The Gateway April 14, 2024 Year 102 Iss. 2

THE GATEWAY

UNO’S INDEPENDENT STUDENT PUBLICATION

APRIL 18, 2024

YEAR 102 · ISSUE 2

ILLUMINATE UNO WINS SGA EXEC ELECTION

KAITLYN KELLY sTAFF wRITeR

The Illuminate UNO campaign won the exectutive spots in the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s (UNO) Student Government Association (SGA) election by a 58% majority which, barring any further election grievances, means Ishani Adidam, Kevin Ramirez and Nate Ostdiek are set to be sworn into the positions of student body president, vice president and chief of staff on May 9, 2024.

The new executive board has goals in mind for the 2024-2025 academic year: transparency in the form of having full student access to all SGA documents and meetings, accountability by creating more avenues for student input and mass democracy by facilitating student-led task forces to discuss campus-wide issues.

The reason they chose “Illuminate UNO” for their campaign name was to “shine a light” on student resources, student issues and student successes.

“We are such an amazing campus, but I think the issues lie in that students just don’t know how amazing we [UNO] are and what we provide,” Adidam said. “When looking at who was running, we realized that a lot of people were running on issues that UNO has already fixed or that UNO has already implemented

solutions to.”

Along with those goals, the executive team plans to touch base on issues including parking and shuttle reforms, food policy changes, bike share passes and student resources such as a free lawyer.

“I try to keep my finger on the pulse of what’s bothering students or where attention is needed,” Ostdiek said. “It’s keeping in mind that these are real people being impacted. This isn’t just a game here, and you’re going to impact people’s ability to keep getting an education.”

Adidam believes they all bring different skillsets to the table which “gave them an edge” in the election and as an executive team.

“We’re all involved in different

facets of campus, which I think really helped set us apart from the other ticket or other candidates who wanted to run,” Adidam said. “On top of that, me and Nate have had experience running in an election before.”

Each Illuminate UNO member has their own personal endeavor that they plan to take charge of this year. Adidam plans to create student-based task forces focusing on issues students are impassioned about.

Ostdiek said his top priority is to “increase the efficiency” of SGA by acquiring students to fill the traffic appeals commission and parking committees.

This year will be Ramirez’s first year balancing being both a UNO student and representing the

student body simultaneously. Ramirez explained he is excited to lead the student body in a “healthy direction.”

“I am motivated to create a welcoming and holistic environment for everyone,” Ramirez said. “One of my plans consists of improving and implementing the eight dimensions of wellness into our daily lives. Spiritual wellness deserves to be explored and emphasized in campus culture.”

Elections were held April 1-3, but campaigning started about a month prior to that. Ostdiek described the experience as an “absolute whirlwind” as the Illuminate UNO team pushed their campaign into high gear. Illuminate UNO beat out rival ticket Empower UNO, which consisted of Steven Buer, Mike Kult and Amalia Almanza.

“We talked to hundreds of students throughout the campaign,” Ostdiek said. “Just by meeting people, you get a good sense of what’s going on because there are so many different populations of students.”

The Illuminate UNO executive team has many plans for this upcoming year, and they hope to use their combined experiences to create the systemic changes they’re looking for.

“I’ve been involved with student government for three years, so I’ve seen changes happen, and I know that change is possible,” Adidam said. It’ll be a great opportunity to elevate things and make sure that we are doing what’s best for the student body.”

Ishani Adidam (right) and Nate Ostdiek (left) speak with Kaitlyn Kelly after their win. Photo by Andrew smith

UNO and OPS see little reason to continue Middle College Program despite protest Nebraskans face new challenges with upcoming voter ID regulations

KAITLYN KELLY sTAFF wRITeR

The Middle College Program is an alternative pathway for Omaha Public Schools (OPS) students that is ending in May despite numerous protests from students, and 20 years of collaboration between OPS the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO).

The 40 students enrolled in the Middle College Program received word two weeks ago of the elimination of the program after the 2023-2024 school year, leaving sophomores and juniors no choice but to find a new place to learn for the rest of their high school careers.

The Middle College Program provides students with an early college opportunity while completing high school graduation requirements. The program is Kayser Hall on UNO’s Dodge Campus, and students are taught by OPS teachers.

“We are trying to figure out how to serve more students,” Sarah Edwards, the UNO assistant vice chancellor for curriculum and programs said. “The program has morphed so much in the 20 years. We are focused on how to serve more students and how to provide more

opportunities for these currently enrolled students.”

Students pleaded with the district at a school board meeting on Monday, April 1, asking them to reconsider ending the program. Officials confirmed on Tuesday that the program will be discontinued.

OPS is having one-on-one meetings with the students and their families to give them priority on where they would like to go next. They can return to their home school, enter in a different alternative pathway that OPS offers or transfer to a different high school, Edwards said.

It’s ironic. They’ll probably have more opportunities through dual enrollment at their high schools than they would being here in this physical space,” Edwards said. “There aren’t dual enrollment courses offered as part of the curriculum at the OPS Middle College. They either did their high school classes or took a UNO course.”

