Volume 119, Issue 16
the
VISTA “Our Words, Your Voice.”
vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista ucentralmedia.com Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022
UCOSA attempts spring cleaning
Student association votes on four bills removing senators for lack of involvement and participation Emily Grim
Contributing Writer
The UCO Student Association began its congressional session Jan. 24 in the Will Rogers Room at the Nigh University Center. Four pieces of legislation were voted on by UCOSA, with two passing and two failing, including an attempt to remove a committee vice chair. The first bill, CR21-201, proposed to remove three senators for failing to attend the required number of meetings per semester. The follow-up bill, CR21-202, would remove two senators from office at their own request. Both were approved by 37 and 36 votes, respectively. But CB21-201, “An act amending the UCO Student Association Bylaws to enforce active participation of Senators,” on the other hand, did not pass. The bill would have required all 48 senators to author one piece of legislation each year or be barred from being a senator in UCOSA for the following year. After the allotted period for questioning was extended repeatedly and the bill was debated, it failed with 34 votes in the negative and 6 votes in the affirmative. The final bill heard was CR21-203,
“A resolution by the authority bestowed in the UCOSA bylaws, removing and replacing the Vice Chair of the Ways & Means committee.” The resolution,authored by the Chair of the Ways and Means committee, Sen. Hannah Scarberry, said that her vice chair, Jakob Carlson, failed to keep minutes and had neglected his duties. Scarberry said that she had met with both Carlson and the UCOSA executive committee concerning these issues prior to writing legislation to remove Carlson. During the debate, Carlson proceeded to go through each line of the bill while issuing rebuttals. Carlson claimed that he was not made aware of the issues taken with him or that this legislation existed before the session. He also said that Scarberry “falsified information,” saying that he had in fact kept an accurate record of the committee. After over 30 minutes of questioning and debate, the bill failed with 24 votes in the negative and 5 in the affirmative. Additionally, Chair of Congress Josh Chao announced the election commission that would oversee the upcoming 2022-2023 Student Body President and Vice President elec-
After over 30 minutes of questioning and debate, the bill failed with 24 votes in the negative and 5 in the affirmative. (The Vista/Archives)
tions. The committee consists of Senators Sakinah Smith, Jerzi Hawkins, Lauren Berry, Saul Perezand, and Jessica Addai. Any full-time student with a GPA of 3.0 or higher is eligible to run for office,and those elected will serve throughout the full following academ-
ic year. UCOSA Advisor Cole Stanley also announced that UCOSA will be providing funding to the Center for Counseling and Well Being to provide more resources and allow more students to provide access to counselors.
Cheer and dance competition is set for a big return Lauren Henry
Contributing Writer
This year, UCO sororities and fraternities will be competing in the cheer and dance competition by displaying skills including stunting, jumping, tumbling, and dancing. The competition will take place March 3-4 in Hamilton Field House. Due to COVID-19, athletes had to wear masks while practicing and competing and were not allowed to perform stunting skills due to the close contact requirements. The number of spectators attending the performance was also limited. This year, athletes are allowed to
practice and perform without masks and there have been no limitations announced regarding the number of in-person attendees allowed at the performance. Zoe Cardenas, coach for Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike) fraternity, coached during the COVID-19 restrictions last year and shared her excitement for the upcoming competition. “This group of guys is great and they’re optimistic and they love cheer and dance, so it makes it more enjoyable. They put a lot of work and dedication into it so it’s exciting,” Cardenas said. Continued on Pg. 3
Sigma Tau Gamma’s cheer and dance routine went viral in 2017. (Provided/ UCO Sigma Tau Gamma Facebook page)
2 | The Vista
Feb. 1, 2022
for Black History Month.
Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022 COVID-19 Testing: IMMY Labs is offering free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing at 312 E. Main St. in Edmond from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. FACS: Brisch Center: 10 Hip Years… and Counting: This performance begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Jazz Lab, located at 100 E. Fifth St. in Edmond. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $10. NAACP 101: From 7 to 9 p.m. in the Nigh University Center, Will Rogers Room 421, learn more about the NAACP organization. Public Meeting: Career Development Ambassadors Tabling: From 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Nigh University Center food court, meet the Career Development Ambassadors before their upcoming meeting on Feb. 9. Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022 Black History Month Kickoff: The Miseducation of U.S.: Beginning at 2 p.m. in the Nigh University Center Ballrooms, the Office of Diversity & Inclusion and other university partners will be hosting the kickoff event
Breaking Barrier Z and Peer Health Leaders 8 Dimensions of Wellness: From noon to 1 p.m. in the Nigh University Center, Clara Luper Room 312, students can learn about the 8 dimensions of wellness. COVID-19 Testing: IMMY Labs is offering free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing at 312 E. Main St. in Edmond from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. F/64 Photo Society Meeting: UCO’s photo club is meeting at 1 p.m. in room 104 of the mass communications building. All students are invited to join. Public Health Club General Meeting: From 5:30 to 7 p.m. in EDU 301, meet your peers, professors, or others interested in public health. Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022 Black Girl Magic: From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Nigh University Center Ballrooms, this annual celebration hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion kicks off with panel discussions, conversations, and workshops that encourage unity among African American women while fostering and empowering a sense of self in all ladies that participate.
Around Campus
COVID-19 Testing: IMMY Labs is offering free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing at 312 E. Main St. in Edmond from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m.
offering free, drive-thru COVID-19
NOW Tabling: From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Nigh University Center near the food court, the National Organization for Women is tabling for The Center as well as NOW’s upcoming semester events.
Information Technology - Mainte-
Friday, Feb. 4, 2022
testing at 312 E. Main St. in Edmond from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
nance: Systems maintenance will be conducted from 5 a.m. through noon. Multiple services may be unavailable during this timeframe. Miss Black and Old Gold Pageant:
COVID-19 Testing: IMMY Labs is offering free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing at 312 E. Main St. in Edmond from 7 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 6 p.m.
Beginning at 7 p.m. in the Nigh Uni-
Shortt Dogg: This performance begins at 8 p.m. at the Jazz Lab, located at 100 E. Fifth St. in Edmond. Doors open at 7 p.m. and tickets are $15.
Month.
Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022 CRISP Kickoff: From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Nigh University Center Ballrooms, international students are paired with local families and participate in cultural activities together throughout the semester. Contact Jared Scism for more information at jscism@uco.edu. Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022 COVID-19 Testing: IMMY Labs is
versity Center Constitution Hall, join the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity at this event celebrating Black History
Monday, Feb. 7, 2022 COVID-19 Testing: IMMY Labs is offering free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing at 312 E. Main St. in Edmond from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. UCO Jazz Ensembles IV and I in Concert: This performance begins at 7 p.m. at the Jazz Lab, located at 100 E. Fifth St. in Edmond. Tickets are free for students with valid ID and $18 for all others. Tickets can be purchased by calling (405) 974-2100.
To submit events for next week’s Around Campus, please email thevista@ucentralmedia.com. Include the title of your event, time and place, and a brief description. Descriptions are subject to editing.
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Madalyn Nix Ainsley Martinez Brandon Dale Hollye Carroll Sam Royka Graycee Hubbard Sierra Perkins Manuela Soldi Michaela Todd Asia Allen Cameron Foral Logan Gassett Emily Grim Jamie Hammock Lauren Henry Te'Darius Jones Brinlee Lenochan Jonathan Richardson George Lang
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UCO’s Student Voice Since 1903 The Vista is published as a newspaper and public forum by UCO students, weekly during the academic year, at the University of Central Oklahoma. The issue price is free for the first copy and $1 for each additional copy obtained.
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Opinion columns, editorial cartoons, reviews and commentaries represent the views of the writer or artist and not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the Department of Mass Communication, UCO or the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. The Vista is not an official medium of expression for the Regents or UCO.
