Volume 130, Issue 3

SERVING THE UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO SINCE 1893

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WEDNESDAY, WEDNESDAY,DECEMBER DECEMBER12, 13,2022 2023

PATRICIA NAVARRO-VELEZ

VOLUME 130, ISSUE 3

CHA-JAN ‘JERRY’ CHANG

Zoe Malen / Nevada Sagebrush Students placed candles on the base of the Mackay Statue on Dec. 8 to commemorate the three lives lost

A2 | NEWS

SERVING THE UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, RENO SINCE 1893

VOLUME 130, ISSUE 3 Executive Editor Emerson Drewes edrewes@sagebrush.unr.edu News Editor: Jaedyn Young jaedynyoung@sagebrushunr.edu Asst. News Editor: Nick Stewart ns@sagebrushunr.edu A&E Editor: Peregrine Hart peregrineh@sagebrush.unr. edu Opinion Editor: Gabriel Kanae gkanae@nevada.unr.edu Sports Editor: Derek Raridon draridon@sagebrush.unr.edu

@NevadaSagebrush | nevadasagebrush.com

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2023

BREAKING: Shooting At UNLV, President Sandoval Respondss By Jaedyn Young and Nick Stewart The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department reported just after noon on Wednesday that they were responding to “preliminary reports” of a shooting on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Police reported that the suspect had been found dead just before 1 p.m., the Associated Press reported SWAT officers moving onto the campus as a team shortly after the suspect was reported to be dead. Brian Sandoval, the University of Nevada, Reno president responded to the incident on Instagram, reporting there is no current threat to UNR. “This is an unimaginably sad and shocking day for our entire state with the news that there are multiple victims from an active shooting incident on the UNLV campus,” Sandoval said in his statement. “Although we do not know many of the details associated with this tragic news at the present time, our heart is broken for the students, faculty and staff of UNLV and the community of Las Vegas. UNLV is our proud partner in higher education in Nevada, and we stand with the people of UNLV on this terrible day.” Sandoval added that campus resources are available for students, faculty and staff at the university’s Counseling Services, the Employee Assistance Program and the LiveWell program.

“We send our deepest sympathies and our thoughts are with the families of the multiple victims of this terrible tragedy,” Sandoval said in the caption. “Today and in the days to come we are all Rebels.” UNLV’s emergency notifications reported at 11:54 a.m. on Dec. 6 from UPDSouth that university police responded to reports of shots fired in the Beam Hall, Frank and Estella building and told students to evacuate to a safe area. A message sent out to students and faculty from UNLV read “RUN-HIDE-FIGHT” according to AP. According to the UNLV’s Twitter, UNLV and all Nevada System of Higher Education institutions in southern Nevada only are closed for the rest of the day. All classes and events are reported to be canceled for the day. “There is NO further threat,” the LVMPD reported at 1:38 p.m. “No idea about motive. A number of victims have been transported to area hospitals. Those details will be available soon.” The investigation for the shooting is ongoing and LVMPD reported that the suspect was located and deceased at 12:37 p.m. LVMPD’s Sheriff Kevin McMahill stated there was no longer a threat to the community at 1:56 p.m.

“The suspect is deceased. Right now, we know there are 3 victims, but unknown extent of the injuries. That number could change,” McMahill said. “We will update you when we know more.” The Associated Students of the University of Nevada, Reno posted a statement around 1:45 p.m. regarding the shoot. “Our hearts go to our friends and colleagues at the University of Las Vegas that have experienced a shooter crisis,” the statement said. “We recognize the stress and hardship that this event may have on the student body. We ask that the Wolf Pack keep the victims and safety of the UNLV community in their thoughts.” UNR also tweeted at 2:14 p.m. that UNR’s main campus and all NSHE operations in northern Nevada will remain open.

Jaedyn Young and Nick Stewart can be reached via email at jaedynyoung@ sagebrush.unr.edu, on Twitter @

Co-copy Editors: Jessie Cabrera jessicacabrera@sagebrush. unr.edu Aria Frey alfrey@sagebrush.unr.edu Spanish Editor: Jaqueline Lopez jaquelinel@sagebrush.unr. edu Design Editor: Brooke Germain bgermain@sagebrush.unr. edu Photo Editor: Zoe Malen zoemalen02@gmail.com Multimedia Editor: Patrick McNabb pmcnabb@sagebrush.unr.edu

CONTRIBUTING STAFFERS Chase Dulude, Emily Hess, Em Tomeo, Lexi Trent, Lily Walker

DISCLAIMER The Nevada Sagebrush is a newspaper operated by and for the students of the University of Nevada, Reno. The contents of this newspaper do not necessarily reflect those opinions of the university or its students. It is published by the students

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Vigil Held At UNR To Remember Lives Lost During UNLV Shooting By Nick Stewart

The notorious rivalry between University of Nevada, Reno and University of Nevada, Las Vegas seemed to be on hold, as members of the northern Nevada community gave their condolences on Thursday to the lives lost during a shooting at the sister school. The color red, which is normally outlawed at UNR, was seen smattered across the quad as people left mementos in remembrance. The university is also urging students to wear red on Friday for UNLV, a day normally reserved for wearing blue. The shooting took place on December 6, claiming three lives including Patricia Navarro-Velez, Cha Jan “Jerry” Chang and Naoko Takemaru who were faculty at UNLV. One other person was wounded. Small candles and flowers sat at the right side of the Mackay Statue to protect from the breeze. Community members diligently relit candles as they blew out from the wind, eventually placing the candles to spell out UNLV. Brooke Ellis, organizer of the event, passed out candles and lighters to participants. Ellis was born and raised in Las Vegas and has many friends and family members, including her cousin, who attend the university and were on campus at the time of the incident. “It was really scary having to call everyone as soon as I figured out the news,” said Ellis. “I was panicking.”

Ellis’ friends and family were able to respond quickly to her calls, but that wasn’t the case for everyone. “A lot of my friends who are from Vegas and have friends who go to UNLV had to wait for people to be evacuated before they could use their phones,” Ellis said. “It was kind of an MIA type of situation and that was terrifying for them.”

These people deserve to be remembered. They were everything to someone. The shooter has been identified as Anthony Polito, a 67-year-old professor, who carried out the targeted attack after applying for a job at the university, and not being hired. Polito died on the scene. Many students raised their concerns about

gun violence in schools on social media. Grace Matteo, UNR student and vigil attendee, expressed a need for gun reform everywhere. “Children, adults, staff, people who are paying to go to school do not deserve this,” she said. “The media coverage that surrounds an event dies out, but it needs to be constant in our brains. It needs to be at the top of our lists.” Matteo and other students hope that UNR will hold an official remembrance event, but are happy that the student community came together to hold their own. “These people deserve to be remembered,” she said. “They were everything to someone.” Brian Sandoval, UNR President, said Thursday that it is important for people to do what they can to show their support for UNLV. “Our continued support goes out to all of the UNLV community as it deals with this unimaginable and devastating experience,” Sandoval said in a statement. “The Rebels are our friends, neighbors and colleagues.” The investigation into the shooting is still ongoing and being led by the Las Vegas Metro Police Department. Jaedyn Young and N ick Stewar t can be reached via email at j a e d y nyo u n g @ s a g e b r u s h . u n r. e d u, or on Twitter @NevadaSagebrush

UNR Holds Official Vigil For UNLV Shooting Victims

By Nick Stewart

The sun set on a cold Monday afternoon on the University of Nevada, Reno campus as the vigil began. A large number of students and faculty gathered outside of the Joe Crowley Student Union to pay their respects to the faculty members who lost their lives in last week’s shooting on the UNLV campus. This is the second vigil that was held on the university campus following the tragedy. Another vigil was held last week the day after the shooting and was organized by students via social media and held at the Mackay statue on the quad. The UNR Student Vocal Ensemble gathered near the stage while people were given candles in small plastic cups to hold during the program. The shooting claimed the lives of UNLV faculty members Patricia Navarro-Velez, Cha Jan “Jerry” Chang and Naoko Takemaru. One other person was critically injured, but is currently stable. The investigation into the shooting is still ongoing. Boris Guerra, Associated Students of

the University of Nevada president and an organizer of the event shared a few words of condolences at the start of the vigil. “Our heartbreak for the UNLV community and this vigil is a symbol of love,” said Guerra in his speech. “It means a lot seeing a lot of the Wolf Pack community out here supporting our Nevada students.” Guerra explained how it had a strong impact on him personally. “It’s scary because we were just at UNLV a couple days before for the Board of Regents meeting,” said Guerra. “There’s so many school shootings it’s sad that we’ve become so desensitized to it.” Olivia Ngo, public relations director for ASUN took the stage following Guerra’s speech and performed Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift. The vocal ensemble performance followed Ngo’s, while the crowd remained silent throughout both performances. Emily Guijarro was one of the students showing support. Guijarro is from Las Vegas and said her mom knew one of the victims.

