Volume 130, Issue 8: February 24, 2022

the

VOLUME 130, ISSUE 8

SIGNAL

FEBRUARY 24, 2022

A P U B L I C AT I O N O F O U A C H I TA B A P T I S T U N I V E R S I T Y

CONTENTS PAGE 2 | WWW.OBUSIGNAL.COM

COVER STORY.............................3 NEWS......................................4-5 ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT...............6 OPINIONS................................... 7 SPORTS......................................8 SCAN FOR AN ONLINE EDITION CONNECT WITH THE SIGNAL

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th e

Sara Patterson

SIGNAL

MacKenzie Hall

Langley Leverett

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

NEWS EDITOR

Wyatt Ashlock

ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT & OPINIONS EDITOR

Dr. Jeff Root Adviser

Ryan York

SPORTS EDITOR

COPY EDITOR

Valeria Gomez SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

Dr. Deborah Root Adviser

Caroline Derby

AD COORDINATOR

Abby Blankenship PHOTO EDITOR

Levi Dade

PHOTO EDITOR

Jackson Carter Online Adviser

Ouachita Baptist University Office: Evans Student Center Email: signal@obu.edu Phone: (870) 245-5210 The Signal is the student newspaper of Ouachita Baptist University, and is published twice a month on Thursdays during the fall and spring semesters when school is in session. The newspaper is distributed free of charge; 1,200 copies are placed in more than 20 locations across campus.

Opinions expressed are those of the writer and not necessarily those of the newspaper staff or university. The Signal is a member of the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and the Associated Collegiate Press and is printed by the Nashville Leader.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR: Letters to the editor are encouraged and accepted, unless libelous, irresponsible or obscene. Letters should be typed and include a signature and contact phone number, and must be less than 500 words. The Signal reserves the right to edit letters for space and style. Letters should be sent via campus mail to Box 3761 or via email to signal@obu.edu.

COVER STORY WWW.OBUSIGNAL.COM | PAGE 3

Left: Clay introduces herself to the audience at the start of the Miss Ouachita Baptist University Scholarship Pageant. Middle: Clay performs an animated opera piece for the talent round of competition. Right: Former Miss OBU Caroline Derby crowns Clay as the new Miss OBU. Clay looks forward to sharing her social impact initiative, Confidence Blueprint, with young people across Arkansas. (photos by Levi Dade)

Clay wins Miss OBU title, looks to Miss Ark.

BY RACHEL DUNNAM Staff Writer

Kaelin Clay, a freshman communications and music industry major from Idabel, Okla., was crowned Miss Ouachita Baptist University on Feb. 12.

Hosted at Jones Performing Arts Center, the Miss Ouachita Baptist University Scholarship Pageant is a preliminary to the Miss Arkansas Scholarship Competition. While the reality of this achievement is still setting in, Clay is already looking forward to the year ahead.

“The Lord is so good, and I could not be more honored with this dream come true,” Clay said.

Clay is a member of the Women of EEE, Ouachita Singers Concert Choir and College Republicans.

She also volunteers with the ElderServe program at the Elrod Center and the Peak Partnership tutoring program.

“I love getting involved however I can on campus. I think that Ouachita has such a sense of community and being able to

represent that as Miss OBU, going out into the community and then serving at events here on campus is pretty exciting,” Clay said.

“Holding this title gives me the opportunity to be a friendly face on campus and represent what it means to be a Tiger.”

Even before competing in the Miss OBU pageant, Clay had an eventful start to her freshman year participating in clubs and classes, allowing her to bond with new and old friends on campus.

“My freshman year has been incredible,” Clay said. “First semester was a huge transition, but truly for the better. I have grown so much spiritually since coming to Ouachita. Everyday is a reminder that I am exactly where God wants me to be.”

Clay has competed in other pageants in the past, especially within the Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen organization.

She will represent Ouachita at the annual Miss Arkansas Scholarship Competition, a preliminary to Miss America held every summer in

Little Rock.

