but
mentally rebuild, would not be easy,” Middlebrooks
said.
For weeks following Middlebrook’s peers tried
sympathizing with her situation but were unable to
fully understand what she had been through. Although
many homes had been hit, her friends remained safe
and unaffected. It wasn’t until her sister had requested
that she receive letters from The Letter Project, that
she began to recognize just how many people were
thinking of her.
The Letter Project is a nonprofit organization with
a mission to invite women into a Christ-centered
community that builds each other up and encourages
collaboration. Over 1,400 women from five continents
write with one goal in mind: to ensure girls everywhere
feel seen, heard and understood. Middlebrook’s sister
is one of these women; a woman with a heart to serve.
“They all started with, ‘Were so happy to be writing
you,’ and ‘I want you to know how much I’ve been
thinking of you and praying for you!’ Just to feel that
people I don’t know are praying of me, thinking of
me and counting on me really made me appreciate
the other people in my life that were praying for
me,” said Middlebrooks. The letters
she received would later
inspire her to
become
a
writer herself: “I can’t say thank you to all the people
that wrote to me, but to be able to spread that positivity
to other women who need it, is really moving.”
After speaking to Founder Whitney Saxon,
Middlebrooks has decided to establish a collegiate
chapter of the Letter Project at Berry College. “I still
can’t really believe that I have the opportunity but it’s
amazing. It’s so empowering to reach out to other girls
and know that I have made a difference in their life,”
she said. With hopes of launching the program Fall
2018, incoming freshman and other women will have
the chance to join an incredible organization destined
to make an impact on this campus and nationwide.
26 Buzz
27

The Dangers
of Dreaming
Story by Samantha Warner
Design by Devon Powers, Buzz Editor
DACA’s March 5th “expiration date” has come and
gone and the future is still uncertain, but the Berry
community continues to provide safety and support
to the DREAMers within the student body.
“Berry is a place where we recognize the value and
worth of every student,” said Andrew Bressette, Berry’s
Vice President of Enrollment.
Bressette said that Berry does not label their students
by immigration status or any other marker, and that every
student is a part of the Berry family regardless of their
personal struggles.
“They were admitted to Berry because
we saw something of value in them, and
that hasn’t changed,” Bressette said.
He encourages students who feel worried or insecure
about their future to seek out help from their professors,
councilors, or the Dean of Students. Berry has also
provided other resources for students, including advice on
immigration law.
“This school has shown that they will stand in solidarity
with DACA students, and that’s amazing,” said Suleima
Millan-Salinas, president of Orgullo.
Millan-Salinas said that she appreciates the advocacy
of student organizations like Young Democrats, who
have campaigned for social advocacy on the issue, and
school events like Solidarity week that celebrate diversity
on campus. An undocumented Berry student formerly
protected by DACA said that they also appreciated the
efforts that have been made, and that the reactions to the
issue within the Berry community have helped them feel
accepted and reassured.
Orgullo, Berry’s Hispanic pride club, has also
made efforts to raise awareness with a heavy focus on
immigration this semester. The club has hosted events,
like the “Maze Runner: An Immigrant’s Experience”
panel and a showing of the movie Bajo la Misma Luna,
which focus on immigration issues and attempt to keep
the conversation alive.
It’s a difficult issue -- the school must balance this
assistance with subtlety in order to protect the identity
and privacy of students, says Bressette.
Privacy was important for undocumented immigrants
before, but with President Trump’s decision to end
DACA, the need for it has greatly increased. Students
who were able to feel safe under DACA now live in
fear of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
investigations and possible deportation.
“When he announced he was taking away DACA, it
took away our security,” said Katie, a Berry student who
was previously protected by the legislation.
Katie said the change in policy by the government
created a climate of fear. The future is uncertain. The
Supreme Court refused to hear a case about DACA, and
the threat of detainment and deportation is a terrifying
reality for Katie and other young people in her position.
There are new laws in place such as the 287(g) program,
which allows local and state law enforcement to enter into
a partnership with ICE, letting them perform the role of
Above and left: A group of Berry students, teachers and affiliates went to the Rome Federal Building to express our support of DACA
federal immigration officers. These policies breed distrust
of law enforcement in immigrant communities and put
people’s safety at risk because they don’t feel comfortable
calling the police for help -- a privilege that many people
take for granted.
“
This school has
shown that they will
stand in solidarity
with DACA students,
and that’s amazing.
- Suleima Millan-Salinas
”
“I don’t blame people for not caring about it,” Katie said.
Katie said that she knows people often don’t realize how
serious an issue is when it doesn’t affect them directly.
She said that one of the main goals of organizations like
Orgullo is to humanize the DACA debate. They hope to
help students realize that this is a serious issue that affects
real people, many of whom are friends, classmates, and
coworkers.
Millan-Salinas also commented on the decreased focus
on DACA on campus. She believes that people are losing
interest because the issue does not affect a large percentage
of Berry students – but, she pointed out, it does have a huge
effect on a handful of students.
“It almost felt like a quick fad,” she said. “There was so
much movement going around at first, but it feels like now
the news has blown over and people have moved on. But the
struggle is still there.”
Katie said that the most important thing people can
do is get involved by putting pressure on state and local
politicians to act, educating themselves and others on
immigration issues, and making sure that friends who are
affected know that they are supported. Millan-Salinas made
similar suggestions and added that she urges students
to stay informed on the issue and to raise awareness by
educating their family and friends.
Editor’s Note: The name “Katie” is a pseudonym used to
protect the identity of a DREAMer.
28 Buzz
29

