Ball State Daily News Vol. 104 Issue: 09

CONDITION

TO COMBAT

ANDREW BERGER, DN BRENDEN ROWAN, DN ILLUSTRATION

10.10.2024

Delta freshman Addison Childers lets her passion take her across the world, and in the process, she became a world champion.08 ballstatedailynews.com

@bsudailynews

DNNews 10.10.24

02

BallStateDailyNews.com

Israel marks one year since Hamas’ attack

The Ball State Daily News (USPS-144-360), the Ball State student newspaper, is published Thursdays during the academic year except for during semester and summer breaks. The Daily News is supported in part by an allocation from the General Fund of the university and is available free to students at various campus locations.

VOL. 104 ISSUE: 09 CONTACT THE DN Newsroom: 765-285-8245 Editor: 765-285-8249, editor@bsudailynews.com EDITORIAL BOARD Kate Farr, Editor-in-chief Trinity Rea, Print Managing Editor Olivia Ground, Digital Managing Editor Katherine Hill, News Editor Meghan Braddy, Associate News Editor Zach Carter, Sports Editor David Moore, Associate Sports Editor Derran Cobb, Associate Sports Editor Ella Howell, Lifestyles Editor, Copy Editor Maria Nevins, Video Editor, Podcast Editor Layla Durocher, Social Media Editor Andrew Berger,Photo Editor Isabella Kemper, Associate Photo Editor Jessica Bergfors, Visual Editor Brenden Rowan, Visual Editor Corey Ohlenkamp, Adviser

Oct. 7: Hamas’ cross-border attack on Israel Oct. 7, 2023, is considered the deadliest attack in the country’s history, according to the Associated Press (AP). Hamas’ militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted another 250, according to AP. Around 100 people are still being held hostage, a third of whom are believed to be dead, and ceasefire efforts are at a halt. As the war in Gaza continues, Israel began fighting Iran-backed, Lebanese-based militant group Hezbollah, escalating Israel’s bombing campaign the past three weeks, according to AP.

TO ADVERTISE • (765) 285-8256 or dailynewsads@bsu.edu • Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Fri. • ballstatedaily.com/advertise TO SUBSCRIBE Call 765-285-8134 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Mon. -Fri. Subscription rates: $45 for one year. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Daily News, AJ278, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306

TNS, PHOTO PROVIDED

JOIN THE DAILY NEWS Stop by room 278 in the Art and Journalism Building.

All undergraduate majors accepted and no prior experience is necessary.

Hurricane Milton closes in on Florida

Oct. 9: Hurricane Milton is moving toward the west coast of Florida,

where officials sent urgent warnings for residents to flee inland in the midst of the storm’s surge Oct. 9, according to the Associated Press (AP). While Milton fluctuated between categories 4 and 5 as it approached, the National Hurricane Center said it would be a major and extremely dangerous storm when its center makes landfall. The Tampa Bay region hasn’t seen a direct hit from a major hurricane in more than a century, according to AP. The hurricane is expected to make landfall the night of Oct. 9, and a 6-to-9-foot storm surge is predicted for the Tampa Bay area, according to AP.

CORRECTION In the Oct. 3 issue of the Ball State Daily News, Alyson Baugh’s major listed on pgs. 04 and 05 should be English education. On pg. 07, YDSA is incorrectly listed as YSDA. Justin Garing’s last name is also incorrectly listed as Gehring.

TNS, PHOTO PROVIDED

To submit a correction, email editor@bsudailynews.com.

Cardinals host Akron and Buffalo

4-DAY WEATHER

Oct. 11-12: After defeating Miami (OH) 3-1 on the road Oct. 8, Ball State women’s volleyball returns to Worthen Arena this weekend for backto-back matches against Mid-American Conference (MAC) opponents. First, the Cardinals will face Akron Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. for the red and white’s cancer awareness night. Ball State heads into the contest with the Zips 9-7 overall and 2-3 in MAC play, sitting as the No. 8 team in the conference. Then, Ball State will welcome Buffalo to Muncie for the Cardinals’ community day and autograph night. The game will start at 4 p.m. and will be the last home match before the red and white go on a four-game road trip.

FORECAST

Caleb Beer, Weather forecaster, Benny Weather Group

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

SUNNY

SUNNY

Hi: 70º Lo: 45º

Hi: 77º Lo: 54º

PARTLY CLOUDY

PARTLY CLOUDY

Hi: 78º Lo: 55º

Hi: 70º Lo: 40º

KAYLEE KERN, DN

DNNews

Ball State boosts vaccine access A partnership with the Indiana Immunization Coalition offers convenient vaccines for the Muncie community. 06 JESSICA BERGFORS, DN ILLUSTRATION

10.10.24

03

State

Indiana National Guard deploys for hurricane relief As Hurricane Milton, a category 5 storm with 160 mph winds, approaches Florida, Gov. Eric Holcomb has activated the Indiana National Guard to assist in recovery efforts, according to the Indiana Capitol Chronicle. Approximately 400 soldiers will be mobilized to Florida, focusing on route clearance, shelter management and supply distribution.

State

Indiana earns ‘B’ rating in national fiscal ranking Truth in Accounting’s “Financial State of the States” report gave Indiana a B grade, ranking it 15th in the nation during the 2023 fiscal year. The “positive development” means the state increased its money available to pay bills by $3 billion and has a taxpayer surplus of $3,600, according to the report.

State

Six Indiana utilities average a ‘C’ on clean energy goals The Sierra Club, a California-based environmental advocacy group, annually examines 50 parent companies owning half the country’s fossil fuel generation. The six Hoosier utilities featured in a national clean energy assessment averaged a 44 percent — a C grade — according to Indiana Capital Chronicle.

ON BALLSTATEDAILYNEWS.COM: A GLANCE AT THE GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION

DNNews

10.10.24

04

BRENDEN ROWAN, DN ILLUSTRATION

A look into the possible path to marijuana legalization in Indiana.

Kaira Carter Reporter for Ball Bearings Magazine For second-year political science student Isaach Watkins, driving to visit family in Coldwater County means crossing the state border into Michigan. One of the first things Watkins encounters upon crossing are advertisements for legalized marijuana, located only a 20-minute drive away from Angola, Indiana.

The accessibility and normality of legalized drugs have become apparent to Watkins.

“It’s like going to McDonald’s for some people,” Watkins said. “I think advertising normalizes it to a degree … If you see advertising for it, it just seems like, ‘Oh, I’m buying a beer’ or something.”

With the states surrounding Indiana each having laws legalizing marijuana, it is easy for Indiana residents to cross state borders and see similar advertisements. Despite almost half of the country legalizing the drug, Indiana continues to ban and criminalize marijuana.

From a federal perspective, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug. According to the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL), a Schedule I drug has “high potential for dependency and no accepted medical use, making distribution of cannabis a federal offense.”

