December 4, 2023 Volume 23 Issue 3
Intro
The Gateway December 4, 2023
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So this is what these stands are for ANDREW SMITH EDITOR IN CHIEF
Photo Editor Daytin Inserra, Culture Editor Jackson Piercy, Publications Comittee Member David Chavez, Editor in Chief Andrew Smith and News Editor Jenna Janssen pose with John Quinones, star of “What Would You Do?” during his visit to campus.
EDITOR IN CHIEF Andrew Smith
CULTURE EDITOR Jackson Piercy
MARKETING MANAGER Stephen Pura
PHOTO EDITOR Daytin Inserra
NEWS EDITOR Jenna Janssen
EXTERNAL ADVISER Chris Burbach
SPORTS EDITOR Andrew Kusleika
COVER ART BY Kyle Borchers
andrewsmith@unomaha.edu
Advertising inquiries should be directed to the Marketing Manager. Other inquires and complaints should be directed to the Editor in Chief. The Gateway is funded by both student fees and adverising revenue as allocated by Student Government. Copyright 2023. All rights reserved. No material here may be reproduced without permission of the Editor in Chief.
we’re still independent and we still want to be the best place you can go for UNO-centric news. This print edition is a product of many discussions over the course of this semester, and we wanted to be fully confident in our operations before we delivered papers to a campus building near you. I’m proud to say we’re there, and we hope to see you around more frequently, whether that be at a newsstand or online at unothegateway.com. Stephen, our social media editor, asks that I remind you to follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Spotify and whatever other platforms we decide to live on. We’re not always in office, but you can find us in the back of the Military Connected Resource Center in Milo Bail Student Center room 117. News tips are welcome, and our inboxes are always open. Thanks again for your support. We wouldn’t be anywhere without our peers.
Sports Editor Andrew Kusleika, Jenna Janssen and Andrew Smith during an early outing where Omaha women’s soccer took on Oklahoma. Photo by Daytin Inserra
1990s file photo.
The Gateway is published by the University of Nebraska at Omaha Student Publications Committee online and in print.
This year has not been without its challenges. Budget and, in turn, staff reductions have stressed the very limits of what we can provide to the campus we are so proud to be a part of. Unforeseen circumstances this summer left the Gateway without a full-time advisor, impacting our ability to fully dedicate our time towards news gathering over bureaucracy. I’m thankful for the help and wisdom provided by our External Advisor Chris Burbach, Head of the Publications Committee Karen Weber, and the rest of the professionals and students that serve on the committee. The assistance provided by student government was critical in order to assemble the first proper student publications board in years, and I thank those involved. I’ve watched this staff work hard to excel at our mission to tell your stories, and I’m hopeful that with your support we can do so much more. We’re still around,
spura@unomaha.edu
jennajanssen@unomaha.edu
akusleika@unomaha.edu
jpiercy@unomaha.edu
dinserra@unomaha.edu
christopher.burbach@owh.com
kborchers@unomaha.edu
CONTACT US: The Gateway MBSC Room 117 6203 University Dr N Omaha, NE 68182 EMAIL: thegateway@unomaha.edu MAIN LINE: (402) 554-2470 EDITOR’S DESK: (402) 913-4019
NEWS DECEMBER 4, 2023 PAGE 3
Emergency contraceptive availability on campus continues to evolve
number of challenges including location, liability, privacy considerations, maintenance and supply considerations, and the university’s right to regulate its own property.” WGEC Student Director Zoe Miller and former Co-Director Isha Dhakal claim that the machine got the go-ahead in Feb., after a meeting with Dean of Students Cathy Pettid. Reportedly, only a few planning stages remained such as the implementation of credit card and possibly MavCard payment systems. “It was my understanding the vending machine was already approved, and this was just the final step before we could put it H&K,” Dhakal said. “We already had meetings with different people in that building to ensure we could use that space.” The vending machine itself was donor-funded and EC products were expected to pay for themselves after initial donations. The WGEC requested $3,000 intended for upkeep of the machine, a $2,500 bump to their sexual health resources line item from the previous year. The budget was approved with those considerations in mind. “Two years ago, the previous co-directors had an idea of, Hey, we should get Plan B on campus,” Miller said. “It’s something that a lot of students request from us that we’re not able to help them with. “It’s really frustrating.” On Monday, July 3, the WGEC’s plan for the machine blew up after a meeting including former WGEC Advisor Alexandra Pecoraro, Student Body President Hakim Lotoro, Miller, Pettid and Associate Dean of Students Trent Frederickson. Pecoraro left the university in
ANDREW SMITH EDITOR IN CHIEF The distribution of emergency contraception (EC) on campus continues to evolve after a long and winding road led to the initial approval from the student senate to compromise between original plans for a vending machine and having no distribution at all. After a recent executive memo from Student Body President Hakim Lotoro, affordable access to EC should theoretically grow across campus and beyond. A request for support of peerto-peer distribution of EC provided by the Women and Gender Equity Center was passed 11-4 by UNO’s student senate the evening of Thursday, Sept. 7, the culmination of a failed EC vending machine project that had been over half a year in the making. While a win for the WGEC, it came as a compromise to the original vision for distribution. The EC vending machine was presented to student commissioners, student organization members and faculty during open Student Activities Budget Commission meetings in March. It was touted as being “crucial for student retention,” and would be installed in H&K. An EC pill would cost a student between $5-$7 with a bulk purchasing price of $4.75 per unit. According to the American Society for Emergency Contraception, at least 37 universities across America already host similar machines to the proposed, and sister school UNL sells EC for $20 a pop in their university pharmacy. The machine did not however come to fruition at UNO. According to the University of Nebraska at Omaha, no vending machine has been approved due to “a
A vending machine containing Plan B, a prominent contraception brand. Illustration by McKenzie Newton
See PLAN B on page 4
The Gateway December 4, 2023
PLAN B From page 3
September. “My gut reaction after walking through this with Associate Deputy Counsel Bren Chambers was I think it’s [contraceptive vending machine] going to get stalled and, at the end of the day, you’re gonna get a no,” Pettid said in a recording attached to the resolution. Today that maintenance money remains available, and a check greater than $3,500 provided by an anonymous donor was unable to be cashed. “I mean, we kind of hit all the checkboxes. Distributing over-thecounter medicine is not illegal and it’s something anyone can do without getting in trouble for it,” Miller said. Pettid expressed concern about existing vending machine contracts the current political climate and UNO being a public university. “Providing the space for it, the electricity that is used and the people power that would be required to exchange money in the account. That’s where I think it’s gonna get really bogged down with our lawyers,” said Pettid. An open forum lasting around 40 minutes during the Sept. 7 meeting allowed students to voice their opinions on the matter. In opposition were students such as Abbie Russman who asked senators to think about how people on the other side of the political spectrum feel about incorporating ‘plan B’ on campus. “It’s hard to feel comfortable being involved,” Russman said. UNO student Delaney Volnek stated she wouldn’t have been standing before the senate if her mother had taken emergency contraception at age 18. “She would feel like her only choice was to take this pill,” said Volnek. Others such as Brady Dodds shared their story of assault that took place two weeks in as a freshman at UNO and how taking emergency contraception saved them from that burden, and possibly suicide. An EC vending machine won’t be happening in the near future, but a
unothegateway.com News majority of the student senate voted to Voices heard at listening session support WGEC in the planned distribution of EC through the organization’s already established Essential Supply for next NU president Program (ESP). The ESP distributes
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sexual health products such as menstrual cups, tampons, pads, and pregnancy tests at many UNO events and through the WGEC office in Milo Bail Student Center. “I think it’s a great idea for equitable outcomes for those that need it,” Student Senator Jackson Kuhlmann said. “If they need it they should have access to it. The lack thereof kind of promotes that war against the poor mentality.” Per the WGEC, 75 to 80 orders including EC have been fulfilled since the programs debut in September. “We did survey some of the people who have gotten Plan B from us to see like ‘is this an accessible service to you’ and those who are familiar with this [WGEC] space said yes but those who aren’t familiar with our resources haven’t been able to find us tucked away here. It’s not great how they have to work with our office hours here,” Miller said. EC is currently free due to donations made through the EC Access Network and can be requested through the WGEC’s Linktree page. President Lotoro’s executive memo released on Tuesday, Nov. 28 declared his support of the WGEC in distributing EC at any location on or off campus. The initial resolution before senate exclusively mentioned the WGEC office in room 114 of the Milo Bail Student Center. This expansion will allow EC to be distributed through Big “O” Campaign stands and future locations as the program develops.
