Jan. 28, 2022

Jan. 28, 2022 | thewichitan.com |Real Students. Real Stories. | Vol. 86 No. 8

KEEPING UP WITH COVID: Pg 3

Here’s the latest about COVID-19 on campus.

CENTENNIAL KICKOFF: Pg 6-7

MSU faculty, staff, students, alumni and other members of the Wichita Falls community came together at the Ray Clymer Exhibit Hall to kick-off the university’s centennial celebration.

CHEER TEAM: Pg 11

THEATRE: Pg 10

@WichitanOnline

Euphoria season 2: let’s recap so far.

STANG STORIES: Pg 12

MSU Cheer places third at national championship. The MSU theater put on Yasmina Reza’s “Art.”

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

ENTERTAINMENT: Pg 9

Rachel Shipley is a woman of many organizations.

@wichitanonline

@TheWichitan

Jan. 28, 2022 New Senior Staff | News | Centennial Kickoff | Entertainment | Theatre | Cheer Team | Stang Stories

2

INTRODUCING THE WICHITAN’S NEW EDITOR IN CHIEF AND MANAGING EDITOR

PHOTO COURTESY OF STEPHANIE ROBLEDO | THE WICHITAN

PHOTO COURTESY OF ZACHARY SMITH

The Wichitan’s editor in chief Stephanie Robledo at Carrer de la Marina, Barcelona Spain, March 2017.

The Wichitan’s managing editor Samuel Koone at Lucy Park, Wichita Falls, Dec. 2021.

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ello! My name is Stephanie Robledo, and I am the new editor-in-chief.

I initially joined The Wichitan fall of 2019 when I saw a flyer while on my way to class. I didn’t expect to become very inStephanie volved as a reporter but as the Robledo years went by I slowly worked my way up from news editor, managing editor and now editor-in-chief.

I never imagined myself in this role but the more time I spent with the Wichitan, the more I realized this is the career I want to pursue. I en-

joy every aspect of it, from helping others with AP Style to writing and editing stories. Writing and editing are two of my favorite things to do, which is why I became an English major with a writing concentration and mass communication major with a journalism minor.

In the future, I hope to continue this path and keep on working within the journalism field.

I’m happy to be editor in chief, and I’m excited for what’s to come.

Vol. 86 | No. 8 Midwestern State University Fain Fine Arts Bldg., Room D201 3410 Taft Blvd. | Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 (940) 397-4704 wichitan@msutexas.edu | thewichitan.com @wichitanonline

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ello! My name is Sam Koone and this spring, I am joining the Wichitan as managing editor. I am a senior environmental science major from Amarillo, TX and will graduate in May. Samuel I hope to one day work as a Koone music journalist at a publication like NPR or Pitchfork. I’m sure the opportunity to hone my writing and editing skills here at the Wichitan will be invaluable later in my life and career. In addition, I believe that reliable news media is the primary foundation

Editor in Chief: Stephanie Robledo Managing Editor: Samuel Koone Design Editor: Omar Combie Photography Editor: Colin Stevenson Business Manager: Abigail Jones Issue Staff: Javier Contreras, Natalie Cook, Thalia Doe, Casee Harl, Keza Muvunyi, Joseph Nelson.

Advisor: Jonathon Quam

for producing an informed society. I want to play a part in creating that media.

When I’m not at the Wichitan or in class, I’m probably playing guitar, spending time with my friends or attempting to create some form of art. I am an active member of a local indie rock band called Texas Shade Factory (we have music on Spotify and are releasing an EP soon) and am also a member of MSU’s Model UN team and work as a writing tutor on campus in Moffet Library.

I am overjoyed to be part of the Wichitan, and look forward to everything this coming semester brings.

Copyright ©2022.

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The Wichitan is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association and the Associated Collegiate Press. The Wichitan reserves the right to edit any material submitted for publication.

Opinions expressed in The Wichitan do not necessarily reflect those of the students, staff, faculty, administration or Board of Regents of Midwestern State University.

The Wichitan welcomes letters of opinion from students, faculty and staff submitted by the Friday before intended publication. Letters should be brief (250 words or fewer) and without abusive language or personal attacks. Letters must be typed and signed by the writer and include a email address, telephone number and address.

Jan. 28, 2022 New Senior Staff | News | Centennial Kickoff | Entertainment | Theatre | Cheer Team | Stang Stories

3

KEEPING UP WITH COVID

PHOTO COURTESY OF PIXABAY

From Aug. 1, 2021 to Jan. 24, 2022, MSU Texas has recorded 416 COVID-19 cases on campus.

JAVIER CONTRERAS REPORTER SU students will be following the same COVID-19 safety protocols for the spring semester as they did for the fall semester. Wearing a mask, washing hands, social distancing and getting vaccinated are all suggested to aid in preventing the spread of COVID-19. When the pandemic started almost two years ago, most universities across the country switched to online learning, as did MSU. Since then, MSU has gradually transitioned back into in-person classes.

Over the last couple of years, the university has come up with different ways to keep students and faculty safe, such as providing vac-

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PHOTO BY RYAN CLAYTON | THE WICHITAN

Vinson Health Center located in the Bruce and Graciela Redwin Student Wellness Center, March 9, 2021.

cinations at the Vinson Health Center. Students who want one can set up an appointment.

“The on-campus Vinson Health Center offers students the opportunity to receive the vaccine or booster, and can be contacted at 940-397-4231 to arrange an appointment,” wrote James Johnston, interim president, in the MSU Student Postmaster email service.

Dr. Keith Williamson, medical director for the MSU Vinson Health Center, strongly encourages students to get vaccinated. He wants to ensure students that the vaccine is safe, effective and the best way for students to keep themselves and their peers safe.