No Pain,
No Gain
Rock Climbing
• Both a cardio and strength workout
in one activity.
• Rock climbing uses your abs,
delts, obliques, traps, lats, biceps,
quads, and calves, so you get a
great muscle group workout.
• It strengthens and tones your
muscles at the same time.
• The range of motion during rock
climbing helps increase flexibility.
• The mental stimulation of following
paths helps with mental
health.
• Rock climbing is a good way to
challenge yourself and push yourself
outside your comfort zone.
Kayaking
• Kayaking is a great cardio exercise
that beats running any day.
• Everyone knows your shoulders
and arms get a nice workout, but
kayaking also strengthens your
core, and your legs too.
• Don’t forget about that grip
strength, which gets a major
workout while combating the
flow of the water.
• In one hour of kayaking you can
burn upwards of 400 calories.
• Make that a few hours on the
waer and you’re looking at an
amazing workout.
Story by Health & Fitness Editor Noah Howie, and Health
& Fitness Assistant Editor Rosie Powers.
Summer’s coming up Vikings, and it’s never too
late to get that beach body we all crave. But let’s
be honest, who really likes going to the gym? I know
us over at the Health & Fitness section don’t, that ‘s
why we told you how to get fit without leaving your
dorm. Unfortunately, we’ve come back to tell you that
it’s time to breathe in the fresh air and get out exercising.
Lucky for you, we’re going to tell you how to get
through the pain of working out, with the happiness
of fun workouts, specifically rock climbing, kayaking,
dancing, and ice skating.
Rock climbing is an excellent way to get in shape
and stay in shape during the summer. Climbing is a
full body work out from your fingers to your toes, seriously.
Most counties have at least one climbing gym
for you to try out or find an outdoor center that can
take you rock climbing to see some views. Most importantly,
don’t forget to wear the proper safety gear.
Kayaking can cool you off while you heat up in an
intense workout. Not to mention almost everyone
loves a good “yaking.” Whether you plan on cruising
across a lake or hitting some class 4 rapids, kayaking is
sure to burn some calories.
Dancing, no I’m serious, now dancing is, okay take a
minute to stop laughing...you done? Great, so dancing
is a great way to work up sweat while you get down
on the dance floor. Dancing can be fun, so see if your
town has any classes in swing, salsa, maybe even ballroom
dancing. Not to mention it’s a great way to have
a summer lovin’ having a blast.
Ice Skating in the summer? No this isn’t a joke. A
lot of places have indoor ice skating rings that are
open all year round. The cold air coming of the ice can
whisk the sweat off the body. Not to mention it’s a real
fun activity to do when it’s not freezing out.
Dancing
• Dancing is a full body workout
that gets every muscle moving
and grooving.
• By dancing for 30 minutes you
can burn between 130 and 250
calories.
• Depending on the, dance can be
a high or low impact workout.
• Get ready to get flexible! Some
dance styles can really help you
increase your flexibility.
• If you have a significant other
in your life, it’s a fun way to get
physical.
• Dancing doesn’t require any
special gear, so you save yourself
a pretty penny.
Ice Skating
• Ice skating is another great cardio
workout, and the best part is you
barely even notice the workout.
• Depending on how hard you
skate, you can be looking at 300-
650 calories burned an hour.
• Should be no surprise that ice
skating is a great way to hit leg
day! It strengthens and tones
them over time.
• Not to mention, ice skating helps
improve your balance in a new
and exciting way.
30 Health & Fitness
31

Let' s Talk About Stress Baby
Story by Noah Howie and Rosie Powers, Health & Fitness Editor and Asst. Editor
College is stressful, am I right? I can’t
tell you how many times I’ve heard my
hall mates talk about how many assignments
they have due the next day. As students, most
of us are living away from home for the first
time, eating food that tastes nothing like your
mothers, and living with a stranger, so things
can get stressful. Stress seems to just be a fundamental
part of college life, and that sucks.
But don’t worry, it’s okay to have some stress
in your life. However, you want to watch out
for stress levels that get too high. Whether
this was your first year at college, or your last,
Exercise
• Creates endorphins which triggers a positive feeling in
the body
• Running is a great way to pump some endorphins into
your mind and give you that boost you need.
• Try biking around Berry’s campus, we don’t have
27,000 acres for nothing. If you don’t have your own
bike, ask to borrrow a friends.
• Go to the gym, and destroy that stress with a workout.
Sometimes you’ll find that stress pushes you to work
harder.
I’m sure at some point you’ve felt so stressed
that you just don’t know what to do. Learning
how to manage that stress can help improve
your college experience dramatically. We’ve
gone ahead and drafted up some ways that you
can try to lessen your stress and feel a little
happier. So, do us a favor and kick back, try to
relax a bit, and read up on how you can drop
those stress levels.
Laugh and smile
• Stress creates tension which can be seen in faces.
Laughing and smiling can help relieve that tension. I
don’t know about you but I’d rather have happy lines
than stress lines.
• Take a break and watch an uplifting funny movie. If
you don’t have the time, try taking a few minutes to
watch a funny episode from your favorite TV show, I
prefer “Dinner Party” from the Office, or a funny cat
video on Youtube.
Do Something You Like
• The common answer is that we don’t have time
to do anything and are too busy, but doing something
that is enjoyable will give you a break and
relieve stress for a while.
• Read a good book, whether it be one you’ve read
a million times or that two dollar clearance buy.
Try it out and let your mind get immersed into
another world.
• Listen to some music, like the newest album that
just dropped or a throwback to Mozart. Music
can mut you mind at ease as you listen to some of
your favorite tunes.
• Play your favorite sport, as long as its not what’s
stressing you out. Why not play a round of Dana
Course? Or get some friends together and hit the
volleyball court. Just like excercising, sports can
give you that positive feeling you need.
Write about it
• Writing about what is bothering you can help
you figure out what exactly is stressing you out,
whether it be friends, classes, or sports teams. I
love to write when I feel stressed, which is probably
why I have this job.
• Start a journal to help track your stress levels,
and help you notice a pattern of stress.
• You can also try writing a story with fictional
characters if you want to be a little more creative.
Transfering that stress into a story can
lead to some interesting plot lines.
Embrace Nature
• Getting away from the business of everyday life
is rejuvenating and nature helps us unplug and
reset.
• Go on a picnic with some friends, or grab your
significant other for a romantic sunset picnic on
Mountain Campus. Food, friends, and nature can
do nothing but ease the mind.
• Go for a hike literally anywhere on campus. There
are multiple hiking trails to explore and 27,000
acres to wander through. Just do us a favor and
dont get lost.
• Go camping after a hard week of classes. Pack
your tent or hammock, grab some friends, and set
up under the beautiful Georgia night sky. Take
some time to engage in deep conversation under
the glow of the stars and moon.
Talk about it
• It’s not good to keep stress boddled up inside, so
use your peers and other resources on campus.
Talking about stress helps to make the body feel
better.
• Confide in a friend or family member, they’re
almost always willing to help and will provide a
way for you to let out your stress.
• Use the campus resources like the free counseling
we have. You should think you have to be on the
verge of breaking down just to go. The people at
the counseling center are trained to help, and they
can give some really great tips.
32 Health & Fitness
33