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The Vista | 3
Feb. 1, 2022
Cheer/Bible/Vaccines/Execution
Oklahoma executes Donald Grant Jonathan Richardson Contributing Writer
Oklahoma carried out its latest execution on Thursday. Donald Grant was put to death for the murders of Brenda McElyea and Felicia Suzette Smith. The execution received a swift condemnation from death penalty opponents. “Oklahoma killed a seriously mentally ill, schizophrenic man who we had securely incarcerated for many years,” wrote Randy Bauman, a board member with the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. “What Mr. Grant had done was so very wrong; and so was what we just did. Perhaps he had come to know that; hopefully so will we.” Two weeks prior, Grant and Gilbert Postelle, a fellow Oklahoma death row inmate, were denied a change in execution. U.S. District Judge Stephen Friot denied the request for a firing squad execution instead of lethal injection. Although Oklahoma has never used a firing squad for executions, there have been situations of lethal injection not going as planned. In October 2021, John Marion Grant, the first person executed in Oklahoma since 2015, was given a massive dose of midazolam that made him uncon-
scious while his tongue blocked his airway, causing him to regurgitate. Donald Grant was convicted of the 2001 killing of McElyea and Smith, two Del City hotel workers. Postelle, who is scheduled for execution Feb. 17, was convicted of quadruple manslaughter in 2005. Attorneys for at least 24 inmates are now fighting for their clients’ execution sentences to be reconsidered through a case against the method of lethal injection in the state of Oklahoma. The court case is set to begin in February. Oklahoma is Top Three in the nation for lethal injection executions. Wisconsin was the first state to make lethal injections illegal in 1853. “I do not agree with lethal injection or the death penalty because of several botched injections and that it is morally wrong,” said UCO student Evan Bostic.“We will look back in 10 years and see that we have legally killed people.” After six years without lethal injections in Oklahoma, on October 25, 2021, a federal judge ruled the state could continue executions for five scheduled inmates, including the well-known case of Julius Jones. Jones was later granted clemency just hours before he was supposed to be executed, with his sentence commuted to life in prison without possibility of parole. Protests took place in the streets of Okla-
Bill would make Bible state book Jamie Hammock Contributing Writer
State Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Oklahoma City, has filed House Bill 3890, which would name The Bible as Oklahoma’s official state book. House Bill 3890 was introduced on Jan 20. Rep. Townley represents the southern part of the state; she owned the Living Word Bible and Gift Store in Ardmore, Oklahoma, for 22 years. She was elected in 2018 and her current term ends on Nov. 23, 2023. Townley said that the Bible is important to many Oklahomans. “We are people of great faith,” Townley said. “The Holy Bible is an integral part of numerous faiths and is deeply important to many Oklahomans. Even when we don’t always agree with each other, we always know that we have a foundation higher than politics that we can rely on to remain unshakeable when times are tough.” According to data from Pew Research Center, 79% of Oklahomans identify as Christians. This isn’t the first time a state representative has filed such a bill. Tennessee and Texas have also tried to make the Bible their official book. In March 2021, Tennessee Rep. Jerry Sexton said that the Bible should be the state’s official book because it reflects family heritage and underscores the multimillion-dollar industry that
is Bible printing in Tennessee. “The Holy Bible has great historical and cultural significance in the State of Tennessee as a record of the history of Tennessee families that predates some modern vital statistical records,” the legislation said. UCO Political Science Professor Keith Eakins said that there are multiple ways the bill can be perceived. “The precise question is whether the bill, if enacted, would violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment,” he said. “This clause, generally, prohibits governments from taking actions that would unduly support religion, but Supreme Court justices vary in how they interpret it.” Eakins says there are pragmatic positives and negatives to the bill. “Bills expressing support of the Judeo/Christian faith are popular in Oklahoma,” Eakins said. “Its constitutionality will certainly be challenged, and it will cost the state a lot of money to defend it in court.” Some students also feel like this is a good idea, though it may have some issues to those who are not religious. “I think it’s a good idea for religious people,” said UCO Student Jaden Ford. “But that could potentially cause other problems with nonreligious people.” HB 3890 is available for consideration in the upcoming legislative session, which begins at noon Feb. 7.
Grant was put to death on Thursday at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester, Oklahoma. (Provided/ Oklahoma Department of Corrections)
homa City and even inside the state capital. Lethal injection is the only approved execution method for the death penalty in the state of Oklahoma.
Vaccine clinics on-campus Madalyn Nix Editor-in-Chief
While the university is operating under Level 2 COVID-19 protocols, UCO is now offering on-campus vaccine clinics through Passport Health. Passport Health is a travel clinic that specializes in medicine and health concierge within the U.S. These vaccines are available to UCO students, staff, and faculty. These clinics will take place on Feb. 1, Feb. 15, March 1 and March 22 at UCO’s Center for eLearning and Connected Environments (CeCE), located
at 201 N. Bryant Ave. in Edmond. The vaccines that are available include COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters, Influenza, HPV, Meningitis. Pneumonia, Shingles, and Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap). There is no cost for COVID-19 vaccines, but all other vaccines will be filed with insurance or need to be paid for at the time of service. For questions or to schedule an appointment, email myclinic@passporthealthok.com or call (405) 563-8961. Te’Darius Jones contributed to this story.