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ANDREW SMITH EDITOR IN CHIEF Listening sessions on Oct. 26 regarding the search for the next University of Nebraska System President brought members of the UNO community to the Milo Bail Student Center to discuss their values with a board from Academic Search. Academic Search, a higher education recruiting organization, was contracted by the Nebraska Board of Regents after approval of a $225,000 plus contract during their Oct. 5 meeting at UNMC. The search team consisting of Dr. Jay Lemons, President of Academic Search, Dr. George Ross and Jennifer Kooken visited with faculty, staff, students and other community members. The team asked attendees about the desired pillars and characteristics of the ideal system president. “I feel like it’s really important as times are changing and evolving, that we are being more respectful of people’s religions, people’s ethnicities, their gender, all of those sorts of things, Amy Kica, administrative coordinator and graduate program assistant in the psychology department, said. Regents updated their desired core leadership pillars at the Oct. 5 meeting to better reflect the university since the pillars were initially erected in 2019. “I’m a nontraditional student; a little bit older with work experience. I’d like to see more of an emphasis because I think they’re like 25% to 30% [of the student body],” Marina Hardy, student and student senator from the College of Public Affairs and Community Service, said. Staffing and retention concerns were the heart of many concerns, and many present told the Academic Search Board that a future president would have to be able to address the problem. “Universities have been bleeding staff left and right for a large variety of reasons, and I think that’s a big concern here…there is a concern that
there is that lack of perspective officially on the search committee,” Bethany Hughes, president of the staff advisory council, said on behalf of all staff members after highlighting the lack of any on the 22-member search committee. “I think one of the hardest things to do in higher education, if you are a leader charged with this task is thinking about how you build search committees that don’t collapse under their size,” Lemons said to the representation concerns. In the midst of a budget crisis, university officials alluded to the fact that UNO receives significantly less state funding per student than the other NU schools. “Once we might have been the third wheel, or even maybe the fourth wheel in the university system, but give us whatever, and we’re going to fight and we’re going to achieve something,” Steven Kerrigan, assistant vice chancellor of human resources, said. Rich Klein, vice chancellor of institutional effectiveness and student success, listed statistics surrounding UNO’s budget compared to student enrolment, stating that UNO has “30% of the students, 28.6% of the credit hours and 11% of the state funding” in the system. “I think it’s unfortunate that the ad has a specific call for somebody who works with Lincoln athletics or with the academic medical center and not anything specific to us. I think we’ve had presidents who understood an urban campus well, and its role and potential in the system, and others who have not,” John Bartle, Dean of the College of Public Affairs and Community Service, said. Key characteristics the audience desired in the next president included being a strong communicator, collaborative, adaptable, able to engage across the entire state including rural areas, understanding of and value of the diversity across campuses, staying power and commitment to the university as a champion both internally and externally.
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News
Dr. Brady DeSanti tells the rich story of Native American history
JENNA JANSSEN NEWS EDITOR In the heart of the Midwest, where the plains stretch out like an endless sea, Dr. Brady DeSanti stands as a bridge between the rich tapestry of Native American heritage and the broader historical narrative. His journey, marked by reconnections and rediscoveries, serves as an inspiring testament to the resilience of identity. DeSanti’s roots weave through Havana, Cuba, and the Ojibwe Reservation in Hayward, Wisconsin, with ties to the Bad River Ojibwe. His narrative takes shape as he reflects on the groundbreaking experience of reconnecting with his birth family in his late teens. “I knew my birth family pretty well for about 20 years. My birth mother passed away about 2 years ago,” he shares, the weight of loss evident in his words. A product of Omaha, DeSanti graduated from Westside High School in 1990, embarking on an educational journey. Majoring in Religious Studies and minoring in Native American Studies, he traversed through the halls of the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) before earning a Master’s in American History with an emphasis on religion and Native American history from the University of Kansas. He obtained a Ph.D. in American history, focusing on native history and religious traditions. The academic landscape offered DeSanti an unexpected opportunity. In 2007, a special faculty development program paved the way for him to join the Religious Studies department at UNO. “I started teaching classes in fall of ‘07 for Native Studies and Religious Studies, and the rest is history,” he reflects, highlighting his subsequent journey to becoming a tenured faculty member and, eventually, the director of the Native American Studies program in August 2019. Navigating the challenges of
Dr. Brady DeSanti. Photo courtesy of the University of Nebraska at Omaha
academia and the whirlwind of the pandemic, DeSanti remains committed to his role. He acknowledges the debt of gratitude he owes to those who laid the foundation for his knowledge and education, emphasizing the collaborative spirit within the College of Arts and Sciences, particularly the history department. Omaha, with its unique Native American presence, holds a special place in DeSanti’s heart. He sheds light on the four federally recognized tribal nations in Nebraska – Winnebago, Ponca, Omaha, and Santee Dakota – each with distinct histories and sovereign status. Reflecting on federal policies, he describes a pendulum swing between assimilation efforts and recognition of tribal sovereignty. Addressing the significance of Native Heritage Month, DeSanti
underscores the importance of ongoing awareness of native issues and stories throughout the year. His advocacy extends beyond academic realms, reaching into the heart of communities. He praises initiatives like the Ponca Health and Wellness Center, founded by Fred Leroy, a driving force behind the restoration of Ponca tribal status. DeSanti emphasizes the need for accurate portrayals of Native Americans, dispelling stereotypes prevalent in media of the “disappearing native.” He applauds recent productions like “Reservation Dogs” for bringing contemporary Native American stories to the forefront, highlighting the ongoing vitality of native cultures. Carolyn Frisco, affectionately known as “Big Mama,” emerges as a formidable figure DeSanti and the narrative of Native American studies and
The Gateway December 4, 2023
advocacy. With a career spanning 55 years, she stands as a matriarch within the field, leaving an indelible impact on the lives of those she has encountered. Frisco’s influence extends beyond the academic realm. She played a pivotal role in assisting DeSanti in the quest to find his birth family, highlighting her commitment to personal connections and the broader native community. Big Mama’s dedication to education is evident in her teaching across various levels. Her enduring presence underscores the importance of experienced voices in shaping the narrative around Native American history and contemporary issues. Through her work, Frisco embodies resilience, wisdom, and a commitment to preserving and sharing the rich heritage of Native Americans. “Big Mama, Carolyn Frisco, a member of the Winnebago tribe of Nebraska, always says we’re still here, you know, and that’s important to point out because so many people associate Native Americans as people of the past.” The conversation turns to allyship, a topic close to DeSanti’s heart. He stresses the importance of understanding tribal diversity and history, urging individuals to become educated allies. Sharing his own experience, he cautions against appropriating native identity, emphasizing the value of honest engagement and listening to the needs of native communities. As November unfolds, marking Native Heritage Month, DeSanti encourages active participation in events and initiatives that promote understanding and appreciation for Native American cultures. He acknowledges the significance of land acknowledgments but calls for substantive actions and support to accompany such gestures. His narrative echoes the resilience of native peoples, inviting others to join him in the ongoing journey of understanding, respect, and collaboration.
