Leader
ISSUE 07 02.22.22 ELMHURSTLEADER.COM
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COMING BACK TO A COVID-19 CAMPUS
Ryan Windle
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‘MARVELOUS MARTIN,’ FRESHMAN TRACK STAR FLASHES THROUGH EU RANKS
GOING OUT WITH A BANG: “LAUREL HELL” ALBUM REVIEW Olivia Janicke OFFICE 630.617.3320
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Minh Nguyen
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ELMHURSTLEADER.COM EDITORIAL BOARD GIANNA MONTESANO/ EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
NEWS
ISSUE 07
COMING BACK TO A COVID-19 CAMPUS
OLIVIA JANICKE/ COPY EDITOR JARED BOEKENHAUER/ NEWS EDITOR RYAN WINDLE/ ARTS + CULTURE EDITOR JASMINE LILLIS/ GRAPHIC CONSULTANT ERIC LUTZ/ FACULTY ADVISER ASSISTANTS SARINA OKRZESIK/ Assistant Copy Editor HANNAH HORN/ Graphic Editor PRINCESS GONZALEZ ESPARZA/ Graphic Editor RACHEL FRATT/ Graphic Editor STAFF NICHOLAS REDMOND KAY LOVING EMMY SHAFFER KWEEN JEÁN KATHLEEN BERGER NUMAIR YOUNUS MARISA SANDOVAL KEITHLEEN MENDOZA MINH NGUYEN OLIVIA RILL ALYSSA KUEHNE CONTACT US THE LEADER NEWSPAPER Elmhurst University 190 Prospect Avenue Elmhurst, IL 60126 Office: 630.617.3320
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GRAPHIC BY Princess Gonzalez Esparaza
Ryan Windle Arts + Culture Editor Almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic there still is new information being learned every day about this deadly virus. While it seemed like things were starting to calm down, the Omicron variant caused another COVID-19 surge during the winter break. Omicron impacted the campus community heavily during J-Term. Throughout the fall semester, only 110 COVID-19 cases were reported to Elmhurst University’s COVID-19 Task Force. From Jan. 1, to Jan. 28, 177 COVID-19 cases were reported. This information sparked fears amongst students regarding the risks of returning to campus for the spring semester; no one wanted to come back to a COVID-19 infected campus. But the mask mandate soothed some students’ fears. “Knowing masks were still being required I knew things were going to be okay,” said junior public health major Stephanie Garcia. Students were recommended to get a PCR COVID-19 test before returning back to campus, but it was not required. In the first week back on campus, six positive cases were reported. If you are looking to get a test on campus, you can get a rapid test every Tuesday from 12 to 3 p.m. in the lobby of Faganel Hall. For a PCR test, you must make an appointment 24 hours
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beforehand on Etrieve, and the tests are available every Wednesday from 12 to 3 p.m. in the lobby of Faganel Hall. Now more than ever it is important to wear a proper mask, but some students have questioned how efficient EU has actually been with the mask mandate. “I feel like there are way too many people on campus, to be honest. There are a lot of people from what I’ve seen, not wearing masks,” said senior digital media major Janet Perezchica. “I’ve seen a couple of professors calling out students, but there are so many that still walk around without one or not wearing it properly.” With news claiming Illinois is dropping the mask mandate starting Feb. 28, students are left wondering whether or not EU will keep the mask mandate on campus. “I think the school should keep the mask mandate,” Garcia said. “It protects the self and others from getting sick as well. We have kept masks all along and it just shows how efficient masks work.” “We are still in a pandemic even though people act like it’s over,” Perezchica stated. “Cases are rising and people are still dying from it. Everyone should still wear a mask.” There has been no comment yet from EU regarding whether they will be keeping the mask mandate or not. A meeting was on Feb. 14, to discuss plans, but no statement has been released as of Feb. 20.
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NEWS
ISSUE 07
ELMHURST UNIVERSITY HOSTS MICHELLE DUSTER FOR GUEST LECTURE Ryan Windle Arts + Culture Editor “It is a fight to be recognized for the contributions that we have made, to be recognized and celebrated for the achievements that we have made, and the obstacles we have overcome,” said guest lecturer Michelle Duster. “When I say ‘we’ I am talking about Black women.” On Feb.16, Michelle Duster, great-grandchild of famous African American suffragist Ida B. Wells, spoke as the guest lecturer for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. lecture at Elmhurst University. Duster is an author, professor, public historian, and champion of racial and gender equality. Having written books such as “Ida B. the Queen: The Extraordinary Life and Legacy of Ida B. Wells” and “Impact: Personal Portraits of Activism,” Duster continues her great-grandmother’s legacy in many ways. Starting off the lecture, the president of EU’s Black Student Union, Raven Rhone, gave the audience a question to ponder: “What is a dream?” Following Rhone was EU English professor Janice Tuck Lively, who told the audience typical customs
and questions you may go through if you were to head down south. These questions included “Where are you from?” “What church did you belong to?” and “Who are your people?” As Duster took the stage, all eyes were on her, eager to learn about the legacy of her greatgrandmother. “We’ve come a long way since my greatgrandmother’s day,” Duster said at the start of her lecture, “but we still have a long way to go, unfortunately.”
Duster asked the attendees to learn about all the monuments and murals that represent the suffragist movement, and how there still is a lack of diversity in these monuments for women of color. “Ida B. Wells Drive was the first [and] only street in downtown Chicago named after any woman or any person of color. It’s 2022 folks,” said Duster above a round of applause. “And there still is only one.”
Attendees were given a very brief history of the suffragist movement. As implied by Duster, not all could be covered in the short time given. After a brief introduction of the movement and her great-grandmother, Duster told attendees how erased women of color in the suffragist movement have been. Slowly, there is a change being made to be more inclusive. In 1913, Illinois allowed all women the right to vote. However, African American women were not granted the right to vote across the whole nation until 1965, almost 50 years after the 19th Amendment was passed. After learning about the suffragist movement, GRAPHIC BY Princess Gonzalez PHOTO BY Ryan Windle
MASK REGULATIONS PUSHED TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS Kathleen Berger
multiple sources.
Staff Writer
Parents on all sides of this issue have been voicing their opinions strongly for weeks about whether to have a mask mandate in place for schools.
Jared Boekenhauer News Editor On Friday, Feb. 18, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mask mandate for schools in the state of Illinois was deemed “outdated” by a downstate appellate judge. This decision comes after weeks of battling in courts over the state’s school mask mandate. School districts in Illinois, including those in Elmhurst, will now be responsible for deciding masking rules for themselves, according to
“The Sunday after the TRO [temporary restraining order] was granted, I emailed the principal, as well as my child’s teacher, informing them of our plan to exercise mask free choice as per TRO motion,” said parent Marie Davis. “Received no email back. I received a call later that night from the principal, stating that my daughter will not be allowed to remain at school the following day [Tuesday] if she refuses to wear a mask.”
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However, some individuals have been vocal for masks, one person writing in a Facebook post, “Thank God some districts will keep masks in place.” This being a response to the provision that school districts will be making their own choices about masking. Some school districts, such as District 204, which covers parts of DuPage County, will be getting rid of their mask mandate on Feb. 22, in order to give parents adequate time to adjust, according to a press release. This new ruling comes after Illinois hits three million reported cases of COVID-19, according to the Illinois Department of Health. 02/22
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NEWS
GRAPHIC BY Princess Gonzalez Esparaza
ISSUE 07
BSU HOLDS CAMPUS-WIDE PANEL ON DATING AT A PWI a more open space and easier way to talk to people,” said Rhone. One of BSU’s goals is to make conversations like this one more comfortable for people to have, providing a space where people can do that respectfully and have their ideas heard. BSU hopes that people from different races will be able to talk about cultural differences in a respectful manner.