“I am absolutely in support of the vaccines. They are incontrovertibly safe and effective and yes, students should get vaccinated, and if they’re eligible for it, they should get boosted so that they’re up to date with their COVID vaccine,” Williamson said.

Williamson said there is plenty of data on the vaccine and its effectiveness. The natural immunity that people get from having COVID-19 can be uncertain so Williamson wants students to know that their best option is to get vaccinated.

“The vaccine is well studied, thoroughly. I mean [there are] bucket loads of information on it and we know how effective it is. Immunization, the natural immunity you get from having the disease, has so far been a little bit elusive, we can’t quantify it like we can the vaccine. The vaccine is clearly effective, clearly safe and has the desired effect of limiting the hospitalization and death. Natural immunity, unpredictable, unpredictable. So even if you’ve had

“We strongly recommend wearing a mask when around others and indoors, especially durring the first 2-3 weeks of classes and during the peak activity of this variant.”

JAMES JOHNSTON Interim President

on COVID-19recommendations via MSU Student Postmaster

the disease, get vaccinated,” Williamson said.

According to the MSU Student Postmaster, vaccines are not mandatory, but MSU does strongly recommend students get vaccinated to mitigate the spread of the virus. Other ways students can practice COVID-19 safety are by wearing a mask and washing their hands.

“We strongly recommend wearing a mask when around others and indoors, especially during the first 2-3 weeks of classes and during the peak activity of this variant. The wearing of masks while in public indoor settings and frequently washing your hands has proven to be effective at preventing the spread of COVID-19,” Johnston wrote in an MSU Student Postmaster email.

MSU has protocols in place to prevent the spread of COVID but also has protocols in case students suspect they may have been exposed to the illness. If a student feels sick, they should not attend class until they have received a

negative COVID test result. They should also fill out a COVID self-report form that can be found by clicking on the blue link labeled “COVID-19 Updates” at the top of the MSU Texas homepage. Kristi Schulte, director of residence life and housing, has a team dedicated to helping students while they quarantine.

“On campus, our quarantine protocols would be that a student who is exposed to COVID would submit the self-report form, the COVID self-reporting form, through campus. Then our office is notified and then they would quarantine in their room. Quarantine indicates that they’ve not tested positive so a student would stay in their room until they’ve received test results that indicate whether they’re positive or negative. Our office reaches out to them once we receive the self-report form and we explain to the student how long they need to quarantine and we also make arrangements for students who need us to deliver meals,” Schulte said.

Schulte said that her team takes on a number of different roles while helping students in quarantine. Things like delivering mail, packages and grocery orders to students are just a few of the things Schulte’s team does for students. Schulte said that it is up to us as individuals to keep each other safe.

“This is a public health matter and so as a public health matter, we really depend on the decisions of every individual to keep the entire community safe. So with that, I think that it’s important for students and faculty and staff to be mindful of those precautions,” Schulte said.

Jan. 28, 2022 New Senior Staff | News | Centennial Kickoff | Entertainment | Theatre | Cheer Team | Stang Stories

4

MOSAIC CROSS-CULTURAL CENTER HOSTS

HUMAN RIGHTS WEEK

PHOTO COURTESY OF MSU TEXAS

Students help gather trash at Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Jan. 17.

SAMUEL KOONE REPORTER SU’s MOSAIC Cross-Cultural Center celebrated Human Rights Week from the 17th to the 21st of this month with a series of events designed to bring awareness to social justice issues. Human Rights Week events took place across campus and the community, from residence halls to conference rooms to public parks. Jamilah Kangudja, coordinator of MOSAIC programs, remarked on the variety of events.

“We’re trying to get a little bit of everything worked into this week,” Kangudja said.

The celebration kicked off on the 17th with Martin Luther King Jr. day of service, when students had the opportunity to participate in a trash cleanup at Williams Park. This was followed on Tuesday by the human rights awareness booth in Clark Student Center and a critical race theory discussion in the Charlye O. Farris Social Justice Center. On Wednesday, the NAACP held a toiletry drive and the MOSAIC peer educators held a film night and discussion at Legacy Hall. Thursday continued the week with another human rights awareness booth and Friday capped off the week with the Better World Book

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Club meeting at the SJRC, as well as a movie night featuring a documentary about Black LGBT activist Marsha P. Johnson.

“I think the thing is to take action, so most of the resources that are being provided throughout this time are taking action. So Monday, a day of service, you are actually going out into the community and you’re helping in some way. With the book club, people are reading this book and they’re having active conversation about the things that are going on.

I think in that way is how we’re trying to engage students so that we’re doing more instead of talking about doing more,” Kangudja said.

At the critical race theory discussion, MSU students sounded off on human rights week as well, giving their opinions on how they think it impacts campus climate. Exziyah Greenlee, finance junior, said that she found the discussion enlightening.

“It definitely keeps people informed, because when I came here, I wasn’t entirely informed about critical race theory, but now I definitely have some more talking points that I can use with family members and friends,” Greenlee said.

Recognizing human rights week

PHOTO COURTESY OF MSU TEXAS

Students chat while cleaning up at the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Jan. 17.

across campus also had an effect on the MSU population. Greenlee also mentioned some of the potential benefits of the week for students.

“It definitely helps with involvement and feeling seen and feeling heard,” Greenlee said.

“I think it’s important to remind ourselves of how far we’ve come, but also things we might need to still work on and I think Human Rights Week is one of those opportunities.”

CAMMIE DEAN

Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs speaking on Human Rights Week

Cammie Dean, assistant vice president of student affairs, oversaw the critical race theory discussion on Tuesday night. There, she emphasized the importance of discussing potentially controversial topics on campus.

