MAY 24, 2021
Graduation Edition
Emerald Media
'A LONG JOURNEY'
GRADUATING FIRST-GEN STUDENTS LOOK TO A PANDEMIC-FREE FUTURE NEWS
GAY PANIC DEFENSE ELIMINATION PG 2
A&C EUGENE'S ASIAN COMMUNITY RESPONSES TO HATE PG 4
OPINION
YOUR UNIVERSITY LOVES YOU PG 8
SPORTS MAKENA KLIETHERMES STANDS APART PG 10 M O N D AY, M AY 2 4 , 2 0 2 1
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NEWS
NEW OREGON BILL AIMS TO ELIMINATE ‘GAY PANIC DEFENSE’
VOL. 122, ISSUE NO. 53
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ON THE COVER
(Emerald Archives)
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Around OR
BY LEO BAUDHUIN TWITTER @NOTALEOBUTALEO
REGIONAL AND STATE NEWS
THE BILL NOW AWAITS A SIGNATURE FROM OREGON GOV. KATE BROWN BEFORE IT GOES INTO LAW. The Oregon House of Representatives passed SB 704 on May 13, a piece of legislation that bans the “LGBTQ panic defense” for murder. The bill now awaits a signature from Oregon Gov. Kate Brown before it goes into law. The “LGBTQ panic defense” has historically been used as a legal defense for murder. Those using the justification claim that violence against a gay or trans individual was due to “extreme emotional disturbance” about the victim’s queer identity in order to lighten their sentence. Basic Rights Oregon, a nonprofit LGBTQ advocacy group, requested the proposal of the bill. The group emphasizes the needs of People of Color, trans and nonbinary individuals, youth and people who live outside the Portland metro area. Mikki Gillette, Basic Rights Oregon’s major gifts officer, said the bill was something that people, especially trans people, had asked about for the past couple years. She said the group tries to focus on a piece of legislation every other year that will impact Oregon’s LGBTQ communitiy as much as possible and that community voices brought the “LGBTQ panic defense” to the front. “Someone who had harmed or killed a trans person was allowed to say that they were somehow justified,” Gillette said, “or it was somehow the trans person's fault for being who they were that caused the violence.” Oregon was one of nine states to introduce a bill that would ban the “LGBTQ panic defense” during its 2021 legislative session. It’s already banned in 13 states and in the District of Columbia. Zack Johnson is a second-year law student at the University of Oregon, as well as the vice president and treasurer of OUTLaws, an LGBTQ group at the UO law school. He said he sees the bill as a positive step, even if it was something that should’ve happened many years ago. “To provide that defense allows for people who have committed the crime — and the court, for that matter — to treat queer and trans individuals as second class citizens,” he said. Johnson said allowing “gay panic” as a defense for murder implies that queer people’s identity and life is a crime. Although the “LGBTQ panic defense” is largely tied to the past — it was most famously attempted in Matthew Shepard’s 1999 murder trial — Gillette said Basic Rights Oregon has heard anecdotes about people using the excuse during closed-door, pretrial bargaining stages. According to The LGBT Bar, the defense was most recently successfully used in April 2018, when Robert Miller claimed he had killed his neighbor Daniel Spencer as self-defense to
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Eugene and Springfield’s annual Pride in the Park Festival takes place at Alton Baker Park. (Kimberly Harris/Emerald)
Spencer’s alleged unwanted sexual advance. Johnson said the way the bill plays out still remains to be seen. “In Oregon, where our roots are so tied to racism, my concern for this bill is that it's not actually going to be particularly effective to the people who need it most,” he said. According to the Human Rights Campaign, 2021 marks a record-breaking year for antitrans bills in state legislatures. It’s also a year that has seen at least 26 trans and gender nonconforming indivduals fatally shot or violently killed. In 2020, HRC reported 44 violent fatal incidents — the most on record since it started tracking violence against trans people in 2013. The majority of those targeted by fatal attacks have been Black and Latinx trans women. HRC’s 2020 report included fatal violence against trans people in three of the states that had banned an “LGBTQ panic defense” in 2019 or earlier. Aja Raquell Rhone-Spears, a Black trans woman who was fatally stabbed in Portland, is among those in HRC’s 2020 violence report. Gillette said Rhone-Spears’ sister testified in support of SB 704. Tete Gulley’s family and Portland activists have also called for further investigation into her death as a potential homicide. Gulley, a homeless Black trans woman, was found dead in 2019. Johnson said eliminating an “LGBTQ panic defense” doesn’t necessarily give anyone additional resources or protection. While SB 704 serves as a statement of value — and is important through that lens — it’s not necessarily going to stop someone from murdering an LGBTQ person, he said. But Johnson said he sees the bill being helpful for the families and loved ones of murdered LGBTQ people who are able to take the case to court. There’s value in “the feeling that the life of their loved one is valued at the same level as someone who wasn't killed because they are straight or because they are cis,” he said. Legislation like SB 704 can also serve as a springboard to create more active protections for queer and trans people, Johnson said. It’s something Gillette wants to do with Basic Rights Oregon going forward, with a focus on the most vulnerable LGBTQ Oregonians. “I feel like a state saying there's never an excuse for harming a trans person or killing a trans person because trans people are valued here, that's powerful,” she said.
