April 2, 2021

OUTHERN S The Student Voice of Florida Southern College

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FRIDAY, April 2, 2021 VOL. 137, NO. 4

Town Hall addresses alleged Title IX violations Jameson Champion Staff Writer

Photo by Salvatore Ambrosino FSC students visit the Water Dome on March 10 to pick up rubber ducks provided by SGA.

SGA makes ‘day off’ annual tradition

Florida Southern College gave students a day off on March 10 in place of this semester’s cancellation of spring break due to COVID-19 precautions.

All classes were cancelled and different events were hosted by the Student Government Association (SGA) throughout the day.

The surprise day off was announced on the SGA Instagram account by members of the executive board.

“We as an SGA executive board have been working extremely hard to get this day off for you because you deserve it,” the announcement said.

Some social media posts referred to this day as “Mocs’ Day Off” while others called it “Mocs Mental Health Day” or “FLW Day Off” in honor of the school’s famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

SGA collaborated with multiple oncampus organizations to make the mental health day possible including the Counseling Center, Wellness Center, Dining Services, Association of Campus Entertainment (ACE) and the Center for Student Involvement (CSI).

Together, the organizations planned a full day of activities scheduled from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. so that students have something to do without classes. These activities included meeting canine counselors like Sophie, receiving free giveaway items at different locations, yoga on George’s Green and a Fortnite tournament.

One of the most notable attractions was the Water Dome outside of Roux Library was even filled with hundreds of rubber ducks to replicate the three real ducks who inhabit the fountain, also nicknamed as

SOCIAL MEDIA

Frank, Lloyd and Wright.

Lucas Blackwell, SGA’s Vice President of Student Activities as well as President of ACE, worked closely with a lot of the other organizations to set up a lot of events.

“Personally, I worked with the Wellness Center to offer [the] Fortnite tournament, giveaways at the Rock Wall and smoothies at the Moc Dock in addition to having an ACE Destress Writing event on the day off,” Blackwell said. “[SGA] made sure to provide some great programming for our students to enjoy on this day off from classes.”

“

She [President Anne Kerr] was hoping that this could be a tradition...

“

Nathalie Moreno Features Editor

-Lexi Potter SGA Executive Vice President

Katte Vargas, SGA Vice President of Finance, worked with Food Service Director Tim Raible.

They moved the farmers market to the day off instead of the usual Saturday when it’s held, and they came up with some student favorites to put on the menu, like dino nuggets for lunch, and steak and shrimp for dinner.

“I worked closely with [Raible] to ensure that students enjoy themselves on the day off,” Vargas said. “Steak and shrimp is usually done on the weekends, but Mr. Tim Raible thought it would be a great idea to go all out on the day off so he was also able to make that happen.”

The idea of having a rest day every

semester or school year is not new to colleges and universities and colleges.

Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla. has a similar tradition where every semester they have Fox Day, a rest day for their students with no classes.

SGA Executive Vice President Lexi Potter had heard about other colleges and universities having students petition for mental health days because of the lack of spring break and thought it would be a good idea to collaborate with the rest of the executive board to try and do the same here at FSC. At the end of the day off, SGA made another Instagram announcement to share the news that FLW Day, as it’s been officially named, will become a yearly tradition.

The topic of a singular rest day was brought up to the school’s upper administration, and they were the ones to suggest making it an annual tradition.

Together they came up with the idea to have a surprise day off for students every year, with changes in the waterdome being the indicator to when the rest day will take place.

“When I spoke with her [President Anne Kerr] that was what she wanted,” Potter said. “She was hoping that this could be a tradition somewhat like other colleges have.”

The hope for the outcome of these days off is to keep students from burning out and put an emphasis on their mental health, along with letting them know that all their work is being appreciated.

“Students have been understanding about the lack of a spring break due to COVID,” Potter said. “However, we can definitely see them struggling with exhaustion and wanted to ensure that their hard work was seen and respected.”

@fscsouthern

Student concerns involving Florida Southern College and the Title IX policy were addressed during the SGA Town Hall on March 23.

Student concerns have primarily been focused on recent stories that have come out over the weekend of March 20 involving alleged Title IX violations throughout the FSC campus community.

FSC’s administration spent the first minutes of the meeting addressing these concerns, with Vice President of Student Life Susan Freeman responding to an open letter written and signed by students to administration at Florida Southern requesting amendments to the school’s Title IX policy.

College President Dr. Anne Kerr noted while responding to the open letter to faculty, many of the changes that had been suggested were measures already implemented by campus administration.

“What I would also like to share with the authors of this or those who are interested in it,” Dr. Kerr said. “...This [Title IX Protocols] is all very clearly outlined on the college’s website. Any student can access this, read it, study it, have it as a resource.”

Also addressed was the taking down of the #ISTANDWITHFSCWOMEN Instagram page, which had reportedly been taken down three hours after President Kerr’s email to students involving the reported Title IX violations on-campus.

President Kerr dispersed any rumors that the Instagram had been removed by actions of the FSC administration.

“Florida Southern had nothing to do with that Instagram account coming up or going down,” Kerr said.

There had been questions raised by the FSC administration about the identity of the anonymous owner and their qualifications in matching students to professionals. This is in addition to the school being unable to investigate cases which are reported anonymously, whether they are posted to social media or reported to the school directly.

“Under the current law we are not allowed to investigate anonymous claims,” Dean of Students Mike Crawford said.

The Director of Campus Safety and Security Eric Rauch was also in attendance and able to answer questions about safety on campus, including the newly introduced mobile safety application.

“Ideally [the app] would be running in the background,” Rauch said. “That’s the idea of having it on campus.”

Information was also given about new Bluetooth tools that can be worn and used with the app.

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NEWS BRIEFS Spay and Neuter Watch Party The Pre-Veterinary Society, the Health Profession & STEM Career Development Center and Alpha Epsilon Delta will be watching a spay and neuter procedure on Zoom April 8 at 7 p.m. The link and login instructions are on Engage.

Goat Yoga On April 3 from 10 to 11 a.m., the Monarchs and Miracle Farm will be hosting a yoga event where attendees will be able to exercise with the goats and chickens. Sanitized mats will be provided but it is recommended that attendees bring their own towels. Participants do not have to be experienced in yoga. The cost to attend is $20.

FSC adds fall break back into calendar for 2021 Nathalie Moreno Features Editor Florida Southern College’s administration reinstated fall break for the upcoming semester due to student mental health concerns.

Because of concerns regarding the coronavirus pandemic, FSC students did not have a spring break this fall. Instead, the college granted students a single day off, termed “FLW Day Off,” which will now become an annual tradition.

However, FLW Day Off was not enough to alleviate the toll that this semester has had on students and everyone else on campus.

Sophomore Kayla Whisenant thinks that the lack of a spring break has definitely made the semester harder to get through.

Though there was a small break, on top of everything else she had to do, one day only did not help rejuvenate her mind.

“The one day [off] was not enough. I spent most of the day doing homework, so I didn’t get much time to relax,” Whisenant said.

With mental health being a big recent nationwide focus, FSC’s Counseling Center stresses the importance of having some semblance of a break from work and school. The center’s Assistant Director Joshua L. Matthews claims research shows that having occasional breaks from our occupations helps people actually improve

and perform better when they return from said break. People are more productive and overall more satisfied; not taking breaks at all will result in the opposite effect.