It’s the Final Stress!
Story by Noah Howie and Rosie Powers, Health & Fitness Editor and Asst.
Editor
Some people would say that the biggest events
at Berry are Pack the House, where students
fill the stands to support friends as Berry takes home
win after win. Though this time of year it seems like
pack the library is the most popular. That’s right folks,
finals week is approaching causing Berry College students
to lose their sanity over the stress of tests. There
are students hidden away in corners inhaling coffee
and trying to memorize every word of their study
guide. Others are hunched over laptops until two in
the morning. And somehow every inch of whiteboard
is sporting terms from several different subject areas.
Not to mention just finding a seat in the library is like
enduring the Hunger Games. Everyone wonders if it
is at all possible to study through osmosis (wait what’s
the definition of osmosis again?). Although cramming
seems to be the popular trend, it raises stress levels
to the breaking point. You can’t help but wonder how
some people don’t seem to be stressed at all. So, what
can be done to relieve stress and revert a sleep deprived,
coffee consuming college student back to their previous
state? Lucky for you, we’ve talked to some of your
fellow classmates about their stress habits. They gave
us the low down on what they do to lose that stress
during the most stressful week of the semester. Why
don’t you read a few of these ideas, try them out, and
we’ll see you in the library!
A word from our Editor in Chief:
I usually start getting antsy about finals the week
after spring break. The looming thundercloud of term
papers, final projects and exams easily overwhelm any
mental peace from the week before and, over the years,
I have found a few ways to cope.
Plan. Admittedly, I go a little overboard when it comes
to planning for finals or any sort of large project. The
first step is breaking apart study material (or certain
milestones if you’re working on a final project
or paper) into sections and doing one section a day.
So, for example, if you have 7 units of chemistry, and
each unit would take two days, plan ahead two weeks
to begin studying and preparing for the exam. I keep
track of where I need to be in each project or study
guide in my planner so I can simply look down the list
and see what I need to do by the end of the day.
What I love about this system is that if you don’t make
your study goal for that day, you still know where you
need to be in your study materials by the end of the
What do other students do?
“To lower my stress during finals week, I like to set aside
some time to make some tea and curl up in bed to watch
netflix. It’s a nice way to destress and to get away from the
craziness of everyone cramming for exams.”
-Sophomore Bella Robins
“Honestly to lower stress I like to watch Netflix. I never
really get a chance to do that during the week because life is
so busy, so it’s nice to just stop everything and just relax. It
helps take my mind off of everything going on around me!”
-Sophomore Aubrey McFayden
“For finals week I usually find my self bogged down by all
of the assignments so I actively choose to take breaks. I
enjoy going on walks with my girlfriend just to get outside(if
its nice). I also enjoy sitting down with a good book
whether it’s “The Good Book” or some CS Lewis. I like to
read with the windows open and a good cup of coffee or
tea. Lastly I enjoy talking naps and cold showers to calm
and cool myself after taking finals or studying for hours on
end. Of course the obligatory cookout run every now and
again doesn’t hurt”
-Sophomore Andrew Myers
next day. You can either study what you missed in
its entirety that next day or disperse it more evenly
amongst the following days.
Making lists on printer paper also helps me to organize
and prepare for the end of the year. It gives me
the freedom to lay out my lists how I need to and it
provides a space for me to write really large where I
need emphasis or to draw and circle things without the
lines on the normal loose leaf paper getting in the way.
Work in spurts. When studying, it is most effective
to work for 45-60 minutes uninterrupted and then
take a 10-minute phone break as opposed to working
distractedly. Keeping your mind on a single task will
help you work faster and giving yourself breaks keeps
your energy up and helps you to decompress. When I
study I like to set timers for myself so I can structure
my study time better. If I think something will only
take thirty minutes to complete, I will set a 30-minute
alarm. Having the timer in the back of my mind keeps
me on track and helps me not to waste time.
34 Health & Fitness
35