However, while marijuana is considered illegal at the federal level in the United States, individual states can determine the legality of marijuana for medicinal and recreational use.

In a state with a

conservative majority like Indiana, marijuana can only be legalized should the state legislators choose to put it on the ballot.

Associate professor of political science at Ball State University Chad Kinsella, who teaches classes on state government and public administration, explained the relationship between state legislature and state laws.

get a criminal defense lawyer in court.

Chad Dickerson, CEO and founder of the Viridis Law firm located in Indianapolis, is an attorney who specializes in cannabis cases in Indiana and advocates for cannabis legalization. He is also a member of the Indiana branch of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML).

I think the way we are currently regulating it is just by punishing people. It’s not in any way reducing usage or reducing negative consequences of [marijuana]. I think legalization is the only way that those things can be achieved.”

- ISAACH WATKINS, Second-year political science student

“There is no way to put it on the ballot unless the state legislature does ahead of time,” Kinsella said.

“To do it, it would have to be passed by two-thirds of the state legislature in consecutive sessions.”

The state legislature has not approved legalization, meaning the Indiana laws against marijuana are in full effect. According to the Indiana Code of Law (IC 35-48-4-1), knowingly growing, possessing, or distributing marijuana is a criminal offense and would require an offender to

He takes action to support his clients with cannabis-related cases.

“Many people find cannabis helps them cope with their lives,” Dickerson said. “They get a stress reliever. It’s no worse than what people use alcohol and other drugs for. I don’t think [criminalization] is right, so I’m an advocate for reforming the laws that we have in Indiana.”

Indiana drug possession laws state that possessing less than 5 grams of marijuana without

a previous offense can result in a Class B misdemeanor and 1 to 180 days of jail time.

Alternatively, owning more than 30 grams of marijuana and having a previous offense can result in a Level 6 felony and six months to two years of jail time. The penalties only continue to rise if someone in Indiana attempts to grow or distribute marijuana.

If someone is apprehended for carrying marijuana, the punishment often depends on county laws. The county prosecutor determines what amount of marijuana is considered a passable amount.

“Right now, I have a case in Southern Indiana with somebody who is facing five months in jail who had a third of an ounce in their car,” Dickerson said. “Anybody in possession of what [the county prosecutor] considers a personal amount, they’re not going to get prosecuted. But in other counties, people face jail time for the smallest amounts.”

The lack of uniform marijuana laws in the state creates more cases for Dickerson. In 2023, the Bowen Center of Public Affairs at Ball State University conducted a statewide survey, known as the Hoosier Survey, covering public policy opinions.

After receiving 600 responses to the survey from sample groups all over Indiana, the results showed that 52.2 percent of Indiana residents support marijuana legalization. An additional 32.2 percent support the medicinal use of marijuana.

The 2023 Hoosier Survey indicated that about 80 percent of Indiana residents support legalization efforts either for medicinal or recreational uses.

05 “I think a big problem is that Indiana is not democratic,” Watkins said. “We’re not a democracy. It’s not representative of the people, broadly speaking.”

According to Kinsella, state legislators have yet to decide whether marijuana legalization should be a priority.

“It’s not only that the state legislature isn’t worried about it,” Kinsella said. “There are a lot of groups, like the Chamber of Commerce [and] the Sheriff’s Association, that are not interested in moving forward with that, and they have a lot of sway in the state legislature.”

Dickerson, on the other hand, is optimistic about the fight for legalization. His conversations with state legislators indicate that legislators like Brad Chambers, Jennifer McCormick and Donald Rainwater are open to marijuana legalization.

Dickerson believes the biggest issue comes from a lack of voter communication with their state legislators.

“It’s important for Hoosiers to speak to their legislators and let them know it’s an important

10.10.24

DNNews

issue to them,” Dickerson said. “Legislators tell us all the time, ‘Well, no one says anything. It’s not important.’ But we speak to people, and it’s important to them. They just feel like they don’t have a voice.”

For Indiana residents who want to be a voice for change, Dickerson suggests they visit the online Indiana chapter of NORML and communicate with their state and county legislators through the portal about what changes they want to see.

For those without a strong opinion on marijuana, Watkins offers this advice: regulation through legalization.

“I think the way we are currently regulating it is just by punishing people,” Watkins said. “It’s not, in any way, reducing usage or reducing negative consequences of [marijuana]. I think legalization is the only way that those things can be achieved.”

Contact Kaira Carter via email at kaira.carter@ bsu.edu.

Marijuana in Indiana

16.3% of Indiana adults between the ages of 18 and 24 reported current marijuana use.

1 in 10 Indiana adults reported using marijuana in the past 30 days.

13.2% of adults who had not earned a high school diploma reported current marijuana use.

BRENDEN ROWAN, DN DESIGN Source: Indiana Department of Health

KELSEY COLLINS, BALL BEARINGS ILLUSTRATION

Read more from

Ball Bearings Magazine

DNNews

10.10.24

06

Ball State University and the Indiana Immunization Coalition offer flu shots and other vaccines while addressing barriers like transportation and cost.

Meghan Braddy Associate News Editor As flu season approaches, Ball State University continues its efforts to protect students, faculty and the Muncie community by partnering with the Indiana Immunization Coalition (IIC).

This collaboration aims to provide access to various vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including the flu shot, while eliminating barriers such as transportation issues and lack of insurance.

“Ball State has been offering vaccination clinics in partnership with the Indiana Immunization Coalition since 2020. It is part of our annual effort to support a healthy Ball State campus community as we approach flu season,” said Ro-Anne Royer Engle, vice president of student affairs at Ball State, via email. “It also provides students with convenient access to other immunizations they may have not received.”

The partnership between Ball State and the IIC originated during the COVID-19 pandemic when healthcare access became more difficult to acquire. With the increased awareness of public health challenges during this time, the university recognized the need for accessible vaccination options for its student body.

This accessibility to vaccinations for Ball State students proved crucial, as a survey by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) revealed a significant lack of vaccinations among college students even before the pandemic began.

According to NFID’s survey, 70 percent of U.S. college students believe getting a flu vaccine is important. Still, only 46 percent follow through and get vaccinated, citing barriers such as cost, inconvenience and misinformation.

“We first partnered with IIC in October 2020 during the pandemic, the event was held in Worthen Arena, and we were able to follow distance guidelines and provide not only flu shots but many immunizations that students were not able to obtain due to the difficulties and reluctance of healthcare access during the pandemic,” said Amy Yakos, assistant clinical lecturer for the School of Nursing at Ball State.

Staci Johnson, clinic director for IIC, emphasized that the coalition’s mission is to make vaccines accessible to all Hoosiers, particularly in settings like Ball State’s on-campus clinics. Johnson also said that the IIC eliminates financial barriers by “absorb[ing] all out-of-pocket costs,” which is important given that financial strain from lack of insurance or high co-pays is one of the main reasons many college students skip vaccines.