“The lack of [academic/work] breaks has been shown to have many negative effects,” Matthews said. “Whether or not we have a week [or so] off of work/school we as people need to take better care of ourselves and others. We all could benefit from investing more in ourselves through self-care, taking regular breaks and being more aware of our needs.”

With the return of a regular fall break, students will benefit both emotionally and physically.

“Physical improvements associated with breaks/vacation are decreased in blood pressure, decreased likelihood of heart disease/heart attack, and a decrease in cortisol (stress hormone),” Matthews said.

“Mental health benefits [include reduced] stress, depression, and anxiety.”

The college’s administration is also aware that having to go through school during a pandemic is tougher than usual.

Dr. Brad Hollingshead, FSC Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, along with the rest of the administration took these concerns into account when planning for next semester.

“We have reinstated a modified fall break for 2021 in order to provide students with an opportunity to recharge after midterms,” Hollingshead said. “That

is a major purpose of all breaks that are offered throughout an academic year, and we believe that our pandemic operations have thrown into relief the importance of such opportunities.”

Students had begun reaching out to the higher-ups of FSC, expressing their feelings of exhaustion and burnout from trying to constantly work through a semester straight without any kind of break. These reports were another reason why the administration prioritized a fall break that would support the students and faculty and encourage everyone to keep going.

“The break, we believe, can positively impact engagement and restore the rhythm that supports intense levels of study,” Hollingshead said.

Though the plan remains to have a modified fall break next semester, these plans are subject to change depending on the status of the pandemic and advice from infectious disease experts.

“Plans for the 2021 – 2022 academic year are being made based on current conditions and our best understanding of how the current response to the pandemic will impact conditions by fall 2021,” Hollingshead said. “Should conditions or the current projections of infectious disease experts change, then the College will adapt and make changes as necessary, which may include eliminating the fall break.”

Meet Lakeland’s April 6 District “D” commissioner candidates

Salvatore Ambrosino Staff Writer

“I want to be the voice of everybody,” Steve Frankenberger’s message at the first candidate forum was vaguely familiar following a summer and winter of political division. Frankenberger believes in a tangential relationship between Lakeland’s corporate and small businesses. An environmentalist, he advocates for the preservation of Lakeland’s “captivating spaces” and “residencial prosperity.”

“Lakeland is a very fast, growing city,”

Frankenberger said. “We’ve got some growth happening that may not be thought through down the road. We [have] to listen to the residence and what they want and be the voice for those people.”

Frankenberger is focused on reducing the city’s environmental footprint.

Five years from now, when 40% of United States automobiles are projected to be electric according to Frankenberger, “and everyone goes to plug in their cars, is Lakeland electric

going to be ready for that?”

The voters, Frankenberger said, will be Lakeland’s response to future issues like an impending gas tax and at which hours electric cars should be charged.

“The quality of life in lakeland is in part of our environment,” Frankenberger said.

Living in Lakeland for 36 years and at one point a single father, he believes that he can “elate to the everyday problems of the people of Lakeland.

Mike Musick said he has fought his entire life to keep “small business the business” in Lakeland. His top priority: a mix of transparency in local government and policing, controlled city spending, “using taxes wisely” to expand city services and in turn, a functional city growth in preparation of Lakeland’s changing energy use index.

“We need to figure out the money that we have and work within that budget,”

Musick said. “If anyone can sit up here and tell me the government isn’t wasting money, they’re not paying attention.”

Musick has doubled down on his position of not mandating masks, but advocates for voluntarily use and “personal responsibility.”

“When I go to a business, if they require them for admittance, I’m going to respect them as a small business owner and I’m going to put that on,” Musick said.

Although he only advocates for the use of masks out of respect, Musick made it clear in the second candidate forum that he does not-not take the pandemic “seriously.”

“Being that the commission is a nonpartisan position does make it a little difficult,” Musick said. “I’m not going to be your guy. I will answer a question and I will answer it specifically.When you elect me, you know what you get.”

Shendale Terrell

Shendale “Dale” Terrell, once a college football player, began his educational career at Auburn University before transferring to Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University to earn his Bachelor of Science in education, since then earning additional degrees such as a masters in educational leadership and a minor in urban education.

Terrell has served on a variety of boards in Polk County, not limited to the City of Lakeland’s citizen advisory committee, budget advisory committee, the gang task

force, and the Polk Vision education and government task force.

On community engagement, Terrell promotes community organization, emphasizing in person meetings with constituents.

“If there is an issue or concern that is taking place I’d see where I could meet with that neighborhood as soon as possible,” Terrell said. “It’s more meaningful when you have a candid conversation with the citizens within the city of Lakeland.”

Given that the number of COVID-19 outbreaks in Lakeland decrease, Terrell said “neighborhood association meetings are very appropriate.”

Inner City Youth, an initiative Terrell is a part of, has “helped to build the relationship between inner-city youth and police officers.”

Terrell has served in a large number of committees throughout the community and has operated in them at the “capacities of leadership.”

Ken Post

“Good evening, neighbors,” Ken Post said, his first words at the first candidate forum for the city of Lakeland’s empty commissioner seat. The primary roles of government, to Post, are “keeping the community safe” and “providing affordable avenues for residents to enjoy parks and public spaces.” Post also believes “safe environments” and “safe streets” are important undertakings of local government.

City engagement is a chief concern to Post.

“One of the things we need to do as a city is somehow engage our residence, to take the survey more seriously,” Post said, referring to a city survey that, according to Post, received only a little over 4,000 responses out of over 100,000 residents.

“That, to me, is a failure. We are using those responses to make decisions for everyone in the city.”

Post believes more community

supervision over policing would be an effective preventative measure.

“If we put it in now, as a precaution, and we have that dialogue going back and forth, going forward it makes it a better environment for everybody,” Post said, in reference to his idea of a citizen’s oversight committee.

A nursing graduate of New York University, Post also received an associates degree in bible study.

Steve Frankenberger

Mike Musick

3 The Southern APRIL 2, 2021

Lakeland CRA offers businesses new murals

75 new murals are planned to be added in Lakeland Faith Miller Staff Writer The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has announced plans to offer businesses and artists new mural opportunities around Lakeland.

Through a press release announcement on Jan. 29, the CRA announced that it will launch a new program that will add over 75 new murals around town. These new murals are going to be spread out across South Florida Avenue in the Dixieland and Downtown CRA districts. The new project is called the Dixieland Art Infusion and is available to businesses within the area.

Applications for the new additions

became available to property owners on Feb. 15 and applicants were required to schedule a virtual pre-application consultation with CRA staff before applying.

“We’re excited about the buzz going into this and when it is all said and done, the facades will pop,” CRA manager Alis Drumgo said in a press release.

According to the press release, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and grants will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis.

Allyson Bar, owner of local antique store Low Country Vintage, has recently added a new mural to one of her larger outside walls through the initiative. The painting by Kate Hall is titled “Crape Myrtle Blossoms.”

Photo by Faith Miller

Popular Lakeland mural, “Tobacco Leaf,” painted by Gillian Fazio located at Gaines Jewelers.

“This is the way I look at it,” Bar said. “This town supports all these local businesses, and I feel like this is the way to give back to the artist and to the town.”

Bar explained that her and Hall worked together to come up with the mural design, that way they knew it would match the feeling of the shop.