“I think it’s really important to

have those conversations because the folks that are here on campus are future leaders and decision makers in communities: for businesses, for nonprofits, for their churches, synagogues, mosques. These folks who graduate from MSU and have college degrees will go out into a world where they have the potential to make a change. And just like we talked about people not always having the right information or good information to make their decisions, I think CRT is a perfect example of how that can go very wrong. So giving space to have these conversations, to talk about what’s being debated and what it might really mean and indicate so that when it’s your turn to make a decision, or your turn to influence a group, that you have something more substantive than just what you heard a pundit spout,” Dean said.

Dean also mentioned the significance of human rights week as a time to remember the injustices of the past and use them as the motivation for future change. She referenced historic civil rights leaders and brought up how their messages have been sugarcoated in the years after their lives.

“I think it’s important to remind ourselves of how far we’ve come, but also things we might need to still

work on and I think human rights week is one of those opportunities.

To remember Dr. King and to remember his inspiration, Mahatma Ghandi, and to think about the messages that they conveyed and the changes that they were able to influence in their lives, and to choose to embrace those ideals in our own lives, but to make that actionable. A lot of people love… ‘The Dream’ but they love ‘The Dream’ because it doesn’t really ask you to do anything except dream. But a lot of what Dr. King had to say was a lot more actionable and didn’t get finished because of the way that his life ended and it’s on us to finish it,” she said.

Students can still stand for human rights even now that human rights week has ended. Kangudja highlighted the volunteer opportunities available to students. These include Volunteer MSU, MOSAIC and their STAND Councils, and other social justice centered student organizations. The MOSAIC Cross-Cultural Center is located in the Clark Student Center in Room 194. The Charlye O. Farris Social Justice Resource Center is located in Bea Wood Building, Room 131. MOSAIC can be contacted at mosaic@msutexas.edu or by calling 940-397-4947.

Jan. 28, 2022 New Senior Staff | News | Centennial Kickoff | Entertainment | Theatre | Cheer Team | Stang Stories

Undergraduate researchers introduce their EURECA project topics JOSEPH NELSON REPORTER his semester, 11 new undergraduate research projects receive funding for Enhancing Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (EURECA) and will be presented at a conference on April 20. Students from the Prothro-Yeager, Dillard, McCoy, Fain and West Colleges prepare their research projects to expand on their passions, interests and respective fields. Molly Maloan, an education senior, is one of the students who uses EURECA to pursue their goals, with a project revolving around multicultural mathematics instruction.

“As an early childhood education major, I was very excited to be invited to participate in the research topic study of how educators can utilize multicultural literature in mathematics in elementary and secondary schools,” Maloan said. “I was inspired to take on this project because of my love for children’s literature and the yearn for more inclusive texts, specifically multicultural children’s books being studied in the classroom.”

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There are many disparate inspirations for each individual research project. Marissa Salinas, mass communications senior, said her fascination inspired the research and exploration of her project revolving around street art’s hidden beauty.

“I have always been fascinated with graffiti,” Salinas said. “So, when I got to meet some graffiti artists in the [Wichita Falls area], I was interested to learn more about how and why they do it. It’s a widely misunderstood art form that I think deserves the same appreciation that traditional art receives.”

Not only is EURECA an outlet for undergraduate inspiration and creativity, but the opportunity also offers undergraduates to prepare for graduate-level work. Kendra Jean Jacques, physics senior, prepares for graduate school with her project exploring the very large complexity of the very small with quantum electro dynamics.

“I am inspired by my future career and graduate school studies, since I would like to pursue

PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN

EURECA’s office sits in the Atrium at Clark Student Center. Sep 14, 2021.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIE SCALES

Undergraduate Research Student Assistant Amira Johnson stands ready to talk to students about Undergraduate Research and EURECA at the Student Organization Fair, Jan. 13.

a Ph.D. in particle physics,” Jacques said. “I hope that people will learn more about physics as a topic and how the particles… play a key role in our existence.”

Projects aren’t just exclusive for preparing careers for graduate programs. Amira Johnson, marketing senior, hopes to open her own bakery and will be researching how bakeries can be more inclusive places for the disabled.

“My goal of opening a bakery that provides more employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities is what inspired my research topic,” Johnson said. “This topic is important to me because my younger brother has IDD [intellectual and developmental disability].”

While students gear up for a semester of preparation and research for the conference, they also anticipate their fair share of challenges, such as the prospect of not finding enough research for their project.

“The challenges that I anticipated running into with this type of research was not being able to find enough children’s multicultural texts… that would cover a wide variety of math skills and would be developmentally appro-

priate from students in grades pre-K through sixth,” Maloan said. “It is easy to assume that there will be many books geared towards the younger group of elementary students… but… there may be difficulties finding diverse multicultural literature for the older elementary and secondary aged students, not in terms of relatability, but in terms of enhancing their mathematic curriculum.”

In order to help find sources that flesh out their topics, students rely on faculty mentors already skilled in their respective fields. History senior Rachel Patterson, who plans to research the Lao people, says her faculty mentors helped her find the academic research needed to provide an accurate project.

“Dr. Rattanasengchanh is there to answer any questions I may have about the history of Laos and the political issues during the time we are researching,” Patterson said. “Dr. Lynch is a good resource for any clarification that I need while translating our sources. They both help me put the information together to see the bigger picture of what we are researching.”

Students will present their projects at the EURECA conference on April 20, 2022.

Jan. 28, 2022 New Senior Staff | News | Centennial Kickoff | Entertainment | Theatre | Cheer Team | Stang Stories

6

CENTENNIAL CELE

UU ALWAYS SPIRITED, ALWAYS STEPHANIE ROBLEDO EDITOR IN CHIEF idwestern State faculty, staff, students, alumni and other members of the Wichita Falls community came together at the Ray Clymer Exhibit Hall to kick-off the university’s centennial celebration. Founded in 1922, MSU reached the age of 100 this year.