They're
Story by Noah Howie and Rosie Powers,
KINda
Cool
Health & Fitness Editor and Asst. Editor
Biking and tennis and scuba oh my! Kinesiology
classes are needed to graduate from Berry College,
but which one will you take? The activity-based
classes have multiple options to accommodate all students.
This includes walking and jogging for fitness or
Hapkido martial arts or for the extremely active, there
is even a class that teaches students how to run a half
marathon. The options seem unlimited. And it can be
a hard choice between which ones to take. Don’t fret
though, other students have already made those decisions
for you. Through an email survey, people told us
which KIN class they thought was the best on campus.
Check out what other Vikings had to say, and we’ll see
you in racquetball.
“Wilderness First Aid KIN 170- I really liked wilderness
first aid because I felt like I learned a lot about making use
of what you have, even with limited supplies, to help people.”
- Sophomore Katie Malcolm
“My favorite KIN class was KIN 115: Challenge Ropes
Course because our class became very bonded as we challenged
ourselves to climb great heights and rely on ourselves
and each other to make it through the obstacles. It
was a really fun class and our instructor, Zac Wilson, was
so encouraging and fun to be around. We also had help from
BOLD facilitators, who were all very friendly and positive.”
- Sophmore Elise Hackett
“My favorite KIN class was ballroom dance because I met
my soulmate, Chris Arnold. But also because it was beautiful
to watch people of all types learn elegant dances
together, and because of the close atmosphere of the class,
I made some of my best friends in the class.” - Senior Allie
Pritchett
“Golf by far. I’ve taken basketball and tennis as well but
golf was so much fun. You not only get to go off campus
and have class outside in the gorgeous weather, but it’s
so laid back, You get to hit golf balls the whole time. We
even get to go out on the course and play the holes. The
golf coach is great at helping you correct your stroke technique
to make you the best player you can be by the end of
the 7-weeks. This class truly prepares you for life outside
Berry, because golf is a lifetime sport. Definitely take golf.”
- Junior Brittni Hoover
“Women’s self defense. I appreciate that the teacher had
strong views on the topic and had a bubbly and eccentric
personality that made things fun. I learned practical things
that will help me in the future.” -Anonymous
Students sit in on Intro to Half Marathon Running held in the Cage.
“My favorite KIN class was basketball with Coach Rodgers.
He is just an interesting teacher to have and I felt like the
class gave a way for you to learn how to play and to just
have fun, even if you aren’t the best player in the world.
Plus you get to joke around and your class isn’t stressful.”
- Sophomore Alexis Johnson
36 Health & Fitness
37

practice makes perfect
Story by Sara Arms
Design by Mary Thrailkill
Photos by Andrea HIll
The stage lights are down as audience members fill the Ford
auditorium. As those in the audience whisper to themselves, the
lights go up, silence falls, and the curtains open, revealing an
orchestra. Orchestra students spend 112 hours a year in rehearsal
preparing their concerts.
“It takes a lot for one to learn music,” said senior Leif Atchley.
“Even more so trying to blend what you're doing with your section,
not to mention the entire orchestra. On top of that trying
to follow a conductor with a very different opinion of how the
music should sound...It's not easy. However, I love playing with
this orchestra because no matter how difficult it is we still manage
to have a good time. And I'm all about that.”
38 Arts & Music
For many people unacquainted with music performance, going
to concerts is a fun way to spend a night. For those playing, these
performances are rungs on the ladder of their developing career.
“I like to think of my seat in the Orchestra as my office so
before every rehearsal I’m in my office at least 15 minutes before
we start,” said Atchlety. “I would have warmed up earlier in the
day so I use this time to organize my music, act like I know what
I'm doing and reacquaint myself with how it feels to play in the
space. Once rehearsal begins, it’s a mind game over anything else.
Trying to stay engaged with the music, focusing on doing the job,
playing right notes and learning every part on stage and how you
fit in and at the same time find a way to make it better.”
Playing in the orchestra provides students with experience in
a potential career path. It allows them to work as a group guided
by Dr. Eric Hanson enabling them to gain, as Atchley puts it,
“another chance to practice doing what I love. So much of becoming
a ‘professional’ in any field is quantity of quality practice.
Regardless of the music we happen to be playing, I'm carrying
myself as if I’m sitting principal trumpet with the New York
Philharmonic! One note has the power to change someone's life
with the right intent and motivation behind it.”
Across campus, theatre students are rehearsing an upcoming
show. 100 hours of rehearsal will go into this show (totaling 400
hours of rehearsals a year), not including the same amount of
time taken to building set pieces and making props. What audience
members don’t realize when seeing a staged performance is
that that particular moment has been rehearsed for weeks, and,
for bigger productions, perhaps months.
There is no such moment as the second before the lights go up
on the stage opening night. Backstage, crew members hold their
breath, listening as the first line, first scene, first act fly by. After
the first curtain call, as crew members mop and care for the set
and actors put away their props, costumes and makeup, a sense
of shared euphoria, an adrenaline-induced giddiness, wash over
everyone. The bustle calms down and everyone passes through
the greenroom by 11pm, grabbing their backpacks and heading
to the library to study or, if they’re lucky, to their rooms to sleep.
Any music and theatre student will tell you—it is worth it.
39

DigitalArtintheDigitalAge
What jobs are there
in digital art?
Digital art has proliferated within the daily media we consume
at the touch of a screen. The need for artists to provide digital,
interactive art to include in website backgrounds, ads and promotional
materials have caused many once-canvas savvy artists to
invest in digital sketch pads and Adobe software. On campus, digital
art is used for media outreach—from making posters for an
organization’s event or creating a graphic to post on a business’s
social media.
Logos. Promotional materials. multimedia art, illustrations
constructed using digital software, and other layout elements such
as graphics and tables that have aesthetic visual elements. When
reading something online, it’s easy to not realize how much work
goes into the graphics and digitally-altered photos that are there.
These pieces are often accents—not meant to dominate the story
being told textually. However, those that make these elements have
logged hours and hours of training to learning the basics of the
digital software used to illustrate visual art, more hours in honing
their skills and learning software updates and then additional hours
in creating the artwork themselves.
Sometimes the process takes weeks. Especially for people who
double as artists and students, taking time to develop professional
skills in digital art is particularly difficult because of the time and
precision it takes to become proficient in digital artwork.
Those interested in digital art can take classes provided
through the Art Department and those interested in layout design
can take clesses through the Communication Department. These
classes provide knowlege of industry standard sotware used in
creating art on screen as well as training on successful design
techniques.
Story Sara Arms
Design by Mary Thrailkill
1. Advertising firms: firms hire out
digital artists to work on campaigns
for their clients.
2. Magazines: artwork is a vital
part of magazine design. Digital artists
manipulate digital photographs
and create digital illustrations for
sections according to the needs if
the story.
3. Book Publishers: how else to
book covers get made?
4. Television networks: networks will
hire artists (or firms) to create various
elements for their programming.
5. Art galleries: much like paintings
and sketches, archival printed copies
of digital art are often featured in
galleries.
40 Arts & Music
41