Johnson said one of the main reasons IIC connected with Ball State is because they thought it would be a “great opportunity for

nursing students to gain clinical experience.”

Since then, the collaboration has continued annually, and Ball State nursing students have occasionally assisted with IIC clinics throughout the Muncie area.

Johnson also reflected on the importance of promoting vaccine advocacy in the next generation of healthcare providers.

“We are thankful for Ball State University’s partnership in advocating for vaccine access for all Hoosiers,” she said. “By working with the School of Nursing every year, we are fostering vaccine advocacy in the next generation of the medical community.”

This is important as students can experience significant disruptions due to flu-related illnesses.

The CDC states that “most people who get the flu will recover in a few days to less than two weeks.”

“We hope the convenience of an on-campus clinic encourages members of the campus community to take the necessary actions to stay healthy heading into flu season by getting a flu shot,” Engle said. “Making this available to campus eliminates several barriers to students getting a flu shot, including transportation, being uninsured or underinsured, and finding time between classes or work.”

Yakos voiced the importance of ensuring easy access to healthcare, particularly for students who face immunization requirements.

“Convenience is always helpful when considering access to healthcare. Immunization requirements for students make it imperative that we support access,” Yakos said. “We want to keep the BSU community healthy.

Immunizations prevent disease outbreaks and protect from illnesses that can cause long-term issues and even death.”

To further ensure accessibility, IIC clinics accept walk-ins and charge no administration fees.

“We know that students and faculty are busy, so we want to make receiving vaccines as easy as possible,” Johnson said. “We also assist in locating immunization records and provide education on each vaccine to empower young students to be their own vaccine advocates.”

The next immunization clinic at Ball State will take place at the L.A. Pittenger Student Center Ballroom Oct. 23 from noon to 6 p.m.

Vaccines offered will include the flu shot, DTaP/ Tdap, MMR, chickenpox (varicella), pneumonia, shingles and more.

There is no cost for those without insurance, and participants are encouraged to bring their immunization records and health insurance card if they can. Pre-registration is encouraged through the IIC’s website, but walk-ins are welcome.

Students can pre-register on the website by searching for “Ball State L.A. Pittenger Student

Center.” To sign up, they can click “Sign Up for Vaccinations” next to the clinic date they want.

For those unable to get to on-campus clinics, Engle said several pharmacies in Muncie offer the flu vaccine and other immunizations. She encourages students to contact these locations for availability and insurance details.

Both Johnson and Engle emphasized the importance of empowering students to prioritize their health through vaccination.

“One case of flu can derail a student’s academic experience,” Engle said. “Anything a student can do to reduce the severity of the disease and the need for hospitalizations increases their chances of having the kind of academic year they want and planned to have.”

Contact Meghan Braddy via email at meghan. braddy@bsu.edu or on X @meghan_braddy.

Boosting Immunity

70%

of U.S. college students believe getting a flu vaccine is important.

46% of college students actually receive the flu vaccine.

61%

of students indicated that access to the vaccine at low or no cost impact their likelihood of getting vaccinated.

61%

responded that incentives like free food or gift cards would motivate them to receive the vaccine.

JESSICA BERGFORS, BALL BEARINGS ILLUSTRATION

JESSICA BERGFORS, DN ILLUSTRATION Source: National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

DNSports

FROM

TIPTON

TO

10.10.24

07

Women’s Golf

Cardinals compete in Loyola invitational Ball State competed in the two-day Loyola Parkinson Family Invitational at the par-72 Merit Club this week.

Sophomore JJ Gregston shot the Cardinals’ lowest score Oct. 7 and followed it up with a one-over par finish Oct. 8, placing her in the top 20 of the tournament. The Cardinals travel to Hot Spring, Arkansas, for the Diamante Intercollegiate tournament Oct. 20.

Women’s Tennis

Ball State wins Hoosier Classic Sophomore Isabel Tanjuatco took home the Flight 6 championship at the Hoosier Classic in a threeset thriller win over Lilly Schultz of North Texas. The Cardinals won 12 matches across different competitions. Ball State will compete in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Ohio Valley Regional, starting Oct. 11 at Middle Tennessee.

Field Hockey

Gavin and Griffin Hare of Ball State’s men’s golf team create memories together while competing as Division I golfers from a small town. 10 Freshman golfer Gavin and redshirt senior Griffin Hare stand back to back for a photo Sept. 26 at Earl Yestingsmeier Golf Center. For the Hare brothers, playing a sport together on the same team has been a dream since they were kids. TITUS SLAUGHTER, DN

Cardinals face Central Michigan University Ball State will look to improve its 2-7 overall record and 1-2 Mid-American Conference (MAC) stretch as the Cardinals host Central Michigan Oct. 11. The game will be played at 3 p.m. The Chippewas head to Muncie as the No. 9 team in the MAC with a 0-4 conference record while the Cardinals are the No. 5 squad.

ON BALLSTATEDAILYNEWS.COM: FOOTBALL LOOKS FOR FIRST MAC WIN AGAINST KENT STATE

DNSports

10.10.24

08

Delta freshman Addison Childers practices Oct. 8 at Shirokai Martial Arts Dojo in Marion, Ind. Childers said karate helped her manage her ADHD. ANDREW BERGER, DN

Delta freshman Addison Childers practices high kicks Oct. 8 at Shirokai Martial Arts Dojo in Marion, Ind. Despite opportunities to pursue other sports at Delta, karate was always something that piqued Childers’ interest. ANDREW BERGER, DN

Addison Childers has made her name known across the world but is in pursuit of more.

David Moore Associate Sports Editor Karate is one of the oldest forms of combat in the world, dating back centuries. It is an art form that takes years to master and many begin at a young age, according to Britannica.

This was the case for Delta freshman Addison Childers, who began her karate journey at age nine.

But her introduction to karate was different from a typical beginning. That beginning helped her discover a passion that has led her across the globe to become a world champion.

Childers was diagnosed with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at nine years old.

Her parents, Michael and Maria Childers, were recommended by a doctor that they find a way to aid in the “disciplining” of their daughter’s mind.

“She could hardly sit down,” Michael said. “So, her doctor recommended finding gymnastics or karate or something that really helps calm [her] down and helps with that development.”

Once Childers stepped into her first dojo, it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing; there were some barriers to overcome with her ADHD. “The first place I went to was super strict,” Childers said. “I would always be playing with my

hands, and they would constantly tell me to stand still … I got used to it, so my ADHD started to not affect my karate as much.”

Despite opportunities to participate in other sports at Delta, karate was always something that piqued Childers’ interest. It was something she was naturally better at than other sports, even though it was a talent she discovered unconventionally.

Regardless of the challenges karate presented for Childers, it was an opportunity that she relished.