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PHOTO BY CASEE HARL | THE WICHITAN

Interim president James Johnston speaks to servers as he grabs food, Jan. 27.

PHOTO BY CASEE HARL | THE WICHITAN

MSU staff get food from a snack table at the Century of MSU Kick-Off Celebration, Jan. 27.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE “It’s an amazing time to be here.

There’s a lot of people around that have contributed over the years to the growth and expansion and keeping MSU the way it’s always been. [It’s a] Strong college to go to and a good opportunity for a lot of people to attend so it’s an honor to be here, it’s a good feeling,” Rogelio Nuñez, psychology senior, said.

Nuñez hopes for growth within MSU in the future and thinks Texas Tech will help with the growth. Others in attendance were alumni such as Andrew Wolf, former student regent, who saw some of MSU’s achievements during his time as a student.

“It’s definitely something to be proud of. It’s kind of crazy that it has been 100 years because it doesn’t feel like long.

I just think it’s phenomenal that we’ve been able to do what we’ve been able to do and achieve for the past hundred years,” Wolf said.

A milestone Wolf remembers during his time at MSU was the new doctorate programs. Wolf says it showed that hard work has to be put in and that hard work does pay off.

“I’d say, MSU turning 100, I think it’s just an example of what the Wichita Falls and MSU community can do. MSU has been here now for 100 years and you look at that and you look at how MSU started, with I think it was 30 students total, now where we’re at and how involved we are within the community so I think that’s going to be awesome for MSU and reaching out and getting more community involvement,” Austin Strode, student government association president and economics senior, said.

MSU recognizes its 100th anniversary with a “Kick-off,” involving fo A GLANCE AT THE PAST MSU was initially called Wichita Falls Community College. The college was located on the third floor of the Wichita Falls High School. Not only was the facility shared, but the faculty as well before moving to the present-day campus.

“Oh, I think there are probably people out there that wonder how we ever made it this far but it’s a testimony to all the little pieces that have come along the way.

We’ve gone through what, four or five name changes but we’ve held true to our mission and it’s actually kind of cool that here we are, West Texas, and we profess to be and push the limits of being a liberal arts institution. We don’t fall into a lot of the traps that other universities have fallen to and we’ve held true to our mission and stayed unique that way,” Bradley Wilson, associate professor of mass communication, said.

After relocating to Taft Boulevard in 1937, MSU has continued to expand. Over the years, the campus has grown throughout Wichita Falls, and in 2018 opened a campus in Flower Mound, Texas to help adult learners and community college students complete a bachelor’s degree.

PHOTO

Interim provost Marti the Century of MSU K Jan. 27.

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7

EBRATIONS BEGIN BOLD, ALWAYS MSU TEXAS U U

PHOTO BY CASEE HARL | THE WICHITAN

ood and talks from various heads of thr university, Jan. 27.

O BY CASEE HARL | THE WICHITAN

in Camacho speaks at Kick-Off Celebration,

“There’s so many opportunities, there’s so much work we’ve done this academic year. Seeing these opportunities going forward being a new member of the Texas Tech university System and just all of the things that we have to offer.

It’s just exciting to stand at this milestone and look at the next 100 years,” James Johnston, interim president, said.

TAKING IN THE PRESENT The 2021 academic year saw the West College of Education launch the university’s first doctoral program in educational leadership. Another change was MSU becoming the fifth member institution to join the Texas Tech University System.

“Obviously, longevity is great. I love the past at Midwestern, but I’m excited about the future of Midwestern now especially with Texas Tech. I think that’s going to hopefully push us to grow in the future because I think really Midwestern needs to grow… for the area to grow and I think Tech is going to help with that and I think there’s real excitement that there can be some growth in the next couple of years,” James Frank, state representative for house district 69, said.

Frank hopes MSU’s future continues to be excellent academically and with more students. Similarly, Mario Ramirez, director of Student Leadership and Involvement, hopes the next 100 years are filled with growth and positive change, a great time for faculty, staff, students and the Wichita Falls community.

“I’m excited that the university has reached this age and excited for what brings the partnership with Texas Tech.

This year [we have] the exciting different events we are doing to celebrate the centennial years,” Ramirez said.

The centennial celebration began with the kick-off, but it is far from over. The celebration will continue with the Centennial Bash on campus and a display of the history of Wichita Falls and MSU at the Moffett Library throughout the month of February.

“I think it unifies a sense of unity to come back, especially if you’ve attended MSU or you’re just native to the Wichita Falls community. It’s a chance to get connected with each other and build a stronger community outside the college and inside Wichita Falls as a whole. Really it’s just unifying the community, bringing everyone together and trying to help each other out,” Nuñez said.

The centennial celebration paid tribute to the past and looked towards the future. It brought together the communities of MSU and Wichita Falls.

“It’s a milestone, so a testament to the community and to the alumni and 100 years that counts. It’s been fun to see it, even in the time I’ve been here, to grow and to kind of expand its reach within Texas, join COPLAC and attracting the faculty that were able to attract now so its a solid place,” Samuel Watson, dean of Prothro Yeager College of Humanities and Social Sciences, said. “I think MSU has proven that it can adapt and that it can evolve. Who knows what the challenges ahead may be but based on the track record we’ll be okay.”

PHOTO BY CASEE HARL | THE WICHITAN

Texas Tech University System Chancellor Tedd Mitchell speaks to the audience, Jan. 27.

PHOTO BY CASEE HARL | THE WICHITAN

Food was served at the event, incuding a cupcake with a golden ‘100’ to mark MSU’s 100th year, Jan. 27.

