The Decree - May 2024

TheDecree NORTH CAROLINA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY, ROCKY MOUNT, NORTH CAROLINA 27804 since 1960 “of, by, and for the Wesleyan community.” May 17, 2024 Student Fiction By Layali Kasem & Noah Larkin Pages 6-8 Cartoon Strip By Chandani Pokhrel Page 8 SEE INSIDE Davie Morgan and the Bishops faced Brevard in the USA South Conference fi nals. Turn to sports, pages 4-5. Photo by C. Lewis New Grad Profi le: Rocky Mount Native Quincey Packer Following his graduation May 5, Wesleyan honors student Quincey Packer expects to take a year “off” before applying to graduate school. A Rocky Mount native, Packer majored in biomedical science and minored in chemistry. During his time at the university he’s participated in a number of activities, including many Wesleyan musical ensembles. He’s served as a tutor in the Student Success Center, an SI leader in Chemistry 111, a board member of Wesleyan’s National Society of Leadership and Success, as well as an offi cer in the Wesleyan honors program. While a Wesleyan student, he’s also served as a percussion instructor at Nash Central High School. In a recent interview, he looked back on his time at the university, talked about his interest in music and discussed his honors project as well as his career plans. Q. Tell us about your family and hometown. A. I grew up in Rocky Mount, enjoying the mix between country and city life and being the baby of the family. My dad is Quincey Packer Sr. He is a retired U.S. Navy veteran and now works as a NJROTC instructor. My mom is Ericka Packer. She is a physical therapist assistant for the state. Both parents graduated with their bachelor’s degrees, with dad getting his degree in business administration and mom getting hers in healthcare management. My sister, Elisha, has both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. The family has a Bullmastiff named Porsche. Q. What’s a favorite memory from childhood? A. If I had to choose, it would be spending the summer in Alabama with my grandparents and experiencing not only a different state, but a culture that’s different from Eastern North Carolina. Q. Talk about your involvement in music. A. I started off with percussion in the middle school band. From then until now, I’ve been a member of seven different school bands. During my fi rst year at Wesleyan, I started with the pep band, and we’ve been slowly trying to get it back up and running after a brief period when it was defunct. Last fall I played snare and tenor drums for three football games, including homecoming. From those efforts, the old pep band transitioned into a traditional concert band with Mr. Nieves. And there’s a new band, the Daytona Pep Band, which features a drumline. It’s unique in that this band goes with the cheer and dance teams as part of the NCWU spirit program and competes in NCA Nationals in Florida. This spring I was one of fi ve band members to travel to Daytona Beach. Q. Explain why music is an important part of your life. A. Somewhere in my youth when I was eager to learn interesting facts, I came upon a quote that has stuck with me. In 1835, poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said that “Music is the Universal Language of Mankind.” I now know that this is 100 percent true. Even though I only speak English and I live in 2024, I can feel the emotions of people who may have lived centuries earlier. Using music, you can hear how Mozart was feeling or can connect with someone who speaks a different language. Music just gives me that sense of freedom, especially when I freestyle on either the drums or my personal favorite, the marimba. Q. What’s the most adversity you’ve faced over the course of your life and how did you deal with it? A. It probably would be when I was told I had a rare form of lupus and then discovering what that was. It scared me because I looked at the worst-case scenario with potential kidney failure and just the overall symptoms of it. But with the little research I did, I learned that you could manage it by, among other steps, lowering your stress and watching your UV exposure. Nowadays, I try to listen to my body and what it’s telling me, and it doesn’t bother me the way it did in the past. If my body’s telling me to calm down and take a break, then I need to listen to what it’s saying. Q. In what specifi c ways, starting with high school, did Covid impact your education? How did you cope with the challenges? A. Covid-19 broke out within the last nine weeks of our semester, so it mainly messed up our fi nal weeks and our reviews. For high school seniors like me, it was an extra blow in the fact that our senior picnic, prom, and graduation were either canceled or modifi ed to satisfy the Covid precautions. Education wise, Covid forced all the teachers to try to teach online, some successful and some not so successful. It’s hard to switch gears on a dime when you’ve been teaching a certain way for so many years. By the time I got to Wesleyan in fall 2020, it didn’t really bother me because I’d already gone through that online period. But I did miss out on Rock the Mount and other normal freshman activities. Q. What brought you to Wesleyan in the first place and what kept you here? A. If I’m 100 percent transparent, it was that I wasn’t ready to leave Rocky Mount. I felt I still had a purpose here, and going to school close to home was what I believed to be the best path forward. From there, it was either Barton or Wesleyan and Wesleyan stuck with me. Plus, it helped that I already had been on the campus for the Shelton Challenge (a summer leadership program) and got a good vibe from the campus. Once I got here, I didn’t want to go anywhere else; I knew I had a mission here, and it was to be the best person I could be and make a positive impact on Wesleyan. Q. Given all that you do on campus, what’s your typical day like? What’s been key to managing your time and staying on top of coursework? What advice do you have for freshmen about managing their time and being successful in college? A. Most days I’d leave the house between 7:30-9 a.m. and get home between 7:30 and 9 p.m. A trusty planner and calm mind will get the job done. When I fi rst arrived, I remember struggling to remember due dates and managing my time to the point where I’d have to stay up all night in order to make up the work. For freshmen, my biggest advice is to plan in advance and fi gure out how you work best. Give yourself time to complete the assignment in a way that you feel comfortable. If you like to do everything in one go (like me), then give yourself time to be able to do that. If you like to spread work out, then plan it so that you’re comfortable. And don’t forget to have fun. Reward yourself for good, hard work! Q. From your perspective, what’s been the best part of the honors program? A. Two things come to mind: 1. I really liked the classes. For example, Dr. Stern’s Sacred Art class went to Washington, D.C., and that was a trip that I’ll remember for a very long time. I had a blast on that trip, exploring the Smithsonian and the accompanying museums. We learned that “vision takes patience,” meaning that you would be able to truly see if you looked for long enough. Dr. Templeton’s Icelandic Sagas class would be my favorite class overall, though, because who wouldn’t love learning about Vikings? 2. The perks. Remember when I was talking about lowering your stress level? I probably wouldn’t have been able to be as effective with that without the Honors Lounge. That lounge was a peaceful zone, allowing you to catch your breath and relax. This was especially useful for commuters like me who don’t have a room on campus where they can go for rest and relaxation. Chips and drinks were also very nice. Q. What went into selecting biomedical sciences as a major? A. I chose this major because I knew I wanted to go into the medicine, but wasn’t sure about a particular fi eld at fi rst. Biomedical sciences would give me the best array of classes for any medical route I wanted to take. Q. Discuss your senior honors project. A. It was titled “The Effi cacy of Facemasks Against Respiratory Airborne Pathogens.” I decided upon this after talking with my godmother, who mentioned that she hadn’t gotten sick (with cold, fl u, etc.) ever since the Covid-19 pandemic and the mask mandates. After hearing this, I remembered Dr. Fauci’s quote about masks and how wearing a facemask would protect everybody during the pandemic and wondered if that protection extended to other pathogens. I researched how well N95, surgical/ disposable, and cloth masks could protect an individual from pathogens such as infl uenza (the fl u), rhinovirus (the common cold), and staphylococcus/streptococcus bacteria. The results showed that N95 masks were very effective in preventing pathogens from passing through the mask and stopping infections. Surgical/ disposable masks were close behind N95 masks. Cloth masks were the worst of the group, but still provided some level of protection. For me a major challenge was the fact that I didn’t like long papers or assignments that I couldn’t do in one sitting. But in the research and writing process, I learned how to effectively split up chunks of work. The experience really taught me how I work best. SEE PACKER pg 3 Students, Administrators See Benefi ts To Keeping Pets in Residence Halls Reported by Kennedy Clark Decree Staff Writer NC Wesleyan is encouraged by the early results of a new policy that allows students to keep dogs and cats on campus. Jason Modlin, dean of students, said he knows of only four other schools around the state with a similar policy—UNC-Charlotte, Campbell, Pfeiffer and Lees McRae. Five Wesleyan students kept pets during the fi rst year, the dean said, calling the program positive so far. “It gives students the option to have that family pet within a set of parameters that keeps all members of the Wesleyan community safe,” he said. “Who wants to give up their pet for four years?” One program participant is Emily Foraker whose tabby cat, Monty, has stayed with her since August. Foraker lives in Taylor Hall, which has been designated as dog- and cat-friendly. “Since I’m so far away from home,” Foraker said, “I wanted to bring that extra support with me.” The senior, a native of Colorado, said she’s enjoyed her time with Monty, a domestic shorthair. “Animals are good for stress relief, and college brings lots of stress, so he’s been helping me manage that,” said Foraker, adding that her neighbors in Taylor love Monty. President Evan Duff, the owner of three dogs and two cats, likes the new policy and concurred with Foraker, citing studies that underscore the emotional support that pets bring to their owners. He believes the pet policy will distinguish Wesleyan in its recruitment and retention of students. He noted that the university accents this new feature of dorm life in its social media posts and television and radio advertisements. “The policy shows that Wesleyan is personal and cares about the individual needs of our students,” he said. Noting the adjustments students must make in their fi rst year, Modlin pointed out that freshmen have been excluded from the program. The dean said he’s received a substantial number of inquiries about bringing pets to campus. He said there are spots for 40 pet owners in Taylor and that, should the program grow, the university may consider adding a second petfriendly dorm. Interested students must apply to Residence Life to qualify for the program. Modlin added that eligible students and their pets must meet an array of requirements. Among the most notable ones: • Dogs must be at least 1 year old, while cats must be at least 6 months. • All pets must have received proper vaccinations and must be spayed and neutered. • Dogs may not exceed 40 pounds, and the university prohibits certain breeds, including pit bulls, Dobermans, Rottweilers and chows. • All cats must be litter-box trained, and no feral cats are permitted. Monet Somerville oversees Taylor Hall as the residence life coordinator in that area of campus. She monitors pet owners to ensure they follow all rules. So far, she said, she has heard no complaints and, like Duff and Modlin, believes the new policy can improve the quality of life for students. “It provides students with access to a healthy coping mechanism that may help them deal with life and academics,” said Somerville, adding that she’s surprised more students have not sought to bring pets to campus. Wesleyan began to study a petfriendly dorm in 2022. Modlin said that the initial idea emerged from an honors thesis written by Rebecca Mitchell. “That helped spur this into fruition,” the dean said. 2024 graduate Quincey Packer plans to become a physician’s assistant. Photo courtesy of Q. Packer Monty