“I feel like this was the least I could do,” she said. “I also had friends who were there when everything happened.” Guijarro says she is feeling uneasy after the events at UNLV. “I’m kind of scared to go to classes now,” she said. “I know our campus is pretty safe, but it’s scary knowing that it could happen here.” Brian Sandoval, president of the university was unable to attend the vigil as he is recovering from COVID-19, but Shannon Ellis, vice president of student services spoke on his behalf. “We will still continue to promote lifechanging education here in Reno and down in Las Vegas. but we’re never going to be quite the same because our sisters and brothers down south have suffered,” said Ellis. “Attending this vigil, this remembrance, is a piece of weaving this tragedy into through your personal narrative.” Nick Stewart can be reached via email at ns@ sagebrush.unr.edu, on Twitter @NevadaSagebrush

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2023

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wrapped UNR at Lake Tahoe campus sees zero enroll during Fall ‘23 semester

Zoe Malen / Nevada Sagebrush

By Jaedyn Young After the University of Nevada, Reno acquired Sierra Nevada University, now UNR at Lake Tahoe, in July 2022, there has been nothing short of buzz from administration about the new campus. However, students have been harder to wrangle in on the excitement, with no students applying to attend or live at the Lake Tahoe campus in the Fall ‘23 semester. According to records obtained by The Nevada Sagebrush, 34 students showed interest, but none made the 37-mile jump to the Lake Tahoe campus. The program was open to sophomores and juniors and was “tailored toward students studying the visual arts, environmental sciences and sustainability related disciplines,” according to their marketing materials. Douglas P. Boyle became the Interim Vice Provost and Dean of the University’s Lake Tahoe campus on July 1. Boyle told The Nevada Sagebrush that the “Semester at Lake Tahoe” program was formed just about a year ago as a study abroad program. Students could take advantage of the cabin-like facilities, dorm rooms and dining hall, all within a mile walk to the Lake Tahoe shores, but not many seemed interested.

“I do know right away, it was clear we didn’t have classes … that formed a program for the Semester at Tahoe students,” Boyle said after being asked about the enrollment at the campus. “We could do that for the spring, but it’s really going to be tight because we’ll still have 55 [legacy] students.” Boyle mentioned that the semester abroad can be a challenge since they don’t have the courses that allow for many students to get their major requirements just yet, forcing them to take only select classes. A major issue after the acquisition which affected enrollment is former SNU students, now called legacy students, are being phased out, which leads to many classes being cut. “About 121 SNU students decided to stay here [in 2022],” Boyle said. “We generally refer to them as the SNU legacy students, but they are UNR students.” Currently, 71 legacy students remain; they anticipate 55 students will remain after the Fall semester and 38 at the end of the school year. Even after, there will be three more semesters before all former SNU students are officially phased out. During the acquisition, the students were noti-

fied that they were allowed to stay on the campus to finish their degrees without going to Reno, which is now the main campus. Difficulty ensued when the requirements of their specific degrees were now defunct, forcing the university to create new degree programs so legacy students could graduate. “The challenge that prevents us is that these students all have very specific curriculum requirements. We have to offer those classes and they have to take them in order to get their degrees,” Boyle said. “A lot of those courses are not going to fit with UNR main campus students … It’s a challenge to figure out how to bring in new students while this teach-out is occurring.” For example, all of their students have finished their English courses required for their major, so no English courses are being offered during Fall ‘23 — isolating any English majors with interest in the Lake Tahoe campus. “With a semester abroad, there’s that challenge of being away from your major for a whole semester,” Boyle said. “[We] really have to think carefully about how to do that. How does a student take courses and not get too side-tracked from their

Underneath The Wolf Head: The Double Life of Kyla Segovia Zoe Malen / Nevada Sagebrush

course of study?” However, Boyle recognizes he needs to offer sudents from the main campus something that’s “high quality” for their program. He said they have a lot of ideas for bringing students to visit the campus, meet students and get a full campus experience in Lake Tahoe. They predict they will have the teaching capacity in fall 2024 to offer more courses for students on the main campus to take. For example, silver core requirements could be taken at the Lake Tahoe campus, and newer courses that they can’t take at the main campus will also be offered to count towards certain majors.

Continued online at thenevadasagebrush.com Jaedyn Young can be reached via email at jaedynyoung@sagebrush. unr.edu, on Twitter @jaedyn_young3

Protestors drown out new business building groundbreaking in support of Feifei Fan

Zoe Malen / Nevada Sagebrush Students protest outside of the new business building groundbreaking on Oct. 12 in support of Feifei Fan.

Zoe Malen / Nevada Sagebrush Zoe Malen / Nevada Sagebrush

By Nick Stewart Kyla Segovia gets the crowd roaring at every Wolf Pack football game, but not before concealing her identity with a fur-covered suit, a cheer skirt and a large wolf head. “Most people know that I’m involved with the cheer squad, but they don’t know exactly what it is that I do,” said Segovia. Segovia has a background in dance and cheer. While her job for the Wolf Pack might seem unusual, she’s still getting to connect back to her performing roots. “I have been a performer my whole life, and then I came out here before I was even accepted to the university for a cheer clinic,” said Segovia. “My RA who was a mascot last year basically encouraged me to try out and I did and here we are.” When she gets to apply her performing background to her job as Luna, it becomes an even more special experience. On a frigid afternoon on Halloween weekend, the cheer team with Nevada Wolf Pack is inside Legacy Hall preparing for the homecoming football game. Segovia plays the role of Luna, one of the beloved Wolf Pack mascots. “I wake up, I do my hair, I put on music and then I walk to Legacy [Hall] or one of my teammates picks me up and we get all hyped up together,” she said. Segovia and her teammates don’t sit around for hours before the game. She laid out a whole timeline of events for the cheer squad that take place before a big game. “We’re usually doing the Wolf Pack Walk, the President’s Tailgate and just a ton of other things that happen prior to the game,” she said. The game that day started at 7:30 p.m., but Segovia and her teammates were on campus for several hours beforehand. This is a pretty

typical routine for her before suiting up. 3 p.m. Suit up for Wolf Pack Walk Inside Legacy Hall, the Wolf Pack cheer squad are scrambling to get ready for the first of several events that night. Segovia is struggling to get Luna’s head properly fitted onto her body. “People think it’s a really easy gig that we get,” said Segovia. “It’s really hot. It’s a lot of movement. We try to take as little breaks as possible – especially on game day.” One of the last minute preparations Segovia made was stomping a Wolf Pack T-shirt in some mud and running it over several times with a golf cart. Since the game took place on Halloween weekend, the theme for the halftime show was going to be based on the song “Thriller”, and the goal was to make the squad look like zombies. The mascots and a few other members of the squad packed into the small golf cart to start the Wolf Pack Walk, where the mascots and cheer squad get to interact with the fans at the tailgate before the kickoff. At the tailgate, Segovia – now Luna – danced to the tunes from the marching band and took many pictures with fans in the parking lot. 4 p.m. Quick bite before President’s Tailgate After exciting fans during the Wolf Pack Walk, Segovia and the other mascots returned to Legacy Hall for a quick change into some more comfortable clothing. One of the other mascots that night was Mikayla Pagh, who is also one of Segovia’s team captains. Pagh’s family were some of the tailgaters where the Wolf Pack Walk took place. Her

family set up their RV with a canopy, some chairs and a table with tortillas and toppings for tacos. Pagh and her family served up tacos and nachos to the mascots, and everyone got to sit and relax for a while. Segovia and the other mascots came to get food and drinks from Pagh’s family while the rest of the squad was out selling Wolf Pack merch. 5 p.m. Back at Legacy Hall Before heading to the President’s Tailgate, Segovia and the other mascots had to go back to Legacy Hall once more to get back into their costumes. The cheer squad coaches provided more food for the team and acknowledged some of the members for their recent accomplishments. The mascots sat in the back of the room just having casual conversation before jumping back into the suits.

By Jaedyn Young Ambient background music and speeches were muffled by protestors at the Mathewson Gateway Project College of Business building groundbreaking on Thursday. Students were protesting the recent case filed by Feifei Fan, University of Nevada, Reno engineering professor, against the UNR for alleged sexual abuse from from Yanyao Jiang, fellow mechanical engineering professor, and pitfalls within Title IX. Protestors arrived slightly before the scheduled start of the event at 3 p.m., clad with signs with sentiments written on them in support of Fan and condemning the university. They stood at the corner of Virginia Street and Ninth Street with their pickets reading “Justice for Fei Fei,” “Reform Title IX,” amongst others. Previously, a group of roughly 20 students from the University met on Oct. 9 to discuss the recent allegations filed against the University The students organizing the cause gave a summary of the case allegations in the University case and added details of the specific allegations filed against the mechanical engineering professor Yanyao Jiang in this suit and the private suit that got dismissed on Sept. 9. This gathering discussed wanting to focus on fundraisers for Fan, media attention, walk-outs and protests against the university. However, the students also said they don’t want anyone to compromise their academics for protests or walkouts. “One petition, one protest, that’s not really going to do anything. They want us to feel exhausted and to stop, right? Cause then we’ll just go back to normal life and everything will get brushed under the rug,” Fiorina Chau, one of the students at the meeting said. “This is something that we have to be very consistent in and we have to persevere to bring change.” The group planned this protest during the meeting, organizing on public streets around the new business building unveiling event. People of prestige were at the event, to witness the groundbreaking and the protest, including Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto D-NV; Ed Lawson, City of Sparks mayor; Byron Brooks, chair of the Nevada System of Higher Education; Gregory Mosier, dean of the College of Business; Stacie Mathewson, donor for the Mathewson Gateway Project, and many faculty, staff and administrators.