The Gateway December 4, 2023
News
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Trash Talking: Care to compost? KAITLYN KELLY CONTRIBUTOR Everyone has a bin that magically disappears once a week. In that bin, there may be carpet your cat puked on, a lamp that stopped working ten years ago or a whole pile of food that you just couldn’t finish. But what happens to that trash after it is taken? It does not go to a magical trash land, nor does it immediately turn into dirt after a few months. In reality, a single glass bottle takes about 1 million years to break down. Some food waste can take 10-20 years or more. However, there are other options available that can turn your brimming trash can into a nearly vacant one. These options are recycling and composting. Composting is a natural process of recycling organic matter or anything that comes from the earth and turning it into valuable, nutrient-rich, soil. UNO is a partner with Hillside Solutions, the Omaha metro’s only commercial composting company. This year both Dodge and Scott housing residents can compost on campus for free. The composting program was developed by students in 2021, and it takes the university closer to achieving the goal of being a zero-waste campus by 2030. Courtney Brink, the president of Sustain UNO, a student organization that focuses on sustainability, worked over the summer to expand the composting program to Scott residents as well. Although Brink was successful on one front, she still feels alone in spreading the word about the program and increasing composting on campus. “I think the bins on campus is a step in the right direction, although I don’t feel like the university is supporting me in spreading the word about it,” Brink said. “We used to have composting bins in the cafeteria on Scott campus, but that was going so well, and they had to be picked up so often, that they stopped doing it.” As of now, composting on campus is
available to Scott and Dodge housing residents, and food service employees in the Milo Bail cafeteria. One student who utilizes the free composting for residents is Jenna Miller. Miller has been composting for about two years ever since she realized how much methane gas landfills produce. In that time Miller has created an efficient system for her composting. “I have a four-gallon bucket and I invest in biodegradable trash bags because I think it’s worth it. I line the bucket with the biodegradable liner and I put all my food scraps in it. Between me and my roommates, it gets full about once a week. It also has a lid which is very helpful to keep all the smells out from our apartment,” Miller said. For residents to opt into the composting program, they must fill out a form located on Presence or scan the QR code on fliers around campus. Residents must complete a 15-minute training either online or in person before they are granted a code to access the composting bins. UNO produces about 200 pounds of compost a week. Once the compost is transported to the industrial composting facility, it sits for a month or two to compost down, cures for a year, gets filtered to separate the contaminants and then goes out to the Omaha metro area once more. “Every time UNO composts with us, it’s redistributing those nutrients back into the Nebraskan soils. This allows people to grow things without needing to use fertilizers and chemicals, Hillside Solutions Director Brent Crampton said. “Any place where things grow, you can use compost as a multivitamin to help it grow better and stronger.” As efforts to mitigate climate change grow, Crampton believes composting will become a societal norm in the future, just as recycling has become the norm today. “Everyone understands why we recycle; humans make things, and we reuse those things that humans make,” Crampton said. “Composting is na-
Jenna Miller stands next to the Hillside Solutions composting bins outside Maverick Village. Photo by Kaitlyn Kelly
ture making things, and we’re going to reuse those things that nature makes. Composting is just as important, just a different type of material.” Once you throw away your trash it ends up in a landfill. Landfills are methane-producing factories and when compostable items like food waste go into landfills they don’t break down into dirt. Instead, all the trash is covered up with a layer of filter and plastic which prevents oxygen from getting through to help break down food waste. Because of this, a head of lettuce can take 10-20 years to break down while distributing methane gas in the process. Composting solves these problems. “It’s not just UNO, but it’s every school system that hasn’t properly taught students how to take care
of their trash. It’s the companies that are producing the items that we throw away,” Brink said. “The problem is so much bigger than me.” Many students like Brink hope to see the composting program grow and flourish among the campus community in the future. Only then, with enough group effort towards sustainability, will UNO be able to reach its zero-waste goal by 2030. “If UNO is going to do that [reach their zero-waste goal] they’re going to really have to expand the amount of composting, recycling and overall waste production that they’re doing now,” Crampton said. “We’re optimistic that we’ll be expanding our partnership with them soon. If you live on campus, you should utilize an amenity you have, which is composting.”
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Record donations reach over $761,000 for 2023 Wear Black, Give Back event
December 4, 2023 News Pets welcome at The Bookworm UNO retiring for 2023 Santa Paws event Google Workspace
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JENNA JANSSEN NEWS EDITOR
On Nov. 8 UNO’s campus was marked by a lively atmosphere as students, staff, faculty and even Durango came together to participate in a range of activities. A Wear Black, Give Back broadcast hosted by MavRadio and members of the Omaha News capstone kicked off the event at 11:30 a.m. highlighting the giving day and challenges for viewers to take part in. Lindsay Tague, a co-anchor for the Wear Black, Give Back broadcast, emphasized the event for students and organizations. “It was a surreal experience to be involved with this event because Wear Black, Give Back is a day where money is raised to ensure student success and involvement is possible. It’s really inspiring to witness all the support from people who donate.” The fundraising event spanned from noon on Nov. 8 to noon on Nov. 9 and aimed to generate support from alumni, staff, faculty, community members and more than 15,000 students across the university. The funds collected during Wear Black, Give Back are integral to sustaining UNO’s mission and contribute to a wide range of academic, extracurricular and community-oriented activities. At the conclusion of the 24-hour donation drive the UNO community donated 4,967 gifts totaling $761,285; this broke its previous record of $553,702 raised in last year’s event. The college of Public Affairs and Community Service topped the leaderboard for the most amount raised within the colleges with a total amount of $157,642.04. MavForensics, UNO’s nationally ranked speech team, was on top of the student organizations for the third year in a row with $6,785 raised. Omaha Athletics attracted the most donors; 901 sports fans donated to the cause. UNO extended a special thanks to everyone who participated.
UNO has officially declared the retirement of Google Workspace for students, a widely used suite of productivity tools, effective Dec. 18. This decision was communicated to the university community via an email announcement made on Nov. 1, citing changes in Google’s licensing terms as the primary reason for the retirement. Google Workspace, which includes popular applications such as Google Drive, Google Docs, and Google Slides, has long served as an essential tool for students and faculty. However, UNO’s IT department has found it necessary to phase out these services due to modifications in Google’s licensing agreements that came into effect on July 1, 2022. In the official announcement, UNO IT Services stated, “As of July 1, 2022, Google changed the terms of their licensing for all customers. Beginning December 18, after commencement and during winter break, Google Workspace, including Google Drive, will be retired for students.” This completes the transition that started multiple years back when student email account clients switched from Gmail to Outlook. Faculty, staff and students will continue to be able to use Microsoft 365 apps including Word, Excel, OneDrive and many more. UNO ITS has implemented a process for exporting content from Google Workspaces to the Office 365 workspace. Students and faculty who want to keep their documents and data beyond the retirement date have received an email with instructions on how to perform the export. As of November 22, students and faculty became required to use Google Takeout before December 18 to retain content. There will be no impact on any Google Suite apps tied to personal accounts.
PRSSA members pose with Santa during the 2022 Santa Paws event. Photo courtesy of PRSSA
JENNA JANSSEN NEWS EDITOR The holiday season is getting a lot merrier for pet lovers and their four-legged companions in Omaha. The Bookworm in Loveland Centre is gearing up for its “Santa Paws” event on Sunday, Dec. 3, where pets can strike a pose with Santa Claus himself, all in the name of supporting a noble cause. From Noon to 3 p.m., the aisles of the Bookworm will transform into a winter wonderland for the furry residents of Omaha. This event is a collaborative effort between the Bookworm and the University of Nebraska at Omaha chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), marking their 15th year of partnership. Dogs, cats, and other pets are
invited to hop onto Santa’s lap for a memorable photo session captured by student “elves.” For $25, pet owners can have the photo printed on-site and transformed into a holiday card. Every dollar spent at the event goes directly to Hearts United for Animals, a national no-kill shelter, sanctuary, and animal welfare organization. This nonprofit is on a mission to combat the overpopulation of domestic animals and alleviate the suffering of dogs in puppy mills. Maureen Pieper, Vice President of Community Engagement and Events at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, encourages everyone to enjoy the festive fun. For more information about the event or to reserve a spot, contact Maureen at mpieper8@unomaha.edu or call 402.637.8290.
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Honoring Military and Veteran Family Month ANDREW SMITH EDITOR IN CHIEF Onlookers of all ages gathered around Pep Bowl on the morning of Friday, Nov. 10 at the University of Nebraska at Omaha to watch the 40th Helicopter Squadron from Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont. descend over Dodge campus in a Vietnam War-era UH-1N “Huey” helicopter. Caution tape lined the grassy bowl on an otherwise normal, chilly, November morning. Those in the know sat with cameras and intrigue as they waited for the delayed descent. Others stopped to question the oddly blocked-off lawn. “I’m just going to be late… I’m just going to miss class,” said a third-year student at UNO. “I skip class a lot. My opportunity cost, I learned that in economics, is not that large.” Friday marked the last weekday before Veterans Day, a day designated to honor veterans of the United States Armed Forces. Since the 1930s Veterans Day has consistently been celebrated every Nov. 11. “A lot of people confuse Memorial Day with Veterans Day,” Tyler Smith, UNO ROTC Cadet said. “Veterans Day is actually for people who have served and are still alive and Memorial Day is for people who have made the ultimate sacrifice. I think it’s important to make those two distinctions.” The expected arrival time for the crew’s flight from Texas to Nebraska was delayed from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., reportedly due to early morning weather conditions. “I didn’t think there would be this large of a turnout, Smith said. “It’s cool to see the community excited to see something like this and come out to show their support. UNO is really good at that.” Around 11:03 a.m. the sound
The UH-1N “Huey” nears touch-down carrying crew from Malmstrom Air Force Base’s 40th Helicopter Squadron. Photos by Andrew Smith
People watch a the helicopter’s rotors aid the trees in their annual loss of leaves.