PHOTO BY Internet Photo
WORLD NEWS IN REVIEW Jared Boekenhauer News Editor
“We want black students here, but we also want people from all different races to be,” said SGA legislature Kaleb Goodlow. “One of BSU’s main goals is to eliminate the fear of talking about race in Americans.”
Illinois plans to remove mask mandate Illinois is set to remove its indoor mask mandate on Mon. Feb. 28, if COVID-19 cases continue to decline. “We are now seeing the fastest rate of decline in our COVID-19 hospitalization metrics since the pandemic began,” said Governor J.B. Pritzker in a press release. “If these trends continue — and we expect them to —then on Monday, February 28th, we will lift the indoor mask requirement for the State of Illinois.” Ukraine and Russia According to multiple reports, the U.S. has intelligence stating that Russian commanders have orders to move in for an invasion of Ukraine. The intelligence does not confirm that an invasion will happen. This comes after Russian President, Vladimir Putin, has kept troops stationed at the border of Russia and Ukraine for several weeks. Canada’s “Freedom Convoy” Police in Canada have cleared out members of the “Freedom Convoy” protesting Canada’s COVID-19 restrictions. The Freedom Convoy is a series of protests that broke out against COVID-19 vaccination mandates emerging in January. Protests have erupted throughout major Canadian cities like Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver. The Washington Post reported that 170 people were arrested by Saturday morning as police hunkered down on protesters in Ottawa.
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PHOTO BY BLACK STUDENT UNION
Emmy Shaffer Staff Writer Black Student Union (BSU) hosted an event on Feb. 14, in the Frick Center to discuss dating at a predominantly white institution, or PWI, and how this affects dating for people of color. The organization held a panel and asked attendees questions like “Have you ever dated someone who was outside of your own race?” and “Do you think the dating pool is limited at a PWI?” BSU thought the panel would be a great way to have this conversation and make sure everyone felt welcomed to share their thoughts and ideas. The organization felt that it was important for the discussion to be student-led so it didn’t feel as awkward as it would if it was held by a more authoritative figure. “We wanted to provide a space for people to be able to talk about what it’s like dating at a PWI,” said BSU President Raven Rhone. “It’s based on your experience alone and how that fits you.” BSU put together this event to open up these conversations because they’re not often had, especially led by students according to Rhone. “You want to talk to students so that it’s more comfortable to say something. It’s definitely
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BSU aims to open up conversations about race to not only Black students, but to all students regardless of race to aid in getting rid of the stigma of race.
“You want to talk to students so that it’s more comfortable to say something.” “Psychological studies have said that Black households are more open to talking about race than white households. Some people fear that if you talk about race, that makes you racist, said Goodlow. “Talking about race and cultural differences is what makes everybody them. I think it should be something that everyone should be freely open to discuss, and that’s what BSU is trying to do.” BSU hopes that these events and future ones will be able to break down racial barriers and get people to start having conversations that they might not have had before.
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ARTS + CULTURE
CELBRITEA BREAK UP THEMED DRINKS Marissa Sandoval Staff Writer If you are an avid lover of coffee or tea, then do I have the best spot for you. The Coffee and Tea Exchange, located in North Halsted, is one of those coffee shops that stand out. Changing their menu every month, you never know what to expect from this local spot. Centering around a new theme each month, for February the theme for all of their drinks is celebrity breakups. The menu had a long list of our favorite celebrity breakups. From new celeb heartbreaks like Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson; to more classic breakups such as Sonny and Cher, there truly is a wide variety of drinks to choose from. These drinks contain unique flavor combina-
tions that catch the eye. For example, pairing blueberry, lavender, and cupcake is something that you normally do not see in coffee, but when you attach them to Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake (we all know the infamous denim outfits), it just makes sense. The baristas said that the three of the most popular drinks this month were, Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber Taylor Swift and Jake Gyllenhaal
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Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt I was excited to try some drinks, and I started with my favorite ex-couple, and the most popular drink, Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber. For this breakup drink, they paired strawberry, french vanilla, and chocolate Milano. You really could not taste much of the chocolate, the strawberry and french vanilla combo almost overwhelmed my tastebuds Next, I tried the drink inspired by Taylor Swift and Jake Gyllenhaal. Rose, raspberry, and white chocolate made for this drink inspired by this iconic breakup. As well as the first drink, raspberry was the main character in this trio and was all that I could taste, but I still enjoyed this drink.
C O N TA C T GIANNA MONTESANO
On a caffeine high from the first two, I decided to end my taste test with Ariana Grande and Pete Davidson. Pomegranate and dark chocolate are the flavors of this drink, and it tasted just like a chocolate-covered pomegranate. From the three I tried, I would have to say that my favorite drink has to be my favorite ex-couple, Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber. On top of all these drinks I mentioned, they also had a drink inspired by Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson (because as they say, they probably will be broken up by the end of February), and they also had Diana’s revenge dress special, inspired by the people’s princess.
GRAPHIC BY Rachel Fratt
This is one of the best themes that they have had, if you have the chance to check it out before the month ends I highly recommend it. However, this place is something you should keep your eye on, who knows what theme they will come up with next.
@ gmont0454@365.elmhurst.edu
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C A N ’ T WA IT TO M E E T YO U
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ARTS + CULTURE OPINIONS
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GOING OUT WITH A BANG: “LAUREL HELL” ALBUM REVIEW Olivia Janicke Copy Editor “Laurel Hell” stands alone. Drawing on nostalgia with the 80s synth-pop sound, the album departs from Mitski’s larger body of work, signifying a Description permanent shift. The risk was well-taken, and for this I give “Laurel Hell” four out of five stars.
and “Love Me More,” this frustration is evident. Where first she willingly fills the role of someone maintaining emotional distance to protect herself from getting hurt, she then desperately pleads for love and attention in the next song.
NATHAN OPINION AUDITION I’m by no means a die-hard Mitski fan, but I make I’ll admit I committed a sin with my first listen — I used it as background music while I got some work done. Even then, I was stunned to stillness during standout songs such as “Love Me More” and “Heat Lightning.”
Honestly, I love it. It’s like putting on a song you know you can dance to while wiping tears out of your eyes. Each of these songs has an eclectic sound with a faster tempo to keep the momentum going.
Circling back to this infatuating concoction of an album, there was an overwhelming feeling that this was a breakup album — but not one you’d expect. She’s breaking up with her career, or at least, with how she’s been doing things thus far.
Sonically, we get to hear a new side of Mitski as she tries her hand at more of a synth-y sound. The album opens with “Valentine, Texas” which sounds like the Mitski version of a Beach House song, with its explosive yet melancholic drop backing some dreamy, distant vocals. I grappled with understanding the flow of this album. The artist specifically chooses the order of the songs, yet the order here feels arbitrary at first. She’ll start off by saying one thing, only to immediately contrast it with another in the next song. At the time I thought this was sloppy behavior; now I know this is exactly how someone struggling to choose their next path would be thinking. The album order mirrors that struggle perfectly. In back-to-back tracks like “The Only Heartbreaker” 02/22 DATE
These lines specifically talk about the highs of commercial success, of being loved and wanted by many and all. It feels like the best thing in the world, but by the next line, things are down again, PHOTO BY Name when the realization hits that it isn’t real love. Where many turn to Mitski for sad-girl anthems, this album surprisingly has very few. This point is driven home in the upbeat backing of songs like “Working for the Knife,” “The Only Heartbreaker,” and “Stay Soft,” which all deal with their own baggage, but in a pop-y kind of way.
it a habit to listen to as many newly released albums as I can, so when I saw the notification on Feb. 4, I had to check it out.