Staff Writers Kennedy Clark Rafael Farina Valentina Rabino Albert Sitwell Special Contributors Carl Lewis Shane Thompson Faculty Advisor Dr. William Grattan 179 Braswell • Phone: 985-5336 Email: [email protected] staff The Decree since 1960 “of, by, and for the Wesleyan community.” 2 North Carolina Wesleyan University, Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804 May 17, 2024 CAMPUS LIFE Madison Morrison ’24 plans to enroll in a graduate program at her alma mater. Photo courtesy of M. Morrison Profile: Madison Morrison, Class of ’24, Cheerleader, Biology Major With her family there to support her, Wilmington native Madison Morrison was among the undergraduates and graduates who participated in commencement ex- ercises May 4 at the Rocky Mount Event Center. The Decree interviewed Morrison in early May for the following profile: Q. Tell us about your hometown and family. A. I was born and raised in Wilmington. My mother is from Wilmington and my father is from Elkins, West Virginia. I grew up in a very supportive family where receiving a valuable education was always encouraged. My father, an NC State graduate in horticulture, has worked in the landscaping business and has been an irrigation technician for most of my life. My mother worked as a clinical researcher at PPD, which just merged with Thermo Fisher. Her work was influential in my selec- tion of a career path (as of now). I’m an only child, but I have three stepsiblings from my father’s marriage and I’m the youngest by 10 years. Due to growing up in different households, I’ve had the privilege of having multiple pets; at my father’s I have my 18-year-old cat, Annabelle, while at my mother’s house I have a 1-year-old Shih Tzu-poodle mix, Halo. For a time my grandparents helped raise me, resulting in more cats, Izzy, Pepper, and Grace. Within the past year, I’ve lost my first dog, Ziggy, a Pekingese poodle mix, and one of my cats, James Bond. Q. What’s a favorite memory from childhood? A. I have many favorite memories. But I’ll always be grateful for the time with my papaw in Hawaii. After noticing that I was affected by the time zone change from traveling, my papaw took me on a walk around the island. We were in our pajamas and I had on my brand-new Disney princess slippers. He showed me around the places he had visited with my gram and even took me out on the beach. When we returned to our hotel room, my gram wasn’t pleased because my new slippers were full of sand and no longer the original fresh light pink color. But this memory will always hold a special spot. Q. What’s the most adversity you’ve faced in your life? How did you deal with it? A. I would say it was during my senior year of high school. Most would see this year as an excit- ing and pivotal time in their lives, but I saw it as difficult. My papaw was given not-so-high odds with leukemia. But we pushed through the tough times and he was able to receive a new treatment, a stem cell transplant from my dad, and has been in remission for years. Around that time, my mother was away for treatments, at first in Colorado and then in Raleigh, until the start of Covid. I’m grateful to say I still have my mom, my best friend, in my life because of the time she spent away. Q. In what specific ways did Covid impact your education? How did you cope with complications? A. I was lucky that I went to a private school that was an extension of a church; we were able to still have our graduation due to the fact that a sermon is always included in the ceremony. On the other hand, I missed out on prom, senior days and other activities related to the end of the school year. And there was a significant effect in terms of school work. During the initial months of the pandemic, my friends and I began to work more “full time” and I slacked off on many class assignments that teachers wanted us to complete. Then in my first year at Wesleyan I found myself struggling, as I tried to adjust and re-enter an academic lifestyle, college life, and living far from home. Q. Having attended a Christian high school, what were your expectations about the “religiosity” of NC Wes- leyan as you transitioned to college? A. I came from a school where religion had a heavy influence on our academic and social lives, as we attended a religion class MondayWednesday-Friday and chapel on Tuesday-Thursday. But this didn’t influence my expectations of Wesleyan. When I got here, I found it remarkable that students still made their own choices as far as participating in religious activities at the university. Q. Based on your experiences, what are some pros and cons of early college? A. Some definite pros would be that I was able to complete the more “challenging” courses here at Wesleyan. I was also able to spread out my course load and add in three minors (criminal justice, religious studies and environmental science). Q. You were on the cheerleading team at Wesleyan. How did you get interested in cheer? A. Growing up I participated in competitive dance, but always had an interest in cheerleading. I decided to try out for my middle school’s cheerleading team, and in high school, after 13 years of dancing, I decided to focus on cheerleading. This is my 10th year of cheering and my fourth at Wesleyan. Q. What’s been the best part about participating in cheer at Wesleyan? A. I would say the highlight of my career would be the opportunities I’ve had to compete in Daytona Beach, Florida at the NCA College Nationals. In April 2023, the Bishops entered a new division and we even faced a well-known team with its own Netflix special. Throughout the weekend, we received many shoutouts on the NCA social media pages and finished third in the na- tion in the game-day division. As a result, we found ourselves in many of the campaign videos leading up to the 2024 competition. Q. Along with cheering and your studies, you hold a job on campus. How many hours did you work at the Dunn Center box office in a typical week? Given that job and your involvement in cheer, what’s been the key to managing your time and staying on top of coursework? A. In a normal week, I worked 10 hours at the box office between classes and practice. I would say I was able to manage and stay on top of my coursework because the Dunn Center staff was supportive of their student workers, allowing me to complete small assignments during down time there. Most nights, after cheer practice and dinner, I would go to the library to study. For freshmen, my best advice is not to neglect the little assignments. They may not seem like a major deal, but in the end, you’ll have more smaller assignments than larger ones. More often than not, the smaller assignments are what will either strengthen or damage your overall grade. You should put effort into every assignment; this will also help build connections with your professors. Q. You majored in biology and minored in religious studies, criminal justice, and environmental science. What went into selecting your major and the diverse array of minors? A. I came to Wesleyan as a biomedical science major and wanted to take a pre-med track. But after I found myself struggling in certain courses, it opened my eyes to other possibilities. I changed my major to biology as I have a fascination for sciences, healthcare in particular. This major aligns itself with many career paths that interested me. Religious studies was the first minor I added as I enjoyed the professors, Dr. Thompson and Dr. Drum. I then added environmental science the following semester because the courses aligned with my new biology major and would aid in completing my upper-level requirements. Not to mention that the environmental science courses, and Dr. Elias, were quite interesting. CJ was the final minor that I added. Not only did I enjoy the classes; I wanted to learn more about the American judicial system and expand my background in ethics. Q. If you were university president for a day, what one change would you make at Wesleyan? A. If I were university president for the day, I would upgrade the residences, add in more dining options (maybe an on-campus Chickfil-A and other establishments), and increase the cheerleading budget so that we would be able enhance our equipment and add a new uniform. Q. What are your plans for graduation day? A. I will wake up really early to get ready for ceremony, because I don’t like the feeling that I’m running behind schedule. Even afterward, I may not comprehend that I just graduated from college. I want to go to lunch with my family. My mom, stepdad, aunt, mawmaw, dad, stepmom, gram, papaw, uncle, and a friend will all be there to experience the day with me. Q. What are you planning to do in the first year after graduation; and what are your long-term plans? A. I intend to enroll in graduate school at Wesleyan for my master’s in public health. While working on my degree, I’ll hold a position as a graduate assistant for the athletic department. Beyond graduate school, I have no set plans but hope to find myself working in clinical research. Q. What’s your biggest anxiety as you look to the next stage of life. A. I would say it’s not knowing exactly what I’ll be doing. I always like to have a plan established and right now I have the next year planned but still fear what’s to come. Wesleyan Students Find Media Influencers Helpful, Enriching By Kennedy Clark Decree Staff Writer In today’s digital age, social media platforms play a key role in influencing public conversations, consumer choices, and cultural shifts. Influencers have become prominent figures in this dynamic environment, going beyond typical marketing strategies to serve as persuasive and aspirational figures. The Decree examines the broad scope of social media and influencer dynamics, based on interviews with members of the Wesleyan community. It analyzes how influencers are changing, the effects of social media on per- sonal and shared identities, and the challenges of operating in this online landscape amid growing worries about authenticity, ethics, and societal consequences. Tim Carmichael Platforms: TikTok, Instagram Tim Carmichael, a senior and a member of the Bishops football team, prefers TikTok over Instagram and his usage of the two platforms differs. He typically spends around two hours per day on each platform. In terms of influencers, Carmichael favors 856_Christian, who operates a Christian-focused account on TikTok. Carmichael finds this influencer to be inspiring. This influencer focuses on Christian-based content, and Carmichael appreciates how the influencer can help him not feel alone. He finds both platforms entertaining and has purchased Christian apparel and sports accessories. But Carmichael admits to often regretting his time invested in social media, where he encounters numerous negative posts and comments. Jenna Pilkenton Platforms: Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok Jenna Pilkenton, a freshman and the chair of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), uses social media throughout the week. She allocates about 10 hours each week to TikTok. Pilkenton’s preferred influencers are the Sturniolo triplets from YouTube and TikTok, as their content never fails to make her laugh. She also admires athlete influencers and those who advocate for mental health awareness. Besides following her personal preferences, Pilkenton manages two social media accounts for NC Wesleyan clubs, utilizing the platforms to disseminate information. Her online shopping habits primarily revolve around purchasing clothing items. She attributes her lack of social media regrets to her mother, who monitored her online presence from a young age in an effort to protect her daughter from harmful influences. Lily Peters Platforms: Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram Lily Peters, a psychology major with a minor in criminal justice, dedicates two-three hours to social media daily. The junior’s preferred influencer is Carew Ellington, who focuses on Christianity. She sees him as a positive figure and draws motivation from him. Peters views Ellington as a source of inspiration, prompting her to devote more time to her faith. She harbors remorse over some of her past social media posts and regrets the considerable time she has wasted on some platforms. Deonna Starks Platforms: YouTube, TikTok Senior Deonna Starks spends quite a bit of time on social media. For Starks, it can be concerning, as she confesses to sessions that sometimes last more than two hours. Starks believes that social media personalities can be very influential. She has found an abundance of interests and hobbies she enjoys through social media and influencers. Starks says she would be a boring person without the influence of influencers. She is excited to follow them and thrilled to explore new interests. Starks watches CoryxKenshin quite a bit and has been watching him since the beginning of middle school. He is an African-American YouTube gamer whose content Starks enjoys because he is funny, relatable, and educational. He has also been one of her inspirations to go into the field of entertainment. YouTube is Starks’ number-one platform. She maintains two of her own channels. She has a content creation channel for her Monster High Collections and a gaming channel where she’s about to start posting content soon. Having dispensed with regular TV, Starks says YouTube has become her main portal for watching shows. Starks’ runner-up would be TikTok. She has used social media for shopping as well. She has bought health and beauty items as well as electronics from TikTok. Starks says she is always cautious about what she uses, does, and posts on social media. Sophia Sweeney Platforms: Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat Sophia Sweeney works as a graduate assistant in the registrar’s office. She spends an average of 14 hours per week on social media. Her most-watched content includes marketing, makeup, and nail videos. She likes to use social media to stay connected with friends, enjoying the ability to chit-chat with them. Despite finding value in social media, Sweeney sometimes regrets the amount of time she dedicates to it. She is cautious about her online presence, believing that whatever is posted online remains permanent. Social media has influenced her online shopping habits, with purchases made from the TikTok shop. She is swayed by current trends but disapproves of “cancel culture,” a term denoting the trend of ostracizing individuals for perceived inappropriate behavior or speech. Jason Buel Platforms: Twitter (X), Instagram Jason Buel, associate professor of communication, utilizes social media primarily for research purposes, dedicating about one to two hours daily to various platforms. In his research, Dr. Buel explores social movements and their utilization of social media to advocate for their respective causes. Additionally, Buel turns to social media as a means to unwind from his daily routine, although he sometimes feels he invests too much time in it. He acknowledges being targeted by ads that aim to influence his purchasing decisions, yet asserts that he has not succumbed to such marketing tactics..