She seemed to know right away that it was what she wanted to pursue.

“The very first time I went I enjoyed it a lot, so I decided to stay with it,” Childers said. “As time went on, I started to have more fun with it and started to get really good, so I started going to compete.”

Once she started competing, Childers felt she needed to move dojos to maximize her potential, which landed her at her current dojo in Marion, Indiana, where she trains at Shirokai Martial Arts with her sensei, Andy White.

When Childers first set foot in Whites’ dojo, the Childers family made it known to him that challenges oftentimes came with her ADHD. “I was made aware pretty early on,” White said.

“Everyone that comes in the door has their own

It’s pride to know that your daughter’s got her name out there. Some younger girls from all over the country will come running up to her at competitions, and there’s so much pride in what she’s put into it and that she’s helping the younger generation.”

- MICHAEL CHILDERS, Addison Childer’s dad

little quirks, and you just can’t always run it like a military camp. It was a little trying early on to keep her attention, but sometimes, you just had to let her have her moment, get her curiosity done and then reel her back in.”

However, those “quirks” seemed to work in her favor throughout training.

“She has some rough moments when she’s learning new things,” White said. “But she’s really able to hyper-focus on those things, and she just excels. I think that’s been a blessing to her in a way.”

With the patience of her sensei and her ability to fixate while training, Childers began to take things to the next level. As time progressed, Childers began to realize how great of a talent she had for her newfound passion.

“When I started focusing more on winning was when I started to push myself more,” Childers said.

“I started to realize I really had a talent for it.”

When she saw her potential, Childers began to challenge herself by partaking in high-level competitions. As she continued to grow in the sport, Childers looked to compete internationally.

In 2022, at the age of 12, Michael and Maria took their daughter to the Team USA national championship tryouts in Evansville, Indiana.

09

10.10.24

DNSports

When I started focusing more on winning was when I started to push myself more. I started to realize I really had a talent for it.”

- ADDISON CHILDERS, Delta freshman Childers went on to win the competition, thus beginning her international competition pathway.

In her first competition outside of the U.S., she competed in the world championships in Wales, United Kingdom.

“I was really scared,” Childers said. “I felt like I was going to mess up with how nervous I was. I had some friends there though who I’d competed against before, so talking with them helped make me more comfortable.”

Despite the nerves of her first world championship, Childers medaled in all four of her events, bringing home one gold, a silver and two bronze — securing the first of many world championship medals.

There was no going back after that competition.

She had made up her mind that this was what she wanted to do with her life. Continuing to train and compete at such a high level was not something White expected from her when she first came to his dojo.

“With her ADHD, honestly, I thought she would just fade away from it,” White said. “But she got so intrigued with it — and everybody else that works with her, including her coaches overseas — they would like to have her as their student also.”

Following the 2022 World Championships, Childers would continue to perform on the world stage the following year in Calgary, Canada.

However, this time would be different.

Childers received news from her doctor that she had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. A lymph node on her neck was found to have cancerous cells.

Even with the shocking news, the Childers family wanted to keep things under wraps.

“She handled it very maturely,” Michael said. “Nobody knew about it unless we talked about it, and she kept competing just like she normally would.”

Maintaining her competition posed a threat to the lymph node on her neck. Childers needed to be extra cautious and had a scare in a match in Saint Louis, Missouri, where she had been kicked in her neck and it began to swell.

But even cancer couldn’t prevent Childers from competing in the sport she loved. She continued to travel to Calgary to compete in the world championships, yet again earning a gold medal.

Following the world championships, Childers returned home in early October 2023 and received surgery to remove the lymph node from her neck.

“You would’ve never known there was an issue,” Michael said. “She never even batted an eye, and

she’s been cancer-free ever since her surgery and has just continued to keep at her craft.”

Childers just completed her fourth world championships in the Czech Republic, helping Team USA by earning four gold medals and two bronze. She now has racked up 10 world championship medals.

“It’s pride to know that your daughter’s got her name out there,” Michael said. “Some younger girls from all over the country will come running up to her at competitions, and there’s so much pride in what she’s put into it and that she’s helping the younger generation.”

That persistence and unwavering dedication to karate has led Childers to where she is now: a multiple-time world champion.

There have been many sacrifices along the way for the Childers family, but to them, it’s been worth it.

“Financially is where it is challenging the most,” Michael said. “We do a few fundraisers through the school, but most of it’s out of pocket. The [World Martial Arts Committee is] always there to help support us as well — no matter the team member.”

Childers does not take the support and sacrifices from her parents lightly and knows it comes with hardships.

“It means a lot to me,” she said. “They’re the ones who have to help me get ready and raise money for it all, and we have to spend a lot on those trips.”

Though the road has been long and had its fair share of bumps along the way, Childers has overcome the trials and persevered through unconventional circumstances. Even though the world champion has a plethora of trophies and medals, she has not accomplished what she’s set out to do just yet.

“I want to go to the Olympics,” Childers said.

Having gone through more than most, very few things can hold her back from that ultimate goal.

Having now accomplished far more than your typical fourteen-year-old, Childers could be satisfied. But even though her quiet and reserved nature may not show it, her eyes are fixed on the 2028 Olympic Games.

Contact David Moore via email at david. moore@bsu.edu or on X @gingninj63.

Delta freshman Addison Childers practices a weapon routine Oct. 8 at Shirokai Martial Arts Dojo in Marion, Ind. Despite the nerves of her first world championship, Childers medaled in all four of her events, bringing home one gold, a silver and two bronze at age 12 in 2022. ANDREW BERGER, DN

DNSports

10.10.24

10

Brothers Griffin and Gavin Hare make an impact in Ball State men’s golf while creating lasting memories.

Logan Connor Reporter For Gavin and Griffin Hare, playing a sport together on the same team has been a dream since they were kids. Now, freshman golfer Gavin and redshirt senior Griffin are turning that dream into reality at Ball State.

After not getting to share the course as teammates growing up, the sibling duo is now able to experience something rare — playing a Division I sport with a sibling. With Griffin earning a redshirt after the COVID-19 pandemic, Gavin saw his opportunity to hit the course together.

Although his older brother played a role in committing to the Cardinals, Gavin said Griffin always wanted him to make a future for himself and go where he belonged.

“He wanted it to be my own decision …

Sometimes, it would sway other ways,” Gavin said. “It was hard because it’s a long process, but at the end of the day, in the back of my mind, I knew this is where I wanted to be.”

When Gavin committed to Ball State, Griffin was excited for the opportunity to compete with his brother.

Griffin was able to watch the whole recruitment process unfold. He remembers the big milestones throughout the process and the excitement felt for his family.

“I remember the moment when coach [Mike] Fleck gave him his first phone call,” Griffin said.

