3.24.22

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022

137TH YEAR | ISSUE 19

Cotton District implements paid parking “This allows for longer parking periods than two hours,” Spruill said. “This allows for up to four hours, and so we decided that was a better way to use our time and our resources and have an opportunity for that turnover in the District to allow both retail and the restaurants to have people both come and go.”

Agreeing with Spruill, Ward 4 Alderman Mike Brooks said the board ultimately chose to implement paid parking due to concerns from restaurant and retail owners in the Cotton District.

HEATHER HARRISON NEWS EDITOR

Patrons in the Cotton District must now pay to park.

On March 15, parking spots from Montgomery Street to Mississippi State University’s campus switched from free, twohour parking to paid parking through the ParkMobile app.

ParkMobile is a parking system generated through a mobile app or text messaging system instead of traditional parking meters. It allows people to choose how long they wish to park

Mary Georgia Hamilton | The Reflector

Starkville Mayor Lynn Spruill at her desk.

and pay accordingly.

Each hour of parking costs 75 cents, and customers may park for up to four hours.

The system is in effect from 8 a.m. to 8

Adam Sullivan | The Reflector

Parking spots from Montgomery Street through the Cotton District now require customers to pay through the ParkMobile system.

p.m. on weekdays. Green signs are posted throughout Midtown and the Cotton District, instructing customers to

download the app, scan a QR code or text a phone number to pay for their spot.

Mayor Lynn Spruill

said the previous twohour parking system in the Cotton District was intended to be a temporary solution.

PARKING, 2

Opening of nutrition business fuels health dialogue JORDAN BROCK STAFF WRITER

While nutrition might not always be at the forefront of college students' minds, Wolfe Nutrition, a new small business in Starkville, is spurring healthy eating conversations.

Recently, nutrition businesses are mainly known as places that sell the newest craze: loaded teas. However, Wolfe Nutrition owner Katelyn Wolfe wants to put a different meaning to that term.

“Unfortunately, a lot of those tea and shake stores also have the word nutrition in their name. They sell the premade powdered shakes and teas, and this is not the same thing,” Wolfe said.

Wolfe is a registered dietitian who lives in Starkville.

She has worked as a bariatric counselor to help those who have undergone bariatric surgery adjust their eating habits after surgery. She will con-

Courtesy Photo | Smash Dawgs

Smash Dawgs hybrid esports organization offers both competitive and relaxed tournaments for video game players on campus.

Madelyn Sykes | The Reflector

A spring mix salad made with fresh lettuce, strawberries and blue cheese crumbles.

tinue counseling online as she runs Wolfe Nutrition. Wolfe said she wanted more full-time work while helping the people in her community, so she decided to open her own nutrition company.

Wolfe said she wants to work with college students and the Starkville community to help better their nutrition.

While Wolfe is open to the entire city, there are organizations on Mississippi State Universi-

ty’s campus specifically for students interested in healthy eating.

The Student Dietetic Association (SDA) has monthly meetings where they bring in guest speakers to speak to students about different ways to stay healthy. According to its website, the Student Dietetic Association aspires to foster nutritious lifestyles in the MSU and Starkville communities.

NUTRITION, 2

Esports club is a smash-ing success, sees massive growth EMMA NISBET STAFF WRITER

Smash Dawgs is a hybrid esports student organization at Mississippi State University, consisting of casual and competitive play centered around the popular Nintendo game "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate."

The club was first founded in 2014, coinciding with the release of "Super Smash Bros." for

Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, the fourth installment in the franchise. It started with a small group of students who met in the projector room on the third floor of Griffis Hall. Eventually, they decided to make the hang-out sessions a little more official.

Since its initial founding, Smash Dawgs has seen significant growth rates. Since 2019, there has been a 307% in-

crease in the overall member base and a 250% increase in event turnouts, according to Creative Director Brandon Knue's calculations.

Club president Conner Sanders, a senior mathematics major, explained the appeal of Smash Dawgs.

"At the end of the day, you're just there to sit down and play with some buddies," Sanders said.

ESPORTS, 2

MSU DREAMers in national program discuss immigrant resources PAYTON BROWN STAFF WRITER

The Hidden Dream is a non-profit organization that works to uplift visa immigrants by providing financial resources and a community of support.

According to Sumana Kaluvai, lead director and co-founder of The Hidden Dream, the organization began as a Facebook group in 2019 and focused on supporting different immigration situations.

“In 2020, we rebranded as a direct service non-profit. Since that time, we've grown to serve over 700 kids primarily on dependent visas,” Kaluvai said.

DREAMers are young, undocumented or documented immigrants brought to the U.S. as

Courtesy Photo | Sumana Kaluvai

The Hidden Dream co-founder Sumana Kaluvai.

children who have lived and attended school primarily in the U.S. While there is not an official chapter of the organization on Mississippi State University's campus, a few students are involved in the national chapter of The Hidden Dream.

These students focus on assisting documented DREAMers who are

looking for community support in Starkville.

Kaluvai explained that documented DREAMers on dependent visas are restricted from the workforce, applying for scholarships and, in some cases, from receiving a driver’s license.