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8

“DON’T LOOK UP” PRESENTS A STORY WE MAY NOT WANT

BUT ONE WE MIGHT DESERVE W

riter/Director Adam McKay’s “Don’t Look Up” boasts a star-studded cast, a premise ripe for social commenJoseph tary, and a tendency Nelson to throw subtlety out the window for overly cynical undertones. While some bizarre editing choices still persist in this installment to McKay’s directorial career, “Don’t Look Up” commits to a premise well worth the watch and organizes an otherwise erratic film. Two astronomers, played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence, discover a ten-kilometer comet heading straight towards earth, an asteroid with the potential to wipe out everyone on the planet. While Hollywood tropes may dictate that the final act consist of DiCaprio flying a jet into the asteroid in a dramatic show of self-sacrifice, with all our cast members watching in somber yet grateful countenance, “Don’t Look Up” isn’t

ashamed to take its satire and cynicism to new heights, quickly directing its criticism, not towards apathy for climate change, but our media apparatus as a whole: a tool used to accentuate both conspiracy theories and shallow sensationalism.

Having a message is all well and good, but promoting a message without crafting a good movie makes for pretty ineffective cinema, and a lot of talent came together to create this film. Saying the acting is top-notch is an understatement, probably because almost every frame has an Oscar nominee on screen. Because of this, no performance feels out of place but the cast does seem unnecessarily star-studded. With such skilled actors, the film’s bizarre and ineffective presentation style sticks out. This style is nothing new for Adam McKay, who frequently employs comedy that revolves around overexplaining plot elements to the audience. While this style worked well for explaining highfalutin banking and accounting strategies in

PHOTO COURTESY OF NETFLIX

“Don’t Look Up” is a satirical film filled with a star-studded cast, including Leonardo DiCarprio, Tyler Perry, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep and many more, 2021.

PHOTO COURTESY OF NETFLIX

Kid Cudi and Ariana Grande star in “Don’t Look Up,” 2021.

“The Big Short” or exploring legal loopholes in “Vice”, the editing style here doesn’t work much at all, since most of what’s explained isn’t that complicated. Adam McKay seems very scared to leave much of anything to subtlety or interpretation, and this hesitancy really sticks out in a fiction piece and satire. Letting audiences misunderstand things is preferable to sounding pedantic.

With such a great premise and actors, the story concludes in a pretty wobbly fashion. The ending, while not resorting to the optimism and ideal heroes of “Armageddon”, presents an aftermath to a crisis that is both depressing and equally critical of our media environment. While being a scathing critique of profit motive news and profit run politics, “Don’t Look Up” provides no saving grace for our protagonists. What does the movie made by multimillionaires think the future of humanity holds? “Don’t Look Up” believes we are destined to suffocate ourselves with stupidity and there’s

nothing we can really do to stop it. At first, this kind of conclusion seems pretty pessimistic. However, after a couple of years of anti-maskers and anti-vaxxers, apathy or doubt over a comet hitting the planet isn’t the most unrealistic storyline for a film.

Americans have reached such great heights of conspiracy-minded and anti-science thinking that something as threatening as a comet killing the Earth’s entire population would most likely be treated in a cavalier way.

So, do we deserve a story that lacks so much hope and optimism for the future of humanity? I can’t really answer that. What I can say is that “Don’t Look Up” is thankfully not another one of those “you should care about climate change” movies.

Thankfully, artists have moved on from there “oh, if people could just see the scientific data” pipe dreams.

Yes, anyone who understands how carbon dioxide works will know climate change is an existential threat, but if you don’t understand that by now, you most likely never will.

“Don’t Look Up” is more interested in exploring how sensationalist media infrastructure and modern political discourse isn’t built for mankindthreatening crises. “Don’t Look Up” presents the possible (and growingly more likely) possibility that we never address our problems in time, and I think it does a good job of leaving the audience with the question “so, how do I prevent this from happening?” Your answers to that question will vary, and I’m not going to act like anyone really has an objective answer. Still, it’s a question worth contemplating, and “Don’t Look Up”, despite some editing hiccups and lack of subtlety, prompts that question in a worthwhile fashion. The movie is funny, sad, satirical, and necessarily pessimistic.

Joseph’s Film Rating: 4/5

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9

ENTER INTO “EUPHORIA” M

uch like the first, Season 2 of “Euphoria” is proving to be just as jarring and explosive as its predecessor. With the heavy subject matter featured in the show, what more could you exNatalie Cook pect? The storyline is packed full of sex, drugs and violence.

Almost 2 years after Season 1 aired, viewers finally got to see what happened after the fateful night where Jules (Hunter Schafer) left Rue (Zendaya) at the train station. Here’s a recap of the first two episodes of “Euphoria”. Spoilers ahead.

EPISODE 1

The first episode starts off with the classic character recap, this time focused on how Fezco the drug dealer, played by Angus Cloud, came to be. I personally enjoyed this scene and having the chance to know more about Fezco, though I could have done without the shooting murder of an elderly man. The episode then follows the characters at a booze-filled New Year’s Eve party. As for the other characters, Rue, who has relapsed, and Jules finally reconnect after that fateful night on the tracks. Something tells me this reconciliation may not last long, due to Rue’s newfound friendship with fellow addict Elliot, played by Dominic Fike. My favorite part of the episode was when Cassie (Sydney Sweeny) and Nate (Jacob Elordi) become something of an item. I’m not a fan of Nate’s, but with the chemistry between him and Cassie, I can’t help but hope they become a couple. But Nate’s ex and Cassie’s bestie Maddy (Alexa Demie) will surely threaten the possibility of this growing beyond a hookup. However interesting this episode was, nothing compares to the scene at the end when Fezco brutally bashes Nate’s head

PHOTO COURTESY OF HBO ENTERTAINMENT.

Dominic Fike as Elliot and Zendaya as Rue Bennett in HBO Max’s “Euphoria,” 2022.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HBO ENTERTAINMENT.

