Chances are if you are a student or faculty member here at North Greenville, or any school for that matter, you have either been sick with the cold or flu, know someone who has gotten sick, or are hoping that you don’t get sick.

I’d like to pass on a little advice for some natural solutions anyone can do to help boost your immune system to help keep the flu at bay or to fight off the flu faster and build immunities for the future. I am by no means a doctor, but the following suggestions have helped many others as well as myself.

First and foremost is sleep. I’ll be the first to say that it’s hard as a college student to get all the sleep our bodies require. There will always be those late nights of studying and fun times with friends to let go of some stress. However, try to eliminate senseless late nights of not-much-importance if you can and give your body the rest it needs. Sleep is essential for fighting off sicknesses and keeping your immune system strong. Many of us have experienced the affect of a few nights of not much sleep and the unwelcome, under-the-weather symptoms that shortly follow.

Second most important is nutrition. What you put into your body plays a major part in the health of your body. “You are what you eat,” if you will. Try to eliminate sugar if you can. Sodas and high sugar fruit juices that aren’t 100 percent juice are basically like drinking liquid candy. Sugar suppresses your immune system, which in turn, increases your susceptibility to getting sick.

The average person nowadays eats about three pounds of sugar per week through actual table sugar as well as all of our processed foods. To put this into perspective, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, Americans consumed only five pounds of sugar per year. Processed foods were not even dreamed of and cancer was hardly even a term back then. Refined sugar causes many long-term health ailments with the number one illness being diabetes.

That being said, choose water over high caloric sugar drinks. This doesn’t mean that diet drinks are necessarily better either, as they have been proven through research to actually cause an increase in weight gain over a period of time. Also, chemicals like aspartame in diet drinks have been shown to cause all sorts of other health problems. Sodas as well as not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration, which leads to low energy.

So when deciding on a beverage with your meal, please consider water. Choose a drink that will be beneficial to your body rather than counterproductive. Water helps to cleanse the body and flush out toxins from vital organs as well as carrying nutrients to your cells. The Institute of Medicine advises that men consume roughly three liters (about 13 cups) of water a day and women consume 2.2 liters (about nine cups) of water a day.

Aside from modifying what you eat and drink, there are nutritional vitamins and supplements that can easily be added to your diet to help boost your immune system. Many of these can be found at your local drug store, Wal-Mart and GNC.

Vitamin C is the most important required food supplement our bodies need to help in the production and health of our white blood cells. White blood cells are our body’s main disease fighters. White blood cells absorb vitamin C to successfully combat viruses and infections.

Aside from absorbing vitamin C, white blood cells also absorb sugar (in the form of glucose) in the exact same way. With the average person consuming three pounds of sugar per week, this means that are white blood cells are absorbing more sugar than they are vitamin C. This leaves the white blood cells weak and almost defenseless against their prepared competitors. Vitamin C is fairly cheep and can easily be added as a supplement to get the amount we need along with what we take in through our food.

Other vitamins essential to fighting and aiding the body in the war against illnesses are vitamin A, vitamin B and zinc.

Vitamin A is what our body uses to promote healthy linings of our respiratory, urinary and intestinal tracts. When these linings are weak, outside offenders can invade effectively. Vitamin A also helps white blood cells fight off infection more effectively.

Vitamin B helps energize the body, protect and promote healthy skin (which is our body’s largest organ and first line of defense), enhances immune and nervous system function and promotes cell growth and division.

Zinc is necessary for the functioning of around 300 enzymes our body uses to help with a number of biological processes. Zinc’s immune-enhancing activities include regulation of T lymphocytes, CD4, natural killer cells, and interleukin II. In addition, zinc has been claimed to possess antiviral activity. It has been shown to play a role in wound healing, especially following burns or surgical incisions, in the common cold, infertility, Wilson’s disease, eating disorders, herpes simplex and acne. Its part in the endocrine system is to regulate insulin and promote the conversion of thyroid hormones thyroxine to triiodothyronine.

Antioxidants found in supplements, foods, fruits and vegetables help fight against free radicals in our bodies. Free radicals are responsible for cancers and other diseases as well as the degeneration of cells in our bodies.

Other herbs and supplements that greatly help your immune system include Elder Berry, Echinacea, garlic, and colloidal silver. The brand Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic cold/flu medicine that has been proven to combat the cold and flu. It can be found at Wal-Mart or any drug store.
One major yet simple thing we can do to prevent getting sick is washing our hands. Try to wash after you come in contact with objects that have a lot of traffic and after the bathroom. Throughout the day, try to avoid hand contact with your eyes, mouth and nose. Also, we don’t think it, but our ears are very susceptible to infection. Simply clean your outer ear canals with either alcohol or peroxide every couple of days.