RURAL COUNTIES VOTE ON CHANGING OREGON-IDAHO BORDER: Five Oregon counties voted in favor of potentially becoming part of Idaho on May 18, following a movement to move the border of the Potato state further west. Sherman, Lake, Grant, Baker and Malheur counties bring the total to seven counties, after Jefferson and Union counties’ November votes. The movement began following an Oregon citizen’s frustration over the state legislature’s focus on Oregon’s urban areas. – DUNCAN BAUMGARTEN NO. 10 OREGON SOFTBALL KEEPS SEASON ALIVE IN REGIONAL TOURNAMENT: After falling 5-1 to Texas State in their first game of the Austin Regional on Friday, the Ducks battled back on Saturday to remain alive, beating Saint Francis and Texas State, 7-0 and 2-0, respectively. Oregon will take on the University of Texas in another must-win matchup on Sunday afternoon. – CHARLES GEARING
(Kevin Wang/Emerald)
‘THE WEST IS BURNING’: On May 27, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., producer, Cody Sheehy, will be holding an in-person and online screening of his film, “The West is Burning.” The documentary explores the West’s history of forest management and raises awareness of the current conditions causing almost year-round forest fires. The event will end with a discussion on how viewers can advocate for change towards saving our forests. For more details, email coordinator@josephy.org. – MIA RYDER-MARKS
Phi Beta Kappa Society
Alpha of Oregon Chapter – University of Oregon
PLUMBING Eugene’s locally owned HOUSEWARES ELECTRICAL hardware store HARDWARE LAWN & GARDEN TOOLS PAINT
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The Alpha of Oregon chapter congratulates the 346 students invited to join the Phi Beta Kappa Society Alpha of Oregon chapter. Members-elect who accept the invitation to join the society will be initiated at our virtual 98th annual induction ceremony on Sunday, June 13, 2021, at 4 PM. Phi Beta Kappa is the nationʼs longest standing, most prestigious liberal arts and sciences academic honorary Society. For more information, visit pbk.uoregon.edu.
Oregon Six: Alexis Garcia Kilian Jones Hannah Murawsky Myles Nelson Daria Wonderlick Shuxi Wu
Junior Invitees: Adam Bernard Gabriel Calkins Madison Collins Qiaochu Cui Kyra Gonzalez Sam Linder Madeline Neely Ashley Pottenger Isabel Queisser
Members-Elect: Claire Abramson Sarah Acker Alana Ackerman Margaret Ackerman Nicholas Adams Lauren Adzima Jamie Agnew Sophie Agocs Madeline Albrecht Molly Aldrich Rameen Ali Aliana Allen-Maloney Alejandra Amendola Erik Andersen Julia Anderson GrudzienAnia Delaney Armstrong GillianArthur Sydney Balderston Ana Barajas Kathryn Barclay Sarah Barr Brenna Barton Jordan Barton Ryan Basford Bridget Baur Zachary Bear Payton Becker Kamren Belden John Benda Kaitlan Benner Michaela Bennink Oscar Bernat Sophia Bevans Sarah Birch Hunter Blaylock Ian Bogley Emily Borchardt Rita Borja Wyatt Borman Kyleigh Boval Miya Bray Bart Brewer Jacob Bromham
MacKenzie Brumbaugh Hannah Buckingham Finch Byrd William Calder Robyn Campbell Ema Canning Starla Chambrose Lilian Chen Yujie Chen Joseph Chock Tyler Christenson Jessica Christopulos Angela Clare Karmen Clark Jennifer Clason Juliette Coia Rachel Conner Emily Cook Owen Cooper Joshua Coughlin Isabel Crabtree Jacob Dale EnGedi Darling Hannah Davis Lenora Davis Heather Dawson Jake Dellinger Emma Dorinson Genevieve Dorrell Caroline Doyle Kayleigh Eagen Erika Eden Nell Egan Paige Ehrenhart Elizabeth Emburg Ashley Estes Jacob Evarts Alexandra Fairfax Emma Fale-Olsen Olivia Farnham Camerin Feagins Erin Feebeck Cailan Feingold Shane Feinstein Dimitra Fellman Katelyn Fessenden Stefan Fields Benjamin Fong Cara Gaffney Christopher Garcia Karly Gardner Thomas Garibaldi Sofia Garner Rose Gibian Lydia Giersch Santiago Giordano Alia Girvan Joseph Goh Olivia Gomez Caroline Gonyea Anika Graack Lauren Granger Emily Grasberger Ian Gravelle Allison Grimaldi Abigail Hall Lukas Hanson Alexander Har Benjamin Hardy Rachael Harrison Hannah Hawthorne Alexander Heckmann Jeanette Helgerson
