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Drinking water is something that everyone does, often without a second thought besides thirst. But, drinking water is not as clean as most people think. In March, the Environmental Integrity Project released a study that found 55% of lakes and 25% of bays and estuaries assessed in Florida are impaired. These bodies of water were deemed unsafe for one or more public use, including swimming, fishing or as a source of drinking water. The long history of polluted drinking water in Florida can be traced back to hundreds of years of development and agriculture. Randy Smith, the chief of Natural Systems and Restoration Bureau with the South Florida water management district, says that because of this development and agriculture, large amounts of phosphorus has seeped into both the ground and bodies of water. “It changes the ecosystem and causes plants that are not native to thrive,” Smith said. He also said the thriving of non-native plants causes native plants to be essentially strangled out. “Natural vegetation is crucial for improving the water quality,” Smith said. However, the problem with clean water does not end in Florida. According to a study done by the Environmental Integrity Project, there are only five states that have less than 20% of streams and rivers, and only three states that have less than 20% of their lakes and reservoirs impaired. Due to concerns with drinking water nationwide, some companies have begun efforts to ensure that drinking water is clean. In 1994, Richard Heinichen installed an in-home rainwater collection system that allowed him and his wife to collect rainwater and purify it for drinking. Richard’s RainWater, a Texas based company, is the first company to have FDA approval to collect, bottle and distribute rainwater as a source of drinking water. Before bottling it, the company uses a zero-waste and chemical-free process to purify the water after it is collected. Heinichen and his wife, Suzie, spent their first few years running the business as a hobby. “It was more about collecting the rain than selling it,” said Taylor O’Neil, CEO of Richard’s RainWater. O’Neil said that since the company has grown, they now strive to ensure there is clean drinking water nationwide. “It took Richard four years to work with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to establish what we already know, that rainwater is a pure source of water,” O’Neil said. O’Neil explained the first approval took the longest, since no one else had previously tried to distribute rainwater as a source of drinking water. O’Neil further said that rainwater is such a clean source of water because it is untouched by chemicals, such as phosphorus, which pollute bodies of source water. Because the collection of rainwater is not federally regulated, each state determines if the collection is legal or not. In many states, there are no regulations on rainwater, and some states even give incentives or rebates to residents who install rainwater collection devices in their homes. According to Smith, the state of Florida does not offer rebates or incentives for residents who choose to collect rainwater. By Madison Bakatsias

Exploring the country has never been easier. In recent years, social media platforms have helped cultivate new and creative ways to travel. The concept of living in a mobile home, such as an RV or van, has become a new sensation and many people have decided to give it a try. The popular app TikTok has played a large role in this, with tags such as “vanlife” and “rvliving,” amassing more than 10 billion views on their videos. These short clips are giving viewers “how-tos” and have recently gained traction. It is not only the younger generation who have followed this trend, but also entire families who have decided to pack up and begin their own journeys on the road. The U.S. Census Bureau reported in 2019 a 38% uptick for those living in a van, contrary to three years prior. Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the increase in remote work, the statistic above prove an increase of people participating in van life. Rising costs for housing and sustainable goods have also contributed. “Some pros of van life are that we won't have to worry about hotel expenses or a house payment,” Julianne Burk said, a junior at Palm Beach Atlantic University. “A negative is that we won’t have too much room for clothes and gas prices are expensive.” Burk plans to travel full-time with her fiance in their home on wheels once they both complete schooling in a few years. They hope to spend time in Tennessee, California and Washington. “Ever since I was little I have traveled - I’m so used to change and scenery,” Burk said. “I don’t like that a house is stationary. I wouldn’t be able to change scenery a lot. Therefore, a van is perfect.” Many doubt the feasibility of full-time van life. The upfront costs of living in a van are smaller than those of living in a house, however, gas and food must be covered monetarily. Indiana natives Stephen and Leslie Stashevsky have found a way to make this work. Stephen now works as a full-time travel physical therapist. Their assignments require them to stay in one part of the country for 13 weeks at a time before packing up and