A crew member ensures the helicopter is safe before community members can cross the yellow tape and take a look inside.
A canvas Trader Joe’s bag makes a surpirse appearence where it doesn’t typically belong.
The Huey flies over ASH before the initial landing.
of rotors ricocheted off campus buildings as eyes from the crowd drifted around the sky searching for the helicopter at the epicenter of the sounds. The crowd first spotted the aircraft north of the Eppley Administration Building before it whipped around and made a final descent towards the Pep Bowl. Leaves blew around the crowd as the crew touched down in the heart of UNO’s Dodge campus. Applause greeted the crew which flew up from Fort Bliss, an army post near El Paso, TX. “The Air Force put out a giant pot of money and offered us the opportunity to go to colleges, high schools and even some elementary schools to pretty much just integrate with the community and spread the aviation mission,” Tech. Sgt. William Sines said. “Our job is pretty much to be backseat drivers. The pilots fly the thing and I tell them where and how to fly it.” UNO’s ROTC program partnered with the flight squadron to arrange their breezy visit to campus. While not promoting aviation opportunities, the crew out of Mich. provides nuclear field security among other duties. “We do have a way to mount machine guns to the side of this in two places… Thankfully I’ve known of only one incident in the eight years I’ve been doing this,” Sines said. The flight crew shared information and gave tours of the aircraft as expected. One twist came around as noon struck and the crowd started to disperse. The crew did not just leave, instead making a few more flights out of the Pep Bowl to fly riders west over Omaha and towards the Platte River. “We’re going to be going directly home after this. I’ve been away for two weeks now so I’m ready to sleep in my own bed,” Sines said. Veterans Day has passed, yet the entire month of Nov. marked National Veterans and Military Families Month once again declared this year by President Joe Biden.
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Vandrogyni wows the crowd druing UNO’s Drag Rodeo. Photo by Daytin Inserra
Freshman students snap a selfie with a camel by H&K during Durango Days. Photo by Andrew Smith
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The Office of Student Leadership, Involvement, and Inclusion invited Native American community members to perform cultural songs and dances. Photo by Andrew Smith
Poster Invasion invades campus once again. Photo by Daytin Inserra
Durango approves of pies to the face when it’s for a cause. Photo by Andrew Smith
AUG. 30, 2023
Omaha starts season with world-record breaking match against Lincoln ANDREW KUSLIEKA SPORTS EDITOR Lincoln, NE - Omaha’s volleyball gave thanks to the fans in attendance. team played an integral role during a “As we say, you’re the best fans in the historic day for women Wednesday as country. You guys proved it,” said Cook. 92,003 volleyball fans filed into Memorial “The impossible is possible. Thank Stadium. The Mavs dropped all three you. There is no place like Nebraska.” sets to the Huskers on Volleyball Day The emotional Cook ended his speech in Nebraska, but the numbers on the which allowed the raucous crowd to jumbotron overshadowed the score on the continue their celebration of women’s scoreboard. sports. Volleyball Day in Nebraska kicked Despite being largely off with Wayne State sweeping Kearney outnumbered and dominated on the in an effort to prime the volleyball pump. court, the small As the sun began its descent and the portion of UNO first game ended, the stadium began to faithful present fill up and it was clear that the standing still basked in the attendance record was in trouble. Palpableonce-in-a-lifetime electricity filled the air as the Nebraska experience. “You volleyball team prepared for its first-ever think about the ratio tunnel walk. With the energy levels as of us being down high as they have ever been in Memorial here to everybody Stadium, the two Nebraska teams took the else,” said McKenzie court and put on a show for the 92,003 Bartleet, a UNO spectators. freshman. “It’s such a After the Huskers dominated the full experience.” first two sets 25-14, the teams went back The players into the locker rooms for an intermission. who had to focus During the intermission it was confirmed on the volleyball that the NCAA volleyball, United States match itself still did not lose sight of women’s sports, and worldwide women’s the game’s importance. Lexi Rodriguez, sports attendance records had been the star libero for Nebraska, recognized broken. The crowd erupted into a frenzy, what this meant for the children in aptly displaying the love and adoration attendance. “It’s huge for little girls for women’s sports that courses through to see a women’s sport and volleyball the veins of Nebraskans. “I think it’s really being played on this big of a stage,” said cool for Nebraska because you wouldn’t Rodriguez. “Having this to kind of look think that this would be the place,” said up to is something that a lot of little Ellie Gilbreath, a UNO freshman. girls will kind of keep in the back of Nebraska handily won the third their mind.” and final set, which gave way to a special The previous volleyball post-game presentation. Immediately attendance record holder, Wisconsin, after the game, head coach of the does not have a stadium with the Nebraska volleyball team John Cook capacity to beat the new record.
ANDREW KUSLIEKA SPORTS EDITOR Vermillion, S.D. – The Omaha Mavericks volleyball team pulled off a hard-fought comeback to beat the Kansas City Kangaroos 3-2. The outlook for the Mavericks was bleak as they found themselves down 20-17 in the third set after dropping the first two. They refused to give up and eked out a third-set victory to keep their season alive. “I knew if we could get one set we could get going and play Omaha volleyball,” Head Coach Matthew Buttermore said. McKenna Ruch, academic Summit All-League team member and Summit League Championship M.V.P. led the Mavericks in scoring with 23 points while matching Summit All-League teammate Rachel Fairbanks with 15 kills each. Kansas City libero Leah Green started off strong and led the match in digs with 32, but the gap between her and Omaha libero Erica Fava shrunk to two by the end of the match. Junior Shayla McCormick earned Summit AllLeague honors as well. “They dug everything, especially in the first three sets,” Buttermore said. “That was a hard-fought match.” The first set saw the Mavericks jump out to an early lead and gain momentum fast, but it would be the last time momentum was on their side until the very end of the third set. The ‘Roos tied it up at eight and back-and-forth action ensued for the middle part of the first set. Kansas City started to pull away and made it 19-17, then proceeded to never look back as they won the set 2518. Almost half of Kansas City’s points in the first set came from errors with the Mavs amassing three service errors and nine attack errors. Poor service attempts were the story of the first three sets as the Mavericks had 15 service errors compared to Kansas City’s six. Omaha cleaned up their serving in the last two sets as they only had four service errors in the fourth set and zero service errors in the fifth and final set. “If anything, we tell them to be more aggressive. Some of those misses were unaggressive,” Buttermore said. “We have to keep missing serves and keep making mistakes to get after it in the big moments.” The second set saw more of the same as the Mavericks were unable
NOV. 21, 2023
The Gateway December 1, 2023
Omaha volleyball comes back to win first Summit League title in thriller match
Summit League Commissioner Josh Fenton presents the game ball to be signed by M.V.P. McKenna Ruch. Photo by Stephen Pura
to regain momentum due to service errors. Omaha played behind for the majority of the set, and every time the Mavs tied it up or started to make a comeback service errors would halt all momentum. After being tied 7-7 Omaha played from behind for the rest of the set and ended up losing 25-20. A tight third set is where the momentum finally swung the Mavericks way for the first time since early in the first set. The Mavericks found themselves down 20-17, just five points away from their season being over. They fought to close the gap and were able to pull out a 26-24 victory in the closest set of the match. After just barely keeping their season alive, the Mavericks came out hot in the fourth set. They began to pull away with 10 unanswered points to close out the set 25-12. The 10-0 run gave the Mavericks the entirety of the momentum as they headed into the last set. Fairbanks was the first server to allow the Mavericks to string some points together as they began to eliminate errors. “My serves have gotten a lot better than they used to be,” Fairbanks said. “I was just confident and visualized where it was going to go.
If someone was going to do it, I was going to be the one to serve out the game.” Despite holding all the momentum, the final set brought a tight start. Kansas City called for a break in the action which allowed the ‘Roos to score two in a row putting the score at 7-6 before the Mavericks began to pull away. At match point, a call initially went the Mavericks’ way causing them to begin storming the court before it was immediately rescinded forcing the Mavericks back to their bench. After an unsuccessful challenge from Buttermore, the Mavericks notched the final game-winning point putting the score at 15-11 and sending the team screaming back onto the court. “We already had momentum,” Ruch said. “We just needed to keep going with it, and all of us were working towards that.” The victory put Omaha up 2-1 on Kansas City for the season and notched their 15th win overall. After starting off 1-9 Omaha won eight in a row and only lost four more times during the rest of the season, culminating in a 15-13 record before heading into the NCAA Tournament.