Continued online at thenevadasagebrush.com Nick Stewart can be reached via email at ns@sagebrush.unr.edu, on Twitter @NevadaSagebrush

Continued online at thenevadasagebrush.com

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2023

For UNR students, the circus is closer than you think By Peregrine Hart If you’ve been thinking of running away from your classes to join the circus, you may be surprised to learn that there’s an opportunity to do so just minutes from campus. On Fourth St. and Elko Ave., the University of Nevada, Reno alumni-run studio, Acro Enso, offers circus training out of a retrofitted brownstone. The building comes equipped with room to dangle silks or hoops off of old scaffolding and ample floor space for budding back-handsprings or handstands. It gets cold in the fall and winter months, but it’s hard to stay chilly in a rigorous tumbling lesson with Keisha Thrift, an Acro Enso coach, coowner and UNR biochemistry graduate — or a Cyr wheel lesson with Cyrus Luciano, an Acro Enso coach, co-owner and UNR mathematics graduate. This Nov. 18, however, the cavernous acrobatics studio was balmy even for idle visitors, who gathered to sit on repurposed mats and precious few actual chairs. The students and coaches they had come to see — seasoned professionals and beginners, adults and elementary schoolers — had been preparing for weeks. Now it was time to put on a show. Thrift, dressed for the occasion in a top hat and cape, introduced the facility’s first showcase since the start of the pandemic. Jerod McCurry, a porter at the studio, contributed comedic interludes throughout. Aerial silks, a discipline in which movement artists climb, pose and invert on hanging pieces of fabric, opened the showcase, with a troupe of young performers the first to take the makeshift stage. They were followed by dramatic adult performers on silks and hammock — an apparatus similar to silk, only in a closed loop. Ground acrobatics, meanwhile, brought another young team, followed by a duo of UNR students: Molly Allen, a mechanical engineering senior who coaches the silks troupe that opened the performance, and Kennedy Maxfield, an incoming freshman who teaches a youth and family class for Level 1 silks as well as a pre-competition team. Both also teach private lessons. “When I was little, I told my mom I wanted to be in the circus, and she thought that was a joke — but it turned out not to be a joke,” Maxfield, who’s been doing aerial silks for over seven years, said. Allen, who’s been doing silks for five years, somewhat sheepishly admitted that she’d been hooked by the 2018 movie musical, “The Greatest Showman.” “I saw Zendaya on that trapeze and I was like, ‘I need to be her,’” Allen said. Following the closure of the studio where she began training, Allen became a coach at Acro Enso. For the past year, she and Maxfield have also been training together in ground acrobatics. The showcase on Nov. 18 was their partner acrobatics debut. “We wanted it to be fun and not be crazy dramatic, so we just chose the Aladdin soundtrack,” Maxfield said. Maxfield also juggled from atop Allen’s shoulders during the performance. “Coming from my background [in silks], it was always very individual,” Allen said. “Now, it’s like, I’m responsible for making sure that Kennedy is safe and stable and secure. And that’s difficult and also rewarding because someone is relying on me. That performance isn’t just my success, it’s hers, too.” Before a brief intermission, audience members were asked to turn their seats to the other side of the studio. From this angle, the makeshift stage was hard ground instead of padded practice space — perfect for Acro Enso’s other specialty, the Cyr wheel.

In Cyr wheel, performers interact with, spin and do tricks in a metal wheel wrapped with PVC. Luciano and Thrift founded Acro Enso in part because there was no other place to study Cyr wheel in town at the time. Now, four years later, several students and visiting artists, who were there as part of the studio’s Biggest Little Cyr Festival, contributed a piece to the second half of the showcase. They ranged widely from somber to positively cheeky. To finish the lineup, an ensemble of dancers contributed an energized hip-hop piece, a nod to the studio’s forays into dance as a complement to circus. At their most precise, the night’s performers made their work look easy. But as UNR’s resident circus artists attest, it very much isn’t. “I feel like a lot of people focus on the showmanship of circus,” Molly Allen said, “and yes, we’re putting on a show, but it’s also athleticism. There’s a lot of skill and strength involved.” Even in something as delicate-seeming as silks, she added, there’s a lot to get used to. “We call them silks kisses when we get, like, bruises from the silks. Especially aerial troupe: they’re getting into high level things that do hurt, there’s just no way around it. Silks is beautiful and fun, and it’s also a little unforgiving sometimes,” Allen said. But in circus, not all pain is equal, as Kennedy Maxfield explained. “If you break your arm and you feel your bones snap, that’s bad pain! As long as there’s no dislocating or straining and things are moving the way they’re supposed to, that’s good pain,” Maxfield said. Generally, they both pointed out, we’re taught to shy away from all kinds of pain — but there’s no climbing six feet into the air without accepting the discomfort. Or, as Allen appreciates in plenty of her young students, accepting the possibility of failure. “At this point in my life, I have a deathly fear of failure, but they don’t have that attitude at all,” Allen said. “And they’re just so ambitious and enthusiastic, and I think teaching them and seeing that energy and getting to participate in it brings me back to that place. I can just try it, because if these kids can do it and whip things out like this, I can too.” Adults are also more than welcome to try their hand at adopting that same attitude in circus at Acro Enso. In fact, it’s encouraged. “Do it, come, try it! Everyone should try it, that’s what I think,” Maxfield said. “I feel like everyone is capable of more than they think, and a lot of people are just too scared to try.”

Peregrine Hart can be reached at peregrineh@.unr.edu or on Instagram @pintofperegrine. She started her circus journey on the aerial hoop.

Zoe Malen/ Nevada Sagebrush Kennedy Maxfield, balancing over Molly Allen, strikes a pose during their ground acrobatics performance Nov. 18.

Yes, we’re putting on a show, but it’s also athleticism.

Zoe Malen/ Nevada Sagebrush Members of Acro Enso’s youth aerial troupe, which Allen coaches, shows off a dual pose with silks during their Nov. 18 performance.

Flamingos In The Tree Take The Stage At The Cypress

Zoe Malen / Nevada Sagebrush

Zoe Malen / Nevada Sagebrush

Zoe Malen / Nevada Sagebrush

Flamingos In The Tree brought a dreamlike soundscape to The Cypress this October.

The Cypress, a Midtown venue, brings a refreshing lineup of artists Audience members wait for the night’s headliner under the venue’s close to home. moody lighting.

By Emily Hess On a crisp October evening in Reno, Nev., The Cypress was transformed into a haven of indie rock dreams as Flamingos in the Tree took the stage, delivering a memorable performance. The night began with promising openers, Noah Linker and Night Rooms, setting the mood for what would become a captivating musical journey. Noah Linker kicked things off with an acoustic set that showcased his introspective songwriting and emotive vocals. The audience was immediately drawn into his heartfelt lyrics and soulful melodies, setting the tone for the evening with a touch of melancholic beauty. Night Rooms followed, with a dynamic performance that blended electronic and alternative elements, creating an atmosphere that was both ethereal and electric. Their soundscapes resonated through the venue, eliciting both contemplation and dance-worthy moments — a perfect precursor to the headlining act. As the crowd buzzed with anticipation, Flamingos in the Tree emerged, drawing the audience into their ethereal realm. This Reno-born band’s unique journey, from humble beginnings in a col-

lege dorm room to recording their debut record in a church basement, added a touch of nostalgia and authenticity to the evening. Flamingos in the Tree effortlessly transported the audience with their dreamy indie-rock sound. Their signature blend of wistful lyrics and dream-pop vibes created an ambiance that felt like a cool beach breeze, even in the heart of Nevada. The airy, yet immersive soundscapes painted vivid pictures and told stories of love, longing, and personal journeys. Lead singer Daniel Escovar’s vocals were the heart and soul of the performance. His emotive delivery, combined with the ethereal instrumentals provided by Spencer Thomas, Jarvis Humlick and James Pizzo, created an emotional connection that seemed to resonate deeply with the audience. Their setlist, which included tracks from their record “sunsets that i had w u,” was a sonic journey that left no listener untouched. One of the standout moments of the evening was their performance of “Sarah Tonin,” a track that embodies the band’s signature sound with its dreamy guitar riffs and heartfelt lyrics. The crowd swayed and sang along, completely immersed in the world

Flamingos in the Tree had crafted. As the night came to a close, the band shared that they had recently relocated to the Bay Area, signaling an exciting new chapter in their musical journey. The audience left The Cypress that night feeling not only musically satisfied, but also with a sense of anticipation for what this talented group of musicians will create next. Flamingos in the Tree’s performance at The Cypress was a testament to the power of indie music to create emotional connections, transporting the audience to a dreamscape where sunsets and memories intermingle. The night left no doubt that Flamingos in the Tree is a band to watch as they continue to craft their unique and captivating sound.

