Hard Work Always Pays Off

The week of December 7 is finals' week for students at North Carolina A&T State University. This week could be the difference between making the Dean’s List and academic probation. For senior’s, it is the difference between graduating in December or returning for another semester.

Throughout an entire semester students learn a lot of different things and at the end of the semester they are tested on the material they learned. For some students, finals’ week is just the last week of school before winter break.

When you keep up with your work during the semester, you won’t have to cram everything into your brain at the last minute. You won’t have to spend hours upon hours in the library trying to make up for what you lacked during the semester.

The library is utilized the most during finals’. During the week, it is open 24 hours and most students take advantage of its operation hours. Some students tend to study more than ever with the hopes of passing a certain class or passing classes.

Other students spend their time in the library brushing up on the things they already know.

Cornelius Baytop, a graduating senior, is most ecstatic about graduating Dec.14.

“I’ve waited five years for this day and it is finally here.”

Baytop says, he spent this semester doing his best to maintain A’s and B’s so when it was time for finals’, he would not have to depend heavily on the passing of his exams.

When asked what piece of advice he could give to returning students, he said, “just stay disciplined and determined.”

A lot of students lose their focus and make things a priority that should not be.

Courtney Evans and Jasmine Wilson both spent their entire week in the library hitting the books hard.

Wilson, a nursing major, says this semester has been extremely hard. She spent her semester trying to keep her grades up so she would be accepted into the Upward Division of the Nursing Program.

Upper classmen have warned Wilson the program is very competitive. With that advice, she was in the library 2 and 3 times a day.

Courtney Evans said she spent her nights in “Club Bluford” which is the name some students give the library.
“In the end it all pays off,” says Courtney.

Students have to realize, studying is the key to success.

Black Friday Shopping

The day after Thanksgiving is known to many people as Black Friday. It is the time of year when stores have major sales and people shop for the best deals. Some shoppers get up as early as 2am just to stand in lines and wait for the stores to open. Stores usually have doorbusters from opening until about midmorning. Janie Bryant produced this soundslide slide show.

How Could You Be So Heartless

I, like many others in North Carolina, am shocked, saddened and even outraged over the death of little Shaniya Davis. This is the five-year-old who was being used as a sex slave by her mother, 25-year-old Antoinette Davis. Shaniya's body was discovered Monday in a rural area---several days after her mother reported her missing from their mobile home.

Here's the timeline according to Fayetteville Police:

Davis called police at 6:53 a.m. one week ago today to report that her daughter was missing.

Davis told police the last time she saw the child was at 5:30 a.m. inside their mobile home.

At 6:11 a.m. that day, a surveillance camera at a Sanford hotel recorded Shaniya in the arms of a man identified as Mario Andrette McNeill, 29, of Fayetteville.

On Monday, police said McNeill left the hotel with Shaniya at 7:30 a.m.

In a news release issued on Nov. 17, Fayetteville Police say Shaniya was alive when she left a Sanford motel. What happened between then and yesterday's discovery is still a mystery.
Bradley Lockhart, father of Shaniya, had raised his daughter up until recently. It was then that he decided to give her mother a chance to be apart of their daughter’s life and raise her.
All he desired was for his daughter to be alive and ok.

Meanwhile, Anotinette Davis sits in jail charged with human trafficking and felony child abuse. Her mother is maintaining her innocence, saying her daughter would never do anything to hurt her child. Let me say this, never say what your children won't do because they will make a liar out of you.

One more sick piece of this horrific story is the fact that this human trafficking, child abusing mother is PREGNANT AGAIN!
This heartfelt story made national news and received many prayer and condolences from the nation. People are outraged by this story. It especially hits home to people with young children.
Jasmine Wilson was born twenty miles from where little Shaniya’s body was found. She is also six months pregnant with a little girl.
“You have to be a sick individual to sell your own biological child for money or drugs,” says Jasmine.
“She deserves to be thrown under the jail!”
Sean Perry is a native of Fayetteville, NC, so this story hits him on a more personal level.
Perry says, “’This incident gives the Fayetteville area a bad name, and a bad reputation.”
He also talks about how it affects him as an African American as well as a black male. “We already have it hard in society and this doesn’t do anything but make us look worse.”
As the investigation continues, more questions will be answered as to why and how a mother could do this to her own daughter. As a nation all we can do is pray for little Shaniya and her father. We must do must to protect our kids.

