Every fall, Silicon Valley tech giant Apple, Inc., unveils new products. This fall, the iPhone X [read: iPhone 10] was released — in addition to several other products. While the other new phones and computers were more customary updates to old devices, the iPhone X is entirely new. A larger screen, a glass back, and for the first time ever, no home button.
Many customers were just getting used to Apple’s 2013 home button, which integrated a fingerprint scanner. This allowed the phone’s owner to unlock it without entering a pass code. Without a button to scan fingerprints, how will iPhone X owners unlock their phones securely and with ease? Now, they’ll use their face.
The newest iPhone uses an infrared camera sensor to detect the owner’s unique facial features. This change will take more getting used to by Apple users, but the company is confident people will adjust.
Blacksburg, Va., Nov. 10- The Rock Memorial— Two cadets stand posted in front of The Rock memorial during one of the Veterans Day vigils at Virginia Tech. Photo: Alexis Johnson.
by Alexis Johnson–
For most Veterans Day is a time to honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. military, but for others Veterans Day at Virginia Tech takes on a whole new meaning.
According to the History of the Corps of Cadets, Virginia Tech started as a military school in 1872. Now the Corp makes up about 4 percent of the student body according to Virginia Tech Student Affairs.
Each year the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets organizes and plans several events including remembrance ceremonies, the lowering of the flag, and the firing of Skipper, the Corps of Cadets’ cannon to recognize those that have served, specifically those from Virginia Tech. One event, in particular, is the annual guarding of The Rock hosted by the Robert Femoyer Service Squadron (RFSS), a leadership organization within the Virginia Tech Air Force ROTC program.
Located on the Upper Quad just outside of New Cadets Hall, The Rock is the Corps of Cadets memorial dedicated to Hokies who fought in World War I.
This year, two members of the RFSS, were selected to plan, organize, and coordinate 96 cadets and officers to participate in the guarding of The Rock. Cadets Sakdithep Phongpitakvises and Nyaima Brackner have been planning this event for months and say that it “provides excellent leadership and organizational skills.”
The event was held over a 24 hour period, beginning midnight Friday, Nov. 10, and ending midnight Saturday. Each cadet had the opportunity to sign-up for 30-minute time slots. In groups of two, cadets stood at attention guarding the memorial making a switch every 30 minutes.
“It’s a very small sacrifice compared to what all the veterans have sacrificed for us,” said Cadet Brackner. “It’s honestly just thirty minutes of our lives,” added Cadet Phongpitakvises, “you get a little taste of what they (veterans) go through and get a little taste of why you want to serve.”
According to Cadets Brackner and Phongpitakvises, standing at the rock is “a time for self-reflection.” In fact, their goal for this year was that each cadet who volunteered would reflect on the sacrifices that each veteran has made before them and the sacrifices that they themselves will make in the future.
“Part of the reason I stand in front of the rock and I guard it is to go back on self-reflection and I ask myself why am I in the core? Why do I want to serve?” said Phongpitakvises. “That’s the stuff that goes through my head as I’m standing at the rock and that’s what I want others to think about.”
“Why are you here? There must be a purpose to what you’re doing. If there is no purpose, then why are you doing it?” added Phongpitakvises.
The memorial also has a special stone in memory of Cadet Matthew La Porte who was killed in the April 16 shooting.
Blacksburg, Va., Nov. 10- The Rock Memorial— Two cadets change positions as one cadet completes his time guarding the rock while the other prepares to stand guard. Photo: Alexis Johnson.
Blacksburg, Va., Nov. 10- The Rock Memorial— The names listed are of Hokies lost during World War I. These veterans fought in France between 1917 and 1919. Photo: Alexis Johnson.
Blacksburg, Va., Nov. 10- The Rock Memorial— Two cadets stand around the perimeter of The Rock. No one is to walk inside the diamond shape in honor of the fallen Hokies. Photo: Alexis Johnson.
Blacksburg, Va., Nov. 10- The Rock Memorial—The darker gray stone is in memory of Cadet Matthew La Porte who was killed during the April 16 shooting. La Porte was a drummer in the Highty Tighties. Photo: Alexis Johnson.
Blacksburg, Va., Nov. 10- The Rock Memorial— Featured is a symbolic war cannon representing World War I. There are two cannons on each side of The Rock. Photo: Alexis Johnson.
Christiansburg Va. Sept. 18 -Ninja Obstacle Course: The featured course is a high intensity obstacle course that requires physical and mental stamina. Height and age requirements may apply.
by Alexis Johnson–
In early September Xtreme Springz Trampoline Park opened its doors to the New River Valley becoming the first park of its kind in the area. According to the owner, Terry Stike, the project had been underway for, “a little under two years.”
According to the owner, Terry Stike, the project had been underway for, “a little under two years.”
Stike also owns the NRV Superbowl in Christiansburg, Va. “The trampoline park was just the next step for family entertainment in the New River Valley because trampoline parks are the number one entertainment right now in the country,” stated Stike.
Not only does the park serve as entertainment for the community, but it has also created a total of 45 new jobs to date with 15 more positions still open. At the center of two major universities, the NRV it is a prime location for a growing workforce. “Most of our employees are teenagers,” Stike commented, “young and energetic is what we’re looking for.”
“Most of our employees are teenagers,” Stike commented, “young and energetic is what we’re looking for.”
As for JJ Devaughn, a sophomore at Radford University, the new job openings were right on time. “When I first heard of the park coming to the New River Valley area I was pretty excited seeing as though the closest trampoline park is in Roanoke.” When asked why he applied for the job he said, “I knew it would be a fun job to have, and it worked out great for me because I told a lot of my friends to come up here and apply. We ended up all getting hired together.”
“When I first heard of the park coming to the New River Valley area I was pretty excited seeing as though the closest trampoline park is in Roanoke,” Devaughn said.
Devaughn said he was anxious to apply for the job. “I knew it would be a fun job to have, and it worked out great for me because I told a lot of my friends to come up here and apply. We ended up all getting hired together.”
Currently, the remaining open positions include overseeing the courses, working the registers, waiver administrators, kitchen, DJ openings, and more. Stike said that they already have plans for expansion including batting cages and putt-putt golf.
> THE NEWS FEED < 