moving to the next location. In addition to the positives in flexibility that travelers have, Stashevsky also noted a hidden cost with RV life. “It is more expensive than people think with gas and campgrounds - especially if you are unable to do dry camping - and things are always breaking because you’re in a moving home,” Stashevsky said. Plenty of companies have allowed for remote work as well, giving those interested in full-time travel the opportunity to do so while earning a living. Travel content creators can also expect to earn comfortable working wages while being able to live in these mobile homes freely. “We really wanted to be able to travel full time and see the country. Van life is definitely feasible for travel medical professionals or people who work remotely,” Stashevsky said. While van life is certainly booming, safety issues can always pose risk. Travelers living full time in a moving vehicle can be expected to take extra precautions to secure their living area and look after their surroundings. Added time on the road, and in deserted areas lead to increased risk. For those interested in packing up their things and traveling the country, the time is now. The post-pandemic world has changed society, and work has become much more dynamic. For those interested in packing up and moving out, now is the time to get out of the mundane and explore. By Jordan Wolfe

One young woman at Palm Beach Atlantic University, known as Happy, visits homeless communities and helps with global outreaches to inspire others with her story and her love for Jesus Christ. Happy has been traveling around the world to spread her positivity and her love for Christ through local ministry efforts. This includes going to Clematis Street in West Palm Beach, Florida, sharing Bible verses and handing out food. She has made an impact on both the homeless community, and other college students that have gone to Clematis Street with Happy. After witnessing Happy’s visits to homeless communities in West Palm Beach, Lily Rodriguez, sophomore at PBA, said she was inspired by her work. “It was amazing to see how she was spreading her love for Jesus to people who need every last bit of hope. Just her energy and her positivity was an impact showing how Christians spread love. It was really cool to witness her do something that nobody told her to do. She wanted to help from her heart,” Rodriguez stated. Happy further explains how she wants to inspire others. “If I just save one life or inspire someone, even just making their day, that makes me feel like I am spreading love.” Happy said. Happy found her identity in religion after she moved to the U.S. from Hangzhou, China, when she was 14 years old. She said she wants to inspire others in her community and also around the world. She has traveled to the Middle East with friends for a cross-cultural class that conducted an overseas study. Her efforts include going to JH Outback, a three-day camp with volunteers and teenagers who want to learn more about Christ. She got involved with them through the PBA newsletter about the weekend event. Happy grew up in a strict household and school system in Hangzhou, China, where science was pushed, and not Christianity. She faced religious discrimination from teachers and her peers in second grade. One time, when she brought a Bible to school, her teacher took it away and said to stop reading books like this, adding that it was harmful for her brain. “People were mocking me for my faith because I was very open about it,” Happy said. Facing this discrimination led her away from God, but when she came to the U.S., her life changed. “All of a sudden, this nostalgic feeling came back to me when I was a child and had faith. Everything just started to make sense after that. When I was in China, I was searching for a miracle to come from God, and I constantly prayed about it. When I don't see a miracle, I decide to be a miracle myself,” Happy said. Happy said she knew miracles were possible before she was even born. Her mother had thoughts of ending her life while pregnant with Happy, but stopped when Happy kicked in her mother’s womb. “I believe God saved my life and my mom’s life at that moment,” Happy said. Happy hopes to help others understand more about Jesus through her ministry and global outreaches. By Kileigh Gagnon

Teachers for dyslexic students evaluate the education system during the 20th National Dyslexia Awareness Month. “Awareness is important because then we can understand that everyone learns differently. [We can] give students the time and accommodations they need,” Vanessa Kerr, an English teacher at Jefferson Christian Academy, said. The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) organized the first dyslexia awareness month in the United Kingdom in October 2002. In 2015, the U.S Senate passed a bipartisan resolution, proposed by Senators Bill Cassidy and Barbara Mikulski, to designate October as National Dyslexia Awareness Month. Supporters of the resolution included the IDA, Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity and the National Center for Learning Disabilities. The resolution medically defined dyslexia and addressed the magnitude of its effects on the population and education system. The resolution requires educational