THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN
FOCO EVENTS TOP STORIES
NEWS: Despite efforts, accessibility gaps at CSU still pose challenges for students PAGE 4
LIFE: CSU honors Martin Luther King Jr. with day of service, reflection PAGE 6
SPORTS: From blue to green: Hannah Simental makes mark on CSU women’s basketball PAGE 9
SCIENCE: CSU Seedstock Merchandising Team inspires next generation of cattle ranchers PAGE 14
ARTS: Collective Vintage flourishes as FoCo social hub, thrift spot PAGE 17
OPINION: 3rd-trimester abortion should be legal in all cases PAGE 20
MEDIA: National Western Stock Show Pro Rodeo showcases Western culture PAGES 12-13
Fairy Festival at Bath Garden Center 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 25
Ram Fest: Semester Kick-Off at The Coast 8 p.m. Jan. 25
Level 1 Improv Class at The Comedy Fort 1-4 p.m. Jan. 26
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Letters to the Editor reflect the view of a member of the campus community and are submitted to the publication for approval. Readers may submit letters to letters@collegian.com. Please follow the guidelines listed at collegian.com before submitting.
and founder
one of her
in preparation for a sled dog tour in
4. “You never get a day off,” Crowder said. “It’s definitely not just a hobby, especially when you have as many as I do. These guys don’t know if you’re sick. They don’t know it’s a holiday. You have to be with them all the time. … And the hardest part for me with Mushing is saying goodbye to my retirees when they’re old. I have to go through significantly more deaths than the average person does, and that takes its toll.”
PHOTO BY GARRETT MOGEL THE COLLEGIAN
online Monday through Thursday. Corrections may be submitted to the editor in chief and will be printed as necessary on page two. The Collegian is a complimentary publication for the Fort Collins community. The first copy is free. Additional copies are 25 cents each.
Allie Seibel | Editor in Chief editor@collegian.com
Hannah Parcells | Managing Editor managingeditor@collegian.com
Claire Vogl | Executive Editor copy@collegian.com
Will Engle | Copy Chief copy@collegian.com
Nathan Carmody | Print Director design@collegian.com
Caden Proulx | Print Director design@collegian.com
Trin Bonner | Illustration Editor design@collegian.com
EDITORIAL STAFF
Aubree Miller | News Editor news@collegian.com
Sam Hutton | News Editor news@collegian.com
Christian Arndt | L&C Editor life@collegian.com
Katie Fisher | Science Editor science@collegian.com
Ruby Secrest | A&E Editor entertainment@collegian.com
Michael Hovey | Sports Editor sports@collegian.com
Sophie Webb | Sports Editor sports@collegian.com
Dominique Lopez | Opinion Editor letters@collegian.com
Garrett Mogel | Photo Director photo@collegian.com
Cait Mckinzie | Photo Director photo@collegian.com
Gigi Young | Digital & Social Director social@collegian.com
Isabella Trinchero | Social Media Coordinator social@collegian.com
Abigayil Crowder, owner
of Mushing Mutts LLC, unloads
Alaskan huskies
Pitkin, Colorado, Jan.
Scott Roberts joins CSU as new vp of university advancement
By Katie Fisher @csucollegian
Originally announced by CSU SOURCE Dec. 4, 2024, Colorado State University President Amy Parsons named Scott Roberts, who formerly served as vice president of development for the Oklahoma State University Foundation, as CSU’s new vice president for university advancement. His position on campus began Jan. 6.
In his new role, Roberts will head the University Advancement team, which is responsible for four areas of outreach: development, central advancement services, alumni relations and constituent engagement. These tasks require bridging the gaps between vision and execution.
“Our job, through the entire organization, is really to share the vision of the university president and the strategy that the university is headed down (and) try to connect people’s passions with what the needs are for the university,” Roberts said.
Roberts has a successful track record of fundraising in higher education, having previously served at three other land-grant institutions. He acted as the vice president of philanthropy and alumni engagement at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; president of the UNLV Foundation; president and CEO of the University of Connecticut Foundation; and, most recently, vice president for development at the Oklahoma State University Foundation.