Jacob Elordi as Nate Jacobs and Sydney Sweeney as Cassie Howard in HBO Max’s “Euphoria,” 2022. in with a liquor bottle and his fists. The viewers are left with an unsettling feeling after the screen cuts to black as his seemingly lifeless body is carried out to the car. Overall, I would rate this episode 4/5. The scenes were full of details that would take hours to explain, and most of the characters were given some screen time, so viewers could catch up with the storylines.

At the same time, I felt that with all the information given, more than an hour needed to be allotted to fully catch everyone up.

EPISODE 2

Instead of a character recap, we are given a look at a fantasy of how Nate and Cassie’s relationship could play out. This sex-filled dream ends with a fast-paced montage of both real and fake scenarios. One thing I found interesting during this montage was the simultaneity of Cassie giving birth and Nate convulsing in the E.R., almost signifying something about the pain of childbirth and this second chance Nate is given after almost being beaten to death.

Meanwhile, Rue’s relapse and new friendship with Elliot begin to eat away at her relationship with Jules. We see Rue keeping secrets and telling lies, once again self-sabotaging. One thing I appreciate about this series is that while the content matter is extremely heavy, the writers don’t glamorize drugs, violence and abuse. Back in Cassie’s world, Nate is sending mixed messages and at one point tries to break their fling off because of how complicated it could get due

to Maddy. But as Cassie runs away from Nate, he goes after her and when he finds her, it’s like a switch has flipped inside him. He realizes he can’t let go of Cassie, completely enamored by her. In my opinion, the best part of this episode is when Nate’s dad Cal (Eric Dane), confronts Nate about a sex tape missing from his desk drawer. Nate then lets Cal know that he knows everything about his dirty sex-capades with men and underage women, and that he could easily turn his father in. Then, Cal once again nervously asks where the tape is. I would rate this episode 5/5. I loved the portrayal of these two love triangles, and I was really excited to see Nate stand up to his dad and threaten him with everything he knows. As I stated before, Nate is not my favorite person, but I dislike Cal Jacobs even more.

EPISODE 3

The character recap of this episode focuses on Cal Jacobs, and while it was probably meant to show a different side of him and summon a bit of sympathy, I still have zero for that man.

Elliot is no good for Rue, as she’s back to her old drug ways. There’s a scene where she describes how to get away with doing drugs and I felt like this scene was really eye-opening. It shows how a drug addicts mind might work and how they really will do anything to hide and keep their habit. Leading Rue so far as to start a new business opportunity: selling drugs. One thing I love about this episode is how we’re given a

really deep look at Cassie’s current state, trying anything to get Nate’s attention. It’s a perfect representation of how girls and women act when they like someone and are trying to show them they are worth it. Unfortunately for her, while he does take notice and continues hooking up with her, that doesn’t stop him from keeping secrets that will break Cassie in the end. Watching Nate text Cassie that he can’t meet up as he takes flowers to Maddy made me really mad. I mean, I was almost starting to want good things for Nate and he goes and does stuff like that! My rating for this episode is 3/5.

It’s a good episode, lots of information to take in, but the ending really ruined it for me.

CONCLUSION

I’d say “Euphoria” has had a pretty good start to season two. No moment is wasted as each scene is filled with something needed to add to the storyline. For all three episode’s it comes to 4/5 stars. I’m really interested to see how the Cassie, Nate, and Maddy love triangle plays out, as well as Rue’s newfound venture in the business world. Euphoria airs at 9PM Eastern on HBO Max every Sunday night.

Natalie’s Episode Rating: 4/5

Jan. 28, 2022 New Senior Staff | News | Centennial Kickoff | Entertainment | Theatre | Cheer Team | Stang Stories

10

THEATER PROGRAM PERFORMS

YASMINA REZA’S “ART”

ABIGAIL JONES REPORTER he MSU theater program put on Yasmina Reza’s “Art,” a play about friendships, perspective and, of course, art. They held shows on the Fain mainstage at 7:30 p.m on January 21 and 22 and another at 2:30 p.m on January 23. “Art” was studentdirected by Jack Pittman, theater senior with the intention of shifting the audience’s perspective.

“Art, not just literal art but theater, music, anything, there’s always a perspective.

My goal and my hope is to be able for the audience to resonate with characters,” Pittman said. “Obviously it’s a character-driven show, so you learn a lot about the characters. But I think the takeaway is really for you to understand each other, to see each other’s perspectives.”

The three characters in “Art,” named Serge, Marc and Yvan experience tension and conflict after Serge buys an all-white painting. Davis Scobee, theater sophomore, who played Serge said this is when

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the group’s friendships began to be tested.

“Serge is the buyer of the titular piece of art, which the show is based around. It is Serge’s prized possession but it also seems to be the bane of one of the other characters, Marc,” Scobee said. “Serge does try to keep his cool with how much he can take from Marc’s not-liking of the painting, but eventually everyone has a breaking point.”

Brayden Young, theater freshman, played Marc. Young said that Marc’s character is based on stubbornness.

“Marc is the, I would say, closed-minded, stubborn, older friend of the three. Marc is friends with Serge and Yvan.

He’s been friends with Serge for quite a while and they picked up Yvan in the middle of their friendship,” Young said. “That’s kind of his place in that dynamic.”

Luke Craddock, theater sophomore, played Yvan, the most eccentric of the trio but layered just like his friends.

Craddock said that one-on-one character work was essential to establishing those layers.

PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN

Craddock, Scobee and Young co-star as Yvan, Serge and Marc in Yasmina Reza’s “Art,” Jan. 19.

PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN

Yvan, played by Craddock, reads off a philisophical quote to Marc and Serge, played by Young and Scobee, Jan. 19.