“I grew up watching the Miss America competition on TV every year, and I always looked up to the girls competing,” Clay said. “As I grew older and started competing in pageants, their eloquence and boldness inspired me more and more.”

Clay has not only spent years viewing pageants, but is a seasoned competitor herself.

“I’ve competed in pageants for quite a while,” Clay said. “When I was younger, I competed in the National American Miss pageant organization, and as soon as I was old enough to compete in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen organization, I started participating in local pageants and competed at the state pageant for three years.”

When her name was announced as the new Miss OBU, Clay was shocked to hear this dream come to life.

“Afterwards when it was over and all my family ran up to me, I was overwhelmed with excitement,” Clay said. “It didn’t

really sink in that I had won right away. It’s just one of those things that you dream about for so long and when it’s actually reality, it doesn’t feel real. It wasn’t until the Monday or Tuesday after when I actually believed that I was Miss OBU, and now I am starting preparation for Miss Arkansas and it feels all the more real.”

Clay’s older sister, Karigan Clay, also currently attends OBU. For Clay, her close relationship with her sister was an influential part of her college decision.

“My sister Karigan is a junior at OBU, so naturally I had to visit campus,” Clay said. “At first I didn’t want to go to Ouachita, solely for the fact that I didn’t want to be the girl that followed her sister. But when I stepped foot on campus, I realized that this was exactly where God was calling me to be. I felt a sense of warmth and sincerity that Ouachita brought, and I knew I had to make this place home.”

Clay is looking forward to the next year as she represents

Ouachita with her social impact initiative, Confidence Blueprint.

Confidence Blueprint focuses on using and promoting a four-prong system to form a foundation for a confident life. When Clay was younger, she let the words of her classmates define the way she viewed herself, and her confidence was at an all-time low.

“Being crowned Miss OBU has given me the opportunity to continue to share my story on the next level and be the role model I needed when I was in that place,” Clay said. “Taking my mission to the Miss Arkansas stage while representing the best university in my book is a dream come true.”

With the new opportunity to promote Confidence Blueprint, Clay can continue to be a light in the lives of young students.

“There’s no other path I would want to take to get to the Miss America stage than this one,” Clay said. “I want to be the role model for younger girls watching just like the previous Miss Americas were for me.”

NEWS

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Rockfest encourages friendly competition

BY MALLORY GATSON Staff Writer

René Zimny, Benjamin Olatunji, Bailey Buettner and Kelsey Bester serve dishes at the International Food Fest. Students, faculty and individuals from the surrounding community came eager to try new foods from different cultures. (photo by Mikaela Monahan)

International Food Fest returns

BY JULIA SHANDS Staff Writer

The International Club and the Grant Center for International Education hosted the International Food Fest on Tuesday, Feb. 22, in Walker Conference Center. Students, faculty and staff represented their culture by preparing traditional dishes from their country for the Ouachita community to try.

The festival cost $5 to enter and provided students with the rare chance to get out of their comfort zone and try new foods that are loved by cultures around the world.

Gwyneth Hadasa, a senior nutrition and dietetics major from Indonesia and president of the International Club, worked alongside club members to make the event possible, from recruiting volunteers to cooking the meals.

“It’s a time of fellowship, an event where everyone can taste test home-cooked meals from about 30 countries,” Hadasa said. “It’s an opportunity for the OBU community to pretend that they are going to other countries, try new food

from other countries and perhaps learn a thing or two about the culture.”

The theme for this year’s festival was “A World of Flavour.”

Each participant received an International Food Festival passport to “travel” to different countries and taste their dish.

“We are wanting to create an airport and travel experience on OBU’s campus,” Hadasa said. “We are literally bringing international exposure right here in Arkadelphia.

With the pandemic, traveling has been difficult for many. With IFF, we are hoping to bring that travel experience to campus, transporting the Ouachita community to the different countries represented.”