Emily Hess can be reached at peregrineh@unr.edu or on Twitter via @ NevadaSagebrush.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2023

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UNR Dance Returns Triumphantly To Full Capacity With Fall Dance Festival

Sagebrush Behind the Scenes: Three Fall Dance Festival Choreographers Share Their Process By Peregrine Hart With its engineering and medicine-heavy reputation, a class of ultra-talented, budding choreographers may be the last thing anyone expects from the University of Nevada, Reno. However, this year’s stunning Fall Dance Festival said otherwise.

During a week of grueling dress rehearsals leading up to the performance, three of the choreographers offered the Sagebrush a look behind-the-scenes.

Emily Leech “(un)ATTACHED”

Zoe Malen/Nevada Sagebrush Femininity meets horror in a dance choreographed by Maddy Regrut for the Fall Dance Festival.

By Peregrine Hart After a year away from the fully-equipped Redfield Proscenium Theatre, the University of Nevada, Reno’s ever-talented dance program made a sparkling return to its regular space at the annual Fall Dance Festival. With lighting, full sound and an expansive stage to call their own, nine choreographers — all current students or alumni — brought an original work of dance to the production, which ran Nov. 2 to Nov. 4. As all dance events at the University promise, the lineup was full of surprises, and brimming with underrecognized talent. Kiera Middlebrook’s opener, “DY SPANCE 3000,” combined a short, sleek riff on spy thrillers with perfectly-executed touches of slapstick comedy. The soundtrack included John Barry’s iconic “James Bond” theme and hysterical bespoke sound effects by Devin Middlebrook. The dancers, an unbeatable ensemble of four, made the difficult work of moving in sync with lighting cues look effortless. This prowess in technique is especially impressive when considering the jump the dance program had to make: from last year’s productions in the Lombardi Recreation Center to their much larger current stage. Lighting cues were also missing last year given the

previous venue’s restricted capacities for tech. In the Fall Dance Festival, however, the lighting work from new theater professor Don Eller and operation from crew member Ashely Marchesini made the Redfield feel like a well-oiled machine. In Anthony McMenamy’s piece, “Humanism,” the addition of theater tech made already propulsive choreography hypnotizing to watch. An expansive sense of movement combined with the venue’s big sound made for an enticing glimpse of the art form at full scope. A searing pivot to the surreal followed in Maddy Regrut’s haunting “Pressurized.” The piece’s soundtrack paired melancholy piano from Maurice Ravel with a disturbed soundscape of glitch and static. Regrut’s choreography, in similar form, paired lacy nightgowns with an abrupt, almost alien lexicon in the five dancers. In style, “Pressurized” seemed to take from and reject ballet in equal measure. “Pressurized” wasn’t alone that night in peering deep into the horror of femininity, though its angle — a juxtaposition straight out of “The Yellow Wallpaper” — was unique. Afterwards, “PARTY!” took a very different tone; a sprightly ode to silent discos, “PARTY!” was likely the

Zoe Malen/Nevada Sagebrush A performance of “(un)ATTACHED” as part of the Fall Dance Festival.

Emily Leech, a recent psychology and criminal justice graduate, can say she’s been dancing her whole life — no exaggeration. “I was put in dance in my preschool program, because my parents said I wouldn’t sit still. Then I was a competition dance kid up until I was a senior in high school,” Leech said. That year, however, an injury was enough to take her out of the studio until college — where, if it weren’t for going stir-crazy during the early COVID-19 pandemic, she never would’ve returned to dance. The second they had in-person classes again, Leech explained, she signed up for dance. Shortly thereafter, she auditioned for a sociallydistanced virtual dance concert — and added dance as a minor that semester. Her work, “(un)ATTACHED” made it to this year’s Fall Dance Concert by way of the Student Choreography Showcase, a smaller spring event that offers students in Choreography III a chance to workshop an original piece. From there, University dance faculty chose student choreographers for the Fall Dance Festival. Leech was asked to expand “(un) ATTACHED” from the form it took in the Student Choreography Showcase. Altogether, by the time the Fall Dance Festival came around, she’d

been working on it for almost a year — and that time brought creative changes. “Originally, my first draft of this piece was all about relationships and how the same few people can all be related but in very different ways,” Leech said. “I had storylines of how each dancer was interacting with one another, but now there’s more of a broad scope to it, and you can put your own meaning to it.” “(un)ATTACHED” has also undergone important changes moving venues. The dance program, which has been performing in the 82-seat Lombardi Recreation Center for about a year, is now finally able to use the fully-equipped Redfield Proscenium theater. “Those are two different settings,” Leech said. “My first dance really fit that intimate setting [in Lombardi] where the audience was next to you. Whereas in here, they do a lot of large, expansive movements, but it’s because the audience is bigger. You have to see it from far away; the storyline still has to read in a different setting.” The change in venue has brought about new creative liberties, too. Chief among them: full lighting. Leech carried the theme from the costumes chosen for her dancers. Rather than holding to a strict color scheme, she had them bring in their

Jenna Fortino, “PARTY!”

Zoe Malen/Nevada Sagebrush Andrew Paiz’s operatic “A Clean Look Makeup Experience” in the Fall Dance Festival.

lineup’s most infectious. Its charming, zany ensemble made an ample use of pop music’s compulsive danceability. Jenna Fortino, the only choreographer in the group who shares official credit with the dancers, brought the spontaneous party to “PARTY!”, completing the vision with neon headphones and ample glitter. “PARTY!” gave way to an outrageous piece by alumni Andrew Paiz, sure to be the night’s most divisive. Paiz took notes from vintage makeup commercials in creating “A Clean Look Makeup Experience,” which landed somewhere between sketch comedy, musical theater and 2001: A Space Odyssey. Paiz’s choreography was refreshingly unafraid of its own silliness, and often arranged itself into tableaus with the drama of a renaissance painting. The rumors were true: lipstick was indeed a prop and it definitely got eaten. Alyssa Von Eberstein’s cheeky “Wrap it up!” made similarly funny inroads, starting with competitive tap — and getting even better. Eberstein put the ensemble of eight in tennis-ball-green jumpers and set them to work parodying too many cultural touchstones to list in the program. Bubble wrap made almost every kind of appearance imaginable: it’s probably a miracle that a troupe of stressed college students can put on something so earnestly playful. For the program’s final third, a set of scarier, more tender emotions took hold. In a moving finish, all three of the final choreographers brought solemn, contemplative pieces to the stage — ending the program with a grounding deep breath. Emily Leech’s “(un)ATTACHED” was the first of two to tug at the nature of human connection. The ensemble of five included the multi-talented Demiah Hunt,

whose range stretched impressively into other genres, from the spy thriller in “DY SPANCE 3000” to touches of horror in “Pressurized.” Leech’s strong visual sensibilities rendered a stunning, layered configuration on stage. Pairs and trios shifted into new combinations under subtly dusk-like light, with transitions as seamless as the ones woven into the music. “Finding Balance,” from choreographer Mariana Delgado Ceniceros, also made a powerful use of formations. Color-blocking through the dancers’ bright yet understated costumes produced one striking visual after another. A recorded poem read at its opening — twice — by other dancers slowed time in the auditorium, imploring its viewers to lose themselves in detail. To close, Petra Warburton’s “Please Hold Me” brought the program back into the question of how we relate to one another, this time with a special emphasis on touch. Warburton’s intensely cathartic choreography was rich with intimacy, showing the dancers supporting increasingly large amounts of one another’s weight. Miela Offerle, who also appeared in “Pressurized,” offered a stirring portrayal of how hard it is to break out of isolation — and how good it feels once you’re out.

Peregrine Hart can be reached at peregrineh@unr.edu or on Instagram @pintofperegrine.

Zoe Malen/Nevada Sagebrush A silent disco takes the stage in “PARTY!”