“Yvan is very chaotic, very sporadic. Out of the trio, he is kind of the less put together out of all of them,” Craddock said. “He’s very energetic. He’s got a lot going on. [He] can get stressed pretty easily, but then he also couldn’t care less.”

Under the surface level of each character, there are motivations that Pittman planned out with his cast. Some of these motivations show the less-likable sides or the more insecure sides of each character. Scobee said he hoped the audience would accept these different sides of Serge.

“I would like [the audience] to see Serge as not someone who thinks that they are necessarily better than everyone else around them, but that his unique hobby or what he likes may not necessarily be what other people like,” Scobee said. “It’s okay to be different and even if they are a little different maybe you should just try and accept them even if it might not be that [understandable] to you.”

Serge isn’t the only character with emotional layers.

Young said that Marc’s stubborn and argumentative qualities came from an innate fear.

“I find that Marc has

struggled with empathy, and think that at the very end, in an abstract way, he finds out that empathy isn’t that scary,” Young said. “I think that the audience could learn that it’s not that scary to be human and to see somebody else’s point of view.”

After rehearsing in-person during the fall 2021 semester, on Zoom over the winter break and in-person again this semester, each cast member, according to Craddock, became familiar with their character’s motivations and how to express them to the audience. Craddock said that Yvan’s motivations came from a hidden depression.

“If you wanna go super deep with it. There’s a lesson to be learned about Yvan…

There’s kind of this façade of chaotic energy and eccentricity, but then lying underneath is this, almost, depression.

He doesn’t really know how to get across how he’s feeling until he’s at the breaking point. When he does break, everything just goes terribly wrong, at least for him,” Craddock said. “I think there’s a time and place to hold back some of your emotions but then there’s also definitely

good places to [express them].

Especially with your friends, with his two best friends he doesn’t really explain how he’s feeling and then it’s too late.”

The cast and Pittman both agreed that being on Zoom for a large portion of “Art” rehearsals was a difficult but educational process. They worked in a way to prepare them for when they could rehearse in person again.

“It’s really hard for the actors to do Zoom, but it’s really just the technical stuff,” Pittman said. “So when they come back, they’re able to fully implement themselves into the scene, into the blocking and that’s when we get that snap, that click, that change to making the whole show a whole show.”

Online rehearsals were a way of using the time they had over the break, but they were also a way to stay safe during Covid. Young said that even when the semester started, the cast met online a few times.

“The process has been crazy. It’s been amazing. I couldn’t have asked for a

better cast and a wonderful swing, [who were] just always ready to be adaptive and willing to do whatever they need to do to make the show happen,” Pittman said.

Directing “Art” was a part of Pittman’s senior requirement. He could either take a class or direct a main-stage show, and he said that given his future career in theater education, he knew he had to grab the opportunity to direct.

He said this experience taught him to be ready for anything to happen and that he hoped the audience would see how important it is to be open to new perspectives.

“Don’t be married to the idea that there’s only one way of looking at things, just like art. Conceptual art, modern art, anything. You see a painting, you have a different idea of it to someone else,” Pittman said. “It’s a forever going thing. It’s an infinite thing, to be able to escape, take away, pull out of your own reality, your own perspective [and] see others’. And that doesn’t just go for art; that goes for life.”

PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN

Serge, played by Scobee, watches on as Marc and Yvan, played

by Young and Craddock, argue with each other, Jan. 19.

Jan. 28, 2022 New Senior Staff | News | Centennial Kickoff | Entertainment | Theatre | Cheer Team | Stang Stories

11

OVERCOMING ADVERSITY

MSU CH E E R C LAIME D BRONZE AT NATI ONAL CHAMPION S H IP

PHOTO COURTESY OF COLLIN STOKES

PHOTO COURTESY OF COLLIN STOKES.

MSU Cheer celebrates winning 3rd place in the 2022 UCA College Nationals in Orlando, Florida, Jan. 14.

MSU Cheer performs its routine as they compete with other universities at the 2022 Universal Cheerleaders Association College Nationals, Jan. 14.

THALIA DOE FEATURE EDITOR he MSU Cheer team took the mat on Friday, Jan. 14, in Orlando, Florida, at the UCA College Cheerleading National Championship. The team was able to place third in the Open Co-Ed Game Division. Head Coach, Collin Stokes, said the team did well this year, especially since last year, the national competition was held virtually.

“I think the team did an amazing job this year. It was a returning year for ‘Live & In-Person’ competition, after last year’s virtual competitive experience due to COVID-19. I was extremely proud of the hard work our team did as they faced many teams from larger universities, from the D1 level in the Open Coed Game Day Competitive Division...being able to return to the UCA College Nationals was both exciting and nerve-racking.

Our team had only five returning members that had ever competed inperson at a national’s competition,” Stokes said.

Stokes said that there is only one time a year where teams get the ability to participate in the na-

petitive experience comes with the addition of college memories and friendships that will last a lifetime,” Stokes said.

Cheer captain, DanLee Duncan, has participated in every national competition since being a member of MSU Cheer. Duncan, a kinesiology and English senior, said that the team pushed their bodies to their absolute limit this year.

“We competed with some of the best, even some of the strongest D1 schools, knowing the strong competition we had, I am so proud of how we did. We pushed our bodies to their absolute limit...we had so many injuries, from busted faces and torn ligaments to a broken foot right before competing, and we were still able to compete and be successful. My favorite memories at Disney this year had to be how well-known our cheer program actually is. We had other universities meeting us just to chat.

There were friends I have from the UCA Staff that were excited to watch us compete and individuals showing support from so many different social media platforms, “ Duncan said.

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tional championship. She also said that though making finals is tough, making it into the top three is even tougher.

“I was extremely proud of the hard work our team did as they faced many teams from larger universities...”