“She came in, we talked, looked around at the store,” Bar said. “[Hall] got to know me, and then came up with what she thought would fit best with me and the store, and that’s how she got the Crape Myrtle Blossoms.”

Bar explained that she believes that the mural has brought her new business and new customers that have kept her busy. She recommends the program to anyone in the area who is thinking of applying.

Artists are recommended to submit their work through a portfolio or ideas for businesses to look through and make a selection. According to Damaris Stull, who commented on the process in an interview with ABC Action News, approved businesses then submit their three preferences of the artists they would like to work with.

The initiative is discussed to be a way for the Lakeland art community to come together with business owners to create new possibilities for them, community members and tourists.

“For this project, we created a set of color palettes inspired by Old Dixieland,” Drumgo said. “Art is a known contributor to revitalizing communities and we have a mission to add art to every redevelopment project.”

Beyond begins hosting in-person events outside Faith Miller Staff Writer Following the success of recent inperson events like “Winter Wonderland” and “Studio Box” performances, Florida Southern College allows Beyond, its on-campus student ministry, to meet in person once again.

“I felt very excited but [also] very apprehensive, because it’s a big responsibility having an in-person event during a pandemic,” Beyond President Rachel Hagan said. “I want people to be as safe as possible […] but I knew the benefits would outweigh the risks and I trusted my team to take all the precautions that we can.”

The first in-person event took place on March 11, called “Bad Body Image,” and the discussion was led by Hagan. Services are held on Thursdays at 7 p.m. or 8 p.m., and can be attended either in-person at either time or virtually at 8 p.m. The in-person service is held on the grassy area between the Anne Pfeiffer and Polk Science buildings.

If attending in-person, students are asked to RSVP through Engage on the service time they are planning to attend.

Beyond’s in-person events are only allowed a maximum of 25 people total in order to follow COVID-19 guidelines.

Including the worship team and staff, this means a maximum of 18 students

are allowed to attend Beyond’s events inperson.

“The transition has been pretty difficult,” Hagan said. “There’s already a lot of restrictions for student organizations that administration-run events don’t have to deal with, but the restrictions are even more intense since part of Beyond is singing and worshipping.”

The viewing area will have hula hoops set up that will each be 12 feet apart. After guest check-in at the designated table, students will be directed to go stand in a hula hoop. Guests are required to wear masks and all equipment will be sanitized before and after each performance.

“We have to make sure we keep careful track of who attends,” Hagan said. “We also do creative things like a QR code that takes you to a page with lyrics for the songs we sing.”

Services are structured to be allinclusive and inviting, meaning that students are not pressured to worship a certain way.

After a few opening worship songs, one of the student speakers gives a 15 to 20 minute message. This speech is followed by more worship and the opportunity to speak and pray with student leaders privately, while also staying socially distanced.

“I really like the services because they’re specifically geared toward college students and run by college students, so the messages are relatable and I think it can be a little less intimidating for people

Photo by Deanna Wright

Beyond band members Katrina Shell (guitar) and Abby Bennett perform at a Thursday service. who maybe aren’t so sure about the whole God thing,” Hagan said.

Students who are looking to get further involved are encouraged to attend the services on Thursdays and meet the staff.

They also offer students the chance to fill out a form on Engage called “Beyond and Brew,” which allows students to set up coffee, lunch or virtual meetings to get to know the Beyond staff better.

“I’m very thankful that we are allowed to meet in person because it makes a big difference in people feeling connected to each other and to God,” Hagan said.

FEATURES

SPOTLIGHT Bella Lamb

Deanna Wright Staff Writer Florida Southern College sophomore Bella Lamb decides to switch from theatre department to the religion department after being at the school for one academic year.

Lamb is an Orlando local who decided to come to FSC after graduating from high school in spring of 2019.

“I chose Florida Southern because of the community feeling,” Lamb said. “I graduated from a really small private high school and I knew [I] wasn’t going to thrive at a big school and so I wanted something that felt more like family and I found that here.”

Lamb’s dad and two brothers had a big influence on her life as musicians but it wasn’t until she started musical theatre around sixth grade that she fell in love with singing.

“When I [visited] FSC as a prospective student, I met students and faculty in the theatre department and watched a beautiful production, and I wanted to be a part of their storytelling,” Lamb said.

After her freshman year as a Musical Theatre major, Lamb decided to switch to the religion department and instead pursue minors in English and Theatre.

“I changed my major because I really enjoyed my time in the Theatre department but I knew what I really wanted to do was to go into ministry,” Lamb said.

The transition for Lamb was much smoother than she expected it to be, especially with the help of her advisors from both the theatre and religion departments.

“My academic advisor in the theater department was amazing and he helped me find all the right people to talk to,” Lamb said. “Then I [met] with my new advisor and he was a big help with connecting me [to] people in the department to make friends with and talk with...”

Additionally, Lamb took on the Worship Director position on the executive board of Beyond Campus Ministry after going to their services her freshman year.

Lamb has been a worship leader for seven years now outside of campus and knew she wanted that community and family she could devote her energy to on campus.

Though it was not originally part of her plan, Lamb also recently joined campus Greek life and became a sister in the Alpha Chi Omega chapter.

“When the opportunity presented itself to me,” Lamb said, “I just was like ... why wouldn’t I want to be invested in a community of women that [supports] me like they support each other and it’s been really fun so far.”

The Southern APRIL 2, 2021

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CENTER

A COLLEGE STUDENT’S GUIDE TO THE COVID-19 VACCINE

Q&A

When am I eligible to get the vaccine?

All adults age 18 and older will be eligible for the vaccine in Florida beginning Monday, April 5.

Which vaccine is the best to get?

All three vaccines have received emergency use authorization in the U.S., PfizerBioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.

The best vaccine is the one you can get.

How will I react to the vaccine?

Information from floridahealthcovid19.gov

Everyone will react differently to the vaccine.

The vaccine is intended to teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus.

Sometimes this process can cause symptoms — such as fever — which are normal in the shortterm and a sign of building immunity.

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5 The Southern APRIL 2, 2021

CENTER HOW pre-register for a vaccine TO 1 Visit myvaccine.fl.gov

2

Click ‘Get In Line’ and enter your information.

3

Check your email to make sure your info has been recorded and wait to hear when it’s your turn.

VACCINE

SITES

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The Southern APRIL 2, 2021

OPINIONS

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Proposed Bright Futures changes may harm students The Bright Futures scholarship program may soon be receiving a legislative change that will harm many Florida students Bright Futures is a tiered scholarship for Florida residents who attend a Florida public or private universities.

The Florida Academic Scholars and Florida Medallion are two tiers that are aimed at students attending college, while the Gold Seal Vocational Scholars is given to students who go to trade schools.

College students who receive the Academic Scholars award receive 100 percent of their tuition and other fees covered while those who are awarded Florida Medallion get 75 percent of tuition and other college fees covered.

These scholarships are geared towards the cost of public Florida university tuition and awarded scholarship amounts are adjusted for private school attendees.

In its current form, Bright Futures is a helpful way to allow Florida students who may not have the financial means to pay for college pursue their education.

A recent legislative proposition that has been passed by the first hurdles of Senate approval by Senate Republicans, however, may change that.