Jenna Fortino, in keeping with her dance’s title, set out to have a good time. After Fortino’s original piece was evaluated during the Student Choreography Showcase, she was asked to explore something new. “I didn’t have a solid idea of where I was going, I just knew I wanted to do something fun,” Fortino explained. The eventual result was a glitterspeckled silent disco, set to tracks like the rollicking “Wizard Disco” by Louie Zong and the easygoing yet danceable “Daylight” by Harry Styles. “PARTY!” also brought some humor, character and spontaneity to the stage — which, Fortino added, was thanks to her open-ended rehearsal process. “I’ve been a very go-with-the-flow choreographer, so whatever comes to me in the moment, it’s like, yeah, let’s do it!” Fortino said. “I’m playing with all of these movements and ideas and costumes and props. The dancers, too — they had really good input and feedback.” So much so, in fact, that Fortino shared official credit with them on the program. It was also a challenge, Fortino added, “Finding a good balance between play and work, be-

cause you get so excited to hang out with your friends while creating a piece.” The playfulness of “PARTY!” also marks a change in tone for Fortino. “This is my fourth piece here, and the other three pieces have all been relatively serious. My last piece was inspired by a lot of heavy stuff, and once I had finished that piece I was kind of ready to move on and make something exciting,” Fortino said. For Fortino, that also meant making peace with her method, and embracing the idea of coming in lessprepared. “Usually the beginning concept is not what you end up with, but the end product is something even better than you could’ve imagined,” Fortino said. “It really is a rollercoaster — you just go.”

Continued online at nevadasagebrush.com Peregrine Hart can be reached at peregrineh@unr.edu or on Instagram @pintofperegrine.

Opinion A6 | OPINION

@NevadaSagebrush | nevadasagebrush.com

Situationships are like unpaid internships, not worth it By Emily Hess “Situationships” are the Gen-Z version of friends ever after in reality people primarily get hurt in these with benefits. First brought about in 2006, situation- situations. ships can be defined as: “any problematic relationMy situationship went on for a couple months. I ship characterized by one or more unresolved, in- got to know him intimately, met their friends and terpersonal conflicts, usually confused with dating,” even talked about the future. I thought this was goaccording to Dictionary.com. ing somewhere; but relationships take two people. A situationship is essentially a relationship in limBut why wouldn’t the person who didn’t want the bo. One person is unsure of being in a relationship relationship just leave? and another person who wants to be in a relationPersonally, I blame the excess of accessibility we ship is waiting for the person to buck up and com- have in this day and age: Tinder, Hinge, Instagram, mit. Snapchat, you can legitimately have your cake and Situationships are often the continuation of eat it too. You no longer have to look longingly at a a hook-up with an emphasis on wanting more. bar or meet someone through a friend-of-a-friend. It closely mocks a relationship, but one partner Today, the illusion of choice has ruined the dating is more invested than the other, because if they landscape. If you look up “#situationship” on TikTok weren’t invested it would cease to exist. you’ll find thousands of videos of women crying But why would anyone want to do that to them- about men that won’t commit to them. selves? Have everything a relationship has, miHowever, for a situationship to really work, somenus the relationship? Because, situationships are one needs to be putting in the effort. This person is sneaky. You don’t really understand you’re in one generally more anxiously attached to the partner until it’s nearly too late. who won’t commit to the other. In my experience Pulling from personal experience, I found myself the person that is putting in the work often feels like waiting around for a person to see how committed I they’re drained trying to make this work. The person was to them and make me their girlfriend. However, who says they don’t want a relationship, is often the I failed to realize that they stuck around because I one that is putting in little to no effort. was willing to continue without a label; I was esThis gave a weird patriarchal power dynamic in sentially being stringed along. Why would they give my situation. All I wanted was for the relationship to me the pleasure of a label when I was putting in the go my way, but due to the lack of commitment from work of a full-blown relationship without the title? my partner I was frequently left in the dark. It was basically an unpaid internship. Now this is the part of the situationship where If you listen to popularized music, you’ll find that Taylor pulls out her pen and starts writing. The many people find themselves in similar situations: second you feel the shift in the relationship, when Out of the Woods (Taylor’s Version), defines an ill- they’re pulling away, you have a choice. This is the fated short-term relationship that was meant to time to sit down and have a conversation with yourcrash and burn, “are we in the clear yet?” Of course, self, or the other party (if they’re even willing). to mention another Taylor Swift song, august by Remember that every situationship is unique, Taylor Swift defines the situationships perfectly, and the best approach may vary depending on your “August slipped away in a moment in time / ‘cause individual circumstances and feelings. The key is to it was never mine”. This line explains the fleeting ro- prioritize your own happiness and well-being while mance of an unlabeled relationship and the under- being respectful and considerate of the other perstanding that it was truly never hers. son’s feelings as well. For those of you who aren’t Swifties, “Salt in the So, my fellow situationship survivors, as we wrap Wound” by boygenius speaks about the longing for up this rollercoaster ride through the maze of moda label with the line “You add insult to injury, you say ern love, remember this: life’s too short for ‘unpaid you believe in me, but you haven’t decided about internships,’ especially the kind that don’t even offer taking or leaving me.” college credit. Regardless of music, the situationship is everywhere: “The Great Gatsby” is a great example of unrequited love with Gatsby and Daisy. Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Licorice Pizza” shows us unconven- Opinions expressed in The Nevada Sagebrush tional situationships with Alana and Gary. Arguably are solely those of the author and do not necesthe most infamous example of the situationships is sarily express the views of The Sagebrush or its the 1989 film, “When Harry Met Sally”. It should be staff. Emily Hess is a student at the University noted that most of the stories receive their happily of Nevada studying English. She can be reached at gkanae@sagebrush.unr.edu and on Twitter @

To Ty Dolla $ign: We’re Not Nevada State

By Emma Tomeo Events at the University of Nevada, Reno aim to “engage, educate and empower undergraduate students… in the best interest of the student body and the university community,” per the mission statement of the Center for Student Engagement, but the recent concert’s apparent low attendance and polarizing acts suggest they might have missed the mark. The latest performance at Lawlor Events Center by R&B and rap artist Ty Dolla $ign didn’t resonate with many students. Nearly all the stands surrounding the floor seating for the concert were empty throughout the show. The diminished attendance compared to past events signaled a lack of interest in the chosen headliner and many students have expressed their distaste for the event. “Tickets were too expensive for music I don’t listen to,” said Kristina Knight, a sophomore student heading to class. This sentiment was echoed by many interviewed. “I don’t know who Ty Dolla $ign is,” said Aidan, another student. “It wasn’t worth it for me.” This disconnect limits the events’ potential to educate or empower. Those who did attend, hoping for a unifying university event, were somewhat disappointed. “Make some noise, Nevada State!” Ty Dolla $ign shouted to University of Nevada, Reno students, most likely confusing their institution with Nevada State College in Henderson, roughly 460 miles away. Many took the error in stride, finding humor in it, but the artist’s lack of awareness detracts from the sense of community these events aim to foster. Throughout the concert, videos played featuring sexualized women. Though sexuality is present in many music genres, these videos resembled the advertisements of a beer commercial, rather than art enhancing the atmosphere. Music critics have previously noted misogynistic themes in Ty Dolla $ign’s work, and this concert amplified those concerns. This is corroborated and excused by an article from Slant Magazine.

Is it really better in the South: A Cracker Barrel Review

By Emerson Drewes The Cracker Barrel was seen as a beacon of hope for dismal Keystone Avenue. Located next to the worst McDonald’s in all of Reno and constantly surrounded by a winding line from the In-N-Out drivethru, the warm lighting and dark mahogany rocking chairs adorning the establishment provide somewhat of a comforting aura for patrons — but perhaps the lighting has to be dim to avoid blinding their usual patrons: people over the age of 70. It was a Tuesday night when my friend Rylie basically begged me to take her to the new Cracker Barrel. She said she “yearned” for it. I happily obliged; all of my Cracker Barrel memories were happy and speckled with laughs with my grandparents, but I could not quite remember the food. After my surprisingly long and enduring trip to the “Old Country” store, no wonder only old people eat there because no one who is sharp in the mind, or the taste buds, would hock down the bland and overly salted food they call “southern comfort.” “ I ’ m from the South, so I l o v e Cracker Barrel,” said a round man with a highpitched voice to us as he held the door. “I came to get take out and I walked out with new salt and pepper shakers,” he said with the scrunch of the nose and the typical southern inflection at the end of the sentence. I trusted him and he betrayed me. Walking in, we — Rylie, my roommate Spencer and I — were greeted with the typical gift shop all guests are used to (and I mean guests; anyone browsing the aisles and eating in the restaurant is family). The store opened not even a month ago, and still, they managed to stuff the place so filled with the typical gift store trash that 20 people would be considered above capacity. Jams, jellies, vintage candy, soda, shirts with peacock feathers, shirts with tassels, cast-iron pans, records from the 70s and, of course, pocket bibles, because what would a countrythemed store be without a little religious trauma? Browsing the aisles was cramped and somewhat grimy; the remnants of grandchildren, similar to myself, dragged there by their elders were evident. A huge section of slimes and gooey items was crammed into the back right corner. All of the somewhat viscous toys shaped like worms or space aliens were packaged in plastic with a small hole punched so you could feel the texture. The toys were all clean and shiny, aside from the one-inch matte color made from children touching the open area. The sensory overload of the gift shop alone made us full, but a poster of Dolly Parton smiled down on us from near the cash register, giving us hope that if Dolly likes it, so will we. It’s as if her bright veneered smile and large bosoms hypnotized customers into thinking their food was worth it. If Cracker Barrel is a family, then Dolly Parton is their matriarch. The poster urged customers to sign up for their rewards program and potentially win a free Dolly Parton rocking chair. Of course, we signed up, and I am still holding out hope for the rocking chair that says “Rockstar” on the top.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2023

