Features – Page 2 – TrevEchoes Online

Students learn to navigate music while socially distant

22Oct

By Grace BecknerNo Comments

Coronavirus, Features, Music

Students learn to navigate music while socially distant

Choir rehearsal takes place socially distant. Photo provided by Trevecca Marketing. For Selah Torralba, a sophomore instrumental music performance major, her current experience as a member of the Concert Choir is miles away from what she remembers it being last year. “There used to be rehearsals with anywhere from 10 to 30 people in one rehearsal,” Torralba said. “And now, any sort of larger ensemble is broken up into smaller sections.” Trevecca’s music department has placed its focus on trying to be as prepared as possible for the complications of in-person learning this semester, said David Diehl, the dean of the school of music and worship arts. “We took a very research-based approach to figuring out the best way to offer a quality face-to-face experience that is safe,” D...

Students search for places to spend time safely with friends and family

8Oct

By trevechoesonlineNo Comments

Coronavirus, Features

Students search for places to spend time safely with friends and family

By Carter Adams On the way out the door, Kurtis Poole—a junior majoring in math and worship arts—grabs his phone, wallet, keys, watch, and mask. He racks his brain on a decent spot to meet up with his friends, but it’s not as easy as it once was. “Centennial park usually works because it’s outside, and people are usually separated,” Poole said. There is still a high threat level for COVID-19, and many students are looking for safe places to spend time with their friends and family. Trevecca continues to require students to stay socially distant, and wear masks unless actively eating and drinking or in their own residence. Restrictions still exist on visitors in residence halls and dorms, and students have to find creative solutions that are compliant with guid...

Bridge program helps international students stay connected during pandemic

7Oct

By trevechoesonlineNo Comments

Campus News, Features

Bridge program helps international students stay connected during pandemic

By Kaylee Franklin For some students, this semester looks different than any other. International students are taking classes at Trevecca from all across the world. Students from Honduras, Trinidad, and Thailand carry the burden. “A lot of our international students aren’t here on campus, some of them are studying elsewhere. We’ve been working on making sure they feel involved and helping them feel prepared for whatever comes next,’’ said Brodrick Thomas, director of community engagement and reconciliation. When the university decided to go fully online due to the pandemic starting in mid-March, international students struggled to find a way home. The university went into overdrive and immediately began finding ways to help these students in particular. The university...

29Apr

By Grace BecknerNo Comments

Campus News, Coronavirus, Faculty, Features

Students, faculty members adjust to online classes amid pandemic

When Trevecca first announced they were extending spring break, Carlos Lopez was initially relieved. “It would have helped with some work that had to be done and overall seemed like an extended vacation,” said Lopez, senior information technology major. But once he heard that Trevecca was making the move to online courses for the rest of the spring semester, Lopez’s feelings quickly changed. “When I heard this, I was a bit overwhelmed because I was used to the class routine,” said Lopez. Trevecca's 1,310 undergraduates who were enrolled in traditional, face-to-face classes all transitioned to online classes last month. For many students and faculty, the switch from in-person to online classes required some getting used to and will power to cope....

24Apr

By trevechoesonlineNo Comments

Campus News, Coronavirus, Features

Students take up new hobbies to fight boredom

By Jessica Bishop Kerisyn Gilbert, a Trevecca freshman was doing her homework at home and when she finished her assignments, she notably became bored and anxious. She decided to pick up her pencil and sketch. “It really helped calm me down and focus better. I will definitely continue to sketch in the future,” said Gilbert. Many students find themselves with more free time since they moved home and started classes online. One way to pass the time is by picking up new or forgotten hobbies. Erin Smith, a junior, has picked up baking and cooking in her spare time. “I’ve always enjoyed it, but I’m just chilling and the I’m like, ‘Well, I guess I could bake some muffins instead’ and so I do,” said Smith. One of best ways to find hobbies enjoyable is to remember what you liked as a ch...

23Apr

By Maci WeeksNo Comments

Campus News, Coronavirus, Features

Students stay fit while social distancing

When on campus, Micah Dearing goes to the gym five times a week, but now he's forced to come up with a new plan to keep himself in shape. “When quarantine first started, my roommates and I made this whole workout routine, and we stuck with it for a while. Eventually, as we all slowly headed home and got hit with schoolwork we stopped lifting altogether," he said. "But I do try and get outside and stay semi-fit. I dug my old bike ride out of my shed and cleaned it up. Now I ride that for a few miles every day.” Dearing is not the only one who has had to change up his routine to find new ways to stay fit. Students who find themselves at home with limited fitness equipment and space are trying to find new ways of staying in shape. Courtney Hodgin is a member of Trevecca’...

21Apr

By trevechoesonlineNo Comments

Campus News, DACA, Features, Mental Health

Trevecca counseling center works to support DACA students

By: Maria Monteros On every corkboard and poster wall on campus, Sara Hopkins and her team of counselors put up signs on campus inviting DACA and minority students to join their support groups. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients are just as likely to enroll in college as the average American aged 15-32 at 18 percent versus 20 percent, a 2017 study from the Migration Policy Institute indicated. However, only 4 percent end up graduating compared to the 18 percent national average, the study states. In response, the counseling center has begun training counselors to handle multicultural issues. They’ve also partnered with various organizations on campus such as Futuro and the Diversity Council in holding talks and providing the space for these conversations to happen,...

9Apr

By trevechoesonlineNo Comments

Campus News, Coronavirus, Features

Social media challenges rise as more students stay home

By Lily Russell Amber Adams was sitting on her bed on her third day of social distancing, already fighting off boredom. The Trevecca freshman was scrolling through Instagram to pass the time when she started noticing most of her followers had posted some sort of social media challenge in their stories. “I think some of the challenges are silly, but some are fun. The tag 10 beautiful women challenge was one I enjoyed. It's nice to see women building each other up,” said Adams. An Instagram challenge is directed at followers and friends and offers specific prompts to the audience. Challenges incorporate sharing photos and hashtags in a creative way. Some of the newest challenges featured in the past couple of weeks include social distancing bingo, my favorite things challenge, see a (bla...

1Apr

By trevechoesonlineNo Comments

Campus News, DACA, Features

As Supreme Court ruling approaches, tensions are high for DACA students

By Nayeli Espinoza Pena Perla Domingo, biology major and freshman, is one of around 100 Trevecca students trying to prepare herself mentally for an anticipated Supreme Court ruling on whether she can stay in the country. DACA, or Differed Action for Childhood Arrivals, is a program started by President Barack Obama in 2012 that allows for individuals who were brought to the United States as children. On September 5th, 2017 President Donald Trump’s administration announced their plans to end the program. After a district court judge’s ruling that DACA remains in place as litigations proceed. DACA recipients have been in legal limbo ever since. The Supreme Court’s ruling is expected in the spring, but the latest would be June. Domingo’s escape right now is just keeping herself busy ...

Trevecca awaits Supreme Court decision on DACA

1Mar

By trevechoesonlineNo Comments

Campus News, DACA, Features

Trevecca awaits Supreme Court decision on DACA

By Nayeli Espinoza Pena Around 100 Trevecca students could be affected by the Supreme Court’s upcoming ruling on legislation that allows them to attend college legally. Trevecca and other universities around the state are waiting for the Supreme Court to decide if DACA will be upheld. A decision is expected sometime this spring or summer. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals was established by former President Barrack Obama in June 2012. The order allows for DACA recipients, also known as DREAMers, to work and go to school and be protected from deportation. Trevecca President Dan Boone, said there around 100 DACA students currently enrolled at Trevecca, is watching the situation closely, but there is no real way to plan for the decision, he said. “I’d...