Bill SB-86 was proposed in the Florida Senate by Republican Senator Dennis Baxley and is intended to make Florida government officials designate fields which will “lead directly to employment.”

The fields chosen will be disbursed the full amount awarded by Bright Futures.

Students who pursue other fields will only receive 60 credit hours worth of funding through Bright Futures, half of a typical bachelors degree.

“We want all of our students to succeed in meaningful careers that provide for their families and serve our communities,”

Photo courtesy of Michael Longmire Baxley said in a Florida Senate press release. “As taxpayers we should all be concerned about subsidizing degrees that just lead to debt, instead of the jobs our students want and need.”

Baxley’s goal in this is primarily to reduce the state of Florida’s spending, but also to pressure students out of fields they may enjoy for ones that make a profit.

This business oriented approach to education does not foster the diversity of jobs that this state needs.

With how this law is intended to be applied, it will essentially declare certain students and majors more valuable than others.

“We encourage all students to pursue their passions, but when it comes to taxpayer-subsidized education, there needs to be a link to our economy, and that is the goal of this legislation,” Baxley said in the press release.

This statement by Baxley ignores that careers in many fields are looking for a college education and don’t always care about the applicant’s major.

For many careers, a hiring manager is

looking for evidence that an applicant has received a higher education. General education requirements seen in many colleges are meant to help with this, providing students a core of knowledge for many fields. There is no reason to assume that any major is a dead end that will only lead to debt.

The nebulous concept of a job that leads directly into a field of employment is one that most likely translates to a job in a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) field.

These fields have received a steady growth in jobs over the past decade.

Last year the Bureau of Labor Statistics projected an eight percent increase in jobs in STEM, drastically ahead of the 3.4 percent increase for majors not within the STEM field.

Not all students in college pursue those STEM fields.

There are many hard working students who would not be able to pay for college without Bright Futures who would be forced to turn away from something they enjoy, this includes some who attend FSC.

“Many people, including myself are not gifted in those areas and would not be able to afford a college education without the Bright Futures scholarship.” sophomore musical theatre major Amanda Townes said. “It wouldn’t only be harmful to students, but harmful to the future of our economy.”

This legislation is a far cry from the message of “follow your dreams” that many students are given in their education through elementary and middle school.

This also harms students who aren’t well versed in the fields STEM covers, those students may flounder or outright fail because they switched majors to be able to still attend college.

“If the students who aren’t gifted in

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It wouldn’t only be harmful to students, but harmful to the future of our economy.

-Amanda Townes sophomore

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Jameson Champion Staff Writer

the specific degree areas allotted in the proposed changes to bright futures can’t even get their foot in the door in college, we are limiting the career options and ability to move up economically astronomically,” Townes said.

Bill SB-86 has made it through the first phases of legislation by being approved by the Florida Senate Education Committee.

However, before it reaches the governor it must still receive a companion bill which must pass and be amended in the Florida House of Representatives.

Students experience technological gaps in remote classes Zach Royal Staff Writer Learning in a pandemic can be tough for students already, but what about the students who are dealing with an extra obstacle handling their virtual classes?

As an online learner this semester, I have personally faced some of these issues.

For most of my classes that are a hybrid of online and in-person students, most of the time you are just looking at the board and teacher making it hard to hear students.

Plus, even if the internet connection is good on both ends there are still buffers and stutters in the video and audio that could cause students to miss some information.

The first problem many classes will face in a mixed class of online and in person attendees would be the view since the online and teacher host can only see where the instructor’s computer is placed.

Another problem with communication between students is that those online can usually only interact with other online students. In-class students can’t talk or sometimes even see the online students unless the in-person students join the Zoom call while they are in class.

For some professors they might not have the best understanding of how to run a virtual class or have a good set up ready

for them to teach in. This could hinder their ability to fully concentrate and be present for class to learn.

Affordability of the right equipment will lead to more problems for students if they can’t get a good computer.

With the right laptop or computer, a student would need a webcam, good speakers for talking and listening to the professor. Not having these things can be a large setback to those students who don’t already have or can not afford one.

“The first couple of weeks of my first semester online I didn’t have a working camera for my laptop so I used my phone and it was hard to get adjusted to working on my phone,” sophomore Joshua Leer said.

The biggest gap that there is for the online students is the in-person tasks that cannot be done by those online due to either lack of the materials or just not having an opportunity to participate. If a student takes a pottery class and it’s their first time, they may not have a room or clay to make anything the class is instructing.

Another example being in broadcasting classes and having to film stories for projects. The students in class have the better equipment with the cameras, tripods, teleprompters, materials that are not available for most students from home.

Photo by Jameson Champion

A camera is one of the tools classes may need that a student may not have.

Some possible solutions for online students to get a more well-rounded online education might be to try and go to a computer lab or use a library computer.

While it may not be the best place to be talking in, it could be used for the computers and classes you don’t have to talk much in, or asking to use a friends or parent’s laptop if you are in need of one for a class. Another solution could be to buy the materials they are using in class if you can afford them, while following along with the lessons at home. That way you are still a part of what is going on in class but

you are just doing it from home.

“I had been working at a public library computer until I recently got a laptop for myself. It was awkward at first but I had to push through it to take my classes,” junior Shelby Barns said.

So, while online learning is a great way to combat meeting face to face without the risk of getting sick it also has its drawbacks.

I think it can be used now and, in the future, and be beneficial for students to learn on.

It just comes with some problems and experiences online students will have to miss out on if they chose to learn virtually.

7 The Southern APRIL 2, 2021

OPINIONS

Why imagery in children’s media is consequential

Salvatore Ambrosino Staff Writer

What amount of reconciliation should be offered to the past?

Last month, six Dr. Seuss books, most notably “And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street” and “If I Ran the Zoo,” were removed from publication because of their racist imagery.

To some, the cost of the cancellation of the books is somewhat gratuitous, lacking good reason, or unwarranted, 84 years after publication by Vanguard Press. The “Chinaman” who wore his eyes at a slant and the Africans depicted on the island of Yerka have already been exposed to generation after generation of learning children as stereotyped, worse yet primitive, peoples. “‘Cancel culture’ thrives only in a society deprived of forgiveness,” writes undergraduate research fellow at Hillsdale College Trevor Vogel in the Wall Street Journal. “Culture warriors intent on canceling ‘problematic’ public figures enforce a strict, ever-lengthening law of language and behavior without offering any means of reconciliation.”

Though a bit misguided, Vogel has a point. Cancel culture on internet spaces like Twitter, noble in the cause of purging social media of racial insensitivity, is deliberately cold in its approach, often offering no roads to reconciliation. But does this aspect alone make it wrong?

What, exactly, would it mean or look like to reconcile the racist legacy left by an author who died in 1991? Since objectively more problematic books like, for example, Hitler’s Mein Kampf are not being tossed into city bonfires, one might struggle to

realize what ends banning the sale of a children’s book on sites like eBay are to.

“Images are important, and they help to shape children’s understanding of the world,” children’s author, children’s media expert and Communications professor at Florida Southern Dr. Jobia Keys said.

“Children’s media is riddled with racial stereotypes.”

From the Arabian city of Agrabah in Disney’s Aladdin, Jasmine, in 1992, made her debut as Disney’s first colored princess.

Until then, fairytales promised love stories to little girls through exceptionally twee distillations of only white princesses.