tee ball team for a few years, played Upward basketball at the local church, played a little soc- cer, and started playing volley- ball in middle school. Volleyball is the one sport I really loved, and I stuck with it all through high school as well. I was on a club team for a few years, and played for my high school team as well. I was a hitter, and I played in the front row. One of my most memorable club ball experiences was when my team attended a tournament called Big South, in Atlanta. It was the biggest tournament I’d ever been to up to that point, and I was amazed at how many teams were there. I’d also never been to Atlanta before, so that was a really cool experience. Both my parents were there with me, and we had a great time playing on the court and, between matches, exploring the city. We didn’t win anything, but we had a great experience as a team Q. Tell us about your time in college. A. I didn’t have the typical four-year college experience. I attended a school (the University of South Carolina) for one semester right out of high school and decided it wasn’t the right fit for me. I decided to come back home and work until I found the right school, and ultimately ended up at NC State (go Pack!). I still graduat- ed on time, majoring in English with a concentration in secondary education to become a high school teacher. During school, I held multiple jobs. I was a server at Brigs, a breakfast restaurant, for maybe six months--it was really hard work and gave me a huge appreciation for anyone in the service industry. I also worked in the gym on NC State’s campus at the member services desk where I sold memberships, a job I had for two-and-a half years. Q. What was your best quality as a college student? A. I think it was my work ethic. I enjoy learning, and still consider myself a lifelong learner. I worked hard in my courses to achieve excellence, and graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors. I also worked hard in my job at the gym to provide quality customer service to members, with the goal of moving up to a supervisor role if one became available. When I work, I do so with ex- cellence and give my full effort to complete a job. This was true in my college years as well. Q. What to you was the hardMay 17, 2024 North Carolina Wesleyan University, Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804 3 CAMPUS LIFE PACKER From pg 1 Q. If you were university president for a day, what one change would you like to make at Wesleyan? A. This is an interesting question. I think the main change I would make is to put more emphasis on the arts at the university--not just music, but also dance and visual arts as well. We should reach out to the local schools and include them and spread the word that Wesleyan has these events for you to enjoy. I’ve heard too many times that people didn’t know that Wesleyan had a band! And imagine the positive press that would come if Wesleyan art students created a mural somewhere in Rocky Mount? The arts would open up many more opportunities and community outreach for Wesleyan. And it would come with minimal stress because the students and staff would enjoy doing it! Q. What are your plans for graduation day, during and after the ceremony? A. Very simple. I want to experience my first traditional graduation, try not to fall on stage, and afterwards, enjoy and celebrate with my family, as well as friends that I either met along the way or have known from grade school. I told my family and friends that they will be able to spot me due to a Green Bay Packers flag waving in the air. #Green Bay All the Way. Q. And what are you planning to do in the first year after graduation; and what are your long-term plans? A. During the first year, I plan to enjoy being a college graduate and begin to prepare for physician’s as- sistant school, which is the gateway to the long-term plan of being a PA. I need to earn contact hours, do some general mental preparation, and get BLS (basic life support) and CPR certifications. As far as everything else, I still plan on assisting the Nash Central High School marching band and their percussion section. And I would not mind coming back to Wesleyan and helping grow the band and spirit program. #BigBishopEnergy! Wesleyan Profile: New Student Advisor Sarah Pierce Drs. Jason Buel (left) and Shane Thompson have secured a two-year $60,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to fund the university’s new digital humanities lab. The money will help support interdisciplinary research and educational opportunities for Wesleyan students. According to Dr. Thompson, an initial project will focus on place-based learning and history around stock-car racing in North Carolina. Photo courtesy S. Thompson Sarah Pierce is the newest staff member of the Student Success Center. Photo courtesy of S. Pierce Sarah Pierce has joined the Student Success Center as an advisor for internationals and other new students. A Garner native and NC State grad, she previously taught in Wake County schools before making the jump to higher education in early 2024. She was interviewed over email in April for this profile: Q. Describe your hometown. A. Garner, North Carolina felt like a relatively small town when I was growing up despite being very close to Raleigh. There was one high school in the town, and as the youngest of four children in my family, I always felt like everyone knew everyone. It was rare for either of my parents to spend less than an hour at the grocery store; they were always running into people they knew and catching up on things. We honestly had the best of both worlds, because we got the benefits of a small town--such as a huge homecoming week, a local diner, and family-owned busi- nesses--along with the advantages of being a suburb of Raleigh with more shopping, chain stores and restaurants, and other opportuni- ties. I love where I grew up, and even though it has changed a lot over the years, I’m still thankful for the small-town charm amidst the growth and expansion. Q. Tell us about your family. A. My oldest sister is a middle school teacher (bless her), and my middle sister and brother are twins. My brother lives in the Outer Banks (yes, we’re all jealous) and has a remote job working for a marketing company. My middle sister is the mother of three adorable children and works for a golf simulation company in Garner. My mom has the joy of watching the babies throughout the week, and she absolutely loves it. My dad passed away three years ago, but he still holds a huge place in our family and in our memory. Q. Describe a favorite childhood memory. A. In Garner, we rarely had snow (I’m sure that’s similar to Rocky Mount, but I know there were plenty of times when we wouldn’t get accumulations and further east would get a few inches of snow). If it did arrive, it was typically a dusting--maybe an inch if we were lucky--and it turned to slush as the day warmed up. There were a few years that I was pretty young, though, when we had huge snowstorms that had us out of school for almost a week. I love snow, so those were some of my favorite times as a kid. We were outside most of the day building snowmen, having snowball fights with the neighborhood kids, and sledding down the only good hill in our neighbor’s yard. One year, my dad made an incredible sled run along the side of our house. He spent the night before wetting it with the hose and packing it down so that it would ice over. The next morning, it was slick, and the perfect path for some great sledding. All the neighborhood kids came and took turns, and it was such a fun time. Q. Tell us about playing sports as a youth. A. In my family, everyone is pretty athletic. I was on a est part of college and how did you deal with it? What was your biggest struggle? A. My most difficult time was my freshman year. I really struggled being away from home and didn’t make much effort to get involved on campus or make friends. This ultimately led me to leave school after one semester, and since I didn’t go through the transfer process, I lost my scholarships and honors. If I could give advice to new freshmen, it would be to get involved, find a place to belong, and do things you love--that’s how you find people with similar interests and make friends. That sense of belonging is so important as students learn independence and find their place in a new environment. Q. Talk about your first job, in teaching? A. I worked for 4.5 years in Wake County as a high school English teacher. My first year was cut short by Covid-19, and I ended up leaving my first school and finding my place at Athens Drive Magnet High School, where I felt well supported. I taught ninth and tenth grade English, from honors students in our STEM program to English learners and emerging readers. My favorite part was building a love for reading among my students, and I enjoyed introducing students to new authors. It’s the best feeling when you can help a student who never liked reading to find a book they really love. Q. What prompted the change in career and what did you find attractive about the Wesleyan job? A. I began looking for a new job after moving to the Rocky Mount area last August. I was still teaching in Raleigh, and the hour-long commute each way was draining. I coached volleyball for the last three years, and added swim coach to my plate in November. Those additional after-school time commitments created an urgency for me to seek employment closer to where I lived. I found the Wesleyan job; I was ready to make the jump into higher ed, and was excited to still have an opportunity to interact with students on a daily basis. I felt like this position would allow me to keep many of the aspects of teaching that I love while giving me a chance to grow in other areas of my professional journey. Q. Describe your main duties at NCWU. A. At NCWU, I’m an academic advisor to international fresh- men as well as transfer students that came to our school for the first time this spring. I’m shared between the Student Success Center and the International Student Services Office, so I have a diverse range of duties. For SSC, I’m the supervisor of our tutoring services at the university. I hire, train, oversee, and supervise our tutors, as well as connect students with a tutor when one is requested. I’m also slowly transitioning into the role of Orientation Committee chair, and I’ve been working with our committee to plan for our summer WesWay orientation days and our WesWay Weekend in August. I have also revamped our online orientation, WES 101. As an academic advisor for 50, I’ve been very busy with helping students register for fall classes, teaching College 103 to 18 advisees, and moni- toring grades and early alerts. For my international students, I’ve helped them maintain their F-1 visa status. I’m responsible for creating new I-20s for all of our incoming freshmen; this involves communicating with those students about their intention to study here at NCWU. Besides these du- ties, I help with administrative tasks, attend campus functions, and make myself available in the office to address all other student needs. Q. How will your teaching experience help you in your new position? A. In the three months I’ve been here, I’ve noticed that many of the skills I learned while teaching have transferred to this position. Planning, problem solving, and working efficiently are some of the main transferrable skills that have served me here. As a teacher, I was constantly looking at the bigger picture of how things relate to each other to ensure that each day’s lesson fits into the bigger goals of what I wanted my students to learn. I use those same skills of planning and coordinating in this job. I’m always thinking about how to structure my time to balance all of my duties and planning for the year ahead in my course and with our orientations. I’ve also come up with solutions for how best to share information with our students, revamping our WES 101 orientation course and using social media to promote our tutoring services. Q. Turning to life outside of work, what do you like to do in your free time? A. I’m a big reader, and I love lots of different genres of books. Sitting on the porch swing and reading is my favorite sunny-day activity. I also love walking my pup, Norah Jones. She loves exercise and enjoys playing fetch the most. My favorite thing is to make time to see my nieces and nephew, and if I can make the trip to Benson, then I love to go spend time with them! Q. What are your favorites from the following list: FOOD: My mom makes the best ritzy chicken, and I love mac & cheese. BOOKS: Romance and fantasy are my favorite genres. TV SHOWS: “The Office,” “New Girl,” “Gilmore Girls.” MOVIES: “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “Remember the Titans,” “Tangled.” SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram. MUSICAL ARTISTS: Major Swiftie over here! I like many artists and genres, but I’m a huge Taylor Swift fan. TEAMS: Go Pack! THE TEAM YOU HATE THE MOST: I don’t watch enough sports to hate a team, but I guess UNC. Q. What percent of people leave the “h” off your first name? A. I’d say it 50/50, but most people ask if I have an “h” on the end, which is definitely the correct way to spell Sarah.