“What we do with The Hidden Dream is we develop resources to help kids navigate life on these visas,” Kaluvai said.

Kaluvai included the scholarship fund, free therapy, varieties of workshops and mentorships in her list of ways the organization assists these individuals.

“We also host webinars with immigration lawyers so that people can stay up to date and armed with

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

HI: 66 LO: 39 SKY: Partly sunny POP: 6

HI: 65 LO: 42 SKY: Partly cloudy POP: 7

HI: 63 LO: 38 SKY: Partly cloudy POP: 3

Courtesy Photo | Mayukh Datta

Chemical engineering major Mayukh Datta.

knowledge on how to navigate different aspects of the immigration system,” Kaluvai said.

Kaluvai said students could support young immigrants by showing allyship and spreading general awareness of issues occurring in the documentation process.

Kaluvai mentioned The Hidden Dream’s job

FORECAST: After a windy and stormy Tuesday, Wednesday brought cooler temperatures . The rest of the week is looking to be mostly sunny with highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s and 40s.

It will still be windy with gusts reaching up to 14 miles per hour. Starkville might be known as the new Windy City after this week!

Courtesy of The Weather Channel

referral network and mentorship program as additional areas where MSU students could become involved within the organization.

Mayukh Datta, a senior chemical engineering major at MSU, said students could support the organization’s efforts by acquiring knowledge about visa immigrants.

“There's a lot of news … about u n d o c u m e n t e d DREAMers in the U.S. While the plight of u n d o c u m e n t e d DREAMers is very real, what is less covered is what happens to students like me,” Datta said.

Being a documented DREAMer himself, Datta has assisted with the organization’s cause through campus

Courtesy Photo | Nirmal Bhatt

Mechanical engineering major Nirmal Bhatt.

outreach at MSU. “The mission that The Hidden Dream advocates for is a reality for me,” Datta said.

Datta explained how students like himself have migrated to the U.S. at a young age and have now aged out of their parents' visa applications because of the drawn-out green card process.

DREAM, 2

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NUTRITION Julia Bristow, a senior food science nutrition health promotion major, is the president of SDA. She said college students’ nutrition is crucial to a student’s overall health.

“Nutrition in college students is something that is very important. I think that a lot of people are aware of how important it is to eat healthy, but in college, you are in that time of not living with your parents anymore, and you have to make your own eating habits, and it can be a hard time to transition,” Bristow said.

According to the Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, only 9.2% out of 676 college students

CONTINUED FROM 1

Courtesy Photo |Katelyn Wolfe

Wolfe Nutrition owner Katelyn Wolfe.

involved in the study consumed vegetables and fruits every day.

Wolfe said that there are multiple drinks college students should limit to keep a healthy diet.

“We don’t want to overlook beverages as a source of a lot of extra calories, not only

Madelyn Sykes |The Reflector

Wolfe Nutrition owner Katelyn Wolfe encourages college students to add more fruits and vegetables to their diets for a healthy lifestyle.

beverages that are alcoholic beverages but even sodas, juice, punch and tea,” Wolfe said.

Wolfe said drinking water is crucial for day-

to-day life. Wolfe said since Hydro Flasks and other reusable water bottles have become trendy, more young people are encouraged to drink water.

Senior food science nutrition health promotion major Amy Pham gave tips for making healthy choices as a college student.

“I really think a lot

ESPORTS "Whether you're the best player of your friend group, you think you really got what it takes or you just want to come out and have some fun, we really don't discriminate in that regard."

Smash Dawgs hosts a variety of events throughout each semester. There are three types of tournaments: weekly, monthly and regional.

Typically, there are two major tournaments a month: a free-to-play casual tournament and a tournament that costs a small fee to participate in. Players have the potential to win prize money in the latter tournament.

The organization also has a varsity team that

CONTINUED FROM 1

competes in online tournaments against other colleges and universities. Last year, they won the national championship of the league they participated in.

The Bell Tolls II, Smash Dawgs' upcoming regional tournament, will take place on April 2 in the Colvard Student Union Foster Ballroom.

The event is estimated to have over 150 attendees, making it the largest esports tournament in Mississippi.

Smash Dawgs has an outreach stretching to Tuscaloosa, AL, Memphis, TN, Jackson, MS and Oxford, MS. The organization has become a hub for players as the t o u r n a m e n t s , particularly the paid

Courtesy Photo | Smash Dawgs

Smash Dawgs meets on Wednesday nights.

ones, tend to draw in crowds from around Mississippi and even neighboring states. It is a way to find fellow likeminded students and share enjoyment in the game, members say.

Creative Director Knue, a junior business information systems major, joined Smash

Dawgs in 2019. He encouraged video game players to find a competitive outlet.

"If you're a student and you do enjoy playing video games, definitely look into seeing if there's a competitive scene for it because not only does playing it competitively force you to get better and want to get better at the game," Brandon said, "but you also do make some of the best friends you've made in college through some of these organizations."

Brandon said he met his closest friends in college thanks to Smash Dawgs.

Jeffery Garrett, a senior mechanical engineering major, joined Smash Dawgs in 2018 and became vice

president in 2020. He shared some encouraging words for any students interested in joining the organization.