The students come into the program as sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Many said at the board meeting that the program is why they are succeeding in high school.

“Transferring to this program was a lifeline for me,” Jaylenn Bensinger, a Middle College Program

graduate, said to the board. “My transcripts show me failing almost every class up until the transfer, and it is quite a dichotomy sitting next to my list of all A’s from the program. We have pleaded for a listening ear, but obviously that isn’t what you want.”

Eva Casas, a sophomore in the program, told the board of her past schooling experience, saying she lost a passion for school and for “life as a whole” after her freshman year at Westview High School, until enrolling in Middle College.

“It’s difficult to put into words how much the people in this program genuinely care for each other,” Casas said. “I found a version of myself that I could never have imagined at Westview. The abrupt announcement of Middle College’s elimination came as a world-shattering surprise.”

Leah Melancon, a sophomore in the program, said that after “tons of research” she still couldn’t find a proper replacement for the program. Many other students expressed the same frustrations at the board meeting, acknowledging alternatives, but saying they’re nothing like the Middle College.

“I don’t know if you’ve stepped into a modern high school lately, but I will tell you they do not have my best interest in mind,” Melancon told the board. “I do not think I can handle that worthless feeling again. You tell me the program has run its course, but if that’s true, then why are there over 30 displaced students with a year or two left of high school?”

A common similarity occurred between most of the student speeches at the board meeting; They pleaded for options other than ending the program altogether.

“We really aren’t trying to be a pain to the district, or to make this process harder than it is,” Casas told the board. “What we are trying to do is to exercise a skill that has been stressed to us since day one at the Middle College Program, we’re advocating for ourselves.”

JENNA JANSSEN News eDITOR

Nebraskans gearing up for the May 14 primary election will encounter a significant change at the polls: voter ID regulations. Nebraska is implementing new requirements requiring potential voters to present a valid state ID before voting.

The decision to apply these regulations follows Nebraska voters’ approval of ID requirements for future elections in 2022. The law outlines various acceptable forms of ID, including a Nebraska driver’s license, college ID, U.S. passport, state ID, political subdivision ID, hospital assisted-living or nursing home record, military ID, and tribal ID. These forms of identification must show the voter’s name and photo, even if the ID is expired. However, birth certificates and Social Security cards are forms that will not be considered valid IDs.

For those choosing to vote early by mail this year, alternatives are available. Voters can write their driver’s license or state ID number on the early voting application, enclose a photocopy of their ID or include a photocopy of a reasonable impediment certification.

Since the approval of the new regulations, The Nebraska Secretary of State office and county election commissions have provided information about the new voter ID law through educational events, social media posts and informational sheets.

Some members of the Omaha community are questioning the potential impact needing an ID will have on voters. Emilie Rothanzl, University of Nebraska at Omaha student and voter, said she understands the need for voter ID but raised concerns about accessibili-

see VOTER ID on page 4

The OPs Middle College Program is hosted by UNO in Kayser Hall. Photo by Andrew smith

Policy revision causes uproar in student senate

HANA MILLER sTAFF wRITeR

During a senate meeting on March 21, Chloé Smith, the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s (UNO) director of student conduct and case management, presented an upcoming revision to the student code of conduct during an hour-long questioning session that generated concerns.

What’s the policy?

While there were other minor changes, the policy that caused such an uproar was a revision of subsection five of the student code of conduct regarding “interim measures.” In an interview, Smith clarified that the policy itself has been in the code of conduct since it was introduced in 2021, but subsection B was new.

Why are students concerned?

Fairness. Some fear it’s an overstep in administrative power. Some of its provisions include temporary suspension, privilege restrictions and immediate termination of events or projects, should they be found a “threat to student safety” or cause a “disruption to university operations.” Smith defined the latter as “behavior so disruptive that it inhibits others’ rights to pursue their education.”

According to Smith, the revision is to “help provide guidance and transparency if a registered student organization is impacted by this policy.”

Students in the senate could understand the need for flexibility but were concerned that future administration could use the vague wording against students in unjust ways.

“There doesn’t seem to be a lot of hard lines to maintain justice should future staff who come after you have mal-intent,” said Hakim Lotoro, the current student government president.

Concern about the possibility that students who get essential supplies would be essentially cut off from necessities, should an organization that provides those supplies get suspended.

Smith’s answer to those con-

VOTER ID

From page 3

ty on Election Day.

“I completely understand why we would do voter ID, but at the same time, I think birth certificates and social security in the past have also worked,”

Rothanzl said. “That’s where I think it’s nice that it’s in place, but I also think it could cause problems if people don’t have their ID on Election Day.”

Another UNO student, Ash Tointon, said they have apprehensions towards the restrictive nature of voter ID laws.

“Introducing voter ID laws restricts who can vote and who can’t, and I think getting as many votes as possible is more important,” Tointon said.

In response to concerns about accessibility, Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse said there are alternate options available for voters without IDs.