4 North Carolina Wesleyan University, Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804 SPORTS MEMORIES May 17, 2024 Three Stories of the ‘Beautiful Game’ Goalkeeper Recounts Heartbreaking Loss in ‘Revenge’ Match By Rafael Farina Decree Staff Writer Bishop goalkeeper Rafael Farina. Photo courtesy of R. Farina A year after we were eliminated from the playoffs, our entire team was looking for revenge against Brevard. But first we needed to beat William Peace in the USA South semi-finals. It was a tough match. We opened the scoring on a goal by Leho LeLouran and then extended our lead with two second-half goals (by Justo Esponda and Osei Darko). We played at a high level, controlling the ball for most of the match, and I was able to shut out Peace, until the 83rd minute, when it scored off a nice crossing pass. Afterward it was a joyful celebration in the locker room as we knew that we would play in the conference title game two days later, on November 4. That night the other semifinal was played between Methodist and Brevard, a team that was seeking to defend its title. In that game Brevard managed to beat Methodist 4-2, which meant that we would play the grand finale at home. For both teams, the fi- nal would be a special match, because Brevard had eliminated us in the 2022 season in the semifinals and we had beaten them in the regular season, 6-0, with the Bishops dominant in all aspects of the match. When the day arrived, I followed my usual routine. I woke up at 9:30 a.m. to drink mate with my friends and watch a Premier League match. At 11 we headed to the cafeteria for breakfast and then started to prepare for the game we had to play in a few hours. At one point I phoned my brother, Bruno, to talk for a while. He was at my home in Uruguay. “I really want to play the game. I feel motivated,” I told him. I gave him more details about the match, and he said that he planned to watch on YouTube. After finishing the call with my brother, I headed to the locker room to hang out with my teammates and continue our preparations. With an hour and a half left before the start of the game, Coach Bowman entered the locker room to announce the starting lineup and give us last-minute reminders. “Guys, focus on the corner kicks,” he said, “They’re great at playing the corner kicks.” With an hour left, we went to the field for warmups. The team’s starting goalkeeper, I became 100 percent focused on the game Then Cooper Hall, the goalkeeper coach, approached me. “How do you feel?” he asked. “Very good, very prepared.” After doing the specific warm-up for goalkeepers, I went to sit on the bench and put on my game jersey. Once all my teammates finished the warm-up, we formed a circle, all of us hugging like we always do before each match. Coach Bowman said a few words and then the captain Carson Evans said, “Family on three. One, two, three family!” Just before the opening of the match, I huddled with my defenders and reminded them to stay focused and watch for their dangerous forward. “Come on, it’s today,” a defender said. “Concentrate.” “Don’t doubt what you do,” I said. In the first minutes of the match, our passes were imprecise, but soon we began to dominate play, forcing our rival to retreat to their end the field while we maintained possession of the ball. When Brevard had the ball in our end, I was communicating well with my defense. “Silas, behind you,” I shouted at one point to one of my defenders. He moved back and covered that part of the field. “Dann, be careful with that forward. He moves a lot.” I said to a second defender. “I have it under control,” he answered me. “Lucas, watch your back,” he yelled to a teammate. “I’ll take it,” Lucas said, moving in that direction. At minute 13, we managed to put together a scoring play as our leading scorer, Bastien, shot from outside the box, sending a ball off the post and into the goal. I celebrated but only for a moment. At minute 17 Brevard had a corner kick. I knew I had to be very focused because it was one of their team’s strengths. Before the play, I organized the positions of my teammates in front of me. Brevard ran its play, but I was screened on the shot and the game was now tied, 1-1. For the rest of the half, we tried to maintain control of the ball and regain our confidence. But its goal gave Brevard some momentum. I had a close call just before halftime, as a Brevard forward was set up in front of the goal. He drilled a shot, I dove to deflect the shot, only to miss it and watch as it struck the cross bar. It was still 1-1 at the half. In the locker room, I sensed that my teammates were tired and angry because we had lost control of the game. At the same time we were motivated to regain the advantage. During the break the coaches decided not to change the lineup but made some tactical adjustments to improve our game. Starting the second half, I was confident. If we played our game, we could generate goal situations. Early in the second half, a Wesleyan defender sent a long pass to our left wing back. He was one-on-one with a Brevard defender, but shot just wide of the goal. We launched several other plays like that one, but none resulted in a goal. From my perspective, the second half was one of the calmest I had all season. I needed to make only one save. In the 90th minute, the referee’s whistle was heard indicating that the second half was ending. We would need to play extra time. Before the start of the first 15 minutes, all our players got together in a huddle. “Come on, fellas,” Carson said. “Let’s win this for ourselves and the fans who came to watch us.” Starting the first extra period, we had some more opportunities. In one, a midfielder slipped a pass to one of our forwards so that he was one-onone with the rival goalkeeper. But he got off a soft shot, which the keeper was able to stop. At that moment I knew that we had missed one of the clearest opportunities to win it, though I realized we were already tired, and it was more difficult to score goals at that point in the match. In the 103rd minute, Brevard’s number 3 elbowed one of my teammates in the face, so the referee decided to send him off the field, giving the other team one less man for the remainder of the game. At that moment, shouts began to be heard from the stands encouraging us that we could win and that it was an incredible opportunity. But despite our man-advantage, our opponent played tough defense and prevented us from generating scoring chances through the second OT period. There was one scoring opportunity in the last minute, but midfielder Tomasso Illario shot it over the crossbar. When I heard the final whistle, I knew we were going to penalty kicks, a place where the opposing team feels very comfortable, but in my head, I knew we could win. When the time came to choose the kickers, the coach announced the names: “The five kickers will be, Leho, Tiago, Pierre, Tomy and Carson.” Carson tried to motivate the team. “Come on, fellas, let’s win this,” he said. At that moment several teammates came to hug me and give me their support for the penalty kicks. They knew that I was coming to penalties at a good time because of success I had had earlier in the season. “Come on, friend,” a forward said to me. “I’m very confident that we will win this.” “Yes, me too,” I said. “It’s time.” We scored on our first five penalty kicks, Brevard did on its first four. It came down to their fifth kicker. I was calm, knowing that if I saved it, we would be the winners. I had decided to take a step to one side and then go to the other. When I saw that the ball came in soft to my left side, in my head I thought “if I arrive, if I arrive.” I managed to touch the shot, but it ended up going into the goal. Coming to the seventh round, our winger crossed the kick and the Brevard goalkeeper managed to save the shot, so if they scored next kick, they were the champions. Their last kicker decided to cross the shot, a move I expected. I dove in that direction but I was a second slower. The ball hit the back of the net and at that moment Brevard was the champions of the conference. After that penalty, I lay on the ground for a long time. We had lost even though we had been much better than them throughout the match. As I looked around the field, I saw that my teammates shared my disbelief. We had come so close to winning. In the locker room, there were many sad faces. Though we were very disappointed with the result, we knew that we had done everything to win. We would need to wait until next year to get our revenge. The Day in Buenos Aires That the Boys Learned to Share By Valentina Rabino Decree Staff Writer The sun was bright as it was the middle of January. In a schoolyard of Argentina, you could hear laughs coming from every direction. One group of boys and girls, all 13-years-old, was gathered on the soccer field. Our uniform was based on an orange t-shirt and jeans, which showed mud and grass stains born from a game in the previous recess. The boys had been playing soccer together for years; they were competitive and energetic, marking the field as their own at recess. As they scored goals, their joyful yells resonated throughout the field. They moved with assurance and kicked the ball efficiently between them. The girls, meanwhile, were observing from the sidelines, waiting impatiently for their chance to participate in the game. It was clear from the start that the boys were not going to involve the girls in their play. Manuela, one of the girls on the sidelines, was not able to hide her frustration. She was ready to play and prove to the boys that she and the other girls could compete on the field with them. Determined to make a change, she approached Mr. Rodriguez, our teacher, with a bold request. “Mr. Rodriguez, can’t we play too?” There was a hint of annoyance in her voice. Mr. Rodrigez realized that action was necessary after noticing the imbalance on the field. He nodded firmly and entered the field, signaling a stop to play. “Boys, let’s make a change,” Mr. Rodriguez announced. “From now on, the ball must pass through at least one of the girls before a goal can be scored.” The boys protested loudly, unwilling to give up control of the game. But Mr. Rodrigez did not back down. With the new rule in effect, the girls jumped at the chance to show off their abilities as the game resumed. After Maria successfully stopped Juan’s pass and kicked past him, she perfectly crossed the ball to Sofia, her teammate. Sofia scored the first goal for the girls with a quick kick that sent the ball flying into the net. The boys soon discovered that their presumptions regarding the girls’ skill levels were incorrect. With perseverance and skill, the girls were able to match the boys’ moves and occasionally even outplay them. Among the boys, Martín was an outstanding player, with lightning-fast reflexes and precise footwork that made him an effective competitor on the field. Manuela differentiated herself among the girls with her quickness and agility, and as she observed the boys playing, her determination was visible. Throughout the match, Martín led the attack, carefully navigating the defense of his opponent with a variety of impressive moves. He created a perfect scoring opportunity by throwing a quick pass to his teammate Pablo, who then sent the ball flying past the goalkeeper and into the net. “¡Golazo!” the boys exclaimed, their voices heard throughout the field as they reveled in their win. Soon after that, Manuela used her quick reflexes to intercept a pass with a flick of her foot. She ran toward the goal with the ball at her feet, her heart beating with anticipation as she got ready to shoot. Her teammates’ voices encouraged her on as she got closer to the goal, “Come on, Manuela, you got this!” Manuela delivered a strong kick that sent the ball flying toward the goalkeeper and into the back of the net, accomplishing her goal. With an increase of excitement in their voices, the crowd let out a cheer in celebration of Manuela’s amazing goal. The boys’ and girls’ competitive spirit motivated them to new levels of performance as the game continued, as each minute they demonstrated their skills. Their enjoyment and competitiveness were evident in every play they made. Though some of the boys objected at first, Mr. Rodriquez’s new rule quickly became the new standard. The boys learned the importance of inclusivity and teamwork as they adapted to this shift, understanding that by collaborating with the girls, they could succeed even more on the field. And with their shared appreciation of soccer strengthening their bond, Martín and Manuela exchanged smiles of respect as the final whistle blew, marking the end of the game. Their friendship had a profound effect that went well beyond the soccer field. And the girls were never excluded see SHARE pg 8 Playing a Memorable Match: S.S Lazio vs FC Juventus By Simone Iubei Decree Staff Writer When I was in Rome, being able to play football for SS Lazio’s Under 18 team was always a dream come true, especially if you were only 17 years old. I can still clearly recall one particular matchup with Juventus. In that game, I played left back and I felt like everything fell into place. Leading up to the