The Daily Iowan — 5.8.24

The Daily Iowan

Class of 2024 graduates

STAFF

Publisher

Executive

Sabine

Managing

Managing

Managing

Marandah Mangra-Dutcher

Managing

Ayrton Breckenridge

Politics

News

Isabelle

Sports

Asst.

Arts

Asst.

Edited by Will Shortz No. 0403

BUSINESS STAFF

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS ON 32

Newsroom

319-335-6030 | daily-iowan@uiowa.edu

The Daily Iowan strives for accuracy and fairness in reporting news. If we’ve made an error or a report is misleading, let us know about it: daily-iowan@uiowa.edu.

The Daily Iowan (USPS 143-360), the student newspaper at the University of Iowa, is published by Student Publications, Inc., E131 Adler Journalism Building, Iowa City, Iowa 52242. Published in print weekly on Wednesdays during the academic year, Fridays of Hawkeye football game weekends (Pregame), and year-round on dailyiowan.com.

Periodicals Postage Paid at the Iowa City Post Office. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Daily Iowan, E131 Adler Journalism Building, Iowa City, Iowa 52242.

Figure (out)

Poke menu option

Second-most-used substance in the world, after water 3 Gave a new form

Nueva York, por ejemplo

Cutaneous condition 6 Onetime threat to a castle’s walls 7 Chesapeake Bay is one

8 Evens, as the score

9 Celebrity chef Garten

10 La ___ Nostra

11 Fix, as a sneaker’s sole

12 Savanna grazer

13 Clears the dishes

18 Cleared the dishes?

22 Like laid-back personalities

23 Chow

25 Relatives of vicuñas and guanacos

28 Bug

29 Showbiz award quadfecta

31 Not fantastic

34 Metal worker?

35 Annual growth indicator

36 Valentine line

37 Purchases that are assembled brick by brick

38 Animal crackers?

40 Powered a unicycle, e.g.

42 Medical licensing exams

43 Debonair

44 Granny, in Southern dialect

45 Anheuser-Busch product whose ads once featured a penguin

46 Choice cuts

49 Spot for a bar code, maybe

51 IDs with multiple hyphens

53 A proposal might be done on one

56 1,000 G’s

57 Message communicated as “short-short-short, long-longlong, short-short-short”

Public Health

‘I have no regrets’

Class of 2024 appreciates graduation experience after losing theirs in 2020.

Kate Perez Senior Reporter katharine-perez@uiowa.edu

Exactly four years after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down schools, stores, sporting arenas, and more, the University of Iowa class of 2024 will walk at graduation this week.

For many members of the class of 2024 at the UI and across the country, the pandemic meant the loss of the end of their senior year of high school, including some of the most anticipated events, like graduation and prom.

When the class of 2024 started its academic journey at the UI, it comprised 4,530 students, which was 456 fewer than the admitted class of 2023 due to COVID-19. The average GPA was 3.78, making it the most academically accom-

have a chance to interact with many people on campus.

“I think that as a theater major, especially, that’s so odd because your whole major is based around performing in front of people and being in a room with people to give our performance, and when you’re not able to do that or practice that was very, very odd,” Mayer said.

One of the most difficult things for Mayer was participating in acting classes over Zoom, which were required in her first year. She was able to perform in an in-person show in spring 2021, but only in front of around 30 fully masked and socially distanced audience members.

“I was wearing a mask while performing, and then all of our audience members had to be masked because well. It was very odd,” Mayer said. “They wouldn’t let our director up on the

“I really don’t feel connected to the person that I was freshman year. I know it was me. I know [those were] things I did. I can remember doing those things. But I can’t say that I have super fond memories associated with COVID.”

Samantha Mayer UI fourth-year student

plished class in university history at the time.

The COVID-19 pandemic canceled the end of senior years across the country, leaving students to graduate with drive-through and virtual graduations.

This was the case for Samantha Mayer, a UI fourth-year student majoring in theater and English. Mayer, originally from Illinois, was rehearsing for her high school senior year spring musical when the pandemic hit. The abrupt end to Mayer’s senior year of high school meant a multitude of losses, including performances, award ceremonies, and a normal graduation.

“We had a drive-through graduation instead of a normal graduation, where all our teachers parked in the parking lot and then you could drive through and wait for them to say goodbye,” Mayer said. “And then you went home to go watch a recorded ceremony, which I sang the national anthem for, but it’s just like me singing in an empty room in my cap and gown.”

The beginning of Mayer’s experience at the UI as a first-year in the fall of 2020 was also unusual, she said. All her classes except one were held online. Despite living among other students in Burge Residence Hall, she did not

stage near us because of numbers-wise, how close people were.”

Mayer participated in various choir performances, which were also unusual due to COVID-19 safety procedures. If she and her choir sang in an indoor space, they were only allowed to sing in that space for 30 minutes before leaving it to air out for another 30 minutes.

Looking back, Mayer said it feels like an out-of-body experience when she reflects on her senior year of high school and first year of college.

“I really don’t feel connected to the person that I was freshman year,” she said. “I know it was me. I know [those were] things I did. I can remember doing those things. But I can’t say that I have super fond memories associated with COVID.”

Describing herself as a social and extroverted person, Mayer said it was difficult not being able to perform and connect with other people. She remembers it was hard to find her core friends at the UI initially, especially because she lived in a single dorm and there were no OnIowa! or welcome week events to attend.

“I was only allowed to have one person in my room at a time,” she said. “So there was really no ability to socialize unless it was virtually until I got into a show, and that was in my last two months of my freshman year of college.”

Those friendships did come, but even the beginning of her second year of college, which

was fully in-person, still did not feel completely normal.

“I did find my people here and there and I definitely do still have friends from freshman year for sure. But I remember walking into the

Grace Smith | The Daily Iowan

An empty classroom is seen in MacLean Hall at the University of Iowa on Dec. 8, 2020. Campus is less occupied with students due to classes moving to online instruction, which started after Thanksgiving on Nov. 30, 2020.

Kate Heston | The Daily Iowan

Professor Asma Ben Romdhane and students Mahmoud Ali, Schaffer Finney, Jacob Venenga, Lorena Tran, Matthew Galles, Carter Erickson, Addie Brooks, Steve Tammes, and Ana Sidahmed are seen during an Arabic class over Zoom. Due to COVID-19, college learning moved online.

theater and English department[s] once I started my sophomore at university, and it was an odd experience of like, I felt like no one knew who each other was and I felt like kind of starting from ground zero,” Mayer said.

As graduation creeps ever closer, she said part of her does not believe it will happen.

“I still pinch myself a little bit every day with it because it’s what I expected to happen my senior year of high school. I think I’ll believe it when I see it when I actually get to walk across the stage,” Mayer said.

The loss of her high school graduation has made Mayer appreciate her spring 2024 college graduation even more, she said. Being a double major, Mayer said she has told her family that she wants to attend every ceremony she is invited to to make up for the experience she lost in high school.

Overall, Mayer said she thinks losing her high school graduation has made her more appreciative of the experiences she has had at the UI and her upcoming graduation ceremonies.

“I think that every senior graduating this year

feels an extra sense of gratitude for being able to finally get those moments,” Mayer said.

This desire to soak up every moment is not only shared by Mayer. Felipe Pedraza is a UI fourth-year business analytics and marketing research international student and member of the Iowa men’s golf team. He said he looks forward to spending key moments with friends and family before entering the workforce.

Pedraza, originally from Lima, Peru, actually graduated from high school in December 2019 due to the academic calendar in the country. Normally, graduates in Peru would have January to July to spend with family and friends before going to college. However, that was taken away by COVID-19 for Pedraza.

“For me, I got to enjoy January, a little bit of February, I still was playing golf and then everything shut down. So I still look back and I don’t know if it’s thinking the time went too fast, but since I never got to have that proper closure, I might be a little bit resentful of COVID taking that time away from me,” Pedraza said.

Pedraza started his education at the UI online from Peru in the fall of 2020. Up until that point, he had never taken an online class, and it was

difficult for him to form real interactions with other people.

“I’ve been with the same class since kindergarten and I had the same friends for 12 years, so I never really had to put effort into meeting new people or making new friends and … it was hard at the beginning, but thankfully I had my teammates that were kind of automatically my friends from the get-go,” Pedraza said.

Looking back, Pedraza said he is shocked by how fast time has moved, adding that he sometimes still feels stuck in 2020 and still thinks about the time he lost with his friends in Peru.

“A lot of people that I graduated with, I haven’t seen in four years,” he said. “It’s kind of crazy to think that it’s gone so fast, but that’s only when I think about my life in Peru. Then I think about my life in the U.S. and all the people I met, all the relationships I made, and that makes me feel a little bit better because I’ve made the most out of my time here. So in that regard, I have no regrets.”

As for what this graduation means to him, Pedraza said he is thankful that he gets to graduate alongside his friends and loved ones, and has a chance to spend the time post-graduation with the people he met and formed

connections with in Iowa.

“I’m going to try to enjoy it as much as possible just because I know how much I wish I would have had that time back right after high school before college,” he said.

Anna Dargan, a UI fourth-year finance student, also started her college experience online like Pedraza. Dargan’s Chicago high school had a makeshift graduation in July 2020, but it left her feeling disoriented.

“It was just really strange because depending on people’s family situations, some people needed to be more careful, and I was one of those people,” Dargan said. “... So it felt so anonymous in a way because there was no one in the auditorium when we were walking across the stage, and it was just like in and out.”

Dargan began classes online with the UI in the fall of 2020, which she said was a natural transition for her after finishing her senior year online like many other students.

“I was planning on moving into the dorms and then just decided that that wasn’t going to be a great decision for me, so I stayed home for that entire year,” Dargan said. “It wasn’t fun, obviously, but through talking to other people that did come for their freshman year, it sounds like it was kind of just a lose-lose situation.”

When Dargan moved to Iowa City in the fall of 2021, she said it was a bit difficult to make friends and socialize, with there being a definite “learning curve” for her.

“It felt like people had kind of already made their little cliques and found their people and I hadn’t obviously since I wasn’t here, so it was a little bit harder,” Dargan said. “... I never had just a huge friend group that you make in dorms usually, so it was a little different, but I feel like it kind of made it so that I skipped over the awkward friendships that kind of are just out of convenience.”

While Dargan knows her college experience is slightly different than other students, she looks back on it fondly. She said she is looking forward to graduation, which is a big deal for her family as her brother missed his college graduation in 2020 as well, even if it does not make up for her lost high school experience.

“It doesn’t really make up for it because I feel like high school is the big graduation where it’s such a big social point in your life … but I’m definitely glad that we have a normal college graduation and that everyone can have that experience,” she said.

UI President Barbara Wilson said all students in the class of 2024 went through some really tough times starting college during the pandemic.