agencies at every level to recognize the impact dyslexia may have on a person’s education. Kerr says awareness in education is essential. She explained that there is a history of schools neglecting the needs of dyslexic children. Kerr has noticed many teachers label dyslexic students as “lazy.” Kerr said that some of her dyslexic students transferred from schools where teachers completely ignored them. If a teacher thought a student might be unable to do an assignment, they refused to let the student attempt it. “The teachers won’t even let them try to do the work,” Kerr said. Peggy Dyke, a former teacher of 30 years, described similar situations happening to her students. Dyke claims that a teacher not being active in the learning process can lead to severe social repercussions for a child. “Children with dyslexia are often put down by their peers and even teachers,” Dyke said. Dyke expressed that teachers should educate their entire classroom on dyslexia and other learning disabilities. She reasons that spreading awareness among children would help turn bullies into understanding classmates. According to research from the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity, dyslexia is a learning disability that affects an estimated 20% of people in the U.S. The research states that 80-90% of people with a learning disability have dyslexia. Dyslexia is the most common learning disability found in the education system. According to the Dyslexic Center of Utah, one in five people and approximately 80% of students in special education programs have dyslexia. There is a 50% chance that a child will have dyslexia if one of their parents has it. There is no cure for dyslexia. However, an early diagnosis can lead to an individual receiving tailored help to achieve their goals. “When we can get them diagnosed early, it helps us [the teachers] understand their learning habits,” Kerr said. A technique Kerr has found helpful in teaching dyslexic students is finding learning activities that incorporate as many of the five senses as possible. Trial and error help her figure out a student’s different learning style. Dyke makes sure to spend one-on-one time reading with struggling dyslexic students. She states that it is essential to treat their needs individually outside of regular classroom time. “I try to provide correction and encouragement,” Dyke said, describing her teaching style. The government plays a role in providing educational institutions with the tools to aid children with dyslexia. Recently, state legislatures have introduced more dyslexia-specific bills. In the summer of 2021, Hawaii, Idaho and Vermont were the only states to pass any dyslexia-specific laws. This year, however, the Idaho House of Representatives passed House Bill 731, which defined dyslexia and outlined screenings for the disability and literacy improvement plans. Dyslexia-specific legislation in Florida passed the School Community of Professional Development Act in 2017. The Early Learning & Student Literacy Bill was enacted in 2021, followed by 2022’s Student Progress Monitoring Bill. “I believe we can change it [the education system] by understanding an individual and learning about a child’s specific needs,” Dyke said. By Sarah Gale

As the student body grows at Palm Beach Atlantic University, the number of emotional support animals and service animals living on campus also grows. While it is easy to assume that these animals are just pets, they serve an important purpose in assisting students with both mental and physical disabilities. While an ESA and a service animal serve different purposes in helping to accommodate the needs of their owner, both are allowed and protected by law at PBA. What differentiates an ESA from a service animal is primarily based on whether or not they have specialized training to assist their owners based on their needs. Service animals are specifically dogs who have received specialized training to perform tasks to assist their owners. Although ESAs do not require training, this does not discredit their impact on their owner’s life and educational experience. Registering for an ESA on campus is not a simple process. Often a student must already have “academic and accessibility accommodations” before they can submit an application. The ESA registration process proved to be a challenge for PBA student Megan Heady and her ESA, Nelly. “Getting the ESA letter took a long time, and I had to go through a very long and tedious process to get Nelly certified to be on campus,” Heady said. Despite the tedious application process, Heady expressed that the pros outweigh the cons tremendously when it comes to having an ESA on campus. “She deflects the attention away from me, which is nice. She helps me get out of bed on days when it’s hard to do so and once I’m up I feel so much better. Having her here helps me balance my stress levels,” Heady said. Service animals are more well known among college students due to their relevance in many different social settings helping to assist those with physical disabilities. While ESAs and service animals serve different purposes there is some overlap in the bond that an owner may have with either their ESA or service animal. Autumn Edmondson, a senior at PBA expressed some of the