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WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2021

136th YEAR ISSUE 14

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

Red-dy, Set, Action: MSU Greek life is moving and growing MSU students direct Community welcomes new sorority chapter and newly rechartered fraternity their own production MAGGIE PHILLIPS STAFF WRITER

Theatre MSU and Blackfriars Drama Society teamed up to give students the opportunity to produce shows completely on their own.

Due to a major turnover of staff in Mississippi State University’s theatre department, the theatre faculty has given students the opportunity to present ideas for productions throughout the semester which students will have the chance to design, direct and execute entirely on their own.

Thomas McBride, a junior majoring in accounting and communication, was one of the first students given the opportunity to independently select and direct a play. McBride

selected John Logan’s “Red,” and the show took place in the McComas Theatre from Jan. 28 through Jan. 30.

McBride, who has been in various theatre productions for many years in an assortment of roles, has been familiar with “Red” for many years, having used monologues from the play for auditions and having established an appreciation for the characters and relationship of the show.

“I fell in love with the characters in the show and, of course, the theme of mentor and mentee,” McBride said. “Even as someone who is a mentor, you are still learning from the mentee, and that’s such a good message.”

The show focuses on famous artist Mark Rothko and his relationship with his assistant Ken. PLAY, 2

John Griffin | The Reflector

Sigma Phi Epsilon will be moving into the current Alpha Delta Pi house, their old house. The fraternity recently regained their charter after previously losing it in 2014.

LYDIA PALMER SPORTS EDITOR

The Greek life community at Mississippi State University consists of four main divisions: the National PanHellenic Council, the Panhellenic Council, the Interfraternity Council and the Multicultural Greek Council. Two of these councils, the Panhellenic and Interfraternity councils, are experiencing some growth this fall.

Sigma Phi Epsilon, or SigEp, a fraternal chapter at MSU since 1938, was removed from campus in 2014 after having their charter revoked. According

to a previous Reflector article, the fraternity’s charter and house were revoked following hazing violations. They returned to campus in the fall of 2017 and have been working to get their house back ever since.

Austin Wesley, a junior electrical engineering major and vice president of communication for SigEp for the 2021 calendar year, joined the chapter in 2018 and said the chapter has been working on rechartering with their alumni association.

“Nationals told us that we needed to be at 80 guys to move into the house,” Wesley said. “We got to 88,

so it’s time to move into the house.”

Another SigEp executive member, Chapter President Ryan Ware, a senior majoring in international business, said it is really important for Greek life to be centralized on campus.

“Greek life can really provide a good place for inclusiveness, and having fraternity houses on campus can really create strong bonds and brotherhood and really strong relationships with members of each organization,” Ware said.

“Multiple organizations being located really close to each other really allows

for a lot of interpersonal relationships and community building.”

SigEp has already reached the number required to move back into their house and expect that membership number to grow through both the spring rush, happening this week, as well as the fall rush of 2021.

One of the sororities on campus, Alpha Delta Pi, is currently living in SigEp’s fraternity house. They will be moving into their new house which is currently under construction, and SigEp will move back into their house for the first time since the fall semester 2014.

GREEK, 2

Art exhibition displays identities of various American artists PAYTON BROWN

where we targeted artists who were working with a variety of different materials or mediums.

There are 19 pieces in the show that were created by these 12 different artists, and they come from all different parts of the United States. We’ve got artists who are living in North Carolina, Virginia, New York and California, so it’s exciting because we wanted to show that diversity of artistic mediums and artistic styles,” Neuenfeldt explained.

Neuenfeldt delved into the theme of the show and explained the concept of identity has been largely incorporated into the show through different perceptions of life and through the symbolism in artistic materials.

“The theme of the show is ‘Crafted Identities,’ and it really responds to what is happening today in social events and social contemporary concerns with ideas surrounding identity,” Neuenfeldt said.

STAFF WRITER

Gracie Bell | The Reflector

This painting is one of the 19 pieces currently displayed in the Cullis Wade Depot. The exhibition was designed to celebrate different aspects of identity, such as ethnicity or place.

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Colder temperatures at the beginning of the week will be followed with chances of rain on Thursday and Friday. Expect highs in the 50s and 60s and lows in the 30s and 40s.

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Within Mississippi State University’s Cullis Wade Depot, an art exhibition titled “Crafted Identities” is showcasing the identity-aligned work of 12 artists who reside in various parts of the U.S. This exhibition will present these profound artistic expressions through Feb. 19 and is available to preview inperson on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The exhibition can also be viewed online in order to extend accessibility due to restrictions caused by COVID-19.