"If you're interested in playing or if you're worried that the people you're playing are just going to destroy you, I would encourage you to come to meetings because we really don't care about that type of thing. We are welcoming in that way," Garrett said. "The degree to which you take it seriously is all up to you.

That's the good thing about the game; the game is whatever you want to make it, and there are so many options on how you can play it."

President Sanders

DREAM “Now students like me are facing a very real threat of deportation,” Datta said.

Nirmal Bhatt, a senior mechanical engineering major at MSU, faced the same issue due to the long wait times for permanent residency applications.

“Whenever your parents do apply for permanent residency, you're under their application, but only up until you turn 21,” Bhatt said. “For example, my family applied for permanent residency in 2016, and that was something that we still have not received.”

Since turning 21, Bhatt is no longer

said Smash Dawgs is not just a club; it is a community.

"I think the biggest thing that we want people to understand about our club is it's not an esports club in the traditional sense," Sanders said. "We're not here for you to pay a bunch of money to put on a jersey and compete in some event every month. We're here to build a community, and we want to create an atmosphere where, no matter what's going on, you always got somewhere to go— somewhere to hang out."

Smash Dawgs holds its weekly meetings in the Mitchell Memorial Library's auditorium on Wednesday nights from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

CONTINUED FROM 1

considered eligible on the application and will have to go through the process again.

Bhatt’s immigration experience began when his family moved to the U.S. from India for his father’s job.

“One of the biggest ways I think of describing the entire immigrant experience, if I could even sum it up in one word, would be uncertainty,” Bhatt said.

Bhatt attended middle and high school in the U.S., but his formative years were different from others because of the restrictions placed on his life.

“For example, a lot of

high school students work to save up money for college, and with my visa status, I was never

financial aid programs because they are limited to permanent residents.”

Bhatt said the

“Now students like me are facing a very real threat of deportation.”

Mayukh Datta Member The Hidden Dream

able to work,” Bhatt said. “I was also not really considered for scholarships or certain

uncertainty in his life was also met by fear.

“The fear of moving or leaving the country

was always there in the back of my mind because I never knew what the next month or even the next like two months would look like,” Bhatt said.

Bhatt said it is difficult to plan his future because of this unpredictability.

“Even though I know that I want to be in the United States, it's something that I had to fight for every day,” Bhatt said.

Bhatt found The Hidden Dream through social media after searching for a support system for his own immigration status.

“When I found The Hidden Dream, it was

PARKING “We felt like, with input from restaurant folks and merchants, that this would position them the best (with) turning this parking over,” Brooks said.

Brooks said the business owners complained that people would park for over two hours in the previous system, which affected the flow of customers in and out of stores and restaurants. Sometimes people would park their cars in the Cotton District all day, blocking additional customers from parking near the businesses.

The Reflector attempted to contact Bin 612 in the Cotton District to comment on the ParkMobile system but was declined an interview.

The Reflector also reached out to The Klaasroom and Boardtown Pizza and Pints but did not receive a response by publication time.

of people are not taught how to cook, and that’s another reason why they believe cooking is a chore rather than something that is fun.

There are a lot of meals that you can make that are nutritious and easy.

I think that is a lot better than going out and buying fast food.

My tip would be to make a grocery list and cook a meal that you like to cook, and you like to eat,” club Secretary Pham said.

SDA is not just for nutrition majors, Pham said. Anyone with an interest in healthy eating can join.

Wolfe Nutrition has a Facebook page, and those interested in improving their nutrition can direct message the page.

honestly really great because I had the understanding now that there were a larger group of people that were going through this, people that were just like me that had similar backgrounds,” Bhatt said.

Bhatt now works on the organization’s board to expand outreach.

“One of the really good things that I've noticed in your state is that a lot of students are willing to listen. When it comes to students at Mississippi State, generally showing up with immigrants whenever they are going to advocate for things is also a really big step,” Bhatt said.

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The mayor said the city chose the ParkMobile app rather than parking meters because the app is simple to use and does not take up physical space.

“Parking meters are expensive,” Spruill said.

“They take up space— they take up sidewalk space—and the ParkMobile app is something that is already in the works with the university, so it’s an easy transition for those who are familiar with it.”

Additionally, Brooks highlighted the app’s simplicity, saying he had no trouble using the app.

“I’m old,” Brooks said with a chuckle, “and I figured it out pretty quickly.”

For those who are not tech-savvy with apps, a phone number is posted on ParkMobile signs and people may text the number to pay for their spot.

However, Ward 1

Alderman Ben Carver said not everyone always has a phone with them, so he wished there were more options for those people.

“I guess it’s just assumed nowadays that everyone has a phone on them at all times, but that’s not true,” Carver said.

Carver voiced his disapproval of the new system. He said business owners and customers have already complained about receiving parking tickets.

“I don’t want to see any kind of negative reputation of being antibusiness toward patrons,” Carver said.

Carver said he did not think Starkville needed a paid parking system due to its smaller population.

Brooks said he expected a learning curve as patrons adjust to ParkMobile, as he has heard some complaints, but he said he thinks the

kinks will work out in the end.

“Nothing’s set in stone just yet,” Brooks said. “We think it’s going to work; we have a lot of confidence in it, and out of other things we tried, we feel like this is the best option for us.”

