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This Valentine’s Day gave both singles and couples alike something to smile about as Virginia Wesleyan's cheerleading and dance teams hosted the second annual Z104 Sweetheart Cheer and Dance competition in the Batten Student Center. Doors opened at 9 a.m., and the competition started at 10. Fourteen cheerleading and six dance teams from surrounding towns took part. Groups for the competition ranged in age from the Pee Wee group all the way up to the Large Senior Open division. Virginia Wesleyan's cheerleading team participated by exhibition, along with the Silver Star Elite Superstars, the Special Olympics Cheer team.
“The Special Olympics Team was phenomenal," said sophomore cheerleading team member Angie Hunt. "It really made you realize what they cope with every day and what they still can do." The line-up for the dance teams included Roanoke College, Christopher Newport University, Bridgewater College, Mary Washington College, Randolph Macon, and Wesleyan. Wesleyan's dance team pulled off a fourth-place finish, while Roanoke College went home with first.
Students attending the competition debated over whether they would attend the competition in future years, if Wesleyan were to again play host. "I think it should have been only college students that competed," said sophomore Chelsea Coon. "I thought it was too long with the little kids being there also." Junior Shawn Heath, however, enjoyed his time spent at the competition. "I didn't even know about it, so I wasn't planning to be there,” he said. “But one of my friends forced me to go with her, and it actually wasn't too bad. Maybe she'll be able to talk me into going again next year." Overall, the competition was a fun event for all ages. And for those who didn't have a significant other to spend the day with, it was a more-than welcome distraction.
LaMonte described his decision to come here as being influenced by the employee-friendly policies of Wood Dining Service, the Sodexho subsidiary that runs the Wesleyan Dining Hall. LaMonte said that the company offered him good benefits and policies, and that he liked the operating procedures. While he enjoys the way the dining services are run, LaMonte also brings several fresh ideas and a willingness to take some chances to the table.
"I'm the kind of guy that takes the path less traveled,” said LaMonte. “I'm a risk taker." As such, he's moved from the faster- paced world he was in in New Orleans to what he termed 'institutional' cooking here. It's a totally new experience for him, but he has some ideas to add flavor to the Wesleyan dining experience. He has already begun to look at a plan to address what he feels is a hole in the food service. "I'm looking toward building a smoothie and health food bar in the side of the Marlin Grille," which is now, he said, under-utilized. The bar he envisions would have fruit smoothies along with other health foods, near the gym and the pool, an attraction not only for students, but a revenue earner for the college, serving those who come to use the facilities.
LaMonte also has some leeway on his menu, and he's going to take full advantage of it. "The new soups [this week, Spanish Beef and Rice and Chicken Fajita] were just the beginning," LaMonte said. Up to twenty percent of the items he prepares can be new and made from scratch. He's looking to take the dining Hall in a more homemade direction, making more things from scratch. "I'm here for the students, I've got an open door, open office policy," explained LaMonte.
He encourages the students to come to him with new ideas, suggestions or comments. He welcomes personal visits and intends to check the comments board regularly. "I want to get to know the people here," LaMonte said. "I'm one of the good guys."
The Residence Life staff is currently comprised of Moore, who lives in Village III; Assistant Dean of Students for Residence Life and Student Programming Rebecca McKeon, who lives in Village II; Assistant to the Dean of Students for Residence Life and Community Development Seth Brady, who lives in Village 1; and Cindy Dixon, Assistant Coordinator of Student Housing.
"No one is getting fired," said Moore. "The importance of these changes is because the nature and responsibility of Residence Life are changing and are no longer going to be dealt with by Residence Life." Since Intramurals and Student Leadership Programming are no longer programs run out of Residence Life, the duties of the Residence Life staff will change. "This gives us a chance to hire an employee whose sole idea and responsibility will be to be available for students and not to be busy or distracted with other duties," said Moore.
Next fall, the Residence Life Staff will be made up of Keith Moore, who will be moving off campus, a live-in Associate Director of Residence Life who will be living in the Village III Teagle building where Moore currently lives, and Cindy Dixon, Assistant Coordinator of Student Housing. When the new housing in Village III is finished, there will be a Village Assistant living in the new building as well as in the current apartment suite located in South Hall. Each hall on campus will continue to have an RA as well.
Virginia Wesleyan Security Log· On Feb 4 there was a complaint of loud noises coming from Parking Lot B. · On Feb 5 Students were involved in an altercation in Parking Lot D. Minor injuries were treated on site. · On Feb 6 a student was found intoxicated with drugs in the Boyd Center and was transported to Sentara Lee Hospital for treatment. · On Feb 12 security received a report of a sexual assault that occurred on Feb 9 in Village I. Information courtesy of the Virginia Wesleyan Campus Crime Log |
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