“Then, when he finally gave [Gavin] his offer, and then once he committed, I was pretty excited. I knew what was happening, step by step. And once

His influence definitely played a role in my decision. He was definitely always going to be an advocate for Ball State men’s golf, as he should. It’s awesome here.”

- GAVIN HARE, Freshman golfer

I do remember the moment when Coach Fleck gave him his first phone call. Then when he finally gave [Gavin] his offer I was pretty excited…Once he committed, it was a really cool experience to have shared with him and our other family.”

- GRIFFIN HARE, Redshirt senior golfer he committed, it was a really cool experience to have shared with him and our other family.”

When head coach Mike Fleck recruited Griffin, he was not yet aware of his younger brother. But with the knowledge of Indiana high school golf recruiting — and awareness of the program at Tipton High School where the brothers attended — it wasn’t long before Fleck became acquainted with Gavin.

“One of my jobs is to follow Indiana Junior Golf.

And with Griffin having gone through Tipton, their golf program was pretty good,” Fleck said Although the brothers share a surname and grew up together, the similarities end when they get on the golf course. Gavin and Griffin are built differently and have their own distinctive playing styles.

“Griffin has had some success and has played in some [United States Golf Association] events,” Fleck said. “In his career here at Ball State, he has played quite a bit in collegiate tournaments.

But obviously, when you look at them, you see a physical difference.”

Their parents, Jason and Stacy Hare come to tournaments to support both of their sons, which was something they were unable to do during their sons’ pre-collegiate athletic careers.

“It has to be so cool for them to be able to come to tournaments and be able to cheer for two Hare kids,” Griffin said. “We’ve never been teammates before at our previous school in Tipton. So, it’s a blessing since we’re five years apart. And without COVID-19, believe it or not, I wouldn’t be here with Gavin.”

Both brothers are highly competitive athletes.

That competitiveness is not limited to the golf course, and they both want the best for each other no matter the situation.

“We are very competitive at everything we do,” Griffin said. “No matter if it’s playing [NBA] 2K or golf, he’d tell you the same thing. We’re always going to be big supporters of each other. He wants me to shoot 62, but he just wants to shoot 61. He wants the best out of me. So, in terms of trash talk — if it happens — it’s all positive. I love that

Redshirt senior Griffin Hare poses for a photo Sept. 26 at Earl Yestingsmeier Golf Center. When Gavin committed to Ball State, Griffin was excited for the opportunity to compete with his brother. TITUS SLAUGHTER, DN

Freshman Gavin Hare is photographed in front of the Ball State Cardinal logo Sept. 26 at Earl Yestingsmeier Golf Center.

Gavin attended Tipton High School before committing to Ball State University. TITUS SLAUGHTER, DN competition we have.”

Although Fleck has had limited time around Gavin, he has seen similarities between the brothers. Both are huge Notre Dame football fans and when the Fighting Irish lost to Mid-American Conference contender Northern Illinois in week two of the college football season, he let the brothers hear it.

Fleck has noticed a quick improvement and adjustment to campus from Gavin. Some of this, he believes, is due to his brother’s leadership and guidance. Having an older brother around makes things just a little bit easier on an 18-year-old kid.

“Having that firsthand experience with him, being here for so long, I kind of relied on him for all the questions I had about the program,” Gavin said. “It’s helped me transition from high school to college very easily … he wants the best for me, and I really appreciate that.”

Coming from a small town together, to playing at the Division I level, they cherish the memories

made while growing up together. They give all the credit to their parents, who have allowed them to play some of the best courses in the country and have helped them achieve their goals.

“It was unreal just being from a small town and being able to be part of the crown of amateur golf.

It was awesome,” Gavin said. “We’re very blessed and thankful for the support our parents have given us to be able to go play some places that they play on tour.”

With the fall season still young, and the spring yet to come, both brothers are expected to be contributors for the Cardinals. Both Griffin and Gavin being in the lineup this spring is something the Hare household can look forward to.

“I would envision that if both of those guys are playing at a high level, there’s no reason not to think they aren’t going to be major contributors through the rest of the season,” Fleck said.

Contact Logan Connor via email at logan. connor@bsu.edu or via X @_loganconnor

DNLife

‘A Lifetime Job’ A local business sells hand-crafted horror masks. 12

10.10.24

11

Community

Beech Grove Cemetery tour A guided tour will run through a portion of the Beech Grove Cemetery Oct. 12 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Reenactors will be positioned along the route to bring local historic figures “back to life.”

Tours are about one mile, will leave each half hour and are limited to groups of 20. Tickets are $10 a person and can be purchased online or at the gate until 6:30 p.m. the day of the event.

Community

Women in Need of Shopping This month’s Women in Need of Shopping event will be hosted at Mad Axe Muncie Oct. 20 at 2 p.m.

The event will have both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available for purchase, adult and kid-friendly axe throwing, and three raffle baskets in addition to 15-20 vendors. The event is open to the public, and a list of specific vendors that will attend the event can be found online.

Campus

National Coming Out Day

Jordan Blair, son and employee of Brian Blair, details a mask Sept. 27 at Pumpkin Pulp. Jordan said his favorite part of making masks is the painting process. ANDREW BERGER, DN

In honor of National Coming Out Day Oct. 11, there will be two campus events. Spectrum is celebrating with food, telling stories and hanging out at the Quad Oct. 10 from 6 to 7 p.m. The College of Health Student Success Center is celebrating from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

You can stop by to get a pride or ally button, a rainbow cookie, and take a photo with the pride frame and props.

ON BALLSTATEDAILYNEWS.COM: FREE STI TESTING EVENT AIMS TO KEEP STUDENTS HEALTHY

DNLife

10.10.24

12

Brian Blair stands in front of a wall of masks in the shop Sept. 27 at Pumpkin Pulp. Blair began the business in 2006. ANDREW BERGER, DN

Based out of their store on Granville Avenue, Pumpkin Pulp sells hand-crafted horror masks year round.

Hannah Amos, Meghan Braddy Reporter, Associate News Editor Down a gravel drive along Granville Avenue lies a high-end mask and props store for all things horror and Halloween.

Filling the room are walls full of grimaces, gnarled bones, clumps of matted, bloodied fur and hair, all intended to evoke a sense of unease and awe.

The mangled and grotesque exteriors of masks and dolls come from a practiced, intentional hand.

Every knick, smudge and smear — though unique to each creation — is intentional.

These frightful creations come from the mind

and work of Brian Blair, the owner and creator of Pumpkin Pulp, a horror mask store operating along Granville Avenue.

Brian has always loved and held a passion for horror and scary movies, which led him to start Pumpkin Pulp and join the scare industry in 2006.

In the beginning, Pumpkin Pulp started out mainly as a scare attraction and art studio, but when COVID-19 hit, they stopped hosting an instore haunted house event called “Scarevania.” In 2023, they opened the store to serve as a way to display their works and have a physical location.