“You can obtain a free Nebraska state ID if you need one,” Kruse said. “There’s a reasonable impediment certification, so if someone cannot obtain the proper documents to get an ID ... There are options out there to ensure every voter has the opportunity to vote.”

The deadline to register to vote is April 29.

cerns was that such measures were “temporary and not intended to be long term,” and that if this were to happen, “that’s when we would explore how we as staff members continue to support students who were supported by that organization. We don’t want to take away a resource, it just may take creative problem solving.”

Why revise it?

Smith clarified that there was no incident that caused a need for revisions in the policy, and that it was decided upon during the biannual code of conduct revision process. The process is reviewed by various groups before being passed and finalized.

A look ahead

The policy is currently in a feedback period where anyone can give administration feedback before the final changes and implementations are made. There are now terms organizations can refer to in the event of interim measures, but some fear what the interim measures could potentially cause.

Durango’s Outfitters seeks closet expansion

HANA MILLER sTAFF wRITeR

Durango’s Outfitters, a clothing closet available to the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) community, has seen large growth since its humble beginnings.

While the closet began as a smaller project to supply more professional clothing to students in the Teacher Education Diversity Organization (TEDO), it has now served an average of 60 attendees in each of the five events it has hosted since last October.

Not only is it a resource for community members seeking free, gender-affirming and professional clothing, but it also serves to strengthen the bonds of UNO organizations.

Isabella Manhart, an education major and a founder of the closet, said that being able to work with so many organizations is one of their favorite things about the closet. Manhart explained that Durango’s Outfitter closet not only brings new perspectives they hadn’t previously considered, but also gives them the opportunity to meet new friends and develop strong bonds with the other organizations that help run the closet.

TEDO, the Maverick Food Pantry, SustainUNO, Queer and Trans Services and the UNO Alumni Association all work together to make the closet events succeed, serving a diverse UNO community in the process. According to statistics from the anonymous surveys participants complete on their way out, the free closets have benefitted individuals from ages 17 to 45. 86% of those students are undergraduate students, 11% are graduate students, 1% are staff and 1% are faculty according to the recent resolution presented during a senate meeting.

However, Durango’s Outfitters faces a recent problem that has halted the intake of any donations: a lack of storage space. With the growing need for clothing in the community, more space is required to sufficiently store

donations. After clothes have been inspected for cleanliness, tears, and other requirements based on thrift store guidelines, as recommended by other college clothing closets, they must be set aside until the next event. While the clothing originally was stored in the Community Engagement Center, this proved to be problematic.

According to AT Miller, chief diversity officer, it not only was a bad look on an aesthetic level, but it also caused concern for the staff who worked in the nearby office cubicles.

“While I’m sure the process is thorough, the employees who work in the cubicles were worried about cleanliness,” Miller said.

Thus, the clothing was moved into the Eppley Administration Building for storage. However, this also is a short-term solution, as there isn’t enough room to grow, and it prevents other projects to utilize the space.

“From what I’ve seen, they’ve been doing a good job and are doing it sustainably,” Miller said. “I love what they are doing and want to support the project however I can.”

While the immense support toward the program from UNO staff has helped get the project on its feet,

Clothing fills up an office in the admin building.

Photo by Daytin Inserra

American Multicultural Students Agency celebrates 50th anniversary on campus

The American Multicultural Students Agency (AMS) is celebrating their 50th anniversary as a campus organization, having supported underserved and historically marginalized students at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) since 1974.

To kick off the celebration, AMS hosted a 50th Anniversary Brunch in March which featured a keynote speaker, offered a multicultural spread of food and displayed graphics about their history as an organization.

The guest speaker was Joy Kathurima, a former AMS director and

history of AMS in 2022.

Parmley spent “four to five hours per week” last academic year sifting through the UNO archives. What started out as a 28-page document of AMS’s history in bullet points, was condensed down to a few graphics to be shared at the brunch with the community.

“A lot of people said that it was really interesting,” Parmley said. “By and far, I think the biggest thing has been seeing people finding the organizations that they’re a part of and seeing how they tie into AMS’s history.”

The graphics begin with the conception of AMS and then focus on big changes that occurred within the organization from there on out. At the time of AMS’s creation, there were only three other recognized minority student organizations on campus.

“For me, it shows that we’ve been around, we’ve provided stuff and we’ve continued to serve a purpose on this campus,” Parmley said. “Going through the 50 years of history, you find a lot of the same issues being brought up, just under different names. It’s important that students like me have a place where we know we belong.”

community advocate, who spoke about the importance that youth activism in the past, present and future has for driving social change.

“A lot of people were really inspired by her speech. It was kind of a reminder that in creating change, youth have always been at the forefront,” said Johnnah Bailey, co-director of AMS. “Youth activism has always been really important, not just for AMS’s history, but also UNO’s and the world in general.”

The members of AMS wouldn’t have known of their 50th anniversary if it weren’t for Ian Juntaro Parmley, their records officer. Parmley has a particular interest in history and decided to begin researching the

AMS is a campus organization with a rich history, and celebrating its 50th anniversary is no small ordeal to most members.