match, we could feel the enthusiasm building in our squad. Juventus was a formidable opponent known for their strong defense and swift counterattacks. As the game drew nearer, our coach meticulously modified our strategy and plan, intensifying our training sessions. I was determined to make a lasting impression on the field, especially as a left back, a position I had been practicing nonstop. On the day of the game, both teams had a lot of energy and deter- mination, which was evident in their excitement. As soon as I stepped onto the field, a serene focus envel- oped me in its embrace, like a gentle wind. With each deep breath I took, my lungs were filled with the scent of freshly cut grass. The stadium appeared to me like a massive green canvas, filled with the vibrant hues of the enthusiastic spectators. During that quiet time, my senses were more keen, aware of everything around me. The crowd’s buzzing became a familiar rhythm, and the steady beat of my own heart urged me onward. But behind this serenity, adrenaline flowed through my veins, energizing every cell in my body. My muscles were ready, tense with expectancy. I felt as though a deepseated instinct had awakened within me, urging me to relish the excitement of rivalry. As I looked around the field, the boundaries between possibility and reality seemed to blur. Time slowed to a crawl and moments stretched out in front of me, but they went by far too soon. In that moment of suspension, I felt light and connected, as if I were going to witness something extraordinary. I took a deep breath, acknowledged the paradoxical nature of the experience, and revealed the calm and adrenaline that were coursing through my body at the same time. The referee’s whistle shattered the atmosphere, and I stepped forward, eager to start the game. As soon as the whistle sounded again, to signal the start of the game, I was absorbed in the intensity of the occasion. Juventus got out to a fast start, advancing with skillful passes and rapid movements. But our defense held firm, taking the strikes and launching well-planned counterattacks. As a left back, my role was to play both defense and assist the attack down the flank. Throughout the game, I put up a strong battle against Juventus’ right winger, neutralizing his threat with my agility, dexterity, and tactical awareness. In order to halt Juventus’ advances, I played a resolute defense and forced crucial tackles and interceptions. I seized every opportunity to advance offensively, putting precise crosses into the box and connecting with teammates to create scoring opportunities. During games I always talk with my teammates who play in the defensive line with me. Against Juventus I started giving advice about defensive positions. “When their midfielder covers the ball, push a bit to gain some space and push them back,” I told one teammate. “We have to do it all together,” he replied. “If not, the midfielder will pass the ball and we risk conceding a clear goal chance.” As the match progressed, it became evident that a stroke of brilliance would be required to break the tie. The second half contained the crucial event. After a swift counterattack by our midfield, I managed to get the ball wide to my left flank. With a determined gait, I charged on, skillfully sidestepping the opposition’s challenges. As soon as I reached the edge of the penalty area, I took a strong shot at the far post. The ball slid under the goalie’s outstretched arms and tucked itself into the back of the net with perfect precision. My teammates cheered wildly as the stadium erupted in loud acclaim. “Simo, you got it!” a teammate said to me, adding. “Don’t take it easy now. Play like we are 0-0.” See MATCH pg 5

North Carolina Wesleyan University, Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804 SPORTS May 17, 2024 5 MATCH from pg 4 “Let’s score another goal,” I said, “We can win this game.” At that point, everything seemed to be falling into place. This one amazing moment seemed to be the culmination of all the training hours, innumerable drills, and persistent dedication. It was a new kind of excitement for me to score a goal and make such a vital contribution to the team’s win. But there wasn’t time to enjoy the grandeur of the occasion. After we took the lead. Juventus started a relentless attack in pursuit of an equalizer, determined to fight their way back into the game. My goal gave our defense impetus, and we used it to resist wave after wave of attackers with unrelenting tenacity. Our determination was pushed to the ultimate test as the minutes passed, each one seeming to take an eternity. We battled to hold onto our hardearned advantage and refused to give up. It proved the strength of our group and the unbreakable tie that bound us together in our pursuit of success. Playing against Juventus was a huge moment for me in my football journey. It wasn’t just any game; it was a chance to show what I could do. When I stepped onto the field as a left back, I was so passionate about making a mark in the game and leaving a lasting impression. Every time I made a move, whether it was a tackle or a pass, I put all my energy into it. That day we worked so well together as a team. Every time one of us made a play, it was like we were all doing it together. When the game ended and we won, it felt amazing. The crowd was cheering, and I felt grateful for the journey that led me to this point. Looking back on that day, I feel even more determined to keep chasing my dreams. Playing against Juventus wasn’t just a game; it showed me how powerful believing in yourself can be. Bishop Sports Briefs: Baseball Goes Back-to-Back, Sprinters Excel Wesleyan earned its second straight USA South baseball title, sweeping second-seeded Brevard at Bauer Field May 10-11. Game one saw Bishop ace Cord Butler build on his dream season, as he scattered five hits over seven innings for his 11th straight victory. Dylan Cheeley shut down Brevard in the last two innings, yielding just one hit and recording four strikeouts in a non-save situation. In 2023, as a spot starter and reliever, Butler was 3-3 with an ERA of 4.91. A year later he’s been unbeatable, with 105 strikeouts and an ERA of 2.68 in a team-high 84 innings of work. Head Coach Greg Clifton cited Butler’s positive attitude and strong work ethic as instrumental in his improvement. “He’s really attacked batters this year,” he said. The next afternoon Wesleyan clinched the title with an offensive explosion. The Bishops pounded Brevard pitching for 16 hits--nine for extra bases--to win 17-2 in seven innings. Chandler Padgett earned the win, limiting Brevard to five hits in a complete-game effort. Five Bishops hit homeruns, and Tyson Bass hit homers in both games of the series, continuing his landmark season at the plate. He now has 20 homeruns, tied with Steve Durelli who set the Wesleyan program record in 1985. Bass ranks first in the USA South in RBIs (56) and runs scored (63), second in hits (68) and triples (4), and fourth in walks (33). His 20 homers are 11 more than any other player in the USA South. “Tyson’s always been good,” Clifton said. “He’s just been swinging at better pitches than he has in the past.” Clifton remarked that consis- tency in all facets of the game will be the key for the Bishops to advance to the World Series. Softball Future Looks Bright Greensboro’s Lauren Engel stymied NC Wesleyan on five hits to win her 15th game and end the Bishops season in the USA South tournament. “Lauren is a great pitcher,” said Wesleyan’s Morgan Aycock. “She really mixes her pitchers well, so the batters have no idea what’s coming next.” Wesleyan finished 11-7 in regular-season conference action (22-19 overall). Playing in the first round of the tourney, the Bishops defeated Methodist, 6-4. Lillie Baumbach drove in two runs with a double, while Aycock picked up the win by limiting the Monarchs to two hits and no runs in 3 2/3 innings of relief. The Bishops were eliminated from the tourney with consecu- tive losses to Meredith (2-1) and then Greensboro. Aycock led the team in 2024 with nine wins and an earned run average of 2.84. A sophomore, she said after that season that she was gratified with her improvement over 2023. “Overall I felt more in control and comfortable with a year under my belt,” she said, adding that she began to fill a leadership role on the team. “I tried to use that to uplift the rest of the girls.” Asked to identify a highlight from the 2024 season, Aycock pointed to the team’s 1-0 win on April 2 over Pfeiffer, which was undefeated and ranked #18 in the nation at the time. NCWU’s Emily Humphrey got the win with a four-hitter. “She pitched an incredible complete game shutout,” Aycock said. In 2025, Aycock said one of her personal goals is to limit the number of walks she issues. She feels confident about the team’s prospects, noting that many of the Bishops’ sluggers will be returning. That group includes outfielder Skyler Walker, (A USA South-best nine triples, a team-leading .401 BA), Makayla Simmons (.375 BA, a team-leading five homers, a conference-leading 45 RBIs), as well as Humphrey (.304 batting average and 8-7 in the circle). Men’s Tennis Extends Streak The men’s and women’s tennis teams each claimed a conference title in late April. Winning the championship for 15th straight year, the NCWU men were dominant in all six regular-season confer- ence matchups, taking 53 of 54 individual matches in singles and doubles. After earning a bye in the first round of the conference tourney, Wesleyn shut out Brevard and Pfeiffer in the next two rounds. The title earned the Bishops an invitation to the NCAA regionals and a trip to eastern Pennsylvania. In the first round, the team dispatched Houghton, 5-0, before it faced the host, Swarthmore, a team- -then ranked 13th in the nation--that had defeated Wesleyan, 5-4, in nonconference action on March 24. Seeking to avenge the earlier loss and move to the next round, the Bishops managed to win only one of the opening three doubles matches, giving the momentum to Swarthmore. The Bishops’ John Falke and Logan Stoltz took the #2 doubles by a score of 8-4. Swarthmore then won three of the next four completed singles matches to clinch the overall match, 5-2. “When we went down 2-1 after doubles, it just stripped away a lot of our belief,” said Wesleyan’s Albert Sitwell. “From that point, we just wondered how much longer we could stay on the court with them. It was a pretty grim feeling after so much training going into the tournament.” Sitwell noted that the atmosphere was much more intense than it was in Wesleyan’s prior visit to the Swarthmore tennis complex. “What impressed me was how much they wanted to win the match,” he said. “From the number of cheering supporters in the stands, to the constant fight from the players, it seemed like Swarthmore needed to win.” Facing many nationally ranked teams in non-conference action, the Bishops finished the year with a 17-9 overall record. Sitwell said one of the highlights was traveling to Fredericksburg, Va. and beating Mary Washington (then ranked 19th) by a score of 7-2. Like the men, Wesleyan’s women’s team was unbeatable in USA South Conference action, compiling a perfect 8-0 record during the regular season and then vanquishing three opponents in the conference tourney. Playing Southern Virginia in the finals, the Bishops swept all three doubles matches and then clinched the title with wins by C. Mendoza Romero at #2 singles and Ivanna Torres at #5. The women’s team then played host in the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament. It shut out the University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg, 5-0, in round one and then fell in the second round to Emory, 5-0. Sprinters Take Gold Freshmen printers Kamiyah Wooten and Ti’asia Bryant won three individual events at the USA South Conference track and field championships held April 26-27 at Methodist University in Fayetteville. Bryant edged her teammate in the 100-meter finals with a time of 12:09 seconds, while Wooten placed first in the 200-meter (24:44) and 400-meter (57:90) races. Wesleyan’s Christian Van Noden shone for Wesleyan in the field events, claiming a firstplace finish in the shot put (40 feet, one-half inch) and 10th in the discus (86 feet, 4 inches). Southern Virigina won the team title. Golf Places 3rd Methodist remained the pre-eminent team in USA South golf, placing all five of its players in the top seven and winning the overall conference championship by 67 strokes. The team recorded a cumula- tive score of 18 under par on the 6,781-yard Carolina Country Club in Spartanburg, South Carolina on April 22-24. Wesleyan battled Greensboro for second place, with the Pride edging the Bishops by two strokes (+49 to +51). During each round of the three-day tourney, team scores were calculated by taking the four lowest individual rounds of each squad. The Bishops were paced by junior Myles Patterson, who shot a first-round total of 78 (6 over), followed by rounds of 73 and 76 to place 11th. Like Patterson, his four Bishop teammates finished in the middle of the pack: Mason Fischer (15th, +12), Alvaro Toro (16th, +15), Lucas Perez (18th, +19) and Matt Coltren (19th, +24). Fischer shot Wesleyan’s low round of the tourney, an evenpar 72, on day three. Sports Profile: First-Year Lacrosse Coach Liz Wilson Elizabeth “Liz” Wilson just completed her first year as head coach of the NC Wesleyan lacrosse team, becoming the seventh coach in the program’s history. A Raleigh native, Wilson won three state titles as a member of the Cardinal Gibbons High School lacrosse team. She was named NC Girls Lacrosse Player of the Year in 2017. She then began her collegiate career at the University of Richmond before she transferred to ECU, where she was a starter for three years. While playing for the Pirates, Wilson was twice named to the AAC All-Academic team. The Decree interviewed Wilson following a 2024 season that saw the Bishops go winless in 14 matches. Q. Tell us about your family. A. My mother and father graduated from ECU and both work as State Farm agents. I have an older sister, Faith, who played soccer at Wingate and earned a nursing degree from Watts College of Nursing and worked at Duke Hospital in oncology. She has three daughters, all under 6 years old (I love my nieces!!). My twin brother, Evan, has a degree from UNC-Wilmington in information technology/cyber security. A fun fact: My grandpa was a Methodist preacher in Rocky Mount (the church is about five minutes from our campus) as well as a few other towns in Eastern NC. Q. When did you first become interested in sports and lacrosse in particular. A. I played competitive travel soccer at a young age. My mom was concerned about the potential burnout of playing just one sport, so she signed me up for lacrosse through the city of Raleigh Parks and Rec. I “agreed” to give it a try, even though I wasn’t thrilled with the idea. At my first practice, I had a boys’ lacrosse stick. I wasn’t aware of the major differences between the boys’ and girls’ versions of the game. It was obvious that I was out of my element. Needless to say, I didn’t have a great time. When I got in the car with my mom, I expressed my desire to quit. She responded with “Nope. If you start something, you finish it.” Looking back, I’m so appreciative for that lesson. Despite the rocky start, lacrosse quickly became a huge part of my life. It allowed me to form incredible friendships, learn quite a few difficult life lessons, and even earn my master’s degree (an MBA at ECU). Now, I’m grateful to be building a career around a sport that I love so much. Q. What position did you play? A. I was a midfielder until about halfway through high school. Then I had to undergo a couple of hip surgeries, which led me to become an attacker. It turned out to be the right path for me as a player; I loved the strategy of offense. Q. Tell us a personal highlight from your lacrosse career at ECU. A. Being part of a brand-new program is an experience like no other. It wasn’t easy, especially for the first couple of seasons, but we experienced major progress from year to year. This stemmed from our incredible coaching staff. Every player knew that she had a vital role in our success. Q. Describe the best coach you had in your playing career, whether as a youth or in high school or college. A. I can’t overstate the impact of a coach like Mandy Moore (ECU). Transferring to ECU was a major turning point in my relationship with this sport. Coach Mandy had the ability to help me rediscover my passion for lacrosse. From our first conversation, it was evident that she was different. She wasn’t just focused on wins and losses; she was building a program rooted in strong relationships that also shared the goal of winning championships. She expected excellence in every aspect of our lives—athletics, academics, and our personal lives. And while she held us to high standards, it was always clear that she cared about us as individuals, not just as athletes. Coach Mandy’s influence extended far beyond my playing days. It was her example that inspired me to pursue a career in coaching. Q. How would you describe your style? A. My coaching style also is based on relationships and putting the person before the athlete. It’s crucial to form relationships and gain mutual trust and respect between players and coaches; that’s the way to build a program. Getting to know my players allows me to help them become the best student-athlete and human being that they can be. Q. Your team has struggled to get wins. What have you liked most about their play so far? A. We did struggle to get wins this year. If you’re just looking at our record, it’s impossible to see the growth and potential of our players and this program. I’m so proud of this team for how they played. Our team slogan was “Hustle, Grit, Never Quit,” and that’s how we played until the last second of the final game. Q. What areas do you and the coaching staff most want to address next year? A. Roster size and retention. I think we’ll find success by increasing our roster size and retaining student-athletes throughout the years. A key will be to maintain a consistent coaching staff. Coach Kait (Pericak) and I are passionate about this program and our players. We’re very excited to continue to build this awesome team culture! Q. As I’m sure you’re aware, Wesleyan lacrosse has gone through three incarnations--and many coaching changes--in the last 20 years. One issue has been recruitment. Two-part question: 1. How is North Carolina as far as lacrosse? A. I grew up playing in North Carolina when there were only two travel teams– one in Charlotte and one in the Raleigh-Durham area. The sport has grown so much since that time—the state is an underrated area for recruiting and I’m excited to bring in local talent. Q. Where, beyond North Carolina, do you plan to recruit? see COACH pg 8 Despite a losing record, new head coach Liz Wilson saw significant growth in her team. Photo by C. Lewis

6 North Carolina Wesleyan University, Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804 CREATIVE WRITING May 17, 2024 Student Fiction by Layali Kasem: The Pride of Lions Brave men knew that true vic- tory was in true death. As Laith glanced around the ravaged graveyard, no less a pile of rubble than the rest of the ruined strip, he found no tombstones or markers to com- memorate the presence of the dead. But he found no absence of bravery in the heaps of un- covered bones that peeked out from the dry soil. The stench of death clung to the air like a rotting fungus. The soldiers had cleared out ages ago. And then the airstrikes had finished desecrating the dead and adding to the growing pile of bones. Laith had been sitting amidst the rubble when the bombard- ment began, aimlessly seeking out the bodies of his mother and older brother. He had very nearly been swept into a dream- less sleep alongside them. But Laith knew his test of courage had not yet been concluded. The results remained elusive. And within that elusiveness, that uncertainty of how he might die, was the source of his pride and the root of his fear. But brave men conquered fear. “Laith?” Laith paused from where he was sifting his hands through the rocks and human remains. When he tilted his head back, he found a small, scrawny boy with wicked swatches of brown and red running down his right arm. The young boy’s dark hair was dusty and disheveled, not having seen a comb for weeks, and there was a cut above one of his wide, onyx eyes. The sight filled Laith with over- whelming shame. “I told you to stay back at the camp, Haytham.” The boy blinked at him, running a hand down his burnt arm. “Did you find Mama?” “No.” “Did you find Assad?” “…No.” Haytham turned silent. There was something swimming in his eyes, but he refused to let the streams of salt flow. The commodity was precious enough nowadays that someone might snatch it from his cheeks. Laith pulled himself to his feet, dusting off his torn jeans. “Come on. Let’s go back. They’ll be giving out the food now. Did you bring a pot?” It wasn’t a real question. There was nowhere for Hay- tham to hide a pot on his tiny body. His ribs practically poked out from beneath his raggedy dark blue sweater. Another thorn of shame pricked at Laith. Brave men didn’t let their little brothers starve. Laith glanced around the graveyard, eyeing the debris, looking for a flash of silver amidst the dirt. Tucked in front of a mound of fragmented shingles, something glimmered beneath the grains of dirt and human remains. Laith marched toward the spot, dropping to his knees, brushing his hands through the dirt and yanking the tiny soup bowl from beneath the rubble. Just as he finished wiping the inside of the bowl, taking a moment to admire the sheen, Laith’s gaze caught on a stubble of fabric planted in the dirt a few feet away. Haytham emerged behind Laith as he brushed the dust from the clutter of brown fur. “It looks like your old one.” The hideous teddy bear, miss- ing an eye and several buttons, looked nothing like the stuffed animal Haytham had been forced to leave behind. “Is it okay to take it? What if his family is looking for him?” Laith pressed the teddy bear into Haytham’s hands in answer. His skinny arms immediately wrapped around the mass of fur, betraying his hesitation. “We’re his family now,” Laith said. “Just you and me. Give him a name.” Haytham thought for a mo- ment. “Assad.” Something stabbed at Laith’s chest, but he quickly turned away from Haytham. “Let’s go,” he muttered, clutching the pot to his abdomen. As they picked their way through the graveyard and back to the camp, neither of them acknowledged the weight nor the reason for the silence. Nor the bloody stain in the center of the teddy bear’s chest; a scarlet hole ripped into its seams the same way the artillery had ripped itself through their older brother’s chest. And somewhere in the dis- tance, the air strikes continued to shower the Gaza Strip, new graves sprouting up like flowers on a clear spring day. ******** The line for food had all but dispersed by the time Laith and Haytham arrived. Workers were sealing away what was left of the rations, scraping the bottom of pans, trying to conserve every last morsel of food. “Go,” Laith pushed Haytham forward suddenly. Haytham glanced up at him, his arms still clutched around the teddy bear. “I’ll take him.” Laith reached for the bear, careful to avoid touching the burn on the outside of Haytham’s forearm as he slid the pot into Haytham’s hands. “You try to get us some food. They probably won’t be too nice to me.” Haytham eyed him for a moment before spinning around and starting toward the line. Laith watched him until he reached the closest table, extending the pot outward to one of the workers packing away the leftovers. The shame burned so intensely in that moment that Laith had to physically turn away, ducking his head and rushing to find their tent. The tiny blue mesh of nylon strips was riddled with creases and the slim flap that allowed entry and exit was pulled open. Laith sighed to himself, making a mental note to scold Haytham for leaving the flap open again. He stalked toward the tent, inclining his head as he stepped inside. In the span of a few seconds, he discovered the true reason for the unattended flap. “Laith! Welcome home! Oh, I see you made a new friend today.” Laith froze in the entryway taking in the tall, lanky boy lying against the lone pillow at the back of the tent. He was suddenly tempted to throw the teddy bear at the dark-haired teenager. At the last second, he decided against it, if only for Haytham’s sake. “What do you want, Faisal?” he muttered, picking his way toward his cousin. “Is that any way to greet a guest?” “I wish you were a guest,” Laith snorted, dropping onto the floor in front of him. “But you never seem to leave.” Faisal grinned, contorting the jagged scar that sliced through the edge of his mouth. And then his amber eyes narrowed, the grin faltering. “Where’s Haytham?” “Getting leftovers.” The grin slithered onto Faisal’s face once more. “Couldn’t face them after last week?” Laith hung his head in answer. “Listen—” “No.” Laith felt Faisal shift on the pillow without looking up. “You asked me to look into it and I did,” the older boy grumbled. “No.” Laith shook his head, drawing circles into the fur of the stuffed bear. “I knew you would look into it, anyway. So I asked you to let me know.” “And now you don’t want to hear what I’ve found?” Laith lifted his head, his hand dropping away from the mangy fur. His dark eyes met Faisal’s nar- rowed ones. “I can’t leave him.” “It goes one of two ways around here, Laith.” Faisal leaned forward, lifting two fingers in emphasis. “Either you leave him or he leaves you. At least this way, you can go out for something. For him, even.” A faint ruffling from behind interrupted the two cousins. Slow, padded footsteps sounded against the dirt floor, the smell of pinto beans filling the tent. “Hi, Faisal.” “Hi, Haytham. How are you?” “Good.” With the common courtesy out of the way, Haytham waddled forward, coming to a halt in front of Laith. When he held the pot out, Laith found the bottom of the tiny soup bowl barely cov- ered by a dozen or so beans. “That’s all they gave you?” Haytham nodded wordlessly. Faisal got to his feet in front of the two brothers. “They gave a family of four even less