Tyler Henry Michelle Hernandez Clara Herron Hannah Heskin Olivia Hill Daniel Hinckley Mackenzie Hines Ryan Hoang Thomas Hodgson Zachary Hoffman Bailey Hollingsworth Teresa Holmes Tyler Honn Faith Hovenden Emily Hunt Alyssa Huque Jessica Jaszewski Katie Jensen Owen Jetton Elliot Quinn Jim Jolie Jitto Jyhreh Johnson Noah Jordan Abha Joshi Alaina Kahre Sumit Kapur Jade Kast Sydney Katz Nora Kearns Talon Kennedy Cassidy Kenney Neila Kerkebane Dev Saroop Khalsa Ella Kidder Kevin Kincaid Madeleine Kinsella Jackson Klagge Cheyenne Klamath-Williamson Keira Klein MacKenzie Krish Sahana Krishna Kumaran Paulina Kuchepatova Lisa Kwan Victoria Kwong Ethan Laarman-Hughes Jimmy Lam Dylan Land Tysen Lang Emily Langford Jeremy Lavagnino Bobby Le Timothy Lee Byron Lee Daniel Leef Natalie Lehrbach Emmalyn Leonard Francesca Leonard Ryan Leriche Sara Levin Sarah Lewis Trent Lewis Ya Li Jie Yi Lim Ava Lindley Ying Liu Alexandra Lonsinger Rowan Lovich Maxwell Lowthian Christen Lueders Emma Ly Addison Lyons
Ellen Scharff Tiana Schmidt Carson Schmittle Allison Schukis Samara Schuman Caitlin Scott Hannah Sebring Kira Seretan Jenna Shafer Xinyue Shao Allene Shaw Michael Shaw Jackson Shearer Elias Siltanen Sophie Silva Alexis Sinclair Alicia Skinner Mychal Smigley Noah Smith Morgan Snow Carly Spencer ConradSproul Nisha Sridhar Sara Ste Marie Alex Steele Brooklyn Stenstrom Dominic Stevenson Jude Stone Matthew Struble Summer Surgent-Gough Athena Taitingfong Sabrina Tang Samuel TenBrook Maxwell Terry Kendelyn Thomas Emma Thormodsen Noah Tigner Juliette Tisseur Marie Rose Tonguino Ian Torrence Andrea Torres-Hurtado Phillip Tracy Flannery Trexler Manami Uptegrove Adrianna Vaca-Navarro Trace VanCleave Madison Vann Mary Varona McKenna Vaughn Simon Venter Camila Verano Benjamin Verney Alexander Vischer Ursula Vogt Nicol Wales Natalie Walker Anniston Ward Gus Warren Whitney Warth Anna Weibezahn Emma Whittman Dylan Williams Jordan Williams Nicole Williams Emma Willis Odin Wium Julia Wolf Madison Wyatt Jeffrey Yang Jacob Zimel
Emily Ma Howard Mai Xitlali Martinez Josue Martinez Jimenez Green Mary Hanna Mason Gabriel Mayer Karam Maymoun Simon Mazeres Alaina McIntyre Camryn McNab Sophia Medina Matthew Medved Ana Mendoza Perez Alexander Mentzel Alistair Merczak Melissa Milbrandt Brennen Miller Megan Miller Hannah Miller Joseph Moll Morgan Mooney-McCarthy Reilly Moran Madison Moriello Parker Morris Maxi Muessig Mackenzie Myers Rachel Nagamine Laura Neef Elizabeth Neff Ryan Nguyen Tiffany Nguyen Andrew Niman Isabel Oakley Erin OʼConnor Daniel Oliner Jessica OʼNeill Jade Ong-Patzwald Justin Onusko Gillian Ortega Alexandra Overland Kiana Oyama Ellie Pagnano Bianca Pak Rima Pandit Rachel Peterson Claire Petitt Hanson Pham Marguerite Phillips Madolyn Phythyon Miller Sabrina Piccolo Grace Pinckney Chelsea Pitarresi Deanna Plunkett Joanna Pon Sophia Prince Crystal-Candice Quaye Katharine Quines Allison Quinn Rose Quinn Nallely Ramirez Maurisa Rapp Taylor Rezell Nicole Ritson Kevin Roper Nickolas Rosenberger Rachel Rothman Blake Rubey Annalise Sacamano Alina Salagean Chanda Sanderson Jeredith Sands
2825 Willamette • Eugene, Oregon • 541-342-5191 M O N D AY, M AY 2 4 , 2 0 2 1
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A&C
‘ALWAYS PUSHED OUT’
EUGENE’S ASIAN COMMUNITY RESPONDS TO HATE Following a year of increased anti-Asian racism, the Lane East Asian Network and UO’s Asian and Pacific American Student Union are working to unite Eugene’s Asian community.
BY EM CHAN • TWITTER @ CATCHUPTOEMILY The past year has seen a rise in racism, xenophobia and hate crimes perpetrated against Asian Americans, but also a reckoning about the need to unify and speak up against social injustices. In Eugene, the bigger challenge is finding a centralized community to connect with in the first place. “I lack a deep community connection with Eugene. I feel that as a biracial person that I never felt super welcome or am always pushed out,” UO junior Lidija Sovulj said. “There is some Asian community that exists, so I have a community where I can find it, but in a large sense it’s not centralized.” Misinformation and racism surrounding COVID-19 has fueled anti-Asian bias over the past year. Online hate speech aimed at Asian Americans rose last year, according to the Anti-Defamation League, with an “85% increase in anti-Asian sentiment on