“I think it’s really cool to have an organization that really looks at bringing people together,” Bailey said. “Especially as a black woman, I didn’t really think that much about multiculturalism or learning more about other people’s cultures – not that I wasn’t interested in it – but it wasn’t something that came naturally to me. AMS really taught me a lot about appreciating different cultures and learning about them.”

AMS plans on hosting more celebrations such as a de-stress event in May and another event in the fall to wrap up their 50th year as a campus organization.

KAITLYN KELLY sTAFF wRITeR

Members of AMs pose in the Milo Bail student Center ballroom with presenter Joy Kathurima on March 23, 2024. Photos courtesy of AMs

Joy Kathurima presents to the audence.

Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center celebrates one year milestone

JENNA JANSSEN News eDITOR

In a celebration marking its first anniversary, the Samuel Bak Museum: The Learning Center held a sold-out event on April 13, bringing together admirers, art students and curious minds alike to discuss the artistic journey with Samuel Bak himself.

Samuel Bak joined via Zoom to share insights into his work and aspirations for the museum. Bak’s words resonated with the audience as he reflected on how important the themes of memories are in and out of his works.

“Memories teach individuals how to adapt and understand the importance of community,” Bak said. “History is the memory of mankind.”

As the event unfolded, Bak

CLOSET STORAGE

From page 4

the Durango’s Outfitters closet has recently strived to solve this problem independently with a resolution proposed in last week’s senate meeting. Manhart, the author of a resolution in support of designating a permanent storage space to the student clothing closet, presented to student government in the hoped to garner support for this growth, and to find a place of their

shared his hopes for the museum’s future, expressing a desire for its “long life.” Bak wished for a larger space down the line to not only to showcase his work but also embrace and promote other artists as well as a part of the gallery’s mission to be a “learning center.” Bak’s aspirations were not only towards the museum’s future but himself as well, stating his goal to become a better painter.

In just over a year, the Samuel Bak Museum has had over 6,300 attendees, 30% being from the general public and another 30% coming from K-12 grades. The museum continues to bring together thousands with a shared appreciation for art, history and the enduring power of memory. As Bak himself strives to become a better painter, his museum stands as a beacon of inspiration, inviting all to embark on a journey of discovery and education.

own to continue the momentum of the program.

“While in the future, we would like to have a permanent pop-up shop, right now we really need a permanent space to store clothes,” Manhart said during his presentation. “It’s been amazing working with the sustainability department, and they have provided a temporary place we have outgrown that space with the overwhelming support we have received.”

The ideal place for the storage

would be in the Milo Bail Student Center, so the process of setting up clothing in the Nebraska room isn’t such an arduous process. In fact, the Durango’s Outfitters closet has lost a few clothing racks to cracks and crevices in the pavement during transportation. One senator asked if the closet had any plans of expanding to Scott Campus, which Manhart hoped to achieve in the future.

“As a former Scott resident, I understand the struggle of commuting

and our hope is to expand to better serve students,” Manhart said.

With a recently-passed resolution within the student government senate, the hope is to find a place for permanent storage. Manhart urged those who are able to volunteer and tell their friends about the closet.

“This closet really is making a difference in people’s lives,” Manhart said, “and the memories and bonds benefit those who volunteer as well.”

Attendees at the samuel Bak Museum watch the artist present over Zoom. Photo by Jenna Janssen

SPORTS

APRIL 16, 2024

Omaha softball shatters program record with 16 straight wins

ISAAC NIELSEN SPORTS EDITOR

For Omaha softball, the month of March was one for the record books.

The Mavericks shattered their previous record of 13 straight wins, set in 2010, with a new streak of 16 consecutive victories, tying what was then the longest streak in the NCAA.

After picking up three straight wins to finish the Arizona State Invitational at the beginning of March, UNO went on an unprecedented run, going 4-0 while hosting the Connie Claussen Classic, sweeping series against Purdue and North Dakota State, knocking off in-state rivals Creighton and Nebraska and taking the first game of a doubleheader at Summit League conference foe St. Thomas before falling just short in extra innings in game two on April 5.

Head coach Mike Heard attributed the legendary winning streak

to the experience of the players in the program.

“The success we’ve had this year is pretty simple,” Heard said.

“It’s the culmination of 3 years of commitment and hard work by a great group of student-athletes. They’ve done everything we’ve asked of them and more. Credit truly goes to them.”

Heard continued by highlighting the eldest players on the team as leaders.

“This group of seniors – both 4th and 5th year seniors – will leave a huge legacy on the program that will certainly help us continue to grow in the future,” Heard said. “That legacy is not just on the field, but also the example they set in classroom, within our campus and in our community.”

As one of those seniors herself, standout utility fielder Jaelle Johnson echoed the program’s improvement over the past few years, largely due to an aging group of locker-room leaders,

which includes five seniors and three graduate students.