“You’ll be able to talk to your children, if you have children someday about ‘I lived through COVID-19,’” she said. “And that’s going to be kind of like I went through the Great Depression … I just think kudos to all of you, because in a way you stepped up.”

Katie Goodale | The Daily Iowan

Medical Assistant Helen Gomez stand ready with a biohazard bag as Melissa Scott drops a COVID test in during a shift at a COVID testing site in the parking lot of UIHC Health Care - Urgent Care in Coralville on Dec. 10, 2020. COVID cases are on the rise across the country again with a total of around 900 new cases reported in Johnson County between Nov. 25 - Dec. 8.

Wilson

Connecting to culture through a cappella

Student Preksha Kedilaya brought the Iowa Agni A Capella’s team to a national stage.

Sophia Connolly Arts Reporter sophia-connolly@uiowa.edu

Among many musical organizations at the University of Iowa, Agni A Cappella stands out. The a capella group provides students with community — cultural and musical alike.

Iowa Agni is a multicultural a capella group on campus. It has won multiple awards for their performances in the Association of South Asian Acapella circuit and around campus.

Iowa Agni President Preksha Kedilaya, who will graduate this May, said she was thankful for the

my culture.”

Because of the pandemic, only two previous members remained on the team when Kedilaya joined. With many new members, the group struggled to find a dynamic. Kedilaya said no one knew what the group was supposed to look like. At that time, too, Iowa Agni mostly performed at campus events rather than on competition circuits.

In her third year, Kedilaya ran for president of the a capella group but ended up serving the role of the whole executive team, which was stressful. Through all the stress, though, she brought many changes to the troupe.

“It provides me an opportunity to get back in touch with my culture and explore my roots and learn things about myself. That’s healing for me, because especially in Iowa, that’s not easy to find.”

Mallika Huynh

Member

of Agni A Cappella

time spent in this student organization.

“[A capella] puts us in this environment where we all work together towards one goal, and it’s just so refreshing and so fun,” Kedilaya said. “To have such different perspectives and different cultures represented by different backgrounds, it’s just really fun and has been a cool part of my career.”

Kedilaya has been involved in the a capella group since her second year of college after the COVID-19 pandemic prevented her from joining in her first year. Since then, the a capella group has become a tightknit family.

“I grew up in a predominantly white area,” Kedilaya said. “I didn’t have a lot of exposure to my South Asian culture other than from my family and family friends, so I knew that in college, I wanted to explore that and gain some more perspective on that and just immerse myself in

“It was super overwhelming, but I had strong goals for the group to become competitive, and I knew that we had a lot of potential and talent in our voices, so we competed for the first time nationally that year,” she said. “Our name got nationally recognized, and then this year, we competed again, and we got awarded so it was very exciting, and I’m excited to see where it goes from here.”

Another member of the group, Mallika Huynh, cited Kedilaya as the foundation for the a capella group.

“She paved the way,” Huynh said. “She figured out how to do everything so that we all could benefit in the future … But I think that her impact on this group has lasted so long. It won’t just be for these years that she’s done it. She’s looking to try to set us up for success, even when she’s not part of the group.”

Huynh said not only was the a capella group enjoyable for her due

to the competitive aspect, but it also allowed her to connect.

“It provides me an opportunity to get back in touch with my culture and explore my roots and learn things about myself, and that’s healing for me because especially in Iowa, that’s not easy to find,” she said.

Some members, such as Arsh Manazir, also used Iowa Agni as an outlet to find community.

“I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily a way to de-stress, but it’s kind of a way to force myself to spend time with other people rather than just like being alone and just studying all the time, and so it’s fun in that way,” he said.

Overall, he said Kedilaya made an impact on the group through her kindness to each member. Her care for the group is felt among the members and keeps them motivated.

“I can tell that she genuinely cares a lot about the people in the group, and she is passionate about what we do, and so because of that, she’s a good leader,” Manazir said.

Even though Kedilaya pushed the members to compete, she also wanted Iowa Agni to have a happy, welcoming, positive atmosphere. Creating a cutthroat competitive culture was not worth it, she said.

“I feel like I’ve made it very clear to everyone that they’re very valuable and to lean into their interests and their strengths,” she said.

Kedilaya added that she hoped she impacted the group not just through a capella but also through her friendship and compassion. She said without having compassion, they are nothing.

After leaving Iowa Agni at the end of the year, Kedilaya plans to take her leadership and compassion to her career as a health care professional.

“That kind of empathy perspective that I’ve learned from this group is something that I find so valuable and will use for the rest of my career because that is just such an important quality to have,” she said.

Kedilaya found it bittersweet to leave the group because she saw so much potential for growth for the

group in the future. She said being part of such a close-knit group of people will stick with her long after graduation.

“This group has been seriously the highlight of my entire college career,” she said. “I feel like the

group … we are very, very much a family. I consider all 14 of them my best friends, and I know they feel the same way. There is something really beautiful about working together as a group and trying to create something beautiful.”

John Chalson | The Daily Iowan President of Iowa Agni Preksha Kedilaya poses for a portrait in the Voxman Music Building on April 21. After graduation, Kedilaya plans to work as a health care professional.

From studying at Iowa to Harvard Law School

The overturning of Roe v. Wade marked Anna Behrens’ college experience with advocacy.

Natalie Miller Politics Reporter natalie-m-miller@uiowa.edu

Anna Behrens, a third-year student at the University of Iowa graduating a year early this May, will leave Iowa City with not only her degree but three years of advocating for abortion rights.

After she graduates from the UI, Behrens will attend Harvard Law School in hopes of focusing on international criminal law. Although she wil leave the state, Behrens said her advocacy for reproductive justice won’t end in Iowa City.

Hailing from West Des Moines, Behrens will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in history and a minor in criminology law and justice.

In her three years at the UI, Behrens has been a member, the secretary, and the president of the UI Student Advocates for Planned Parenthood, or SAPP, a student organization dedicated to advocating for abortion rights.

Behrens said her commitment to advocating for reproductive justice comes from watching her mother and grandmother being active in social movements and wanting to participate in a movement she cared about.

“I think it’s something that’s just very close to my heart personally,” Behrens said. “This was something that felt very important to me as someone who is becoming an adult

and just learning more about the reality of being a person with a uterus.”

UI SAPP falls under Planned Parenthood’s political action arm dedicated to advancing public pol icy promoting reproductive health care and abortion rights.

Behrens said many believe that reproductive justice equates to strictly advocating for abor tion access. However, she said it encompasses much more, like access to other reproductive care, including sexually transmitted disease testing, cervical exams, cancer screenings, and natal care.

“We focus on trying to create educational opportunities for the broader university community, in addition to our members, and just generally advocating in a lot of dif ferent areas,” Behrens said.

UI SAPP holds educational meetings to address different advocacy areas to inform the mem bers and the goal of informing the broader campus community.

“We provide some support for just creating safe, supportive com munities because that’s such a huge part of reproductive justice,” Behrens said. “Making sure we’re creating communities that are safe and supportive so that people can raise their children, if they choose to do so, in a good environment.”

Behrens said UI SAPP educates themselves and the public on legislation that ties to the group’s advocacy.

“We do try to be a part of the

“I think it’s really important for students to know, whether or not they choose to partake in our organization or attend our events, to know that there are people on campus who will do their best to get them the information they need so they can get the care that they need.”

Anna Behrens Member of UI SAPP

broader Iowa advocacy because even though we’re two hours away from the Capitol, it’s still super important to make sure you’re in contact with legislators,” Behrens said.

Behrens said UI SAPP is important for the UI campus that students should have access to necessary health care.

“I think it’s really important for students to know, whether or not they choose to partake in our organization or attend our events,

to know that there are people on campus who will do their best to get them the information they need so they can get the care that they need,” Behrens said.

Through her experience with UI SAPP, she said she has heard from members that they joined UI SAPP due to the stigma around safe sex conversations in their home communities, where those conversations weren’t welcomed.

“They just are refreshed and encouraged and feel safe because

they can now come on Tuesday nights and hear that there are other people who feel the same way,” Behrens said.

Behrens said the things that she’s learned at the UI and experienced through SAPP, such as the skills to advocate for others, will follow her into her future career.

“So, I think for me, and for a lot of other members, SAPP is important because it’s just a great, supportive space,” Behrens said.

Madison Frette | The Daily Iowan

Anna Behrens poses for a portrait while tabling for the Women’s Resource and Action Center (WRAC) on the Pentacrest in Iowa City on April 19. Behrens is a Student Violence Prevention Program Assistant for WRAC.

I’ll

be listening to ‘Country Roads’

My mentors at the DI taught me what it takes to be a journalist.

Sabine Martin Executive Editor

sabine-martin@uiowa.edu

I heard at a journalism conference this year that some executive editors leave their post feeling bitter and unsatisfied.

Being the executive editor of The Daily Iowan this year didn’t leave me an unhappy, crushed soul. Instead, I am more empathetic, decisive, a better journalist, and a better leader after

working alongside an amazing team of student journalists.

If it wasn’t for events like the Iowa Caucuses — working through the night until 6 a.m. — or breaking a story that led to award-winning coverage, I wouldn’t be half of the journalist I’ve grown to be in the last four years at the DI.

My time at the DI started freshman year during COVID-19, writing dozens of stories on the higher education beat from my isolated bedroom and connecting through countless Zoom meetings. I didn’t actually step foot into the newsroom until I was being trained as News Editor my sophomore year.

However, COVID-19 didn’t stop the “baptism by fire” experiences that all students have at the DI. From reporting in Washington, D.C., and

A journey worth 1,000 words

But I only have around 700.

Ayrton Breckenridge Managing Visuals Editor ayrton-breckenridge@uiowa.edu

in the direction of the DI once I stepped foot on the University of Iowa campus.

By my second year, I was given a lot of opportunities to grow. As a photojournalist, I got to cover events and sports alongside two award-winning photojournalists and friends Jerod Ringwald and Grace Smith. Both of them also put up with my antics when it came to the Kinnick photo room, which didn’t stop sophomore year either.

with the PolitiFact Iowa team fact-checking our politicians, to being an interview subject on CNN, the DI opened up countless opportunities for me.

Those opportunities for success have followed us through this year. The DI is the first college newspaper to acquire and save two local weeklies while running our own newspaper. It’s a noble cause and a good opportunity for UI’s journalism students and has rightly attracted national attention as another path to sustain local journalism.

Thanks to all the reporters who I was editor to or the editors who taught me important things, like what a “consent agenda” is (Thanks, Sarah Watson) or that “because of” is better than “due to” (Thanks, Rylee Wilson), that success wasn’t accomplished alone at the DI.