Originally, starting as a project of making masks for haunts and scares to save money, Brian decided to post photos of his creations online

“I put them online, and I immediately started getting other people calling me, wanting to buy ’em,” Brian said. “So, I thought, ‘Huh, I wonder if I could maybe make a few bucks off this,’ and it just started to continue to grow.”

From there, Pumpkin Pulp was created and took off “like a rocket,” Brian said.

Brian believes Pumpkin Pulp’s creations stand out to customers, leading to him being noticed rather quickly due to the different style he started, producing what he describes as a “grittier and grungier” appearance.

“My whole idea was to try to think, ‘OK, I want to make something that looks like some madman made this in a cellar,’” he said. “That’s what it came out as.”

Pumpkin Pulp’s horror production line starts with Brian sculpting his designs out of clay, creating an original work.

“That’s the funnest part for me, is coming up with new stuff,” he said. “I can sit down with some clay, and when I start sculpting, I just see what comes out … I’ve always enjoyed creating something new, and I always try to think of something that hasn’t been done before that I can do. So, it’s kind of my way to challenge myself every year.”

Brian then passes the sculpture to employee Chandler Teal, who uses plaster to mold the sculpture before continuing with multiple layers of latex.

Teal explained that he applies three layers of latex to each mold to ensure thickness.

13 10.10.24 .

My whole idea was to try to think, ‘OK, I want to make something that looks like some madman made this in a cellar.’”

- BRIAN BLAIR, Pumpkin Pulp owner

After pulling the piece out, he trims the edges and then hands it over to the painters for painting.

After the mask has been painted, Teal said it gets strapped, and then all accessories, like tufts of fur or hair, are added on.

“It’s a lot of fun. I get to do what I love, and not many people could say that,” Teal said. “We just turn on some music or a murder podcast, and we just make creepy stuff and have fun.”

This is a sentiment Jordan Blair, Brian’s son and employee, shares.

Jordan described his total of around four years of working at Pumpkin Pulp as “a huge pleasure,” adding that after working there, he couldn’t imagine going back to a “normal job.”

“I’ve always loved horror — everything and anything scary or weird,” he said. “It’s not just a side hobby; it’s like a lifetime job, which is crazy to think about, but, yeah, I’m very grateful.”

While Jordan takes on a variety of roles — his main focus is on shipping — but his favorite task is painting the masks.

“I don’t feel very much pressure, and I can do a lot of what I want because each mask is handpainted, and they’re all supposed to be a little unique in their own ways. They’re not massmanufactured,” Jordan said “So, it is very nice, and it makes me feel open to doing anything.”

Jordan hopes to be more involved, as well as learn more from his dad. Another favorite role of his is going to the tradeshows and conventions with his father, something that brings them closer together.

“We get to spend more time together, and we’re doing something that we both enjoy, and it’s a very niche thing, which makes it a little bit more special,” Jordan said.

The growth of Pumpkin Pulp happened alongside his own growing up. As a child, he never imagined it would be as big as it is now, and seeing what it has become feels insane to him.

This growth has become seven employees, international sales, creations appearing in lowbudget movies and unique clientele, all coming from a local Muncie business.

Brian’s goal for the store and studio is to become a Halloween destination spot.

“I was very fortunate that this took off at the right time and just did what it did,” Brian said. “Honestly, the spooky stuff is one of my true loves.”

Along with the physical store, “Scarevania,” where they get to showcase their masks and props, came back in 2023 but only in the month of October, due to how busy Pumpkin Pulp gets.

“It’s getting to the point now that we’re just as busy after Halloween as we are before … we just start getting orders immediately,” Brian said.

Teal manages the haunted house while Brian gets to focus on other aspects of the year-round business. Teal’s passion for haunting started at a young age, long before he began working at Pumpkin Pulp.

“Ever since I was little, I used to turn my parents’ hallways into a haunted house,” he said.

His love for all things spooky only grew stronger when he turned 10 years old and first met Brian.

“When I was a little kid, I had an obsession with horror. I watched horror movies. And I actually came here as a little kid when Brian had the haunted house,” Teal said. “I was too scared to go through, so Brian gave me a lights-on tour.”

The moment sparked a fascination that only grew over time. At 13 years old, Teal began acting in the haunted house, and by high school, he was part of the team. Over the years, he learned the ins and outs of haunting.

Those skills he’s picked up help him design the haunted houses and “create a world that people could come into to forget their everyday lives.”

“Just the thrill of creating something new and seeing people’s reactions. I love seeing people’s reactions to my work. It makes me feel good,” Teal said. “[It] lets me know I’m doing something right when I see people running out of the haunt screaming and talking about it.

I’m creating memories for people, and that’s what makes me happy.”

Pumpkin Pulp’s haunted house “Scarevania,” which started Oct. 4, will be open every Friday and Saturday night until the last weekend of October.

Tickets are available at the store during regular hours or at the door from 8-11 p.m. for $10.

Contact Hannah Amos via email at hannah. amos@bsu.edu or on X @Hannah_Amos_394 Meghan Braddy via email at meghan.braddy@ bsu.edu or on X @meghan_braddy.

DNLife

An employee adds detail to a pumpkin mask Sept. 27 at Pumpkin Pulp. The shop has grown to seven hired employees and has had international sales and appearances in low-budget movies. ANDREW BERGER, DN

Hand-crafted dolls are photographed at Pumpkin Pulp Sept. 27 in Muncie, Ind. Owner Brian Blair said that the dolls are one of their best-selling products. ANDREW BERGER, DN

I’ve always loved horror — everything and anything scary or weird. It’s not just a side hobby; it’s like a lifetime job, which is crazy to think about, but, yeah, I’m very grateful.”

- JORDAN BLAIR, Brian Blair’s son and employee Pumpkin Pulp’s logo is photographed Sept. 27 at its store in Muncie, Ind. Scarevania, a haunted attraction experience put on by Pumpkin Pulp, is open through the month of October. ANDREW BERGER, DN

ALL OUT

DNLife

10.10.24

14

for the music

Business owner and DJ Curtis Dorgan discusses his entertainment business and journey through music.

Zach Gonzalez Reporter Before DJing at an event or venue, one of Curtis Dorgan’s favorite questions is asking the host ten songs they want to hear and ten they don’t. These simple questions allow Dorgan to get a feel for the crowd and determine how to bring more shoes to the dance floor.

“It’s all about the audience, and I think that’s where I try to focus on making myself successful is reading the audience and feeling what they’re wanting,” Dorgan said.

Dorgan, owner and DJ of the party entertainment service known as “All Out Productions LLC,” runs his own business centered on coordinating with local event planners and bringing people together through music.

Dorgan worked as an event promoter in other cities before moving back to Muncie and eventually found interest in creating his business after trying to start his own nightclub.