Kyle Henley, vice president for marketing and communications, who served as co-interim vice president of university advancement, noted this experience as a quality of Roberts’, which elevated him over other candidates during the search committee process.
“He’s had incredible examples of leadership in the advancement space throughout his career at some fantastic institutions, whether that’s (the UNLV Foundation), UConn and Oklahoma State University,” Henley said. “In each one of those places, he really made the institutions better.”
A two decadelong career in higher education was not what Roberts envisioned after graduating from College of the Ozarks in 1999 with a degree in health and physical education.
“I think most people that are in these roles probably stumbled into these by accident,” Roberts said. “I thought I was interested in nonprofit work. I started down the road of thinking that maybe one day I wanted to run a YMCA.”
That dream eventually brought him to the Boy Scouts of America, an organization in which he was exposed to fundraising opportunities. While he shifted away from the nonprofit sector, Roberts’ tenacious attitude still burned bright.
“I knew this place had so much potential for fundraising,” Roberts said. “It has a great donor base (and) has incredibly loyal fans and alumni and supporters.
I am excited about President (Amy) Parsons’ leadership.”
“Whenever things get really hard, I just remind myself, ‘Go walk across campus and have a conversation with a student about what their experience is and why they’re going to college and the impact that philanthropy can have on their educational journey.”
SCOTT
The role also brings new opportunities for Roberts, as he will serve as a member of Parsons’ cabinet and the Executive Leadership Team.
“I’m also (involved) in conversations about bigger, much broader things that are happening at the university,” Roberts said. “That’s really fun and exciting to be part of a bigger picture than just the world that I typically live in.”
Students and their access to education are at the core of Roberts’ drive, often serving as his motivation when work piles up.
“Whenever things get really hard, I just remind myself, ‘Go walk across campus and have a conversation with a student
about what their experience is and why they’re going to college and the impact that philanthropy can have on their educational journey,’” Roberts said.
While having only served in the role for over two weeks, Roberts’ excitement for his future at CSU rings strong.
“I’m so excited to be part of this team here,” Roberts said. “I think I tell a lot of people that I see, ‘Just keep an eye on Colorado State.’ Because over the next few years, this place is going to be truly transformational for the state of Colorado and the nation.”
Reach Katie Fisher at news@collegian.com.
ROBERTS VICE
PRESIDENT OF UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT
PHOTO COURTESY OF COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY
Despite efforts, accessibility gaps at CSU still pose challenges for students
By Chloe Waskey @csucollegian
With just over 34,000 students, Colorado State University’s adequate accessibility measures are critical to upholding a standard of equal opportunity and inclusivity. However, students with disabilities face unique challenges on a campus with 692 buildings, many of which were built long before the Americans with Disabilities Act mandated accessible infrastructure in 1991.
While CSU has made updates to many of these buildings to better accommodate students and align with ADA guidelines, the university still falls short of achieving full accessibility, students and faculty said. Some issues include narrow entrances, small elevators, absence of handicap-accessible buttons on bathrooms, outdated door hardware and inaccessible classroom furniture, among other things.
“Being disabled and in an ablebodied world freaking sucks,” said Jess Gray, senator for the Student Disability Center. “There’s a lot of little places where disabled people fall between the cracks.”
Anicee Lamoreaux, disability spokesperson and founder of CSU’s Disability Club, said campus inaccessibility can interfere with her ability to get to class.
“For me, my main struggle is door buttons, elevators and snowy roads or snowy sidewalks,” Lamoreaux said. “I do have to let my professors know that I sometimes won’t be able to make it on campus.”
Although the ADA regulates existing buildings to some extent, Title III of the guidelines states that public entities are not required to make each existing facility accessible if applicable changes are not “able to be carried out without much difficulty or expense.”
Rye Vigil, chair of the Inclusive Physical and Virtual Campus Committee and assistant vice president of inclusive excellence, said the ADA only requires that CSU be as ADA-compliant as possible given so many university facilities predate the guidelines.