While IFF presented nationals with new cultures, IFF allowed for international students to make Ouachita feel more like home away from home.

“Many international and third culture students may feel homesick or miss their home food,” said Hadasa. “This event helps us to alleviate this homesickness by sharing the joy of cooking, sharing bits of our home and connecting with

friends.”

The international community is well represented at Ouachita with 50 international and third culture students coming from 34 different countries.

“The IFF is an annual tradition at OBU that has become the main ‘spotlight’ event for the international dimension on our campus,” Jason Greenwich, director of the Grant Center for International Education, said. “Ouachita also has a wealth of international experience among our faculty and staff.

In fact, a total of 50 of these have lived in a combined 42 countries and have spent 525 years cumulatively living overseas.”

Because the pandemic halted last year’s festival, the Ouachita community was eager to attend.

“This will be the first opportunity that half of our student body has had to attend this event, due to the disruptions that COVID-19 has brought to our lives over the past two years,” said Greenwich. “This festival truly is the most enjoyable international experience on campus and the highlight of the year for many of our students.”

Recreational Life (Rec Life) hosted the 12th annual Rockfest Climbing Competition last Saturday, Feb. 18. The event was held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the free campus climbing facility, the CRAG, located in SPEC. With no registration requirement, the competition was open to students to walk in and compete to win prizes and have fun with friends.

A total of 17 climbers participated in the competition. Each climber that participated won a prize, but overall winners were Advanced Women winner Hannah Smith, Advanced Men winner Jacob Cates, Beginner Women winner Abby Ralston and Beginner Men winner Andrew Tarlton. Shane Seaton, director of Rec Life, said this year’s competition cultivated community and student engagement.

“We had an amazing time at Rockfest,” Seaton said. “I always love the atmosphere at this event and this year did not disappoint.

Many people came out to climb, and many came out to cheer on and support their friends.”

The exciting event allowed students to participate in healthy competition, build new friendships and take time to exercise.

Brendan Watson, a freshman business administration major from Houston, Texas is a CRAG regular and finds rock climbing to be a mental escape.

“Climbing allows you to fix yourself mentally, it’s an outlet,” Watson said.

Like Watson, several students make weekly visits to the CRAG. Hannah Smith, freshman English major from Houston, Jacob Cates, senior Christian studies and Span-

ish double major from Houston and Erica Dixon, senior graphic design major from Arkadelphia, all retreat to the CRAG for mental and physical benefits.

“I’ve been rock climbing for four years. I was inspired by a family friend. Climbing gets my brain moving and it’s fun,” Smith said.

For Cates, rock climbing is a stress reliever and serves a personal challenge.

“Climbing is a great stress relief.

You’re not thinking about anything else but that moment. You compete against yourself and ask ‘How can I improve? How can I be better than last time?’” Cates said.

For Dixon, Rockfest has become a college tradition. She looks forward to the event and the competition that comes with it each year.

“I started rock climbing in college and getting to participate in Rockfest every year has really shown me my growth in strength and skill. It is one of my favorite Saturdays of the year. Students gather at the CRAG and spend the afternoon climbing, cheering for one another and getting out of their comfort zone,” Dixon said. “One of the reasons rock climbing is such a great sport and hobby is because of the supportive community. Our only competition is ourselves and to do better than before.”

The CRAG fosters community for all levels of climbers, creating a space where everyone feels a part. Tucked behind the basketball courts, students can find others with a shared interest in rock climbing at the CRAG. To try your hand at rock climbing, visit the CRAG Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information on Rec Life events, visit www.obu.edu/ reclife or follow Rec Life on Instagram @ouachitareclife.

NEWS

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Healthy Relationships Week gives tailored tools

BY EMILEE WEBB Staff Writer

The Elrod Center will host Healthy Relationships Week from Monday, Feb. 28 to Friday, March 5. It will feature talks and programs from students, faculty and off-campus experts.

Healthy Relationships Week is a program sponsored by the OBU Elrod Center designed to help students develop healthy relationships in all areas of life.