Publisher Jason Brummond was the voice of reason for me this year while navigating ethical decisions. I went into my role with expectations to have just a professional relationship with Jason, but am leaving with a lifelong mentor.

I also have to thank DI Writing Coach Jen Wagner who, not only has always been my No. 1 advocate but taught me how to chase stories that I care about and cultivate young journalists who have the “fire in their belly.”

Heidi, whose office is just down the hall from Jen and Jason, was my favorite person to talk to in the morning and also taught me how to still find humor in life while on print deadline.

Lyle Mueller taught me how to face confron-

wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Iowa men’s wrestling program for giving the DI access to tell their story.

The filmmaking process also put me in company with some of the most hard-working DI staffers: Ryan Adams, Jenna Galligan, and Daniel McGregor-Huyer. Those three kept me on my toes in the field even, but we couldn’t avoid the perfectly timed lightning strikes or snowstorms while traveling. Light-hearted moments were also found in editing, especially when our editing coach John Richard was able to teach us and crack a memorable joke that was worth writing on a sticky note for future generations.

Early on, I learned that news never sleeps and neither does the DI. I often found myself in the newsroom late at night cracking jokes with Ryan Hansen or flying across the country to cover Iowa sports, which often resulted in missed classes and little sleep. In a crazy way, I’ll miss moments driving back from Tulsa on 45 minutes of sleep, running between terminals to catch a connecting flight, or guiding Matt McGowan through an airport.

tation head on and the importance of objectivity and fact checking.

In the newsroom, our DI team of editors played a lot of music and sang along this year, specifically to John Denver’s “Country Roads.” I think that alone explains the tight-knit group of editors, designers, roommates (Thanks Natalie), and other DI journalists we’ve built this year — and the people who I’ll be saying goodbye to.

I am constantly in awe of Marandah’s design skills looking back at our front-page stories and her integrity as a leader. Some of my favorite moments have been covering Caitlin Clark’s success and seeing how Marandah would design each new poster front of her.

Parker, who I think can read my mind, kept us all grounded this year. She graciously took on multiple leadership positions this year without hesitation and keeps calm when all of us are debating an editorial decision.

I also have to thank Ayrton, who is one of the most talented and humble photojournalists I know, is someone who I hope to work with again post-grad.

And Jami, who I know will absolutely crush the Executive Editor role next year, kept me laughing and helped me become a better advocate for myself.

If I leave with any dissatisfaction, it’s that I won’t get to spend more time with these amazing people.

But, no matter what newsrooms will be in my future, I’ll be listening to “Country Roads.”

mond. I’d like to thank them for believing in me and dedicating a lot of time and resources into me and the visuals staff making for an amazing experience and memorable four years.

To Cody and Emily, you two are the heart of the visuals staff, thank you for putting up with me, making me laugh, and keeping the section together.

To my fellow top editors, it’s been a journey. Parker, thank you for getting me through a cinema class I don’t think either of us understood and for being the calm at the center of the storm we call the newsroom. Marandah, thank you for anticipating every curveball I throw at you despite how late in the night it gets, and Jami, for introducing me to “The Bear” and laughing at all my jokes.

Sabine, I knew when you were chosen as the executive editor our senior year it was going to be a good year. Even when I challenged you, probably made your blood pressure rise or pulled pranks on you, you never gave up on me. I’m glad I got to call you my executive editor and more importantly my friend.

Starting my freshman year during a pandemic is something I can easily say I never want to relive. As I was trying to figure out a lot of new things alone in college, I was filled with a lot of uncertainty. There was one thing I was certain about: The Daily Iowan

My one semester of high school journalism confirmed my love for storytelling, pointing me

That same year I got thrown further into visuals by working on two documentaries. While filming, I was reminded why I chose visual storytelling. Journalism is one of the few jobs where every day you get to learn about other people, the world, and yourself. I learned how to gain the trust of sources, tell powerful stories, and become confident with a camera. This

The opportunities at the DI continued into my senior year as an assistant producer on a photobook documenting the 2023-24 Iowa women’s basketball season. I’m again grateful to the Iowa women’s basketball team for letting me tell their story with tremendous access.

These opportunities wouldn’t be possible without Danny Wilcox Frazier and Jason Brum-

To my family, you’ve believed in me from the word go and got me to this point today. Despite how crazy it was and how busy I got, everyone, of you supported me along the way. Thank you for always being there for me.

Looking back, the DI is a special place, full of memories, good people, and good opportunities. I’m glad I got to spend four years here. I wouldn’t want it any other way.

SENIOR COLUMN

Growing out of the quiet

Over four

years,

The Daily Iowan gave me my voice.

Parker Jones Managing Editor parker-jones@uiowa.edu

Before coming to college, I was too scared to make a phone call to my dentist, let alone interview a stranger in person. Now, I get to help lead one of the most impressive student publications in the nation.

The Daily Iowan gave me the power to put myself out there.

Despite now spending countless hours each week reading and editing articles for the DI, I didn’t even set foot in the newsroom until my second year with the paper. I started as an arts reporter from a stuffy dorm room in Stanley Hall, attending pitch meetings over Zoom and doing nearly all my interviews over the phone or — my editor forbid — via email.

I learned how to become a good journalist in class, but I don’t think I realized I was actively doing it while working at the DI.

I attended no plays, covered no concerts, and never met a single coworker that first year. Still, the COVID-19 era was like journalism with training wheels; the perfect slow introduction for a highly anxious freshman with minimal writing experience.

In the years since 2020, I’ve created a massive collection of published work that I am endlessly proud of. I’ve interviewed amazing artists, high-level film producers, screenwriters, authors, musicians, and inspiring community leaders. Being able to tell their incredible stories has been an honor.

I learned how to become a good journalist in class, but I don’t think I realized I was actively doing it while working at the DI. Throughout

friendship drama, breakups, roommate struggles, family crises, and even studying abroad in Ireland, the DI has been a constant in my life. It has kept me busy, out of trouble, and employed.

More than that, though, the DI has given me confidence. It taught me how to use my voice: to ask questions, to be a little nosy, to get the scoop, and, most importantly, not to be afraid of engaging with people. I have always been a quiet person, but without the DI, I’d still be struggling to speak up.

Of course, I couldn’t have done it alone. I want to thank Executive Editor Sabine Martin for helping me realize I had what it takes to be a compassionate leader this year: I truly learned from the best. I also want to thank Managing Visuals Editor Ayrton Breckenridge for working himself to the bone and keeping our newsroom spirits high with dry humor, even on minimal hours of sleep.

I also want to thank fellow Managing Editors Marandah Mangra-Dutcher and Jami Martin-Trainor, who both continue to inspire me with their dedication to achieving greatness. I know they will lead this paper to the most incredible places next year, and I can’t wait to watch them succeed.

Finally, I want to thank writing coach Jen Wagner, who has vouched for me more times than I can count. Her advice allowed me to flourish as a reporter and work my way up to editor; I wouldn’t be the writer I am today without her help.

With so many collaborative nights together in the newsroom, it wasn’t hard to befriend these wonderful talented people; no matter how much my social anxiety tried to stop me. Introverts joke all the time about being adopted by extroverts. I’ll do you one better: be adopted by journalists.

I will remember what I’ve learned at the DI for the rest of my life, but I’ll especially get to use my community knowledge in my upcoming position as a reporter and project manager for the Corridor Business Journal after graduation.

My time with the DI, and college as a whole, has completely changed me as a person. To everyone who encouraged me along the way, thank you.

Homegrown journalist

It’s been a joy to tell stories in Iowa City alongside amazing student journalists.

Natalie Dunlap Assitant Digital Editor natalie-dunlap@uiowa.edu

Before I was officially a University of Iowa student, I was a Daily Iowan reporter. I made the choice to stay in Iowa City for four more years after graduating from high school a few miles away, based on my love of the town and my desire to be involved with the college paper. Reporting from my parent’s basement, I published my first front-page story weeks ahead of my first day of class.

In these four years, I’ve worked with almost every section in one way or another. I started as a news reporter, where I covered how K-12 schools were responding to the pandemic and on-campus protests to the COVID-19 response.

A few months into my freshman year, I was assigned to cover the 2020 congressional race in the 2nd District. I ended up writing many stories over several months about the election that ended with just a six-vote margin.

This coverage landed me on the politics team, where I quickly found myself enmeshed in Iowa’s political landscape as a reporter and then as the politics editor. When other students were at the Iowa vs. Iowa State football game, I was in Des Moines covering a political rally. When others were on winter break, I was at the opening of the legislative session. With my DI press pass, I traveled to D.C. for the first time during the week of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation to speak with Iowa’s congressional delegation. I learned to hound politicians for quotes, and calling up a legislator became a casual occurrence.

In my last year here as assistant digital editor, I’ve collaborated with people across different sections, sitting in the tiny podcast studio with the sports team, picking up arts stories, or setting up concerts in the newsroom. I’ve bonded with the student journalists who also spend their weeknights here. Between reading print

proofs and publishing stories on our website, we riffed about the latest insane thing we saw online and scavenged for free food.

Every year, the DI has introduced me to a cohort of smart, inquisitive, and funny people with the same crazy disposition that motivates people to join their college paper.

To Julia, Caleb, Rylee, and Lauren, thank you for welcoming me to the EPI team as a freshman. And thank you to Lyle Muller, a tough coach and a fierce advocate of student journalism who truly made me a stronger reporter.

Thanks to Jen Wagner and Jason Brummond, who supported me as a high school senior visiting the newsroom when applying for a scholarship and have been there for me ever since.

Every year, the DI has introduced me to a cohort of smart, inquisitive, and funny people with the same crazy disposition that motivates people to join their college paper.

Shout out to my desk buddies Parker and Jami. Jami, it’s been amazing watching your passion, and I know you are going to continue thriving in the coming year. Also Evan, thanks for bringing a goofy vibe and more creativity to the DI. Thanks to Sabine, who I’ve worked alongside since freshman year. We’ve been roommates, co-news editors, and most importantly, co-party planners. Across all my different positions, I’ve also been the unofficial newsroom townie, bragging about growing up with Jan Jensen as my neighbor, or chiming in if I went to high school with one of our sources. While reporting in the field, or marching in the homecoming parade, I’ve had the chance to hear from our readers, and I know the work done by this group of sleep-deprived students makes an impact in our community. Iowa City is a beloved place in my heart, and it’s been a privilege to tell its stories.

UI REACH resident assistant continues advocacy work

After her time working in the program, Clare Greer plans to assist people who have disabilities post-graduation.

Grace Olson News Reporter grace-olson@uiowa.edu

Before she was ever a student at the University of Iowa, fourth-year Clare Greer had a passion for working with people who have physical and intellectual disabilities.