Jasmine gave a mainstream reason for little girls of color to look into their vanity mirrors and believe they, too, could be beautiful, like the other beloved princesses.

“These pervasive images perpetuate one-dimensional ideas of what [different aspects of the world] look like,” Keys said.

One does not, like a child, delve into the controversy of Mein Kampf without having any previous context of the world around them. The same cannot be said about those who typically read Seuss. His depictions of other cultures, people, are detrimental to his audience, children and their understanding of the real world. And the children of Seuss’s audience do not— frankly, cannot—categorize the historical value of the literature from their colourful, silly, blithe worlds, of which tend to inhabit their imaginations.

“The types of depictions in ‘And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street’ and ‘If I ran the Zoo’ perpetuate cultural stereotypes,” Keys said. “For example, a stereotypical image of an Asian man (colored yellow) wearing a douli hat, geta sandals on his feet, holding a bowl of rice

In-person Commencement risks Meg Thompson Staff Writer The shiny gowns, tasseled caps, scrolled up paper and a firm handshake are just a few of things college students look forward to about graduating. Graduation, the cornerstone celebration of four years of hard work, is a landmark tradition to memorialize the college experience; it serves as a gateway into the next phase of our lives.

Seniors have been waiting with bated breath to find out whether or not they will be able to walk the stage in a traditional, in-person commencement ceremony.

Florida Southern’s 2021 Commencement Ceremony Planning Committee released an official statement on March 16 regarding their decision about the Spring commencement ceremony. It included the following statement: “After researching information related to holding large events during the pandemic, including the State of Florida’s guidelines on graduation ceremonies, we are so happy to announce that the 2021 Spring Commencement will be a modified in-person ceremony.”

With intentions of being held on Saturday, May 15, the in-person ceremony will follow necessary precautions as advised by the CDC. FSC prefaced that there may be modifications made to this plan should “infection rates become an issue.” They also suggested to plan travel accordingly in case those changes are put into action.

Additionally, FSC has announced that the ceremony will be open to seniors who graduated in the past year that were not able

to graduate in-person. December graduate, Hailey Fritz, is still contemplating whether she will return for the ceremony.

“I’m not totally sure to be honest,” Fritz said. “It feels great to be included! I would love to be able to celebrate graduating but it would involve a lot of planning to return for.”

This begs the question, how will the college accommodate a graduation pool twice the size in the middle of a pandemic?

While we have been able to manage safety in a limited capacity, there is no guarantee of that safety when the numbers are increased.

On March 24, the college sent out a follow-up announcement confirming the plans for the in-person ceremony. Graduation ceremonies will be split up by schools: Education, Business, Nursing and Health Sciences and Arts and Sciences. Each ceremony will take place at different times in separate locations on May 15. Graduates will be allowed tickets for two guests. The ceremonies will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person. “The number of guests per graduate will be strictly followed in order to ensure adherence to pandemic protocol,” the announcement said.

As a senior myself, I am anxiously anticipating graduation. After spending my final year of college as a remote student, I feel like I have missed out on some of the excitement of college life. I would love nothing more than to experience walking across that stage and switching over my tassel to commemorate my newly found Alumni status. That being said, I am hesitant of the risk of exposure to COVID-19 from something like an in-person commencement ceremony.

Photo courtesy of New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection (Library of Congress)

Ted Geisel, Dr. Seuss, sitting at a desk and reading “The Cat in The Hat.” with large chopsticks is featured in ‘And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street’.”

The text in the book reads, “A Chinaman who eats with sticks.”

“Perhaps a child might read this, see the image, and think all Asian people dress like this and eat with chopsticks,” Keys said.

“It can be dangerous when entire groups of people are reduced to stereotypes.”

The stereotype of African primitivism is an especially heinous one. Portrayed by the illustrator Seuss, the Africans of Yerka wear grass-skirts and sticks with their hair high in braids and chimp-like facial structure.

Children, who all the time know no better, might grow up believing that this depiction had truth behind it. Perceiving Africans and Africa as lesser, from kindergarten, breeds, although little, imperialist thinkers.

“It is important, when discussing one’s legacy, to consider the full picture,” Keys said. Of course, Seuss’s authorship extends an era before his work for children and well-known liberal attitudes, illustrating countless racist advertisements for pesticides, insulting Africans and people from the Middle Eastern region.

So what amount of reconciliation can be offered to the racist legacy of authors whose offenses are ex-post facto, if any at all? Should racist media serve as only the artifacts of a bygone society, we certainly do not let this media entertain or teach our children.

“The more we raise the bar of decency in our society, the less racism, sexism, xenophobia, transphobia, and other forms of oppression will be tolerated,” Keys said.

SOUTHERN

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The Southern is published as an E-edition bi-weekly during fall and spring semesters of the academic year at Florida Southern College by students through the Communication Department. The Southern is unable to print a physical paper due to COVID-19 but is still available on fscsouthern.com. Opinions expressed on the opinions pages are not necessarily those of the department, the administration, the Board of Trustees or The Southern editorial board. Written and signed responses to views expressed on these pages, or relevant to other Florida Southern College issues, are encouraged and will be considered for publication. All members of the Florida Southern community — students, staff, faculty, administrators, trustees, alumni and other friends of the college — are invited to voice their opinion in and about The Southern. All material submitted is subject to editing for length, style and taste. All material must be submitted to fscsouthern@gmail.com to be considered. The Southern office is located in the Chatlos Building on Johnson Ave.

The Southern APRIL 2, 2021

8

ENTERTAINMENT

Florida Southern student returns to American Idol Diego De Jesus Staff Writer Zach D’Onofrio chronicled his experience being a sophomore at Florida Southern College and auditioning on American Idol for the second time.

Humbling from Wesley Chapel, Fla., D’Onofrio has been singing since his sophomore year of high school.

Growing up, D’Onofrio’s parents owned a theatre called the Dreamhouse Theatre, which is where he began singing.

“I would do the lights/sound for the show, and would see how much fun the contestants were having, and just thought I wanted to try it one day,” D’Onofrio said. “This wasn’t until sophomore year of high school that I made that decision, which makes it only around 4 years that I’ve been singing/pursuing this path.”

“

It was mainly curiousity that pushed me to go public with my voice...

“

-Zach D’Onofrio sophomore

From the moment D’Onofrio first sang in their theatre, his parents knew they had something special on their hands and became the driving force on his embarking journey. He had been singing since he was little, but this was his first time performing on stage.

Before his first public performance in the Dreamhouse Theatre, D’Onofrio would sing privately to himself or with other people growing up.

“It was mainly curiosity that pushed me to go public with my voice, since I just wanted to see what people thought about it, and after the first time singing, it only improved from there,” D’Onofrio said.

“Overall, I would just sing to myself/ with other people growing up, so this show made me go solo with my voice and it was nerve-wracking, but worth it in the end (since I wouldn’t be at this school today without pushing myself to do that).”

American Idol was a change of pace for him, as he performed alone in front of experienced judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan for the first time in 2017.

He performed in front of the same judges as in 2017. Perry personally remembered dancing with D’Onofrio while he sang Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight,” while Bryan and Richie swung together.

D’Onofrio made his return playing the piano singing “Golden Slumbers” by The Beatles. Then he continued and brought Catie Turner, his girlfriend and American Idol semi-finalist in 2018, into a duet “Falling” by Harry Styles.