Twitter” following Donald Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis. The study also connected Trump and other politician’s rhetoric about the virus with increased hate speech and harassment of Asian people online. For Asians at UO and in Eugene, trying to connect with others in the community is difficult since the population is small and spread throughout the city. During a year of increased hate and bias, the Lane East Asian Network and UO’s Asian and Pacific American Student Union have worked to address this lack of unity. LEAN founder Nikolaj Byrdman said she hasn’t had many places or opportunities to meet other Asian people. She believes this lack of interaction contributes to a diminished sense of community Byrdman established LEAN last December. Her vision was to create the community group that she had wished existed throughout her last 13 years in Eugene. She said the lack of an Asian community comes in part from being “shamed from showing our presence because of white supremacy,” which a segment of the Asian community benefits from. This stems from the model minority myth which touts Asians as the “best” and most successful minority — which drives a wedge between them and Black and Brown communities. According to its website, LEAN is a “place for East Asian folx, encompassing origins in both Southeast and Northeast Asia, to celebrate their heritages and support each other through the unique challenges they face due to the racism inflicted upon them by white supremacists and their ‘peaceful’ co-conspirators.” The organization also supports transgender rights, Black Lives Matter and Indigenous and Islander communities. “I originally started LEAN as a resource for East Asian folks
living in Eugene that highlights that we go through racism and violence, verbal and physical, due to the way we look,” Byrdman said. “This was occurring at the same time as so much anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism; I decided that at this time, it’s almost more important to make a stand to show everybody that a lot of us East Asian folks do want to stand up for all marginalized people.” Christie Ko, a LEAN volunteer, said they hadn’t seen much Asian activism outside of LEAN in Eugene, but that they were sure there was some. They also said they weren’t surprised that more Asians aren’t involved in activism since people often associate it with dangerous protests. LEAN’s first event was the “March for East Asian Women Victims of the Atlanta Massacre” in early April, co-sponsored by Black Unity. Roughly 200 people marched in Eugene in response to the Atlanta shooting, where six of eight victims were Asian women. Byrdman said people started picking up on the lack of community and widespread anti-Asian hate after the shooting. “People finally started viewing people who look like myself as equals,” she said. UO does have some hubs for Asian community, with eight Asian cultural organizations. APASU, the umbrella Asian student union and the largest of the Asian, Desi and Pacific Islander heritage organizations on campus, began having more social justice oriented meetings in response to anti-Asian hate. “We don’t talk about every political thing going on, but as a team we decide to talk about subjects that were very intimately tied to ADPI culture as far as past and current,” APASU CoDirector Wendy Fan said. “For example: Black Lives Matter. We wanted to explain the impact that they had in helping Asians gain more freedom and a better place in American society.” The group is commonly described as “a home away from home,” Fan said, since it’s a unique space where students are able to think about and discuss broader AAPI culture and issues. “We recognize the lack of talking about politics and presence of Asian Americans in the political climate,” Fan said. “And I’ve learned a lot from discussing [these topics with] APASU people in and out of meetings.” The lack of dialogue about these issues all goes back to an absence of Asian American presence in Eugene, Sovulj said. Though groups like LEAN and APASU exist, there needs to be more done to amplify the resources that are available and to create a feeling of unity.
