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by Becky Shumar–

Warm weather is rolling in! Many outdoorsy people are strapping on their hiking boots and running shoes to take on the trails. But staying safe while exploring nature is just as important as finding the perfect shoes that will not give blisters.

“We always recommend anything that you do in the cold months you do in the warmers months,” said Daniel Guilliams, Community Services Officer at Virginia Tech. “Of course it’s lighter outside, everyone is going to be out more, but pay attention to your surroundings, always pay attention to your surroundings, things change in a heartbeat.”

The New River Valley is full of opportunities to safely take in the great outdoors. Making it back home in one piece is as easy as taking a few simple precautions.

If at all possible, always walk in groups, especially at night. Carrying emergency items like pepper spray and a small first aid kit may be a nuisance, but they could save a life.

“If you have to have medicine, take your medicine,” said Guilliams. “Because you don’t know, you may get stuck, something may cause you to need that medicine right away and you can’t get back to it.”

It is important to have a fully charged cell phone when starting out on an adventure so help can be reached quickly in emergency situations. But don’t get too engrossed in music or social media. This can lead to losing track of the trail or a twisted ankle.

But for an adventurer who prefers to walk alone, there is a free app that can be used on a smartphone that will let a friend or family member virtually walk with you. The LiveSafe app allows someone to track a person’s location.

“We always recommend people get this app when they come to Virginia Tech,” said Guilliams. “It’s a great way for roommates to check in with each other when they go out downtown or on the trails.”

Officer Guilliams says most injuries he has encountered from hikers and bikers are as a result of people going where they should not. Avoid trespassing, leaving the trail and construction sites.

But if worst comes to worst, Virginia’ Tech’s campus and surrounding areas, such as the Huckleberry Trail, have blue light phones. If assistance is needed, simply press the button on the front of the phone and the call will be directly connected to a 911 operator. The phones are strategically placed so if a victim feels unsafe staying in one place, they can run from phone to phone while an operator is watching.

Exploring the great outdoors can be a great way to blow off steam after a long week. Use common sense, be aware of your surroundings and follow these safety tips so you can soak in the sun day after day.

Blacksburg, Va, April 2- Mace: Hikers, walkers and bikers should bring pepper spray with them in case an attacker threatens them. Pepper spray can be bought in small containers that fit on key chains and in pockets. Photo: Becky Shumar

Blacksburg, Va, April 2-Huckleberry Trail Map: Pay attention to maps and have a plan before the adventure begins. Photo: Becky Shumar

Blacksburg, Va, April 2-Strength in Numbers: Avoid going on adventures alone. Having support can make all the difference. Photo: Becky Shumar

Blacksburg, Va, April 2-Detour: Hikers, walkers and bikers should pay attention to maps and detour signs so they do not get lost or end up in an unsafe situation. Photo: Becky Shumar

Blacksburg, Va, April 2-Pot Holes: Watch out for pot holes and low hanging branches. Stay alert and aware of your surroundings. Photo: Becky Shumar

Blacksburg, Va, April 2-Do Not Pass: Do not trespass or wander off trails. Officer Guilliams says most of the injuries he sees involve people going where they are not allowed. Photo: Becky Shumar

Blacksburg, Va, March 31-Adventuring at Night: Officer Guilliams recommends that people stay off trails when it is dark outside. It is safest to stay in lit areas. Photo: Becky Shumar

Blacksburg, Va, March 31-Blue Light Phone: People who feel unsafe while on campus or the Huckleberry Trail use the blue light phones to contact police. Photo: Becky Shumar

Blacksburg, Va, March 31-Blue Light Phone Use: To use the blue light phone, hit the button. A 911 operator will be on the other line and will be able to see you through a camera on the post. Photo: Becky Shumar

by Becca Tedesco–

With over 60 religious organizations at Virginia Tech, it is evident that the school cares about its student’s beliefs and backgrounds. One action that Virginia Tech has just taken is the addition of a prayer/meditation section located on the second floor of Squires Student Center.

This section of Squires is utilized by many students of many different religious backgrounds, but one group seems to find it very resourceful. The Muslim Student Association is a group of students that are given the opportunity to  “come together in a supportive Muslim environment and seek to educate the local communities about Islam.”

Muslims are required to pray at very specific times each day.  According to Islamic Relief USA, there are five times throughout the day that a Muslim is supposed to pray: Dawn, Sunrise, Noon, Afternoon, Sunset and Night. Since Muslims are required to pray so often, this resource is extremely beneficial. Students have a place that they can go during a crazy school day that they feel comfortable praying in. The space provides a clean area with mats; something that a Muslim must have in order to pray.

