Written by: Abbie Baggerly   Anyone looking for an adrenaline rush should be glad to know that CORE will be taking students white-water rafting in the cool Appalachian Mountains on Sept. 28-29. CORE plans to tackle the rapids in Hiawassee, Ga. and Ocoee, Tenn. during the trip which will include rafting, hiking and plenty of water. “Water,” Sean Wilkinson, CORE ...

Story and photos by Elan Waite   Laughter could be heard throughout the Student Union as Natural High hosted their Free Game Night in the Student Union Game Room Thursday. The group, Natural High, offers alternative activities and functions that are drug and alcohol free for students. Mallory King, a freshman and newcomer to the group, called the event “pretty ...

by Hillary Straba   Over the past few months, there have been numerous changes made to the VSU campus—new retainer gardens, flowering shrubs,  art installations— but perhaps the most misunderstood addition to the campus has been the outdoor classroom behind West Hall. Completed in August, the outdoor classroom is one of the larger improvements scheduled to take place on campus, ...

Written by: Cole Edwards Fundraising and giving back to those in need continues to be a main focus for many students at VSU. Up ‘til Dawn, a nationwide program of more than 180 colleges, helps to raise awareness and funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The VSU chapter of the organization was started in the fall of 2010 by ...

Written by: Will Lewis   What were you doing Tuesday evening, Aug. 20? Across Valdosta and on campus many people were settling down for dinner. As some students scooped their evening meal onto a plate in Palms Dining Hall, more than 426 children shook and then died. Damascus, a city immortalized by the biblical story of a Pharisee named Saul, ...

Written by Eric Jackson  After previously playing football for two junior colleges, the misunderstood standout thinks it’s safe to call Valdosta his final stop. The Blazers’ newly acquired wide receiver considers himself blessed to be granted another opportunity. “I’m trying to make this a home run,” Downs said. “That’s what I’m coming in for, to make this the best out ...

Written by Jordan Barela   The VSU Theatre and Dance group will kick off the school year with their production of “Lonely, I’m Not” today at 7:30 p.m. “Lonely, I’m Not” is a dark comedy written by Paul Weitz, also known for being the director of “American Pie.” The play, which premiered in May 2012, is Weitz’s most recent off-Broadway ...

by Brian Hickey   Although there are no flying cars just yet, we may already be living in the Jetsons-esque future that we’ve long awaited. Once costing $20,000, the MakerBot Replicator 1 now sells online for less than $1,000. This past January, VSU purchased two of the devices for about $2,000 each and the filament used for the machines, which ...

by Neil Frawley   With a new regime intact, the VSU volleyball team welcomes seven new players to its family. The seven newcomers include: Natalia Campos (Fr.), Taylor Holder (Fr.), Danyelle Drummond (Fr.), Marissa Woodworth (Fr.), Kelsey Hedman (So.), Jessica Codato (Jr.), and Jenna Kirkwood (Jr.), making it a total of four freshmen, one sophomore, and two juniors. Aside from ...

by Cole Edwards   (Photos by Ritsuki Miyazaki)   All eyes may be on the Blazers at the start of the new football season, but the Blazin’ Brigade marching band is training to ensure that it is also ready for the upcoming football season. “We want to have the effect that it would be obvious if we were not (at ...