"I decided that at this time, it’s almost more important to make a stand to show everybody that a lot of us East Asian folks do want to stand up for all marginalized people.” Nikolaj Byrdman Co-Founder of Lane East Asian Network
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Nikolaj Byrdman is the co-founder of Lane East Asian Network. Asian American and Pacific Islanders have seen a recent surge of hate crimes due to the stigma of COVID-19 being associated with AAPI. LEAN was created in December of 2020 as a safe space for those who want to share their culture, heritage and to support one another. (Kevin Wang/Emerald)
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THE HAYWARD MAGIC SHOE COMES ALIVE! STORY BEGINS Hayward had a fascination with shoes that began long before he arrived in Eugene. Before one of his professional races, Hayward came out for his warmups wearing striped socks over his shoes. As soon as the gun went off, Hayward ripped off the socks, revealing a new pair of shoes with spikes on the soles — one of the first known pairs of spiked shoes to ever be used in a track meet. He won by a landslide.
From the first spiked shoes to record breaking moments, read all about Hayward’s rich history in Hayward Field: Legends and Legacy
During the race, a number of nearby retail stores were robbed by a suspect who’d climbed in through the roof. Because of his spiked shoes, Hayward was briefly held and questioned by the local police. He was released soon after, free of any charges.
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COVER
GRADUATING FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS EXCITED TO BEGIN THEIR FUTURES
(Billy Lawson/Emerald)
BY ERYN McGUIRE • TWITTER @ERYNMCGUIRE_
(Billy Lawson/Emerald)
As many Ducks prepare for graduation, first-generation students reflect on the ups and downs of their college experiences. With the University of Oregon’s spring commencement approaching next month, many firstgeneration students look forward to seeing their hard work pay off as they become the first in their families to graduate from college. “As a transfer student, it's been a long journey, but I feel like this is the day that I've been waiting for since I began college,” UO senior Adrian Sampedro-Cruz said. Sampedro-Cruz grew up in Eugene and went to Lane Community College before transferring to UO to major in family and human services with a minor in special education. Before transferring, he looked at other colleges in the Pacific Northwest, but found that UO’s FHS program was the perfect fit for his desire to help people in need. Growing up, Sampedro-Cruz saw friends and family members struggle with mental health and learning disabilities, inspiring him to go into this field. “When I saw them get connected to help, I saw them succeed,” he said. “And even when they didn't, they still found ways to make it through. And so ever since then I've grown a passion for helping others.” Throughout his time at UO, Sampedro-Cruz has been involved in multiple student organizations, including UO Intercultural Mentoring Program Advancing Community Ties and Duck Rides. He was a student representative for the First-Generation Student Group, as well as a counselor — and later outreach coordinator — for Summer Academy to Inspire Learning. He also volunteers with the Eugene 4J School District and Oregon Family Support Network. As a first-generation college student, Sampedro-Cruz looked outside of his family for guidance throughout his transfer process. He found support through Lara PA G E 6
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Fernandez, the executive director of SAIL, and his faculty advisors in the College of Education. “They really helped me navigate a lot of things, and especially because I’m a transfer student from Lane, I didn't know everything about college,” he said. “Being first gen makes all of this even more difficult.” While Sampedro-Cruz is happy to have been guided by his advisors, he feels that the university could do a better job of supporting first-generation students. There are very few resources listed online, he said, and practically none for undocumented students. “If they just added more resources directed to helping first-gen and undocumented students navigate college more easily, we would feel a lot more supported, and not so lost,” he said. UO senior Rylee Kahan, another first-generation and transfer student, also recalls feeling a lack of support during her time at the university. She feels that the university would benefit from having a community organization for first-generation students, so they can meet each other and get connected to resources. “The only reason I know other people who are firstgen is because it happens to come up in conversation. There's no place to find each other,” she said. “I feel like if there was a physical place, or some kind of program like that, it would make things a lot easier.” Before transferring to UO, Kahan started out at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she felt overwhelmed as a freshman. Her close friend is also a first-generation student, and they supported each other throughout the process of applying for financial aid and signing up for classes. They figured everything out through lots of Googling, Kahan said.