During the 20-minute wait for our table, we laughed as we tried on the clothes seemingly made for a 40-plus public school teacher, complete with quarter sleeves, teal embellishments and sewn-on scarves. But the laughter ended when we were summoned by a voice from above: “The Cracker Barrel welcomes Emerson Drewes.” The greeting was kind but hollow. The place had opened not even a month ago, and the freshly-minted employees were kind, almost too kind, but not genuine enough, almost like the cult brainwashing of the Cracker Barrel family had yet to set in. The known symbol of the Cracker Barrel stars embroidered onto the aprons has yet to be seen at this location. For those unaware, employees get stars on their aprons for completing core Cracker Barrel curriculum; so, if you got a waiter with four stars, you know you were being taken care of. But here, no one has been minted with a singular star; all of their name tags say “rising star,” but not for lack of trying — in fact, they w e r e trying so hard it was somewhat intimidating. Our waiter met us at the hostess stand; he was average height with life behind his eyes; I almost felt bad for him and the culture he had to endure there. “Today’s special is meatloaf with a side of green beans and mashed potatoes,” he said as he pointed to a comically large photo of the mealy-looking loaf. He said it too perfectly; there was no Cracker Barrel charm there yet, but he’ll get there with just enough indoctrination. We all look at each other, our eyes communicating the same thing: “Who gets meatloaf at a restaurant?” As he ushers us to our table, all of the workers already inside, bussers, table runners and even some servers, turn around and step to the side to say something like “Welcome in” or “Enjoy your meal.” Almost like we were being sent to our last supper. Our waitress was Emily. Poor Emily. She was a short girl, about 20 years old, with jet-black hair french-braided and braces. You could tell she was new — well, everyone was — but especially her, since when she brought our waters there was about an inch-and-a-half of empty space at the top, as if she was yet to master the art of the serving tray and was afraid of spilling. The drink orders are irrelevant, other than the less sweet than anticipated sweet tea I got. Browsing the menu was a literal feast for the eyes. In 10-point font, what looked to be hundreds of 1000 calorie-plus meals were scrawled across the menu. It was intimidating. Do I get an all-day breakfast? Fried chicken? Maybe just a salad? Or a hamburger? What’s a pancake taco? The real, first taste of disappointment came from the Barrel Bites: their version of appetizers. The one perk of the rewards system was a free Barrel Bite right upon signing up. We got two: fried pickles and cheese curds. Continued online at thenevadasagebrush.com

“Ty Dolla $ign’s lyrics are often sexist and objectifying” Charles Lyons-Burt writes in “Review: Ty Dolla $ign’s Featuring Ty Dolla $ign Is Catchy but Lacks Clarity of Vision.” He goes on to explain that the artist’s music and onstage presence do not reflect his actual beliefs and are no more than perceived sexism. Still, the artist’s comments to female attendees, including inviting them to an afterparty and singling out their appearance, were particularly objectifying. Whether meant for that reason or not, how the actions are taken by students is what is most important. “You interested or not?” the artist asked a group of young women in the audience, referring to an invite to an after party with him and his DJ. Requests to spotlight “the sexy women” or identify the “single ladies” made it feel less like a musical event and more like a showcase. Roy Taylor, an attendee and sophomore at the University, said, “It’s his music, but the comments and implications… is that the image the student body wants? It doesn’t promote equality, especially towards women.” Many left the concert early, put off by the atmosphere and the performance’s general lack of appeal. The crowd became sparse as the night went on, with groups of people leaving en masse out the doors, sometimes not even waiting for the courteous time in between songs. “He’s known, but not for his music,” Lukas Taylor said, a Nevada State College student visiting and attending the concert, “Ty Dolla $ign is a background artist.” The decision to feature Ty Dolla $ign for a welcome concert misfired. Students at the University of Nevada, Reno hope future events will foster genuine empowerment and unity. It’s in the university’s best interest to strive for this ideal, if only to ensure future events are financially worthwhile. Opinions expressed in The Nevada Sagebrush are solely those of the author and do not necessarily express the views of The Sagebrush or its staff. Emma Tomeo is a student at the University of Nevada studying Journalism. She can be reached at gkanae@sagebrush. unr.edu and on Twitter @NevadaSagebrush

The Gambles With Attendance Policies By Gabe Kanae The university system is extremely flawed. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen professors struggle to express and lecture their students on topics that they’re expected to teach. Since this change, you can see a devastating growing rate of mental health crises in students. Especially due to isolation and overwhelming matters of societal differences, students have never been more burnt out, and the biggest issue we face is that professors don’t adapt with them. Attendance restrictions in university were supposed to be calmer than high school. The idea was that you pay for your classes, and if you want to get what you pay for, you show up. If you decide not to attend your courses, the consequences would be on you. However, the majority of professors have made attendance a stern aspect of classes with little flexibility. University is not the same as a job where you get sick days. University is supposed to be a learning environment that is structured and built to a student’s pacing. How is it fair that students are only given 3 absences for 16 weeks before it is counted against their grade? It seems that professors get defensive when students don’t attend their courses. As a way to combat this, they find a way to basically pull students in and not consider these aspects that can make students dislike their course more. As an example, in 2021, multiple students at the University of Nevada, Reno got sick following the COVID-19 pandemic. While students were able to get accommodations if they had the virus, students who were forced to stay home with colds until they got a COVID-19 test would make them lose the only absences they had. If a student was to get sick again later in the semester or if there was an emergency, it would degrade their course status. Having illnesses and colds today, students are forcing themselves to come to class due to the lack of leeway they are given with attendances which then spreads the illness to other students. Sniffles can be heard in every lecture hall, throughout every season. Professors also seem to misunderstand that they are not the only courses students take. Many of us have extremely long work hours, alongside additional classes which results in students not only being stressed out due to the amount of extracurricular work, but also school work and the requirement to attend basically every class without fail. After all this, it would make sense why mental health amongst students is so poor, and unfortunately, the ignorance of professors will lead to it only getting worse. It shouldn’t be a surprise that students tend to resent their professors due to this unintentional lack of understanding and empathy, and it shouldn’t be a surprise that the quality of work students produce will degrade in quality due to the amount they are being forced to do. If we were to allow students to pass classes, even if they miss each day, at least the students would know that the option to prioritize their mental and physical health would be available if needed. As adults, students should be able to learn by experience what happens if you don’t show up when expected and the potential consequences that may come from that. On the other hand, students should also be able to learn how essential it is to take an off day they need for their own health. These lessons are some of life’s greatest, and the majority of university professors are taking that away from their students.