Going off the meaning of the album title, “Laurel” indicates praise for achievement. Juxtaposing that with “Hell” represents the downfalls of that very success. It is this heaviness paired with success that moves the album forward in a back-and-forth conversation between Mitski and herself.
coaster of wanting something, yet not wanting it. Over, and over, and over again.
The best place she does this is in “Should’ve Been Me,” which is admittedly not my favorite. However, the energy here is phenomenal. It voices every unhinged thought that goes through one’s head after a breakup with repeating lines like “the girl looked just like me.” Automatically assuming whoever comes next is just a placeholder for the “real thing” is messy, toxic, and chaotic, but she does it so well. PHOTO BY Rolling Stone CARTOON BY Jasmine Lillis
Majorly contrasting lines include, “if you would just make one mistake what a relief that would be. But I think for as long as we’re together, I’ll be the only heartbreaker.” And then “love enough to fill me up, fill me up, fill me full up. I need you to love me more.” There is little room for bitterness, though, as “Love Me More” brings a bit of fun to this desperation. The backing track sounds like something out of a “Mario Kart” game, and brings us along as Mitski runs for her life. In “There’s Nothing Left for You” she goes back to being distant, yet genuinely screams the lines “you could touch fire, you could fly, it was your right, it was your life.” It’s an up and down roller
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Bringing it back to the context of the album, it takes on a much darker connotation, as we think of how the music industry doesn’t actually care for its artists. The song toys with the validation one feels when “you can’t have me,” all while acknowledging “I can’t give you what you need.” The track closes out in a celebratory manner, which is an odd little bow to tie that loaded message up in. Overall, the sound is something akin to if “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” had a bitter younger sister. The last two tracks are the real nails in the coffin for this being a goodbye album. “I Guess” sounds like a thank you letter, acknowledging the para-social relationship between Mitski and her listeners. She wants to grow, but there are expectations for her to stay the same, touched on earlier in the gut-wrenching “Heat Lightning.”
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“That’s Our Lamp” closes things out in a more positive light — it even uses a cowbell. The chaotic, layered vocals at the end of this track repeating “that’s where you loved me” reinforce the meaning behind those past connections, acknowledging how those moments will always be something special, even if this is the end. It’s like she’s telling us “we’ll always have Paris,” only it’s a lamp instead.
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ARTS + CULTURE
LOOKING FOR SOME THOUGHTPROVOKING PODCASTS? WELCOME TO DIVE STUDIOS GRAPHIC BY Rachel Fratt
Minh Nguyen
“It’s like putting on a song you know you can dance to while wiping tears out of your eyes. Each of these songs has an eclectic sound with a faster tempo to keep the momentum going.”
Ultimately, “Laurel Hell” is a stunner of an album that I grow fondness for with every listen. Listening without this level of analysis was still profound. For the Mitski fans turned away by a new sound, listen harder. It’s still Mitski, only with new things to say. I hope this isn’t goodbye, and that “Laurel Hell” only signifies the end of an era. Regardless, this album will be remembered as a beautiful token of someone’s life’s work — her passion, her sorrows, and her decision to choose herself. Notable favorites off the album include “Heat Lightning,” “Stay Soft,” “Love Me More,” and “That’s Our Lamp.”
perfect for people who enjoy unpopular (or even controversial) opinions.
Staff Writer It’s a lovely weekend, and you are an intellectual. Instead of lying on your bed and draining yourself with endless TikTok scrolling, you want to find something that can stimulate your mind, feed your curiosity, and help you dive (pun, unfortunately, intended) deep into your enchanting mindset. Venturing into the stimulating world of podcasts might be a great idea for you. Finding a show that suits your taste could be nerve-racking in the vast universe of podcasts. If you are looking to try some out but don’t know where to start, here are two awesome, thought-provoking podcasts produced by DIVE studios that will help tickle your brain.
1. The Tablo Podcast “The Tablo Podcast,” is hosted by famous K-Pop hip-hop artist Tablo who is a writer, lyricist, composer, producer, and a wonderful father (as he always proudly introduces himself). This podcast covers every topic you can ever think of, from mundane issues (like what not to do at a job interview and the best way to cook perfect ramen) to more sophisticated topics (for example, sharing opinions on education systems and different theories like how to survive a hypothetical apocalypse). Having graduated from Stanford University with honors in English literature and creative writing, Tablo is known for his intelligence and exceptional word choice. Along with his sarcastic humor, every story and thought that Tablo shares becomes interestingly amusing. This podcast is
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Recommended episode to check out: Ep. 19 | True Crime: The Sims Killer. In this 55-minute episode, Tablo banters with Eddie (his manager) and reveals his penchant for brutally murdering “The Sims” characters. Not for the faint of heart or for those who grow emotionally attached to their computer game avatars.
2. Get Real Looking for something fun, delightful, and positive? “Get Real” with hosts Peniel of BtoB, Ashley Choi of Ladies’ Code, and rapper pH-1 might be a suitable podcast for you to relax with after a long, hectic day. This show is a place for these close friends to confide in each other and open up about all the ups and downs of work, love, and adulthood’s life problems. This will also be a perfect show for K-Pop fans who want to know more about their idols, as each episode has different English-speaking idols on as guests. Casual, relaxed, fun, and occasionally heartfelt, listening to this podcast feels like you are hanging out with friends and catching up. Recommended episode to check out: Ep.14 | Questioning Our Intelligence with Tablo (Epik High). In this 1-hour 3-minute episode, Tablo crashes “Get Real” to offer wisdom about the importance of school, how parents need to stop shaping their children into “geniuses,” and how true intelligence should be measured. Moreover, if you have a deep love-hate relationship with college calculus, this is the perfect episode for you.
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ISSUE 07
Let’s get it K-Poppin Ryan Windle
Arts + Culture Editor
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RUSSIAN ROULETTE Red Velvet
KEEPING UP WITH K-POP Ryan Windle Arts + Culture Editor So much happened in K-Pop while we were away on break, and I am here to update you on all the amazing music which was released from December, until now. While I try to pay attention to as much as I can, there of course will be some releases that I miss. I paid attention to mostly the girl groups as they pique my interest more. So if you came to read about the male groups, I am not your guy. Starting December off strong, EVERGLOW released their latest album “Return of The Girl” on Dec. 1. The album was a strong display of the talent of EVERGLOW, with fierce songs that truly are empowering. The title track, “Pirate” has been my go-to anthem if I ever want to feel empowered. Am I a pirate? No, but EVERGLOW makes me feel like I could be one. The synth beats with the clapping sounds truly are what makes this song stand out What makes me love the song, even more, is the choreo. The voguing present, the strong movements, the formation changes truly captivate the eye. If you have the opportunity to watch the music video or a performance, I highly
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PHOTO BY Teen Vogue
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recommend that you do. A new group debuted on Dec. 1, IVE. This group contains two former IZ*ONE members, Wonyoung and Yujin, so former fans were eager to see this debut. While not my favorite song, it definitely is a favorite for others. The choreo for this song took over TikTok, it seemed like every other video I scrolled past were people doing this choreo. I do appreciate the choreo but again, it just is not my favorite in the entire world of K-Pop. The following day, Dec. 2, TWICE released the music video for their Japanese single, “Doughnut.” A shift from TWICE’s normal releases, “Doughnut” is a nice, slow ballad that seems like it came straight out of the ’80s. The simplicity of the last chorus is what captivated me the most. The piano, combined with Mina and Sana’s soft voices, had me hooked. This softer side of TWICE is something we rarely get to see, and I am grateful for this song allowing us to experience this. Side note, while TWICE dominates K-Pop, some of my favorite songs from them are their Japanese singles. Check out “Better,” “Breakthrough,” and “Kura Kura” if you are interested in more amazing TWICE songs.