In addition to a clean area, a Muslim must also have a clean body, which is why they wash their arms, face and hair before going to pray. The area located in Squires has no door, so it is open for use as long as the building is open. Although many Muslim students use it, people of other religious backgrounds that also want to pray also use it. Other people go just to sit in silence or meditate. Who knows, maybe it won’t always be for prayer. Maybe it will become a place where people can open up about their faith to others?

by Whitney Turner–

When it comes to fending off the “freshman 15,” students at Virginia Tech have to fight some serious temptations. While the nationally ranked dining halls do their best to advertise their healthy options, it is easy to fall victim to their gourmet desserts and garlic whipped mashed potatoes.

Virginia Tech senior Sarah Pierce believes the reason that students struggle to opt for healthy food choices is not because the university doesn’t provide them, but because students are usually pressed for time.

“I think the less healthy options have shorter lines,” said Pierce. “Since they go quicker, people stand in lines for those so they don’t have to wait as long. Whereas the salad line always takes longer.”

As a college student constantly on the move, fast meals or grab-and-go options can be more appealing.

“If you are super vigilant about eating right and going to the gym then you’re probably more likely to eat a salad,” said Pierce. “But if you’re just like ‘Oh, I need to go eat dinner, I’m not sure what I want,’ then it’s more likely you’re not going to eat as healthy.”

The university’s You’re Eating Smarter (Y.E.S.) program works to design menus that offer fruits and vegetables, low-fat dairy options, whole grains and proteins. According to Virginia Tech’s website, the Y.E.S. program responded to student requests for healthier grab-and-go items with the creation of the Y.E.S. to Go.

In addition to creating and providing a variety of wholesome meals, the Y.E.S. program seeks to educate students about how to make smart choices. While Y.E.S provides nutritional facts and information online and on table cards throughout the dining centers, their efforts to reach students may not be enough.

“They should list the calories on the signs beside each menu item,” said Pierce. “Because you can look it up online but when you’re there ordering something you kind of have to guess which option is best.”

To help guide students even further, the Y.E.S. program has blog outlining how to be a “healthier Hokie.” A cheat sheet that outlines the best options for a balanced diet at each shop in every dining hall on campus is listed on the site.

For additional assistance on staying healthy, Y.E.S. hosts nutrition education events at dining halls and encourages students to reach out directly to dining service’s dietitians.

Although the cheesecakes and cannoli may look tempting, for Virginia Tech students saying Y.E.S. is the key to looking and feeling your best.

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 25 – Grab-and-Go Options: The Y.E.S. to Go program provides a variety of salad entrees for students in the grab-and-go sections of the dining halls.

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 25 – Toppings Bar: Owens dining hall gives students the opportunity to build their own salad with a wide selection of toppings and dressings.

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 25 – Salad To-Go: A student gets salad dressing added to her West End Market salad. The salad is prepared in a to-go box.

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 25 – Fresh Veggies: Owens dining hall offers fresh vegetables and fruits for students.

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 25 – Dig In: A student takes a bite of her All American salad in West End Market.

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 25 – Dining Hall Menus: West End Market’s Leaf and Ladle menu represents what a general menu in a Virginia Tech dining hall looks like. Menu items and prices are listed but calories are not.

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 25 – Soup of the Day: West End Market offers vegetable soup and chili daily at its salad station.

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 25 – Dietrick Hall: Dietrick dining hall offers international cuisine on its upper level and gourmet desserts and express items on its lower level.

Blacksburg, Va., Feb. 25 – Specialty Salads: West End Market advertises their salads using posters and banners throughout the dining hall.

About a year ago, Leslie Hager-Smith turned her dream of increasing environmental awareness in downtown Blacksburg into a reality when she started the 16 Frogs project. An avid history lover and the vice-mayor of Blacksburg, Hager-Smith has seen the decline of the health of local water firsthand and knew something needed to be done.

“The year of our bicentennial was 1998, and that was the year that Stroubles Creek was put on the state’s most impaired waterways list, and it has remained there ever since,”Hager-Smith said.

According to the Virginia Water Resources Research Center, Stroubles Creek originates from three springs in Blacksburg, flows through the town, and combines together to run into the Duck Pond. Hager-Smith noted that despite the necessity of clean water in the environment, many people in the Blacksburg area are unaware of the current state of Stroubles Creek.

For this reason, Hager-Smith and the rest of the town council feel like the 16 Frogs project is a simple solution to this problem. She believes that it is vital to “bring attention to this environment, what makes it special, exactly why we got here and how town history revolves around waterways.”

In order to achieve this goal, 16 bronze statues of frogs will be strategically placed around the town of Blacksburg. Locals, college students and tourists will all be able to enjoy these unique pieces of artwork, while learning more about how they can make a difference in the health of Stroubles Creek. Several frogs are already installed and can be found next to the Blacksburg Municipal Building, in front of the Lyric Theater and next to the Main Street Inn.