A 15-minute grace period is built into the system, allowing patrons or food delivery workers to grab to-go orders without paying to park.

Brooks said he pushed for the grace period because he did not want people to pay to park, only to enter a packed restaurant with a long wait.

“I’ve been to some of the restaurants on ball game weekends,” Brooks said, “and some of the folks would come in, and they wouldn’t be able to sit, or there’d be a 45minute wait, so they’d decide to leave. I wouldn’t want to penalize those guys and make

them pay to park and walk up and not be able to go into the restaurant.”

Brooks mentioned a hack Cotton District customers could use to ensure they will have a parking spot. He said using the app, a person can type in the zone they want to park in and reserve the space from their home, rather than driving around trying to find parking.

Currently, downtown Starkville is still implementing two-hour free parking. Spruill said she would like to see the area move to ParkMobile in the next few years.

According to Spruill, the money the city makes through paid parking will go into the general fund and help support parking enforcement police officers.

“We want this to work for everybody,” Alderman Brooks said.

“We didn’t do this to make money off of it.”

Courtesy Photo |City of Starkville

Starkville Ward 4 Alderman Mike Brooks.

Courtesy Photo |Ben Carver

Starkville Ward 1 Alderman Ben Carver.

THE REFLECTOR | THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022 | @REFLECTORONLINE

BULLETIN BOARD

An In-Class Distraction

SUDOKU

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MSU Organization of the Week: New Maroon Camp March 9 Puzzle Solutions

1. What is New Maroon Camp?

— New Maroon Camp is a week-long student-led retreat that introduces first-year students to Mississippi State University.

2. What do students experience at New Maroon Camp?

— Incoming students learn MSU traditions, meet other first-year students, participate in a variety of activities and get acclimated to campus.

Thursday, March 10, 2022

Friday, March 18, 2022

A non-resident was stopped on Barr Avenue for having blue lights on a motor vehicle.

Justice Court citations were issued for improper equipment and possession of marijuana.

A non-resident reprted his firearm was stolen from an unknown location. The subject reported going to the Sanderson that night.

A student reported his AirPods were stolen. They were last seen in McCool Hall.

Friday, March 11, 2022 A student was arrested in Starkville for careless driving and was issued a DUI.

Stay in the know!

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @reflectoronline

Sunday, March 13, 2022 A student was arrested on a warrant in Starkville for felony malicious mischief.

A student was arrested on a warrant in Starkville for aggravated assault and stalking.

Tuesday, March 21, 2022 An employee reported receiving harrassing phone messages on her work phone in Allen Hall.

A tree fell across the roadway on Hardy Road. Damages were done to a streetlight and the roof of Cobb Institute.

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THE REFLECTOR | THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022 | @REFLECTORONLINE

OPINION

The Mississippi film scene is thriving and better than ever tREY bARREtt

ContRibuting WRitER

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, many major studios halted the production of million-dollar projects for the safety of everyone involved. Films were canceled, delayed and delayed again. Some were released on streaming services, stripping away any chance at earning revenue from struggling movie theaters. The studio film industry suffered major losses during this time, as many states like California and Georgia were slow in opening back up. Filmmakers had to relocate their productions to other states which were quick to open back up because much of their productions involved hundreds of individuals onset. Mississippi was one of them, leading to an increase of film production within the state.

In an interview by Kelly Bennett for Super Talk Mississippi, Nina Parikh, the director of the Mississippi Film Office, said the film industry in Mississippi benefited from the pandemic. Unlike many other states in the nation, studio film productions were able to safely operate in many areas in Mississippi, which led to nine fea-

Jon Tackett | The Reflector

Walker Harris and Victoria Newton shoot a scene for the short film “Little Sheep,”which was produced by MSU’s student film club.

ture films being produced in 2020 and 12 feature films being produced in 2021.

Production studios also benefited from unique incentives for film production offered by the state. The incentive, known as the Mississippi Motion Picture Incentive Program, was signed into law by Governor Phil Bryant in 2019. According to The Mississippi Film Office's website, it allowed motion picture produc-

tion companies in the state 25% tax rebates for non-residential cast and crew members. Films like "The Card Counter," a crime drama starring Tiffany Haddish and Oscar Isaac, released in 2021, and "The Inspection," an A24 film starring Gabrielle Union and Jeremy Pope, enjoyed the economic and stress-free benefits returning or relocating to the state offered for film production.

Major motion pictures are not the only aspect of filmmaking which is currently growing in the state. For many years, independent filmmaking has continued remaining one of the most prominent aspects of filmmaking in the state.

Twelve independent film festivals are expected to premiere in 2022, with three being held in the winter, four being held in the spring and the remaining five ap-

pearing in the fall. Each festival offers a chance for certain independent filmmakers to premiere their work to a larger audience. In Biloxi, MS, the Fear Fete Horror Film Festival allows horror film fans the opportunity to watch independent films in their favorite genre. Whereas, in Tupelo, MS, the Tupelo Film Festival provides high school students across the state with the opportunity to win awards and prizes for their short films.