Dramaturgy
Story by Sara Arms
Design by Mary Thrailkill
Pictures by Spencer Russell
Much of the behind-the-scenes work that happens be here once they are confirmed).
before a show opens is not apparent during the
“I presented my work on Women in Arms at KCACTF
run of the show. There are hours, days, weeks
Region IV in 2016,” said Mulligan. “I was nominated for
spent designing any given set and costumes as well as
the next year as well but unfortunately wasn’t able to
choreographing and blocking the show. But one thing
attend the conference. It was an amazing experience. It
directs all these in a singular direction. Research. This
was great to be in a room where everybody already knew
research is done by people we call dramaturgs. Weeks
what dramaturg meant, and I was fascinated to learn
before rehearsal begins, dramaturgs begin researching.
about the work all the other dramaturgs had done on
“[The dramaturgical process] starts out by having a their productions. I wasn’t awarded anything, but I got
conversation with the director,” says junior student good feedback on my work and learned a lot from the
dramaturg Siobhan Mulligan. “We discuss our thoughts other dramaturgs.”
on the show and how we feel it connects to a modern-day
BCTC’s dramaturgs are a vital element in a show’s historical
and educa-
audience, and the director may recommend particular
areas they think will be important for our research.
tional “gravity”.
Initial discussions with the production team can also
The actors, designers
and outsiders
shape the direction the research takes. For Women in
Arms, since I had a co-dramaturg, I focused on how
who see these dramaturgical
presen-
the play related to the era it was written in—Northern
Ireland during the Troubles—while my co-dramaturg
tations fill out the
focused on the era it was set in—Northern Ireland in the
blank canvas of a
Iron Age. For Cabaret, I started by reading Christopher
show that simply
Isherwood’s Berlin Stories, which the show is based
dialogue, blocking
off, and researched the culture and historical currents
and design have
of 1920’s Berlin so the actors could relate to the time
begun filling. Dramaturgical
work
period.”
If there are any accents in the show, the dramaturg’s job sets to add valuable
context to ele-
(other than the director’s) is to make sure to help actors
develop and practice the proper accent. If there are any ments in the show
names or cities written into the dialogue of a show, the that, without the
dramaturg is responsible for making sure they are being research, would be
pronounced correctly. If the show involves any cultural empty and lacking.
or religious lore, the dramaturg researches what it is and
how it is involved in the show. Any character based off a
historical figure is heavily researched by the dramaturg
and presented to the actor so that he or she might in turn
portray that figure accurately.
“I always love to see that my work makes a
difference, whether to the actors or the production
team,” said Mulligan. “I work hard on the actor
packets—historical research, relevant photographs,
etc. handed out to actors early in rehearsals—so it’s
great when they ask questions about the material
or tell me that it influenced their character choices.
I also love finishing the lobby displays for the
audience. They’re a challenge to put together, but
the end result is really satisfying to see.
While individual research is also conducted by
designers and directors as needed, the dramaturg
is important in unifying all research done for a
production to ensure its accuracy. BCTC uses student
dramaturgs in their productions as needed. These
dramaturgs, on top of researching collaborating
with other members of the production team (the
designers and directors of a show), compile their
information into presentations which they take to
conferences and conventions around the southeast,
entering them into contests in which they have
received many awards (titles of those awards will BCTC’s production of Urinetown: the Musical
42 Arts & Music
43

Greetings From
Graphic Design
Story and Design by Parker Page Trau
any students, having grown up at the begining of the digital age, were
M integrated into digital art so thoroughly that they often don’t see the
elements of digital design that are in the media they consume every day.
The ads we see, filters we use, video edits we watch and logos we click on
have to be designed. Built from scratch. And like the painter of traditional,
cultivated talents, it takes months (sometimes years) to properly learn and
hone in on practical skills and aesthetic eye to become successful in the field
of graphic design.
And while the world adapts and changes to accomidate new media and
new technology, so do we adapt curriculum to meet the standards of a
digitized media.
Here’s a spotlight exposé on the graphic design work done in the digital
art class in Moon.
Kowalke Nina
By Abigail Carroll
By Portia Delano
By Jacob Ivey
By Kristen Heerema
By Abbey Duncan
44 Arts & Music
By Mason Brown
45