“We have to have a plan to get to compliance,” Vigil said. “That doesn’t mean just because there’s the ADA everything has to be in compliance. What that means is we need to be working toward 100% compliance.”
Vigil said ensuring ADA compliance is just one step toward achieving CSU’s ultimate goal of inclusivity, which seeks to accommodate every student regardless of their physical needs and can be achieved through universal design principles.
“(The ADA) doesn’t go above and beyond — it’s just, like, the bare minimum of what somebody would
need,” Vigil said. “We’re now looking at: How do we really as a university start to think about designing our spaces with the most flexibility and thoughtfulness for different needs?”
The IPVCC is just one of several CSU organizations working toward inclusivity on campus. The Disability Club, Student Disability Center and the Accessibility Caucus of the Associated Students of CSU are all involved in university improvement.
“I don’t think it’s necessarily (that) we don’t want to accommodate students,” Gray said. “I think that there’s generally just financial, structural and other components that kind of make the projects more tricky.”
Another factor interfering with campus accessibility is the extensive upkeep that some accommodations require. Morgan Snyder, chair of the ASCSU Accessibility Caucus, said the caucus intends to focus on maintaining and repairing accessibility features like buttons and railings this semester.
“The main problem seems to be that a lot of the existing stuff is kind of starting to wear, so we’re going to be taking a big look at that,” Snyder said.
Long term, the caucus hopes to integrate gender inclusivity with future accessibility measures, as well as pass a bill requiring university-facilitated events to accommodate people with hearing and sensory issues.
While physical accessibility and infrastructure remain crucial issues, the role of professors and faculty in fostering inclusive education is an aspect that often gets overlooked.
Lamoreaux pointed out that some professors seem uneducated on the matter and do not adequately accommodate students with disabilities.
“Not a lot of professors know, like, the more current information on service dogs or disabilities,” Lamoreaux said. “Professors will need some kind of training at least, you know, once or twice a year because ADA is always changing.”
Some other examples of inclusive classroom education measures include recording lectures, providing sign language interpreters, ensuring video materials are captioned and replacing outdated classroom furniture with wheelchair-accessible desks.
One reason accessibility measures are not implemented to the extent many students expect is because students are unaware that they can request for changes to be made.
“There’s not, like, a sign in every building, like, ‘Oh, contact this person,’” Lamoreaux said. “When I first started college here, I really had no idea how to kind of support myself in that way and how to, like, reach out to people and who to contact, and so that was really, really difficult for me.”
Students who would like to report immediate campus accessibility issues can reach out to Facilities Management or visit the Student Disability Center. Students focused on long-term issues can attend the weekly ASCSU Accessibility Caucus meetings, fill out the feedback form on the IPVCC website or join the Disability Club.
“Accessibility issues are community issues, and accommodations give us our lives back,” Gray said.
The university gave the following statement regarding accessibility at CSU.
“CSU is committed to meeting or exceeding legal accessibility requirements in remodeled or newly built spaces and, in older buildings, has applied the accessible design standards in place at the time of original construction,” the statement reads. “Each year, CSU also invests funding and resources in older buildings on campus to make improvements that often exceed current ADA standards. The accessible design standard that applies to each building will vary depending on when it was constructed or undergoes significant renovation.”
Reach Chloe Waskey at news @collegian.com.
COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTO
STUDENT SUPPORT
CSU, FRCC launch Ram Transfer Academy, enhance college access
By Laila Shekarchian @csucollegian
In an effort to bridge educational gaps, Colorado State University and Front Range Community College have partnered to create the Ram Transfer Academy.
Funded by a $500,000 grant from the American Talent Initiative, the program focuses on increasing access to bachelor’s degrees by creating a seamless transition for students to transfer from FRCC to CSU.
“This program goes far beyond simply facilitating the transfer of credits,” said Gabriel Castaño, vice president of enrollment management and student success at FRCC in a statement to CSU SOURCE. “This partnership between FRCC and CSU creates a holistic approach to serving transfer students, which is centered on developing a sense of belonging on both campuses and creating a seamless transition for their success. With the services and supports provided jointly between our institutions, we’re empowering our students to thrive academically, socially and personally.”