Perhaps the biggest film festival in Mississippi is the Magnolia Film Festival, commonly known as "The Mag." According to the festival's website, the festival was the first true film festival in the state. Ron Tibbett, the festival's creator, started it in 1997 in West Point, MS. The festival has since been moved to the Columbus and Starkville area, where it has stayed since 2000. Since then, the festival has expanded to include a variety of categories for films to win awards in and inspired an emergence of independent filmmaking in the state.

Many of the festivals which occur in Mississippi would not exist without the influence of The Mag, which celebrated its 25year anniversary in February.

Along with the emerging film scene across the state, the film scene in Starkville is steadily growing. According to Sarah Nicholas for MSU, Mississippi State University began offering a film minor in the fall semester of 2019. The additional minor was the result of the collaborative efforts of two academic colleges and the Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College. The minor provides students with the opportunity to learn more about film production and intricate techniques utilized in the most critically successful films. "The Scene" is MSU's filmmaking club which also started in 2019.

The club is steadily growing and provides opportunities for students interested in film to meet fellow filmmakers and writers, constructively critique one another's works and get assistance in the production process of their films.

Film production studios across the nation have quickly begun getting back into the swing of things, potentially leaving Mississippi with fewer major studios producing films here.

However, the growing independent film scene lives on and will continue to in the future.

Mississippi schools do not prepare youth to manage money or file taxes

LIZZIE TOMLIN is a sophomore majoring in communication and political science.

Contact her at opinion@reflector.msstate.edu

When I was in fifth grade, I had a class where I learned to crochet and had a squaredancing lesson in my physical education class. While I appreciate my poorly made scarves and handy squaredancing knowledge, I often wonder why my teachers chose these skills over things like nutrition, financial literacy and CPR. Every year, I cringe at

the Turbo Tax commercials and face confusion every time I open my mail. I will be the first to admit I have no idea how to file my own taxes.

According to John S. Kiernan for Wallet Hub, Mississippi is ranked 48th for financial literacy, which is an essential skill of adult life yet is not taught effectively to Mississippi youth. This was my first year filing my own taxes, and to be honest, it was not an easy task. As someone whose experience with money is mostly on Amazon, there were terms, forms and questions I was far from familiar with. It was not until I broke down and used Turbo Tax that I reflected on my pathetic attempt to file for a tax return.

A majority of Americans, like me, are left perplexed by their finances. According to

Tina Orem for Nerd Wallet, surveys found 46% of Americans cannot correctly name their tax bracket. The lack of financial literacy in public education affects more than just Mississippi.

College students are the prime victims of this issue.

These years are hard on everyone financially, but on top of that, we are faced with paying our bills for the first time in our lives.

In addition, there is a lot of financial responsibility being placed on people in this age group. Many students are paying rent, buying their own groceries, taking out loans, getting their first jobs and using credit cards for the first time.

The problem is magnified for this group because they have no experience with the economy and no knowledge of

how to navigate it. We should be prepared for life before it hits us. Today's climate enables financial hardship and makes it nearly impossible to regain any significant financial losses.

Oftentimes, students and other young adults are forced to balance expenses and incomes which they have no experience with. This problem has recently become very prominent in my own life, which is why it is necessary to provide financial education to all public education systems.

Michael Gruen for Forbes writes the best time to invest is in young adulthood. However, this is the stage of life where many people are uneducated about finances. Gruen describes many ways to invest money young to prepare for the future ahead. Many new in-

ContRibuting WRitER

It is very clear an infinite number of things divide us as a people. Some of these divides are race, gender and age, but what about digital access?

According to Broadband Search, 41% of Mississippi residents have no internet connectivity, which is the highest rate in the country. This alarming divide in broadband internet access is referred to as the digital divide.

Lack of broadband internet makes it much harder for students to complete their homework, apply for colleges and scholarships and has been proven to cause higher dropout rates. The digital divide also affects people in terms of health and job security because, without internet access, people

Jahari Bell | The Reflector

MaxxSouth Broadband Digital Media Center on MSU’s campus houses the broadcast journalism studio.

are unable to attend telehealth appointments, look up nearby medical offices, research jobs and contact employers when at home. Since Mississippi is the most impacted state by the digital divide, it is not surprising that it is also most af-

fected by poverty, lack of education and poor health.

Why has the Magnolia State fallen so behind in terms of internet access when the rest of the country was able to keep up?

Once upon a time, in a land of home phones and

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party lines, many media and communication conglomerates came into various Southern states, including Mississippi, and created laws which made it illegal for cities to provide their own communication access. Years later, these laws still stand in 19 states and affect communication entities such as broadband internet.

According to Robert Seamans for Forbes, 19 states either restrict or prohibit communities from offering their own broadband. These laws were implemented to stifle competition and suppress efforts of local communities attempting to bridge the digital divide.

Laws like these result in the establishment of major media conglomerates within states which limit broadband options for customers.

A perfect example of

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vestment strategies such as cryptocurrency and NFT's (non-fungible token) have been introduced to attract young people to invest. Systems like this serve as a way to reintroduce financial literacy which can be understood by newer generations.