Making it in
Music Performance
gutierrez’s story:
Alejandro Gutierrez is a musician and actor from Houston, Texas.
By Alejandro Gutierrez
Design by Sara Arms
Keys to Success
n college I learned just how much practicing it takes
Ito stay competitive in my field, and not only do you
have to retain a lot of the knowledge you receive, you
have to hustle and keep learning after you leave to stay
relevant. To my fellow musicians, no matter whether you
want to be a performer or an educator, work on maintaining
the relationships you make in college and beyond. You will
never know where people will go or the opportunities that
might arise if you burn a bridge with someone you didn’t
like.
To me, the most important thing about getting a foothold
in the music performance industry and being able to make
a steady income is diversification. Unless you have Wynton
Marsalis, Jessye Norman, or Itzhak Perlman talent (and
even they practice all the time). Trumpet players, guitarists,
or sopranos are a dime a dozen, but a drummer that can
also play keys, or a vocalist that can play an instrument is
exponentially more hirable, and therefore will have more
opportunities for consistent employment. Also, look for
your people, and find a company that you want to grow
with. Directors like to work with people they know and
get along with because the process is hard enough without
having to worry about whether a new person will be a good
fit.
started my journey at the Atlanta Unified auditions,
I
landing my first professional credit in Valhalla by
Paul Rudnick with the Essential Theatre Festival,
a yearly summer festival that produces regional or
national premieres in Atlanta. The exposure from that show
earned me auditions in town and convinced me I might
actually be talented. From there, I went to the Southeastern
Theatre Conference and United Professional Theatre
Auditions to audition for larger theaters and signed my first
out-of-state contract with Thin Air Theatre, performing in
Singing in the Rain and Girl of the Golden West. Uprooting
your life every few months can be daunting, but it taught
me efficiency, how to leave a small footprint and that I can
live out of a suitcase. I also used Playbill and Backstage to
look for jobs, which is how I was cast in the 2015 national
tour of Buddy: The Buddy Holly story, once again putting
my musical talent to work playing trumpet, guitar and
keyboard, in addition to playing 4 characters. Touring isn’t
for everyone, and cramped quarters with the same people
for months can lead to tense situations from which you can’t
just walk away, but it’s a great way to expand your network
and see the country. I have friends all over the U.S. that I
have stayed with or seen after our contracts were over.
My first national tour was in 2014 with Nebraska Theatre
Caravan playing Mortimer in The Fantasticks. Our road
manager for the tour was also performing as Henry, The
Old Actor. I didn’t know it at the time, but he would become
the Production Manager for Holland America, a subsidiary
SETC
Playbill
Backstage
UPTA
of Carnival, that operates cruises all over the world. We
kept in touch, and this year at UPTA I ran into him in the
lobby after my audition. Less than two weeks later I received
an e-mail with an official offer to join the cast of Music of
Denali, a dinner theatre in McKinley Park, Ark., a division
of Princess Cruises, another subsidiary of Carnival. If
we hadn’t stayed friends or gotten along, I wouldn’t even
have been considered, let alone offered a position. As if that
wasn’t enough, I already have a roommate in Alaska, as
another friend whom I met on a tour of A Christmas Carol
was also cast and contacted me as soon as he saw me in the
company Facebook group.
My upcoming contract in Indiana took a little more
perseverance. I met with the Artistic Director of Round
Barn Theatre in Nappanee, Ind. at a conference last year
but had no mutual connections. We spoke about their
season and agreed to continue the conversation after the
conference, because she had other candidates with which to
meet. We e-mailed a few times, until suddenly she stopped
responding. I followed up for over a month but never heard
back. I saw her again this year, and she remembered me
from all the e-mails and apologized for not following up.
We have a great conversation and were able to come to an
agreement to music direct 3 shows in the fall, A Year With
Frog and Toad, Lend Me a Tenor, and Annie.
a networking group that hosts conventions and networking opportunities for theatrical students and professionals.
a networking hub that shares theatre news and allows members to post and search for jobs.
a website that specializes in posting jobs and casting calls.
an organizaiton in Memphis, Tenn. that hosts auditions and networks professionals.
46 Arts & Music
47

Berry Student Trends
through the Ages
Story and Design by
Mariana Novakovic,
Style editor
In the 1960s, America was going through the Vietnam
War, civil rights protests, and the assassinations of
influential figures like John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther
King Jr. In the 1960s at Berry College, students were fighting
for reforms of strict rules that demanded students to
wear uniforms, attend mandatory weekly religious services,
and participate in forced work requirements.
Today, the average Berry Student doesn’t have to
worry about these things and can usually be found sporting
their Chaco’s and Life is Good T-shirt, hanging out in an
Eno, running their own business, or reaching hour 10 of
studying for a tough exam.
Back in the day, Berry students were much different
than they are today, and their clothes are only the obvious
part. Not only did Berry once have a Home Economics
Club, but it took a long time to let their students keep up
with the fashion of their decade. Free expression of self
and customized personality through what we wear is something
that we take for granted today.
1975
1995
1955
1946
1965
1984 2000
48 Style
49

Trending Tech
Story and illustrations by Parker Page Trau, Assistant Style Editor
Design by Mariana Novakovic, Style Editor
4. Wireless Headphones
With the newest models of iPhones lacking a headphone
jack, wireless headphones have increased in popularity.
Even if you don’t have the newest phone, that’s not a problem
because these headphones still give you that “no strings
attached” feeling.
1. Polaroid Cameras
Polaroid pictures are not just something Outcast told us to
shake it like, but they are also making a comeback. Snapchats
and Instastories might be quick to post and share, but instant
cameras give us physical copies of our memories immediately.
5. Mix Tapes
We’ve all seen the movies and shows where teens give their
crush a mix tape. Now, we can quickly make and share playlists
on Spotify, but there is something sweet and romantic
about a tangible expression of your feelings. A cassette tape
of songs for your love is a sweet and unique gift – as long as
your honey has a tape player.
2. Record Players
There are a few tech throwbacks that are coming around
again, including the good old record player. Records might
not be the only way to enjoy music now, but music lovers still
adore collecting records old and new. Some might think owning
a record player in the digital age is silly, but record store
owners must certainly be thankful.
6. PopSockets
It’s no doubt that you have seen these little guys on everyone
else’s phone, and it’s easy to understand why. PopSockets are
great to prop up your phone when sitting back and face timing
a friend. They also give you a much better grip to avoid
dropping your phone on your face while you’re in bed presleep
scrolling – don’t worry, we’ve all been there.
7. Clip-On Lenses
If you’re a budding photographer, but can’t lug around a
big fancy camera everywhere, you can get a clip-on lens for
your phone! These lenses are small, compact, and run fairly
cheap!
3. Cute Phone Cases
Everyone wants to keep their cell safe, but mainly in style.
Some of the more trendy patterns include cases that actually
contain real pressed flowers. Faux marble is popular on
everything from clothes to jewelry to even your tech. Some
are glittering with a snow globe effect that makes the back of
your phone almost as mesmerizing as your Instafeed.
8. Ring Lights
If you want to take the perfect selfie, you obviously need the
perfect lighting. Sadly good lighting is not always readily
available – unless you have the right equipment. Ring lights
(similar to the ones your favorite Youtubers use) are now
available as a smart phone attachment.
50 Style
51