When her younger sister was born, she was diagnosed with Down syndrome and spent a lot of time in the hospital and doctors’ offices for different appointments. Greer was with her through it all.

Greer, who is from Iowa City, said she has a tight bond with her sister that has been able to stay during her time at the UI. The two can often be seen playing piano together, and Greer said they’d play all day long if they could.

“She doesn’t use words to communicate, but I always tell people she loves people more and says more than people who use words without saying anything,” Greer said. “She contributes way more than most people do their entire lives just by being who she is.”

Her exposure to health care and watching her sister grow up showed Greer that she want-

gram, a transition program for college-aged students with intellectual, cognitive, and learning disabilities, was until she began applying to be an RA. As soon as she was thrown into the position, she fell in love with it.

She said she had to learn a lot for the job, but her experiences in her family prepared her to work with all the students in the program.

“They all have very different experiences in life and different ways of approaching things, but one thing that’s in common is they’re all people,” Greer said.

UI REACH Student Life Program Specialist Kendal Best said Greer has done tons for the growth of the program, and she is sad to see her go. Over her three years in the program, Best said Greer has connected her with many people who run other programs for people who have disabilities and takes the time to go to all of their meetings.

“She’s just a great advocate for the program,” Best said. “People will often come to me and go, ‘Hey, I didn’t know about your program, but I heard about it

“It’s always bittersweet because it’s exciting to see them move on and hear about what’s coming next for them, but then also sad because the year flies by, and then you’re like, ‘Wait, you’re leaving already?”

Clare Greer Resident assistant for the UI REACH program

ed to pursue health care herself and help people like her sister. Greer will graduate from the UI College of Nursing in December and said she’s excited for the chance to care for those who need it.

After her first year at the UI, Greer applied to be a resident assistant. She said she didn’t know what the UI REACH Pro-

from your RA Clare,’ which has been really great. UI REACH is something that a lot of people don’t know about, so having somebody who loves their role so much that they’re willing to share as much as they can has been wonderful.”

Greer said her favorite memories of being in the program are all the random moments she’s

been able to share with her residents. She said they often walk around with her while she’s doing her rounds and tell her about their days or what they’re learning in class.

She said she sometimes catches herself standing outside of her door for almost an hour just chatting with a resident who walked by.

“You can’t help but want to spend time with your residents,” she said. “I would encourage anyone to do it, but expect it’s going to be a challenge in a really good way. It definitely is life-changing.”

One of her favorite UI REACH traditions is the graduation parties they hold at the end of every academic year.

“It’s always bittersweet because it’s exciting to see them move on and hear about what’s coming next for them but then also sad because the year flies by,

and then you’re like, ‘Wait, you’re leaving already?’” Greer said.

Outside the RA program, Greer has been involved with The Navigators, a Christian student organization. She is a worship leader, plays piano during meetings, and guides the younger members of the group. She said her work in the worship group has contributed a lot to her work as an RA and vice versa.

If she had more time at the UI, Greer said she would’ve gotten a certificate in disability studies, but as a nurse, she wants to continue advocating for people who have disabilities and learning more about them and how to care for them.

Her plan is to stay in Iowa City for a year or two but possibly pursue travel nursing in a few years. She said she then plans to return to school after five years of working in the field.

“I’m really interested in nutrition education and health promotion to prevent the development of chronic disease,” Greer said. “That goes really well with people with disabilities because there’s more tailored and specific education that would be really helpful for certain people, and they don’t have access to it.”

Best said she could not have asked for a better student to work with during her first years in her position and loved seeing Greer grow in her own life.

“She has a leadership role I never would have dreamed of in my first year,” Best said. “She gives and gives and gives and doesn’t ask anything in return. She knows what students are capable of and doesn’t do things for them, but does them with them to support them, which is a hard skill to learn. It’s been great to see.”

Ryan Paris | The Daily Iowan

Clare Greer poses for a portrait in a Daum study lounge in Iowa City on April 12. Greer is a resident assistant for the UI REACH program.

Creativity and the promise of a shrug

It only takes one person to half-believe in you to achieve some goals.

Avi Lapchick Arts Editor olivia-lapchick@uiowa.edu

Before I started working at The Daily Iowan , I could barely get out of bed most days. This job gave me an exciting life that was never quiet.

When I joined the team in January 2023, I was a newbie photojournalist, hired on a whim for God knows what former visu -

SENIOR COLUMN

downtown Iowa City. However, in execution, it had grown stale with repetitive imagery. Shots of someone frosting the cupcakes at the local bakery became less sweet; a welltimed picture of a hawk soaring over the capitol building was creative, but only the first time; and, as it got colder, stills of some frosted-over puke from Saturday night’s escapades were cool but — well, they’re always cool. Ultimately, the staple needed a refresher.

In its place, I proposed a comic strip. The idea was met with a flat-out “no” from one editor, but a shrug from another (thanks, Matt). So, I kept pushing.

In this position, I’ve learned that an editor is more than the red pen on a misused semicolon; they are the ones who push you to become the most creative version of yourself. (Did I use it right?)

als editor Matt Sindt saw in me (thanks, Matt). I had picked up a camera, sure, but I had never had the pleasure of shakily manhandling an expensive piece of equipment still of the mindset that ISO meant “in search of.”

I was definitely in search of something, some creative outlet, and I’d hoped I would find it using autofocus.

After a few weeks of learning my way around the job, I decided to pitch an amendment to an existing visual staple in our bi-weekly print editions, the weekly photo feature.

It was a charming concept: a spot in print dedicated to capturing the benign everyday-ities of

What makes the DI special to me

The knowledge and experiences I gained working at The Daily Iowan is irreplaceable.

Gio Livatino DITV

tech staff gio-livatino@uiowa.edu

As someone late to the party joining The Daily Iowan during my senior year, DITV has been one of the most enjoyable things I have participated in on campus. The amount I have been able to take away from it in such a short period of time has honestly surprised

even myself, but I am certainly glad. Even in such a short time, it was rewarding in multiple different ways, from friendships away from the studio to fun times during our segments and live shows.

The DI was certainly more than just fun times, with most of the time being spent either focusing on setting up the live show, making packages for the shows, or fixing whatever may have gone wrong. Nothing will ever be able to compare to the stress that comes when the videos fail with five minutes left before the morning broadcast. While these times may have been less lighthearted, they reminded me that there

By the end of the semester, my persistence paid off I was not only accepted as the arts editor but I also had the green light for my comic strip.

In August 2023, my first comic panel debuted. It was rough, lopsided, and barely legible, but it was met with two thumbs up from the top editors and my dear friends Parker Jones, Marandah Mangra-Dutcher, Sabine Martin, and Jami Martin-Trainor, whose incredible support and leadership have taught me to become not only a better journalist but a better leader myself.

In this position, I’ve learned that an editor is more than the red pen on a misused semicolon; they are the ones who push you to become the most creative version of yourself. (Did I use it right?)

So, though they were never my “editors ”

still is a job to do. These times were also where I learned the most, having to navigate issues that can happen at any time and work with others to resolve them.

Still the true memories stem from the

But the true memories stem from the people. From top to bottom, everyone who worked with me during my time has a special place in my heart.

people. From top to bottom, everyone who worked with me during my time has a special place in my heart. Whether I’ve spent hours in the tech booth working alongside people like Madison, Tyler, Carson, and Jasper, or have seen you only in passing as an associate producer, everyone played a key part in creating the place the DI has become to me. And even during the times we were more pleasure than business, everyone always knew how to get things done, which made the environment not only very enjoyable but also productive.

The DITV coaches also had a major impact on me during my time at the DI The two that particularly were important to me were coaches Angie Looney and Charles Munro. Charles was a professor of my

per se, I’d like to thank each reporter I’ve had the pleasure of working with. I hope you all keep writing, learning, and growing. Few things are more valuable in this life than getting to know the people in your community.

With that, I’d also like to thank every source that has ever contributed to one of my stories. In what other profession could you meet a stranger, and 30 minutes later, cry with them?

Lastly, thank you to my parents, who always offered to write stories for me when I’d tell them I was stressed (sorry, Mom, that’s not how it works), and to my best friend and roommate, Ashlyn, a talented writer herself, for lending an ear to nearly all of my first drafts.

Though I only had the privilege of working at the DI for my last year of college, I have all my mentors to thank for the writer — and person — I am now.

Multimedia Storytelling class before I was fully working for the DI and was the original inspiration for DITV reporter Cara Dulin and me to join in the first place. That class was far from easy, and it showed the potential stress that being a reporter can put you under. I owe most, if not all, of what I know about being a reporter directly to Charles. Angie was always around as well, even before I joined the DI , joining forces with Charles in our Multimedia Storytelling class. I always knew her as the tech coach, the experienced presence in the booth that helps keep things on track.

When I eventually transitioned to the tech booth myself, I saw the true depth that goes into understanding all of the controls. Angie and Carson were both essential in pushing me to learn the board and put myself in the hot seat during live shows.

I don’t think that any of the knowledge or experiences at the DI would be replaceable anywhere else. The resources I was given throughout the entire experience are certainly not available at all schools and it created a near-professional environment at times.

The time I spent having fun with the other members, getting better at writing and tech work, and gaining experience from great coaches with great resources made the DI a great environment to work in during my time there.

Brice MichaelBSandahl rice Sandahl Congratulations

on graduating early from the Actuarial Sciences Program with the University of Iowa, Class of 2024.

Your unwavering faith, relentless hard work and determination, have propelled you through one of Iowa’s most challenging programs.

Securing a position as an Actuarial Associate with Athene is a testament to your dedication and talent. You are truly an inspiration to us all.

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

James 1:12

Love and best wishes, Your entire family

Congratulations to all the 2024 graduates from your friends at The Daily Iowan

SCOPE sparks general manager’s photo career

Cat Dooley got her start in photography from SCOPE Productions as General Manager.

Isabella Nekvinda Arts Reporter isabella-nekvinda@uiowa.edu

After meeting friends involved in SCOPE, a student organization that brings well-known artists and musicbased concerts and events to the University of Iowa, Cat Dooley decided to join the club during her second year of college.

Now as a fourth-year student graduating this May and the general manager of SCOPE, Dooley expanded her portfolio include to concert photography.

Growing up in Des Moines, Dooley started getting serious with photography at 15 years old. What started as photoshoots of her friends in parking garages eventually stemmed into taking senior photos of her classmates and taking the high school sports team photos.

When Dooley joined SCOPE, she asked if she could be involved with its concert photography, and they agreed. Slowly, she was able to cultivate her love for photography into a business. Bands began to ask her to take pictures, and she started building up a portfolio. She has since worked with big names such as NLE Choppa, Swae Lee and Tobi

“There are so many things that you can do, and you can find at the UI that will serve you,” Dooley said. “Don’t be afraid to seek new friends, new resources, and new spaces.”