Financial education is not readily available to young

people and continues to feed a culture of financial incompetence. High school and college are both environments which are supposed to prepare students for real-world responsibilities and skills. It is important these monetary skills are added to public school curriculum to promote a financially responsible future.

Politicians fail Mississippians by neglecting the digital divide SERA ZELL

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this is MaxxSouth Broadband being the most popular internet provider in Starkville. This issue is not only specific to Starkville, however. According to Broadband Search, 50% of Mississippi residents have at least three internet service providers to choose from where they live. This means about half of the people living in Mississippi have less than three internet providers to choose from.

On the bright side, our beautiful state of Mississippi is not completely doomed in terms of digital access. In 2019, Governor Phil Bryant signed the Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act, which is a major step forward for Mississippians. According to Ashton Pittman for Jackson Free Press, this law allows Mississippi's 25 electrical co-ops to provide broadband internet to their customers in

EDITORIAL POLICY The Reflector is the official student newspaper of Mississippi State University. Content is determined solely by the student editorial staff.

The contents of The Reflector have not been approved by Mississippi State University.

rural communities.

While the Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act is a great step forward in the digital divide battle, there needs to be more grants provided to rural cooperatives so they can install the infrastructure necessary to provide broadband internet.

These infrastructure installations can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars which rural communities just do not have.

Without this money, the Mississippi Broadband Enabling Act is virtually pointless.

It is up to Mississippi's politicians to help provide their citizens with the money needed to close the digital gap.

Without these grants, it will be nearly impossible for Mississippi to become more educated, employed, healthy and ultimately catch up to the rest of the country.

CORRECTIONS The Reflector staff strives to maintain the integrity of this paper through accurate and honest reporting. If we publish an error, we will correct it. To report an error, email editor@reflector.msstate.edu or call 325-7905.

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THE REFLECTOR | THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022 | @REFLECTORONLINE

LIFE & ENTERTAINMENT

5

Jazz festival will be held in-person for the first time since 2020

samueL hughes

Contributing writer

Mississippi State University Libraries is hostng the 16th annual Charles H. Templeton Ragtime and Jazz Festival and Gatsby Gala March 24-26 in the Mitchell Memorial Library and McComas Hall theatre.

The festival will begin with the Gatsby Gala, a 1920s-inspired fashion show, at 6 p.m. on Thursday in the Mitchell Memorial Library lobby.

Featuring Jazz Age decorations and live music, the gala is a collaboration between the student organization Fashon Board and fashion design and merchandisng students to showcase student talent.

Friday and Saturday will host a full day of events, including tours, presentations and seminars on music history in the Charles Templeton Music Museum on the ourth floor of Mitchell Memorial Library. Each day will conclude with a ragtime and jazz concert n the McComas Hall theatre; doors open at 7:15 p.m. for the concerts to begin at 7:30 p.m. The concerts will ast about two and a half hours.

All festival events offer free admission to MSU students with a valid student I.D. For non-students, tickets to every event are $65. A single-day ticket for all events is $35, and a concert ticket is $15.

Discounted rates are

available to senior citizens and retired MSU faculty.

To promote the festival, the library will display antique musical instruments outside the Colvard Student Union from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday.

Donald Ryan, successful ragtime and classical pianist and one of the festival's featured musicians, believes it is important to celebrate ragtime as one of the first recognizably American music genres and as a foundation of modern American music.

"Expect to be greatly entertained and dazzled by the music and performers," Ryan said, "This is original American good-time music that will have you smiling from the offset, even if it's unfamiliar."

Besides Ryan, the festival features the performance of the Sweet & Hot Quartet, a ragtime and jazz band comprised of Jeff and Anne Barnhardt, instrumentalist T.J. Müller and percussionist Josh Duffee. The festival's final featured musician, Adam Swanson, is a four-time winner of the World Championship OldTime Piano Playing Contest and will be performing a tribute to Janice Cleary.

Shortly before her death, Janice Cleary donated a large sheet music collection to the Charles Templeton Music Museum, and the festival includes events highlighting her life

and music.

Prior to the festival, The Keyone Docher Student Achievement Award is presented to an outstanding MSU student majoring in music.

Madeline Lee, a junior concentrating in oboe, was selected as this year's winner due to her exceptional performance within MSU's music organizations and in outside competitions.

She will perform a recital featuring works by women and people of color during Friday's concert.

"I think that seeing the history of the music that's come out of our state is incredibly important," Lee said, "We don't always think of Mississippi as this mecca of incredible music, but that's where we're all mistaken."

The last Charles H. Templeton Ragtime and Jazz Festival was held virtually due to COVID19 restrictions. Lynda Graham, special projects manager for the Mitchell Memorial Library, is excited to bring the event back to a live audience.

"It's our history, and we just want to share that history," Graham said.

The Charles Templeton Music Museum showcases a large collection of musical instruments from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, from self-playing pianos to phonographs to artificial birds. The museum sponsors the Charles H. Templeton Ragtime and Jazz Festi-

Courtesy Photo | MSU Libraries

The Templeton Jazz Festival was last held in person in 2020. Jeff Barnhard (left) and Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton were two of the performers.