emotional benefits of having her service dog in training, Sirius. “Over the summer it made living alone a lot easier and also helped me emotionally regulate. It’s nice to have a creature around that depends on me, taking care of him reminds me that I have to take care of myself,” Edmondson said. ESA and service animals are equally important in allowing for a higher quality education for the students who need them. “But as my condition continues to worsen he will be able to provide me with access to and quality of life that I wouldn’t be able to experience without him. Once his training is complete, he will become a vital piece of medical equipment that assists in my physical and psychological well-being,” Edmondson said. While both ESA and service animal owners may experience respectful and kind treatment from peers, both may experience negative reactions, behaviors and lack of common courtesy from their peers who do not have an ESA or service animal. “I don’t think a lot of my peers assume that she is ‘just a pet’ but I do think that some people don’t take it seriously and might question the legitimacy of why I have her here in the first place,” Heady said. Although the job of a service animal seems pretty straight forward to most college students, not everyone treats service animals and their owners in a respectful manner. “Apart from my friends, I think a lot of my peers don’t realize that I am disabled. They aren’t familiar with ‘invisible disabilities and I’ve had people assume that I am training him for somebody else rather than for my own use,” Edmondson said. Animals living on campus help better the lives of their owners. Acknowledging the presence and purpose of both ESAs and service animals helps the owners in prioritizing their own needs and the needs of their animals. With this in mind, there are some things the community can do in order to help support students with ESAs and service animals. “As a community, it’s important to ask for permission to interact with somebody’s ESA. It’s important to engage with the person first before engaging with the animal at all,” Edmondson said. Little acts of courtesy and consideration go a long way in showing respect and support for ESA or service animal-reliant students. By Grace Sigler

It is common knowledge that certain countries are on the rise in the tourism department. Italy and Greece have rapidly gained attention worldwide through social media postings, and certain countries have skyrocketed with tourism numbers. The U.S. Travel Association noted there has been a massive rise in tourism numbers since the COVID-19 pandemic, and they expect it to continue growing. According to the U.S. Travel Association, “Travel spending improved considerably in September and is now at its highest mark since the pandemic started at 6% above 2019 levels.” Recent data from The Italian National Institute of Statistics has revealed that tourism numbers have risen rapidly in Italy. ISTAT noted that Italian tourism is now worth about 6.4% of the GDP, and increases to more than 9% when including industries such as retail. Much of the tourism boom is due to the increase in social media usage, with TikTok leading the way. Larger travel corporations are partnering with social media creators to gain more traction online. Italy and Greece have become hotspots for tourism, but not for great reasons. While it is good to increase the tourism rates in these countries, it is nearly a waste. People are being influenced to travel to these stunning countries without being warned of the true costs that will be paid. A rise in tourism numbers comes with a rise in prices. Besides hotel costs, travelers are paying a personal price as well. These prices come in the form of crowded viewpoints and crowded transportation systems. These pose not only a safety risk, but also the risk of low general enjoyment of a place that is overrun with foot traffic. Greece specifically has already been set to break records for the 2022 season since they received more than 8 million tourists in just the beginning half of the year. Increased prices bring increased spending. Due to the amount of household savings that grew during the restriction period, tourists have been able to give the Greek economy more funds. While tourism in Italy and Greece is booming, the industry is declining in other countries. There are plenty of other countries that are in the vicinity of these two places that people do not pay attention because of the popularity of their neighbors. Croatia and Slovenia have only just begun to rise in numbers, while Bosnia and Albania still seem to be falling behind. Following trendy travel is not always the best strategy. Higher tourism increases prices, and therefore leaves out other countries that need money post-pandemic. As online influencers bring light to more alluring travel destinations, hope increases for their growth in tourism numbers. Travel accounts and cinematographic videos are increasing in popularity. Comment sections alone are proof that there is interest in traveling to new and unheard of destinations. In the future, travel will have an even greater effect on the global economy. Priorities are slowly shifting as more workers choose a remote lifestyle. Many jobs have become easier to do while working from a laptop. Because of these opportunities, getting out and exploring the world has never been easier. By Jordan Wolfe