The judges voted yes and D’Onofrio got his golden ticket to advance onto Hollywood.

“I felt amazing about the performance, and was happy to have Catie Turner there as well. The judges just want me to get out of my shell, and for Hollywood Week that’s my goal,” D’Onofrio said. “To show them I have what it takes to win the show.”

Since his last performance, D’Onofrio is still continuing his education. Florida Southern College has a relatively small campus and student body, making D’Onofrio more recognizable by fellow students.

“People definitely recognize me more, and I was nervous coming into a new

Photo courtesy of Dr. Silviana Falcon

Falcon and D’Onofrio pose with the golden ticket outside of Branscomb Auditorium. school making new friends, but it ended up being far easier than I anticipated,” D’Onofrio said. “I think the fact that I was on American Idol twice now, is just my staple, in that I will always be known as the sock guy/the guy who sang Frank Sinatra, etc. And to be honest it is a very great ice-breaker. It’s definitely gotten me out of my shell.”

As a student, D’Onofrio is majoring in Music Management and is a recent transfer from the University of South Florida.

“I’m taking over 10 classes (music majors always get so many), from Principles of Management to Music Theory, I have a huge variety,” D’Onofrio said. “Dr. Falcon, my Management teacher was an attendee for the American Idol watch party we had at Branscomb [Auditorium], and she has been one of the greatest professors I have had.”

Dr. Silviana Falcon, an assistant

professor in the Business Administration department, is a big supporter of D’Onofrio.

“I am extremely proud of him. I know it has to have taken many hours of hard work and commitment as well as great talent to get to that point,” Falcon said. “I was also very happy to meet his parents and be a part of such a great moment in his life.”

D’Onofrio’s journey took him from humble beginnings to center stage.

“This American Idol journey truly changed my life,” D’Onofrio said.

“Starting it out in 2017 with little experience/having that be my first audition, to now walking in front of the judges again, with tons of experience and knowledge, it has been a very rewarding ride that I never want to stop.”

D’Onofrio was eliminated from the show after his performance in the Hollywood round.

Original Snyder cut shows different ‘Justice League’ Four years after the original film, the four hour director’s cut of “Justice League” has been released on HBO Max. In 2017, fans were left heartbroken over the first directorial cut of “Justice League.” The film, originally directed by Zack Snyder, had to quickly shift gears in production when his daughter committed suicide during filming. Warner Brothers, the company behind producing the movie, decided to bring in Joss Whedon to finish the film, and it was nothing like what Snyder originally planned for this iconic group.

Whedon’s version lacked a storyline, as well as including unnecessary scenes that became major plot holes, such as a Russian family living in a toxic wasteland that was supposed to be deserted for over 30 years.

Fans had many more concerns with the film, as it seemed rushed and put out to compete against Marvel at the time. But when fans were notified that Whedon’s version was in fact not Snyder’s vision and he had a whole other movie filmed, they were furious. This news led fans on a fouryear long journey, begging for the Snyder Cut to be released.

“Fans fought and begged for years under #ReleaseTheSnyderCut and received a movie that made the calls for this movie

well beyond worth it,” sophomore Shea Soja said. “In the aftermath of the release, fans are starting a similar movement again on social media, this time it is #RestoreTheSnyderVerse , because fans loved what Zack Snyder gave them with this movie and want to see all the easter eggs in this movie come to life on the big screen in future films.”

The Snyder Cut is vastly different from the film that was released in theatres nearly four years ago. The film is now four hours long and split into six chapters, along with an epilogue and end credits scene.

The introduction changed greatly; instead of a young boy filming Superman, the film starts with the death of Superman, which occured at the end of “Batman v.

Superman.” Snyder captures the ripple effect of Superman’s death, as his scream radiates around the world and awakes the mother boxes: three powerful boxes that have the availability to destroy planets.

In the original film, Steppenwolf is the main villain, who seeks the mother boxes once they are awakened.

In this version, he serves the formidable foe Darkseid, one of the Justice League’s most powerful enemies. This addition excited fans, as Darkseid had never been seen in a live-action DC film before. The film also introduces two new villains, Desaad and Granny Goodness, who are briefly mentioned.

Along with the introduction of new

villains, there was the introduction of a new superhero as well, who may be joining the league in their future battles.

Fans finally got to see Martian Manhunter, a character hinted at for quite some time, but never revealed. In the film, Martian Manhunter disguises himself as Martha Kent, Superman’s mom, to have a discussion with Lois Lane on the death of Superman. After the conversation, he turns into his true form, a green alien, completely designed and made using CGI.

“

Zack Snyder’s Justice League was a true masterpiece.

-Shea Soja sophomore

“

Isabella Gargiulo Staff Writer

Martian Manhunter is brought in again towards the end credits of the film, as he meets with Bruce Wayne to formally introduce himself and discuss his plan of wanting to fight to protect the Earth. It was quite a surprise to see him in the film, but it made fans more eager to see what happens to him in the future.

Fans around the world are raving about the Snyder Cut, but current students at Florida Southern College are enjoying Zack Snyder’s version of the film as well.

“Zack Snyder’s Justice League was a true masterpiece,” Soja said. “Compared to the 2017 theatrical cut, this version was improved in every aspect. We saw fleshed out character backstories, strong character development, and a fitting ending to an amazing movie.”

The Snyder Cut was beautifully done, as it gave fans closure on Zack Snyder’s true vision. His inclusion of more detailed explanations, such as the origin of Darkseid, as well as more action scenes and familiar faces, set the film to be one of the best superhero movies right now. While the film may be four hours long, the pacing allows the viewer to be invested the whole time, following along with the concrete storyline.

The epilogue was nicely crafted, as Snyder was able to film the interaction between Batman and Joker. Their interaction has not been seen yet in this universe. Deathstroke.another villain also made his first appearace. With the improved storyline and addition of new and old faces, Snyder was able to capture the message of the Justice League: a team of superheroes fighting for justice and facing threats that are too great for humanity to face alone.

“Overall, Zack Snyder’s Justice League was a major success, giving the fans what they wanted for so long and allowing Zack Snyder to see his vision displayed in grand fashion,” Soja said.

Zack Snyder’s “Justice League” is currently streaming for free on HBO Max.

9 The Southern APRIL 2, 2021

ENTERTAINMENT

Dance department produces spring show Disneyland announces its reopening

Faith Miller Staff Writer

The Florida Southern College department of Theatre and Dance has announced its plans for its annual spring showcase for the 2021 season.

The title for this year’s performance is “(Re) Construct,” and much like the fall dance performance, it will feature portions from last year’s spring show, which never made it to the stage due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

One of the highlights of this year’s show is the ballet, which will feature the second act of the ballet “Giselle,” along with guest choreography from Fredi De Jesus of the FrediDANCE project, based out of New York.

Allison Baber, who is an Adjunct Dance Professor at FSC, is overseeing the ballet portion of the show.

“We were set to perform it last spring, but didn’t get to before the lockdown. So it will be exciting to see it come to the stage finally,” Baber said.

This portion of “Giselle” was originally scheduled for last year’s performance.

Keeping that in mind, Baber has tried her best to keep the original choreography, while still adhering to COVID-19 policies.