This week will be full of events that will inspire students, teach them how to develop healthy relationships and motivate them to implement these practices into their everyday lives.

Judy Duvall, director of the Elrod Center, oversees Healthy Relationships Week. She is looking forward to the many opportunities offered this year and encourages all students to attend, as there will be something for everyone.

“When relationships are healthy, people flourish and have a sense of well-being,” Duvall said. “We want to provide good speakers and resources to help our students develop healthy patterns individually that translate into life giving relationships with others.”

The week will kick off with a lunch for faculty and staff on Monday. Sue Poole, university counselor, will be leading a session titled “Letting Go- keeping a light hold on what we cannot control.”

On Monday night, there will be an event specifically for Ouachita athletes and coaches. Next-generation ministries pastor and founder of “Finish Empty,” Jason Curry, will be leading a session. It will be held at 7 p.m. in Walker Conference Center with cinnamon rolls and coffee provided.

Chapel will be led by Dustin and Juli Wagley, who will be speaking on the topic “Cultivating Friend-

ship beyond the Bible Belt.” Dustin is a pastor at Valley Life Church in Fraser, Colorado.

There will also be two special sessions titled “Healthy You, Healthy Relationships” held in the lobbies of Frances Crawford Hall and Flippen-Perrin Hall for freshmen girls and guys on Tuesday night at 8 p.m.

Freshman girls will be led by Mary Farley and Merilee Greer.

Freshman boys will be led by Kaneil Purifoy and Collin Battaglia.

On Thursday night from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. there will be a panel titled “Navigating relationships with parents as young adults; connecting, setting healthy boundaries and loving well” in the Alumni Room in the Commons. Dan Jarboe, Byron Eubanks, Judy Duvall and a young adult couple will speak on the panel.

Chris Shelton, director of Camp Travis, will speak on relationship priorities at Refuge on Thursday at 9 p.m.

Noonday on Monday, Wednesday and Friday will feature various topics relating to the week. The Noonday speakers will be Shane Seaton, Bethany LaTurno and Hannah Walker.

The week will finish with a retreat for engaged and married couples in Little Rock. The couples will hear from marriage and family therapists Jeff and Mary Sanders.

A portion of the funding for this retreat was provided by a private foundation in Arkansas that has a desire for young couples to have good, long-lasting marriages.

“It’s going to be a great week and there is something for everyone,” Duvall said. “I hope students will engage with the activities and speakers and will come away with a good handle on how to be healthy individually as well as helpful ways to develop good relationships with others.”

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H EA LT H Y RELATIONSHIPS WE E K FEB 28- MARCH 5 MAKING CONNECTIONS, STRENGTHENING BONDS Monday, FEBRUARY 28 -Noonday- Berry Chapel “Friendships” Shane Seaton -12pm- Faculty/Staff ladies lunch in Walker “Letting Go- keeping a light hold on what we cannot control” Sue Poole -7-8 pm- OBU athletes and coaches in Walker “Finish Empty” Jason Curry (cinnamon rolls and coffee)

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Tuesday, March 1 -Chapel- “Cultivating Friendship beyond the Bible Belt”Dustin and Julie Wagley -12:15 pm-Lunch Q&A and conversation with Dustin & Julie Alumni Room in Caf. (bring your lunch in) -8pm- Freshman girls’ event in Francie Lobby “Healthy You, Healthy Relationships” Merrilee Greer & Mary Farley (refreshments provided) -8pm- Freshman guys’ event in Flippen/Perrin Lobby “Healthy You, Healthy Relationships” Collin Battaglia & Kaneil Purifoy (refreshments provided)