“My first season at Omaha was a losing season, so just seeing all the growth from three years ago is super fun for us,” Johnson said. “This program has made huge strides and will continue to with the dedicated and hardworking players we keep bringing in.”

Though the Mavericks rewrote the history books throughout the month of March, you wouldn’t know it from their actions on the field.

“I’m not sure anyone has given much thought about the winning streak or being in the record books,” Heard said. “We certainly don’t discuss it at all as a team. At a certain point I’m sure it’s something everyone will look back and be proud of. Right now we still work very hard to keep our mind and focus on what we can do day-to-day to continue to get better. This team does such a good job of staying grounded

and in the moment.”

Johnson agreed that the presence of the winning streak didn’t make much of a difference for UNO while they were working to extend it.

“Stepping onto the field doesn’t feel any different than when we didn’t have the record. We are taking it one practice and one game at a time. Our coaches talk about the importance of intentionality with everything we do, so I think that really drives our practices and days at the field.”

Though the Mavericks’ winning streak was stifled after 16 games, it catapulted Omaha to its current 30-9 overall record, the best mark in the Summit League. With each of their nine remaining games scheduled against conference opponents, the Mavericks find themselves in second place with a conference record of 7-2. They’ll be back in action at Connie Claussen Field on April 20-21 for a three-game series against Kansas City.

Senior utility Jaelle Johnson celebrates during Omaha softball’s 5-2 win against crosstown rival Creighton University. Photo by Isaac Nielsen

One for the Record Books: A Journey Through Omaha Hockey’s Historic Season

The 2023-2024 Omaha hockey season was one to remember. A team picked sixth in the NCHC Preseason Poll tallied the second-most wins in program history en route to its first-ever Frozen Faceoff appearance. The Mavericks were dubbed the “hottest team in hockey” more than once throughout the year, competing against and beating some of the best teams in the country. Here’s a look back at how it all went down.

Oct. 13

Getting Things Rolling

The Mavericks started the 2023-24 season with a bang, downing Niagara 8-1. The regular-season opener was the first at Baxter Arena for newcomers like Dom Vidoli, Jesse Lansdell, Zach Urdahl, and Tanner Ludtke, all of whom scored a goal in their debuts.

Nov. 19

Facing the Giants

After a debacle in Denver that saw the series finale against the No. 3/2 Pioneers postponed to Sunday due to poor ice conditions, the Mavericks downed the powerhouse 4-3, marking the first of several wins against top-tier teams throughout the season.

Nov. 3-4

First NCHC Action

UNO’s conference opener didn’t go according to plan, falling to visiting No. 11 Western Michigan 5-2. The following night, Victor Mancini netted the winner in overtime, scoring his first goal in his third year with the Mavericks.

Feb. 10

Comeback Win Sparks Hot Streak

After evening up the series finale at No. 14 Western Michigan in the third period, Zach Urdahl scored the dagger in overtime. UNO would be able to ride that momentum through the end of the regular season, going undefeated in the final six games.

Feb. 21

Mike Kemp Announces Retirement

The hall-of-fame coach and administrator announced his retirement effective in May. Kemp was the Mavericks’ bench boss from the program’s inception to 2009, when he moved into athletic administration. He oversaw the design and construction of Caniglia Field, Baxter Arena and more.

March 8-9

Home Finale Heroics

UNO wrapped up its regular season by hosting the No. 3 team in the country in North Dakota, defying the odds and sweeping the Fighting Hawks to secure the fifth seed in the NCHC playoffs. 3-2 and 4-1 wins resulted in Omaha’s first ever sweep of UND.

March 22

Toppling the Top Seed in Frozen Faceoff

March 23

NCHC Cinderella Story

Comes to an End

March 15-17

Omaha Wins In NCHC Playoffs for First Time in Program History

The Mavericks traveled to fourth-seeded Colorado College and knocked off the Tigers in three straight nailbiters, securing UNO’s first trip to the Frozen Faceoff since they joined the conference in 2013.

UNO didn’t waste its first trip to the Frozen Faceoff, downing top-seeded North Dakota in a single-elimination game thanks to a well-timed first career hat trick from Zach Urdahl.

The Mavericks couldn’t quite capture the NCHC championship despite hanging with second-seeded Denver for well over two periods. Brock Bremer became the 22nd player in program history to score a goal in four straight games. Zach Urdahl, Griffin Ludtke and Simon Latkoczy were all named to the Frozen Faceoff All-Tournament Team.

March 28

Heartbreak in NCAA Regionals

In its first NCAA tournament game since 2021, Omaha led or was tied for 56 minutes against No. 7-overall Minnesota, but couldn’t quite close the door, falling 3-2. As the last game with the Mavericks for many players, the loss was a heartbreaker, but head coach Mike Gabinet and his skaters spoke retrospectively after the game about the historical season they had just accomplished.

ISAAC NIELSEN and ANDREW SMITH

maverick bullets

• omaha men’s basketball knocked off No. 3 seed North Dakota in the Summit League quarterfinals but saw its season end one game short of the conference championship with a heartbreaking loss to Denver. A mass exodus shortly after the end of the season saw five Mavericks hit the transfer portal.