than that today. Between the two of you, it ain’t too bad.” And then he stepped forward, his hand falling atop Laith’s shoulder. “I should get going, but think on what I said. Especially, if you don’t find those rations good enough for the two of you.” The tent flapped closed behind him. Laith and Haytham sat in silence, the tiny bowl resting between them. Laith turned away from the bowl first, ignoring the way the smell of the beans made his mouth water. “Go ahead and eat,” he said. “I’m not hungry.” “Liar.” Haytham’s arms were wrapped around the teddy bear again, playing with the bloody hole in its chest. “Don’t touch that before you eat,” Laith scolded. Haytham gently set the bear down, and then carefully lifted his rounded eyes. Laith forced himself not to look away from the sight of the cut across his brow. “Are you going to eat with me?” “There’s not enough.” “The bottom is almost full.” Laith glanced back at the empty pot. The lather of beans scarcely covered the bottom. He reached out suddenly, scooping his fingers into the bowl and popping one of the beans into his mouth. Haytham’s eyes widened, a smile overtaking his features. Within moments, he was plowing through the pot as well. Every few seconds, Haytham’s gaze would lift toward Laith, his inquisitive stare making certain that Laith was eating, too. Laith continued scooping his hand into the bowl, drawing empty fingers up to his lips. He kept chewing on the single bean, giving the illusion of consuming more every time he drew his fingers away. Haytham grinned and ate. Laith watched him, his mind pondering on how well their rations suited a single person. Faisal’s words continued to replay in his head as he dragged his fingers to his lips again and again, his hunger diminishing with every movement, leaving only the insatiable thirst for pride roiling through his belly. ********* That night when Laith rested his head against the coarse pillow, he found himself with an empty stomach and a clear mind. The warm presence curled around his back against the dirt floor was simultaneously a cloak of comfort and a shackle of shame. “Laith?” Laith made an unintelligible noise, impressing his face further into the pillow. “Laith, are you sleeping?” Laith blew out a harsh exhale, giving up on trying to rest. “Not anymore.” “Oh,” Laith heard Haytham mumble against his back. And then he felt him lift one of his tiny hands higher around Laith’s waist, tightening his hold on the teddy bear resting between them. “I don’t like it when Faisal comes to visit.” Laith reared his head back slightly. “Why?” Haytham remained silent. Eventually, his breaths evened out, his hands growing slack around Laith, leaving him alone in silent confusion. Just as he was beginning to drift off, something crackled through the air, startling Laith awake. The dirt beneath the tent rumbled. Laith hunkered down, wait- ing for the noise to pass like he did every night, wondering if the airstrikes would finally land on the camp this time. The impatient restfulness was like an itch that couldn’t be scratched. Laith’s right hand slipped under the section of the pillow beneath his head, his fingers searching through the fabric for something to cool his anxiety. His thumb found the edge of the solid mass of metal and then he tugged the artifact out into the open. Laith cradled the dagger in his hands like Haytham cradled the stuffed animal at his back In the darkness, the silver dagger looked like a meat hook, with its deeply curved blade. But the beautifully engraved piece of architecture was too precious to mimic something so trivial. And the grandeur of the swirls of decorative calligraphy that coated the hilt was too ceremonious to be used for combat. Laith knew he should’ve grabbed a more practical knife when he’d fled his home, but the gleaming heirloom glued to the wall had called to him. Because brave men didn’t hang their bravery on walls. They carried it with them. They wielded it. “What does it say?” Laith jerked, nearly cut- ting his finger on the tip of the blade. “You’re awake?” Haytham’s pointed chin pressed into Laith’s shoulder. “I felt you moving. I thought you were leaving again.” Laith caressed the dull edge of the curved blade, flicking the dirt away. He tried to ignore the fact that it wasn’t the sound of the bombing that awoke his little brother. It was the thought of him leaving that had fright- ened him awake. “It says ‘victory requires sacrifice,’” Laith eventually replied, tracing the calligraphy. The bombardment continued from somewhere beyond the camp, the ground beneath them tremoring again. “Are we going to win?” Haytham whispered. Laith lowered the dagger, thinking of the ravaged graveyard. “Some of us already have.” “Like Mama? And Assad?” Haytham, in spite of his naivete, was a smart boy. Laith suddenly recalled the way their mother used to hang his report cards on the fridge, taking pride in the rows of A’s that listed his achievements. Haytham was a smart boy. So Laith let the admission pass from his lips. “Yes.” A long moment passed, Haytham so still that Laith almost be- gan to wonder if he’d fallen asleep again. But then he spoke, his voice warbled with something wet. “I don’t want to win by myself.” Laith ran a hand over the hilt of the blade. “How else do you expect to win?” “Mama and Assad won together.” Something stabbed at the hole in Laith’s chest. He could almost feel the pain of the stuffed animal at his back with the gaping tear in its seams. Brave men kept their word. So Laith didn’t make the promise he knew Haytham wanted. Because he didn’t make promises that he didn’t intend to keep. “We’ll win,” he assured him instead, slipping the knife beneath his pillow. “We’ll win. Now, go back to sleep.” Haytham’s head slowly retracted behind Laith again. In the darkness of the tent, the two brothers listened for the sound of each other’s breathing, ignoring the volleys of missiles outside. It was a long time before either felt comfortable falling asleep in the embrace of the other. ********* “Stop picking at your wound.” Laith didn’t glance up

North Carolina Wesleyan University, Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804 May 17, 2024 7 from where he was washing Haytham’s sweater, sifting it through the bucket of rainwater he’d collected the previous day. “I wasn’t!” Haytham cried from behind him. “You weren’t even looking.” Laith wrung the sweater out, expelling the water from the dark blue fabric. He ignored the sting against his palms as the threads burned into his skin. “I can hear you picking at the skin. Do you want it to get infected?” Haytham huffed in response. “They had to take off Zaher’s arm last week. The doctors said he lost too much blood.” “See?” Laith finished washing the sweater, turning toward Haytham. “Do you want that to happen to you? Because it will, if you keep picking at it. Or you could bleed to death before that happens.” Haytham tilted his head down, playing with the teddy bear lying against his dirty white t-shirt. “I don’t think I have enough blood in my body to lose that much.” “Exactly. You can’t afford to lose anymore, so stop messing with the burn.” Laith spun away without another word, stalking back towards their tent. Haytham’s light footsteps trekked through the dirt behind him. As they neared the camp, Laith began weaving through the crowd of people gathered near the old clinic that had been bombed last night. Faint sniffles escaped some of the onlookers crowded around the ruins. Some men shook their heads, others covered their faces with their hands, at- tempting to conceal the redness beneath their eyes. With the clinic destroyed, there was only one hospital in the whole strip still functioning. People were in a panic as a result. Laith had heard rumors that a fight had broken out the morn- ing before, resulting in the air strike last night. Members of the resistance had set a booby trap behind the clinic, killing a dozen soldiers in the process. The occupation had been furious, bombing the entire clinic as retaliation. The message engraved into his family’s dagger flashed through Laith’s mind. And he found himself thinking that he’d much rather be the one setting the traps and tempting death than among the wounded killed in the clinic as collateral damage. The thought was a dangerous one. The kind of thought Faisal often pushed him toward. But the reality was that the strip only offered two sources of victory: one could be the damage or do the damage. Laith knew which he preferred, but if he dared exercise the notion, the boy dragging behind him would end up as the former. The two brothers reached the tent, with Laith pausing to hang Haytham’s sweater on the clothesline outside. When he stepped through the flap, he found Haytham lying against the pillow at the back of the tiny space, the teddy bear sitting on the other side of the tent. “What? Did the two of you have a fight?” Laith teased. “No,” Haytham pouted, crossing his arms. “I don’t want a bear anymore. I want a lion.” Laith quirked an eyebrow be- fore dropping to the ground in front of Haytham. “We already have two lions. Mama raised a pride of lions in us, remember? Laith means lion, and Haytham means the little lion.” Haytham tilted his head. “And Assad?” “He was a lion, too.” “Lions don’t die like bears.” Laith narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?” Haytham nodded toward the bear. “Assad died like that. With the hole. But not at home. He was a lion. Lions don’t die in tents.” Laith forced himself to remain quiet. Haytham was suddenly too smart. Laith wondered if seven-year-olds were normally this perceptive. “Faisal came by when you were sleeping earlier.” Laith glanced up to find Haytham turning into the pillow, wrapping his unscathed hand beneath his head. “He said he wanted to talk to you,” the boy murmured tiredly. “But I’m glad you were sleeping when he came.” Haytham’s eyes fluttered closed, his burned arm nestled in front of him, slightly outstretched to avoid moving it as he slept. “I’m glad, too,” Laith eventu- ally murmured. When he stepped out of the tent to find Faisal later that night, Haytham’s breathing remained steady, his eyes twitch- ing with bizarre awareness. But he hadn’t awakened. Not even when Laith had slipped the dagger from beneath the pillow and hurried into the night. ********* Haytham’s fever began the next morning. The beads of sweat dribbled down his forehead as Laith wiped at them furiously. “I told you not to keep messing with the burn,” Laith scolded the half-conscious boy, the desperation leaching into his voice despite his best efforts at containing it. “It’s not his fault,” Faisal said from behind him. “The air practically breeds infection with how many graveyards they keep upending.” Laith thought of the grave- yard they’d visited last night. The old clinic still had soldiers meandering about, observing the crater left behind from their airstrike. “It’s…not my fault,” Haytham echoed, snapping Laith from his thoughts. “I think Assad…was sick first.” Laith glanced at the teddy bear lying on the pillow beside Haytham incredulously. A snort escaped Faisal. “He has a point, Laith. It’s your fault for bringing the bear.” Laith dropped the towel against Haytham’s forehead, letting it soak up the sweat pouring from the boy’s hair. “He needs antibiotics,” he said, turning toward Faisal. “They set up a makeshift clinic a few blocks away,” Faisal replied. “They might have something.” “Then we have to try.” Without another word, Laith reached for either side of Haytham, scooping the tiny, protesting boy into his arms. “We’ve just got to get some medicine for you,” he told the whining boy. “Come on. I don’t want to leave you by yourself, and we have to hurry.” Haytham’s arms flailed er- ratically, his hands searching. It was Faisal who recognized the source of his discomfort. The older boy reached for the stuffed bear and slid it into the writh- ing boy’s arms. Haytham went silent the second that his hands wound around the soft fur. Laith nodded toward Faisal appreciatively. “Let’s go,” he urged, hurrying out of the tent, the tiny, half-conscious boy clinging to him with a strange, feverish strength. And somewhere in the distance, the bombardments began again, the ground trembling beneath the three boys as they ran into the coming daybreak. ******** “What do you mean you don’t have any more antibiot- ics?” Laith practically shouted. “Isn’t this the new clinic?” “Most of the medicine was destroyed in the airstrike,” the nurse calmly explained. “We’re still waiting to restock from the hospital.” Laith slammed a hand against the counter before he could stop himself. A few patients resting on the makeshift benches behind him grumbled at the noise. But when Laith glanced back at the benches, his eyes were immediately fixed to the tiny boy sleeping on the edge of the bench farthest to the left, his head lying against the armrest. The hideous teddy bear was molded into his side, his uninjured hand tightly wound around it. “What if we could hurry to the hospital and pick up the medicine?” Faisal’s proposal appeared to catch both the nurse and Laith off guard. “Well…” the nurse began, trailing off. And then she shook her head. “It’s too dangerous. The