The current, volatile economic state of the U.S. impacts all industries, including the food industry. With the rate of economic inflation currently impacting all business domestically, prices have risen across the board. This poses a unique challenge for restaurant owners, as well as their customers. Local dining and restaurants are an element of any local economy, and in Palm Beach, Florida, restaurants rely on consistent patronage to stay afloat. As prices continue to climb, dining at family-owned restaurants and small businesses becomes more expensive. In order to keep up with the increased cost of the materials and ingredients necessary to operate their restaurants, owners must reflect this in the prices of menu items. John Alfano, a representative from Doris Italian market and bakery, explained how this economic inflation has affected prices in their establishment. “Just like other industries, not just the grocery business, there has been a rise in the cost of some products,” Alfano said. With this rise in price, some changes were reflected within the establishment. “Sometimes the cost of goods increases, and is reflected in a price change. The prices in our café in our North Palm Beach location have stayed pretty steady,” Alfano said. A price change also has the potential to affect an establishment’s business. However, Alfano says that it has not impacted the storefront negatively. “Business, particularly leading up to the holidays, remains brisk. We have popular packages that are cost-effective for consumers,” Alfano said. This causes concern for businesses that rely on the affordable price of grocery products. Doris Italian market operates both as a dining location and a grocery store, but inflation has also affected standalone dining establishments. Ramen Lab Eatery is a South Florida restaurant with four locations, one being in West Palm Beach within the popular Grandview Public Market. The vendor offers authentic ramen and bowls. Owner and founder of Ramen Lab Eatery Louis Grayson has seen the trend of price increases in all aspects of his restaurant. “There has been a significant increase on all food and material items. We have seen this year over 100% increase on almost all of our food items, and it has been a challenge for us as a restaurant,” Grayson said. The base price of ingredients has also caused difficulty for Ramen Lab Eatery. “We had to adjust our prices and even take some items off the menu because it was not feasible. For example, a case of cauliflower used to be around $30, now we are seeing cauliflower at $80 to $100,” Grayson said. With the new price of ingredients requiring more income to purchase, the restaurant had to respond by increasing the price of menu items to compensate. “The increase in price from food and materials make it harder for smaller restaurants to be able to manage the day to day, and (is) squeezing the margins for independent restaurant," Grayson said. "It is challenging to charge customers at a lower price now because this is the new norm for us.” This inflation has not only affected the price of food in local restaurants, but also affected every part of the business. With rising costs, labor has also increased. Since employees need to be paid more to make an appropriate wage, costs in restaurants continue to rise in this regard as well. “Overall not only has food and materials gone up in price, affecting our business, but also labor cost increase and cost of living increase has affected the restaurant industry,” Grayson said. Customers also play a role in the financial success of a restaurant. When menu prices increase, new expectations are put forward by the customer, as they are spending more for what they had previously eaten for less. “Customers are now less forgiving when there is a mistake, or wait time for food. And we notice that when customers are choosing a restaurant to dine out at, they want an overall experience, and a restaurant worth going out to, not just an average experience. Guests want the prices to match the experience," Grayson said. "We have been retraining our staff to up our service etiquette, and making sure the ambience and platings are up to par to be worth an experience for customers dining with us.” In our local dining economy, all levels of business have been affected. With difficulty for both restaurants and customers, both parties have to give more effort to dining endeavors. As inflation continues to rise, so will the challenges of the dining industry. By Cooper Ray