Arriving at the UI, Dooley knew she wanted to hone her creative skills at school. A double major in cinema and art, one such creative outlet she’s passionate about is photography.

While working with SCOPE, Dooley was able to volunteer with the Englert Theatre, where she made a connection with the marketing team and eventually secured a position at the Englert.

“It originally started as an internship. Then eventually it turned into a part-time position that will continue after I graduate in May,” Dooley said. “Through that, I get to take a lot of photos and create a lot of content for ‘Englert Presents’ shows, ‘Track Zero’ shows, and ‘Mission Creek Festival.’”

Dooley has curated a community of photographers within SCOPE where she encourages them to network and market themselves as she did to land her position at the Englert.

“I met [Dooley] when I joined SCOPE last fall,” SCOPE member Abbie McLaren said. “As SCOPE went along, she would have opportunities for photography, so I got to know her better by that.”

The first photography opportunity Dooley presented was the 2023 Homecoming Show with headlining artist and

rapper Swae Lee. Every year, SCOPE puts on a large concert with a notable headlining artist during the event. In the past, these artists have included Sir Chloe, Black Pumas, and Lizzo, among several others.

Shortly after that, McLaren reached out to Dooley to see if there were any other opportunities in the area for photography. Dooley was able to connect her with other events and people in the community, leading McLaren to work on events such as Mission Creek.

“I want to bring other, younger photographers into the scene and give them opportunities and connections,” Dooley said. “I want to help them network themselves and get into the scene because I know it can be pretty scary to put yourself out there.”

“I want to bring other, younger photographers into the scene and give them opportunities and conncetions,”

Cat Dooley SCOPE General Manager

Dooley’s hopes for the future of SCOPE have already begun to materialize. Members like McLaren have already learned from the example Dooley set.

“I am not a person that loves to network, and [Dooley] has been great in helping me meet people in the community,” McLaren said. “She has introduced me to staff she works with at the Englert Theatre. She’s been a great resource, there is never any competition even though we are doing the same thing.”

Since her second year, Dooley said she has learned a lot about how to conduct herself as an artist. Her experience offers wisdom for future and current SCOPE members; Dooley is often asked for advice, a request she happily fulfills.

“Just ask. The worst they can say is no. If there is an event that you want to take photos at or maybe you want to get started, just ask your friends to model for you or go to Gabe’s and ask artists if they want their pictures taken,” Dooley said. “Once you feel confident and have a portfolio started, you just keep going.”

Dooley’s college journey and all that materialized as a result of her efforts is not only a testament to her mindset but what can come from opening yourself up to opportunities and creating connections throughout the community. Rejection is scary, Dooley said, but from her perspective, it is always worth it.

“I try to encourage others to ask the right questions, ask the right people, and just take a chance. Everyone is feeling as awkward and scared as you, so just put yourself out there and be yourself,” Dooley said. “You will attract the right crowd and right people [with that attitude]. College is so massive, there are so many things that you can do and you can find that will serve you.”

Isabella Tisdale | The Daily Iowan

University of Iowa fourth-year student Cat Dooley poses for a portrait at the Iowa Memorial Union on April 22.

USG President educating the next generation

Mitch Winterlin was involved in and started multiple student organizations that helped him.

Fatima Salinas News Reporter fatima-salinas-gutirrez@uiowa.edu

After four years of advocacy and supporting first-generation students, University of Iowa Undergraduate Student Government President Mitch Winterlin is taking his skills to K-12 classrooms following his graduation.

Winterlin led the UI’s student body and government, was also a first-generation peer mentor, a resident assistant, and started a new organization in partnership with a fellow student to bring therapy dogs to the university during his time on campus. He started college in the fall of 2020 with a double major in psychology and social studies education, hoping to become a teacher one day. He plans to walk across the graduation stage this May and finish out his studies abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, this fall. He will start his student teaching job in spring 2025.

“I’ve felt really connected through the first-gen program and have been glad to give back.”

Mitch

Winterlin

USG President

Even though Winterlin started school in the abnormal through the COVID19 pandemic, he said is grateful for the friendships he formed in his first year that helped him along the way.

“I like to call them my floor family, like 10 of us got really close, and we’d spend every day and night together,” Winterlin said. “We are all so different, and these people changed my life.”

In his second year at UI, Winterlin became a peer mentor for UI’s First-Gen Hawks, which provides resources for first-gen students. Winterlin said this was important because he is also a first-generation student. Before coming to college, he said he did not know what weight that title carried.

“It didn’t really mean anything to me. But I have found such a community. So as a first gen student, it’s been a big thing at Iowa,” Winterlin said. “I’ve felt really connected through the first-gen program and have

been glad to give back, glad to have been a peer mentor for two years.”

Winterlin also took opportunities to improve campus in the classroom through the UI’s presidential leadership class with his friend and vice president of USG Carly O’Brien.

For this class, Winterlin said they were doing a semester-long project on mental health and advocacy. They wanted to focus on bringing therapy dogs to the UI campus, which later became the student organization Paws At Iowa. That’s where Winterlin said he met one of his best friends.

“Carly O’Brien, who is my vice president, she was just some random girl who was in my group project,” Winterlin said. “Never did I expect that she would want to join the student government, then want to run with me.”

He said that memory interconnects his passionate group of friends and his work to pass the legislation for the therapy dogs.

One of his friends, Drew Jauron, a UI fourth-year student who also took the presidential leadership class, shared his heartfelt feelings about his friendship and time with Winterlin.

“He was immediately welcoming to me and our classmates,” Jauron said. “We quickly developed a friendship and ended up in the same group for the class.”

Jauron shared how empathic Winterlin is and how he acted as a leader without being appointed or demanding the role. Jauron said Winterlin’s leadership and involvement are something he has imitated and will continue to do so.

“I’d count how many people he knew on my fingers, and he’d shrug it off. I realized that he did this by initiating a cycle of good will, being present, asking people questions to get to know them, listening, and reaching back,” Jauron said. “He knew that those interactions were worth his full attention.”

Winterlin said his love for student government at the UI allowed him to truly grow out of his comfort zone as well as meet incredible people along the way.

“I really liked the student council in high school, so coming into college, I knew student government was in my sights. It’s my favorite student org because people care, and I think seeing the advocacy work that I’ve been able to grow with and understand is so amazing and fundamental to the skills I have today.” Winterlin said.

Winterlin said he feels fortunate and privileged to have friends and the

USG President Mitch Winterlin poses for a portrait at the Iowa Memorial Union on April 24.

deserve to take time for yourself,” Winterlin said. “There are times where there isn’t anything you can do, but you can sit and reflect and know that you are surrounded by people who can help, and that’s how a community thrives.”

Since coming to college, Winterlin said he has felt more secure in his identity, his skills, and the experiences he’s had.

“I grew and I learned more about myself

and how to feel like myself. In high school, I came out and at first, that was really difficult because I did not understand it at first. Junior year I officially came out to my parents and even though my dad wasn’t accepting, I really felt a confidence in myself I hadn’t before.” Winterlin said.

Winterlin said he feels like he’s become a better person over the last four years at the UI.

“It’s really thanks to the community here and the people that have surrounded me on my journey,” Winterlin said.

John Chalson | The Daily Iowan

The wonderful irritation of hope

It wasn’t always pretty, but it was always worthwhile.

Evan Weidl Opinions Columnist evan-weidl@uiowa.edu

As the sun sets on my time at the University of Iowa and The Daily Iowan , I feel a steaming casserole of emotions all fighting to dominate my heart. Above all of them, standing proud and tall — is gratitude. My gratitude goes beyond all the good memories, great articles, and friendships. It also includes the mistakes, embarrassment, and regrets.

In all honesty, I struggled for a large portion of this year. I made plenty of errors and spent a lot of time knowing I could do better.

Hope is like a piece of furniture in a dark room. Even if you can’t see it and aren’t looking for it, it sits unwavering, ready to collide with your shin.

In all of the sadness that came with that, I don’t want to take back any of it. Mistakes are always disappointing, but knowing myself better is a worthy reward. There are plenty of things I wish I’d done differently, but I’m not too keen on giving up how much stronger and more prepared I feel now. Most of all, I have learned a great deal about the nature of hope. The wonderful thing about hope is that whether or not you see it, it is always there. When I wanted to give up or felt that I didn’t belong at a place like the DI , hope lifted my head and yelled in my face.

Whether or not you want to see it, it follows you and breathes down your neck.

Hope isn’t a light at the end of the tunnel; hope is what keeps you going through the tunnel even when there is no light to be seen.

Hope is not always pretty or charming; often, it’s rude, blunt, and rough. When I felt contempt about getting out of bed in the morning, it was hope that sat me up and brought my feet to the floor. When I felt disappointed in my own work, that disappointment was also hope, based in the belief that I was capable of doing better.

Hope is like a piece of furniture in a dark room. Even if you can’t see it and aren’t looking for it, it sits unwavering, ready to collide with your shin.

The DI gave me all this. The clarity I have now gives me much hope for the future, and it also made me realize that hope was always there, even at my lowest.

I can’t leave without giving a proper thank you to all my colleagues. It was always easy to tell that these are incredibly smart people who are going to do wonderful things in journalism; but as I got to know them, it was equally easy to tell that these are incredibly kind, supportive people, and anyone would be lucky to call them their friends.

Thank you: Sabine, Jami, Natalie, Parker, Jack, Avi, Charlie, Stella, Isabelle, Kate, Cody, Emily, Ayrton, Sahithi, Kenna, Colin, and Matt.

I’d like to give a special shoutout to my Daily Iowan Headliners co-producers, Natalie and Jami, who brought a crazy idea to life and made it better than I imagined, and the visuals team, who made it look and sound so crisp.

I’d also like to give a very special thank you to the opinion writers who worked so diligently and passionately: Aaron, Natalie, Jordan, Kennedy, Shelley, Caden, Alex, and Gabriel.

Thank you, Daily Iowan . It wasn’t always pretty, but it was always worthwhile, and I wouldn’t trade my time here for anything.

P.S. It wasn’t a fair catch.

I should’ve started here sooner

One thing about me is that I accept challenges too easily. The DI was one of them.

Sahithi Shankaiahgari Photojournalist sahithi-shankaiahgari@uiowa.edu

I thought my time at The Daily Iowan would be short, starting and ending with a 10-day workshop with the intensive Daily Iowan Documentary Workshop. Little did I know seven months later, I would be sitting in the newsroom typing up my senior column.

Initially, I thought my experience at the DI was odd, for lack of a better word. I had many thoughts running through my mind during the workshop’s rigorous long hours, such as why am I sitting in the dark listening to “I Fink U Freeky” with the volume turned all the way up.