hospital is constantly under siege and—” “No!” Laith jumped in before the nurse could finish objecting. “We’ll do it. But can you just please keep an eye on my younger brother?” Laith motioned behind him. The nurse glanced at the benh before nodding her head. “Yes, of course. But I still don’t think—” Laith and Faisal were already half-way out of the door before she could finish. And for the first time in the ten years of friendship they shared, Laith was the one racing ahead. “We have to hurry,” he called back to Faisal, almost sprinting in the direction of the hospital. “You saw how bad he looked.” “He’ll be fine,” Faisal shouted, rushing to keep up. “He’s strong, even if he doesn’t look like it.” The sky above them was darkening, the hues of sunset evaporating behind the blanket of stars. It was dangerously dark, the lines of smoke proliferating through the air, concealing any potential missiles that might come raining down. “It’s my fault,” Laith muttered suddenly, in between ragged breaths. “I left him that night…so we could…And he ended up with those burns.” “He would’ve ended up with those burns one way or another. You know it and I know it. You’re not in the wrong, Laith. Sometimes I actually think he gets that more than you do.” Laith nearly stumbled, kicking up a cloud of dirt before he regained his footing. “What?” “When I came over last night,” Faisal surged forward, emerging on Laith’s right, put- ting them shoulder-to-shoulder, “He knew why I was there. He didn’t tell me to leave. He asked if he could go with us.” The damaged hospital came into view just then. The beams of the roof were practically collapsing in on themselves. The glass doors that marked the entrance were shattered in places, piles of glass littering the concrete. Standing in front of the hospital, pacing in circles, Laith spotted a man in a neon vest amidst the crowd of onlookers. He raced to the man, sifting through the agitated mob. “Hey!” he called to the aid worker. The bald man glanced up and Laith noticed the walkie talkie pressed against his ear. “What happened?” Laith de- manded. “Was the hospital hit?” The man shook his head, the walkie talkie still fastened to his ear. After a moment, he retracted it. His brown lips were pressed into a thin line. “No. This hospital has been like this,” he said, his solemn gaze carefully panning to the crowd behind Laith. “But, we just received word that the new clinic a few blocks down has been struck. They’re saying there were no survivors.” Laith’s hand went slack and his body nearly did as well. “Laith…” He heard Faisal murmuring from behind him as the aid worker walked away, pressing the walkie talkie back to his ear. But he ignored the sound of his name, just as he ignored the wailing that began to overtake the ladies amongst the crowd. He ignored every sensation around him, the feel of Faisal’s hand around his shoulder, the jostling of the crowd as they surged to get more information from the aid worker. The only sensation he could register was the feel of his fingers wrap- ping around the dagger hidden beneath his shirt. “Laith,” Faisal persisted. “… He could still be…” The air returned to his lungs, giving Laith enough breath to tonelessly rasp, “He wanted to win together…And I left him to die alone.” Faisal’s hand tightened around his shoulder, but Laith shrugged it off, yanking the dagger from his shirt, testing the sharpness. Something warm was slowly building in his eyes, threatening to spill over his lashes. But Laith blinked the moisture away. A quiet rage leapt forward to fill the vacancy of emotion. Brave men didn’t die in tents, he remembered. Brave men died true deaths. They died victors. “My mother raised a pack of lions,” Laith muttered, turning back in the direction of the clinic, already scoping the area for soldiers, for enemies. “It’s time I joined my pride.” The dagger glinted from beneath the rubble like a tiny pin in a haystack of severed limbs and clay bricks, yellowed, and decaying in the heat. On the outskirts of the destroyed clinic, the little boy crawled with trembling legs amidst the rot and the ruins. Haytham ignored the discom- fort, his eyes fixed on the long, broken pillar lying collapsed against the rest of the wreck- age. Beneath the column of sullied white marble, a flash of soot-covered skin peeked out. Clutched between the remaining index finger and thumb of Laith’s mangled hand, the silver streak of curved metal glittered. Haytham climbed toward his brother, using the gleam of the dagger as his guide. He moved slowly, one of his legs having been sprained by the air strike as it rained down on the clinic. Luckily, he’d been some distance away when it happened, rushing to catch up with his brother even as the fever had swelled in his forehead. The nurse that chased after him had been spared as well. The bear hadn’t been as lucky. Tiny bits of shrapnel bit into Haytham’s foot as he struggled through the rubble with burning eyes. The piles of corpses fell into obscurity as he stumbled toward the silver blade—the only surviving testament that his brother had tried to come back for him before the second air strike hit. (They’d nearly made it to one another.) Haytham felt something catch in his chest. The exhaustion was too much, the burning fever, the excruciating heartache— A brilliant ray of golden light suddenly sliced through the patches of ash that formed the sky. The sun rose to its zenith, seeping through the deathstreaked horizon. Haytham inclined his head, squinting at the sunlight as it burned his cheeks, caressing his forehead with a gentle touch, easing his fever. He closed his eyes and imagined the slope of his brother’s palm atop his head. When Haytham glanced back at the wreckage, he found the rays of sunlight slowly creeping across the ruins, illuminating the slabs of concrete and revealing the streaks of scarlet rot. The rays continued expanding across the graveyard, flooding the bodies of the triumphantly fallen. A path emerged within the wasteland. A trail that extended toward the outstretched hand and beyond. Something bloomed in the center of Haytham’s chest. He slipped through the rubble with newfound strength and grasped the dagger from his brother’s hand. Haytham didn’t look down, refusing to glimpse the remains of his brother’s face, the empty eye socket that mirrored the teddy bear he’d left behind. He tucked the pride of a lion beneath his bloody t-shirt. And standing in the ruins of his brother’s grave, Haytham made a silent vow to himself that he would forever carry the dagger just as he carried his name. Until the day he could reunite with his pride. The Pride of Lions Continued

8 North Carolina Wesleyan University, Rocky Mount, North Carolina 27804 CREATIVE WRITING May 17, 2024 TINBERGEN’S INSIGHT: THE SQUIRREL’S NEST a comic By: Chandani Pokhrel Student Fiction by Noah Larkin: Midnight Picnic She denies him pie these days. Her cherry pies, succulent and sweet, had pushed his blood sugar to dangerous levels. He had the doctor put it in writing after several lectures on his triglycerides. The couple were high school sweethearts marrying at twenty and nineteen. They wanted kids. So they could settle down, the man dropped out of college and became a truck driver. At the age of seventy he was unable to retire. On the man’s nightstand, behind a pile of bills and life insurance advertisements, was his wife’s framed senior yearbook photo complete with an out-of-date perm. On the wife’s nightstand was a picture of her husband’s senior photo with an even less fashionable mullet. Next to the photo was a box of unopened nicotine patches. At night he and his wife sat at attention against the old wooden headboard. Under the white comforter his gut looked like an igloo. His wife fl icked through a romance novel she got from the free section at the library. The cover had an illustration of a summer cabin on a lake. The man squinted at the doctor’s note. It was illegible and looked like Arabic signed by Dr. Squiggly-line. “It doesn’t say anything specifi c about pies,” he said. His wife glared at him and fl icked through another page. “Go to bed. You have to leave soon,” she said and rubbed his upper back with her hand. “You’ll be back soon,” she consoled him. He would not be back soon. His next drive was cross country. “Alright,” he said. “I understand” She fl ipped the lights off. He said he was going to get some water from the kitchen then heaved himself from bed, which squealed and bounced with his departure. As he waddled into the kitchen, his bare feet slapped on the tile fl oor. He pawed the fridge door open and scanned the shelves. They were fi lled with butter substitutes, nut milks and vegan sausages with fi fty ingredients. He looked forlornly at the pie-less shelves. But peeking out from under a bundle of celery was the corner of the pie. He tossed the produce out. His cheeks fl apped as his jaw slung open. The pie was secured in a locked glass box. It was the Lockabox Fridge Safe, which his wife had purchased after his fi rst heart attack. He laid it on the kitchen counter next to his cholesterol medication. The fridge safe had a steel padlock. He could not break the box lest his delicious pie be fi lled with shards of glass. His bratwurst-shaped fi ngers smushed against the glass, centimeters from the pie. Its crust glistened from the butter and sugar. It crumbled every time the man nudged the container. The cherry fi lling was ruby red and oozed from the fragile crust. He tried to pry open the box until his fi nger tips stung so much, he could not bear the pain. In the cold garage he sifted through his tool boxes. His fi ngers were stiff with red indents from the pie container. He found a box of metal pins. He had never picked a lock before. He pushed his ear up to the lock and craned his neck awkwardly down while bending his knees so he could lean over the counter. The pie was resting in the fridge safe, a sugary seductress taunting him. He jabbed the pin into the lock and stabbed in repeatedly, scrapping the metal lock inside. When it didn’t open, he began thrusting it violently till the pin snapped in half. The lights fl icked on. He spun around crouched like a burglar. His wife leaned against the doorframe. Her hand was perched on her hip with an unlit cigarette. She rolled it with her fi ngers. “I’m sorry,” he said. His wife sighed and lumbered over to the pie, ruby red, buttery, and sweet. The man sank his head down. “Remember the summers by the lake,” the man said. His wife said she remembered and laid her hand on his back. “No kids, no mortgage, no job, no car payment, and every day after school we’d go to the park and laze around.” “I remember you failing all your classes and your terrible mullet” “And when I didn’t, you baked me a pie. And we’d go to this small beach hidden in one of the nooks and crannies of the lake. And…” The kitchen drawer groaned as his wife yanked it from the counter. The man hadn’t even noticed she had stepped away. She plucked out some silverware and then stood on her tippy toes and stretched her body like a piece of elastic to grab a small plate from the cupboard. She placed a slice in front of her husband. “I don’t follow my diet on the road,” he said. “I know.” They were young once. The light gleamed off the water like it was chrome. Winds whistled as they caressed the tops of trees. The pair laid on the beach of the lake. She laughed as he devoured her pies like an animal. She shrieked when he smooched her and covered her cheek in red fi lling like a lipstick mark. They were older now. And he would be leaving. The pair sat down at the kitchen table opposite each other, him with a piece of pie, she with a packet of cigarettes. Behind a thin trail of smoke she smiled as she watched him shovel pie into his face, splattering crumbs and fi lling all over his cheeks and hands like when they were young. Noah Larkin SHARE from pg 4 from the soccer match after that day. They played alongside the boys with the encouragement of their classmates and teachers, their contributions and abilities given equal value. The rule spread to other areas of school life. Through sharing ideas and viewpoints to accomplish shared objectives, boys and girls started working together more frequently on group projects. Initially a simple soccer match, it evolved into a lesson about equality and teamwork that infl uenced the students’ attitudes and actions on and off the fi eld. Many years later, the schoolyard illuminated by the summer sun, my younger sister, Eugenia, was among a new group of students gathered for a soccer game. Her eyes were radiant with excitement as she joined her peers on the fi eld. Eugenia fi t right into the group, her natural skill and enthusiasm for the game showing in every move. But by then there was no need for any extra rules or interventions. With every pass and shot, she embodied the inclusiveness and teamwork that typifi ed the games played by her older sibling years earlier. COACH from pg 5 A. There will be a focus on neighboring states such as South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee, as was well as states like Delaware, Maryland, Ohio and Texas. And we’ll recruit international athletes. .