The RTA aims to support low-income and underrepresented students who begin their path in higher education at community colleges.
“The concept was raised that a lot of community colleges are where a lot of the low-income and undersupported populations often are, and ... we support
a lot more of those students than the traditional four-year bases,” said Kyla Antony, associate vice president of enrollment and retention at FRCC.
Antony emphasized the program’s goal to address the systemic barriers students often face when they transfer to a four-year university.
“Some of the things we have seen on the community college side is that, although we have extraordinary students who have every ability to achieve, that all the transitions and the hoops and the things that we unintentionally make students jump through to transfer and then start over at a new place sometimes becomes a barrier to students getting to that angle of a bachelor’s degree, even though a majority of our students come in with that goal in mind,” Antony said.
Students enrolled in the program will have access to services provided by both CSU and FRCC, including the CSU Health Network, Student Recreation Center and Morgan Library.
Additionally, students can take courses at both institutions, enhancing their connections with both campuses.
“Ram Transfer Academy is a new opportunity to do outreach to low- to moderate-income students who are interested in pursuing their bachelor’s degree,” said Kevin MacLennan, vice president for enrollment and access at CSU.
While many community college students aspire to complete a bachelor’s degree, MacLennan highlighted that a significant number of students are unable to reach that goal due to the
barriers that arise when transferring to a four-year institution.
“Nationwide, the number of students across the nation that enter community college with the idea of getting a bachelor’s degree eventually is fairly high, but those that are actually able to achieve it is only about 18% in this country,” MacLennan said.
RTA aims to eliminate systemic barriers by taking over the transfer process and automatically enrolling students at CSU once they have completed 24 credit
hours at FRCC, offering students comprehensive support.
Students accepted to the program will receive a student success coach to support them at both institutions and will participate in a student success course to assist them in the process of transferring to CSU.
“The students participate in a AAA1001 class, which is a student success course, which our two institutions developed together so that they are getting the knowledge of how to navigate and be successful at Front
Range but also how to navigate and be successful at CSU from the very beginning as well,” Antony said. Eligible students can now apply to the program, with priority given to new Pell Grant-eligible students, followed by continuing Pell-eligible students with under 24 completed credit hours and a 3.0 GPA.
“Front Range is really excited to continue to work with CSU on this project,” Antony said.
Reach Laila Shekarchian at news @collegian.com.
New Year, New You
COLLEGIAN FILE PHOTO
CSU honors Martin Luther King Jr. with day of service, reflection
“In order to lead with culture, we need to spend time getting to know each other, and I think that’s the next step in the process: Spend some time getting to know each other’s culture, where we’re from and how we were raised. And then that’ll help us understand why people think the way they do and help us decide how to move forward with all these varying experiences.
By Riley Paling @rileypaling
Colorado State University held an event in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday, Jan. 20. The celebration blended reflection,service and community engagement. The event, which attracted students, community members and staff, focused on encouraging attendees to actively engage in service to honor King’s legacy of social justice, equality and community empowerment.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day — celebrated on the third Monday of January each year — honors the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., a pivotal figure in the American civil rights movement. The day commemorates his leadership in advocating for racial equality, nonviolent protest and social justice.
King is best remembered for his leadership during the Montgomery bus boycott and his transformative “I Have a Dream” speech during the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, in which he called for equal civil and economic rights for all Americans.
MLK Day at CSU typically begins with a march onto campus where the program starts, but the march was canceled due to severe cold weather, and the program was instead held inside. It began with a performance by New Bloodline, a student performance group. CSU President Amy Parsons followed, speaking about the importance of King.
“I think he’s such an inspiration of hope, and celebrating him on a day like today gives the opportunity for the whole community to come together,” Parsons said. “You look around today, and we have current students, prospective students, alumni and people from all over the community.”