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For the rest of December, it felt like I was being spoiled with SMTOWN. For all who do not know, one of the top K-Pop companies, SM Entertainment, always does an end-of-the-year concert showcasing their idols. I did not really know much about this concert, but when aespa released their cover of S.E.S’s “Dreams Come True” as a promotion for this concert, I instantly was intrigued to watch the entire concert on New Year’s Eve. I ascend every time I listen to their cover. The instrumentals truly take me to another planet. One thing I love about K-Pop is the use of synth and it truly is exceptional in this song. If you want a fun throwback, I definitely recommend this song. Before the concert, we were told a new super SM girl group called GoT the Beat would perform a new single. This group contains K-Pop legends from all generations. Never would I have imagined the day that I would see BoA in a group with Seulgi from Red Velvet. The song did not disappoint, but the lyrics did. I thought “Step Back” was going to be a female empowerment song, but it turned out to be a song tearing other women down defending
ARTS + CULTURE
their man. That fact turns me away from the song, but the beat is amazing and hopefully in the future we will have songs which do not tear other women down. The group Kep1er, formed on the TV show “Girls Planet 999,” finally made their debut on Jan 3. with their single “WA DA DA.” Not my favorite, but it seems like everyone else is a huge fan of this song. I think my main setback from this song is the repeat of the “Ooh-woah” part in the chorus. It could’ve just been saved for the last chorus but it was consistent throughout, which I disliked. I still am curious to hear more from the group, and hope their next comeback sounds more like the other song they released, “MVSK.” If anything took over TikTok over the break it was WJSM Choccome, a subunit of the group WJSN. They released their song “Supper Yuppers!” on Jan. 5, and my for you page has not been the same since. This song looks camp straight in the eye, and is everything that I needed in K-Pop. It literally feels like a song straight out of a superhero movie. I love the bridge where Dayeon is pleading for help. It is just such a fun song.
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In what was my absolute favorite release from the break, fromis_9 released their EP “Midnight Guest” on Jan. 17. The title, “DM,” is my favorite retro song in all of K-Pop. The synth stands out, and I love the bass as well in the chorus. This whole EP is spectacular and started my 2022 strong. While “DM” is an amazing title track, there is not a single bad song present in this whole album: check out “Escape Room” and “Hush Hush” if you want to hear two amazing sidetracks. This sixteen-minute EP is something I will require everyone reading to listen to. YENA, a former member of IZ*ONE, released her solo debut on Jan. 17 as well. The song, “Smiley,” is very reminiscent of songs that I would hear in the early 2000s. The guitar beats are very present in this song and truly stood out from all the synth that I had heard prior. While this is what entertained me in the months we were away, there already is so much more which has excited me in February. I cannot wait to tell you all about it the next time we keep up with K-Pop. Be on the lookout for some album reviews in the future, and I cannot wait to find some more K-Pop besties as this column grows.
IT’S AQUARIUS SEASON YOU EMOTIONLESS WEIRDOS Gianna Montesano Editor-in-Chief Aquarius season has just passed us (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18) and during this odd time, it may have felt like the world shifted into a whacked-out alternate timeline, and that’s expected. Aquarius, represented by the water bearer, is the final air sign of the 12 zodiac signs. Air signs are known for their air-headed behavior, not a lot is going on in their head, so they might miss it if you’re expressing concerns for their recent emotional retreat. It’s not you, it’s them planning out the next modern-day revolution.
almost always going to be in a predicament that becomes a core memory no matter how hard they try to be a reclusive bookworm. They’re dangerously charming, able to attract anybody with their mystery and allure which will have everyone falling head-over-heels in love with them. Aquarians are not ones for traditional relationships, always striving for an unorthodox approach to love. Some astrological matches for Aquarius are Sagittarius, Cancer, and Aries. Aquarians who have enamored the world are Paris Hilton, Harry Styles, The Weeknd, Michael Jordan, and Shakira.
While they might have their heads in the clouds, not interested in what you have to say, Aquarians thrive in uncomfortable situations. They’re
GRAPHIC BY Rachel Fratt PHOTO BY New York Public Library
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Language of Lovin’ Numair Younus
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Long Nights Charleville 9200, Pt. II Snoh Alegra
Foreign Things
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Hrs and Hrs
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You’re the One
Amber Mark
Muni Long
Kaytranada, Syd
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Out of Time
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Late Night
The Weeknd
Lucky Daye
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Monalisa
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Addicted
Lojay, Sarz
Momoland
Pick Up Your Feelings Jazmine Sullivan
Alyssa Kuehne Staff Writer
tion with its use of muted notes that give the guitar a scratching sound. There are also a lot of times where Davis goes right from screaming to singing, which is an incredible feat.
Korn released their fourteenth studio album, “Requiem,” on Feb. 4. This new album is dark and eerie, but amazing with its emotional, poetic lyrics.
The lyrics in “Disconnect” stand out to me as well. Similar to “Let The Dark Do The Rest,” I love the word choice and the song has great poetry throughout it.
The band does an incredible job with the guitar, bass, and drums; they create a steady rhythm and sets the mood for all the songs. Jonathan Davis’s vocals are also remarkable — his unique, groveling voice and the vocal choices he makes throughout the album work well with Korn’s image.
“Hopeless And Beaten” is my least favorite on the album, but it is still really good. It is the heaviest song, and while the lyrics are really great, it is sometimes too heavy for my taste.
“Forgotten” is a really nice song to start off the album. It brings you into the mood the rest of the album carries, despite being one of the softer songs on “Requiem.” It shows the talent in Davis’ voice; his voice is usually somewhat breathy and it has an eerie aspect to it. This helps bring out emotion in his songs and in his listeners. “Let The Dark Do The Rest” is another dark song that starts off with some eerie guitar that sounds amazing. I love the lyrics in this song. The poetic word choice found in the song compliments the music set behind it and sounds incredible with Davis’ unique singing voice. Some of my favorite lyrics in this song would be “Hell sent its best to come for me/ Nothing’s left, there is no price/ Portraits of black hang inside me/ Quite divine, they pulse inside.” The great imagery here reaffirms my love for how poetic rock songs are.