Wednesday, March 2 -Noonday- Berry Chapel “Relating to Parents” Bethany LaTurno Thursday, March 3 -5-6pm- Breakout Panel Alumni Room in Caf. “Navigating relationships with parents as young adults; connecting, setting healthy boundaries and loving well” Dan Jarboe, Byron Eubanks, Judy Duvall, & a young adult couple (bring your dinner in) -9pm- Refuge at 2nd Baptist “Relationship Priorities?” Chris Shelton Friday, March 4 -Noonday- Berry Chapel “Walking with friends through hard times” Hannah Walker -Student Couples’ Retreat- In Little Rock “Conflict Management” Jeff and Mary Sanders

HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS WEEK IS A PROGRAM OF THE ELROD CENTER

ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT PAGE 6 | WWW.OBUSIGNAL.COM

‘No Way Home’ creates buzz

BY WYATT ASHLOCK

The Jazz Band performs at last semester’s concert. The spring concert will take place on Monday, Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Jones Performing Arts Center. (photo by Hannah Adamson)

Jazz band to host concert with wide musical variety

BY AMY JACKSON Staff Writer

The Ouachita Jazz Band is preparing to take the Jones Performing Arts Center stage once again for their spring concert on Monday, Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m.

The pieces the band will play range from New Orleans Street beat, swing, funk and Latin.

“We have programmed something for everyone,” said Dr. Craig Hamilton, conductor of the group.

Many of the arrangements are by Gordon Goodwin, leader of Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band. Goodwin is a Grammy and Emmy award-winning composer and arranger based in Los Angeles, known for combining the big band swing of the 1930s and 40s with funk, rock and other genres.

Inspired by artists from Duke Ellington to Earth, Wind and Fire, Goodwin developed his own witty and intricate style.

Goodwin has composed for films such as “The Incredibles,” “National Treasure,” and “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” and performed with artists such as John Williams, Ray Charles and Christina Aguilera. Goodwin is known in the industry for his larger-thanlife musical talents. The Big Phat

Band began strictly as a way for Goodwin to record his arrangements for his work composing for Warner Brothers cartoons when it was founded in 1999. Donning nine studio albums, the group has grown into one of the largest and most prominent jazz ensembles in the world.

Other composers and arrangers included are Alan Baylock, Jeff Jarvis, Mike Carubia, Craig Skeffington, David Springfield and Erik Morales. “Updraft” by Jarvis and “The Art of the Matter” by Springfield are medium-tempo swing pieces interwoven into Goodwin’s driving rhythmic pieces such as “Hit the Bricks” and “Don’t Steal My Stuff.”

“As a band, we are able to have fun with our instruments in a way typical marching or concert band doesn’t allow. Playing in the smaller ensemble allows players to showcase individual talent alongside growing with the group,” said freshman trumpet player Camryn Manning. “Jazz has helped teach me how to use my trumpet in a more personal, creative way and develop my own style to express myself.”

Students can receive Arts Engagement credit at the concert and tickets are not required for entry.

Arts/Entertainment & Opinions Editor *The following review contains major spoilers for “Spider-Man No Way Home”* Three is the magic number for the end of the home trilogy for Spider-Man in a film that will change the character’s future forever.

Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) changed Peter Parker’s (Tom Holland) life when Mysterio revealed Parker’s secret identity to the world while framing Parker for Mysterio’s death in “Spider-Man Far From Home” (2019).

“Spider-Man No Way Home” (2021) picks up where the previous film left off, seeing Parker deal with the consequences of living two different lives. In a last effort to set things right, he goes to Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) who casts a spell to make the world forget that Peter Parker is Spider-Man. However, Parker messes up the spell and causes people who know Peter Parker is Spider-Man to come to this universe bringing other multiversal threats including Doctor Octavious (Alfred Molina), Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe) and Electro (Jamie Foxx) This film is a cinematic spectacle from beginning to end. The VFX (visual effects) and CGI (computer generated imagery) in this film is some of Marvel’s best work. From the web-swinging to the mirror dimension to the epic fight scenes, it all looked so realistic.

The acting in “Spider-Man No Way Home” is a tier above the acting from Holland in “Spider-Man Homecoming” (2017), “Avengers: Infinity War” (2018), “Avengers: Endgame” (2019) and “Spider-Man Far From Home.”