BOYNTON BEACH, FLA. – “Don’t take freedom for granted,” Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said. The week before the midterm elections, DeSantis held a “Don’t Tread on Florida” tour, stopping in Palm Beach County on Nov. 7 to garner last-minute support. Hundreds of supporters attended the free event, raising “Keep Florida Free” signs, sporting red caps and displaying large flags depicting DeSantis’ face. The rally was held in a warehouse owned by the Everglades Equipment Group, a commercial and industrial John Deere equipment supplier. Willy Guardiola, president of the Palm Beach County Right to Life league, also wore his beliefs on his sleeve. On the left shoulder of a shirt that read, “God’s got this,” Guardiola displayed a pin supporting DeSantis. Although he only assisted in promoting this event, Guardiola has organized many rallies for former President Donald Trump, as well as events and rallies for DeSantis. “I feel excited about our governor…. It’s gonna be the biggest victory in the Republican Party in many years,” Guardiola said. Other Republican leaders also expressed strong convictions about a reelection for DeSantis. Michael Barnett, chairman of the Republican Party of Palm Beach County, said he expected to see a “big red wave crash.” Barnett expressed support for DeSantis, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio and other Republicans in both local partisan races and Congress. He added that there are more than 300,000 registered Republican voters in Florida than there were two years ago. Barnett said that he believes the increase in Republican voters is due to people moving from predominantly Democratic states to live under DeSantis’ policies in Florida. “They know what it’s like to lose their freedoms in New York, California and a lot of these other states where we’ve seen the results of these unwarranted, unjustified [COVID-19] lockdowns,” Barnett said. “Whereas Governor DeSantis has kept Florida open and free for business [and] for our schools.” Peter Feaman, the national committeeman of the Republican Party of Florida, said he hopes that DeSantis will continue to fight big government, keep taxes low, allow businesses to prosper through less regulations and give parents control of the curriculum taught to their children in the public school system. "It's all about liberty, freedom," Feaman said. At the rally, DeSantis reiterated his policies, eliciting loud agreements from his supporters. He advocated for no vaccine mandates, maintaining public order, protecting women athletes, and removing the medical license of any physician who either gives puberty blockers or performs sex reassignment surgery for minors. In an effort to discourage progressive education policies, DeSantis favored banning critical race theory, enforcing the Parents’ Rights in Education bill and keeping curricula transparent in public schools. “We in Florida will never, ever, surrender to the ‘woke’ mob,” DeSantis said. He also addressed some of his concerns about the policies of his opponents. He talked about lawlessness in California, the border crisis, the life-threatening use and transportation of fentanyl, inflation and the rising cost of energy. "We chose freedom over fascism," DeSantis said. As DeSantis ended his speech, “Sweet Florida,” a tribute song for DeSantis by brothers Johnny and Donnie Van Zant, blared in the background. "He's a man of conviction, a man of character and he backs up what he believes with action," Feaman said about DeSantis. DeSantis secured a second term as governor after Election Day, beating U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist with nearly 60% of the vote. Many counties that were historically blue turned red, including Miami-Dade and Palm Beach. By Jasmine Lien

Brendan Abernathy, an up-and-coming folk musician, played on Sept. 10 at Composition Coffeehouse in West Palm Beach, Florida. “Number one, I have to make good songs, and number two… in performing, I just want to be entirely authentic,” Abernathy said. Although Abernathy graduated with his degree in economics and pre-med, with a minor in Spanish and a certificate in leadership, he chose to live out of his car, hoping to create inspiring music for college students. Originally from Dunwoody, Georgia, Abernathy toured for three consecutive years, with a three month break in 2020. Driving from state to state and playing at venues for free to promote his music, he makes a living by selling his merchandise to performance attendees. Abernathy exhibits a unique performance style by using the skill of looping to keep his audience intrigued. “My favorite thing when I’m watching a live performance is the imperfection of it, so when I was deciding to do this, I was trying to decide how I could portray art in a way that gives people hope,” Abernathy said. To create that “imperfect feeling” and remind his audience that he is also human, Abernathy chose to be the only performer on the stage. Through this, he can connect with his audience and listeners, something he says he strongly cherishes. A part of Abernathy’s authenticity is rooted in his religious beliefs. While he does not write or produce Christian music, he strongly believes that "God can be seen and reflected in everything people do." “Whenever anyone is creating art, they are in a sense collaborating with God, because God is the creator, and we are created to create, so we are glorifying him by creating art,” Abernathy said. Abernathy’s love for Jimmy Buffet inspired him to create his own music. At the age of 6, he bought his own guitar. During his senior year of high school, he was enlisted to help lead worship at a mission trip. Shortly after, he starred in his school’s musical, which solidified his desire to become a performer. Abernathy said that his goal is to sell out Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado and have the whole place singing his songs back to him. “I just want to make art that impacts people... affects culture, and makes a difference in the world,” Abernathy said, explaining his motive behind writing and performing music. At the end of the day, Abernathy wants to connect with his listeners on a deep and personal level. “I think that in order for people to have hope, they also have to be able to relate to you, and they have to relate to your art,” Abernathy said. On Sept. 14, his newest song “Ghosts Pt. II” was released. His song is referencing people and memories from your past that haunt you, as well as the concept of actually being ghosted. On Sept. 30, his mixtape “Single and In Love” came out as well. By Ashlyn Knaebel