The lyrics throughout this album are amazing. Korn did a fantastic job with the poetic form of their lyrics. “Penance To Sorrow” and “My Confession” are good examples of that, and these songs keep the dark mood of the rest of the album. My second favorite song is the last one, “Worst Is On Its Way.” My favorite part is the scatting that Davis does in the song. He scats in a lot of his songs, but this is the only song on this album in which he does so. It creates a cool, unique sound for Korn. For the fellow heavy-guitar, guttural-scream-loving people out there, you cannot go wrong with the amazing riffs and breakdowns accompanied by Davis’ incredible vocals that you see in “Requiem.” While I would not recommend this album (or any of Korn’s albums) to anyone who is not a rock or
Another verse I love that comes in a little bit later is “this lucid darkness is filling up my soul.” Even the way Davis sings this verse fits so well. Again, I love the imagery in this verse and in the song overall; it is mysterious, haunting, and beautiful to listen to. “Start The Healing,” I think, is a classic Korn song that has good harmony between singing and screaming in the vocals. The guitars, bass, and drums are amazing, featuring great breakdowns. My favorite song on this album is “Lost In The Grandeur.” It immediately catches your atten-
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THERE’S NOTHING CORNY ABOUT “REQUIEM”
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GRAPHIC BY Rachel Fratt
PHOTO BY Yahoo
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ARTS + CULTURE
ISSUE 07
“PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS” SERIES MADE OFFICIAL AFTER DISNEY+ GIVES THE GREEN LIGHT Keithleen Mendoza Staff Writer “Look, I didn’t want to be a half-blood. If you’re reading this because you think you might be one, my advice is: close this book right now. Believe whatever lie your mom or dad told you about your birth, and try to lead a normal life.” Jan. 25 marked the day author Rick Riordan announced that the “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” or PJO, TV series has been given the official green light on Disney+. In light of the announcement, fans of the popular franchise have expressed excitement in finally being able to hear one of the most iconic opening paragraphs in YA literature on their screens. Since the releases of “The Lightning Thief” and “The Sea of Monsters” films, fans lost hope for a proper on screen adaptation, faithful to the original series. With this recent Disney+ announcement, and news that Rick and Becky Riordan are heavily involved in its production, those doubts may finally be put to rest. The PJO series could be getting a second chance at getting right what the movies failed to. As of now, Riordan has stated that they are in the process of revising the first four scripts and completing the outline for the rest of the season. So far, it seems to be following the fan theory of covering one book per season, with Riordan claiming this one will be focused on “The Lightning Thief.” The green light was a result of a long twoyear process involving Disney executives and the Riordans. In an attempt to conserve the essence of his novels, they had multiple hourlong meetings with higher-ups to negotiate the terms of an adaptation. Indeed, keeping core elements of the books are important because as the series progresses, we see more and more representation. This comes in the form of LGBTQ+ representation, with Nico
GRAPHIC BY Rachel Fratt
Di Angelo being the first of the characters to come out as gay. Later with increased ethnic diversity, Riordan features Native American, Hispanic, Black, and Asian characters. In a recent update, Riordan has announced that director James Bobin is on board to direct the pilot of the series and that the plan is to begin filming in Vancouver this summer. He has also stated that despite rumors online, the main cast has not yet been decided. They are still relatively early on in the process, but people online are already excited for the show to be out. One general consensus is that fans would like to see Logan Lerman, who portrayed Percy in the movies, return as the Greek god Poseidon, since he and the original cast have aged out of their characters. Others wonder how the story will be narrated, since the original features an intimate firstperson point of view. There is also the question of how Disney+ will handle the more sensitive topics in the series. Though the books are targeted toward a younger audience, there are plenty of themes that, while hinted at in the books, can be difficult to transfer on-screen.
PHOTO BY Wiki Fandom
As the books progress, we see more backstories unfold which feature parents with addiction, abandonment, and the inevitable struggle these characters have with their mental health. “Harry Potter” was written in a similar way, featuring the protagonist in an abusive household and having many child deaths as well. Perhaps the “Percy Jackson” series will go the route the “Harry Potter” movies did, starting off more lighthearted and getting gradually mature as the characters grow older. Whichever way they choose to go, the series is certain to be a success. 15 million copies of the original Percy Jackson series have been sold in the U.S. alone, so one can only imagine the viewership the Disney+ adaptation will get once it is released. According to a blog post by Riordan, Disney+ seems aware of this as well. “This is a massive project. It is one of the biggest shows the teams at Disney have ever producedand that is down to you all, the Percy fans,” Riordan states. “They know you are important, and want to do right by you!”
In the first book alone we are introduced to Percy’s verbally and physically abusive stepfather, mentions of children dying in horrible ways, and said stepfather’s ultimate demise by the hands of Sally Jackson.
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ELMHURSTLEADER.COM
ARTS + CULTURE
ISSUE 07
WHAT’S COMING TO THE NINTENDO SWITCH IN 2022 Ryan Windle Arts + Culture Editor On Feb. 9, Nintendo released their latest direct, informing us of all the releases fans can be expecting in the first half of 2022. I love my Nintendo Switch, it truly is my child. People fawn over their PS5’s that their girlfriends got them for Valentine’s, and others obsess over their X-Box, but for me, my heart always has been with Nintendo. From the first GameBoy, I was given back when I was around six, to having my “Animal Crossing” villagers be a part of my family at the age of twenty, there truly is so much joy that this company has given me. And if there truly is a time to be nostalgic, Nintendo has decided to bring back some classic favorites that I am dying to get my hands on. Of course, what stood out to me may not have stood out to you, but I’m the one writing about it so you will be subjected to my excitement. Sorry, not sorry. Not all that was announced will be covered in this article. The first game that captured my eye was “Mario Strikers: Battle League.” This is the newest addition to the “Mario Strikers” family, and I could not be more excited to play it. I am a sucker for any Mario sports game, give me any sport attached to Mario and suddenly I am their biggest fan. This game will be available to play on June 11, and I truly am counting down the days. A concern I do have though is my favorite character, Daisy, was nowhere to be found in the trailer; my icon needs her moment to shine. Right after this announcement, we finally got a sneak peek of what to expect with “Splatoon 3,” releasing late this summer. I do not frequent this game as I used to anymore, we can blame the breakup for that, but after seeing this teaser I may be the first in line to buy this game when it drops. This little tease was for their salmon run aspect of the game, and how it may look in this newer game. Now, I HATE playing salmon run, but after this footage it makes me quite excited. Being able to finally throw the eggs? Life changing. All the 02/22
GRAPHIC BY Rachel Fratt
PHOTO BY Nintendo
new features they added seem, as the straights would say — not to categorize you all — dope. After a bunch of boring announcements, when I saw my favorite pink character, Kirby, swallow a car, the hole in my heart instantly filled up. This trailer of course was for the game, “Kirby and the Forgotten Land” releasing on March 25. This game looks mesmerizing, and so cute, and when there is such a thing called mouthful mode you already know Nintendo is getting my $59.99 for this game. When I tell you I screamed at this next announcement, you need to trust me. I was in shock, tears almost at them announcing “Nintendo Switch Sports.” “Wii Sports” was my actual favorite game that I would play as a child, and now being able to play it as an adult truly is about to bring me to near tears. Never once did I ever think of this possibility, but Nintendo loves to surprise. Seeing that I can bowl again with all the Mii’s surrounding me truly brought a tear to my eye. I am dying to get my hands on this game, which will be released April 29, and free updates will follow in the later half of 2022. While we only saw a glimpse of this game, “Two Point Campus,” looked right up my alley. Basically in the five seconds we saw, it seems like this game is “Harry Potter,” but modernized. It is set to be released on May 17. While I was expecting an announcement for “Mario Kart 9,” instead we got news that they will be remastering old tracks and putting them into the current “Mario Kart 8.” This was not PAGE 11
expected, but at the end of the day it still is exciting to see more classic “Mario Kart” tracks for the Switch. Granted, the graphics looked a little off, but what they showed probably was not final software. All I’m saying, if we do not get the Waluigi Pinball map, I am going to actually write a letter to Nintendo myself. All these new tracks will be a part of the “Mario Kart Booster Course Pass,” with eight courses set to be released at a time through waves. The waves will end by the end of 2023 (a little dragged out in my opinion). The first wave of this paid DLC will be released on March 18, and will cost $24.99 for the entire pass. I hope you are as excited as me for these future releases, and I cannot wait to geek out about video games with you all. Maybe you will see a video game review or two in the future, who knows?