I encourage you to do some research of your own and begin to take preventative measures in the way you take care of your body. Your body is the most precious possession you have. We are called to be stewards of our body (God’s temple). Take care of your immune system with more importance and in the way that you would take care of a car. In a similar manner, if part of the car is not working properly or is in need of repair, it affects the rest of the cars ability to drive correctly.

(File Photo/The Skyliner)

As the North Greenville University student body begins the transition into a new school year, Campus Security enters into a new phase of existence as well.

Chief Rick Morris, head of Campus Security, is overseeing all of the new changes being put into place.

“We’ve gone from a white shirt and a pair of black pants with a key ring to professional law enforcement officers in about nine years,” he said.

One of the major issues surrounding the new changes is the issuing of state parking tickets. Although Campus Security has always had the ability to issue state parking tickets, this will be the first semester enforcing them.

Chief Morris explained the use of state tickets.

“Because of the changes in the law now, that’s something we will be utilizing more. We will not just use those indiscriminately,” he said. “If we have somebody who a campus ticket hasn’t gotten their attention for some reason, and they keep running the same stop sign or keep getting caught for speeding, we may have to issue a [state] ticket.”

New safety features are also being put into place. New lighting has been added to Blackwell Drive, in front of the Vandiver residence hall and at Crusader Court. Campus Security is also beginning a phased installation of closed circuit cameras.

Campus Security is also receiving help from outside agencies such as the Travelers Rest Police Department and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. The TRPD has offered the use of its facilities and will act as first responders in the event of an emergency.

Campus Security has recently become a fully armed force and has added a new patrol car. It has also intensified its training to four to five hours each month.

“[More training] is going to give us a better quality of officer, a better prepared officer and a more conscientious and more professional aiding officer,” Chief Morris said.

Student safety programs are making an appearance as well. A crash course in self-defense for women is available upon request, and an alcohol interdiction unit is being put into place. They are currently in the process of organizing other programs as well.

Campus Security is open to any questions and concerns voiced by the campus community.
“If there ever was a place where community policing needs to take place, it’s on a college campus,” Morris said.

The Campus Security Web site, found on the NGU homepage under current students, has more information concerning safety policies and regulations.

The Greenville Zoo has undergone new construction and has changed its exhibits quite a bit.

“Rated one of the best tourist attractions in South Carolina, the Greenville Zoo is the most visited ‘family facility’ in the Upstate,” the zoo’s Web site says.

This zoo is located on a 10-acre site within Cleveland Park. A typical visit would last from an hour to an hour and 30 minutes.

The first stop in the journey to the zoo is to see everyone’s favorite stop, Ladybird and Joy, the zoo’s elephants.

Moving from there, the primates are next and then the Reptile Building, which houses lizards, frogs, turtles, snakes and much more.

Within all the stops at looking at animals, there are kids’ playgrounds, green scenery, rest stops and picnic areas.

Keeping on the path, the lions and giraffes are next. The lions like to sleep a lot and are usually asleep most of the day.

The giraffes are always on the move and playing around in their big, open area. There is also a water fountain on the side of a building with height markings on it so when a giraffe walks over to get water, you can see how tall it is.

The park moves on to show a number of other animals in their habitats, such as tortoises, leopards, a red panda, a toucan, flamingos, ducks, alligators and many different species of birds.

A new feature is when you pass two of the monkey’s cages, there is something different and exciting to see. There is a sign with the words “Baby on Board.” In these particular cages the mother monkey has just had a baby and they are getting the baby used to being with the mother and father with strange people looking at her/him. The newest addition is Baby Bob in the orangutan cage, with his mother Chelsea.

The last stop to make is to see the farm animals. The zoo has pigs, goats, cows and different types of chickens.

On the way out, the zoo has built a gift shop called the Safari Shop. The Safari Shop offers an array of zoo- themed gifts, t-shirts and toys.

Another change to the zoo and park area is the new shelter rentals and the ability to buy feed for the animals to feed them as you walk through the zoo.

The zoo is open seven days a week, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information about the Greenville Zoo, visit greenvillezoo.com or contact the zoo at 864-467-4300.

Although Emery’s new summer released album is entitled In Shallow Seas We Sail, it is nothing close to shallow in any form of the word. Emery comes back to deliver deep and heavy lyrics that most bands would shudder to even think of writing. This is one of the qualities that many Emery fans, including myself, deeply respect and admire about the band.

Emery continues to break and stretch the mold of the average verse, chorus and bridge structure of a song. The choruses are complex and layered. The band continues to master its melodic sound as well as synching its dual vocals together by soulfully harmonizing in a way that other bands can’t even come close to touching.

While it is hard for me to say just yet that this is my favorite Emery album, I would have to agree with most fans that it seems as if Emery has solidified and mastered the characteristics and differences in sound that make them unique and set them apart from other bands.