When Kahan’s younger sister started college, Kahan became her guide. “My parents are still of no help, and so I've been telling her, like, ‘Here's how you do your FAFSA, here's how to register for classes, here's what you should do and what you shouldn't do,’” she said. “I'm basically her parent as far as it goes with college.” Kahan decided to come to UO to pursue a journalism degree, and she fell in love with advertising when she took a media professions class. During her time at the university, she became involved with Sigma Mu Omega, a local Jewish sorority, which she now runs as president. While Kahan is excited to be the first in her family to graduate college, she’s nervous for the future. Her plan is to move to Los Angeles, where one of her close friends already lives. “I’m nervous, excited, all of the above,” she said. “It’s definitely nerve-wracking to be moving to a new city and starting a new life basically.” Sampedro-Cruz and Kahan both hope that incoming and current first-generation students continue to pursue their dreams despite the challenges. “People have said that I wouldn't be able to pursue higher education because of the color of my skin and said, ‘You aren't college material,’” Sampedro-Cruz said. “I’d want other first-gen students to know that no matter what people tell you, just keep believing in yourself and find ways that you can make it through and there's someone out there that is always willing to help you.” Editor’s Note: Rylee Kahan is a former Emerald news reporter. She had no part in the pitching, writing or editing of this piece.
COVER Five songs to send you on your way as you leave UO behind and venture toward what’s next. BY MALENA SAADEH Clink your cups and throw your caps — cheers, you’ve made it! You’ve found yourself here at the finish, but you’re headed for the start of something you’ve been waiting on — the so-called "real life" that looms after college graduation. Take these tracks with you as you take one final look at the place that set you up for where you’re headed. Here’s to new beginnings.
1. On The Road To Find Out CAT STEVENS (1970)
“So much left to know, and I'm on the road to find out” More than half a century since its release, “On The Road To Find Out” still symbolizes not a physical journey, but the road to finding yourself in the midst of a changing map. The song reminds us that the trek was never promised to be easy, but growing is better than sitting complacent. Stevens' voice lowers as he utters lines of finding himself lonely with no one missing him, reminiscent of a love he left behind. But it doesn’t take long for him to pick it back up and tell us: “Well sometimes you have to moan / When nothing seems to suit you / But nevertheless you know / You're locked towards the future.” A realistic and optimistic song for leaving your nest.
2. I’m Set Free -
THE VELVET UNDERGROUND (1969)
“I've been set free and I've been bound/ And now I'm set free” The Velvets really have a way of saying a lot without using many words. Especially on this third album with the departure of original VU bassist John Cale, we get a ballad-heavy masterpiece of emotion and simplicity. The lyrics tell you “I’m set free,” but the music behind them and the longing in Lou Reed’s vocals make you understand the weight of the world being lifted off a tired set of shoulders. This track is larger than anything else VU ever gave us; it has this unspoken vastness to it that can only be felt as the outro carries the listener away.
3. I’ll Try Anything Once THE STROKES (2006)
“ Why not try it all/ If you only remember it once” “This bittersweet demo of “You Only Live Once” from The Strokes’ 2006 album “First Impressions of Earth” captures a tender side of Julian Casablancas
that was overshadowed by heavy instrumentation in the album.” The opening line is so all-knowing and powerful: “Ten decisions shape your life / You'll be aware of five about / seven ways to go through school / Either you're noticed or left out.” The lyrics prove the point that we really leave much of life up to fate. Fate is a big theme with The Strokes, which is why this track feels like the perfect ode to trying anything and everything one time. You never know which decision will make the difference.