ELMHURSTLEADER.COM
ARTS + CULTURE
GET INTO SOME ANI-MAZING ANIME Kween Jeán Staff Writer The most recent Sunday episodes of “Attack on Titan” (AOT) and “Demon Slayer” are top-tier representations of anime at its finest. Yes, this is me telling you to believe the hype. The highly anticipated part two of the final season of “AOT” and the “Entertainment District Arc,” “Demon Slayer’s” second season exceeds the expectations of manga readers and anime watchers. If someone wanted to start their anime journey, this “AOT” season’s fifth episode and “Demon Slayer’s” tenth episode — which is a 10 out of 10 by the way — would be the perfect “this is her” post to successfully convince anyone, and I mean absolutely anyone, to watch. If they don’t mind a little — okay — a lot of gore. Truth be told, I could write a “Harry Potter” novel series number of pages on why someone should give anime a chance, but for the sake of everyone’s time — mine included — hopefully, the following three points will suffice. Let’s talk about the main characters (MC), shall we? Then we’ll move on to fan favorites, plot, and who knows what else will make its way into this article. Please read the next sentence with extreme dramatization. Bonus points if you pronounce his name correctly. Who is really doing it like Eren Yeager? I mean first, he’s beautiful, and wow, the Attack Titan’s power is just unbelievable. Don’t worry I won’t spoil anything, just talk about a perfectly executed 2D glow-up. But really, Yeager is simultaneously the best protagonist and antagonist. The only character I’ve ever seen come somewhat close to his status is Death Notes’ Light Yagami. But if we’re being honest, anyone could sense his morals were crooked from the start despite whatever justification he told Ryuk, a literal Shinigami you know, a god of death, grim reaper, a totally non-evil character companion.
Now, Kamado Tanjiro is everyone’s favorite sibling, and don’t get me started on his dad, he’s another topic of its own. Sorry, sorry, I’m getting a little ahead of myself. It’s just, it’s impossible to dislike Tanjiro, I mean even literal demons can’t resist his all-talk-noJutsu Naruto Uzumaki speeches. He’ll beat you so bad, you’ll start apologizing to him and contemplating your entire life’s existence. But guess what? It’s too late, you’re already on your deathbed. Better luck next time. Moving on to other important topics, before I unintentionally reveal my deep infatuation with a certain fictional character, every anime has fan favorites which usually include the MC, but are oftentimes the MC’s best friends, a sensei-like character, or a menacing villain. In anime Jujutsu Kaisen, Gojo Satoru, and Ryoumen Sukuna are perfect examples of fan favorites. Let’s not forget female sorcerers, Kugisaki Nobara and Zenin Maki, but everyone knows if Naruto’s Kakashi Hatake didn’t exist, Gojo would literally be nothing. Unless you’re a “My Hero Academia” manga reader, you probably don’t care at all about the crybaby MC, Midoriya Izuku, but Katsuki Bakugo or Todoroki Shōto on the other hand might have all your attention. That’s just the way it goes. In “AOT” there’s no denying every watcher’s attraction to The — yes, I’m putting respect on his name — Captain Levi Ackerman also known as the Beyblade, the Beast Titan’s worst nightmare, and countless other threatening nicknames. The war goddess, Mikasa Ackerman, also has the heart of all fans alongside Armin Arlert, the best friend of Eren Yeager. All in all, even if you don’t care for the main character, there’s someone in the series who will have your heart. Caution if you’re into the Shonen genre, fingers crossed your favorite character doesn’t die quickly. Please beware of flashbacks in the middle of an intense fighting scene. Because it’s still too soon, I won’t get into a particular fan favorite in “Demon Slayer’s” Mugen Train, but I will briefly say Tanjiro’s demon sister PAGE 12
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— yes demon — Nezuko, his best friend’s Inosuke and Zenitsu, and the reappearances of Hashiras usually rank highly on this anime’s fan favorite list. I could gush about my anime character simp list, but I doubt any sane person would want to hear how much I love antagonist Hisoka Morow from “Hunter X Hunter,” so again moving on. Plotwise, “AOT” and “Demon Slayer” are much more than a story about two MC’s fighting the “bad” guys. Without revealing too much about the anime, “AOT” is a journey of a young boy with a deep desire to go beyond his confinement. He resides within three enormous walls where humanity lives inside in hopes of being protected by the outside giant man-eating humanoids, Titans. After witnessing Titans destroy the walls resulting in the destruction of his hometown and the death of his mother, Eren vows to exterminate all Titans. It’s not until later seasons when Eren realizes there is more outside the walls than what he previously believed. “Demon Slayer” pulls the heartstrings in a different spiritual manner than “Attack on Titan.” Just like Eren, starting the first episode with the death of his family at the hands of demons, Tanjiro and his turned-demon sister spend a long journey avenging their family and searching for a cure to turn his sister human again. Through amazing dialogue, plot twists, and character development, as cliches as it sounds, anime can teach significant life lessons. It may seem extreme, but it can drastically change your perspective or serve as a catalyst for eye-opening moments. Living vicariously through these fictional characters is no different than the principles you take away from 3D television shows. Don’t sleep on anime just because of its “weird” reputation, you would be missing out on fantastic works of art. Oh, and before I finish, let’s stop calling people strange for enjoying something different than what’s normalized. Overall, “Attack on Titan” and “Demon Slayer” aren’t the only anime series in existence; find the genre that piques your interest and go from there.
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OPINIONS
WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED WITH FIGURE SKATING IN BEJING? Ryan Windle Arts + Culture Editor While it may be hard to believe, the 2022 Winter Olympics are currently ongoing. For me, I love the Olympics; watching all these people compete to be the best in is always so entertaining. Albeit, I do prefer the Summer Olympics over winter, I will still watch mostly to see figure skating. I have to be honest, with the start of the semester happening almost at the same time as the Olympics, I have only really heard of the event, not watched it. What has been at the forefront of these games is 15-year-old Russian skater Kamila Valieva. Valieva is known for breaking records and being an excellent figure skater set to take gold.
It came to fruition that Valieva tested positive for doping, which, as one would assume, for the Olympics is illegal. This normally would cause an instant ban from the games; however, this case is unique. As mentioned earlier, Valieva is quite young. It would be assumed that she did not voluntarily take these performance-enhancing drugs; the blame would fall on her coach, Eteri Tutberidze. The Olympic committee went to trial to discuss whether or not they would allow Valieva to compete. It was decided that she would be able to compete, but if she placed there would be no ceremony to celebrate her (what was assumed to be) gold medal victory. This caused an uproar. When I read that they were allowing her to compete I was appalled. Remember Sha’Carri Richardson? The American track star banned from competing in the most recent Summer Olympics due to her having
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marijuana in her system. How is doping, which in my opinion is much worse, allowed while a little bit of weed gets athletes banned? I believe there are many factors that went into this decision in allowing her to compete. First, it is pretty evident the tensions that are currently ongoing between Russia and Ukraine. Do I believe that if Valieva was banned from skating Putin would instantly invade Ukraine right after the news came out? No, but it definitely would cause more tension putting Russia against the world. The main deciding factor I believe in allowing Valieva to compete is her age. In no way am I placing the blame of this situation on Valieva, she is a 15-year-old who likely is not in control. Russian athletes go through so much abuse from their coaches in order to be the best that they can be, it is most times never their fault. Adam Ripon, former U.S. figure skater, said it best in a series of tweets that he posted on Feb. 11. The tweets read “This entire situation is heartbreaking. This young girl is just 15. She’s a minor. The adults around her have completely failed her. They’ve put her in this awful situation and should be punished…they put her sports performance ahead of her health and wellbeing. Fuck them. They’ve ruined this Olympic experience for HER and for EVERYONE here.” It seemed that everyone would be watching the female free skate to see how the events would go down. Valieva, with a straight, emotionless face, left night one with the highest score and on top. On night two, the pressure cooker exploded and Valieva cracked under all of it. In her routine, she fell four times, which is very unlike her. Through all of these mishaps in her final routine, she ended overall fourth in the competition. This Olympics sure will be one to remember, especially with this scandal. I fear for Valieva and the repercussions she may receive from not performing her best on the Olympic stage, but only time will tell the aftermath of this scandal. It seems like lately entire sporting organizations are crumbling. We saw it in the Summer Olympics with gymnastics, and now we are seeing it here with figure skating. It is time for these games to re-evaulate how they treat these athletes, and put their health first for once.