Truth, Justice, and Healing Conference

Local students and community organizers and leaders came together in 2005 to commemorate the tragic events of Nov. 3. Thus, “Truth, Justice and Healing Conference” was born.
Every year, since 2005, during the week of Nov. 3 New Light Missionary Baptist Church hosts the week long events. The week is primarily sponsored by different organizations such as the Beloved Community Center of Greensboro, Greensboro Justice Fund, Greensboro Human Relations Commission, just to name a few.
On November 3, 1979 five people were fatally shot before a “Death to the Klan” march in Greensboro, NC at a public housing complex.
A group of Ku Klux Klan members and a group of Neo-nazis came to disrupt the march and confront the marchers. When the two groups arrived protesters beat on their cars which eventually lead to a riot. By the end of the riot five people had been killed and 10 fatally wounded.
Among the five people killed were Sandra Neely Smith, Bill Sampson, Jim Waller, Michael Nathan and Cesar Cauce. All were anti-clan demonstrators. The clansmen and the Neo-nazi groups were both later acquitted of all charges, by an all white jury, twice even though the violence was captured on video.
As a result, racial controversy affected politics and race relations in the city up to this present day.
The events began on Wednesday with a video presentation, a storytelling circle, “Healing Movement and dance.”
Thursday included the keynote speaker, workshop sessions and a musical tribute to those killed.
Friday was the black/brown discussion. This was the forum where the community came together to discuss the issues affecting people of color. The question was asked: What is preventing black/brown unity?
Signe Waller Foxworth, widow of Jim Waller, responded by saying, “nothing is preventing black/brown unity.”
“Unity can be achieved through communication and understanding,” says Foxworth.
Other members of the panel said it was vial for the unity so people of color can fight the justice system. The overall message was for minorities to continue to fight, build a movement, and continue the legacy of previous leaders.
Professor Sarah Carrig, professor at North Carolina A&T State University, said as a Spanish teacher sending her students to the discussion would give them some insight on the struggles the Latino community deals with on a daily basis. “It is time for change and for people to stop fighting each other and to come together for a bigger cause.”

A Memorable Homecoming

As North Carolina A&T State University brings their homecoming to an end, it marks another remarkable year that will go down in history.
From Sunday Oct. 25 to Saturday Oct 31, homecoming was filled wit many fun and festive activities. Each day included something to do, not just for the students but also for parents and alumni. A&T always tries to set up activities that pertain to all age groups.
The festivities included the gospel concert, pep rally, comedy show, Coronation, SGA reunion, alumni luncheons, Aggie fest and concerts for the college kids as well as a concert for the older crowd. The concert featured artists such as Trey Songz, Keri Hilson, Mario, just to name a few. The alumni jammed to the sounds of Chuck Brown.
While there were high points throughout the week, there were a few low points. A few accidents were reported and there were many traffic jams. Greensboro police went as far as to hire police officers from surrounding counties to help maintain safety.
Each year Greensboro brings in thousands of visitors and who come to participate in Aggie Pride week. It is also the time when most employers are without half of their employees. Beverly Mahone got to witness this first hand. Over half of the teachers were absent from the school she works at due to this year’s homecoming.
“It is amazing to see what a homecoming will have people do,” says Mahone. As an alumni of Ohio University, Mahone says she has never seen anything like this, “they don’t do half as much as any HBCU.”
A&T is said to be one of the most anticipated homecomings of the year. Each year the Aggies end the week with the big homecoming game. The game everyone thought the football team had under their belts.
Aggies ended up losing their game 31-13 to Bethune-Cookman but as one foot ball player recalls, the amount of support and pride stood out the most. Safety, Justin Ferrell summarizes the game as the team” having no sense of urgency or motivation.” “It was not the coaches who failed but the team who failed to execute the game plan.”
One thing about the Aggies is whether they win or lose they always show their Aggie Pride. They may have lost their game but they will never lose their school spirit. A&T ended their spectacular homecoming with a bang and look forward to doing the same next year.

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Aggie Pride Is Nation Wide

“H-O-M-E-C-O-M-I-N-G it’s homecoming yall,” is the chant that is heard throughout the week. North Carolina A&T State University has become known as the school with the one of the biggest annual celebrations.

The homecoming celebration began Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009 with the gospel show featuring James Fortune. Monday was the pep rally. During the pep rally Chancellor Dr. Harold Martin said a few words, school organizations showcased some of their talents and alumni also came back to begin the celebration.

Upcoming events include the fashion show, Mr. and Miss A&T Coronation and reception, homecoming parade and concert and the big football game. Tuesday, October 27, was the “Double Trouble” comedy show. The comedy show had a large turn out.

The show featured comics such as, Arnez J, Kevin Hart and Lil Duvale. Each gave a spectacular performance which received standing ovations. Altogether they packed Corbett gymnasium. Sophomore Lakoya Yarborough felt she “got her monies’ worth.”

Being that this was her first time attending a homecoming comedy show, she referred to it as the funniest comedy act she has ever seen. To say the least it was a memorable experience.

This year’s homecoming is even more special and significant because North Carolina Central University and Winston Salem State University are both celebrating their homecoming at the same time as well. It has been reported that in previous years A&T’s homecoming brings in millions of dollars in revenue. Homecoming is just like a big family reunion of Aggies.

Alumni come back to celebrate and participate in the festivities. Ken Bryant, a1 970 graduate, says school spirit has always played a major role in the school’s history. Even though he does not make it back to the homecomings, his spirit lives on through his daughter who currently attends the school.

“I couldn’t have made a better decision than the one I made to attend this HBCU,” says Mr. Bryant

Gabrielle McMillian is an NCCU student who is excited about both homecomings. She thought that it was very ironic that all the schools would plan their homecomings during the same week. While she is an Eagle at heart she says she plans to attend at least one event in Greensboro this week.

She jokingly admitted how some of her fellow Eagles have “abandoned” their own school pride to come party with the Aggies.

Alumni as well as current students should feel privileged to say they attend or attended a university that is considered to be a family based school. To have the best experience, you have to know when to party and when to hit the books.

N.C. A&T homecoming is definitely one of a kind. Every year brings new experiences and is one to remember.

As they say, “Aggie bred, Aggie dead!”