Holland adds a new layer to his performance that makes the audi-

ence cry with him. During Aunt May’s (Marisa Tomei) final scene, the pain Holland portrays feels real, as if he was truly in pain.

Holland’s chemistry with Zendaya (MJ) is another highlight of his performance.

Holland’s performance was not the only one that stood out. Alfred Molina (Doc Ock), Jamie Fox (Electro) and J.K. Simmons (J. Jonah Jameson) were all amazing, but one actor definitely stood out

“I rate this film a five out of five tiger paws.”

-Wyatt Ashlock among the villains. Willem Dafoe’s performance as Green Goblin is one of the best villain portrayals in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Dafoe, who first played the role in “Spider-Man” (2002), was a fan favorite from the beginning.

Coming into the MCU, he proved to everyone that he deserved to be there with his stellar acting skills.

The other two performances that stood out were Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. The way Garfield and Maguire return as Spider-Man made it seem as if they had never left. The chemistry between Holland, Garfield and Maguire sold having all three Spider-Men in one movie.

The story did an excellent job at balancing the line of fan service and having a good plot by making the fan service plot-oriented.

Bringing back fan favorites like Doc Ock and Green Goblin could have easily been too focused on the fan service, but it stayed centered on Holland’s Spider-Man and his

story. Even when Garfield and Maguire made their return, the writers did an excellent job at not taking away from Holland’s mourning of Aunt May. Michael Giacchino has composed the score for the entire Spider-Man trilogy, but his work in “No Way Home” is unparalleled to his other scores. Fans and critics agree that this score is one of the reasons that the newest Spider-Man movie has performed and been received so well.

Overall, “Spider-Man No Way Home” is one of the best Marvel movies of all time. It is a roller coaster that fans never want to end.

This has also been one of Marvel’s most ambitious projects, making five movies canon to the MCU that were not originally canon, bringing back beloved characters. “Spider-Man: No Way Home” shows that director Jon Watts understands that “with great power, there must also come great responsibility.” I rate this film a five out of five tiger paws.

Rumors are swirling about what the next step for “Spider-Man No Way Home” is. Some say that this movie will come to digital on demand in March, but a new rumor has surfaced talking about a re-release.

This would be an extended cut of the film exclusively in theaters with the goal of hitting the number 1 spot for domestic box office records after taking the third spot away from “Avatar” (2009) making over $771 million. Spider-Man will try to overcome both “Avengers: Endgame” and “Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens (2015) for the top spot in the domestic box office. However, internationally Spider-Man is only number eight, and the hope of hitting the top five is slowly fading unless the re-release can get audiences back into the theater.

OPINIONS

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How to cultivate encouraging friendships

BY VALERIA GOMEZ Staff Writer

“Who you spend time with is who you become.” I’m sure we have all heard this quote or something like it at least once. Who you surround yourself with matters, which is why I want to give you practical tips for finding encouraging friendships while in college.

Good community is discussed repeatedly in the Bible. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.” Proverbs 13:20 says, “walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”

Friends who point you back to Christ when life gets confusing and help you become the person the Lord has called you to be are the best friends to have. You want people like this in your corner.

Your college experience will be

better if you have people reminding you who Christ is and who He created you to be.

Seek people who are positive and encouraging. People who constantly see the worst in things, are constantly complaining and carry themselves with a negative attitude will drag you down. Their energy will drain you, and in the long run, this friendship will harm you more than it will benefit you. You deserve to have friends who are supportive and cheer you on as you all do life together. When a hard season of life comes, the encouragement and comfort of those friends will be helpful.

Vulnerability brings community. Seek friends who are willing to open up and share their hearts.

Deep relationships win over superficial ones. When you open up to someone, you are crossing the figurative bridge between you two and that forms a deep connection.