It was a fever dream that continued for a little over a week and as the final days approached, I felt sad knowing that I would never be in this environment with all the wonderful people I met again. Almost 15 seconds after saying that thought out loud, Visuals Editor Emily Nyberg told me there was a job waiting for me if I wanted to be a photojournalist.

I knew being part of this newspaper meant a whirlwind of deadlines and endless cups of coffee. Something about me is that I accept challenges too easily.

My first months at the DI felt more like a fun hangout to me than actual work. Critiques were still new, but now I had people who could teach me the ropes of how things worked.

I’m thankful for the visuals section and editors, Cody and Emily, for easily accepting me into the team regardless of my random dance routines and weird impulses. Even more thankful that Cody lets me call him whatever nickname I can come up with. By the way, Smith isn’t his last name.

Being able to capture the Iowa Women’s Basketball team was more than what I ever expected, and I will never forget the energy of what it’s like to capture in Carver. To the photo book crew and producers, Ayrton and Grace, thank you for having faith in me and inviting me to be a part of the team. I know you would agree when I say that many times, I wasn’t able to see what you saw in me. Furthermore, being a part of the photo book has offered me experiences and connections that I am more than sure will last me a lifetime.

Through my long-form story on the West Liberty Hispanic community, I can definitely say I learned what it meant to be a true journalist. The emotions and connections I made with sources and being able to tell their story have been extremely rewarding.

I knew being part of this newspaper meant a whirlwind of deadlines and endless cups of coffee. Something about me is that I accept challenges too easily.

Most importantly, I’m grateful to the DI and all the editors. Thank you for providing me a platform where I could grow, learn, and achieve. I’m thankful for the memories, laughter, sweet treat runs, silly photo ops on the railroad, and a great deal of inside jokes.

Yes, putting together a photo sequence still doesn’t come easy, my favorite part of the job has been collaborating with you all. I can confidently say the amount of knowledge I have received and learned from the DI , has shaped not only my skills behind the camera but also my ability to tell stories and the power of visual narratives.

Although journalism isn’t my intended career, I can surely say that this is the type of work environment I hope to be a part of throughout my career.

You get out what you put in

Each

year at DITV had different opportunities to take risks.

Ashley Weil DITV News Director ashley-weil@uiowa.edu

Something I try and tell all new staffers as they join Daily Iowan TV is that you get out of the DI, what you put into it. And while I have put a lot into this organization, I have gained even more than I could’ve ever expected.

As soon as I visited the University of Iowa, I knew this was where I would get the experiences I wanted. I hear stories of students saying they came to all these journalism tours and interactive experiences that I’ve seen hosted on campus. I didn’t go to any of those. I came to just one general tour and happened to stumble into a small roundtable discussion on what the Journalism and Mass Communications School offers.

I am so proud of all the work I have put into DITV, from the individual stories that taught me how to report, to the shows I have produced and created, to the staff I have led.

I don’t remember anything of what anyone said, but I remember most of the students saying how they got “once in a lifetime” opportunities through the DI. As soon as I got accepted into the school, and signed up for classes, I applied to the DI. I had a quick Zoom meeting with the then-news director and joined right away. My first day of college was also my first day on the job as a DITV reporter. I didn’t know anything about how to use a camera, write concisely, do a standup, produce, anchor,

or anything.

Each year with DITV was different with a new staff and opportunities to take risks and learn in fresh ways.

DITV Now, the social media-styled five-minute newscasts that DITV did in 2020-21 during the COVID-19 pandemic was my start.

That’s how I learned the difference between a VO, VOSOT, and PKG, and where I fell in love with talking and interviewing different people and writing in a concise way to spread important and impactful stories to an audience. Now, DITV looks a little different, we have 15 to 20-minute-long LIVE shows, full of detailed reports ranging in different topics and beats. We have new set pieces, new technology, and new ambitions.

The staff before me taught me nearly everything I know — and in my opinion, I know a good amount about this broadcast news thing. But being a leader these past two years has given me the most.

I have adored seeing scared freshmen break out of their shells, from writing their first kicker story to eventually anchoring consistently and turning packages with strong interviews, engaging videos, strong sounds, well-written scripts, and active standups. I love how teaching helps me become a better reporter and producer, and how I continue to learn something new every day — whether it’s in the news, or from the news.

I am so proud of all the work I have put into DITV, from the individual stories that taught me how to report, to the shows I have produced and created, to the staff I have led. I cannot wait to see what they do next. For me, I’m excited to continue growing and to be challenged to create more impactful, important, and engaging stories with a new community. But DITV is something I will treasure forever, thanks to the incredible and massive amount of love I have gained from this community — friendships, a career, and a million and one memorable experiences.

A thank you note to the community

Shoutout to all the amazing individuals and community members I interacted with.

Grace Smith Senior photojournalist grace-smith-1@uiowa.edu

Following the matchup between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the South Carolina Gamecocks in the women’s basketball National Championship, head coach Lisa Bluder pulled me in for a hug and thanked me for documenting the team’s historic season-long journey.

Starting from Crossover at Kinnick where over 55,000 fans watched Iowa dominate to ending the season at the National Championship game in Cleveland, Ohio, I had the opportunity to photograph almost every game, away and home, for “More than a Moment,” the photobook the Daily Iowan Documentary Workshop and School of Journalism and Mass Communication is producing.

The end-of-season conversation was just one of the incredible moments I will always remember while working on the book.

But it wasn’t just the photobook where I’ve had great conversations and experiences in the community. Throughout my four years at the DI, I have shared stories involving women and families in my community.

In the fall, I spent 10 days with Liam Doxsee, Iowa baseball’s kid captain from Coal Valley, Illinois, who lives with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency. Although those were some of the most tiring days of my college career, I’m not exaggerating when I say those were also some of the best, most rewarding days.

Who knew a ten-day workshop would create long-lasting bonds between me, Liam, and his family? After that, I knew I never wanted to stop sharing significant stories.

I have had the pleasure of photographing women’s hardships and triumphs all around Iowa, including Kara Krapfl and her flower business, Alexandra Frost and her son Mason

who dealt with the national baby formula shortage, and Megan Wichmann paving the way for future female firefighters, among others.

Numerous competitions recognized these stories including Liam Doxsee’s, which placed first in the 2024 Hearst Picture Story competition and 6th in the Hearst Profile Writing competition. Megan Wichmann fighting fires and being a light in the Cedar Rapids Fire Department placed first in this year’s photo story competition at the Iowa Newspaper Association awards competition.

Who knew a ten-day workshop would create long-lasting bonds between me, Liam, and his family? After that, I knew I never wanted to stop sharing significant stories.

So, thank you to the names listed above and more individuals, as you all helped me tell important stories of strong women during my internship at The Denver Post and will always stick with me in my future endeavors. I came into college and the DI in 2020, the period when COVID-19 shut down many, many opportunities. After a long year of Zoom meetings and photographing community members from afar while masked up, I took the role of photo editor my sophomore year.

The year I fell in love with photography and journalism.

My time as a photo editor, a summer managing editor, and now a senior photojournalist and filmmaker has taught me many transferable skills like leadership, collaboration, and communication.

As I embark on my next journey, I’ll forever be grateful for the awards and the honors, but with me, I will take my experiences working in the field with incredible individuals and collaborating with other students and coaches in the newsroom and the workshop.

Arjes motivated by politics, engages for fun

Former Trump campaign intern Maci Arjes has served in various leadership roles at the UI.

Roxy Ekberg Politics Reporter roxy-ekberg@uiowa.edu

Despite her heavy involvement in the university’s political sphere, fourth-year University of Iowa student Maci Arjes does not plan to pursue a political career after graduating this spring. Instead, Arjes engages in politics for fun.

Originally from Dumont, Iowa, Arjes’ interest comes at a time when most young people are disappointed by democracy. A fall 2023 Harvard Youth Poll found that Americans aged 18-to-29-years-old

appear less likely to vote in 2024 than they did in 2020 — which was a recording-setting year for youth voter turnout.

Arjes, a business management major on the human resources track, she has been active in the conservative political groups College Republicans and Turning Point USA since her second year at the UI.

In the 2020 presidential election cycle, the number of young Americans between 18-29 years old who “definitely” plan on voting for president has decreased from 57 percent to 49 percent. According to

the U.S. Census Bureau, the 2020 turnout for Americans under 30 was 54.1 percent, with other estimates at 52.5 percent.

During the last half of her time at the UI, Arjes held executive positions in College Republicans and Turning Point USA.

Arjes’ passion for politics began at a young age. Growing up, she enjoyed watching presidential debates.

Even though she was too young to participate at the time, she wanted to be involved.

“I’ve always been engaged because when you understand

“I’ve always been engaged because when you understand politics, you want to advocate for change, but you also want this understanding why things are done the way they are.”

Maci Arjes

University of Iowa fourth year

politics, you want to advocate for change, but you also want this understanding [of] why things are done the way they are,” Arjes said.

In her time with College Republicans, Arjes said she worked to create a more engaging atmosphere for politics on campus. She described her position as secretary as being the “glue” to ensure communication with political officials and communication between members of the organization.

Lena Branch, a UI fourth-year student and President of the UI Turning Point USA’s chapter, met Arjes during a tabling event for their respective organizations sophomore year. The two have served on the executive board of Turning Point USA together since.

At the time, Branch had heard of Arjes and while the organizations were tabling, she saw how committed and outgoing Arjes was.

“She had no problem being extremely extroverted, not afraid of a challenge at all,” Branch said.

“And so I was like, ‘Yep, I want that girl to be alongside me.’ And so I just asked her, and the rest is history.”

Branch then asked Arjes to join Turning Point USA, where Arjes started as a recruitment chair. Branch now serves as the organization’s president and described Arjes as her “right-hand man.”

“I’ve said to some people if I was going to run for office, she would be my campaign manager because she knows how to talk to people,” Branch said. “Overall, she’s an amazing asset to the organization, she’s an incredible student, she’s an amazing person as well. She’s

just great to be around.”

Branch said Arjes helped build both organizations back up after struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On top of engaging politically on campus, Arjes breached into the political world outside of the UI by volunteering to help the campaign for Miller-Meeks and former President Donald Trump.

From July to January, she interned for the Trump campaign, helping with door knocking, phone calls, and preparing people to caucus.

Near the end of her internship, Arjes spoke at a Trump rally in Coralville on Dec. 13, 2023. She estimated that she spoke in front of roughly 1,300 people.

Arjes said seeing that many people be so passionate about something and coming together to “make the world a better place” stuck out to her.

She said that moment gave her energy to stay involved in politics and ask questions about political candidates to get to the “nitty gritty” of who a person is.