The Gateway December 4, 2023
Sports
Omaha Men’s Soccer looks towards next season after Summit League victory ANDREW KUSLEIKA SPORTS EDITOR The Omaha Mavericks men’s soccer team was able to reach the NCAA tournament for the third time in its history this year. This was the first year since 2019 that the Mavericks made it to the final round of the Summit League Tournament, and it was only the second time they have come out of the Summit League Tournament victorious. The only other conference title came from a victory in a PK shootout with the Denver University Pioneers, who were the one seed in this year’s tournament. The other opportunity the Mavericks had to make a run at the Men’s Soccer College Cup came in 2020. The conference champion Pioneers were unable to compete in the NCAA Tournament due to COVID protocols, and Omaha was next up. Omaha managed to make it out of the first round for the one and only time in program history as they managed to knock off No. 23 UNC Greensboro 3-2. The men’s soccer program, founded in 2011, is still in the beginning stages of a rebuild as Head Coach Donovan Dowling has only been around since June 2022. In his first year as the head coach, Dowling and the Mavericks finished with an 8-6-2 record. Their 5-2-1 conference record allowed them to make it to third place in the Summit League Tournament that year. While the Mavericks’ overall record of 8-8-4 and conference record of 3-3-2 does not seem like an improvement on its face, their Summit League Championship win and NCAA Tournament bid has done a lot for the program as well as the community. Despite the round one NCAA Tournament loss to the Missouri State Bears on Nov. 16, the support for the Mavericks was there until the end. “I was pretty blown away by the support,” Dowling said. “The turnouts we had at our watch parties and things like that were really inspiring.”
Head Coach Donovan Dowling briefly speaks to his team after they fell to Missouri State during the first round of the NCAA Division I tournament in Springfield, MO. Photo by Andrew Smith
While the Mavericks hoped for a deeper run in the tournament, a tournament bid in Dowling’s first year is a monumental step in the right direction. Not only was it a positive step for the soccer program, but the university as a whole. “The one word I can think of is grateful,” Dowling said. “We’re really humbled by the privilege we have to represent our university on a national stage in the NCAA tournament.” The community support is something that Dowling said he is proud of, but he also realizes that the support is not a one-way street. Beyond the pitch, the men’s soccer team has uplifted the surrounding community in ways few programs in the rest of the nation can say they have. “We had the most community service hours in the athletic department, and this year we have the fourth most in the entire country,” Dowling said. “It’s important to us to give back to this community and we saw it with the growth in attendance this year.” Community service off the field seems to bring benefits back to the home pitch. Omaha only had two losses at home this year, something at least partially attributed to the growth in attendance. The Mavericks’ 5-2-1 record played a large part in their ability to make a run at the Summit League Title,
as well as the NCAA Tournament. “If you look at our home and away record it’s a vast, vast difference,” Dowling said. “We are awesome at home. We love playing at home and it’s made a big difference.” One way Dowling maintains support in the community is by keeping a homegrown core as a major part of his rebuilding process. The Missouri State roster that handed the Mavericks their final loss of the season was almost entirely constructed by foreign players. Of the 28 players on the Omaha roster, eight of them are from Nebraska as opposed to only two players on the Bears roster being from America. “One of my priorities since I’ve come here is to attract the best and the brightest from within the region,” Dowling said. “I can officially comment on them now that they’ve signed, but we have the Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year [Michael Stukenholtz], who won it as a junior, coming next year.” On top of the Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year, Dowling has also managed to get freshman Brett Perkins’ younger brother Maguire, who was the top scorer in the state. Dowling also said that a good balance is important as international players can help with the growth and maturity of domestic players. While the future may be bright
Page 12 unothegateway.com in terms of incoming talent, it is important to factor in how the Mavericks responded to adversity this season. After losing to eventual NCAA Tournament foes Missouri State in the middle of October, the Mavericks were sub .500. Following the mid-season loss to the Bears, the Mavericks only lost twice en route to the NCAA Tournament, one of which was avenged the very next week in the Summit League Tournament. “Early on in the season we certainly had some hiccups and some growing pains, and some games that we’re looking back on now and saying we should have certainly done better,” Dowling said. “You never want to lose but the advantage of losses is that losses give you lessons so you’re forced to adapt and really clean up some things.” The inconsistency of the team reared its ugly head throughout the season, but Dowling had the Mavericks playing well when it counted. As Dowling continues to get the talent he wants into the program, the ability to play well when faced with adversity is a skill that will always be necessary. The team’s inconsistency showed a little bit throughout the year,” Dowling said. “We basically played a little bit with our backs against the wall where we knew if we lost we were going home and the season was done.” One player that exemplified the team’s ability to perform with their backs against the wall was Goalkeeper Nathanael Sallah. Sallah was the Summit League Tournament M.V.P. as he only allowed one goal during the entire postseason. He allowed zero goals during the Summit League Tournament. While Dowling himself was a goalkeeper in his playing days, he said he does not take credit for the stark improvement on Sallah’s end. Assistant Coach Cesar Herrera is responsible for overseeing goalkeeping training on a day-to-day basis. “He’s always been a player with incredible potential as a footballer,” Dowling said. “He was the M.V.P. in the conference tournament for a reason. He played some really good stuff down the stretch and he’s a captain for us.” Another strong performer for the Mavericks this season was French junior Theo “King of PKs” Klein. Klein
Page 13 unothegateway.com was the leading scorer for Omaha with 18 points and a team-leading eight goals. Six of those goals came from PKs as he missed only one penalty opportunity the entire season. As this season was only Dowling’s second as the head coach of the Mavericks, there are a lot of players on the team, including Sallah and Klein, that he had no part in recruiting. Dowling has made a concerted effort to build upon the program he inherited instead of tearing it down and starting anew. “For us it’s going to be an evolution instead of a revolution,” Dowling said. “I didn’t think it was the right thing to do to just come in and cut everybody or do this ‘oh I’m bringing my own guys.’ We want to continue to evolve.” Dowling said he wants to continue to keep adding layers to this team on a year-by-year basis. Despite this, there is no feeling amongst the team that a first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament was the mark of an unsuccessful season. “We feel there’s certainly plenty of room for growth,” Dowling said. “Anytime you play in the NCAA Tournament, it’s going to be a successful season. For us, we want to continue to advance farther in the NCAA Tournament than we did this year.” Even though the Mavericks are returning a strong core for the 2024 season, the circumstances will undergo significant change. The Mavericks will have to enter 2024 conference play as the top dogs in the Summit League. Dowling and the Mavericks are prepared for the tall task. “Next year we won’t necessarily be an underdog… …the wind blows hardest at the top of the mountain,” Dowling said. Staying at the top of the mountain does not come without hard work, and Dowling knows this as much as anyone. Dowling’s experience at a top-tier soccer school in the Louisville Cardinals has shown him what it takes to hold that spot at the top of the mountain. “We’ll reap what we sow. If we sow a lot of good things this offseason, we’ll reap the rewards next fall,” Dowling said. “We have to do that in order to have success. There are no shortcuts.”
Sports From behind the desk to the tee box:
The Gateway December 4, 2023
UNO golfer Christopher Atkinson finds his work-life-school-golf balance
Christopher Atkinson takes a swing in the game he loves. Photo courtesy of Omaha Athletics
ANDREW KUSLEIKA SPORTS EDITOR In order to play a game as unforgiving as golf at a high level, a love for the game must be present. Former Nebraska Junior Golfer of the Year Christopher Atkinson, now in his third year at UNO, is confronted with just how much he loves the game on a consistent basis. Atkinson hones his golf skills for up to five hours a day on top of being a full-time student with a job. “When you’re not hitting the ball well, and you still have to go out there and practice every day, you can get a little burnt out,” Atkinson said. “You really have to love it to play it at this level.” In stark contrast to the weekend golfer, Atkinson does not get the privilege of bowing out due to uncomfortable weather. “It can be rough going out there when it’s 45 degrees and the wind is blowing,” Atkinson said.