The Vista/Manuela Soldi
Cheer and dance returns Continued from Pg. 1
Chandler Fleming is a first year cheer and dance performer. Although he did not have to experience the restrictions and mandates, he is ready to compete and, he hopes, win.
“All of the guys talk about how it’s one of the best experiences as a Pike and I’m ready to see what the hype is about,” Fleming said. All of the UCO sororities and fraternities plan to compete this year.
4 | The Vista
Feb. 1, 2022
Passion Show/StreetMeet
Palentine’s Passion Show set for Feb. 14
Sam Royka Reporter
The Palentine’s Passion Show, which took a break last year, is back for 2022 at The Women’s Research & BGLTQ+ Center at UCO. UCO student GP, who works at The Center, is organizing the event this year. From streetwear to more formal attire and everything in between, the outfits at the Center’s fashion show will showcase diverse aesthetics. “I think I’m most excited to see the variety of expression within the categories,” GP said. This year the categories are “Baddies in Business, Hit the Streetwear, Valentine’s Vintage, and Freestyle,” GP said. Duing the “Freestyle” category, there will be an opportunity to walk for anyone who did not sign up to model but would like to.The fashion show will be held at the Center on February 14 at 6 p.m. The Center is looking for participants until Feb. 11. If you are interested in modeling or volunteering to set up for the fashion show, contact GP at spayne22@uco.edu. All of the clothing for the fashion show comes from the Center’s community closet, a free place to acquire or donate gently used clothing. Both UCO students and other members of the community are welcome. In an honors thesis from Bucknell University titled “Undressing the Pow-
er of Fashion: the Semiotic Evolution of Gender Identity By Coco Chanel and Alexander Mcqueen,” Sveva Marcangeli follows the history of gender’s connection to fashion. Maracgeli writes that “by individually manipulating the act of clothing and adorning oneself with repetitive signs one can challenge the gendered system,” citing Judith Butler, an influential feminist theorist, as claiming that “since culture imposes gendered expectations on the clothing deemed appropriate for women and men, the individual can use clothing that defies gender expectations to assert personal identity and to critique culture’s values and methods of enforcing those values.” One fashion theme that might appear at the show is the camp aesthetic, currently appearing on BLGTQ+ TikTok and other social media. In an honors project from Seattle Pacific University titled “From Marginal to Mainstream: The Queer History of Camp Aesthetics & Ethical Analysis of Camp in High Fashion,” Emily Barker discusses a shift in fashion as well as the aesthetic. “Today, High Fashion is influenced by street fashion just as much as it takes part in shaping it. Previously, designers would create clothes, put them on movie stars, and finally the average person would wear them. It was strictly a trickle-down process. Up-
Two ‘fits from 2020’s Palentine’s Passion Show, Ty Anderson and Grace Payne, who prefers to go by GP. (Provided/The Center)
per class and lower class fashion was always made distinct, dating back to sumptuary laws in France which dictated which colors or styles poor people were not allowed to wear,” Barker writes, citing the rise in fast fashion and the ability of “normal people” to
become influencers as part of the shift. Barker goes on to say that “camp’s recent popularization can be attributed to this change in fashion consumption. High Fashion once again turns to the underground and fringe looks for mainstream inspiration.”