Consistent and loyal friends make life sweeter. College is a busy season; there is always something going on. Even after graduation, people move to different places and start new jobs. Consistency is the key to success. Find friends who put in the same effort into the relationship as you do.

You make time for the things you love, and relationships should be a priority. You were made to do life in community.

Be the friend that you are looking for. You can’t expect to have a good friend if you aren’t one. Analyze what type of friend you are and work on your weaknesses.

You deserve to be loved the way God intended. Seek a community that pushes you toward Christ, has a positive attitude, is willing to be vulnerable and is constant and loyal. Good friends are worth the wait, but don’t be a passive waiter. Seek solid community with purpose.

Students bond at a Life Groups event hosted by Campus Ministries. To find genuine community, one must be a genuine friend to others. (photo by Abby Blankenship)

Scripture assures believers of identity in Christ

BY ERICA WILMATH Staff Writer

Identity is something all people have struggled with or will struggle with, whether it be a repetitive dominant issue in your life or just a quiet voice in the back of your head. I don’t know what season of life you may be in right now, but I do know that in the past, present or future, there is a large possibility that you will allow lesser things to define who you are.

For the person who is struggling with who they are, the person that is believing lies, the person who feels defined by the words of others and the person who thinks they are lost or invisible, this is for you.

I hope that the following points remind you of the powerful truth about where your identity lies.

1. You are Fully and Completely Forgiven - 1 John 1:9 As believers, we know we are sinners and that we all fall short of God’s glory. With that truth comes the greatest truth of all, because of Jesus Christ, you, my friend, are completely forgiven.

2. You are Brand New - 2 Corinthians 5:17 You are no longer who you were before Christ. You are not a liar, an adulterer, an addict, a gossiper or whatever it was that defined you. That no longer has a claim on you. You have been washed by the blood of Christ, and because of

Him, you are new.

3. You are God’s Child - Galatians 3:26 There is no greater love than the love of God the Father. You are the one He sent His Son for; you are His child.

4. You are Jesus’ Friend - John 15:15 Jesus, the friend of sinners, gave himself to every one of us as a friend. There is no greater friend than Jesus.

5. You are a Home to the Holy Spirit - 1 Corinthians 6:19 We are not our own. We belong to God and He has given us the gift of guidance from the Holy Spirit who lives within us.

6. You were Created in the

Likeness of God - Ephesians 4:24 You are God’s design.

He formed you in His image to do good works in His name. He wanted you and made you for His glory.

7. You are a Work of Art Ephesians 2:10 You are God’s masterpiece. He formed you with His hands. He spent time on you and He created you to be His. 8. You are Valuable - Matthew 10:30-31, Psalm 139:13-14 God didn’t create you by accident. He didn’t create you less than anyone else. Clearly he even knew we would struggle with our worth, “So do not be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.” (v. 31) We need to praise God for creating

us because we are incredibly put together, complex and altogether wonderful creations.

9. You are Greatly Loved - Romans 5:8 Jesus Christ came to earth and died a painful and undeserved death for you. Because God loves people more than we can even fathom, He chose us, sin and all.

I know that it can be hard to lean on Christ for your identity, but He is the only source you can look to for your worth. If you continue to let your own works reign definitive in your heart, you will never be satisfied. We are not enough on our own to be confident in our own identity, but Jesus Christ is more than enough.

SPORTS

PAGE 8 | WWW.OBUSIGNAL.COM

NBA trade deadline surprises, excites fans

BY MATTHEW CHEATHAM Staff Writer

Many students were likely checking their phone on Feb. 10.

What were they doing? They were, of course, diligently paying attention to the NBA trade deadline, an exciting time of the year for all basketball fans.

The Ben Simmons saga finally concluded when Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first round draft picks were traded to the Brooklyn Nets for James Harden and Paul Millsap.

Simmons’ trade value has been low after a disappointing playoff performance last season which resulted in criticism from fans and teammates. Regardless, Simmons is a three-time All-Star, two-time All-Defensive Team member and has four more years left on his contract.