Lori Neuenfeldt, art history instructor and gallery director for the Mississippi State University Galleries of Art described the context of the exhibition and the general reasoning behind its individuality-focused title.

“The exhibition is an invitational show where we’ve invited 12 artists, and I worked with Sophie Glenn to do a show

ART, 2

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BAD DAWGS Thursday, January 21, 2021

Lost, found or shortage of property was reported at track-and-field complex.

Lost, found or shortage of property was reported Sunday, January 24, 2021 at Hand Chemical Lab.

Auto burglary reported at Lost, found or shortage of property was reported Magnolia Hall parking. at Creelman Street.

Monday, January 25, 2021 Lost, found or shortage of property was reported Property damage was at Sessums Hall. reported at YMCA Building.

Friday, January 22, 2021 Auto burglary reported at Dogwood Hall.

Case of trespassing reported at Lambda Chi Property damage was Alpha house. reported at Hathorn Hall parking.

An arrest was made for possession of marijuana Wednesday, January in motor vehicle on 27, 2021 University Drive.

Saturday, January 23, 2021 Case of trespassing reported at Moseley Hall.

An arrest was made for possession of marijuana, one ounce or less, at Ruby Hall.

Property damage was reported at Butler Williams Alumni Police Station.

Obscene phone calls were reported at the Delta Delta Delta house.

Property damage was reported at Sessums Hall parking lot.

This is not the only change that will be happening for sororities this fall, as a new chapter, Alpha Chi Omega, will be joining MSU’s Panhellenic community in the fall of 2022.

Martha Anne Dyer, a sophomore member of Pi Beta Phi majoring in fashion merchandising, is currently serving as Panhellenic Vice President.

Dyer shared her personal experience in Greek life and how it has benefitted her and many of her peers.

“I can say that I’m seeing growth even in the first few meetings this semester that I’ve gotten to attend with Panhellenic Exec, with the delegates and with the other Greek councils,” Dyer said. “I am really excited about the way that we are all

CONTINUED FROM 1

working together to acknowledge our faults in the Greek system and to focus on addressing those so that we can continue to spread the love and empowerment that the Greek community creates, without the exclusion and hurt that it has caused.”

Aside from the new Alpha Chi Omega chapter bringing more opportunities for members to join a sorority, leading to more inclusion, Dyer also said the introduction of Alpha Chi Omega provides an additional opportunity for philanthropy.

“I think that adding another philanthropy, adding another perspective into our Greek community as we are trying to improve our community and improve those aspects that we need to be working on,

PLAY Stuck in his traditional abstract expressionist form of extremely personal and intimate painting, Rothko struggles with and opposes the modern popexpressionism that Ken represents.

Having never directed a show before, McBride’s challenges were only multiplied by the obstacles COVID-19 has created.

Although the team had to practice on Zoom for longer than they anticipated, McBride and the cast approached the project optimistically.

“Because of the slow start, we really only had since January 10th physically being here,” McBride said.

“It’s been tough. COVID’s been tough. COVID has provided a lot of interesting challenges, all of which we’ve been able to overcome.”

Jeremiah Joswick, a 5thyear photography major and one of the actors in the production, came to join Theatre MSU after doing a photoshoot for one of the previous shows. In this semester’s production of “Red,” Joswick played Rothko’s assistant Ken, a young, opportunistic and optimistic painter.

“My character represents

CONTINUED FROM 1

the new age of art coming in. While Rothko is abstract expressionism, Ken is supposed to represent the pop art movement,” Joswick said. “Ken, when he starts out, is very nervous and shy, but he’s excited to learn because, to him, Rothko is one of the masters.”

Having not acted on stage since seventh grade, Joswick said hopping back into theatre has been an arduous process, but it has increased his confidence.

“Up until I walked on stage, I was shaking, but once I was on stage, it was fine,” Joswick said. “After that, the confidence for me has been a lot higher, so I feel a lot better about going on stage.”

Joswick noted one of the biggest lessons he has taken from his experience is that even the unexpected people in someone’s life, the people in it who are meant to be taught, might end up being the ones who teach the most.

Melanie Harris, an instructor in MSU’s Department of Communication, is typically a costume designer for the Theatre MSU productions.

However, for this production, she and the rest

ART

of the faculty have stepped back, giving students the room to present a show entirely on their own.

“I am so proud of this group, so proud to see how they have risen to the challenge, so proud of how they’ve handled COVID-19 and so proud that they did not give up in the face of the adversity of all the things they had to do and struggle with to get this going,” Harris said. “That’s the whole goal of education: to get you guys ready to go out and do it on your own.”

Perhaps more than any other field, COVID-19 has greatly impacted the lives and occupations of artists across the country. This has inspired the creation of innovative solutions and nontraditional projects.