StreetMeet: An open community for creators to thrive Logan Gassett
Contributing Writer
StreetMeet, a local club for photographers and models in Oklahoma, is holding its next photoshoot at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 28 in the underground tunnels in downtown Oklahoma City to provide opportunities for artists to meet and work together. The monthly meets are open to all photographers and models in Oklahoma who are interested in expanding their portfolios and professional networks. The StreetMeet community began in 2015 in Washington D.C. when photographers Pierre Funes and Aaron Williams started posting on social media about going on walks with their cameras in hopes to draw in and meet more photographers in the area. By word of mouth, the photography walks grew in number and locations. One photographer, Han Fabros, brought StreetMeet to Oklahoma in 2019 after attending a meet in Los Angeles. He is currently managing StreetMeetOK. The meets take place on the second to last Saturday of every month and
StreetMeet is a local club for photographers and models in Oklahoma to collaborate together. (Provided/Han Fabros)
often last for three hours. According to Fabros, around 50 people show up for each meet but during the peak season of Spring and Summer, that number sometimes doubles. He adds that 40% of the population at each meet are new faces. “We welcome all
skill levels from professionals or just getting started. We don’t discriminate on what kind of camera you have or your style. Literally everyone is welcome to our meets,” Fabros said. “You can bring anything, one time a guy brought a horse.”
The monthly meets are normally on Saturdays, but the tunnels are only open on weekdays, according to Fabros. For more information on StreetMeet, visit Streetmeetok on Instagram or Streetmeet.com.
Advertising/Spotify
The Vista | 5
Feb. 1, 2022
What's up dog? Advertising explained Sam Royka Reporter
Earlier this semester, UCO ran a Facebook advertisement that included a picture of a dog with a click-to-interact phrase and a link to re-enrollment. Investigating the ad, The Vista spoke to Adrienne Nobles, vice president for communications and public affairs at UCO about marketing strategies employed by the university. The first thing to consider is “who is your target audience,” Nobles said, indicating there are “several target audiences here at UCO.” These target audiences are diverse, including “anywhere from a sophomore, junior, senior in high school” to “adult learners, people who are looking to complete a degree, then you have prospective graduate students who might be looking to pursue a master's degree,” Nobles said. After the target audience for an advertisement is identified, choosing the message for the ad is next. “Something that is going to resonate with a sophomore in high school will be different than something that's going to resonate with a senior in high school. And likewise, with somebody who's a working adult looking to complete a bachelor's or a working adult who wants to pursue a master's degree,” so each
message is tailored to the target audience, Nobles said. “That was a re-enrollment campaign,” Nobles said of the dog ad. “And what we were targeting, they were our current students who had not yet re-enrolled for Sspring 2022. And the message of that ad was off the social media trend, like, you know, can I pet this dog? OK. And, you know, it asked the question, you know, can you pet this dog? Yes. Re-enroll. And it just had a photo of one of our Broncho Barkers.” The Broncho Barkers are a team of dogs who are part of a program run by the Center for Counseling and Well-Being on campus. Nobles also explained that Facebook ads are sometimes targeted to a hyper-specific audience, like a list of names for students who have yet to re-enroll. Nobles emphasized the importance of staying current with trends, especially with formats like social media. “Sometimes building on trends that are happening on social media, something that people are familiar with, and adding in just a little bit of humor and some unexpectedness gets great, great engagement,” Nobles said. “And I will tell you that that ad got awesome engagement. As random as it may have seemed, it was something that caught their atten-
The Broncho Barkers are a source of stress relief for UCO students who need them. (The Vista/Sam Royka)
tion, and made them pause. And even if they just wonder like, ‘Oh, I wonder why do you have an ad that's, you know, a photo of a dog and is asking me to re-enroll’ if it even just makes them think for a second, ‘Oh, yeah, I do need to enroll for my classes, I've been putting that off,’ then we've accomplished our goal.”