“I got a little disillusioned with working in the real world, and I wanted to open up a nightclub space downtown,” Dorgan said. “And when I got frustrated with not being able to get a space and find an available space, I said, ‘You know, I’m just going to have to get the equipment, and I’m going to start doing my own events and DJ.’” From playing music at family gatherings to building his own record collection, Dorgan spent his entire life surrounded by music. He said his mom is a big music person and listened to multiple genres, which helped him become an avid music lover.

“She was never a person to tell me no about listening to different types of music,” Dorgan said.

“She would also let me explore myself and try to find things that I liked.”

Dorgan graduated from Ball State University with a degree in audio/video production. He said music can enhance community and further develop relationships with other people.

“I think the more you can embrace music and bring music as part of your culture, it makes everybody a little bit easier to get along with because you can understand people a lot by their music taste sometimes,” Dorgan said.

Music helps Dorgan connect and grow closer to various people including his own husband, Ramiro Hernandez. Dorgan said Hernandez’s music taste helps him communicate his thoughts and emotions.

“I’m married to a metalhead, and [he] actually is one of the calmest, nicest, polite, kind [people].

But that music is that voice that he doesn’t feel he has sometimes to express, and it’s kind of an outlet to those feelings that he doesn’t always feel he can speak himself,” Dorgan said. “So music can sometimes be just your way of reaching to make that expression that you don’t feel comfortable making yourself.”

Hernandez met Dorgan in Chicago, and one thing Hernandez always appreciated was Dorgan’s wide variety of music tastes, including music of Hernandez’s own culture.

“He also got into Spanish music and music of all cultures, and that’s what drew me to him, as well as just surprised that I can meet someone that wasn’t Hispanic listen to a lot of Hispanic music,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez helps Dorgan run All Out Productions mainly through what Hernandez claims as behindthe-curtain activities like loading sound equipment and also utilizing his baking business to cater food for events Dorgan DJs at.

Hernandez said Dorgan is willing to bring multiple different genres of music to events in Muncie that other DJs would likely not play. This aspect of Dorgan’s DJing doesn’t go unnoticed by the crowds he plays to.

“One of the biggest things that we get when we’re out is that — especially with like him, not being scared to do Latin music or alternative rock music — is that our crowds do tell us that they’re thankful for him bringing that type of music to Muncie and doing events that do that type of music as well,” Hernandez said.

Regarding Dorgan’s awareness of crowds, Hernandez said he can read the room and see the response to the songs he plays, and he’ll change songs or genres to cater to everyone.

“Let’s just say that if somebody wasn’t really feeling it — and he can see it — and he’ll find a way to switch up the genre or something, switch up the decade, even to until he can get them going, get them dancing,” Hernandez said.

Cheryl Crowder, the event director for Downtown Development Partnership in Muncie, worked with All Out Productions throughout various events in Muncie such as Fire Up DWNTWN and the Magic City Brewfest.

“He kept the party going; he knew the right music to play and when to play it. He’s just always done a really, really good job for us,” Crowder said.

Curtis Dorgan is photographed in a promotional photo in 2023 for All Out Productions. RAMIRO HERNANDEZ, PHOTO PROVIDED While Dorgan mainly works in the Muncie region at corporate parties, nightclubs, weddings and class reunions, he prefers events with high energy and flexibility in music preferences to showcase a more diverse music playlist. Dorgan said music has the power to uplift people regardless of the difficulties in life they’re facing.

“Music that makes people get up and enjoy life and forget about their problems for just a little bit of time, or maybe help re-energize them so they can get up the next day and feel a little happier about what’s going on in the world [is important].

There’s so much negative out there, why not have a little positive?” Dorgan said.

Dorgan also witnessed multiple songs bring entire communities together based on factors like major events occurring in the United States. He cites Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” as an example of a track that has the power to unite many walks of life with different views under a singular purpose.

“There are times in our history where we have faced obstacles together, collectively, and simple songs like ‘Born This Way.’ At first, it was like, ‘OK, it’s kind of good,’ then all of a sudden, you started seeing that people felt that it meant something. It was really standing for who we really are,” Dorgan said.

Ultimately, when it comes to DJing, Dorgan said there’s no such thing as a good DJ or a bad one, but only DJs who “don’t pay attention” to their crowds and play only the songs they have set

up. For Dorgan, he tells event hosts the songs he’ll start with and gauges their preferences based on their body language and reactions.

“Even though I think I’m pretty good about selecting music for an event, it’s not my event …

I want to make sure that I’m listening to them and not just to what I think is going to be the best,” Dorgan said.

Contact Zach Gonzalez via email at zachary. gonzalez@bsu.edu.

JESSICA BERGFORS, DN ILLUSTRATION

LISTEN TO THE DAILY NEWS PODCAST

LISTEN TO ON THE BEAT

BALLSTATEDAILYNEWS.COM

BALLSTATEDAILYNEWS.COM

DNOpinion 16

10.10.24

A DOUBLE-EDGED

JULIAN BONNER, DN ILLUSTRATION

Social media has influenced a generation, positively and negatively.

11

13

14 19

26

88

78

91

13

79

9

39

5

4 82

20

16

2 8

6 3

SWORD

1

35

9

8

2

63

49 7

66

ON BALLSTATEDAILYNEWS.COM: IT’S CRITICAL FOR AMERICANS TO EXERCISE THEIR CIVIC DUTY

17

10.10.24

...

@bsudailynews

4

posts

2,026 followers

DNOpinion

615 following

Derran Cobb

Associate Sports Editor, “DC’s Thoughts” Following Derran Cobb is a fourth-year journalism major and writes “DC’s Thoughts” for the Daily News. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper.

In 1997, the world changed forever. Widely considered to be the first social media platform, Six Degrees was launched and allowed users to connect with their friends easier than ever before. Although it shut down in 2000, it laid the groundwork for the future.

Websites and apps introduced in the 2000s and 2010s would revolutionize the industry with the rise of Friendster (2002), MySpace (2003), LinkedIn (2003), Facebook (2004), YouTube (2005) and Twitter, now known as X (2006).

Instagram (2010) and Snapchat (2011) would follow soon after.

TikTok was introduced in 2014 as Musical.ly and became what we know it as today in 2018.

MySpace and Facebook would make creating profiles, sharing updates and interests, and communicating with friends available with just a few clicks. They both quickly gained popularity among teens and college students, garnering 115 million users by 2008.

LinkedIn made finding jobs and communicating with employers simpler, changing the workforce.

With X, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat, real-time updates to our personal lives were made more accessible, shaping a generation of minds.

My generation — Generation Z, which includes anyone born between 1997 and 2012 — is the first in history to have spent their entire lives with easy access to devices connected to the internet, from mobile devices to school and personal computers.

While there are many pros to these platforms and apps, such as accessing world news as it happens or talking to friends and family across the country within seconds, the negatives often outweigh the positives.