The brutal midwestern winter doesn’t quite provide an off-season for golfers like Atkinson. Atkinson takes a short break at the conclusion of the season in fall, but too long of a break can set a golfer back in a manner that is much more severe than any other sport. Thankfully, Atkinson and the Omaha golf team have access to a new indoor practice facility. The facility includes a few golf simulators along with a brandnew putting green. The life of a Division I student athlete that does not participate in one of the four major sports can seem arduous and thankless when looking in from the outside. The never-ending grind can surely lead to burnout, but there are some valuable perks that make all the hard work worthwhile. It turns out that being in the top 0.5% of golfers around the world can lead to some nice amenities. On top of discounted clubs, Atkinson receives balls, hats, polos, bags, access to Indian Creek (one of Omaha’s
best courses) and access to an indoor practice facility. A single 18-hole round at Indian Creek can cost up to $90 and unlimited access to a golf simulator can cost upwards of thousands of dollars a year. In addition to all of this, Atkinson gets to travel around the country and play top-tier golf courses that many golfers only play in their dreams. One perk of golfing at such a high level that is often overlooked is the fact that Atkinson always has access to a coach. While Atkinson has his own personal swing coach, it is still unquantifiably beneficial to have another set of eyes on your golf swing. Lessons can be incredibly expensive, and there is no guarantee that they will work. It is for this reason that Atkinson sticks to what his personal swing coach says, while taking pointers and suggestions from Joey Baldwin, the Omaha Mavericks golf coach,. “They definitely didn’t try to rebuild my swing, but if he [Baldwin] sees something, he’ll say something,” Atkinson said. Although Atkinson said golf will always be a part of his life, he’s still not sure if he has the talent to make it as a professional golfer. “Maybe if I get a lot better in the next few years, I’ll try to make it,” Atkinson said. While being a professional golfer may sound illustrious to the layman’s ear, it is a grind that is unlike any other sport. Atkinson doesn’t have to pay to travel to tournaments. He doesn’t have to put up money for a hotel while he’s there either. As a professional golfer, Atkinson would have to foot the bill for all of these expenses without being guaranteed a paycheck. While Atkinson may have to put his head down and power through chilly 40-degree rounds of fall Nebraska golf, he is happy to experience the game he loves in a unique way.
The Gateway December 4, 2023
Sports
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UNO soccer players give back to children in situations reminiscent of their own ANDREW KUSLEIKA SPORTS EDITOR
A stiff breeze passed through as a slight drizzle blanketed the pristine turf pitch at Miguel Keith Park. From youth soccer players as young as six to seniors in high school, nobody let the inclement weather prevent them from their continued participation in the sport they love. Regardless of age, every single player began practice by running a lap around the pitch. From budding young adults with years of soccer experience under their belts to children that are just a few years removed from being a toddler, everyone is held to the same standard. Sal Issaka, director of housing and family services for the Omaha Housing Authority (OHA), created this soccer program as an outlet for the kids in low-income families that are helped by the OHA. Soccer is just one sport the OHA offers. Football, basketball and track programs are also provided. “Our goal wasn’t really trying to get kids to go professional,” Issaka said. “Our goal was to get kids engaged.” Issaka is from Ghana like both of his parents. Despite being a good enough soccer player to play for Ghana’s u20 national team, he was forced into American sports like track, football and wrestling. After graduating from high school in the South Side of Chicago, Issaka played college football for UNO. “Thanks to the housing authority for allowing us to create a non-traditional sports program to give OHA kids the opportunity to play,” Issaka said. “We started getting bigger as a housing authority and it was only for the housing authority kids so The Simple Foundation came in to support nonOHA kids.” Eventually The Simple Foundation, which is run by Issaka’s brother Osuman, took over funding for the entire program. As of today there are
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert joins Omaha Housing Authority leaders and players in 2018 at the unveiling of their new soccer pitch. Courtesy photo
over 700 kids enrolled in the program as a whole. When the program was in its infancy, one of those kids was UNO junior forward Emmanuel “Wawa” Palga. “Sal Issaka came and forced my mom to let me play soccer,” Palga said. “I’ve been involved with the program and with OHA ever since.” Palga takes time from his busy life as a student athlete to help out with the program. He donates his time to help just like everyone else that is involved. Palga volunteers with two of his UNO teammates, junior midfielders Abdi Anan and Junior Casillas. Anan, like Palga, has been a part of the OHA since he was a young child but Casillas volunteers despite not being a part of the program earlier in life. Casillas played for Lexington, Nebraska and built a relationship with
OHA and The Simple Foundation by playing against them over the years. The entire program is run by volunteers which Issaka claims to be the ultimate form of democracy. “We vote for elections once a year,” Issaka said. “When you volunteer you vote every day for the kind of community that you want to provide for the kids.” To Palga, taking time out of his day to help the children that are in the exact same shoes that he was in is almost an afterthought. “I’ve been with these guys almost my whole life,” Palga said. “As I keep getting older and older, I want to help these guys since I was in their shoes. I want to keep coming back, tutor them and coach them as much as possible.” While Palga was in the same
shoes as the children enrolled with OHA, things are a lot different as the program has continued to grow throughout the years. The aforementioned pristine turf pitch was not a luxury that Palga had in his days as a child with the OHA. “I think they built this like three years ago. Before that it was just pure dirt,” Palga said. Palga yearns for the amenities that the modern enrollees enjoy, but understands that it is not about him. The program sustains itself and thrives because the older kids realize that the most important generation is not their own. “One thing I tell all the older kids is that it’s not about them alone, it’s about the generation that’s coming See OHA SOCCER on page 15
Sports
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Hockey community rallies around injured UNO player
Sophomore Gabe Chubb. Photo courtesy of Molly Howell via GoFundMe
JENNA JANSSEN NEWS EDITOR In a heartbreaking turn of events during a club hockey game on Nov. 11, Gabe Chubb, a member of the UNO Hockey Club, suffered a severe head injury that has left him hospitalized with a severe concussion, two brain bleeds and a fractured jaw. The incident occurred when a hard hit knocked off Chubb’s helmet during the match against the University of Missouri. The blow immediately rendered Chubb unconscious. Chubb was hospitalized in Missouri where doctors closely monitored his condition. It was reported via the
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Missouri Hockey Club on X (formerly known as Twitter) that Chubb’s condition was seeing signs of improvement. Molly Howell, a member of the hockey community and a friend of the Chubb family, has reached out to friends, family, and the wider hockey community, asking for prayers and support during this challenging time. In a GoFundMe, she emphasized asking the community for support. “I’d also like to ask everyone reading this to consider making even the smallest monetary donation to help offset the cost of Gabe’s hospital bills. The only thing the family should be worrying about right now is caring for their son,” Howell stated.
Jenny, Chubb’s mother, shared the emotional account of the incident on GoFundMe, describing the moment and the overwhelming support from the hockey family and paramedics. “When my phone started blowing up as I sat at a piano recital, from a fellow team mom and then Jeff, my stomach fell…. because I knew the game had been just underway and I knew there’d be only one reason for those calls…. And when I heard ‘he can’t move his arms or legs’ the wind went out of me and from that moment on I called out to the heavens.” Chubb’s mother expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love, prayers and messages of support from fellow hockey moms, dads, coaches and even the game officials who recognized the severity of the situation. She also revealed that, despite the seriousness of the injury, Gabe is expected to make a full recovery, with the hockey community rallying behind him every step of the way. “Please continue to pray the situation improves, that his pain subsides and for a smooth ride back to town. I don’t know when he will get back on the ice but prayers also that he is at peace with however long of a time that might be. He was born for this game,” Jenny Chubb said. Mavericks club hockey took on the Nebraska Cornhuskers team at 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 15 in Baxter Arena with all profits from admissions being donated directly to the Chubb family. The community has currently raised over $14,100 for Gabe Chubb’s hospital bills.