Emery’s songs have the ability to pull you into the story or journey, experience the emotions and circumstances in a deep way and not let you go until it’s over. There are definitely no ‘filler’ songs on this album. My personal favorites are “Edge of the World,” “A Sin to Hold On To” and “The Smile the Face.” Most purchased iTunes songs of the album include “Cutthroat Collapse,” “The Poor and the Prevalent” and “Butcher’s Mouth.”

Some of Emery’s fans were slightly disappointed with the 2007-released album, I’m Only a Man and the 2008-released EP While Broken Hearts Prevail and esteem In Shallow Seas We Sail far above these albums. Many fans would say that they feel this album could be the deepest album to date and that it is the true follow up to their 2005 album The Question.

“I think this record is the best representation of Emery,” Toby Morrell of Emery said. “If you like Emery, this will be the record you love the most. This is our most complete album. You can listen to each song individually and not get burnt out. At the same time, you will love the overall story of the record and the journey it takes you on. Emery’s previous albums were written at completely different times in our lives. In Shallow Seas We Sail is Emery, as we are now.”

Devin Shelton of the band said, “We’re not doing this just for a paycheck. We want to evolve, which is why we’re stretching the boundaries and going beyond what people might expect from us. We’re really proud of what we’ve done and we really want it to be something that stands out to people and maybe earns us some new fans. My hope is that people will be caught off guard, but in a really good way.”

If you are an Emery fan, I highly recommend checking out or buying their new album. If you aren’t a fan, I definitely suggest trying them out. Listen to a few songs and look up the lyrics. But be forewarned, there are no boring, regular songs or lyrics with Emery.

North Greenville again struggled to get on the scoreboard as Lenoir-Rhyne defeated the Crusaders 32-16 Saturday in Hickory, N.C. One of the top rushing teams in Division II, the Bears rushed for 377 yards on the Crusader defense.

“We really shot ourselves in the foot on offense,” Chadwell said. “If we can eliminate turnovers, we’ll be a lot better football team.”

The Crusaders (0-4) had averaged three turnovers a game and did improve in that area, with only two against Lenoir-Rhyne.

The Crusaders’ first-half performances have been sub-par so far in the first three games, and unfortunately they did not fare any better against Lenoir-Rhyne (3-1). North Greenville managed only 32 yards of offense and zero points in the first half and trailed 20-0 going into the locker room at halftime.

Lenoir-Rhyne struck early in the second half, but after that the Crusader offense finally started to show signs of life. The Crusaders took the ball 55 yards in 11 plays and took over five minutes off the clock. Zack Sears, freshman business, kicked a 36-yard field goal to cut the lead to 26-3 with 4:56 left in the third quarter.

The Crusader defense could not keep Lenoir-Rhyne out of the end zone, and the Bears tacked on another touchdown early in the fourth quarter to go up 32-3. The Crusaders then took the ball 55 yards in three plays for a touchdown. Josh Murph, freshman undecided, rushed for an 11-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 32-10.

With just over a minute remaining in the fourth quarter, Isaiah Johnson, freshman business administration, returned a Lenoir-Rhyne punt 79 yards for a touchdown. Sears missed the extra point, but the lead was cut to 32-16.

Sears’ on-side kick was recovered by the Crusaders at nine yards instead of 10 yards, and it was too little, too late as the Crusaders lost their fourth straight game and dropped to 0-4 on the year.

Chadwell did have some positive things to say about the performance.

“We showed a tremendous amount of effort and that’s something to build on,” Chadwell said.

The Crusaders also had their highest point total of the year, surpassing the previous 14 that were scored against Wingate. Ironically, the Crusaders have scored 30 points in their away games and only three points in their home games.

The Crusader football team is now on a six-game losing streak dating back to the their last victory on Oct. 21, 2008, against Edward Waters. The Crusaders look to end their losing streak this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. against Charleston Southern.

The sidewalks of downtown Greenville have been unmistakably clearer since the Greenville City Council adopted an emergency curfew on Aug. 30. It applies to teens 17 years old and younger who are dropped off by their parents and wandering the streets between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, along with any night before an observed holiday.

This curfew was placed into effect following a serious problem of teens and pre-teens blocking sidewalks, spilling into the streets and “antagonizing citizens,” according to Greenville County Police. On the Saturday night before the curfew was ordered, there were an estimated 1,000 unsupervised minors roaming the streets.

A major concern of law enforcement that night was the number of fights that broke out. A fight would break out on the sidewalks and before even the first punch was thrown, an enormous flood of people would surround the altercation. By the time the police officers were able to get word of the fight and could weed through the crowd, the fight had ended.

The safety of not only the minors, but also the other people who work and play in the area is also in danger without this curfew. When the minors began to spill into the streets due to the lack of room on the sidewalks, vehicles were unable to move. The crowd of people would bang on car windows when the police officers attempted to clear the streets.