Story, design and photos by
Mariana Novakovic,
Style Editor
Throwback to Embroidery
For some reason, our culture and generation, being
one of consumerism, has associated producer goods for
a long time as being outdated, unchic, and only something
our grandmas create in their free time. More
recently, however, even though it is highly likely that
our nation will remain a consumer-based society, we
have grown to appreciate and admire when those around
us take up these throwback artistries such as knitting,
sewing, and even embroidery as trendy new hobbies.
Watching someone else use their hands to create something
so intricate and beautiful can be encouraging or seem
completely overwhelming and unattainable, but it shouldn’t
be. You can learn how to do these “old-fashioned” crafts.
You just have to appreciate the skill and its beauty, have the
desire to learn, and most importantly, have the willingness
to give yourself time and practice to perfect the skill.
Summer break is coming up, and whether or not you
overbook yourself this year, you totally have time to fit
in learning embroidery. There are so many ways for you
to learn how to embroider. There are incredibly helpful
and easy to understand YouTube videos, Pinterest pins,
and blogger posts available all over the internet. All you
need is a needle, some thread, and a lot of patience.
The possibilities for embroidery are endless. Just look it
up on Pinterest if you don’t believe me. It’s also becoming
extremely popular in fashion, especially among
popular young bloggers and influencers. Embroidery
can be found on cute ripped boyfriend jeans to thick
wool sweaters and even crossbody leather purses. It’s
a unique skill that is not only beautiful, but also fun
and fulfilling. Whether you are embroidering on a single
piece of fabric, a T-shirt pocket, or a baseball cap,
adding this touch can really spice up a piece and reveal
your trendy and quirky side. The best part is that when
someone asks, you can tell them you made it yourself.
52 Style
53

Valkyrie’s “Formal
for $20” Challenge
Story by Katie Ott,
Design by Mariana Novakovic, Style Editor
I first got into thrift shopping about 4 years ago when I
started working with the costumes for my school’s theater
department, and I discovered how many cute clothes
there were at Goodwill for a fraction of the price. Now
the majority of my clothes come from Goodwill and other
thrift stores. I think thrift shopping is a great alternative for
college students who love to shop, but don’t want to break
their bank. When I got asked to try and create a thrifted
outfit for formal for just $20 I was instantly on board.
For those of you who have never shopped at a thrift store
before, there are a few things to keep in mind. First off, its
helps to be willing to go shopping a few times in order to
find everything you need. The truth is about 98 percent of
the clothes in Goodwill aren’t going to be things you’re
interested in buying, so it’ll be hard to buy an entire outfit
in just one visit. Secondly, Goodwill stores are organized by
color and item, so it helps to have a general idea of what
you’re look for. Since I knew it’d be hard to find a fancy
dress for this outfit, I decided to look at all the black dresses
because I knew those would be easier to dress up. And third,
be willing to step out of your comfort zone. Sometimes
things don’t look super cute on the racks, but that doesn’t
mean they won’t work out. In my opinion, it’s always better
to try something on because you never know what will
surprise you.
Going into this challenge, I knew I’d have to think a little
outside of the box. There’s lots of different clothes available
at Goodwill, but it can be hard to find fancy dresses
there. So, if you’re looking for a more “prom” style dress for
formal, I recommend trying to host a dress swap with all of
your friends in order to find a new dress. But if you’re just
looking for a cute new outfit that’s still pretty cheap, you
can definitely find something at Goodwill. Right off the
bat I pulled this black jumpsuit from the rack and instantly
loved it! But, I was hesitant to try it on because I’d never
found a jumpsuit or romper that worked for me. Nevertheless,
I tried it on and it actually fit really well! I loved the
simplicity of it and also how comfy it was! It’s made of a
stretchy material so it wasn’t too tight or restrictive. I also
liked that it was solid black because then I had a lot more
options for how I chose to accessorize it.
purse that had a knock off Tory Burch design on the front.
I felt like this purse was a great size for formal since it
would definitely be big enough for my phone, keys, and lipstick
without being too big to get in the way. I also loved
that it had a strap because I personally hate having to keep
track of a clutch throughout pictures, dinner, and the actual
dance. Also, its important to note that I bought this clutch
in order to fully commit to the challenge of creating an
entire outfit for $20 but you could easily use a nice clutch
that you already own with this jumpsuit.
A few days later, I went to a different Goodwill closer to my
house in Atlanta. Although the Rome Goodwill does have
a lot of good options, you are going to have better luck if
you go to thrift stores closer to major cities like Atlanta or
Chattanooga. There, I was able to find these great black
flats to pair with my jumpsuit. I felt like they were a good
choice because they were comfortable and the rhinestones
on them add a little flair to the outfit. However, again since
the jumpsuit is solid black you could easily go for a colored
heel or flat if you wanted to add a pop of color. To finish off
my outfit, I found this silver chain belt that helped accentuate
my waist and give the jumpsuit an edgier look. For
the rest of my accessories, I just wore some silver hoops I
already owned to tie in with the silver chain belt. For my
makeup, I wore some red lipstick in order to add a splash
of color to the black and silver color scheme of the rest of
the outfit.
After both trips, my final cost came out to $19! The jumpsuit
was $7, the purse was $3, the shoes were $6, and the
belt was $3. All in all, I felt this was a pretty successful
Goodwill haul and honestly the outfit could’ve been cheaper
if I had chosen to reuse a purse and pair of shoes I already
owned. So, don’t think Goodwill is just a place to get tacky
shirts and costumes. You can definitely find cute, name
brand clothes there for any occasion. Also don’t forget to
donate any clothes you don’t wear anymore. Goodwill’s able
to provide all these clothes because of donations from people
like you.
Also if you liked this article, make sure to check out my
new fashion blog, “Simply Thrifted.” I post about clothes
and outfits I’ve bought from Goodwill as well as tips for
In the same visit to Goodwill, I also found this small golden thrift shopping. My blog is at simplythrifted.com and my
Instagram for it is @simplyy_thrifted.
54 Style
55