Courtesy Photo | MSU Libraries

In 2021, the festival was held online in a video format. The festival will return to an in-person format this year.

val to promote the museum's collection and to raise awareness of U.S. musical history. Admission to the museum is free.

Parking is available in the Old Main Academic Center Parking Garage

at 560 Barr Ave. or in the North Parking Garage just off Bailey Howell Drive. Visitors can also purchase visitor passes from Parking and Transit Services at 412 East Lee Blvd., at the Welcome Center at 75

B.S. Hood Dr. or online at the university parking website.

Tickets and detailed scheduling information can be found at the MSU Libraries website.

Tickets can also be purchased at the door.

Game review: ‘Elden Ring’ refrains from tarnishing a legacy

Joshua stewart

Life & entertainment editor

A new phenomenon has swept the world of gaming.

"Elden Ring" was released in late February to critical and popular acclaim. It has sold over 12 million copies in the intervening period, a feat comparable to modern gaming touchstones such as Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto V. The latest effort by amateur game director Hidetaka Miyazaki and FromSoftware has taken the world by storm in a greater capacity than the "Souls" series ever dreamed of. The ways in which "Elden Ring" has accomplished this are staggering.

Miyazaki and story contributor George R. R. Martin created a world teeming with life, richness and places of interest.

Then, they shattered it.

The Lands Between, the world in which "Elden Ring" takes place, is fraught with danger. Long ago, there was peace, until the "Shattering," an event that destroyed the titular artifact.

Descendants of the royalty fought over the pieces, and the world fell into ruin.

The player character is one of several "Tarnished," a name that describes those called back to the Lands Between and continues the tradition of FromSoftware giving its players valiant names.

The player must then travel across the Lands Between in search of these pieces

of the Elden Ring.

Is it the most inventive story ever created? No. Not by a long shot. "Hero must rise from the ashes and overcome danger to recover a treasure" is a longstanding trope in high fantasy.

What makes this use of the trope any different?

The answer is, in short, the story direction. "Elden Ring" is a truly open world experience, a first for FromSoftware. Sure, the game steers the player towards a set path of five to seven main bosses, but going off the beaten path has never been easier.

Exploration in "Elden Ring" is a thing of beauty.

Around nearly every corner is a new challenge, new enemies and things to discover.

It is recommended that one does not stray too far, as the game's difficulty may punish inexperienced players who try to go too far, too fast.

"Elden Ring" is brutally difficult. This comes as no surprise to "Souls" vets who cut their teeth in Blighttown. But for those of us new to the genre, there is a learning curve. There is no difficulty slider or aim assist, only skill.

The good news, however, is that compared to other Soulslike games, this one is surprisingly accessible. Once the learning curve is handled, and you start to understand the mechanics and feel good about your skill level, the game … is still hard.

Roaming around and exploring the vast

world gets easier. This acts as a clever way to lure the player into a false sense of security before the other shoe drops. There are 15 main bosses (some of which are optional) scattered throughout the biomes of the Lands Between, along with approximately 100 more optional bosses. These supersized enemies range from the simple, like the litany of dragons and knights one finds, to the epic and powerful. These main bosses can take hours of attempts to defeat.

FromSoftware has always had an eye for the dramatic and theatrical, and the main bosses here are no exception. Fighting your way through seem-

ingly endless hordes to get to an area's main fight is a one-ofa-kind experience.

The fights themselves provide an air of authority and accomplishment. That accomplishment is deeply felt once a great challenge is overcome.

From the art direction to the gameplay, fighting the main bosses in "Elden Ring" is unforgettable. Tricky move sets, interesting dialogue and multiple phases make for truly awe-inspiring encounters.

Each one of these experiences feels meticulously crafted and interesting enough to keep the player engaged and interested through those many

attempts at victory.

The art direction is not only stellar during these main fights. The world and its varied scenery are breathtaking, but foreboding.

The beginning area, Limgrave, feels like classic high fantasy, with lush and verdant flora. Branch out, and the player discovers areas like Caelid, a hell scape dominated by dangerous creatures and horror-like ambience, or Liurnia, a swampy marsh with sheer cliffs and the mysterious visage of a central building.

Story direction and storytelling take a leading role throughout "Elden Ring."

The game is not void of expository cutscenes, though they

are few and far between, bucking the trend set by other popular RPG's. The player must look for the story, in ambient details, words spoken by minor NPC's and descriptions of the items and gear obtained during gameplay.

Do not let the difficulty and frustration turn you away. "Elden Ring" is a rewarding and deep experience.

Miyazaki and Martin have created a unique e x p e r i e n c e , eloquently shown, rather than told. It is a worthwhile playthrough, layered and marvelous. It may be intimidating for casual players, but take the leap, and journey to the Lands Between.

THE REFLECTOR | THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2022 | @SPORTSREFLECTOR

6

SPORTS

Break out the brooms: Softball sweeps Ole Miss colin james

contributing writer

Mississippi State University's softball team swept their rival, the University of Mississippi, this past weekend at Nusz Park, marking the first time the Bulldogs have swept the Rebels at home since 2013.

The Bulldogs’ roster thrived this series as they outscored the Rebels in both runs (22-11) and hits (3121), as well as almost securing a no-hitter in game three.