Instead of closing the department, the instructors are using this as an opportunity to prepare the students for unexpected and, in this case, extreme challenges.

“We are driven by our desire to create,” Harris said. “Continue supporting the arts because they got us through a pretty tough time.

When everything goes back to normal, come back to us.”

CONTINUED FROM 1

Gracie Bell | The Reflector

Two of the pieces featured in “Crafted Identities” are shown. The exhibition features works from 12 artists from different parts of America.

“We allow the artists to use their works to show how they think identities could be something that is certainly formed and impacted by influences but also identities and labels that we were born with that we consider and see within ourselves. It also speaks on how many artists will attach their own identities to the materials that they are using, and their identities are applied by certain materials in the art world.”

Sophie Glenn, visiting professor of sculpture and area coordinator

adding another group of leaders to that community is going to be very beneficial,” Dyer said.

When Alpha Chi Omega joins in the fall of 2022, they will bring the number of sororities at MSU to a total of nine chapters and will be among Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Zeta Tau Alpha, Pi Beta Phi, Phi Mu, Alpha Delta Pi, Delta Gamma and Kappa Delta.

In an article on Alpha Chi Omega’s website, they stated after joining MSU, they will officially be part of 13 out of the 14 schools in the SEC. “We cannot wait to expand our community of real, strong women in the state of Mississippi and join the eight other Panhellenic sororities on the MSU campus,” the article stated.

of sculpture, further described the multiple types of identities conveyed within the featured creations.

“All the artists address an idea behind identity — whether it is personal identity or identity of the materials that they use or even the identity of a sense of place. They all address identity in one form or another,” Glenn explained.

Glenn projected her excitement about the featured diversity and expressed the importance of identifying all types

of identities within such a varied society such as Starkville.

“As a curator, I am really excited to have this exhibition up because I have had a lot of ideas in mind in terms of what I wanted it to do for the community and for the student body here at Mississippi State, so I was most concerned with having a diverse group of artists being shown in this exhibition because we have a diverse student body. I feel like we have done that in this exhibition, and it

Gracie Bell | The Reflector

MSU student Conner Morehead visits Cullis Wade Depot to view the pieces on display. The gallery is open through the 19th.

makes me feel really great because I have heard positive feedback about the show,” Glenn said.

According to Glenn, the show highlights a wide range of materials and types of work while headlining craft artists specifically.

Glenn believes the main purpose of the show is to show a collection of both social diversity and material diversity in terms of who is represented and what works they are simultaneously incorporating.

Michael Keyes, a

sophomore majoring in communication, explained his own perspective on the exhibition after taking a look at the featured show.

“I thought there was an incredibly robust selection of interesting and experimental work in the exhibition in terms of content and technique.

I really enjoyed looking at the projects that were accessible. There was one piece by Annie Evelyn which was eye-catching and to me, it reflected the vanity of social media and how nobody is perfect even though we portray it

to be online,” Keyes said.

Keyes said it was important to continue portraying and displaying art due to the art’s intention speaking loudly to the society around it.

“I think it is incredibly important to foster new generations of artists,” Keyes said. “Art is one of the backbones of what we experience in society, and I feel like art is the opposite of the establishment. Art will always go up against what is around us and what we are responsible for and who we answer to.”

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OPINION

FACE-OFF: What is the proper procedure for COVID-19 vaccines?

“

The COVID-19 vaccines are a safe choice for all

L

PAYTON BROWN

is a sophomore majoring in philosophy.

Contact her at opinion@reflector.msstate. edu.

As we progress through the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to grow past the difficult circumstances it has brought, a possible solution for this past year’s chaotic downfall has been uncovered.

Two vaccines have been manufactured to prevent the virus from causing further destruction among the health of the world’s citizens. Within the last few months, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines have been distributed within American society to diminish the consequences of COVID-19, and many individuals at a higher health risk have begun receiving their vaccinations.

With the appearance of the vaccinations, many have questioned the validity of the vaccines and have wondered what

side effects might appear from receiving either of these antiviral agents.

Rumors have swarmed the internet claiming the vaccines cause cerebral palsy, infertility and even alterations within human DNA. The timespan in which the vaccines were developed has also caused concern about the vaccines’ efficacy. This led to confusion on whether individuals should receive the vaccines or continue fighting through the pandemic defenselessly.

However, based on many reliable medical studies, it seems as though we have nothing to worry about

when it relates to keeping ourselves protected via vaccines.

Researchers Lisa Maragakis and Gabor Kelen of John Hopkins Medicine state the vaccine had to go through numerous clinical studies, meet meticulous standards and undergo four phases of testing before being released to the public.