Merchants have also expressed concerns with the amount of juveniles on the streets. They say that the sheer mass of the crowd is intimidating to their customers and it is detrimental to their businesses. That Saturday, one restaurant had to close its doors because of fights that had broken out inside. This was another reason the curfew was able to pass through City Counsel so easily.

Downtown Greenville is known for being raised up from hardly anything into a place for music and art events, fine dining restaurants, and interesting shops. The merchants involved in the scene have been very much involved in creating this fun, laid back, family-friendly atmosphere, and the city council wishes to preserve it.

Many North Greenville students choose downtown as their weekend destination. While the majority of students would not be directly affected by this curfew in the sense that they will have to choose a different place to hang out, it does affect the experience that is obtained there.

Sarah Ashley Ramey, freshman, enjoys spending her time with her friends in this area.

“I believe that the curfew is a great idea, quite honestly. Some parents just drop their children off and don’t care what they do there. But the truth is, they aren’t merely walking around. It could be very unsafe,” Ramey said.

So who is exempt from this curfew? Minors who are either emancipated or in the company of a parent or guardian or are traveling either to or from religious services, work or hospitals are all exempted. If minors are found to be downtown after hours, they either have to be picked up by their parents immediately, or they will be taken to a conference room in City Hall and monitored by officers until they contact their guardians.

Because this action is only an emergency ordinance, it will expire in two months. However, city officials believe that this will give the council enough time to develop more official rules of the curfew. It is expected to eventually become permanent.

Two new sports, men’s junior varsity soccer and women’s golf, will be joining the North Greenville athletic department in the fall of 2010, bringing the total number of athletic programs to 15. These additions are causing plenty of excitement and growing interest in the two programs.

“We were looking for ways to improve our athletics, and both of these programs seemed feasible,” athletic director Jan McDonald said.

Men’s soccer coach Chad Gfeller said the addition will benefit the soccer program.

“This is going to help us develop players and get them ready to play on the varsity level,” Gfeller said.

Gfeller believes that having a JV team will make everyone in the soccer program work harder to play at the highest level of competition.

“The JV team is going to strengthen our program as a whole,” Gfeller said. “It is going to help bring more depth into our program.”

The women’s golf team will become the seventh women’s athletic team on North Greenville’s campus.

“It is very exiting to have more women’s sports available at North Greenville,” McDonald said.

Women’s golf is planning to be a huge success from the beginning. Men’s golf coach Jeff Pittillo, who will also coach the women’s team, believes that adding women’s golf to the athletic program is going to bring new support for women’s athletics.

“I’ve already been getting e-mails of people interested in playing for the women’s golf team, so I think it will be a fairly competitive program from the start,” Pittillo said. “This will definitely bring more attention to the golf program, and it is a chance to bring in more support for the school.”

As the athletic department at North Greenville continues to grow, the possibility of joining a conference continues to get bigger as well.

“We would very much like to be a part of a conference,” said McDonald. “We are always looking for that opportunity.”

Ashlyn Henderson (10) dribbles towards goal in North Greenville's 8-1 victory over Warren Wilson Thursday night. (Photo by Ashley Herndon)

Leah Ward, junior sport management, scored a career-high four goals as North Greenville defeated Warren Wilson 8-1 at Pepsi Stadium last Thursday night.

The Lady Crusaders (4-2) matched their largest margin of victory of the season after defeating Converse 7-0 on Sept. 3. Hayley Williams, junior linguistics and early childhood education, and Ashlyn Henderson, sophomore outdoor leadership, each added two goals for North Greenville. Williams also had two assists.

“I was very happy with the way we played,” coach Jesse McCormick said. “It was great to come out and use one- and two-touch passes, moving the ball quickly and attacking with speed. In the first half, we had some things to work on defensively, but I thought we cleaned that up in the second half.”

North Greenville dominated Warren Wilson statistically, outshooting the Owls 39-7. The Lady Crusaders got off to a fast start when Ward scored on an unassisted goal in the fourth minute. Ward struck again in the 10th minute on an assist from Henderson, and by the 30th minute, the striker had recorded a hat trick.

“We have a lot of players who can score goals, and that makes it tough on other teams,” McCormick said. “They’re not just individuals, but they work together well as a team.”

Henderson scored on a Williams assist one minute later. Just minutes before halftime, North Greenville allowed an own goal, the Owls’ only goal of the match. The Lady Crusaders back line, led by keeper Jessica Binkley, senior health and wellness, has only allowed five goals in six matches.

Williams netted her goals in the 70th and 74th minute, and Henderson and Ward notched two more before the whistle for full time.

North Greenville will travel to Greenwood, S.C., to face Lander today at 4:30 p.m. before returning home to face Tennessee Temple Saturday at Pepsi at 1 p.m.

Goals by Seth Snyder, senior business, and Manuel Izquierdo, senior, were not enough as the men’s team fell 5-2 at Lander last Wednesday night.