The new, technological world we live in has created a fractured perception of reality. Envy, jealousy and a negative self-image have become the norm.

People post themselves going out to a party, restaurant, vacation or spending time with a significant other. Not everyone who posts takes it into consideration, but a lot of these aspects of life are posted to social media with the goal of impressing one’s following.

This has led to the phenomena of comparison, commonly referred

Message to as “the thief of joy.” You cannot be happy with yourself if you are constantly comparing your life to someone else’s.

For example, someone can save and save until they’re finally able to purchase a car or an apartment. Then, they look on TikTok or Instagram and see someone with a newer, better car or a bigger house. Now, they feel like all the hard work and time they’ve put in to get what they have is insufficient compared to the other person.

However, this is a two-way street.

Even though someone posts a picture that makes it seem like they have made it in life, they most likely don’t feel that way. They are posting something to escape their own reality and give their followers a different idea of what they’re going through.

Social media posts are often just a glimpse into a fraction of how someone really lives, not the whole image.

For example, someone could be struggling financially in real life, but judging by their Instagram profile, you’d believe they are living comfortably. A couple could be struggling in their relationship and on the verge of a breakup, but on TikTok, they are seen as “couple goals.”

I think this mindset that we, as a generation, have perpetuated has truly warped our sense of what’s real and what’s not. We aren’t too far along though, and it is still possible for us to break out of it.

From a young age, I’ve heard of cyberbullying from news sources, parents and teachers. I had the mindset of “just close the app,” thinking it was just that easy to escape online torment.

However, as I have gotten older, it’s become clear that it’s not that simple.

When there are so many apps and the capability of creating multiple accounts to harass people over and over, it’s hard to escape the internet. According to the Cyberbullying Research Center, one in four middle and high school students report having been cyberbullied within the last month.

Cyberbullying can take many forms, according to the Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. This can include embarrassing or hurtful comments and photographs being posted online or sent to the victim.

This has greatly influenced a hateful culture in our generation.

Although often it’s not taken seriously, or meant to be serious in the first place, you never know how the other person, the

victim, is feeling. Roughly 15 percent of adolescents report being cyberbullied, and 14 percent have made a serious suicide attempt.

Both a comparison mindset and the hateful messages that have spawned from heavy use of social media has directly correlated to worsening mental health conditions of this generation.

The 2023 U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on social media and youth mental health found that adolescents who spent more than three hours per day on social media faced double the risk of experiencing poor mental health outcomes, including symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Yet, according to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory, 58 percent of adolescents feel that social media helps them feel more accepted, 67 percent feel like they have people who can support them through tough times, 71 percent feel like they have a place to show their creative side and 80 percent feel more connected to what’s going on in their friends’ lives.

Social media has granted us ease of access to a supporting community of like-minded people all over the world. Like never before, we are able to connect with someone who shares an interest of ours or has gone through the same struggles and find solace in that relationship.

Studies show that limits on the use of social media have resulted in mental health benefits for young adults and adults. The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory found that limiting social media use to 30 minutes daily over three weeks led to significant improvements in depression.

Look, I’m someone who uses social media regularly, both leisurely and professionally. But while social media is a useful, fun and often beneficial thing we use daily, it’s important to recognize the downfalls and understand how to escape them.

Contact Derran Cobb via email at derran.cobb@bsu.edu or on Twitter @Derran_cobb.

JULIAN BONNER, DN ILLUSTRATION

DNNews

10.10.24

18

JESSICA BERGFORS, DN ILLUSTRATION

Ball State fans catch a free t-shirt during the football game Oct. 5 at Scheumann Stadium. Ball State lost to Western Michigan 45-42. ISABELLA KEMPER, DN

Ball State fans are photographed at the football game Oct. 5 at Scheumann Stadium..

Ball State family weekend was Oct. 4-6.

ISABELLA KEMPER, DN

Ball State fans play corn hole Oct. 5 outside Scheumann Stadium.

The Alumni Center had tailgate activities available in CharlieTown, a designated space next to the center. ISABELLA KEMPER, DN

A Ball State fan watches festivities at the tailgate before the football game Oct. 5 at Scheumann Stadium. Tailgating started at 10 a.m. and lasted through the game. ANDREW BERGER, DN

19 10.10.24

Crossword & Sudoku ACROSS

60 Hook, line, and sinker, e.g.

29 Frenzied

5 Accelerated sci. class

62 “Yep, already spotted that”

31 Tucci’s “Road to Perdition” role

1 Mishandle, as a grounder 10 __ Eats

14 Colorful deepwater fish 15 Hospital prep area

16 Aviation milestone 17 Hook

20 Sentimentality 21 IMO relative

22 Orangutan, e.g.

23 Chilly product prefix 24 Line

33 Basic decision-maker 34 Weak poker hand 35 Actress Zadora

36 Sometime in the past 37 Inconsiderable

38 Fantasy franchise letters

39 Amanda Gorman’s “An __ We

Owe”

40 __ dish

41 Prefix with -genarian 42 Sinker

46 Plant sci.

47 “A spider!”

48 Take by force 51 “Sadly, yes”

56 Hook, line, and sinker

59 New Rochelle campus

61 One on a seal

63 Hard to navigate

64 John or Paul, but not Ringo or

George

DOWN

1 Danceable songs

2 Gp. whose most populous

member is Nigeria

3 Citizenship recitation

4 Ship in a late 19th century

tragedy

5 Simple program 6 Lead-in to fall

7 Julie who played Rita on “Dexter” 8 Lithium-__ battery 9 Reveal, in verse

10 Tried to influence with 11 Order (around) 12 Director Kazan

13 Good-looking?

18 “Snow Angel” singer Reneé 19 Key type

23 Barbecue rod

24 Slide on a seat

30 Holocene, for one

32 Deck with kings and queens 37 Equinox mo.

38 “You have a dictionary, don’t

you?”

40 Snap

43 “Pygmalion” playwright, for

short

44 Grounds for excommunication 45 Drinks with scones

48 “Captain America: The First

Avenger” backdrop, briefly 49 Spanish flowers

50 Italian volcano that’s a UNESCO

World Heritage Site

51 Turquoise hue 52 Low state

53 Shape of some chicken

nuggets, briefly

54 First course, often 55 Generous offer 57 Young’__

58 Long or short measure

25 Vrbo listing

26 The Owls of the NCAA 27 Jumping chollas, e.g.

28 Victor Vasarely’s movement

Solutions for Oct. 3

DELAWARE COUNTY’S ONLY LIVE NEWSCAST Live on Facebook Monday through Thursday at 9 p.m.

DNPuzzles

WHEN I PICK UP MY PILLS, HE GRABS FREE CONDOMS.

With over 12 options for birth control, let’s find one that works for you. ppgnhaik.org/campusIN