If the vaccines were truly deemed unfit for humans, then they simply would not have been allowed to reach the market in the first place because of the strict procedures present in the U.S. No safety concerns have been reported

regarding the vaccines, and the only potential risk an individual may need to be concerned about is their own allergens.

Anyone allergic to any ingredient contained in the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines should refrain from receiving the vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is also continuously monitoring any issues which result from vaccinations but have yet to find any complications.

The efficiency of the virus should no longer be an issue either. According to the CDC, the PfizerBioNTech vaccine has

shown a 95% efficacy rate in preventing COVID-19 while the Moderna vaccine proved a 94.1% efficacy rate. These numbers indicate there is only a 5% to 5.9% chance of the vaccines leaving you unprotected, and in most cases, this slim percentage of vulnerability correlates, once again, to a person’s specific allergens.

Mayo Clinic debunked many COVID-19 vaccine myths and worries by explaining why the vaccines were developed so quickly. Ultimately, the virus’s major threat to the world’s population prompted pharmaceutical companies to expend

an excessive number of resources for a vaccine solution. Mayo Clinic reiterates the severity of the pandemic caused an immediate response to develop a quick solution, but this does not devalue the production or quality of the vaccines themselves. Clarifying the formation of the vaccines helps us understand how it is still safe regardless of how quickly they were produced. Scientists designed the vaccines based on the molecular structure of the virus and created them in a way which keeps additive preservatives out of the mix.

The COVID-19 vaccines are not something the population should be afraid of but rather something to be thankful for as we continue to struggle in such ambiguous times.

If the vaccines seriously caused more harm than good, they would ultimately cease to exist due to market pressure.

If you are questioning whether or not you want to eventually be vaccinated and protected from COVID-19, this is your sign to go for it.

College students should not be top priority for the COVID-19 vaccines

MICHAEL BOURGEOIS

is a senior majoring in English. Contact him at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu.

Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, we have recently developed the most powerful weapon yet in the battle against the virus.

American pharmaceutical companies PfizerBioNTech and Moderna have developed vaccines in a time unprecedented in human history, and for the first time in almost a year, we see a light at the end of the tunnel.

These vaccines, though still new, are reporting a 95% effectiveness rating in giving immunity to the virus. Armed with our new weapon and the coming of the warmer months, there is reason for optimism that we may soon get the pandemic under control.

However, since research and development of the vaccines have been completed, our goals have seemed to shift away from saving lives, the primary objective of our COVID-19 protocols.

Once an effective vaccine is developed, managing the pandemic

for Disease Control and Prevention, people ages 18-29 only represent 0.5% of total COVID-19 related fatalities.

This disease is not a killer for younger people, and as a result, the vaccines reserved for students should instead be reserved for those who are likely to die as a result of contraction such as the elderly or the i m mu n o c o m p r o m i s e d .

It would make sense to inoculate students of our age group if our primary motivator was to limit case numbers as opposed to deaths, as people ages 1829 represent the highest case number of all groups with 22.6% of the share according to CDC statistics.

However, the overwhelming majority of people our age recover with no lingering effects outside of a natural immunity which protects the infected for a minimum of six months.

Even though people who are asymptomatically infected develop an immunity to the virus, millions of Americans could be conducting their day-to-day lives completely unaware they themselves are immune to a virus they never knew they had. These Americans could just as easily go get a dose of the precious COVID-19 vaccines which are currently in such short

Marie Curie

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number of people may be lower than a university like Mississippi State University.

MSU’s diligent adherence to CDC guidelines through their Cowbell Well program as well as having the proper infrastructure in place to address the pandemic as best as the university can has drastically decreased campus transmission rates. Vaccinations would no doubt bring university transmission rates down even further, but the introduction of vaccines would not have as much of an impact on the overall trajectory of the pandemic as if they would have been introduced into a more at-risk population. And of course, logisticallyminded distribution of the treasured few doses of the vaccines which we do have will inevitably save more lives than wide-scale vaccination at random.

stroke are known as what?

2. The desire to eat strange things which are non-nutritive is known as what?

3. In what country were the Winter Olympics first held?

Source: trivia.fyi

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Life Editor/Sarah Morgan Johnson

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optimization of resources, even when the primary goal is to limit the spread of new cases because universities are not even close to the most virulent vector of transmission.

According to Dr. Adjoa Smalls-Mantey of ABC News, 70% of the new COVID-19 cases arise from small gatherings and households, and it is not difficult to understand why.