Arjes also served as a caucus secretary for Trump during the Iowa caucuses in January, and said she continues to be involved in politics even though the process isn’t always fun.

“It’s not the most fun thing in the world, but if people don’t do that, then somebody doesn’t get elected” Arjes said. “Your candidate does not get elected. So that kind of [is] what motivates me. If I knock on this door, I’m helping out who I want to win.”

Ryan Paris | The Daily Iowan

Maci Arjes, the club secretary for UI College Republicans and VP of events for Turning Point USA, poses for a portrait at the Tippie College of Business in Iowa City on April 23.

It’s OK not being in control

The

Daily Iowan newsroom gave me the confidence I needed before leaving campus.

Kathleen Zeivel News reporter

kathleen-zeivel@uiowa.edu

When I first came to college and people asked me why I wanted to be a writer, I’d tell them about how much I loved writing for my high school’s yearbook.

I never realized how much writing would shape my life and how many experiences I would be presented with throughout my time in college. Studying at the University of Iowa has evolved my relationship with writing, providing many more reasons to confidently say I want to be a writer.

I’ve always read for class but have been told I need to love reading to love writing. I already knew I loved writing, so this confused me. I have always had a great relationship with reading, but never associated it with pleasure. Somewhere along the way the class readings that used to be completed only as a requirement became enticing and enriching. I’ve learned the pleasure of knowledge, much of which comes from reading.

Being part of The Daily Iowan newsroom has been a valuable experience to say the least, giving me the confidence I needed before leaving campus in May.

My relationship with words, spoken or written, has become complicated in college. I never realized the power words hold, that I would hold as a writer. I have control over what goes on the page, but a writer must let go of that control and give the power to their reader for interpretation.

Coming into college, the lack of control I had

over how readers understood my written words intimidated me. It nerved me to think about the many different worlds my readers may come from and to think they wouldn’t understand me. The UI has expanded my world and allowed me to see the lack of control as freeing. It’s freeing to know that although my writing may not mean the same thing to readers as it does me, they take what they need with them. College has taught me I will never be able to control others’ thoughts, actions or opinions, but I will always maintain the control of myself and my reactions to the world around me.

Life will continue to throw me in the deep end, and I will be free knowing all I can do is try my best to swim against the tide and into shallow waters.

Many of my college experiences have prepared me to float in the deeper waters for a while, soaking in the comfortability that comes with depth. I have grown the most from the challenges I have been forced to accept.

Being part of The Daily Iowan newsroom has been a valuable experience to say the least, giving me the confidence I needed before leaving campus in May. I joined this spring and have learned more than I could’ve imagined working as a news reporter for the last three months.

I have been encouraged to push myself until I discover my limit. I’ve learned how important it is to not give up on a story I see potential in, and how necessary time and commitment are to making it come alive on the page. I’ve learned the hard truth that I have to show my readers why they should care to read my writing to begin with.

I’ve grown so much during my time at the DI , and would like to thank my editors for always having the confidence in me that I didn’t see in myself. I’d also like to thank everyone I’ve met at The UI, professors and classmates, friends and coworkers, and anyone who has read my news articles. Being a student and news reporter at The UI has given me the confidence to look forward to being thrown into the deep end of post-grad life, accepting the lack of control over the tide.

Studying at the UI was life-changing

After switching my major and joining DITV, I found my future

career path.

Claire Green DITV Reporter claire-green@uiowa.edu

My college experience at the University of Iowa looks a little bit different than most students. I have been at the UI for seven years.

While I did spend a year at Kirkwood in Iowa City, I don’t mention that because it was a waste of my time.

However, I did find the Spanish and math classes a lot easier.

Funnily, I actually know what college was like before the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a student, I remember printing off assignments and handing them in, and solving math problems on notebook paper. A lot of my exams and quizzes were in-person, not online.

I struggled a lot as a Health and Human Physiology major, which is what I started as at the UI. I was the student who skipped class to work on homework for other classes — I didn’t take college seriously, but I made sure I did do my homework. I have only missed one homework assignment in my entire college career.

I won’t tell you what class that was for, but when I look back, I wasn’t happy. I tried to find happiness, but it was difficult. The classes were hard and the professors were different. Let’s leave it at that.

I changed when I changed my majors. I went from studying for one major to studying two at the same time: Journalism and Mass Communications and Sport Studies.

I think I’ve missed less than 15 classes since I changed my major.

As a UI journalism school student, I also attend my professors’ drop-in and office hours. My GPA increased spectacularly.

I spend a week working on a writing assignment or studying for a test. All of this

actually led me to enjoy my majors. While, burnout has hit hard in the last year or so, it’s been worth it.

I grew up in Iowa City and came to the university to be an orthopaedic surgeon. I have COVID-19 to thank because when the NBA, NHL, and MLB seasons returned in 2020, I watched all of the playoff games — this is when I realized that I wanted to be on the court or field interviewing the athletes.

I gained journalism experience with DITV. I have only been a part of DITV for a year, but I have learned so much. I have been able to do a little bit of everything but I love reporting. I enjoy being out in the field getting interviews and B-roll to tell stories.

I want to connect with athletes in a sports environment rather than a hospital environment.

I changed my major and learned a lot from my professors and got to know some of my professors.

I gained journalism experience with DITV. While I have only been a part of DITV for a year, I have learned so much about what I am capable of. I have been able to do a little bit of everything but I love reporting.

Even this semester alone, I grew my skills to master the art of live shots during our DITV show that is three days a week.

I was the weather anchor several times in between chasing stories this semester — even successfully catching a football during a live shot.

I enjoy being out in the field getting interviews and B-roll to tell stories. I enjoy being a part of live shows getting to do stand-ups and watching the stories I have created. I hope to do this for a full-time career. I’m ready to get out of Iowa City.

Hawkeye soccer’s silent leader

Josie Durr is graduating to be an exercise specialist after a career year.

Isaac Elzinga Sports Reporter isaac-elzinga@uiowa.edu

Midfielder Josie Durr, a key player for the Iowa women’s soccer team for seven seasons, is embarking on a new chapter in her life. Graduating from the University of Iowa, Durr is shifting her focus to a career as an exercise specialist.

After a remarkable year for the Hawkeyes during the 2023 season, Durr now lives in Arizona with former teammate Sara Wheaton. She works in a physical therapy clinic and said she doesn’t see her soccer career continuing.

“If anything, it’s just going to be pick up stuff here and there, maybe some local little six-v-six,” Durr said. “Sara and I have talked about getting back into it a little because we’re still athletic, still mobile, so might as well do all we can. But nothing too crazy — nothing too serious.”

Even though her soccer career may be over, Durr’s time on the pitch wearing black and gold helped her figure out what she would do next. Her passion for soccer helped

player Samantha Tawharu. The opportunity to travel and grow those friendships after playing together has left a lasting impact on Durr and made her time at Iowa much more valuable.

“The experience as a whole was something that a lot of people don’t get the chance to go through,” Durr said of the unity within the team. “I am just grateful for every step and everything that happened. Everything we went through, the team and individually, to kind of get me where I am today.”

The bonds she formed off the field translated into significant success on the pitch. While Durr was on the team, Iowa women’s soccer accomplished its most successful stretch in program history, winning two Big Ten Tournament titles and making it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament twice.

In the 2023 Big Ten Tournament final against Wisconsin, Durr was the hero for the Hawkeyes when she scored a penalty kick in the first half to give Iowa a 1-0 lead. That score remained the same through the final whistle to give the Hawkeyes their second conference title in four years.

“I just kind of went with the whole ‘it’s your last year, leave it all on the field’ mentality.”

soccer midfielder

her narrow down her future goals.

“I think [it] gave me a lot of perspective to look for in the future,” Durr said on her personal growth at Iowa. “Finding your passions, finding things that excite you and things that make you happy — try and develop those and work towards those.”

Durr also formed lasting friendships with teammates like Wheaton and New Zealand international

With the Big Ten title in hand, the Iowa women’s soccer team played its first NCAA Tournament game at home. The team set a new attendance record with 2,639 spectators in the 2-0 win against Bucknell on Nov. 10.

Iowa lost in the second round of the NCAA Tournament to Georgia 3-2, but Durr witnessed the growth of the Iowa soccer team firsthand.

Durr spent an extended amount of time at Iowa, with two redshirt seasons and an extra year due to COVID-19.

Durr’s redshirt freshman season, the first year she earned significant playing time, the Hawkeyes went 8-7-3 with just four wins in the Big Ten, missing out on postseason play.

“Maybe we weren’t very good; we didn’t play very well,” Durr said of her first years in the program. “Then by the end of [my career], we’re making it to the NCAA Tournament and

with Big Ten Championships. If you trust in the process and you’re willing to put in the work and grow as a team, you can make major strides.”

Despite losing Durr and defender Samantha Cary, two key contributors for the team, the Iowa soccer program is set to reload and have another solid fall season in 2024 in the new look Big Ten.

Durr pointed to first-year Sofia Bush and Millie Greer as two players who can take up the mantle.

“I think they’ll continue building off of what we have done in the past couple of years,” Durr said. “It’s just going to get better for them. I think they’re in a really good spot.”

Durr added that she “grew up a lot” and “matured a lot” during her time with the team and sees the same potential in the younger players.

“I just kind of went with the

whole ‘it’s your last year, leave it all on the field’ mentality,” Durr said. “Don’t hold back. Just kind of give it all you got and see what happens, and it happened to work out for me.

A lot of those things I’ll never forget. Scoring in the Big Ten Championship will always be one of my better memories.”

In Durr’s final season with the Hawkeyes, she scored a career-best seven goals and two assists in 20 games played. She finished her Iowa career with 12 goals and four assists in 88 appearances in the fall schedule.

“I was always nervous to get hurt in previous seasons,” Durr said. “This year, I was like, ‘I got to give it all, and if I get hurt, that’s alright. If I make it through and I play well, that’s alright too.’ I knew I didn’t have any more eligibility, so I just had to give it my all and see what happened.”

Iowa head coach Dave DiIanni could tell that Durr was approaching her final season in a new way from the start.

“Last fall was a different Josie I’ve ever seen,” DiIanni said. “All her friends that she was really close to were gone, and she just kind of fell in love with the game again and played with no pressure. She really befriended a lot of people on the team and was kind of the silent leader.”

DiIanni also said some players take an extra year or two to become comfortable and consistent on the pitch.

“I had such a positive experience at Iowa,” Durr said. “I used soccer as my passion and wanted to do it in college. I had such a good experience, and if you find something you love and you stick with it, it’ll make things a little easier for you in the future.”

Emily Nyberg | The Daily Iowan

Iowa soccer player Josie Durr stretches with teammates after a morning practice at the University of Iowa Soccer Complex in Iowa City on Sept. 13, 2023.