Continued online at thenevadasagebrush.com

Sports A7 | SPORTS

@NevadaSagebrush | nev nevaadasagebrush.com

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 13, 2023

Who is Jeff Choate, Nevada’s new head football coach? By Derek Raridon Jeff Choate, current co-defensive coordinator at the University of Texas, was announced to be the new Nevada football head coach in a press conference on Dec. 4. This comes just three days after the University released former head coach Ken Wilsonone year before his contract was set to expire. Choate’s hiring marks the twenty-eighth head coach in Nevada football’s program history. Choate’s coaching experience starts back at Utah State University, where he worked as a graduate assistant working with the defensive line in 2002 and with the safeties 2003 to 2004. While working with the safeties, Choate earned his first actual coaching job as the Aggies’ special teams coach. Utah State went 10-24 through Choate’s three seasons with the program. After his third season with the Aggies, Choate moved on to Eastern Illinois University for the 2005 season. However, the stint did not last as Choate moved on to Mountain West rival Boise State after one season with the Panthers. Taking up the role of assistant coach once again, Choate stayed with the Broncos for six seasons from 2006-2011. While in Idaho, he served as the special teams coordinator and worked with the running backs for two seasons (2006 to 2008), linebackers for one (2009) and nicklebacks for two (2010 to 2011). With Choate, the Broncos went on a tear. The program went 73-6 with Choate on staff. Boise State won four Western Athletic Conference Championships (2006 and 2008 to 2010) and two Fiesta Bowls (2006 and 2009). The Broncos also finished in the top 11 programs in the country five times (2006 and 2008 to 2011) and in the top five twice (2006 and 2009). Choate’s special teams unit aided the Broncos’ efforts. The unit was ranked in the top 25 in kickoff returns in 2007, 2009 and 2010. It was also ranked in the top 25 for punt returns in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011. Choate mentored players such as Kyle Brotzman, who is the highest-scoring kicker in Boise State and WAC history with 439 points. Brotzman also is the program’s career leader in punting with 44.6 yards per punt. He also mentored Kyle Wilson who led the nation with three punt return touchdowns and ranked twelfth in punt return average with 14.2 ypr in 2008. Looking at his other work, Choate coached other higher tier players as well. In the running backs corps, he brought up Ian Johnson. In his time at Boise State, Johnson set the WAC record for most rushing touchdowns, with 58, which has only been beaten by Nevada alumni Colin Kaepernick with 59. He also gathered 4,183 yards in his years, the most in school history. Defensively, Choate mentored Winston Venable, nickelback, to an All-WAC first team selection in 2010. However, his main claim to fame is how he helped the defense overall. In 2009, Boise State ranked fourteenth in total defense and scoring defense. Boise also led the WAC in passing efficiency defense, total defense, scoring defense, pass defense, tackles for loss and sacks. One year later, the Broncos ranked second in the nation in scoring defense and total defense. After his stint at Boise, Choate bounced to three different schools from 2013 to 2015. He started with the University of Florida, where he helped lead the Gators to being one of the best defenses and special teams units in the SEC. Then, he went over to Washington University to be the Huskies’ defensive line coach. While there, the Huskies had two players get featured on the 2014 first team All-American team (defensive lineman Hau’oli Kikaha and Danny Shelton) and had one of the most accurate kickers in the nation in Cameron Van Winkle (83.3%, 12th). As for Washington’s defense, they were one of the best defenses in the Pac-12 during Choate’s tenure. In the 2015 season, the Huskies were the best in the conference in scoring defense (18.8 points per game), total defense (351.8 yards per game), first downs allowed and red-zone defense while being second best in rushing defense (125.3 yards per game allowed) and pass efficiency defense (115.9). The team went on to win the Heart of Dallas Bowl against the Southern Mississippi University Golden Eagles 44-31. Before the 2016 season, Choate signed on to be Montana State University’s new head coach. The first two years of his career were rough. Since the team was going through a rebuilding era, the Bobcats did not perform well. Montana State went 4-7 and 5-6 in Choate’s first two years despite being ranked 17th and seventh in the nation in rushing offense. However, the future was still hopeful. Despite the fact that the Bobcats were playing higher level teams, facing seven nationally ranked opponents in 2017, the team still had back to back Big Sky Freshman of the Year Honorees in Chris Murray in 2016 and Troy Andersen in 2017. Mac Bignell, linebacker, received first-team all-conference team in 2017 as well. Choate’s last two seasons were vastly different from the previous two. In 2018 and 2019, the Bobcats finished 8-5 and 11-4 respectively. During the former of those two seasons, Montana State wound up in the FCS playoffs, winning their first round against Incarnate Word then losing to eventual champion North Dakota State University in the next. The program was 17th in rushing offense (231.9 yards per

Photo Courtesy of Nevada Football Instagram Page Jeff Choate, Nevada’s new football head coach, addresses his new team hours before his introductory press conference

game), seventh in tackles for loss allowed (4.08 tackles per game) and 12th in sacks allowed (.085 sacks per game) and in turnovers per game (+0.77 turnover margin). The Bobcats continued their ways into the next season. They were ranked in the top 25 in the nation in all of the categories as the previous season once again, placing eighth in rushing offense, thirteenth in turnover margin, seventh in sacks allowed and eleventh in tackles for loss. However, the program also ranked in the top 25 in rushing defense (eighteenth, 121.2 yards per game), scoring defense (twentythird, 22.1 points per game), total offense (twenty-fifth, 426.5 yards per game), sacks (twentieth, 2.73 sacks per game) and net punting (fourteenth, 39.17 yards per punt). Montana State went 5-3 through the first part of their 2019 season, but then quickly rebounded. The program won six of its last seven games, only losing to North Dakota State in the semi-finals of the FCS playoffs. That season marked the farthest Montana State made it in the postseason in school history. With four years as head coach under his belt, Choate decided to move on from Montana State to be a co-defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach at the University of Texas in 2021. Since then, he has mentored players such as DeMarvion Overshown, a linebacker who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2022 NFL draft. Choate also mentored Luke Brockermeyer and Jaylan Ford, who received all Big 12 accolades during their time at Texas.

Then, there was this past season. The Texas Longhorns are currently the third best school in the nation and set to play Choate’s former school, Washington University, on Jan. 1 in the FBS playoff semifinals. Choate’s defense currently ranks twenty-third in overall defense (321.7 yards allowed per game), fourth in rushing defense (80.8 yards allowed per game) and 13th in points allowed per game (17.5 points). In all of the mentioned categories, Texas leads the Big-12 conference.

Derek Raridon can be reached via email derekraridon@nevada. unr.edu or via Twitter @TheBigCountry14

Nevada Women’s Soccer Knocked Out Of Mountain West Tournament After Losing 2-0 To Boise State By Lily Walker

Yadihira Gomez/ Nevada Sagebrush Multiple members of the Nevada women’s soccer team lined up on the pitch before a game

The Nevada Wolf Pack game to the Broncos’ four. women’s soccer team travEach team was given one eled to Laramie, Wyo- yellow card in the second ming on Oct. 29 to face off half. The first was given in against Boise State Univer- the 64th minute to Gabby sity in their first Mountain Brown, Nevada defender, West tournament match while the second was given since 2013. Two Boise State in the 72nd minute to Paygoals in the first half caused ton McBride, Boise State Nevada to give up the win defender. Nevada had an to the Broncos, knocking overall total of eight fouls them out of the conference while the Broncos had 10. tournament. Boise State University The first half saw 11 shots had a total of eight corner on goal from Boise State, kicks throughout the game, two of which Nevada al- while the Wolf Pack only lowed to hit the back of had one during the second the net. The first goal was half. scored in the 16th minute The Wolf Pack women’s by Kenzie MacMillan, Boise soccer team ends their seaState forward. The second son with an overall record goal was scored in the 34th of 6-10-5 and a conference minute by Sophie Drown, record of 4-6-1. Boise State midfielder, with an assist by Carly Cross, Boise State forward. Nevada only had four shots on goal in the first half. Neither team scored in the second half, though the Broncos did have 11 more shots on goal, while Nevada had seven. The Nevada de- Lily Walker can be reached fense and Emily McCue, via email at derekraridon@ Nevada goalie, made a total nevada.unr.edu or via Twitter @ of 10 saves throughout the TheBigCountry14

Sports SPORTS | A8

@NevadaSagebrush | nev nevaadasagebrush.com

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2023

Nevada Fumbles Fremont Cannon, Worst Loss In Silver State Series Since 2004 By Derek Raridon The Fremont Cannon remains red after the Nevada Wolf Pack lost 45-27 to their in-state rivals the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Rebels on Oct. 14 — marking the team’s worst loss to their in-state rival since 2004. Nevada was out to a poor start in the first quarter. After a quick three-and-out from Brandon Lewis, Nevada quarterback and the Wolf Pack offense, the defense would quickly get carved up. Jayden Maiava, UNLV quarterback, found Ricky White, UNLV wide receiver, for a short pass that White would run down for a 59-yard touchdown. The Pack defense would allow UNLV to score one more touchdown before the end of the quarter, set up by a 30-yard pass from Maiava to Kaleo Ballungay, UNLV tight end and a 24-yard run from Maiava. Meanwhile, the Nevada offense tacked on a score of their own. With 3:08 left in the quarter, Lewis found Dalevon Campbell, Nevada wide receiver, for a 43-yard touchdown. With the Nevada defense forcing the Rebels to punt right before the end of the quarter, the Pack trailed 14-7 after one. The Wolf Pack began to spiral in the second quarter. After a quick three and out from the offense, two false start penalties would make the Pack special teams unit punt from their own three yard line, setting up a quick, three play touchdown for UNLV. Hope did rise for the Wolf Pack on their next drive. After a 48-yard pass from Lewis to Campbell put the Pack right outside the Rebels’ redzone, the Nevada offense slowly chipped closer to scoring once again. However, Lewis threw an interception to Jackson Woodard, UNLV linebacker, at the UNLV three yard line, stopping Nevada in its tracks. The Pack defense seemingly held their ground, despite the momentum shifting back to the Rebels. However, on a third and 11 play from the UNLV 18 yard line, Maiava found

White once again, this time for an 82-yard touchdown. Nevada got the ball back with 32 seconds left after both teams punted in their next drives. With time ticking away, Lewis threw a

off a 66-yard rush from Donavyn Lester, UNLV running back. Nevada followed up right after, as Sean Dollars, Nevada running back and Lewis took turns running down the field. Lewis took in the touchdown with a six-yard run.

only one quarter left, Nevada was down 38-14. The Wolf Pack came alive in the fourth, but it was too little, too late. Nevada struck first in the fourth, utilizing their midfield positioning to march down the field and scoring off a Dollars two-yard touchdown. UNLV tried to respond, but were forced into a three and out punt by the Nevada defense. In their next drive, the Wolf Pack began to march down the field. However, Keleki Latu, Nevada tight end, caught a pass for 30 yards, but fumbled the ball after Thomas Anderson, UNLV defensive back, hit him low in the legs. Latu was carried off the field with an ankle injury. Both teams scored one more touchdown before the end of the game. Vincent Davis, UNLV running back, got a nine-yard touchdown on a drive that started at the Nevada 20-yard line from a turnover on downs. Then, Lewis got his second passing touchdown of the game with a 55-yard pass to Isaah Crocker, Nevada wide receiver. UNLV had the final possession, winding down the clock with runs from Courtney Reese, UNLV running back and Lester. The Wolf Pack lost 45-27, marking their worst loss against the in-state rival since 2004. With this game in the books, Nevada moved to 0-6 on the season and 0-2 in conference play. The Wolf Pack’s next game is on Oct. 21, where they will travel to San Diego, Calif. to play against the San Diego State Aztecs.