Students eagerly joined Palm Beach Atlantic University's new swim club this fall, despite paying for facility use, equipment and transportation costs. Freshman Rachel Rummo, the swim club’s founder and president, said that the swim club is worth participating in, despite the cost. “It will help people physically stay fit, and we will also grow together as a Christian community of athletes," Rummo explained. After the club received approval from PBA's student government, more than 15 students joined the club. The members include on-campus students, commuters and a mix of lower and upper-class students from across the nation. Rummo said she wants to include swimmers at every level by making sure there will be a workout that everyone can do. Due to the absence of an on-campus pool, the club will be using the facilities of Lake Lytal Family Aquatic Center. Rummo negotiated the pool fee for a swim club member from $70 per month to $40 per month. By December, a club member will pay $160 to use the pool. Projections for the fall semester show the swim club spending a total of $2,400 for facility use alone. The aquatic center offers qualified coaches, a 50-by-25 meter swimming pool and competition opportunities for PBA swimmers. "The facilities at Lake Lytal are quite generous… There are plenty of lanes for everyone, which is incredible," Rummo said. Swim club member Graciana Maier said that even though the price is reasonable, payment could be a potential struggle for unemployed college students. “If you have a job, it [meeting the price] is not that hard. You need a regular income flow, otherwise, you will be losing money,” Maier said. Swim equipment also factors into the expenses of members. Although equipment is not required, it is highly encouraged by Rummo, who said it would help the swimmers train more efficiently. During an interest meeting on Sept. 8, Rummo addressed the importance of the equipment and recommended locations to buy high-quality, affordable gear. Recommended equipment includes fins, paddles, kickboards, snorkels, buoys and triangle boards. The swim gear will help target specific muscles to enhance strength and endurance. "It's swimming smarter, not harder," Rummo explained. Club members are currently working on a transportation method to accommodate each individual’s schedule. The aquatic center is located 11 minutes from campus. Because some students without vehicles are forced to carpool with other students, they must pay an extra $5 fee to compensate for gas prices. "The biggest challenge of starting the club is getting the communication, especially for the drivers," Rummo said. Rummo swam competitively in high school, and her love of swimming motivated her to start the club. She said she was inspired by hearing how the lacrosse team at PBA began as a club and grew to be a full-fledged part of the athletics department at PBA that receives support and financial backing from the school. Rummo and Maier hope this may also be the case for the swim club and are excited for the future of PBA Swim. "To get your money's worth out of the club, you should go [to the pool] as much as you can. If you only go once a week, it's a $10 swim. But if you go all the time [all the daily practices], it's pretty cheap," Rummo said. By Sarah Gale

Humans are no strangers to gathering for festive activities, but, within Chinese culture, it is a way of life. These traditions showcase the importance of the community to all. One tradition of art and culture is known as the Mid-Autumn Festival. The history of Chinese culture is deeply rooted in art, which is seen through their deep appreciation for the most intricate works. The art includes traditional paintings of Chinese landscapes and abstract art. Laurie Barnes, curator of Chinese art at the Norton Museum of Art, explains the significance of the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival. “You're petitioning the forces of the universe to give you a good harvest for the next year,” Barnes said. Historically, the tradition of the Mid-Autumn Festival was focused on the idea of serving a deity. These days, the festival is primarily focused on community and celebrating fall. “That [Mid-Autumn Festival] evolved over time – it became a big party,” Barnes said. “It's kind of like Thanksgiving, in a way.” To celebrate the festival, the Norton Museum of Art has placed four paintings on display, all of which represent the evolution of traditional Chinese art styles. The most highlighted piece in the exhibit is “Light in Darkness” by Liu Kuo-Sung. The look of the painting is different from the more