“Lander has a lot of talent, but we were able to stay with them for much of the game,” North Greenville coach Chad Gfeller said. “We were trying to push forward, and we let in a few goals late in the match.”

Lander got on the board in the first 10 minutes, but Snyder tied the game on an unassisted goal. The Bearcats scored in the 34th minute and again after halftime in the 51st minute before Izquierdo pulled North Greenville one back with a long-range shot. As the Crusaders tried to equalize, Lander scored two in the closing minutes to put the match out of reach.

Before Wednesday’s game at 7 p.m. against Southern Wesleyan, the program will celebrate an official lighting ceremony to christen the new stadium lights at Pepsi Stadium. With major donations from Jim Cox and Don Snyder, The Lighting Company of Chesnee installed four lighting units over the offseason.

“A lot of work, time and money went in to getting the lights,” Gfeller said. “The big thing are more home games and getting more fans out to support us.”

If the rush from class to class is the only exercise students get each day, is it enough?

A report released by the University of Minnesota Boynton Health Service says nearly two-fifths or 38.5 percent of the 10,000 students surveyed fell within the overweight or obese/extremely obese categories in 2007.

The amount of time spent in front of the computer and in the library cramming for classes is actually harming us. As students we need to work hard to manage our time so not all of it is spent with our best friends Mac and PC.

Our school offers a well-equipped fitness center, open athletic facilities, intramural programs and other free recreation. We are also located just a few miles away from Greenville county’s newest recreation feature.

Whether you need a good workout or want to meander along the path and enjoy the weather change, the Swamp Rabbit Tram Trail offers a safe, exciting way to put the books down and get fresh air.

This former railroad system turned tram trail was officially opened May 8, 2009. The unusual name originated from the train named “Swamp Rabbit” that ran along the tracks. Still under construction, the trail stretches from the North Greenville Hospital in Travelers Rest, runs through Furman’s campus, winds around downtown and currently ends past the Greenville branch of Greenville Technical College. This will soon be extended to Lake Conestee Nature Park , which is located six miles south of downtown Greenville.

Once completed, the trail will be 17 miles of paved or rubberized track, complete with bike racks, dog watering bowls, aesthetic scenery, and quick access to nearby restaurants, parks, restrooms, schools and shops. The trail varies between 10 feet of paved asphalt to eight feet.

The “Hincapie Path,” located downtown, is eight feet of asphalt adjacent to five feet of rubber rubbing trail.

The trail is still under major construction, considering eight historic railroad bridges will be restored for pedestrian use. Sections between Furman and downtown Greenville are still in the process of completion. The area below the Greenville Technical campus is also under construction. Greenvillerec.com has a descriptive outline of the trail status and areas that are open.

Parking for this trail can be found in Travelers Rest on Main Street and cooperating businesses or you can park along the trail.

It’s a reminder to “go green.” Turn off the lights, save water, buy a hybrid, recycle. These are things the American people have been encouraged to integrate into their daily lives in light of a phenomena known as climate change, which “refers to any significant change in measures of climate lasting for an extended period,” the Environmental Protection Agency says on its Web site.

The EPA has blamed climate change on human activities that have progressively increased the release of greenhouse gases, which will allegedly have negative, irreversible effects on residents of earth. So what does this mean for Christians? Do we go on a rampage claiming that the EPA and other scientific agencies are completely wrong?

Or should we completely embrace environmentalism, tearing down our homes to donate the lumber to a paper company in order to save trees? Or should we spend exorbitant amounts of money installing solar panels to reduce energy emissions?

There are a million ways people have forsaken the problem, and yet another million ways people have taken “go green” to the extreme. But I believe that the Christian’s attitude towards the environment should be one of respect and balance.

God created the earth and everything in it, and “[He] saw that it was good,” Genesis 1 says several times. From the very beginning, we see that God enjoys His handiwork. He takes pride in the things He has created.

When God decided to make man, He decided to “let them have dominion over … all the earth,” Genesis 1:26 says. And Adam’s assignment was to take care of the Garden of Eden. God made it clear that our job is to care for His creation.

But we must remember that “the God who made the world and everything in it … He himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything,” Paul said to the Athenians in Acts 22. God is the One who is ultimately in control of His creation—climate and all.

Prayerfully consider what going green—from a Christian standpoint—should look like for you. It is as easy as throwing that water bottle into the recycle bin. Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Walk or ride your bike around campus—and carpool when you need to head to town.

Whether you view it as going green, being a good steward or just obeying one of God’s first commands, do your part to care for the blessing of God’s creation.

Every season, college players all around the country play their best in hopes of winning the highest award in college football–the Heisman Trophy. While the 2009 college football season is just a few weeks old, let’s take a look at five players who have started the season strong and are the immediate favorites to win the Heisman Trophy.