“We cut the cast down and made two casts that will each have a performance,” Baber said. “This was to be able to have covers for each dancer as well as have more spread out spacing on stage.”

She explained some of the adjustments that have been made throughout the performance and ballet itself.

“The ballet’s story is about the love of the two main characters, Giselle and Albrecht,” Baber said. “They dance a Pas de deux, this is where we had to make some adjustments.

Making sure the dancers felt comfortable with the partnering and contact they have as well as balancing the story. The dancers will of course be dancing in masks for the performance.”

Freshman Eliza Leaver is performing the role of “Myrtha,” who is the queen of the Wilis in the second act of “Giselle.” She has been dancing for 14 years and was originally inspired by her sister.

“My sister started dancing before me and she has been my role model for almost everything,” Leaver said. “But I really just fell in love with performing and haven’t looked back since.”

When she received the role of Myrtha, Leaver was in shock.

“I cried. I knew that Myrtha would be such an amazing role and actually getting to perform it as a freshman is a dream come true,” Leaver said.

All dance majors were required to audition for the performances. Leaver explained that she had auditioned for the ballet portion of “Giselle” last semester.

The process involved the dancers being split into a couple groups and learning their choreography before the audition. After the first audition, some of the dancers received callbacks for soloist roles. The process was very similar for modern pieces.

Leaver is most excited to share what the students of FSC have been working on with their friends and families.

“This show has it all, from a heartbreaking ballet about ghost brides who make men dance till their death, to choreography from guest choreographers and residents here at FSC,” Leaver said. “We can’t wait to share our talents and passion with you!”

In regards to COVID-19 policies, the dance studios are sanitized after every class and rehearsal, along with students constantly sanitizing or washing their hands. The performance has also eliminated partnering so that dancers can be more spread out.

“COVID has been a challenge for everybody, but I am so proud of our dance department for staying safe and doing what we need to do so we can continue to do what we love most,” Leaver said.

The performance will be available to view on the “ Festival of Fine Arts” YouTube, with two live streams being available. The first is on May 1 at 7:30 p.m. and the second on May 2 at 2:30 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Eliza Leaver

Eliza Leaver gets into costume for “Giselle” dress rehearsal.

Ableism, tokenism spark controversy in Sia’s film Emma Matzen Staff Writer Famous singer-songwriter Sia recently released her controversial and reportedly ableist directorial debut film “Music.” The movie has received lots of criticism and backlash, specifically for its portrayal of people with autism. The titular character, Music, is a young teenage girl with autism, and many reviewers have called her character an offensive stereotype. “[A]t times [the movie] seems indistinguishable from mockery,” Teo Bugbee of “The New York Times” said.

The character Music is portrayed by actress and dancer Maddie Ziegler. The former “Dance Moms” star, who was befriended by Sia after her performance in the singer’s “Chandelier” music video at age 11, has since been named a “muse”

by Sia. “I wouldn’t make art if it didn’t include her,” Sia said.

This raises a few eyebrows, seeing how Sia is 45 and Ziegler is 18, and was 14 years old at the time of filming “Music.”

Sia has stated that she originally tried working with “a beautiful young girl nonverbal on the spectrum,” but that because the actress found the character too demanding, Sia recast the role to Ziegler, a neurotypical person, instead of

opening auditions for more actors on the autism spectrum.

“I realized it wasn’t ableism — I mean, it is ableism, I guess, as well — but it’s actually nepotism, because I can’t do a project without [Ziegler], I don’t want to,” Sia said in an interview with Australian talk show “The Project.”

Autistic actors online spoke up, saying they could have managed the role on short notice had Sia given more actors on the spectrum the chance. “Maybe you’re just a bad actor,” Sia tweeted.

It is also concerning considering that Sia mentioned Ziegler crying on set the first day of filming, because she didn’t “want anyone to think I’m making fun of them.”

“Music” has also been criticized for its depiction of its black character, Ebo, who seems to fall under the “magical negro” stereotype — a black character who only serves to aid white characters.

The Asian character Felix, has parents who speak in heavy Asian accents that own a laundromat. Both Felix and Ebo go undeveloped, and are merely tools to further the stories of the white characters: Music, and her older sister and caretaker, Zu. The criticisms of her racist writing have not been addressed by Sia. Sia did not apologize for her film’s portrayal of autism until it was surprisingly nominated for two Golden

Globe awards. After a very short apology tweet addressing her controversial use of restraint against people with autism in the film, which stated that she would later provide a warning before the film in future screenings and/or remove the scenes entirely, Sia deleted her Twitter account. According to reviews and critics, no such warning has been given before later screenings of “Music,” nor have the restraint scenes been removed.

The film’s conclusion praises Zu, Music’s sister and caretaker, for her “acceptance” of both Music and Ebo. For these reasons, critics have called the film out for its inherently obvious saviorcomplex. It has also been speculated that Zu is a self-insert character for Sia. “[Music] is offensive for many reasons, it is ableist, it is racist...Sia idealizes the world in this film, and unfortunately by idealizing the world you fail to adequately capture the struggles of marginalized groups,” autistic YouTuber Category: OTHER said in their review of the film.

“Music” now sports an 8 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, a 3.1 out of 10 on IMDB, and a 0.5 out of 5 on IndieWire.

With a budget of $16 million and Box Office profits being only $619,049, the film not only fails to accurately portray an autistic character’s story with nuance, but also fails to make even a quarter of its budget back in profits.

Deanna Wright Staff Writer After being closed for over a year, Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure are reopening.

Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure have been closed since March of 2020. CEO Bob Chapek announced on CNBC’s “Squawk Alley” that the two parks will be opening back up on April 30.

Due to governmental requirements, both parks’ capacity will be significantly limited to promote physical distancing.

“Consumers trust Disney to do the right thing, and we’ve certainly proven that we can [open] responsibly, whether it’s temperature checks, masks, social distancing [or] improved hygiene around the parks,” Chapek said.

The Disneyland Resort has taken on some of the same procedures that Walt Disney World Resort has been using since they reopened in July of 2020. Some of these procedures include reservations, enhanced cleaning procedures, operational changes for physical distancing and reduced contact.

“They are implementing so many safety measures and as of right now it will only be open to California residents,” sophomore Emily Kujan said. “It is great that those cast members will be able to come back to work and the residents will be able to enjoy the magic of Disney again.”

As well as these procedures, certain hotels, restaurants and other locations may have limited capacity or even remain closed when the two parks reopen.

“I think it makes sense to open up the parks in steps [so] that way they can control capacity and monitor transmission.

I hope it’s all able to open up soon though,” senior Abby Campbell said.

CEO Chapek recently announced the plans for the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort right before the Disneyland announcement. Part of the announcement was that the new Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT will open on the first day of the celebration, which starts on Oct. 1.

“I am very excited to visit Magic Kingdom during its 50th anniversary celebration. As of right now, I will not be at the parks on the official anniversary, but I am looking forward to all of the festivities that start on October 1,” Kujan said.

Part of the 50th celebration includes Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom getting more decorations to add to its royal makeover from last year. It will feature golden bunting and a 50th anniversary crest.

“I think it [makeover] will end up looking really nice. I do like how it will be something special for the anniversary and something to remember it by,” Kujan said.

More magic will come alive at night for the anniversary, as each park’s icon will be lit up at night with different projections.

All four parks’ icons will light up once again at night with projections for guests to see.