PHOTO BY USA Today
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TO INFINITY, AND NEW REMAKES: DISNEY ANNOUNCES NEW SPINOFF SERIES, “LIGHTYEAR” Nicholas Redmond Staff Writer There is nothing more powerful in the world of media between self-righteousness and nostalgia. Disney’s “Lightyear” has taken this concept and ran straight toward a grittier interpretation, a trope we are all too familiar with thanks to the past decade. “Lightyear” isn’t the larger-thanlife-sentient-toy-action we’ve come to love. In fact, they’ve taken the internal lore of Andy’s action figure Buzz Lightyear and took it to new heights. Personally, I never even saw it as a possibility, let alone the suspected progression of the world Disney has built. It’s full of what Buzz had originally believed his life was, but fully realized, with an even greater animation transcending even the latest movie in the franchise “Toy Story 4.”
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OPINIONS
something tried and true different by virtue of the times. Whether this may be the case or not, the previous movie still stands and you can always just watch it and forget the remake even existed. For “Lightyear,” I say bring it, Disney. I honestly don’t care if it may lead to multiple (albeit horrible) spin-offs. It honestly doesn’t matter. We all pine for new stories and turn our noses up to remakes, but in the case of “Lightyear,” it may just be new enough to work. I am a kid at heart and I will definitely drag my friends to see this with me no matter how good or bad it may be. Nostalgia after all, is a powerful drug. PHOTO BY CNN
D i s n e y Throwback Ryan Windle
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Zero to Hero
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Aurora’s Return
Hercules
Sleeping Beauty
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Poor Unfurtunate Souls The Little Mermaid
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You’ve Got a Friend in Me Toy Story
This, however, brings to question, when is enough, enough? We’ve all experienced a passing moment which took us back in time when everything was easier and naptime came around noon. Although we’ve all grown and changed over the years, one thing has remained constant; Hollywood effectively monopolizes this moment as a way to gain the support of familiar audiences, but also the attention of younger demographics.
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Reflection
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You’ll Be In My Heart
Mulan
Tarzan
“Toy Story,” had its humble start as the pioneering efforts of Disney teaming up with Pixar to come out with the first CGI animated movie. Now, it is one of the most recognizable home names of recent memory. However, 23 years and counting, the idea of adding a darker spin on childhood stories has not lessened. In fact, it seems to have picked up speed with no signs of slowing down.
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Hakuna Matata
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Belle
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Life is a Highway
The Lion King
Beauty and the Beast
Cars
People may have negative connotations of remakes ruining their childhood. It’s believed that remakes make things worse by trying to make
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ELMHURSTLEADER.COM
EDITORIAL
OPINIONS
by COVID-19, they are not going to be policing patrons as they try to financially recover from the past two years. These attitudes are not unique to bustling cities, they are present in the Elmhurst community. Mask wearing is required if you are in a public setting on campus and can only be removed if you’re actively eating or drinking. But take one look around the Frick Center and students are maskless huddled around tables with empty cups and plates to put on a facade of actively eating.
WE’RE NOT READY TO SEE YOUR FACES AGAIN, EU Elmhurst University COVID-19 Task Force met on Feb. 14, to discuss the future of the mask mandate on campus as legislation surrounding the future of mask-wearing lingers throughout the state of Illinois. The discussion has garnered a lot of controversies nationwide, especially in the sector of education. School districts nearby are being met by a barrage of parents upset at the compulsory mask mandates for the past two years. While people have the right to be tired of continual mask-wearing, people also have to be able to know how to adapt to the consequences of a life-threatening pandemic. At EU, mask-wearing has been mandatory since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, with changing guidelines as COVID-19 numbers fluctuate. New strains like Delta and Omicron emerged right as COVID-19 was on the verge of becoming endemic. Spikes occurred as loosened regulations began to tick up throughout the United States, allowing large indoor gatherings with superficial mask mandates in major cities like Chicago and New York.
Rarely do you see somebody actively monitoring the lounge ensuring that everyone is wearing a mask. Student-workers along with faculty are expected to confront maskless individuals, which may make them feel uncomfortable, especially student workers having to police their peers. If the campus has disregarded their own regulations, is it wise to lift the mask mandate on campus? It’s understandable why the COVID-19 task force met to decide on the future of the mask mandate, especially with the new legislation, but now more than ever they should carry the mask mandate out for the rest of the year. In January, the COVID-19 Task Force reported 170 positive cases from Jan. 1 to Jan 21, when campus presence was minimal because of J-Term. Those facts and figures do not promise a lot of hope, especially with the campus being back to normal with the majority of students in classrooms and in the Frick Center. With the emergence of COVID-19 in Dec. 2019 and the declaration of a national emergency on Mar. 13, it has been a tumultuous two years. Right when we see a dip in cases and fatalities, we’re met by a more potent strain of COVID-19 that sets us back to square one. Requiring masks for the rest of the 2021-22 school year is the most ideal situation that can be reassessed based on the state and trends of COVID-19 in the following months for the upcoming school year. As science has continually proved, the way to slow the spread of COVID-19 is to mask up, get vaxxed, and wash your hands frequently. We want to see your faces again, but not right now.
These mandates in bars and nightclubs allow you to be maskless so long as you are actively eating or drinking; as one of the industries heavily hit
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Letter to Editor Submissions Letters to the editor can be submitted below or sent to leadernewsec@gmail. com. Letters must include your full name and Elmhurst University affiliation. All letters should be 300 words or less in length. The editors retain the right to edit letters before publication. Don’t forget to spell-check. The Leader is the student-run newspaper speaking to students, faculty and administrators of Elmhurst University. The Leader is not submitted to any person or organization for prior approval. The contents are the decision of the editor in agreement with the editorial board. Opinions expressed in The Leader do not necessarily reflect those of the paper or its staff, and are not intended to represent those of EU at-large. All text, photos and art cannot be reproduced without direct permission of The Leader.