1. Tim Tebow, quarterback, Florida Gators

The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner has hardly had to break a sweat in the Gators’ first two games. Tebow’s toughest test so far came last Saturday against Tennessee in which he led Florida to a 23-13 victory. In three games, he has completed 64.1 percent of his passes for 425 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 148 yards and three touchdowns.

2. Jahvid Best, running back, California Bears

Best is the most electrifying running back in all of college football. He has rushed for over 130 yards in each of the first three games this season and averages 10.4 yards per carry. This past Saturday against Minnesota, he rushed for a school record five touchdowns. Best has rushed for 412 yards and eight touchdowns.

3. Jacory Harris, quarterback, Miami Hurricanes

The Hurricanes have won two straight games to begin the season, and both have been against top 25 teams in Florida State and Georgia Tech. Harris has been the main reason for Miami’s resurgence in 2009. He has completed 70 percent of his pass attempts and thrown for 656 yards and five touchdowns while leading Miami into the top 25 for the first time in two years.

4. Colt McCoy, quarterback, Texas Longhorns

McCoy and the Longhorns have gotten off to slow starts in each of the first three games to begin the season but have adjusted and come out victorious. For the past three seasons, McCoy has been considered one of the top players in college football, and this season is no different. He has thrown for 859 yards and six touchdowns so far this season. If McCoy can keep up his stellar play and lead his team to a national title, he may be holding the Heisman as season’s end.

5. Case Keenum, quarterback, Houston Cougars

Houston is not known for football, but Keenum is looking to change that. The Cougars faced their toughest test of the season early on as they defeated Oklahoma State handily. In just two games this season, Keenum has thrown for 725 yards and seven touchdowns. If he can continue to put up these insane numbers and lead Houston to a Cinderella season, he will remain a dark-horse contender.

Imagine for a moment that you are a student in the outdoor leadership program. Now imagine that it is your junior year and you are about to dive into the Immersion semester. Visualize yourself going through summer workouts to prepare for trips to unknown destinations. For most ODEL majors, this is the most exciting semester of them all.

The Immersion semester kicked off with a 10 day backpacking trip to Pisgah, N.C., a location that ODEL majors were only aware of two days prior to the trip—which also happened to be the first day of class.

Preparation for this trip began over this past summer. ODEL majors were given workouts that ranged from running 30 minutes a day to doing sets of push-ups and sit-ups. These workouts would help to prepare the students for the 10-day backpacking trip.

Activities on the trip included setting up camp with speed and effectiveness, learning how to find water and the proper procedures in how to make the water drinkable, hiking every day with mileage ranging from 2-5 miles and sometimes even 10-12 miles, rock climbing, rappelling, caving and swimming, all with an emphasis on skill development and learning how to teach such skills and safety procedures.

But this is only the beginning for ODEL majors and their Immersion semester. This trip is only one out of about a half a dozen trips that the students will be taking throughout the semester. Not to mention a wilderness first responder course that offers students hands-on simulation sessions to help prepare for real-life emergency situations, varying from improvised gear to severe environments and prolonged patient care.

“This was an awesome trip which allowed me to build a community with other Immersion participants while making a lot of great, new friends,” Lance Skipper, junior outdoor leadership, said.

“The whole immersion semester is a great learning opportunity for us. It’s great to actually be able to experience activities and to see what it’s like to be out in the field,” Rachel Dalson, junior outdoor leadership, said.

The Immersion trip was lead by Professor Nathan Ruffrage and instructor Whitney Thomas.

At North Greenville University, students in high school are allowed to take a maximum of two classes per semester, which can equal up to 12 credit hours per year. Classes are much cheaper than full tuition. A high school junior can take two classes a semester until he graduates, earning twenty-four credit hours for around $1200.

Aside from the academic and financial benefits of dual enrollment, the real college experience is perhaps even more valuable. I personally had the privilege of being able to take two semesters of dual credit classes last year, during my senior year in high school. I think that was one of the best decisions I could have ever made.

At first, I was really skeptical: I wasn’t very familiar with the campus and had only a handful of fellow high school friends here. I also wasn’t sure if I could handle the pressure of college classes, but after the first month, I felt like just another college student. I started going to the BSU commuter lunches, which aided me in meeting other high school students and full time college students as well. That led to hanging out in the student center between classes, which led to going to the home football games. As time passed, I began to feel like a North Greenville student, resulting in my decision to come here full time.

Even though I technically have 12 credit hours under my belt, I’m still the average college freshman. I just have a bit more experience than that average freshman. For instance, I didn’t have to look for all of my classes during orientation, but instead, I showed my new friends where theirs were.

In addition to those advantages; since I’ve already taken 12 credit hours, I’ll be considered a sophomore next semester. In short, dual enrollment had many benefits and put me ahead. So taking college classes at such a young age didn’t hinder my high school experience as some might suppose, but rather enhanced my college experience.