4. Walk On -
NEIL YOUNG (1974)
“I remember the good old days/ Stayed up all night gettin' crazed/ Then the money was not so good/ But we still did the best we could” This track off “On The Beach” is a peek at a rare smile from the brooding Neil Young. The album opener tells of moving forward in a metaphorical sense when you can’t change the outlooks of others around you. Young’s discography is chock-full of heavy hitters, but “Walk On” has always felt like a lengthy exhale in the midst of them all. A good reminder to keep moving and a steady listen for packing up and heading out.
5. Eugene, OR -
DOLLY PARTON (1972)
“The love you gave was genuine Eugene, Oregon / I'll remember you for the rest of my life” The story goes, Nashville native Dolly Parton was terribly sick while on tour with Porter Wagoner back in 1972. Too weak to make it onstage at other stops along the way, she mustered up the strength to get on stage here in Eugene, Oregon, and apologized to the crowd in advance. The crowd gave her not one but two standing ovations that night and brought her to
(Makena Her vey/Emera tears after she performed ld) “A Coat Of Many Colors.” Dolly returned to the tour bus as she was leaving Eugene and wrote this song about how she’d remember this town and its people forever. Whether you are leaving Eugene or sticking around after you turn your tassel, the city you stayed in was special. May you remember the love and warmth you felt here and carry it with you wherever you’re headed.
"THE LOVE YOU GAVE WAS GENUINE / EUGENE, OREGON I'LL REMEMBER YOU FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE." DOLLY PARTON, Singer-songwriter
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OPINION
YOUR UNIVERSITY LOVES YOU
Sterling: In a pandemic-ridden, near-apocalyptic year, the reliability of UO’s disregard for its community members helps me sleep soundly at night. BY BAZIL STERLING • TWITTER @RAZZLE_BAZIL
Graduates and their families walk into Matthew Knight Arena for the commencement ceremony. The University of Oregon celebrates its 142nd commencement with the traditional Thirteenth Avenue Duck Grad Parade on June 18, 2018. (Sarah Northrop/Emerald)
One year ago, I expressed my deepest condolences to my class of 2020 peers set to graduate in the midst of a pandemic. It was easy to feel sorry for them. Spring term, the apex of Eugene life, was snatched from their outstretched arms. All that remained was online learning, a revolutionary form of education where students pay full tuition to teach themselves from the comfort of their Ikea furniture, pushing the boundaries of apartment WiFi networks from 13th Avenue to Springfield. As COVID-19 cases spiked around the world, with zero indication of a vaccine in sight, UO maintained that fall 2020 would resemble normalcy. Registration rolled around, coinciding with expiring leases. With some assurances from UO and the promise of the largest graduation in school history on the horizon, I geared up for my final academic year. Surrounded by apocalyptic conditions, I took comfort in the fact that my higher education institution cared about me. As summer came and went, I anxiously awaited the email outlining UO’s COVID-19 guidelines. Much to my pleasure, UO announced that courses would remain online for the entirety of the term. I counted my lucky stars, excited to teach myself more crucial knowledge without the hindrance of a proper classroom support system. Surely UO had prepared my educators to adopt an entirely new style of teaching without adequate resources, on top of any new responsibilities they had at home! Teaching from home gives everyone more time to appreciate the lovable distractions they once had to avoid in the workplace. Conditions weren’t safe enough to allow 20 upperclassmen in a classroom. But, fortunately, UO was brave enough to disregard its own advice and decided to pack the dormitories. Not in the name of money, of course, but for the betterment of its students. Young freshmen living alone for the first time would never dare make a mistake. Luckily, dorms are some of the cleanest places on Earth, because dozens of students sharing the same utilities is the perfect way to prevent the spread of a virus. And of course, if a student does happen to contract COVID-19, they get a luxury stay in Eugene’s finest former hotels — Barnhart and Riley. Non-coincidentally, this PA G E 8
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population ushered in the modern sticky-note art renaissance. The 2020-21 school year kindly reminded students that we are worth almost as much as our tuition payments. The dedication to making unpaid athletes play for the financial gain of the university highlighted the attention and care that could theoretically be applied to the majority of community members. Poor UO worked so hard to give us the bare minimum standard of a college education that it had no choice but to impose yet another tuition raise on its next generation of students. The higher education system is facing more challenges than ever, and students asking for more affordable tuition, respect and transparency are making life oh so hard for our governing bodies. Thankfully, UO President Michael Schill saved the day by teaching a course detailing the issues and challenges of higher education. No one knows the specifics of a flawed system better than the perpetrators themselves, right? As I prepare to enter the real world and get berated into donating to my beloved alma mater, I sleep well at night knowing that my university loves me.