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The Gateway December 1, 2023
OHA SOCCER From page 14
behind them,” Issaka said. “Those kids look up to them so after they become successful they need to come back and volunteer so those kids can see this is a product of OHA and The Simple Foundation Program.” While players from the OHA have gone on to play high-level Division I sports, Issaka still has a great deal of pride for a lot of the players that didn’t make it in sports. Issaka maintained that a career in sports is not the only way for OHA players to become successful. “We are very proud of all our players, not just the ones that are currently playing. We have about 50 kids enrolled at UNO and only two of them are players,” Issaka said. “The ultimate goal is to break that cycle of poverty. You’ve got to do more than just high school.” Issaka and the OHA may take pride in their ability to guide kids to bigger and better things after high school, but they also instill life lessons that allow people like Palga to succeed in what they do as they grow. The OHA continues to work closely with former players like Anan and Palga. “We will give you an opportunity, we will give you a second chance, third chance, fourth chance, but society may not give you that,” Issaka said. “I tell them all the time 98% of the things that you do right are great, but that 2% if you make that mistake it may cost you the whole 98%.” Issaka and the OHA use sports like soccer as a hook. The real goal is to instill lifelong values and keep the kids in school. Issaka understands the value that sports can provide when teaching kids about the life ahead of them. Regardless of where his soccer career takes him, the OHA will remain a big part of Palga’s life. The values instilled by Issaka from a young age have contributed to Palga’s unwavering support of the next generation. “We make sure they can persevere and uplift each other in life because life is not easy,” Issaka said. “We have to teach them to overcome and persevere through any obstacle there is, and most of our kids have done that.”
CULTURE DECEMBER 4, 2023 PAGE 16
‘Urinetown’: A hard, cold, tumble of a journey; Worthy of a gurney JACKSON PIERCY CULTURE EDITOR In the not-too-distant future, drought has affected everyday life so much that private restrooms have been privatized, forcing people to pay to use “public amenities”. After the latest fee hike passes through the legislature, custodian Bobby Strong (Alex Crooks), spurred on by the words of one Hope Cladwell (Ella Swank), leads a rebellion amongst the city’s poor against the toilet franchising Urine Good Company, led by Hope’s father, Caldwell (yours truly!), and his cadre of cops and corrupt bureaucrats. Trevor Larsen, who plays one of the show’s narrators, Officer Lockstock, finds that the adjustment from the traditional proscenium theatres of his high school days to the Weber Fine Arts Building’s black box theater has given him the room to make newer and more deliberate character choices. “[Being surrounded by the audience] adds a depth to Locksotck’s character,” Larsen said. “Instead of just looking in one direction and making eye contact with the whole audience, I have to keep my head on a swivel. I can go like ‘Oh, that person with the glasses, they look like someone I can pick on, let’s go talk to them’ and things like that.” In a show that is top-to-bottom filled with underclassmen, assistant stage manager Emilie Rothanzl notes that it isn’t just the talent on stage that brought this show to life, but also the leadership. “We’ve had some really great role models of people who have done shows they’re like the junior and senior classes,” Rothanzl said. “We’ve had them as our dance captains as people offering advice to the cast, getting
Sophie Thomas (left), Alex Crooks (center) and others dance about in one of the numerous potty-centric musical acts of “Urinetown.” Photo by Natalie Gill
to know them in the greenroom and making those connections and having those proactive conversations before it has to get brought up in rehearsal. Having some of the older cast members come in and already have that level of respect, already have that professionalism, kind of leads by example and shows the younger people like oh, this is serious.” Overcoming the learning curves of adjusting to a new theatre, absorbing new and relatively complex music, and keeping it light enough for everyone to enjoy without getting too
heady is a difficult balance, but “Urinetown” is just the show that does all of that. With an excellent ensemble cast and wonderful technical work being done by all involved (f I mentioned all the names we’d be here all day), all I’ll tell you is that you’d be missing out on another excellent show in Omaha’s burgeoning arts scene. Why should you see this? I’ll let the show’s director, D. Scott Glasser, tell you: “Being able to laugh at a cruel time, at human foibles, from how we relate to what we face – to how we portray them in musicals, to live and work
to make a better world though you may never see it happen. Despite our complex reactions, we create theatre that reflects our world dynamically, and, sometimes, enables us to laugh.” Urinetown’s premiere on Nov. 17 sold out handily. All UNO students get in for free to UNO Theatre plays. The show’s first weekend ran Nov. 16 – 19 and its second weekend ran Nov. 30 – Dec. 3 after a brief hiatus for fall break. After Urinetown students can look forward to “The Diary of Anne Frank” which premieres in late February.
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Culture
The Gateway December 4, 2023
‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ forces us to bask in those dark corners of history we don’t want to talk about
Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures
JACKSON PIERCY CULTURE EDITOR I’ve noticed a trend with Martin Scorsese’s last two films, this and 2019’s “The Irishman.” In his older pictures there’s a frenetic pacing that always has a forward moving energy. Think “Goodfellas,” or “Casino.” These last couple of films have become more contemplative. I think this comes with a Scorsese that realizes that the end
of his career is much closer than the beginning. He’s been the head of film preservation efforts and he’s made it known his concerns with the direction of the industry he’s spent his entire life experiencing and creating within. In my mind, “The Irishman” was Scorsese’s reckoning on his well-known legacy with the gangster film. “Killers of the Flower Moon” is, to me, Scorsese reckoning with the ugly history of this country that many still refuse to acknowledge.
Fresh off his deployment to Europe, Ernest Burkhart (Leonardo DiCaprio) comes to Osage county in Oklahoma to live with his influential uncle, William Hale (Robert De Niro). The Osage were forced to live on this reservation in Oklahoma, but once large deposits of oil were found under the land, many unsavory characters have come to get their fill. All the while, Hale concocts a scheme to inherit the Osage’s land through marriage, especially after Ernest takes a liking to an
Osage woman, Mollie Kyle (Lily Gladstone). As wealthy Osage people start coming up dead after marrying white people, and after the Osage tribe goes to Washington D.C. to ask for help in person, Bureau of Investigation agent Tom White (Jesse Plemons) and his team are sent in to ascertain the situation. This is not a film I would recommend if you’re trying to have a good time at the theaters. Nonetheless, this is a film that everyone should watch. As I said before, this is a film that isn’t afraid to shove your face in the ugly violence and keep it there for as long as it happens. Is it egregious? Maybe to some. In a three-hour movie, it is a relatively small part of the picture. But when it does happen, it’s ugly and brief. I don’t think the message would come across as well with the mere suggestion of the violence. Our being forced to stew in it makes the messaging all the more potent. Lily Gladstone puts in a performance for the ages in this picture, going toe-to-toe with some of the most respected actors in the industry and then some. She and DiCaprio’s dynamic is one I would think will be written about for many years to come. It’s impressive how despicable DiCaprio and De Niro play in this while still being relatable to a point. Every single moving part in this film points to the conclusion, and that’s something that can really be commended in a film as long as this one is. I doubt this will be the last we hear of this picture, I would put it in as a lock for a good couple statuettes at the end of this award season, every single one of which I think is very much deserved. In a year where there are many films of such high caliber, this one seems to stand in a league of its own at times.
The Gateway December 4, 2023
Culture
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UNO alum Aaron Butler shines in Omaha Community Playhouse’s ‘Clyde’s’ and beyond JACKSON PIERCY CULTURE EDITOR In his days after graduating from UNO, not much has changed for Aaron Quinton-Thomas Butler. That is, give or take a piece of paper. “I don’t know, It’s hard trying to find a job with your superior education and your superior piece of paper,” Thomas said. “I don’t feel superior at all… I’ve been doing some films here and there. There’s been so many where it’s like, ‘I don’t care what the title of it is, just put me in it.’” Thomas keeps himself busy, as it will say on the playbill, alternating between the screen and the stage. Most recently, he’s had a turn at the evenkeeled Montrellus in the Omaha Community Playhouse’s staging of “Clyde’s”, a show where ex-convicts are given a second chance under the dictatorial thumb of the restaurant’s proprietor, the aforementioned Clyde (played by Kerri Forrester). Where people from all backgrounds, union man Jason (Josh Peyton), single mother Letita (Olivia Howard), and hot-headed Rafael (Angel Hernandez) all come together to try their shot at impressing Clyde with the perfect sandwich, among interpersonal strife and trying to make ends meet. “I feel like I’m not comfortable when I’m not the only minority in the room,” Butler said. “I saw Clyde’s and I was like, ‘yes!’, I feel like I want more opportunities like that… I love little shows where it’s not a real huge cast, and it doesn’t feel like everyone in the group is battling to stay relevant. There’s only five people and we all have to be friends or the show’s gonna be bad. There’s been lots of love and joy.” Just don’t ask him if he’s really that good at making sandwiches. “You have no idea how many times I’ve been asked that,” Butler said. “Every night, I’d go into the atrium, and everybody’d be like ‘Oh, that’s so amazing! How did you do it? How good were those sandwiches?’… The
Aaron Butler as Montrellus in Omaha Community Playhouse’s “Clyde’s.” Photo courtesy of Christian Robertson
specialty sandwich I made was tofu and provolone. Everyone that had a bite of it hated it.” In his time at UNO, Butler was a staple of the stage in the basement of the Weber Fine Arts Building where he embodied characters from as far back as 2020’s showing of “Blood at the Root” to his final role as King Duncan in “Macbeth.” In that, the process has changed time after time, but when you get Butler, you can’t take him entirely out of his characterization. “[In developing Montrellus] I looked at all the older figures in my life,” Butler said. “Like my grandpa, who’s just like me but this old man
version. He’s the life of the party, but he has a particular cadence in his voice. He makes everybody in the room like him. Like black guys who talk in a barbershop.” In his future, Butler looks to the silver screen, for convenience’s sake, but there’ll always be a part of him that looks to keep himself on the stage. “Sooner or later I want to get back on stage. I guess I’d want to switch between the two. I’ve just been doing so much stage that ‘give me more film, more and more’, but I don’t want to stay still.”