Neil Young leaves Spotify over vaccine misinformation Hollye Carroll Reporter
Singer-songwriter Neil Young protested Spotify, the Swedish streaming service, after 270 physicians and scientists—including seven Oklahomans— wrote an open letter demanding Spotify update its content moderation policies. Sunday night, CEO Daniel Ek published the company’s content policy on the website’s blog and added a COVID-19 advisory. “With an estimated 11 million listeners per episode, JRE (“The Joe Rogan Experience”) is the world's largest podcast and has tremendous influence,” the letter reads. “Though Spotify has a responsibility to mitigate the spread of misinformation on its platform, the company presently has no misinformation policy.” Ek wrote that there are plenty of individuals and views on Spotify he disagrees with strongly. “We know we have a critical role to play in supporting creator expression while balancing it with the safety of our users. In that role, it is important to me that we don’t take on the position of being content censor while also making sure that there are rules in place and consequences for those who violate them.” The letter referred to episode #1757 with Dr. Robert Malone, who was banned from Twitter after violating the platform’s COVID-19 misinformation policies. On the podcast, Malone told Rogan it’s “nucking futs” for people who had COVID to get vaccinated, despite saying he’s received two doses of the Moderna vaccine. On Jan. 24, Young requested the removal of his music, “I am doing this because Spotify is spreading fake information about vaccines — potentially causing death to those who believe the disinforma-
tion being spread by them…They can have Rogan or Young. Not both.” Spotify responded two days later and started removing Young’s music. On Thursday, The Vista conducted an on-campus survey of 20 student voices about Rogan’s podcast and Young’s decision to leave Spotify. While 55% of participants said they’d never heard of Young, 90% of participants said they support the decision to leave Spotify. “This is how a free market functions,” one student said. Another student said the removal of Young’s music is a “bad day for boomers.” Only 10% of the students said they’re fans of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” citing free speech and the appeal is the open discourse of opposing ideas. “JRE’ has been my favorite podcast for years,” the student continued to say, “I don’t like every guest but it’s interesting to hear what everyone has to say.” The Vista found that 100% of the student participants have a Spotify Premium account for the student discount or someone else pays for it. None of the students said this was enough to leave Spotify but 10% said they’re considering it. By Friday, Young said Spotify is a tech company that values business over art by ripping off both the artist and consumer while emphasizing his support of free speech. “I have never been in favor of censorship,” Young wrote on his website. “Private companies have the right to choose what they profit from, just as I can choose not to have my music support a platform that disseminates harmful information. I am happy and proud to stand in solidarity with the front line health care workers who risk their lives every day to help others.” Spotify lost $4 billion in market value last week and by Friday shares were down 12% while Apple’s
shares were up 12%. On Saturday, singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell joined the protest and decided to remove all of her music from Spotify in a statement, titled “I Stand With Neil Young!” on her website. “Irresponsible people are spreading lies that are costing people their lives. I stand in solidarity with Neil Young and the global scientific and medical communities on this issue,” she said. “The Joe Rogan Experience” was Spotify’s most popular podcast in the United States and globally, according to Spotify’s 2021 Wrapped. Last year, Spotify subscriptions increased 24% from podcasts and the company has spent $500 million since 2019 acquiring companies in the sector and striking talent deals. Spotify bought the exclusive rights to Joe Rogan’s podcast in 2020 for reportedly over $100 million.
Provided/Reprise Records
6 | The Vista
Feb. 1, 2022
HD26/A+ Schools
UCO student Hardin runs for state House Hollye Carroll Reporter
The 2022 Oklahoma House of Representative race in Pottawatomie County has officially begun as Democratic candidate Gregory Hardin II filed his candidacy for the democratic nomination to unseat incumbent Dell Kerbs, a Republican who has held the seat since 2016. If elected to House District 26 in 2022, Hardin will represent several Oklahoma towns such as Shawnee, Tecumseh, McLoud, Dale, Earlsboro, Bethel Acres, and Johnson, a predominantly rural setting in Pottawatomie County and home to two tribes, Citizen Pottawatomie Nation, and the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. Hardin is a substitute teacher for Shawnee Public Schools and is currently a history major at UCO. As a substitute teacher, Hardin recognizes that Oklahoma public schools are in dire need of immediate legislative action to relieve the financial burdens the education system is currently experiencing through budget cuts. Hardin believes the current teacher shortage is due to budget shortfalls which has prompted educators to leave the state for better paying posi-