COLLIN STOKES

Head Coach of MSU Cheer Team speaking on team’s performance

“What most people don’t know is that for college cheerleading nationals, we get one shot for the year. We work all year for one performance.

Making finals is tough. Making top three in the nation is even tougher.

Placing third in the nation was an overwhelming feeling that cannot be described...my favorite part about this year’s team is their strong bond.

We call ourselves a family and that is exactly what we are. Plus, this com-

Jose Flores, physical education sophomore, is one of the 12 new members on the team. Flores had no cheer experience before becoming an MSU cheerleader.

“August 25 of last year was the first time I ever cheered. I joined because of Hector, he had been playing about me joining then one day he told me a few guys had left so he told me there was a need. Being a part of cheer was 10 times more difficult than I thought it would be,” Flores said.

“We pushed our bodies to their absolute limit...”

DANLEE DUNCAN Cheer Captain

speaking on team’s work ethic

Flores’ favorite part of Disney was the very first time the team performed. He said making it to the finals was a relief.

“Game Day was my favorite. The first time we did it, we were all just

so nervous and some of us were even crying. Making it to finals was such a relief and that was going up against D1 schools as well,” Flores said.

General business senior, Jordan Gomez, is a fifth-year member of MSU Cheer and said that this season has been a blessing. She is extremely proud of her team, considering many members have never competed at a collegiate competition before.

“This season was a surprise season for me. I was supposed to graduate in August so I didn’t think this season would’ve even happened. They canceled one of my classes, putting me to graduate in December, so this season has been such a blessing. I got to have one last experience performing in Orlando with my team. The energy and determination was amazing.

Most of the team had never competed before and some have never actually competed at Disney at UCA because last year we had to compete virtually.

My favorite memory was definitely during our game day routine. Everyone on our team gets to be on the mat and we all have that same experience being out there,” Gomez said.

Jan. 28, 2022 New Senior Staff | News | Centennial Kickoff | Entertainment | Theatre | Cheer Team | Stang Stories

12

A WOMAN OF MANY ORGANIZATIONS

RACHEL SHIPLEY

THALIA DOE FEATURE EDITOR achel Shipley, from Rowlett, Texas, said she had a few options when deciding which college she would attend. Wanting to study theatre, Shipley was able to

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perform her caracal in front of over 200 college representatives around the country; one of those was Midwestern State University.

“I went to the North Texas Drama auditions, and was called back by around fifteen colleges. I ended up

PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN

Shipley was offered a part-time job at the Wichita Falls Museum of Art after her internship and is working with the director on upper-management tasks that she wishes to pursue in her career, Jan. 22.

coming to a second round of auditions at MSU and they offered me a scholarship that gave me the most financial coverage in comparison to the other colleges. I also enjoyed the English department since I am a double major in theatre performance and English literature,” Shipley said.

Shipley says that ultimately, deciding to come to Midwestern was a smart decision. Now a senior, she is heavily involved in three organizations.

“I am the type of person who really likes being busy. I also felt like certain opportunities were too beneficial to both me now and me in the future, and the skills that I would develop alongside those opportunities,” Shipley said.

Shipley is the Woman’s Stand Council Coordinator for MOSAIC, president of Sigma Tau Delta and an officer for Alpha Psi Omega. To top it off, she also works at the Wichita Falls Museum of Art. “I became the council coordinator in December of 2019. One day I saw there was a job opening and I applied. I get the challenge of blending all MOSAIC’s purposes together based on being a woman,” Shipley said.

Shipley has been a member of Alpha Psi Omega all four years of her college experience and is glad to say that Sigma Tau Delta has newly been reinstated as a student organization on campus this past semester. Shipley says that, due to lack of funding, the fraternity had gone under.

“We put on performances like charity shows and then donate the proceeds. What I love about Sigma Tau Delta is we help support people through their academics in English.

What it comes down to being a part of both organizations, I am able to build a community with people that have related and or similar goals like me,” Shipley said.

Outside of the MSU community, Shipley was given the opportunity to participate in an internship program the English department had offered at the Wichita Falls Museum of Art. At the end of her internship, Shipley was offered a part-time job.

PHOTO BY COLIN STEVENSON | THE WICHITAN

Shipley reading “Wit” by Margaret Edson, Jan. 22.

“I got paired with the director of the museum, Tracy Robertson, I was able to work alongside her and do upper-level management tasks that I am wanting to do as a career. She offered me a paid position and so I work there now and will continue working there until I graduate and move to go on to grad school,” Shipley said.

Working at the museum has been the most challenging and fulfilling thing in all of Shipley’s years at college. Shipley says the ability to walk in every day, not knowing what to expect, with constant puzzles waiting to be solved, is what has allowed her to use the education received from MSU and merge it with real life experiences.

“It has just really solidified that I am heading down the right path going to graduate school for arts administration. Having the opportunity to connect artists, audiences and arts organizations, while being mentored by someone that has been in the profession for years. I am so blessed to have worked with Tracy

and to continue working with Tracy,” Shipley said.

Overall, she says leaving MSU is bittersweet but knows it is time to continue on to the next stage. One of her favorite moments at MSU has been her involvement with MOSAIC. “I would say my favorite moment I’ve had at Midwestern that I wouldn’t have been able to experience if I wasn’t involved, is seeing the growth and transformation of MOSAIC. I am really glad I’ve had the opportunity to work there and be a part of such great people and that also includes the faculty and staff and not just the other students,” Shipley said.

Shipley says that she is in love with the fact that she will be able to take what she has learned at Midwestern and apply it to her career field. Consequently, MSU will always be a part of her.

“This will always remain a part of what I am doing, even if it is not here. I can’t wait to take everything I’ve learned here and apply it into my career field.”