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SPORTS
ISSUE 07
THE SUPER BOWL TOLD THROUGH A GAY MAN’S EYES Ryan Windle Arts + Culture Editor While I was more excited to see the “Euphoria” bowl on Feb. 13, I was stuck watching the Super Bowl all night. This may come as a shocker, but I am not an avid sports fan. I always was forced to participate in every sport imaginable, and would never even make it through a whole season. The only sport I never got the chance to tackle (pun intended) was football. Watching sports has never been my go-to source of entertainment. Sometimes I will catch myself watching hockey, but most times you will never see me in the same room as a sports broadcast. However I am from a family where sports is huge, they all bond over it, so sometimes I am subjected to watching even if I do not want to. Feb. 13 is an example of one of those days. I was stuck watching the game with my family instead of Maddie and Cassie. While I have seen a football game before, I truly do not remember much of the rules. Rooting for the Bengals just because I love a fun print, here is a play-by-play of how I interpreted the events of the Super Bowl as someone who is not a sports fan, and is very gay: I walk into the game already upset because the Rams scored the first touchdown. No reaction from any of my family members, like it never happened. It also could be due to the fact that no one in my family really cares about the teams playing. It’s very confusing for me to distinguish what is going on. One second I notice the Bengals have the ball then the next the Rams do. I will never understand football, it is not the sport for me. The uniforms on both team sides are so ugly. First off, the blue and yellow combination on the Rams is so boring, and the shade of yellow is horrific. Their helmets could’ve been fun, but they are just bland. The Bengals definitely have the better uniform, but of course it still is not as exciting as I would envision it. I appreciate the stripes on the pants,
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but I wish there was more print present. I noticed the cheerleaders on the side — boring uniforms all around. Where is the excitement? Back to sports, I caught myself screaming at the TV before any of my family members at the one-handed catch from player number one on the Bengals. It was quite a good play, something I could never envision. A three point field goal ends the first quarter of the big game, and I am already more interested in the commercials than the actual gameplay.
“One second I notice the Bengals have the ball then the next the Rams do. I will never understand football, it is not the sport for me. “
The second quarter starts, and I have to be honest, it is already a snooze fest for me. There is no aggressive tackling, and nothing is shocking me or anyone surrounding me. I do not understand how people get so invested in all of this. While I may be rooting for the Bengals, may I mention that the head coach for the Rams is catching my eye every time he is on screen? What an attractive man. Another touchdown is scored by the Rams, and I have already lost faith in my beloved (not really beloved) Bengals; they have sealed their fate. The score is 13–3, as the Bengals got by with a weird play that didn’t allow the Rams to score a field goal (is that what it’s called?). In what my brother called a “trick play” (he’s
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straight so I trust his terminology), the Bengals finally get their first touchdown, changing the score to 13–10. In the midst of me trying to get an amazing picture for you all, I did not pay attention to the rest of the second quarter. The scores stayed the same, so I am positive nothing amazing happened. Now I anticipate the halftime show, even though I am not excited for it. As my mom says after it ended, “that was kinda lame.” The show is an incohesive rush of all their hits — boring. The camera work is a mess; I felt like we’re not getting any of the right shots, which is a huge disappointment. Next year, I’m going to need a Cher halftime show. The third quarter starts off strong with the Bengals scoring a touchdown, which catches my attention after almost being put to sleep during the halftime show. The score is now 17–13 with the Bengals winning and I start to feel faith once again for the team I started to root for five seconds ago. Even more excitement happens right after, as there is an interception (again, pardon me if the terminology is wrong). The Bengals seem to have gained a lot of momentum after a rocky start, and now I am slowly starting to be excited for this team. I am informed by my brother that the Bengals made another field goal, changing the score to 20–13. You definitely can see tensions rising amongst the Rams, as it seems like the momentum they started with is dying down. Another field goal is made, this time by the Rams; the score is now 16–20. I don’t know how football works, maybe I jumped the gun too soon in my predictions. After taking a quick nap, I wake up to the third quarter ending with the same score and an injured quarterback. The two seconds of excitement I feel quickly go away, leaving me begging for it to end. The fourth quarter starts and it is a snoozefest. Yet another player gets injured — he seems important, but I am sure the team will be fine. We have less than five minutes left in the entire game, and nothing has happened. It’s such
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a boring end to the game, I need something exciting to happen real quick. Two minutes left. My dad and my brother are anxiously waiting to see what happens. The Rams are slowly but surely making their way toward the end zone, but there is not a lot of excitement going on. I need something like a fight to pique my interest.
SPORTS
‘MARVELOUS MARTIN,’ FRESHMAN TRACK STAR FLASHES THROUGH EU RANKS After this race, he went home to England for winter break with his family before returning on Jan. 28, for the cross country and track season having a race lined up for Jan. 29.
I have no idea what’s happening, but a penalty is called when the Rams seemingly scored a touchdown. We are awaiting the results and they are dragging this out. A repeat of the first down has to happen and the Rams did not score a touchdown yet.
“I was very tired on that day because of jet lag,” Tchangwa said, “I went into the race saying ‘okay I am tired, let me just get this over with.’” However, with resilience and precise strategy as he tried to stick behind the first person and kick at the end, Tchangwa ranked in the nineteenth spot with a time of 2 minutes, 03.03 seconds.
Flags are in play again, making me more confused. I know something interesting is happening because my brother and my dad are anxious, but I do not understand what it is.
In his third race on Feb. 5, at the University of Chicago, with the same plan, Tchangwa managed to rise from the top 20 into the third spot, cutting down on his time.
The Rams finally score a touchdown which brings some excitement to this game, making the score 23–20 with the Rams in the lead and seeming like they are going to win. An incomplete pass seems to mark the end of the game, and the Rams are already celebrating a win even though there is still time on the clock. My brother is trying to explain why the game is ending but I am lost. “The referees gave this game to LA,” says my dad. This was the most boring three hours of my life. I do not understand how people avidly watch this every week. Shout out to the Rams for winning, your uniforms are very ugly.
GRAPHIC BY Hannah Horn
GRAPHIC BY Hannah Horn PHOTO BY ELMHURST ATHLETICS
Minh Nguyen
PHOTO BY RYAN WINDLE
“I was one-tenth away from my lifetime PB, even though I didn’t race for two years.” Tchangwa happily said, “And then I said to my coach that I would like to race in a quicker race with quicker people,” he continued. “So I can cut down my time even more.” In the most recent race on Feb. 12, during the interview, Marvin agreed that this was one of his hardest races ever.
Staff Writer Despite not racing in two years, Marvin Tchangwa has risen in the ranks solidifying himself as a top ten track and cross country runner at Elmhurst University at the Feb. 12, Titan Open placing in second place with a time of 1 minute, 58.97 seconds. Starting his academic and athletic career at EU this past fall, Tchangwa was uncertain about his abilities to compete in the first race because of the impact COVID-19 had on sports, and a personal injury.
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“It was my first race in two years because I was injured; and because of COVID[-19], we didn’t have any races,” Tchangwa, freshman, said. “So, I went into that race just to see what kind of pace I could run. But then I managed to win the race which I was very surprised about it. Even though the time was not even that great compared to my PB [personal best] now, still, it was a good benchmark for me to keep working and trying harder.” PAGE 18
“One of the people in the race has a very quick time on paper, I was expecting not to be that close to him.” Tchangwa said, “But, the race started and when I went around the third corner of the first lab, I was ahead and I felt good because even though this guy is very fast on paper, I can still keep up with him.” Tchangwa continued “I was struggling to be honest but then with the support of my coach and my teammates, in the last corner, I accelerated around him. I almost beat him, but he saw me in the corner of his eyes, so he sprinted away from me, and I lost by .1 second.” Tchangwa’s record after that race was 1 minute, 58 seconds. Moreover, with that time, Marvelous Marvin, a nickname he’s picked up from teammates, has established himself in the top ten of EU’s fastest runners, top ten regionally, and top 180 fastest runners nationally.
02/22
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