Following Parsons’ speech, Mayor Jeni Arndt read a proclamation that recognized the holiday. After the seated portion of the program, community engagement spaces and Day of Service sorting began.
Participants were then invited to engage in a collaborative mural dubbed “The Peoples’ Canvas” and write letters to representatives.
Attendees were also able to separate clothes and create boxes that would be donated to Homeward Alliance.
Duan Ruff, CSU Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement director, said he believes in the importance of bridging cultural divides.
“I think we need to stop trying to live through this paradigm where we lead with race and instead lead with culture,” Ruff said. “In order to lead with culture, we need to spend time getting to know each other, and I think that’s the next step in the
process: Spend some time getting to know each other’s culture, where we’re from and how we were raised. And then that’ll help us understand why people think the way they do and help us decide how to move forward with all these varying experiences.”
Ruff’s words highlighted the importance of empathy and mutual understanding as key tools in addressing social issues and creating a more inclusive community — one in line with King’s vision of equality and unity.
This event is a tradition to kick off the year at CSU and is valued by many. In addition to the program and events held at CSU, numerous other activities took place throughout the community to honor and celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The City of Fort Collins hosted a townwide candlelight vigil in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and each library featured lobby displays of books by and about King and those inspired by
his work in civil rights and social justice. The city also provided a website on Black history in Fort Collins.
In addition to service projects, the Lory Student Center had educational displays and resources about King’s life and legacy. Students who attended the events throughout the day expressed a sense of renewal and purpose.
“(King is) a very important figure in my life,” said Taliyah Whittaker, a performer in New Bloodline. “He means a lot, like, being able to be in school with kids that look different from me — he’s the reason to me that I’m able to do that.”
As students, faculty and community members left the day’s activities, they did so with a renewed sense of commitment to the ideals of equity, inclusion and service that King championed throughout his life.
Reach Riley Paling at life @collegian.com.
DUAN RUFF
CSU SLICE DIRECTOR
Front Range Community College President Colleen Simpson assists in delivering a portion of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Proclamation, which was read prior to the program at the MLK Day Mission Possible celebration in the Lory Student Center at Colorado State University Monday, Jan. 20. “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used the power of words and acts of nonviolent resistance,” Simpson said PHOTO BY SOFIA RAIKOW THE COLLEGIAN
CSU archives preserve rise, fall of on-campus clubs
By Janaya Stafford @csucollegian
Colorado State University has over 500 registered student organizations. Over the past many years, there have been plenty of additions, some of which no longer exist. A dive into the CSU archives can reveal the histories of some of these disbanded clubs.
The Rams Flying Club, at its inception known as the Aggie Flying Club, was established in 1948. They offered instruction for flying as well as flight time. The group was made up of both students and faculty members and was funded by fees and donations.
Despite the community it created, this club had an unfortunate track record of plane accidents.
This group faced many setbacks that impacted the
an incident June 29, 1980, when a plane slid off the runway, resulting in a fatal crash. According to a Sept. 11, 1980, article by Mickie Calkins, this crash led to the death of Lt. Col. Roger Dyer, a 51-year-old Air Force retiree, and injuries to three other passengers.
Monty Miller, the Rams Flying Club president at the time of the crash, speculated Dyer tried to make an emergency landing following extreme wind conditions but instead crashed into three cars and nearly missed a house.
“Miller claims the club has suffered ‘a number of accidents,’” Calkins wrote. “’Most of them were taxi and wind related.’”
Regardless of the causes of these accidents, it made it extremely hard for the club to maintain its insurance. They eventually lost it in 1980 and struggled with funding thereafter.
“Last year’s severe hailstorm also damaged the club’s equipment and affected its insurance coverage, Fraley said,” wrote Gordon Proctor of the Coloradoan, quoting the club’s secretary, Les Fraley.
A year later in 1981, the club disbanded.
While the Rams Flying Club struggled due to concerns of safety, the Aggie Haylofter Square Dance Club had a different story.
Haylofter Club was led by Jim McCaskill and aimed to promote interest in square dancing among students and sponsor a group that could represent Colorado State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts at various square dance events.