tions or to retire from teaching altogether. Hardin discusses how a state funded educator financial package could not only fill the teacher gap in classrooms but would also provide teachers with a wage increase and paid leave. For students, this would include funding education and nutrition programs while expanding extracurricular activities for them. “The dip in number of teachers affects Oklahoma communities and the state legislature should fund public education to encourage teacher retention but also encourage students to stay in Oklahoma and attend universities in the state,” said Hardin. If elected for HD 26, Hardin wants to enact state bills that empower blue collar workers, educators, and professionals by strengthening family support. He believes that offering state worker benefits would fix the teacher and employee demand in Oklahoma, but it would also create long term solutions for workers and businesses. The ongoing demand for employees and employee strikes demonstrate the need for worker reform and government advocacy. Although a federal mandate can only raise the federal minimum wage, Hardin believes the
state can contribute to achieving long term employment by creating legislation for employees to receive paid time off along with maternity leave and sick leave. Hardin believes in the importance of representative bureaucracy and wants the voters of HD 26 know that he will represent them at the state level with upmost ethics and transparency. By holding public town halls with his constituents, Hardin wants to increase engagement with the citizens of rural Oklahoma and be accessible to the people he represents. “My goal as Representative of HD 26 would be to gain full understanding of issues people are facing and communicate with them what is going on at the state level,” said Hardin. When not working as a substitute teacher or attending classes at UCO, Hardin can be found working at the Green Corn Rebellion Show, his YouTube channel where he conducts interviews with public and political figures, musicians, and online personalities. Some of his guests include Oklahoma State Representatives Mickey Dollens and Mauree Turner, and Oklahoma Senator Mary Boren. His favorite conversation topic with his guests includes discussing legisla-
Hardin would represent rural towns in Pottawatomie County. (Provided/Twitter)
tive events occurring at the Oklahoma state Capitol building. As his online audience and campaign support continues to grow, Hardin is determined to create positive political and social impacts in 2022 by interacting with the people of Oklahoma and listening to their needs from Oklahoma legislature. “Most of all, I want to be effective as a state legislator for Oklahoma communities,” said Hardin.
Oklahoma A+ Schools receives third Boeing grant Cameron Foral
Contributing Writer
The Oklahoma A+ Schools Institute at UCO received a $145,000 donation from Boeing on Jan. 24 for public schools throughout Oklahoma city and surrounding areas. The grant will fund multiple science projects for second graders, continuing that trend for the third year in a row. Many elementary schools in Oklahoma City will receive part of this grant, including Britton, Arthur, Thelma Parks, Fillmore, Mark Twain, and Esperanza elementary schools. Each school will receive the same amount of funding for teacher supplies and the same amount of projects for each student throughout the metro. “The donation is directed towards 530 students’ STEAM bags, where they get equipment for their classes and supplies for the teachers,” said Mariah Wilson, the Boeing specialist at Oklahoma A+ Schools. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Boeing designed the projects to help students identify various scientific terms and achieve an understanding of what a career in science could be like for
Boeing has dedicated their money specifically toward second grade classrooms for this grant, which will last until the end of the school year. (Provided/Twitter)
them. The bags provided by Boeing are essentially “science goodie bags” for students to create various projects with materials for both students and teachers. With the size of this grant, Boeing has doubled the number of projects available for students this year. Boeing is a company focused on aerospace technology and is the leading designer for jets in the U.S. This donation marks the third year of their contributions toward Oklahoma A+ Schools, with the most recent grant funding their “GREA+ Boeing
STEAM Challenge.” “The current concept unit focuses on weather and wind. They come with twine, plastic lids, and gas to create a wind technology tool. They also provide students with a magnifying glass and a project on making snow,” said Wilson. Boeing has dedicated their money specifically toward second grade classrooms for this grant, which will last until the end of the school year. “There are eight different concept units throughout the whole year,” said Wilson. Each unit is focused on a different aspect of science, making sure
these students learn different terms and concepts. The projects are being monitored virtually to continue to keep public schools and their classrooms safe from COVID-19. Boeing had already donated to Oklahoma A+ Schools the past two years. They provided the institute with a $50,000 donation in March of 2020, and a $100,000 donation in April of 2021. With all three of these donations, Boeing has achieved a total of $295,000 dollars in grants to Oklahoma A+ Schools in the past three years alone.