These informal gatherings usually consist of family and friends spending large amounts of time together without COVID-19 guidelines in place. Expecting people to follow these guidelines while in their own homes is unreasonable. Masking, social distancing and general protective measures are disregarded. Therefore, the transmission rate during small informal gatherings is much higher, even in instances where the

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“Nothing in life is to be feared; it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more so that we may fear less.”

Editor-in-Chief/Dylan Bufkin

supply to inoculate them for a disease for which they are already immune. Several of these Americans could be college students and people our ages, the group with the highest number of asymptomatic spreaders.

Minimizing the number of poorly allocated vaccines is essential in controlling the spread of the virus, and the most efficient way to minimize waste is to require an antibody test of the patient prior to injection.

Personal antibodies are a more effective preventative measure than the COVID-19 vaccines by every metric, and testing for them prior to inoculation will help us save more doses of vaccines for those who do need it and will, in turn, save more lives.

Even beyond conducting an antibody test, giving mass amounts of vaccines to university students is not an

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REFLECTIONS

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ceases to be a scientific or even a medical issue but rather becomes a logistical issue, a production issue.

Mass-scale production does not happen instantly.

According to Lauran Neergaard with the Associated Press, “(Vaccines) must be made under strict rules that require specially inspected facilities and frequent testing of each step, a timeconsuming necessity to be confident in the quality of each batch.”

These COVID-19 vaccines are especially volatile, requiring specific temperature control for transportation and storage.

Even with ample time to produce, Noah HigginsDunn with CNBC reports the U.S. is only on its way to receiving about 100 million shots of the Moderna vaccine by March and another 100 million by June, not enough to immunize the entire country. The present demand for COVID-19 vaccines far outpaces the supply. Until our production capacity can balance the scale, we are forced to triage our resources, and we should distribute in the interest of saving as many lives as possible.

College-aged students are at some of the lowest risk across the entire population of the U.S. According to the Centers

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Letters to the editor should be sent to the Meyer Student Media Center or mailed to The Reflector, PO Box 5407, Mississippi State, MS. Letters may also be emailed to editor@reflector. msstate.edu.

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LIFE & ENTERTAINMENT 5 THE REFLECTOR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021 @REFLECTORONLINE

“The Positive Sip” offers a refreshing take on Mississippi

SARAH MORGAN JOHNSON

LIFE & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

Born right outside of Atlanta, Mississippi State University’s Vice President of Student Affairs Regina Hyatt is a testament to the sentiment that Southern roots run deep.

When she was just 8 years old, Hyatt moved to Illinois where she would eventually complete her bachelor’s degree and her graduate degrees. So much time away from the South makes her an unlikely Mississippian, but her current position at MSU pulled her to the Magnolia State in 2015.

The absence of a Mississippi twang in Hyatt’s voice is made up for in an abundance of enthusiasm as she expressed the hopeful perspective of Mississippi she has gained.

“I think what I believe s that Mississippi has a richness to it that is really centered in the spirit and the stories of the people here. That richness doesn’t get seen outside of this place for a whole lot of reasons, and of course, sometimes Mississippi doesn’t help tself. The reality is there are so many people here that are working really hard to make Mississippi a place that everybody can thrive ... That’s the story that the world needs to know about here. I think maybe not having grown up here I can see it slightly differently in terms of realizing how special it is,” Hyatt said.

It was not long before Hyatt decided she had to have a hand in this storytelling herself. She began to dream of starting a podcast focused on highlighting Mississippi eaders and the hope they

bring to their state.

“I had the idea maybe two years ago — it’s been marinating for a while — to create a podcast. I wanted it to be focused on the idea of Mississippi and the good things that are happening in Mississippi.

I think that came from thinking sometimes that people who don’t live here have a perception of Mississippi that isn’t accurate about the state and the people who live here. And so I thought

“ I think what I believe is that Mississippi has a richness to it that is really centered in the spirit and the stories of the

people here.”

Regina Hyatt VP of Student Affairs about that and how we could share some really good things that are going on here,” Hyatt said.

This dream became a reality over winter break of this school year, as Hyatt and her team began strategizing and eventually recording episodes.

Although none of them had any experience with producing podcasts, they saw the project as an opportunity for adventure, and thus “The Positive

Sip” was born.

The team behind “The Positive Sip” consists of Hyatt; Flora Dedeaux, a junior majoring in communication; Katie Corban, the director of marketing and communications for the Division of Student Affairs and Carson Brantley, a graduate student studying higher education and student affairs leadership.

Dedeaux started working for the Division of Student Affairs in the fall semester as a videographer. After a few months, her boss Corban approached her about joining the production team for the podcast.

Dedeaux explained she and Brantley spent the majority of winter break learning together as they furiously researched the ins and outs of podcasting.