• Despite coming into the Summit League tournament as the lowest seed, omaha women’s hoops picked up a win against Kansas City before coming up short against No. 1 seed South Dakota State.

• After enduring a brutal 0-12 start to the season, Omaha baseball was able to right the ship in conference play, improving its Summit League record to 8-7. The Mavericks will play their penultimate home series against Northern Colorado this weekend.

• Omaha men’s tennis wrapped up its season on Saturday with a loss against Drake, falling just short of qualifying for the four-team Summit League conference tournament. The Mavericks finished with a 1211 overall mark, going 1-4 in conference play.

• omaha’s women’s tennis team suffered a similar fate in failing to qualify for the conference tournament. Despite defeating their last four opponents, the Mavericks found themselves on the wrong end of a three-way tiebreaker for the final spot in the tournament, fighting to a 3-3 mark against conference opponents.

Tyler Bishop’s six-hit cycle leads the way for Omaha baseball’s historic offensive explosion

ISAAC NIELSEN SPortS EDItor

The story of Omaha baseball’s (9-22, 7-7 conf.) Saturday afternoon win over conference foe South Dakota State (15-17, 7-6 conf.) was runs. Lots of them.

The Mavericks’ offense rebounded in a big way after Friday night’s 7-2 loss, beating the Jackrabbits 21-15. UNO’s 21 runs were the secondmost in the eight-year tenure of head coach Evan Porter (26 in 2019 vs. Purdue Fort Wayne) and the most ever scored at Tal Anderson Field. Junior Tyler Bishop led the way, hitting for the cycle en route to a remarkable performance: 6-for-6 with two home runs, seven RBIs, and six runs.

It didn’t take long for either team to get on the board. SD State’s Jordan Sagedahl hit an RBI triple in the top of the first inning, scoring moments later off a wild pitch to make it 2-0. The Mavericks quickly evened the score, however, thanks to a home run from Drew Lechnir and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Noah Greise.

The Jackrabbits added a run in each of the next two innings with

a Reece Anderson home run in the second and a Cade Stuff RBI single in the third. Still, it was UNO who ended the third frame with the lead, as a fourrun two-out rally included a two-run homer from Bishop and RBI singles from Jackson Trout and Cardel Dick.

SD State further increased its offensive performance in the fourth inning. Omaha starter Caleb Riedel was pulled from the game after loading up the bases, but Sagedahl hit a grand slam off new reliever Joe Hackmann, skipping a fly ball off the top of the outfield wall into the trees. Still, UNO was able to even it up once more in the bottom of the fourth thanks to an RBI double from Matt Goetzmann and an RBI single and unearned run from Bishop to make it 9-9.

The two teams continued to light up the scoreboard in the sixth frame, as Sagedahl and Bishop both hit their second home runs of the day for their respective teams. The difference came off the bats of Luke Luskey and Jess Bellows for the Jackrabbits, who hit a double and a sacrifice fly, respectively, drawing in two more runs and taking the lead.

SD State strung together a combination of hits and forced errors

to add three runs to its lead in the seventh, but an incredible diving catch by Goetzmann in center field prevented further damage, keeping the score at 15-11. That deficit didn’t last long, however, as UNO exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the seventh. Zach Lechnir and Henry Zipay each scored on wild pitches, then doubles from Bishop and Dick plated a collective five runs and Lechnir added another with a sacrifice fly. The double from Bishop completed the cycle, as the junior logged a home run, triple, double, and two singles in his first five at-bats.

After SD State was shut down in the eighth inning, Bishop added another single and came around to score in the bottom half of the frame, completing a 6-for-6 day. A basesloaded walk brought Greise across before the inning concluded. The Jackrabbits, after enjoying plenty of their own offensive success, ran out of it in the ninth, sealing a 21-15 win for Omaha.

The Mavericks clinched their series with SD State on Sunday afternoon with a 10-9 victory to overtake the Jackrabbits in the conference standings.

Tyler Bishop dives into third. Photo by Isaac Nielsen

Noir Omaha puts a gothic twist on the club

JEROME BRADFORD COnTRiBUTOR

An Omaha collective called Noir Omaha is keeping the sounds of the past alive and providing people a great way to relax on the dance floor.

When people hear the term dance music, they usually think of Beyoncé or Ariana Grande. You may even think of relatives talking about the heyday of disco clubs. However, in the late 1970s, post-punk and new wave created a unique style of rock music that people were dancing to.

Post-punk was the next evolution of punk. It incorporated danceable beats at times and thought-provoking lyrics. These bands often made it a mission to merge the punk energy with those other dance influences. The music still inspires and resonates with people today.

“I think of the undertones of that generation. New Order and The Cure can be upbeat, but the lyrics are how we kinda feel,” said DJ Cemetery Gates. “We have these bad days, and it just gets us through the work week. Especially after COVID.”