Zoe Malen / Nevada Sagebrush UNR loses Fremont Cannon in UNLV football beatdown, with a final score of 45-27.

deep pass, but was intercepted by Johnathan Baldwin, UNLV defensive back. The Wolf Pack trailed 28-7 with one half of football played. Nevada sprang back up in the third; both the Wolf Pack and Rebels scored touchdowns in their opening drives. The Rebels got in first

Nevada Volleyball Loses 1-3 To Fresno State, Sees Major Lineup Changes Halfway Through The Season

Both teams were forced to punt in their next drives. UNLV was able to grab three more points after Nevada stopped their final drive in the quarter seven yards short of the endzone. Derek Raridon can be reached at draridon@unr. The Wolf Pack took the final 1:43 of the quarter edu or on Twitter @NevadaSagebrush. to cross the midfield before time expired. With

Leah John Wins Pat Lesser Harbottle Invitational With Incredible Final Round, Wolf Pack Takes Second Overall By Chase Dulude

By Lexi Trent The Nevada Wolf Pack volleyball team traveled to Fresno, California on Oct. 24, where they took on the Fresno State Bulldogs in their 11th conference match of the season. Nevada dropped the match 1-3, but they saw multiple changes in the lineup made by Lee Nelson, Nevada Head Coach. Players such as Lexi Applebach, Nevada libero, Emilie Parker, Nevada defensive specialist, Francesca King, Nevada setter and Koen Makaula, Nevada middle blocker, saw a substantial amount of playing time in all four sets, which was a major switch up for Nelson’s usual substitutions. Before this match, Applebach, Parker and Makaula saw little time on the court this season; meanwhile, King saw her first substitution in the match against the Bulldogs. “I feel incredibly happy that I got my chance to show everyone what I am capable of,” King said. “I’ve been craving for this moment, and it felt great to know that my hard work is paying off.” Nelson has kept the lineup the same for the most part. He usually switched between a 6-2 and a 5-1 rotation throughout different games and has made the common decision to keep the top hitters all the way around on the court, until now. Nelson switched to a 6-2 rotation going into set three, utilizing King as the secondary setter, while having Parker and Applebach in the back row defensively. Teamwork between Parker and Applebach relieved any nerves the two had, which gave the Nevada hitters a chance to dominate as many kills as they could offensively. “I always know I can count on my teammates to have my back whenever nerves come into play,” Parker said. “So just taking a deep breath and getting a reassuring look from a teammate really helps me.” The substitutions in the back row was a change for Nevada so they can focus on its offense and give the hitters breaks in between the rotations. Assists in the sets had a lot to do with Applebach’s knowledge in the back row, and her ability to navigate where the Bulldog’s were going to hit allowed her to effectively cover. Common offensive leaders of the Pack, such as

Zoe Malen / Nevada Sagebrush Sia Liilii, Nevada outside hitter, Gabby McLaughlin, Nevada outside hitter and Bella Snyder, Nevada middle blocker, still came in to dominate kills and blocks as they did in previous games. As seen in two games prior this season, Nelson made similar substitutions at the tail end of the sets when opponents went on major leads, but this game was different. “I always have the mindset of being locked into the game so when I do get thrown into the game, I know exactly what is going on and how to help my team better.” Applebach said. Nelson decided on a lineup switch before and during set one and stuck with it through all the following three sets. “It was different seeing a new lineup for one of the first times this season.” said Makaula “But it felt great to be given another opportunity to show what I’ve been working hard for!” The last matchup between Nevada and Fresno was on Sept. 26 when Nevada went 2-3 against the Bulldogs. Although they won one more set from the last matchup to now, the stats were substantially different. The Wolf Pack had an overall hitting percentage of .154 against the Bulldogs, which is .078 better than their previous match against Fresno. Nevada saw 38 kills, 30 assists, eight aces, and nine blocks this match. The leaders of the Pack against Fresno include: • Liilii with 13 kills, earning her 500 career kills • Snyder with five blocks • Tehya Maeva, Nevada setter, with 20 assists • Applebach, Nevada libero, with 13 digs • McLaughlin with three aces Nevada dropped the game against Fresno 1-3 making them 6-16 overall and 2-9 in conference play. They are back in the Virginia Street Gym this Saturday where they will face the San Jose State Spartans Oct. 28 at 1 p.m.

Lexi Trent can be reached at derekraridon@ neavad.unr.edu or on Twitter @LexiTrentUNRJ

Leah John, Nevada fifth year, took first place in the Pat Lesser Harbottle Invitational on Oct. 2 to 3, leading the women’s golf program to a second place finish in the event. John entered the final day of the Pat Lesser Harbottle Invitational in 11th place, four strokes behind the leaders. By the end of the day, John had propelled herself from 11th place all the way to first. This was the second individual title of John’s career, and the first of the season for the Wolf Pack women’s golf team. John showed out in her final round performance, carding a 66 (-6), a round which included 10 pars, seven birdies and one bogey, which brought her total score to 211 (-5) for the tournament. She finished one stroke ahead of runner-up Carly Strole, Grand Canyon University senior. The win was John’s fifth career topfive finish and tenth career top-10. The Wolf Pack ended up placing three golfers inside the top 10 finishers, with Gabby Kano sophomore, and Nikki Chindavong, freshman, joining John in this honor. Kano carded a 75 (+3) in the final round, with 11 pars and two birdies. She finished in eighth at even par, taking home the second top-10 finish of her career. Chindavong, who was making her debut for the Wolf Pack team, carded a 73 (+1) in the final round, finishing in a tie for 10th at +1. Anna Shultse, Nevada sophomore, and Rae-

sa Sheikh, Nevada junior, rounded out the Wolf Pack lineup, finishing 50th (+9) and 65th (+12), respectively. Both golfers carded a 75 in the final round, Shultse having two birdies and 11 pars, while Sheikh had one birdie and 13 pars. Nevada would ultimately end up placing second overall, losing out on the win due to GCU’s team-wide performance. The Wolf Pack, who entered the final day in the lead of the tournament, carded a score of 289 (+1) in the final round. The Antelopes carded a 280 (-8) in the final round, four strokes better than any other team. The Wolf Pack’s second place finish was the Women’s Golf Program’s best since The Clash at Boulder Creek in 2022, a tournament which Nevada won. This also marks the first time that three golfers finished in the top-10 since that same tournament. Looking ahead, the Wolf Pack will travel to Las Cruces, New Mexico, for the New Mexico State Golf Iconic Classic starting on Oct. 9.

Chase Dulude can be reached via email derekraridon@nevada.unr.edu or via Twitter @ RaridonDerek

Head Coach Ken Wilson Fired After Two Seasons With Nevada Football

By Derek Raridon Ken Wilson, now former Nevada Football head coach, was fired after two seasons with the team on Dec. 1. This comes after back-to-back 2-10 seasons and players such as Isaiah Essissima, cornerback, and Marquese Allen-Patmon, safety, announced they would be entering the transfer portal. “After an extensive review of the Nevada football program, I have decided to make a leadership change,” Stephanie Rempe, Nevada athletic director, said in a statement. “I would like to thank Ken for his dedication and service to Nevada Athletics and to our student athletes.” According to Nevada Athletics, a national search for a new head coach has begun. In his two seasons as head coach of the Wolf Pack, Wilson had a 4-20 record that included a 16-game losing streak, which was the longest active losing streak in the nation at the time. He also led Nevada to its first 0-8 conference record in 2022. Wilson’s offenses averaged 18.83 points per game in 2022 and 17.33 in 2023. All the while, his defenses allowed 30.92 and 33.42 points per game in 2022 and 2023 respectively.

“This is not a decision I take lightly, as I know the ripple effect on so many people with a decision like this,” Rempe said. “For more than two decades Ken and his family have been and will continue to be an integral part of this community and the Wolf Pack.” Before Wilson became the head coach in 2022, he had multiple positions dealing with the football team as an assistant (1989-98, 2004-12), including associate head coach (2008-12) and defensive coordinator (1996-98, 2007). During those times, he led the Pack to 11 bowl games and nine conference championships across three different conferences (Big Sky, Big West, Western Athletic Conference).

Derek Raridon can be reached via email derekraridon@nevada.unr.edu or via Twitter @ TheBigCountry14.