Now there are new dual enrollment students. They’re still getting the feel of being a 16- or 17-year-old college student among many 20-somethings. I met a few of these new students just last week, and they reminded me of myself last year. I tried to welcome them just as I was welcomed, so hopefully they’ll enjoy their time here as much as I have.

In 2009, the North Greenville golf team had a stellar season finishing in the top 10 in seven of eight tournaments including three top five finishes and one tournament win. This season the team hopes to improve on their recent success and become one of the top athletic programs at North Greenville.

The Crusaders started their season on Sept. 14-15 as they competed against eight other schools in the Anderson Invitational and came away with a third place finish overall. Brad Caldwell, senior sport management, was named tournament champion.

“It was a good opening tournament for us,” Pitillo said. “Obviously I am extremely proud of Brad, but I am also proud of the team as a whole.”

North Greenville opened day one of the Invitational playing under clear skies and warm weather. The Crusaders took advantage of the nice conditions to shoot an opening round 305 to end the first day in third place. Caldwell led the way for North Greenville with an opening round 74. Other individual scores from day one were Danny Dippel, freshman undecided, who opened his college career with a 76 and Brandon Coggins, senior elementary education, who shot an opening round 78.

“The first day was a good day for us,” head coach Jeff Pittillo said. “The guys played very well and we put ourselves in position to win on the second day.”

The second day of the Invitational started much differently than the first as the Crusaders faced cloudy skies and a chance of rain. However, the team adjusted to the weather and shot a final round 306 to finish the tournament in third place overall just eight strokes behind tournament team champion Lincoln Memorial.

In the individual standings, Caldwell closed the tournament champion after shooting a total 144 and winning a three-hole playoff on the final day. Dippel finished the tournament with a total score of 153 while Coggins finished with a tournament total of 154.

The Crusaders’ next tournament will be Sept. 28-29 in Greenville, Tenn. at the Tusculum Invitational.

Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself is an amazing movie with many emotion-filled scenes that can keep the audience laughing or even crying. The movie came out on Sept. 11 and was ranked number one at the box office over 9, making over $24 million.

Tyler Perry has made many other movies concerning Madea and brings in a wide variety of viewers. His movies are actually first presented as plays in Atlanta, and are very successful.

Tyler Perry plays Madea and also the character Joe.

In this film, Madea is robbed by three young children and of course threatens to call the “po-po.” She does not look at these children and just send them back to their own lives, but rather makes an impact on them. She gives them food and teaches them a few manners while sitting at the table. The young boy character named Manny replies with a “yes.” Madea corrects him to say “Yes ma’am.” However the boy responds with “Yes, man.” That was probably one of the best quotes the first scenes of the movie.

As the plot rises, the young children have not seen their grandmother in four days. Madea then sends them to an aunt, who is not only selfish but also uncaring and wants no part of these children’s lives.

Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself gives the audience many emotions to carry. The scenes start one with a belly aching laugh and switch to a sob story at the blink of an eye. For example, when the young girl cries to Madea about her grandmother dying, Madea tries to tell the story of how Peter walked on the water, but got distracted by taking his eyes off Jesus because Jonah passed by in the belly of Free Willy. It literally makes one want to cry and laugh at the same time.

This film also has many good songs. One of them is done by Mary J. Blige who plays the character of Tanya, the aunt’s best friend. She is singing the song “I Can Do Bad All By Myself” in a club, when it really hits Aunt April that she is selfish and uncaring to everyone that loves her. Another great singer in the movie is Gladys Knight, the grandmother’s friend, who cares deeply for April and the children. The music was inspirational and always had a message to teach.

Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself is a great movie for all types of viewers. When you can laugh and cry at the change of a scene, it is definitely talent in the hands of the writer. Tyler Perry has a talent no other has and captures his audience with different emotions in just under two hours.

Personally, I think he presents lessons everyone can learn from, how to love and how to be selfless. If one is looking for a good laugh and maybe even a tear jerking moment, I suggest seeing Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself.

Most Christians have heard about the spiritual armor listed in Ephesians 6. Even if you did not grow up in church, odds are you have heard a chapel message about the armor of God while here at North Greenville. But many Christians today have let one important weapon become rusty with disuse.

Prayer may not always be thought of as part of the spiritual armor, but in reality it is one of the most important tools God has given us.

Last week I had the privilege to attend part of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Reconnect Prayer Conference at Taylors First Baptist Church in Taylors, S.C. One of the guest speakers was Dr. James Walker, pastor of First Baptist Alpharetta in Alpharetta, Ga.

He specifically mentioned that he sees many Christians in churches today putting prayer on the back burner.

There is nothing wrong with being involved and staying busy, but sacrificing time spent talking to God is not what He intended Christians to do.

At the conference, Walker mainly referenced Nehemiah 4:16-18. The men that were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem were equipped with armor and weapons; they were prepared for a fight.