Noir Omaha is a collective that brings post-punk, new wave, goth and many more styles to the Omaha area. The collective has been running for over 10 years, providing a place for the goth community and fans of those genres to dance and enjoy the “dark nightlife” at local bars and venues.

I attended “The New Wave” event on April 6 at The Verdict Bar and Grill, located of 19th and Harney streets.

DJ Cemetery Gates (a cool Morrissey reference) and DJ Pumpkinhead jockey for a diverse crowd where an intimate setting allows patrons to spark conversations about music and art, or whichever Smiths song first catches your ear.

Crowds also get a visual experience. Video screens play tributes to the past, from silent-era stars, vamps or flappers from the early 1900s.

You may wonder why Omaha natives flock to this music to dance. Well, the sounds were innovative and experimental. Those sounds gave people new reasons to get on the dance floor. Many people who were punk disliked the shallowness of disco found new reasons to explore dance music.

The power of exposing people to new music is something DJ Pumpkinhead (Craig Coffman) takes seriously.

“The way I learned about music was going to the record shop or a club,” Coffman said. He elaborated on what he enjoys about DJing. “I share that experience with other people and hopefully play things that they haven’t heard in a while, or things that are new. That’s how I learned and experienced music.”

Audiences often connect with those introspective lyrics. Post-punk and new wave lyricists touched on themes such as love, self-discovery and even the mundane parts of life. The DJs with Noir Omaha like their relationship with the crowd communicative by walking around and mingling with patrons while maintaining a special pride in their social media pages that feature art, videos and some topnotch flyer designs.

Noir Omaha has a post-punk and new wave dance night every first Saturday of the month, and a goth, industrial and synth night every third Saturday of the month at The Verdict Bar and Grill. The energy of their events makes for a great time for both the familiar and the unfamiliar.

It’s not a dream body if your life is a living nightmare

SPENCER CANIGLIA COnTRiBUTOR

I couldn’t move. It was as if my bare thighs were cemented to the cold tile beneath me. My seventeen-year-old body was on display since this boy used me up and then hadn’t even had the courtesy to shut the door behind him. My eyes were blurry as people strode past, and I knew that if we had only had school that Monday, this would have been the new story of the week, something I was no stranger to. My body was constantly up for discussion. And as I sat there, trapped, and broken, I thanked a God I didn’t believe in that the school year had come and gone.

I didn’t eat the following day. Or the next. I began subconsciously eliminating every womanly feature. Disappearing, taking up as little space as I could, assuring my breasts were no longer the subject of anyone’s conversation.

Two months later I began dating the guy I thought would “save” me from myself.

But it’s hard to be a girlfriend when you’re already married to your eating disorder.

I was a mathematician of calories, obsessed with food I wouldn’t let myself eat. I could recite any nutrition label by memory but couldn’t tell you which college assignment I had due that day.

With each step, I could feel every bone in my foot, my shoes leaving bruises around my ankles. My cheeks were sunken, my hair thin, but at least my thighs weren’t touching. I would hurt my friends, lie to my family – no price was too high, and no number on the scale was ever low enough. Not 100, not 90. Anorexia is never satisfied.

I was desperate for stability, with mood swings that were more like wrecking balls.

At age 21, when he left, I built up walls thicker than steel, swearing I would never let anyone make me feel that way again. But I never blamed

him. I was awful toward the end. My words were venom, vicious, and only struck to kill and the people I loved most were the biggest threat.

There is no compromising with anorexia. It is a game of numbers that you’ll only lose: lose the weight, the energy, your personality, your hair and health, your sense of right and wrong and your ability to think about anything else. You lose it all until you lose your mind and everything you hold dear.

As he walked to his car, I shut the door behind me and fell to the floor. The darkness crashed into my withered body. I looked down to see my broken heart beating inside a body of only skin and bone. Each rib jutted out like steps up to the collar of my shirt. He wasn’t leaving the girl he had fallen in love with four years prior, but the shell she had become.

I had to hit rock-bottom. Reality found me within that darkness, like a lantern and a cleansing wind that whispered, “If you don’t stop, you’re going to die.” And I didn’t want to die. I just wanted the pain to stop.

I went back to therapy and started seeing a nutritionist.

I hated it.

However, I gained just enough weight to put less concern on stranger’s faces and better manage my emotions. I learned that my anorexia hindered the things I valued most.

I was able to believe that just enough to begin the many attempts to recover while still restricting my food. Declaring myself “weight-restored” only to lose it all again. Keeping my XXS dresses and child size 14s that were once baggy on me. Fighting a losing battle of wanting to be healthy while still being the smallest in the room. Read the rest of Spencer’s column online.

Omaha noir. Photo by Jerome Bradford

Converting my real-life experiences into a magazine-formatted culture section has been my favorite experience in my two years at UNO. I’ve been granted a unique opportunity to seek out and present the many di erent forms of Maverick spirit. I will always be grateful for this platform and the friends I’ve made through it.