In the first game, the Bulldogs started with a commanding 4-0 lead thanks to a run scored by Matalasi Faapito and a threerun homer by Madisyn Kennedy in the bottom of

the first inning.

However, due to a couple of errors and mistakes by the Bulldogs, Ole Miss would come roaring back later in the game to take the lead 8-7 at the bottom of the fourth.

In the fifth inning, Riley Hull scored an RBI that allowed Shea Moreno and Brylie St. Clair to score a pair of runs, putting the Bulldogs up 9-8.

Pitcher Kenley Hawk and the Bulldog defense would help edge out a victory in game one of the series.

The second game saw the “Ladies of the Eighties” in attendance, as they were honored for their contributions to bringing softball to MSU on the 40th anniversary of the team’s inaugural season.

Janice Skinner and Vicki Earnshaw, two members of the 80's softball team, threw the first pitch of the game.

In terms of performance, the Bulldogs had more control in game two, as Ole Miss starting pitcher Brook Vestal struggled with her pitching, allowing six runs and four hits in roughly one inning, including a two-run homer by Matalasi Faapito.

The Bulldogs would score a combined seven RBIs in seven innings to clinch the series in a 7-3 win.

The third game is where the Bulldogs really started to dominate as they shut out the Rebels 6-0 to secure the sweep.

Starting pitcher Kenley Hawk was on fire throughout the game. She allowed no hits through six innings until

Ole Miss 2B Angelina Deleon scored a hit in the top of the seventh. Hawk would then be relieved by pitcher Annie Willis.

After the game, Kenley Hawk spoke about her performance and how she improved as a pitcher.

"I felt really good,” Hawk said.“It felt like everything we've been working towards is finally coming together. It just felt good to have everybody behind me. If you would've seen me from freshman year to this year, it's a completely different kid. You would've never had any comparison. I think it's my mentality. A lot of it has to deal with understanding that it's you, not what you're asked to do.

It's all about how you do it."

Along with Hawk’s

stellar performance, the team would combine for six RBIs in the game and Chloe Malau’ulu hammered a tworun homer in the bottom of the fifth.

With the sweep, the Bulldogs improved to a 1910 overall record, including

4-2 in SEC play.

The Bulldogs will travel to Memphis, Tennessee, to play the Memphis Tigers on March 23 at 6 p.m. They will return home to play the Samford Bulldogs in a double header on March 26 at 1 p.m.

Courtesy Photo | MSU Athletics

Bulldog pitcher Kenley Hawk allowed no hits through six innings against Ole Miss.

The Sam Purcell era is here for MSU Hoops colin james

contributing writer

A new era of coaching has begun in the Mississippi State University women’s basketball program.

After a season of tumultuous events, the Bulldogs have announced they are hiring Sam Purcell as their new head coach for the women’s basketball program.

Prior to being hired, Purcell was the associate coach for the Louisville Cardinals, where he has played a significant part in the team’s recruiting and coaching under the Cardinal’s head coach Jeff Walz.

Purcell is expected to remain with Louisville during the team’s post-season run in the NCAA tournament, after which he will begin his duties as the Bulldogs' new head coach.

In a recent press conference, Athletic Director John Cohen cited Purcell as a top candidate for the job during the team’s coaching search because of his leadership and recruiting abilities.

“Sam has been an integral part of some of the most successful teams in women's basketball,” Cohen said. “He is creative, meticulous and has shown a proven ability to recruit the nation's top talent and develop student-athletes.”

In the same media

back to its heights.

"I'm honored and humbled to be the head women's basketball coach at (MSU), and I am appreciative to John Cohen and the entire university administration for this opportunity," Purcell said.

"The Purcell family is thrilled to be coming to Starkville, and we can't wait to meet the team and the entire Bulldog Family.

(MSU) women's basketball is synonymous with winning, and Courtesy Photo |MSU Athletics I fully intend to continue that Sam Purcell arrives in Starkville via jet. winning culture. Hail State!"

The hiring of Purcell appearance, Purcell himself comes after a season full of stated his excitement about twists and turns for the taking the head coaching job. women’s basketball team here He is committed to bringing at MSU. the women’s basketball team The Bulldogs’ original

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head coach, Nikki McCrayPenson, stepped down earlier this season due to health concerns.

After her resignation, assistant coach Doug Novak became the interim coach, leading the Bulldogs to a record of 15-14 overall, including finishing 610 in SEC play.

In addition to their coaching, the Bulldogs have also suffered from losses on the team’s roster.

Forward Rickea Jackson, who was the SEC’s leading scorer, entered the transfer portal back in January. Forward Denea Carter also suffered a season-ending ACL tear, leaving the Bulldogs with only seven available players during

the season.

Going into next season, Purcell will have a lot of pieces on the roster to utilize. Jerkaila Jordan, Jessika Carter and Denea Carter are all set to return at the moment, in addition to a couple of newcomers, including Michigan State transfer Alyza Winston and signee Debreashea Powe.

Anastasia Hayes and Myah Taylor could also return if they decide to use their final year of eligibility remaining. If they do, the Bulldogs could be brewing something serious in Starkville under Purcell, and a tournament appearance could potentially happen sooner rather than later.

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