Article continues on fscsouthern.com

The Southern APRIL 2, 2021

SPORTS

10

SPOTLIGHT Jenny Staten Soccer

Deanna Wright Staff Writer Sophomore soccer player Jenny Staten is tied for the school’s record for 6 shutouts by a freshman goalkeeper.

Staten has been playing soccer since she was three-years-old.

Staten has been playing soccer since she was three-years-old after her older brother introduced her to the sport.

“My brother is five years older than me and introduced me to the sport when I was really young,” Staten said. “ He inspired me to start playing. I always looked up to my brother and wanted to be just like him.”

She has always loved the sport and dreamt of playing soccer at a higher level like colleague competition.

Growing up, Staten has always looked back at her childhood to see how much she has grown over the years.

“I have been coming to Florida ever since I was a kid,” Staten said. “...

When the coaches reached out to me it sounded like a place I could see myself for 4 years. The academics and athletics were a perfect fit for me.”

When Staten came to FSC in fall 2019, she knew she would have to fight for a spot as a starting goalkeeper.

“I went into every practice and scrimmage with a mindset that I [needed] to challenge myself to be the best player I could be,” Staten said.

As a freshman last school year, Staten had a hard time transitioning during the first couple weeks of being at FSC. After the season started and classes got in the swing of things, she found her place on the soccer team and on campus.

“I talked to my parents often and they came to my games often as well so it wasn’t too difficult being away from them,” Staten said.

During her freshman season, she played every minute in goal for the Mocs with a .742 save percentage with 46 saves and finished her first season with a 1.02 goal-against average mark.

Staten made her mark in the Mocs’ record book during her freshman season by tying a previous player’s record for six shutouts by a freshman.

“I’m honored to have my name tied with that record,” Staten said. “I have to give credit to my defense for this record as well because I couldn’t have done it without them. I want to continue to strive for more records and shutouts as a goalkeeper.”

Article continues on fscsouthern.com

Men’s basketball finish runner-up at SSC tournament Nicholas Merritt Staff Writer

Florida Southern College’s men’s basketball program competed in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) Championship game for the third time in the past three years.

Unlike the last two seasons, the Mocs did not succeed in becoming conference champions after their loss against the Saint Leo Lions in the championship game with a score of 83-70.

The Mocs had a rough start to the season, largely with games being postponed. The 6th and 7th of the first 8 games on the schedule were postponed, in part due to one of the teams having to quarantine due to COVID protocols.

Once the competitions got going in midto-late February, the Mocs had a roadheavy schedule, traveling to Palm Beach Atlantic three times, and to Barry and Saint Leo twice throughout the season.

In the SSC Championship tournament bracket, the Mocs were the 4th seed. They knocked off 5th seeded Rollins College at home and top-seeded Palm Beach Atlantic on the road before falling to 2nd seeded Saint Leo. “We just grinded and clawed our way to that championship game [Sunday] is definitely what I am most proud of,” head coach Michael Donnelly said.

During the game, the Mocs found themselves down 41-35 at halftime. The Mocs would gain a two-point lead early in the second half, however Saint Leo would

Photo courtesy of Chris Gonzales / FSC Athletics

Mocs team member Brandon Carroll (#2) blocks shot of Saint Leo lion Frank Webb Jr. (#4). pull away, scoring 13 straight points.

The second half deficit proved to be too much for the Mocs to overcome as Saint Leo went on to win their first SSC Men’s Basketball Championship in program history.

“It was disappointing, because I knew how badly our guys wanted to win a third straight conference tournament championship,” Donnelly said.

Senior Jalyn Hinton led the Mocs with 24 points, making 12 of 16 shots from the court. He credits his team in assisting him lead the team in points scored that game.

“It’s always a team effort,” Hinton said.

“No matter how much individual success anybody could have, it’s always a team thing. It’s never something that you do by yourself.”

Hinton was named to the All-SSC Tournament Team for the second straight season. He was one of two Mocs to earn the honor this season, with E.J. Dambreville.

“It was great to see that I produced in some kind of way that like that recognition despite not winning, which I pride myself on being able to lead as a team captain as a senior,” Hinton said.

NCAA is criticized over lackluster women’s facilities Danny Buchell Staff Writer

The final tournament time of the college basketball season, commonly known as March Madness, started off this year with a viral internet discussion of controversy after extreme differences between the Men’s and Women’s NCAA tournaments were made known to the public through social media.

The training facilities and equipment provided to the men and the women in the NCAA tournament were far from the same.

This was first made known when former Oregon Duck and current New York Liberty player, Sabrina Ionescu, shared on Twitter side-by-side photos from the different tournament weight rooms.

The photo from the men’s facilities in Indianapolis showed a full weight training facility covering a massive room while the photo from the women’s facility in San Antonio showed a single dumbbell rack and a stack of yoga mats that were provided as a “training facility” for the women. This extreme inequity led to male and female athletes widely responding in outrage through social media.

Like many other sports have had to do in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA created a bubble system for their Men’s and Women’s basketball championship tournaments.

“It’s unacceptable,” Chiney Ogwumike, professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Sparks, said in an interview with ESPN that she later posted to her Twitter account. “Women deserve better, period.

And it’s women’s history month, it’s time for everyone to level up.”

Ogwumike’s opinion was echoed by a majority of the sports community on the first day of March Madness. Despite this public outrage, the NCAA wasn’t done

applying unfair treatment between the different tournament bubbles.

Beyond the clear lack of fairness in equipment and facilities that exposed itself on the first day, discrepancies in even more essential areas began to come to light.

The Men’s and Women’s NCAA tournament bubbles had clear differences in terms of the food provided to the athletes and the medical testing provided to the athletes.

“In addition to complaints of subpar facilities, meals, and player gifts, college officials revealed that women’s players were being administered a different, less accurate daily coronavirus test than players in the men’s bubble,” The Washington Post reported.

At this point it’s very clear that the bubble situations provided to the male and female basketball players of the NCAA were far

Photo courtesy of @sabrina_i20 Photo of men’s weight room (above) compared to the women’s weight room (below).

from equal and it’s simply not right.

The NCAA has updated their women’s lifting facilities in response to the public backlash. They added free weights and benches, and although there are still stark differences between men’s and women’s weight rooms, it is an improvement from the previous facilities.

The sad truth is that the inequity and inequality that was shown by the NCAA during March Madness is something female athletes have grown used to.

“Women’s sports put in the same amount of sacrifice, and same amount of effort,” graduate student FSC basketball player Julia Jenike said. “It takes the same energy, same mental toll on you, just to be treated not as equal!”

The entire NCAA tournament controversy needs to be a reminder that people don’t deserve to be treated as less than others.

It’s important that inequity and unfairness are faced head on wherever they are found.

That’s why it’s important to commend male athletes like Ja Morant and Kyrie Irving as well as groups like the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics, who immediately used their privilege and platforms to speak out against the NCAA bubble differences once the unfairness went viral.

In that same regard though, most people will argue that condemning inequality as it appears is not enough to fix the problem.

There must be systematic review and true intentionality to bring about change for the better.

Hopefully the inequity of the NCAA bubbles serves as an agent for a deep level of change.

Truthfully a step towards women’s equality in sports would serve as at least one step towards women’s equality in the world which are steps that society today needs to be taking more of.