When I started college in the fall of 2020, I could have never imagined how much growth and change I would see in Omaha. I wanted the second print edition of my culture section to be a love letter to the city I am proud to have grown up in. I hope these pages can help you romanticize your own life and nd the beauty in everything.

Culture Editor Vinny Nelson

Although Madeline Reddel is no Maverick, her unique talents as a performer are unlike anything I’ve seen from Omaha before. Reddel headlined Benson’s Reverb Lounge on Friday, April 12, and her stage presence is captivating. She combines di erent styles of music with heartfelt songwriting, strong vocal performance and impressive guitar skills which bring her into a well deserved spotlight. e singer-songwriter is hosting her third annual ‘Garden Party’ on May 18. is is the perfect event for students looking to celebrate the end of the semester. Tickets can be purchased through @garden.party.omaha on Instagram.

On Monday, April 8th, UNO’s faculty and students gathered in the Pep Bowl to view the much-anticipated eclipse. e rare solar event uni ed the Maverick community in a way many haven’t seen in years. Penjani Branda, an international graduate student from Zambia shared her experience. “It is historical, and everybody coming out right now is just so incredible. We’re all in oneness and we’re all in awe of the eclipse,” Branda said. Dr. Kieren “Ren” Rende Mendoza was one of many who helped coordinate the event. “I’m so jazzed we get to see a little bit of totality here. Easily over 1,000 people came together to see the peak.”

The wind was a bit strong on the evening of Friday, April 5. e winds were at 14 knots, gusting up to 21 knots. ankfully, we were safe to y because UNO set a limit of 25 knots for student pilots. Chiharu Shuai is a junior in the aviation program and was kind enough to take me on a ight. “I’m working on receiving my commercial license and have over 200 hours, so I feel con dent in my abilities,” Shuai said.

We drove down to the Council Blu s Municipal Airport, host to Revv Aviation, a pilot education center. UNO aviation students are permitted to y there or Oracle Aviation, which is located in Millard. e plane we ew in was a Cessna 172. It weighs 1,669 lbs and has a top speed of 188 MPH. “ e rst time I ew, I was scared,” Shuai said. “ ey don’t talk about how real it feels. You feel every little bump of wind.”

Shuai took me through an exterior and interior pre- ight inspection as well as a safety brie ng inside the plane. e safety of pilots and passengers is a top priority. en we started the engine and accended to 3,500 feet.

e night was unforgettable; Flying across Dodge Street from the Old Market to Elkhorn was a magical moment. It can be easy to forget how our city can feel so big on the ground yet so tiny from above. “It’s been such a fun degree path, and I didn’t even know UNO had a program like this until I looked at a list of majors. It’s such an exciting career,” Shuai said.

“I’m in the BFA program, so I’m working on creating a cohesive body of work. A lot of what I’m working on is about feminism, feminine issues and the fragmentation women can face. I’m using meat as a metaphor to explore that di erent cuts of meat are of higher value. On the other hand, this piece is di erent but still confronts feminine body image and was inspired by e Venus of Willendorf. I played with the idea of it being a Midwestern Venus, and there are all these feminine details with the lace and jewelry. My other piece is two fried eggs on a red plate called ‘Breakfast of Champions.’ ere are many metaphors and connections there with feminine energy and fertility.”

e assignment was to get a 3D model online. It was just a simple head. From there, I duplicated it and moved it to di erent areas. en I printed o the plans, and I printed o the plans onto wood and assembled and sanded them down a little. e piece is inspired by schizophrenia and the many sides we can’t see from the outside. ere’s a stillness to this work, but there’s also the dichotomy of chaos, which I’m proud to have cultivated in this piece.”

“My project titled ‘ e Weight of Womenhood’ focuses on three aspects of the feminine experience. e rst panel is about the impact of mothers and how they can lead their daughters to the same fate. e second panel is a commentary on how you’re either too much or not enough and are never a perfect in-between. e third piece is about how women are seen for their bodies, not their inner beauty.”

Hayden Johnson, Junior

Colorado may seem like an alternate reality compared to the UNO campus, but the distinct way of life in Summit County, CO o ers many insights that Mavericks should take with them. I was lucky enough to explore the Rocky Mountains this spring, and I found these three rules essential to bringing slope style to the Midwest.

e earlier you start your day, the better. e rst gondola ride is a matter of your desire and e orts to conquer the mountain. Sleeping in and lounging around will always be tempting, but where’s the adventure? Physical movement in the morning is a great way to stimulate motivation, creativity and excitement for new challenges.

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Remember the old saying “Dress for success”? You must have the proper gear to make your day a success. Paint a mental picture of your dream life, then break it down into realistic goals. Are there speci c runs you want to make? e double black diamonds may seem daunting initially, but real growth only happens outside your comfort zone — not on the bunny hills. Don’t be afraid of the sharp turns ahead.

e best night’s sleep comes a er being physically and mentally drained from reaching your desired daily goals, but don’t forget to take it in. O entimes, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life that we forget to step back and take it in. What mountains have you conquered in your own life this month, semester or school year? Celebrate every win.