Sports
Feb. 1, 2022
The Vista | 7
Kelsey Johnson makes history with national record Brandon Dale Sports Editor
This past week, UCO basketball standout Kelsey Johnson reached a milestone that no other U.S. player has come close to attaining. She has made more shots (158) and scored more points (414) than any other player in the nation. Out of the 313 Division II teams across the nation, Johnson stands at the top in a league of her own, and it’s not even close. Johnson will be the first to point out she isn’t doing this alone. A lot of credit goes to her teammates, which led to the Bronchos most recent 74-71 victory over Emporia Thursday night. “I would get doubled and kick it out, and they hit some shots, which really helps us as a team when they can hit outside shots.” Johnson had 20 points in this contest, which is right around her average on the season, but what is most impressive is her career-high, 38-point outing against Missouri Western last week. If this isn’t enough evidence to prove that she is a superstar, she dropped 30 points against Northwest Missouri on Jan. 20 as well. The Bronchos did not get the result they wished for in these contests, but it is appar-
Kelsey Johnson goes for a layup against Newman on Jan. 3 at Hamilton Field House. (The Vista/Madalyn Nix)
ent that the university is witnessing greatness when number thirty-three takes the court each game. Johnson is going on her third year at UCO, getting her master’s degree in Family Life Education after graduating in three years from
Texas-Arlington. Injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic have played a role in Johnson’s extended time in college. During her freshman year at UTA, she ended up tearing her ACL, which resulted in her redshirting that season. Last year, she was given an extra year of eligibility due to the pandemic. These setbacks may have been a blessing in disguise; with her best statistical year under her belt, it is only natural to think about life after UCO and the possibility of playing professionally. “All of that is up in the air right now. I don’t ever remember a time in my life that I wasn’t playing basketball; I started playing when I was three, that’s almost 21 years; I am about to be 24, so it is hard to imagine a life without it. So I am sure if I don’t go play overseas, which there is a pretty good chance I am going to try to do that, and hopefully I can get on a team, then I think that it will always be in my life one way or another.” Kelsey Johnson’s journey is certainly not over, but her career has been top tier thus far, which is why she is exclusively in a league of her own. Come check out Johnson in action as the Bronchos take on Nebraska Kearney on Feb. 3. at Hamilton Field House.
UCO picks up huge victories against Emporia State second period, giving them a lead of 16 points going into halftime. The Bronchos were hot from the free-throw line going 9 for 9 in the Both UCO men’s and women’s basketball third quarter, sending them into the fourth dominated the loud and packed Emporia State with a score of 63-52. UCO held the douW.L. White Arena on Jan. 26. ble-digit lead for the majority of the quarter The Lady Bronchos beat the Hornets 74-71, but gave up an 8-0 run to the Hornets, but they claiming their first win at Emporia since the preserved and took home a huge win. 1990s. “This team is so special because of the bond “It’s always exciting to beat a team like that, we have. Everyone gets so excited for our but when it hasn’t been done in so long on teammates and we really celebrate one anoththeir home court, that definitely makes it more er’s successes,” said Johnson. special, especially at a time when we were realThe men’s basketball team also won a secly needing a win,” Kelsey Johnson said. ond-half comeback, beating the Hornets 88-83. Johnson led the team with a total of 20 points Isaiah Wade, senior forward, led No. 9 and 11 rebounds. Johnson is a senior forward UCO Thursday night with 23 points and 15 and is a positive leader on the team. She scored rebounds. Wade was 10-for-17 from the floor 20 points on 8 of 12 shots. She was also 4-for-5 with one 3-pointer, and he went 2-for-2 from from the free-throw line. the free-throw line. Right behind Johnson was redshirt freshCallen Hayden scored 15 points with nine man Taylor Dement with 15 points, including assists. He went 5-for-12 from the floor and hit 3-for-3 from the free-throw line. Freshman a record three 3-pointers. Haydon also made Caley Young also added ten more points to the his way to the Top 10 in the country for assists, board. with 106 so far this season. The Bronchos stayed on top for most of the The Bronchos and Hornets went back and first quarter but finished the quarter trailing forth the entire first half; the Bronchos trailed ESU 17-16. After the break, the Bronchos 41-45 going into halftime. scored the first nine points of the second quarThe Bronchos fell behind after intermission ter, giving them a 25-17 lead. while Emporia took a ten-point lead. The HorUCO outscored the Hornets 24-19 in the nets kept their strong lead with only 11 minBrinlee Lenochan Contributing Writer
utes left until the Bronchos executed a decisive 7-0 run, reaching a score of 66-63 with nine minutes to play. Wade’s 9-2 run in the last minutes of the game gave the Bronchos the lead. UCO didn’t trail again after putting them up with 5:20 to play in the game. You can catch the next home game on Thursday against Nebraska Kearney.
Isaiah Wade goes up for a dunk against Newman Jan. 3 at Hamilton Field House. (The Vista/Madalyn Nix)
8 | The Vista
Feb. 1, 2022
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