During her time as an undergraduate, Brantley also worked in the Division of Student Affairs where she first got to know Hyatt.

Brantley emphasized how foundational friendship is to the podcast itself, explaining Hyatt’s friendship with each guest brings a layer of richness to the episodes.

“Dr. Hyatt is calling her friends. If you know her at all, she calls everyone her friend. It’s so fun to hear her talk to her friends but for them to have these really serious conversations about Mississippi and how it has impacted them,” Brantley said.

The “friends” featured in the first two episodes are MSU President Mark Keenum and former MSU Student Association President Mayah Emerson. Hyatt explained the rest of the episodes in season one will follow suit,

as each episode features a different MSU alum.

She shared what listeners can expect in upcoming episodes of “The Positive Sip”.

“I have a variety of guests who are talking about where they grew up in Mississippi, their own Mississippi story, the things they are continuing to do within their communities and also with a focus on leadership. This is about leadership as well.

So you hear their views on leadership and how those views have shaped who they are,” Hyatt said.

Hyatt went into more detail, revealing the next episode will feature Starkville’s mayor Lynn Spruill. Listeners can expect to hear from alumni like Camille Scales Young, who was the former National Alumnus

President for the Alumni Association, and Retired Lieutenant Colonel Robert Barnes, an active member of MSU’s Black Alumni Advisory Council.

Hyatt is excited for people to listen to these guests and know good things are happening in her state. Brantley shared the same hope, explaining the podcast appeals to a broad audience.

“For alumni or adults who happen to know or who care about Mississippi State student affairs and leadership in general, listen and have a restored hope that good things are still happening in Mississippi and oncampus,” Brantley said.

Dedeaux urged her fellow students to listen to the podcast and be inspired by the people who have been in their

same shoes.

“I would encourage everyone to listen but especially Mississippi State students because all of the people on this season’s podcast are alumni of MSU ... I think it’s a really inspirational and motivational podcast.

It’s a positive take on Mississippi and what we’re doing. Obviously, we do have our problems and have been through really tough times, but this podcast specifically focuses on what people are doing today to progress and take steps forwards,” Dedeaux said.

For all those seeking a refreshing take on Mississippi life and leadership, the first two episodes of “The Positive Sip” can be found on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Select Starkville bars offer a safer alternative to student nightlife

EMMA DOTSON

STAFF WRITER

The bars located in Starkville’s Cotton District and on Main Street are packed to the brim with college students, making them feel like the epicenter of COVID-19 cases on any given weekend.

For students seeking to unwind from schoolrelated stress, it may seem ike the only options are to throw caution to the wind and join the masses or miss out entirely. However, for those willing to venture a ittle off the beaten path, Starkville boasts a fair share of safer, more laid-back bars. Some of those bars nclude Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern, Arepas Coffee & Bar and The Guest Room: -- Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern.

The first on the list is Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern off Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Drive. The bar caters to many crowds such as music gurus, pizza lovers and dive bar enthusiasts.

Dave’s was established n 1995 by Dave Hood after he worked as a waiter for the previous occupant of the building, The Bully III. Live music has been a staple for the tavern throughout ts history in Starkville, with various artists making their way across Dave’s stage. From folk music to singer-songwriter style to even drag shows, the bar guarantees its customers to be entertained.

Throughout the pandemic, Dave’s has made adjustments to its usual way of doing things, but the show must go on — just with a few more regulations.

The bar has recently brought back a tavern trivia night on Wednesdays as a

group activity for Starkville residents and Mississippi State University students to enjoy a night out in a battle of wits. There is no cover fee for this event or the live music thanks to local sponsors.

Outside of entertainment, the bar has many different types of food, so finding something to like is not difficult. The tavern is mainly known for its Chicago-style pizza but also offers bar-style appetizers, salads, burgers and wraps.

Robert McGee, a junior computer science major, claims the food at Dave’s to be a heavenly experience.

“The lamb gyro was better than God,” McGee said.

Dave’s is also known for its drinks. For the casual drinker, the tavern serves domestic and craft beer from local breweries along

with an array of mixed drinks and non-alcoholic beverages that cater to any crowd.

-- Arepas Coffee & Bar. Arepas is a Venezuelanowned restaurant which was opened in October 2019 by Jose Elarba and his family. Elarba said his family has always thought about opening a restaurant and wanted to share their culture with Starkville.

“We saw there was nothing like our food around, so let us show everybody what Venezuelan food is. We know it is really good, and it is healthy,” Elarba said.

Elarba’s personal favorite on their menu is a cachapa, a corn pancake with Venezuelan cheese, but there are many other delicious options to choose from.