Josie Durr

Iowa women’s

Kalen Walker’s home stretch

The Iowa fourth-year sprinter reflects on his college track and field career.

Mia Boulton Sports Reporter mia-m-boulton@uiowa.edu

Before walking the University of Iowa graduation stage in May, fourth-year sprinter Kalen Walker took the biggest stage in college track and field: the NCAA Championships.

Walker is the second-fastest 60-meter sprinter in the country, with just five-hundredths of a second separating him from the top spot.

But Walker’s real victory was found along the way during the journey to the big stage.

In high school, Walker was a multi-sport athlete at Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont High School, earning honors in football, basketball, and track and field.

In his third season, Walker took home a third-place finish in the 200-meter state race. In the 100-meter sprint, he placed fifth. His performances caught the attention of Brent Ewing, the head cross country and track and field coach at Indian Hills Community College.

As an Indian Hills Warrior, Walker placed fifth in the 100-meter race with a 10.81 and fifth in the 200-meter race with a 21.35 at the National Junior College Athletic Association Regional XI Championships.

After one year at Indian Hills Community College, Walker became a Hawkeye.

“I ran some good times there, but it was just walk-on standards,” Walker said.

During his journey in the Black and Gold, those walk-on times morphed into Iowa school records, and an uncertain roster spot became an athletic scholarship.

Iowa Director of Track and Field

Joey Woody said the evolution of Walker’s career was no surprise as the Iowa coaching staff suspected his success all along.

“I could tell right away that he had some tools,” Woody said of Walker’s fitness testing results

and abilities in the weight room. “From there, we just had to fix his technique.”

Woody says perfecting a running technique is a constant effort, but Walker’s work ethic makes it look easy.

“He’s a guy that wants to get better every day,” he said. “He’s a student of the sport.”

For Walker, studying track and field has resulted in records.

Walker claimed the 60-meter sprint as his own during the 202324 indoor track and field season, breaking the school record five times in three months.

He first set the tone during Iowa’s indoor track and field season debut on Dec. 9.

On his home track, Walker improved his own 2022 school record by one-hundredth of a second in the prelims of the 60-meter race with a time of 6.60. About an hour later, he ran a 6.59 in the finals to set a new school record.

Six weeks later, Walker did it again in 6.58 at the Black & Gold Invitational. Then, he clocked a 6.51 at the Jarvis Scott Open in Lubbock, Texas.

And for the final time, Walker solidified his 60-meter school record at the Big Ten Indoor Championships, tying his own record of 6.51.

According to Woody, Iowa’s lead sprinter can only be described as a “showman.” But behind the curtain, Walker feels the weight of the sacrifices that come hand-inhand with Division I sports.

Walker said he’s had two injuries and four muscle tears throughout his career. The most recent surgery took place last summer.

He refused to let it be a setback.

“I’ve figured out how to limit those injuries,” Walker said. “And how to get faster without running. That’s possible.”

These obstacles have taught the entire Hawkeye track and field program about how to handle conflict, even translating to real-life scenarios.

Tackling daily hurdles, main-

Iowa’s Kalen Walker smiles after setting a meet and personal record time of 6.59 in the

during the Jimmy Grand Alumni Invitational at the Hawkeye Indoor Track Facility on Dec. 9, 2023. The Hawkeyes hosted Western Illinois and Wisconsin, competing in events including the pentathlon, weight throwing, field events, and various running events at the indoor track.

taining a constant work ethic, balancing school and sports, and normalizing sacrifice create a sense of confidence for Walker outside of athletics.

“I really think I can be successful in anything I want to do right now,” he said. “This has taught me lessons that I can apply to anything in life.”

One of those lessons came as a surprise. As much as track and field encourages Walker to focus on his physical health, the sport has also taught him the importance of prioritizing mental health.

“I pretty much go to practice, come home, eat, and go to bed,” Walker said of his daily schedule.

Woody makes it a priority to get his athletes the time they

need to recover from their clocklike routines.

“I’m really patient with the fact that if [Walker] isn’t ready to go, he’s not ready to go,” Woody said.

“I’m not going to push it when an athlete’s body or mind isn’t quite there.”

This training tactic allows the entire Iowa track and field program to put its full focus on each practice, lift, and race.

Walker said this is important, as track and field is a unique sport.

Track and field athletes don’t take the court multiple times a week. They don’t have 70,000 fans waving with them after the first quarter. They don’t have five sets to pull out a win.

Track and field is all-out from the moment the gun fires to the

second the spike crosses the finish line: One try; one race; one result.

“Our performance is pretty much the entire sport, and us putting our best out there means everything to us,” Walker said.

Through it all, Walker remained focused on the team result.

“Sprinters in general tend to have a bit more of an ego,” Woody said. “But it’s never about him. It’s about what he can do to help the program.”

Walker has been a leader committed to fostering a selfless culture as a Hawkeye — and that’s exactly the legacy he wants to leave.

“I want to be remembered as a team-first guy who always had a positive attitude and wanted to help others improve,” he said.

Grace Smith | The Daily Iowan

men’s 60-meter dash

Leaving behind a historic legacy

Iowa women’s basketball says goodbye to its senior class featuring guard Caitlin Clark.

Cooper Worth Sports Reporter cooper-worth@uiowa.edu

Iowa women’s basketball has closed the page on a legendary chapter.

After Iowa’s 87-75 loss to South Carolina in the national championship earlier this month, the program said goodbye to its five seniors — Molly Davis, Sharon Goodman, Kate Martin, Gabbie Marshall, and Caitlin Clark — all of whom, in various capacities, left their mark on the team.

“Always saying goodbye to your seniors is really tough, and every time you see a season end, it’s another chapter closed, and that’s tough,” Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder said in the press conference following the national championship.

All five took different paths getting to this point, whether being one of the highest touted recruits in her class, having childhood aspirations to play for the Hawkeyes, or coming to Iowa City through the transfer portal.

“It’s the love that we have for one another,” Martin said. “We know each other like the backs of our hands [because] we spent a lot of time together and care for one another.”

Caitlin Clark

Starting with the star of the bunch, Clark finished her career as a Hawkeye as arguably the most successful Iowa wom-

en’s basketball player in the program’s 50-year history.

Clark’s achievements are nothing short of remarkable. She became college basketball’s all-time leading scorer this season with 3,951 points, became the only player in Division I history to lead the nation in both points and assists per game — doing it twice — and more recently set the NCAA Tournament three-point and scoring career record, just to name a few.

“[Caitlin] had a vision, she had a belief, and she brought us all with her,” Marshall said. “She got us all to buy in and believe that we can make it to the Final Four, and I think just doing that in back-to-back years just shows what belief in a team can do for you.”

Her impact on the community will be forever present due to the sheer number of Clark jerseys that will be seen at all university sporting events.

“Caitlin’s done so many great things, and I think she’s handled the pressure so well,” guard Sydney Affolter said.

The Indiana Fever selected Clark with the No. 1 pick in this year’s WNBA Draft, becoming the third athlete in program history to be picked in the first round and the ninth Iowa player to be drafted during Bluder’s tenure.

“When you’re given an opportunity, women’s sports just kind of thrives, and I think that’s been the coolest thing for me on this journey,” Clark said. “When I think about women’s basketball going forward, obviously it’s just going to continue to grow, whether it’s at the WNBA level, [or] at the college level.”

Kate Martin + Gabbie Marshall

Martin and Marshall end their careers having played the most games in Iowa women’s basketball history with 163 and 166 games, respectively. Since then, the duo had 274 combined starts for the Hawkeyes and 8,189 combined minutes on the court, helping Iowa amass a 109-30 record in the process.

“I had always dreamed of playing for Iowa, and all the championships we’ve won and the Final Fours we’ve been to are just really the cherry on top,” Martin said.

Martin became the first Iowa women’s basketball player to have amassed over 900 points, 500+ rebounds, 400+ assists, 120+ steals, and 60+ blocks in a career. Marshall became the first player in program history to record 200 three-pointers and 200 steals in a career. The two also became the 43rd and 44th Hawkeye women’s basketball players to record 1,000 career points.

When the Las Vegas Aces selected Martin in the 18th overall pick, Marshall was by her side. Marshall will attend the University of North Carolina to pursue her master’s in occupational therapy.

“I think our legacy is just kind of the joy that we brought to the state of Iowa and to the little boys and girls all across the country who watched us play,” Martin said. “I hope they

just remember the love and the passion that we played with on the court.”

Molly Davis

In her relatively short time at Iowa, Davis, or as she’s commonly referred to as ‘the headband,’ became a fan favorite for many Hawkeye fans.

The 5-foot-7 guard became a crucial piece for Iowa when she was plugged into the starting role, averaging 5.9 points and three assists per game.

Perhaps more importantly, Davis was known for her scrappy style of play despite being a shorter player.

“She looks like this quiet, nice person, but to me, she has a sneaky moxie about her,” Bluder said of Davis. “She has no fear.”

Davis transferred from Central Michigan following the 2021-22 season.

“For Molly to come here and not be guaranteed anything — no starting position, no amount of playing time — [just] come here, accept her role, and do whatever it took for us to be better, that took a lot of courage,” Bluder said.

Davis’ season was cut short after she suffered a right knee injury during Iowa’s final regular-season contest against Ohio State. Davis checked into the national championship game with less than a minute left, where she received a standing ovation from the Hawkeye fans in Cleveland.

Davis will graduate this spring with a degree in exercise science.

Sharon Goodman

Entering this past season, some didn’t expect it would be the last for center Sharon Goodman.

Hailing from Lime Springs, Iowa, Goodman appeared in all 30 games as a freshman and then tore her ACL in practice prior to her second season and missed the entire year. She was granted a redshirt for her injury and played in 13 games in 2022-23.

After an up-and-down start to this season, Goodman was removed from the starting lineup in favor of Davis and saw limited minutes down the final stretch of Iowa’s games.

“I’ve been very blessed with the past four years here, [and] I’m so thankful to have been here during this time,” she said.

Goodman transitioned into more of a mentor role, becoming one of the most vocal leaders on the bench and cheering for her teammates whenever they made a big play.

Goodman was also recognized during the Final Four as a recipient of the Elite 90 award, which goes to the athlete — men’s or women’s — with the highest GPA. Upon graduation, she plans to attend nursing school.

“I know she’s going to make a really great nurse,” Clark said. “If anyone knows her, you know that’s the perfect job for her.”

Grace Smith | The Daily Iowan Iowa guard Caitlin Clark celebrates after the senior recognition during a basketball game with No. 6 Iowa and No. 2 Ohio State inside a sold-out Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City on March 3. The Hawkeyes upset the Buckeyes, 93-83, on senior night.

Bluder