“Every fall, the Haylofters offer CSU students a series of free square dance lessons,” reads an excerpt from the back page of a 1977 informational sheet. “After four weeks of lessons, the new dancers are welcomed into the club, where the learning process is integrated into the regular dance program.”
The judges had specific categories they were expected to rate dancers on. On the
1985-86 exhibition team judging form, it detailed this criteria. It consisted of rhythm and coordination, poise, attitude, personal appearance and dance clothes, personality and general impression, which was assessed on a point scale with a possible total of 100 points. This club became extremely popular during the 1940s and continued into the 1970s. It had a membership of over 150 students who performed weekly dances and entertained at the annual Aggie Haylofters Spring Square and Round Dance Festival.
The club’s popularity started fading by 1982, with only six participating couples. It disbanded during the 198586 school year. Although these two clubs have come to an end, their impact and memories live on in CSU’s archives.
Reach Janaya Stafford at life @collegian.com.
COURTESY OF COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES & SPECIAL COLLECTIONS
Midseason analysis: Beat writers discuss CSU women’s basketball
By Collegian Sports Desk
@rmcollegianspts
Editor’s Note: All opinion content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.
As the Colorado State women’s basketball team has passed the halfway point in the 2024-25 season, it’s time to analyze the level of play thus far and predict how it will progress.
Devin Imsirpasic and Sophie Webb of The Collegian’s sports desk graded the team’s performance so far and predicted their final regular season record.
Midseason analysis
Imsirpasic: B+
The Rams have had to spend a large portion of their season dealing with a dilemma: trying to find a new identity.
The team dealt with eight veteran departures this past offseason and have, so far, done a great job of filling those holes on the team to continue their past success. Whether that be through the spark that the new Ronsiek sister pairing brings to the court every night, the shooting that transfer guard Hannah Simental displays or even the hustle and grit that first-year Kloe Froebe and Brooke Carlson deliver, it is clear the Rams should be happy with the retooling of their roster.
“To go onto the Mountain West championship and win, CSU needs to be a well-oiled machine, and I believe they have the ability to get there.”
SOPHIE WEBB COLLEGIAN SPORTS EDITOR
They sit currently at 13-6 on the season and are on a steady trajectory to approach right around the 20-win total they have reached the past three seasons. Despite not quite achieving the constant improvement that coach Ryun Williams seeks year by year — such as exceeding the 20-win mark and also potentially winning the Mountain West — the fact that they have continued this pace with no relapsing after a near-full roster change makes this season a win for them so far. In my eyes, the Rams have earned an above-average grade.
Webb: B
Right now the Rams are exactly where they need to be.
In conference play, CSU has only lost twice, with both teams in the top three in the Mountain West and both games within 10 points. Throughout this season, we can see three main groups shine: the Ronsiek sisters, the transfer athletes and the first-years. With Emma Ronsiek added to the roster, she has been the clear leader of the season, overpowering in all categories. Emma Ronsiek joined her sister, Hannah Ronsiek, who is in her third season with CSU. The sisters completely dominate the court, but a team is made up of more than two players.
Simental falls into that transfer category with Emma Ronsiek and has made a name for herself with the Rams. Simental continuously feeds 3-pointers into the basket, gaining those quick points for her team. Finally, the last category: first-year players Froebe and
Carlson. Behind the aforementioned players, the next two statistically best players are these two first-years. Audience members often see the two on the starting roster, and combined, they have tallied 257 points for the team so far.
Prediction
Imsirpasic: 21-10, 12-6
Winning 20 games twice and having a 21-win year in their prior three seasons, nothing much should change as the Rams wrap up their regular season in the coming months. They play only conference opponents for the final month and change of the season, with multiple matchups against teams competing at the top of the Mountain West.
Currently CSU is tied for second in the conference standings, with very little wiggle room between them and the other top-five teams: UNLV, New Mexico, Wyoming and Fresno State. Of their remaining 12 games, five of those will come against those teams, and the Rams should be up for the challenge. They have already lost once to both UNLV and UNM, but I expect the Rams to aggressively attack those upcoming matchups and split those respective season series.