Laura Alvarez, a junior psychology major from

Maracay, Venezuela, said the cuisine is very close to what she had back home.

“Their food is pretty accurate, and the people who run the restaurant are actually Venezuelan as well, so the plates are very similar to what you would get in Venezuela,” Alvarez said.

Arepas prides themselves on having a different special every day of the week, such as $10 all-you-can-drink Fridays during specific hours and celebrating every weekend by serving champagne all day long.

Arepas also hosts Latin parties, which they are bringing back with enforced COVID-19 safety regulations in place. There is a cover fee of a few dollars, but it is a small price to pay in light of the amount of fun to be had.

For those looking

for a unique experience or even just a new study environment, Arepas is sure to make any customer feel at home.

-- The Guest Room.

Tucked away beneath Restaurant Tyler off Main Street is a speakeasy-style bar with the reputation of being Starkville’s best-kept secret. The Guest Room does not look like much from the outside, but if the light is on outside, it is bound to be bustling with customers.

The Guest Room was opened in 2014 by Jackson, Mississippi, natives Chef Ty Thames and Brian Kelley to bring a different type of atmosphere to Starkville’s nightlife. Walking through the wooden door in the dugout basement is like walking back in time. With a copper bar, wooden floors, a metallic ceiling, exposed brick, dim lighting

and bartenders donned in button-downs and bowties, it is no wonder Thames and Kelley attract such a crowd.

Outside of the structural entities is a vintage piano played on occasion by talents such as Wyly Bigger. There are no televisions, but the many different taxidermy animals placed about the bar will surely work as conversation starters.

For those looking for a bite to eat, The Guest Room serves its own Southern specials along with the entirety of Restaurant Tyler’s menu upstairs on designated nights. They also have select menus for happy hour held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

James Kinnebrew, a mechanical engineering graduate of Mississippi State University, said he likes The Guest Room because of its diverse array of cocktails.

“You can get stuff there that would be a lot more difficult to make at home or that you would find at the Klassroom or a standard type college bar,” Kinnebrew said.

The bar has seasonal cocktail lists that rotate and weekly featured drinks, so there is always something new to try. The bar also offers mocktails and other options for everyone to have a swell time.

For those looking for safer alternatives, a slower pace or even a more refined and unique experience, it turns out Starkville has more to offer than one would think in regards to nightlife. It only takes a little digging to find something to satisfactorily answer the persisting question of what to do this weekend.

66-Sports SPORTS

THE REFLECTOR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2021 @SPORTSREFLECTOR

MSU softball makes history during preseason rankings

Jordan Smith | The Reflector

The Mississippi State University softball team is ranked No. 22 in the nation by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, their best ever. They are also ranked No. 15 in the D1 softball rankings. Their season begins on Feb. 13 against the Miami RedHawks.

LYDIA PALMER SPORTS EDITOR

Mississippi State University has had a softball team for many years now but has only ranked in the top 25 nationally among other collegiate softball teams once in its history. In 2001, the Bulldog softball team was ranked No. 23 by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. This year, that same association ranked MSU’s team No. 22.

“We are thankful for the preseason recognition as a testament to the hard work of our program over the past year,” Head Coach Samantha Ricketts said in a release about the rankings. “We are eager to get back on the field together and continuing to

work together toward our goals and are appreciative of the opportunity.”

Aside from the rankings of the NFCA showing the Bulldogs’ improvement, they have also been ranked No. 15 among other D1 softball teams this past month.

Coach Ricketts has had much success during her time leading the Bulldogs, and it has not gone unnoticed. John Cohen, MSU’s director of athletics, has been impressed with the work of Ricketts throughout her time at MSU. “I’m really proud of her,” Cohen said. “I think she’s done a tremendous job. It’s never easy to take over a program, but I think it’s a little easier when you have a hand in recruiting a lot of the

players like she did.”

Ricketts was the fastest head coach in the history of MSU softball coaches to have 20 wins under her belt, as well as her team ranking nationally that same season. Going into

particular, Mia Davidson, is one of the team’s offensive leaders, as well as the team’s catcher.

Davidson is a senior from Hillsborough, North Carolina, who has received many awards and honors

“I think Sam (Coach Ricketts) is a wonderful leader. She’s someone who leads by example, and I think her best work is going to be ahead of her.”

John Cohen Director of Athletics

the 2021 season, most of her lineup will remain the same, with the loss of only three players from last season and the gain of four new team members.

One player in

throughout her career.

“I see her, and I think she’s like a mini Coach Ricketts,” ESPN/ SEC’s Jenny DaltonHill commented about Davidson.