Bazil Sterling Bazil is a columnist for the Emerald’s opinion desk. He specializes in sports discourse and reminding you that athletics matter more than your education. Follow his Twitter @razzle_bazil
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SPORTS
MAKENNA KLIETHERMES
IS SILENTLY MAKING HER PRESENCE KNOWN BY DANIEL FRIIS
The pitcher has been one of the biggest reasons for Oregon’s success this season, but it’s her background and youth that set her apart from her peers. Ducks right-handed pitcher Makenna Kliethermes (15) pitches to Oregon State. Oregon Ducks softball takes on the Oregon State Beavers at Jane Sanders Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on March 13, 2021. (Ian Enger/Emerald)
Oregon pitcher Makenna Kliethermes (15) throws a pitch. Oregon Softball takes on Loyola Marymount University for a doubleheader at Jane Sanders Stadium in Eugene, Ore., on March 26, 2021. (Summer Surgent-Gough/ Emerald) PA G E 1 0
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Pitching wins championships. Anyone who’s been around softball knows this much to be true: Having a reliable pitching staff often yields success, and winning brings banners. The Oregon softball team has the chance to raise a banner this season, and pitching has been at the forefront all year. Lefty Brooke Yanez has made hitters look silly to the tune of an 20-5 record and 2.09 ERA. After Yanez comes Samaria Diaz, whose overpowering fastball and nasty offspeed have exposed hitters all year. Then there’s freshman right-hander Makenna Kliethermes, who in 157 fewer combined career starts than Diaz and Yanez, has still solidified herself as an anchor in the pitching rotation. One of the biggest factors that has allowed Kliethermes to be underestimated is where she’s from: Wardsville, Missouri. The town consists of just 1,878 people, and spans just three and a half miles. She’s one of just four Ducks on the 25-woman roster who isn’t from either Oregon or California. “Coming from a small city is absolutely a disadvantage when it comes to scouting,” Maureen Brady, a softball pitching coach, former player and the sister of NFL quarterback Tom Brady, said. “You have to be pretty good to be recognized from a small town or small travel ball team. That’s awesome for her.” Kliethermes' gentle demeanor also allows her to fly under the radar. “Don’t let that tall, fierce and powerful pitcher intimidate you,” Sharon Buschjost, Kliethermes’ high school coach, said. “She is soft-spoken, she cares about everyone and she would love to talk to you... unless you’re an opponent and step in the batter's box, then it’s game on.”
Buschjost isn’t lying. Despite her youth and small hometown, one that’s certainly not known as a softball hotspot, Kliethermes has shown flashes of dominance. On March 1, she faced No. 1 UCLA head-on, throwing 4 1/3 innings, only surrendering three runs. A few weeks later, she no-hit Loyola Marymount, striking out 15 in the process. On April 17, she beat No. 6 Washington, helping Oregon to its only win of the series. “When [Kliethermes] is doing things right, her ball is staying in the zone while still moving,” head coach Melyssa Lombardi said. “I love watching her throw the ball and command the zone.” The numbers as a whole may not jump off the page — a 7-6 record with a 3.41 ERA. But for a freshman who has pitched against top-10 teams like Washington, UCLA, Arizona and Arizona State, it’s impressive. “There were definitely times when she was pitching on varsity, let’s say, as a 15- and 16-year-old and facing 18- and 19-year-old high school girls and dominating them,” Buschjost said. “Makenna has always performed at a high level and is a competitor, and her immediate impact on Oregon’s staff doesn’t surprise me.” With the Pac-12 playoffs and Regionals just around the corner, and Oregon’s pitching depth serving as one of their largest flaws throughout the past few playoff runs, the pressure will be on Kliethermes and the rest of the pitching staff to rise to the challenge. Whatever the outcome is, Kliethermes is here to stay. Alongside fellow freshmen Alyssa Brito and Hanna Delgado, it’s apparent that the future of Oregon softball is in good hands, and Kliethermes is helping to lead the way.
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