The point Walker made from this passage was that prayer can be an offensive weapon. In fact, it is one of our most valuable weapons against Satan’s attacks.
Walker challenged those at the meeting to take up their spiritual weapons and join the fight. But he also stated that before Christians join the fight against Satan, they need to be prepared to go into battle.

Having a consistent prayer life is the one of best ways we can prepare for a spiritual battle. Walker advised that our prayers should be proactive, not just coming during bad circumstances.

Our prayer lives should follow the same pattern. If we go through our entire day without asking for God’s protection and blessing, how do we expect to receive them?

We leave ourselves vulnerable to Satan if we do not prepare ahead of time by asking for God to “lead us not into temptation,” as Matthew 6:13 says.

God has given us a way to talk to Him on a daily basis about anything and everything. Why would we not want to take advantage of the gift He has given us?

After attending the prayer conference, I was challenged to change some things about my prayer life. I hope you will simply take inventory of your time spent talking to God and see if you could be putting more effort into it.

North Greenville faced off against the Montreat Cavaliers in this past Saturday’s game at Hayes Gymnasium. The Lady Crusaders defeated the Montreat Cavaliers (25-18) (25-27) (19-25) (25-20) (16-14).

Lauren Hardy, junior biology, led North Greenville with 15 digs and 4 kills.“Lauren definitely stepped up in leadership today,” Lady Crusaders coach Lauren Axson said.  “She did a great job of firing the team up and keeping us going.”

The Lady Crusaders (5-11) did not give up and stayed in the game with their defensive presence. North Greenville did show weaknesses in miscommunication. Our ladies played a very intense game against the Cavaliers.

Sara Beth White, freshman, Anjelica Wilcox, freshman, and Kayla O’ Kelley, sophomore, had solid games against the Cavaliers. O’ Kelley seemed to be in the right position both defensively and offensively. North Greenville used cross-court passes to set up Kaitlyn Pierce, sophomore, for the slam.

There were some good short sets to O’ Kelley. Axson is a very intense individual. You could hear Axson rallying her girls on to motivate them to get a victory.

One significant thing about the Lady Crusaders is that when they are out on that floor playing, they  play as a team, and when they are off the court, they work nonstop.

North Greenville will face Toccoa Falls tonight at 7 p.m. at Hayes Gymnasium.

(Photo by Jenny Farnham)

Although the nation’s net worth has grown about 4 percent since 2007, many citizens continue in their search to find work.

One month ago, 42 states made additional job cuts, up from 29 states this past July. Since December 2007, when the recession first came to surface, millions of Americans have felt the ramifications of a poor economy.

There are currently 15 states that hold an unemployment rate of 10 percent or higher, and relief does not appear to be on the way. South Carolina is one of those 15 states.

President Barack Obama has assured the nation that his main focus is to restore the economy. On Sept. 14, Obama spoke on financial rescue and reform at Federal Hall in New York City.

“This crisis was not just the result of decisions made by the mightiest of financial firms. It was also the result of decisions made by ordinary Americans to open credit cards and take on mortgages,” Obama said. “And while there were many who took out loans they knew they couldn’t afford, there were also millions of Americans who signed contracts they didn’t fully understand offered by lenders who didn’t always tell the truth.”

New York listened as Obama continued to reveal his plan for financial freedom for the nation.

The economic crisis has affected everyone, regardless of the individual’s job or job security.
Many college students are graduating only to find that the job market is dwindling and although the future of the economy is uncertain for the nation’s youth, the older generation has certainly taken the hardest hit.
Dave Woodruff has been a certified public accountant in South Carolina for the past 29 years. Over the past three years, he has lost business due to financial instability of his clients.

Trucking business clients have gone out of business over the last few years due to high fuel prices. Woodruff’s clients in the entertainment industry, such as Christian bands, have been forced to put their dreams on hold and pursue more traditional careers.

Woodruff remembers taking for granted in past years the ability to go on vacation, dine out often and become involved with home projects. Now, his family must prioritize their spending. Medical needs, food and utilities are high on the list compared to entertainment and dining out.

“Look at what the bailout is doing—loaning big business money, then when they default, government takes over the business and owns them,” Woodruff said. “Meanwhile, the associated officers of these quasi-government businesses and their allied politicians just get richer and richer and take more and more control of the wealth in America, transferring it from private individuals to government and wealth.”

Woodruff commends Obama’s goals to restore the economy, but doubts that his pursuit of economic stability will pay off in the long run.

“America has become trapped in a society that is corrupt with greed for money and power. Obama’s goals may be well intentioned, but they are all about targeting the very large businesses and government organizations that are all part of the system of greed,” Woodruff said.

The President’s decisions must be based on the honest, hardworking values that have supported this country since its birth. There is no instant cure for this financial chaos; it is going to be a lot of hard work. For many, help cannot come quickly enough.