In her junior season, the 2020 softball season, Davidson started every single game for the Bulldogs. She is one a couple of MSU’s softball players who has at least 50 career home runs.

Director of Athletics Cohen said he has seen a lot from the catcher during her time with the Bulldogs and sees she is a talented player.

“I’ve seen her play a lot,” Cohen said. “She’s somebody who’s very talented and really knows the game well.”

He went on to explain the diverse talents of Davidson around the field, both offensively and defensively.

“She’s a complete player,” Cohen said.

“She’s a great offensive player; she has power and

runs well for a catcher.

She can hit for average and is also a very good defensive player. She can really receive behind the plate and has great arm strength. I’m looking forward to watching her play.”

Coach Ricketts, Davidson and the team will have their season debut on Feb. 13 at noon in Starkville. The Bulldogs will face the Miami RedHawks. Cohen expects this season and those going forward under the leadership of Coach Ricketts to be something to watch.

“I think Sam (Coach Ricketts) is a wonderful leader,” Cohen said.

“She’s someone who leads by example, and I think her best work is going to be ahead of her.”

Women’s basketball: Bulldogs’ offense crumbles against USC TANNER MARLAR

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

After a hiatus from the hardwood of over 10 days, the Mississippi State University women’s basketball team was back in action against the fourthranked University of South Carolina Gamecocks this past Thursday night at Humphrey Coliseum.

It was the first matchup between first-year Bulldog Head Coach and former South Carolina Assistant Coach Nikki McCrayPenson and Gamecocks Head Coach Dawn Staley.

South Carolina won the tip and immediately ramped up the pressure, running the tuned-up, half-court man-to-man defense fans are used to seeing. The Bulldogs, however, did not shy away from the challenge in the first quarter. After getting premier Gamecock player Aliyah Boston in foul trouble early, the guard rotation was in the passing lanes all quarter, creating some fast-paced action on both ends of the floor that did not lead to any sort of high-scoring affair early on.

The teams ended the first quarter on a combined 9/34 shooting, with Jessika Carter leading the Bulldogs in rebounds in the first with a very impressive total of six. At the end of the

quarter, the score sat at 1110,with MSU leading Whatever Dawn Staley said to her team after the quarter break took hold, however, as South Carolina went on an 8-0 run in the first two minutes of the second quarter. Some lackluster ball movement from the Bulldogs culminated in a multitude of misses, and South Carolina was sure to capitalize with the help of some great fast break passing. The Bulldogs simply could not buy a bucket, and with Aliyah Boston finally getting to see more of the floor, points sure were not getting any easier to come by. This showed in the first half shooting percentage, as the Bulldogs sat at 28.6% for the half and were outscored in the quarter 26-12. Going into the break, South Carolina lead via a score of 36-23.

In the third quarter, the Bulldogs valiantly showed some signs of life. Sadly, those signs did not translate into points.

Defensively, the Bulldogs held South Carolina to roughly the same pace and percentage as the previous quarters, but as for the offensive end of the floor, the Clarion Ledger’s Tyler Horka summed it up best in his tweet.

“Mississippi State looks completely lost offensively,” Horka shared

via Twitter.

This was due in part to the dynamic duo that South Carolina brought to Starkville of guard Zia Cooke and, of course, Aliyah Boston. The two Gamecock players led the charge on the defensive end in the quarter, and both teams knot up the scoring at 18 each in the period. The score sat at 5441, Gamecocks’ lead.

The fourth quarter turned out to be the straw that broke the camel’s

back, with South Carolina busting through the dam offensively by pouring in fast break and paint points. The Gamecocks kept the pressure up and really stretched out their lead later into the period.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs’ offense continued to stagnate, without being able to buy a bucket even from the foul line.

The final shooting percentages for MSU were suboptimal to say the least, as ESPN team stats put

the Bulldogs at a 33.8% shooting percentage from the floor and 33.3% from the foul line, shooting 5-15 for the whole game. The final score read 75-52, with South Carolina taking the win.

After the game, when asked about what the next step is after this tough loss, Bulldog guard Myah Taylor had some stoic words for the media.

“Move on from it,” said the Bulldog guard.

“Grow from it. Just try to

move on.”

Head Coach McCrayPenson also said after the action she does still believe this team is headed in the right direction.

The next contest for the MSU women’s basketball team will be against another nationally ranked team, the University of Tennessee.

That game will tip off at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday as Coach McCray-Penson and the Bulldogs look to right the ship and get back to their winning ways.

Hail State Athletics | Courtesy Photo

The Mississippi State University women’s basketball team took on the USC Gamecocks, where Head Coach McCray-Penson previously coached, on Thursday in Starkville.