traditional pieces in the collection because of the unique paper used to create it. “This is a special fibrous paper that he created,” Barnes said, “It's really this complicated layering.” In addition to the abstract pieces, the exhibit presents its share of traditional landscape paintings. A prime example of traditional Chinese art is “Walking with a Staff in Autumn Groves” by Zhang Yuan Zhang. This nearly 8-foot-long scroll depicts a scene of the Chinese countryside and is filled with many traditional details, primarily capturing the landscape. The most modern painting in the collection is “Autumn Falls” by Arnold Chang. The painting was created in 2006, but also has a more traditional element. Looking at the painting, you can see the similarities to the other pieces in the collection that are more than 175 years older than this piece. Chang is actively creating art to this day, and his style pays homage to the great Chinese artists of the past. Chang is also innovative because he experiments with new styles and techniques. “He’s now working in a more abstract style,” Barnes said. Barnes also explained Chang’s newest projects and his processes, including his collaborative work with photographer Michael Cherney. Chang is currently working with Cherney in Beijing. They have been collaborating on pieces where a photograph is taken and is then painted on. “They’re exploring different ways to expand upon a traditional Chinese landscape. Arnold's really kind of dedicated to that,” Barnes said. The Mid-Autumn Festival is a tradition in Chinese culture that reveals the nation's rich history of art and culture to all. It shows its history through its paintings, but it is upheld by those who keep the tradition and heritage of the festival close to their hearts. The Mid-Autumn Festival is a celebration that brings together some of the most important aspects of life in every culture, celebrating together in community and preserving history. By Cooper Ray

Sea turtles have been an endangered species for nearly 50 years in South Florida. Currently, an estimated 10% of sea turtles along the U.S. east coast survive. “It is heartbreaking to me that turtles and other animals suffer from such diseases which we believe are related to environmental cofactors,” Whitney Crowder, the sea turtle rehabilitation coordinator for Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, said. Sea turtles can be injured from boats, fishing gear and pollution. They are also commonly slaughtered for their skin and shells. Gumbo Limbo aims to rescue, rehabilitate, release and participate in research to help the endangered sea turtles along South Florida’s east coast. Whenever an emergency regarding the health of sea turtles is reported, Gumbo Limbo’s rehabilitation team members respond and send out someone from the stranding team, who then takes care of the sea turtle. Sea turtles are taken care of in the Environmental Complex, which is part of Gumbo Limbo’s organization. They are given hospitality, which includes the removal of hooks and other things the sea turtles are stuck in, as well as medication. Crowder manages all of Gumbo Limbo’s rehabilitation operations. She also determines operations, including patient care, medical procedures and surgeries. Crowder said that the efforts include everything from in-water rescues, stabilization of new patients through triage, treating them with medications and nutrition, surgeries and releasing them to their natural environment. According to Oceana, an international organization that focuses on helping and saving species in the ocean, sea turtles help maintain coral reefs, as well as transport nutrients from the oceans to the coastal dunes. Crowder pointed out that everyone in society should make some profound changes when it comes to the environment to save sea turtles and other species. According to the Sea Turtle Conservancy, a nonprofit organization that does research and conservation initiatives about sea turtles across the globe, an extinction of sea turtles would increase the erosion of coral reefs and other vitalities in the ocean. One thing someone can do to save sea turtles is to engage in clean-ups at the beach. Beaches without trash saves sea turtles habitat and protects them from injuries. “When I participated in a coastal clean-up, I was shocked over how much trash people throw after themselves,” Madison Lane, a 19-year-old surfer and ocean cleaner, said. Crowder said that if we do not do anything to rescue and save sea turtles, the future generations will not experience the beautiful ocean with sea turtles in it. “The future that our children will have depends on the preservation we are doing right now,” Crowder said. For this reason, Gumbo Limbo’s Nature Center is having public sea turtles releases and hammock happenings, which is their program guide. During October, baby sea turtle hatchlings are emerging from nets to make their way to the ocean. The Nature Center is, therefore, having sea turtle talk which allows visitors to meet current sea turtle patients and learn about their stories. Gumbo Limbo are also having an outdoor marine aquarium feeding of sea turtles where visitors can learn about sea turtles and other ocean species' habitats and how they can help maintain them. By Hedda Jarhall