Brooklyn also got an excellent shooter in Curry and a former AllStar center and historically-great rebounder in Drummond. While Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and James Harden are an elite theoretical offensive trio, the fact remains that there is only one ball. Brooklyn fills holes in their roster while the Sixers must hope an aging and soon-to-be-on-the-decline Harden

Men’s Basketball

Thur Feb 17 OBU 61 ECU 76 Sat Feb 19 OBU 56 SE 72

Women’s Basketball

Thur Feb 17 OBU 50 ECU 66 Sat Feb 19 OBU 59 SE 53

doesn’t overprice them of flexibility this summer, even if it does bring a championship. This trade benefits both teams but the added depth of Brooklyn puts them in a better position to win the championship than their counterparts.

Most deadline trades are typically minor, where playoff teams hope to get the leftovers of teams destined for the lottery. Such is true, but a surprise came when two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis, Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb, and a second-round pick were traded from Indiana to the Sacramento Kings for Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson. This trade would only be good for Sacramento if it happened in the offseason. The ever-irrelevant Kings, who are tied for the longest playoff drought in league history, made a win-now move by trading their arguable best player in Haliburton.

The Kings added depth in separate trades (thanks Marvin Bagley), but the playoffs still look grim.

Whether the Kings should have chosen the more efficient Haliburton over De’Aaron Fox is debatable. For context, the 23-year-old Fox is coming off a season which saw him average 25.2 points and 7.2 assists per game. Indiana got a franchise point guard in return, but

Baseball

Sat Feb 19 SNU 1 OBU 4 Sat Feb 19 SNU 4 OBU 5 Sun Feb 20 SNU 4 OBU 14

Softball

Tues Feb 15 CBC 1 OBU 4

Dallas Mavericks Kristaps Porzingis was traded along with a second-round pick to the Washington Wizards for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans during the NBA trade deadline. (photo from mavs.com)

the direction they decide on is up in the air. It would be best to look to trade Myles Turner and Malcolm Brogdon this summer to further strengthen a potential rebuild.

With a potential healthy Paul George to return this season, the LA Clippers did an excellent job at the deadline, headlined by Norman Powell and Robert Covington from the Blazers.

Portland followed by sending fan favorite CJ McCollum to New Orleans for a package headlined by

Softball Cont.

Tues Feb 15 CBC 4 OBU 12 Ouachita-HSU Tournament Sat Feb 19 MSU 1 OBU 2 Sat Feb 19 Kingsville 11 OBU 1 Sun Feb 20 CBU 3 OBU 6

prospects. While the move saves money, it is unclear what their organizational direction is. Is Damian Lillard next? All I know is that no interim general manager should be making the franchise-altering decisions that Joe Cronin has made.

Kristaps Porzingis has been plagued with injuries for much of his career, but the Mavericks sending him and a second-round pick to the Wizards for Spencer Dinwiddie and the overpriced Davis Bertans was easily the biggest head

Men’s Tennis

Fri Feb 18 OBU 7 Newman 0 Sat Feb 19 OBU 0 Washburn 4 Sun Feb 20 OBU 4 ESU 0

Women’s Tennis Sat Feb 19

Rhodes 4 OBU 3

scratcher of the deadline.

The outperforming Cavaliers paid a minimum for scoring in Caris LeVert from the Pacers. Other notable players moved include Derrick White (Celtics), Daniel Theis (Celtics), Serge Ibaka (Bucks), Dennis Schroder (Rockets), Torrey Craig (Suns), Aaron Holiday (Suns), Jalen Smith (Pacers) and Thaddeus Young (Raptors).

While much of the league stayed put, this year’s trade deadline still had plenty of surprises for fans.

Wrestling

Great Lake Valley Conference Championships Sat Feb 12 OBU 15 Maryville 28 Sat Feb 12 OBU 37 William Jewell 12 Sat Feb 12 OBU 15 Drury 29