Going Cosmetic Vegan
Story and design by Mariana Novakovic,
Style Editor
Wake up. Put your face on, and go. It’s supposed to be
easy, quick, and beautiful. However, in reality, often my
mornings are not as glamorous as face wash commercials.
There are mornings when I’m putting my makeup on and
it feels super gross on my face, and it especially seems
unhealthy. Greasy foundation and powder that cakes my
face and clogs my pores and later causes me to have a major
breakout, is not how I want to start my day. Actually, I hate
makeup. How does it make me feel disgusting while it’s supposed
to do the opposite of just that? While I really wish I
just had perfect skin that wasn’t either dry, or greasy, or the
awkward in between that is impossible to figure out, there
has to be a way where I can feel better about the makeup I’m
putting on my face.
If you’ve ever looked up what is actually in the makeup
that you are letting absorb into your face, you will probably
discover horrifying things. Actually, I find a lot of language
I don’t understand. Some mascaras are made with guanine,
a compound that can be found in seabird or bat excrement.
After learning that I don’t think I’ll ever put mascara on
the same way again. Squalene is a compound from shark
liver oil that is used in lipsticks and moisturizers. I don’t
care what they say, beauty is not worth that much. Other
animal products like lamb fat, sheep grease, rooster combs
and snail slime are used in makeup because they contain
mucin extract and glycolic acids, also known as the queens
of exfoliation – but at what cost?
If researching what makeup is made of, and weird things
you’re putting on your face doesn’t make you become an
earthy, yoga loving, kombucha drinking, hippy, and I guess
also watching a documentary on the production of meat
products, then I definitely don’t know what else does. But
luckily there is hope. There are some cosmetic brands that
are all natural and don’t have animal products. Let’s call
them vegan cosmetics.
Arbonne is a beauty and skincare brand that is made
with botanically based ingredients. You can find tons of
information about Arbonne on their website. According to
Arbonne, they recyclable product packaging and recycled
shipping boxes, and are known for their water conservation
and botanical, vegan, cruelty-free formulas. While some
MAC lipsticks can range from $17 to $25, Arbonne lipsticks
are on average about $29. For being a green brand,
the prices are somewhat competitive, and depending on
what you’re looking for, the extra price might be worth
it. Their eyeshadows are about $16, and their liquid and
mineral powder foundations are about $44. They also have
a wide variety of different skincare, hair, and bath products
that are all green and clean.
If you’re looking for something similar to Arbonne, but
want something a little bit more reasonably priced, check
out Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, who are certified
by PETA (people for the ethical treatment of animals).
According to their website, OCC was founded in New York
City and launched the overwhelming successful Lip Tar,
the world’s first 100 percent vegan and cruelty-free liquid
lipstick. In 2014, OCC released their Cosmetic Colour Pencils,
that feature an innovative formula free from silicone
or other cosmetic waxes derived from animals. Their Lip
Tars are about $17, their Colour Pencils are $16, and eyeshadows
are $15. However, they are all about sales, when
I was skimming their website, everything was on sale and
ranged around $10. So keep an eye out with these different
cosmetic brands because you never know when they’ll have
a good sale.
Pacifica is another 100 percent vegan and cruelty-free
makeup and beauty product brand. They have skincare,
hair, nail, and even suncare products all at somewhat reasonable
prices. Lipsticks are $10, eyeshadow palettes are
$18, mascaras are $14, and liquid and powder foundations
range from $12 to $18.
There are so many other cosmetic and beauty product
brands that are vegan and animal cruelty-free, you just
have to do some internet digging. So in case you were wondering
while staring in the mirror putting on your makeup
this morning, here’s how to go cosmetic green.
56 Style
57

Meet the Staff
Sara Arms
Editor-in-Chief
Hannah Hardwell
Managing editor
Kevin Kleine
faculty adviser
Kristin Demorest
Funk Editor
Bailey Newhouse
Asst. Funk editor
Devon Powers
buzz editor
Parker page trau
arts and music editor
Mariana Novakovic
style editor
Andrea flores
graphics editor
bailey albertson
photo editor
Andrea Hill
Asst. photo editor
Olivia stevens
co-food editor
Grace Bailey
co-food editor
noah howie
health and fitness editor
rosie powers
Asst. health and fitness editor
Kaylee clapp
photographer
Sarah Storey
pr director
Kaitland kohler
body copy editor
Hallie Marie McErlain
Illustrator
58 Staff
59

@BCValkyrie
@bcvalkyrie
Berry College Valkyrie
Berry College
Mt. Berry, Georgia 30149
© 2018