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Car-centric catastrophe: Omaha’s battle with sustainable transportation
Opinion
The Gateway December 4, 2023
KAITLYN KELLY CONTRIBUTOR Traffic slows to a standstill on Dodge Street as you commute to UNO for class. A nervous sweat breaks out as you look at the time because there’s a mere ten minutes before class begins, and you still must find a parking spot. An onslaught of rage and restlessness hijacks your usual calm, cheerful personality. This is a version of you, seen only inside the metal box you call a car. Five minutes go by, and that’s when the honking starts; it dawns on you that everyone here is in the same mental desperation as you. Funny enough, this is a regular anger-filled Tuesday morning in Omaha, Nebraska. It has become increasingly apparent to many that Omaha is a very car-centric city, meaning that Omaha citizens don’t have many choices other than driving to get around. Due to this, many students and citizens of Omaha have been advocating for expanding bike infrastructure in the city. In December of 2022, a group of UNO students wrote up a resolution asking for an allocation of student government reserves for $15,000 to get 200 students a free Heartland Bike Share pass for the whole year. The resolution passed in January, and the passes were distributed to 200 students within a week. Zoe Miller was one of the main organizers of the initial resolution. As the end of the 200 free passes approached, she began to support a new solution that would make the Heartland Bike Share accessible for all students. “The passes can cost a lot of money if people don’t have one of the free passes we got last year, and that’s the point; we want to make it as accessible as possible by having these free
Heartland Bike Share bikes parked at the station outside of UNO’s Arts and Sciences Hall. Photo by Kaitlyn Kelly
passes. Biking is such a great way to get around. Even for people who might have trouble riding a bike, it can be easy, especially with the motor assist. For me, I literally hate going up hills, I can’t do it. So, I love having the motor assist to actually propel me up the hill. We get how expensive the passes are, and we just want to make sure everyone has that universal access,” Miller said. The B-Cycles cost $12 for a day pass, $20 for a month pass, and $156 annually. For school staff and students, military personnel, and seniors, there is a $56 discount, making the annual pass $100. The Heartland Bike Share is a valuable amenity for many UNO students, some more than others. Jaafar Al Lawati is an international student from the Sultanate of Oman, and he is one of the 200 students who allocated a free bike share pass. “As an international student, I can attest that, like many of my peers, I initially found it challenging to navigate the city due to the limited public
transportation options,” Al Lawati said. “These bikes have been a lifeline for international students like me, bridging the gap and making it more feasible to explore the city efficiently while embracing a sustainable lifestyle.” To use the bike share, one must first download the BCycle app, sign in and then determine the pass situation. Then, you’ll tap on a station near you and see how many bikes are available for checkout, and if there are docks open at the destination, you’re going to. At the checkout station near you, you pick a numbered bike and then tap the number in the app, and this will unlock the bike from the rack. Sometimes, there’s a power button to wake up the bike, and you determine if you want motor assist, and then the bike is yours for an hour. Once finished, you can put the bike at any open station around Omaha. “On a typical day using the Heartland Bike Share, I start by checking the app or on-campus stations to find an available bike. This process is
quick and user-friendly. I unlock a bike using my free pass, and on I go. Instead of waiting for the shuttles, that are often packed, I cycle between campuses to get to my classes. To me this is a welcome break from academic demands and an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors while getting to my destinations efficiently,” Al Lawati said. The Heartland Bike Share is available on campus and all-over downtown Omaha. However, the bike share cannot fully sprout due to the layout of Omaha and the reluctance to install proper bike infrastructure. UNO Professor Farrah Grant bikes to UNO every day, rain or shine, and is a strong advocate for increased bike infrastructure as well as increased funding for the ORBT public transit system. Grant believes that providing free Heartland Bike Share passes to UNO students will cause a paradigm shift for more biking infrastructure. “It’s that chicken and the egg See CAR-CENTRIC on page 20
The Gateway December 4, 2023
CAR-CENTRIC From page 19
situation, where people say, ‘Well, no one bikes,’ and others say, ‘Well I don’t want to bike because I don’t have a protected bike lane or path.’ So, if you don’t build the path, people aren’t going to bike; it’s deciding what needs to come first,” Grant said. “And I think students at UNO can advocate for similar type policies by having the B-cycle passes. And if more students become accustomed to biking around as transportation, they are going to make living choices as they leave college.” Grant urges people to realize that only some people in Omaha have access to vehicles for various reasons, and this is one of many situations in which increased bike infrastructure is vital to a city. “If you don’t have a car in Omaha, it’s almost like you have become a second-class citizen,” Grant said. “I would see people stressed because a bus didn’t come; then they were going to be late for work, and they were concerned that they were going to lose their job. Cities are much more equitable when people are able to move around in a variety of ways without a car. That made me more passionate about the importance of having sustainable transportation in a city.” The new resolution for the Heartland Bike Share passes is being written by a special group within the student government and is being proposed in January. Many hope this new resolution will pass for easier transportation in Omaha and improve Earth’s climate. Transportation planning is climate planning. “Driving a car from point A to point B in Omaha, even like a 10-minute drive, that’s a lot of emissions,” Miller said. “And we have hundreds and thousands of people who are doing the exact same thing. So, if we can reduce that by having UNO students try to be more bike-focused, it is seriously going to impact our already horrible pollution in this city. It will also show our city that biking does matter. It’s taken years to get a climate action plan in Omaha, and we have people in our city government who don’t consider climate change and biking infrastructure a priority.”
Opinion
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Reflections and portents on MavRadio
CPACS 106 B. Where the magic happens. Photo by Jackson Piercy
JEROME BRADFORD SORENSEN CONTRIBUTOR I sat on the sidelines when I first joined MavRadio due to my reticence. However, thanks to Nate Swets, that did not last long. Nate oversaw the music department at the time when we started discussing our love of music and great albums. I’ve always loved discussing how those albums changed music and impacted the world and wanted to make content around it, but I procrastinated. Nate encouraged me to create a show about it and jump into creating something. Turning my passion into content felt rewarding. The show called “Jerome’s Music Journal,” and many others, can be found on the MavRadio OnDemand YouTube. I began to jump on the radio and discuss albums and even went around campus asking students about their favorite bands, songs, or current topics around music. A question
I regret not asking is whether Taylor Swift or Beyonce are better performers. Something tells me that the music world has not seen the last of this debate. I was lucky enough to interview musicians such as Mikey Hood from the Hoods, Luke Henderiks from Teenage Halloween and even Omaha comedian Tyrel Frazier. MavRadio helped build my interview skills while Professor Jodeane Brownlee allowed me to create a platform based on my varied passions. Our teamwork is strongly felt at our most significant events. The event Wear Black, Give Back is a great example of collaboration. The event is a 24-hour day of giving to the University of Nebraska at Omaha, but not everyone knows how much happens behind the scenes to organize the giving day. Staff members create promos, stories and packages just for that particular day. Sometimes the station even goes
live with UNO television and crew members that have to lift each other during these extended hours. During these times, the staffs combine their strengths and work on many projects together. A staff member who has worked with audio has valuable skills to be shared with a videographer and vice versa. Watching them learn from each other is quite rewarding to see. The opportunity to meet industry professionals is also a great aspect of MavRadio. The staff gets a chance to go to the Midwest Journalism Conference where members can win awards for their submitted projects, which is a fantastic feeling. The rewards and growth that I have gotten from MavRadio are genuinely amazing—being able to leave a legacy with music content, perhaps for my career post-college. I will always cherish the bonds and relationships I have built and recommend any student seeking growth to look into MavRadio.