The Rams want to prove that this young team can compete for years to come, and they will attempt to make a statement by striving for that top seed in the Mountain West, ending their season on a high note by beating strong conference opponents the rest of the way.
Webb: 22-9, 13-5
With these groups, CSU is guaranteed a chance in the Mountain West tournament, but as the Rams are getting deeper into the conference season, they have to fight harder. What I want to see are games similar to Gonzaga in which, instead of a few players shining through, all players who touch the court are consistent.
Hannah Ronsiek, one of the team’s longest-tenured and most skilled players, noted that this roster is younger than previous ones. After losing eight members before the season, CSU needed to rally a good number of transfers in order to have a chance competing against other Mountain West teams. CSU went ahead and did, gathering amazing players. But because the team is relatively young, I want to see them develop that connection on the court and reach the maturity to fight other teams that have been together for years.
When they match up against the conference teams they previously lost to, I think the Rams will have more chemistry on the court, and because they lost by so little last time, they have a true chance of maintaining their high rank — maybe even increasing — if they can beat these skilled teams.
To go onto the Mountain West championship and win, CSU needs to be a well-oiled machine, and I believe they have the ability to get there.
Reach The Collegian Sports Desk at sports@collegian.com.
Forward Emma Ronsiek (21) makes her way down the court during Colorado State University’s game against Gonzaga University in Moby Arena Dec. 8. CSU won in overtime 74-72. PHOTO BY CAIT MCKINZIE THE COLLEGIAN
From blue to green: Hannah Simental makes mark on CSU women’s basketball
By Sophie Webb @sophgwebb
Despite losing McKenna Hofschild after the 2023-24 season, the gap was bridged as soon as Colorado State women’s basketball began exploring the portal. With leaders like Hannah Simental and Emma Ronsiek joining the roster, the team had a promising outlook for the season.
Although the Rams started the year with a streak of wins, coach Ryun Williams still wanted to see the team come into games with a growth mindset, playing each new quarter better than the last.
For Simental, she made his wish come true.
“She’s an elite human,” Williams said. “She’s an elite basketball player; she’s an elite teammate; she’s an elite student. That’s how I would sum her up.”
In the first true match of the season against San Francisco, Simental scored four points for her team, only making one 3-pointer. In the Jan. 18 game against New Mexico, Simental
was second in points for CSU, scoring 24 and making five 3-pointers.
Despite playing the sport since elementary school, those who watch Simental can still see her constant growth. Of the players who consistently shoot 3’s, she holds the highest percentage, currently at 40.7%. Simental has also scored the second-most 3’s for the team, tallying 35.
“She’ll be first when it’s all said and done, in all honesty,” Williams said. “The role we’re asking Hannah to play, she’s been a rock star in it. We look at her as ... kind of a second starter. She’s been a big-time spark off the bench for us, but I think the key is she’s on the floor at the end of every game. That’s probably the most important thing.”
Before debuting in Moby Arena, Simental played her past four years of collegiate ball at Northern Colorado. Despite holding the same position of guard for her time at UNC and CSU, what was required of Simental by the two teams were different.
During her time at UNC, Simental maintained consistency in her
shooting guard position, yet when she moved to CSU, she was initially put at the point guard position and then transferred back to her original spot. Now Simental has found herself shifting to wherever needed.
“At UNC, my role stayed the same,” Simental said. “Here it’s changed all throughout the year, so that’s been a little bit different, but I’ve taken it on.
I’ve done what the team needs, and we’ve been putting together some good wins. So that’s what matters, and it’s been a lot of fun.”
To help guide herself with the change of demand, Simental has dedicated this season to focusing on her ball-handling skills. Although she wants to be remembered as the biggest cheerleader for her teammates, she is dedicated to continuing to learn new ways to play basketball despite having played it for years.
Even though this is Simental’s first year with the Rams, Hannah Ronsiek is currently in her third season with CSU and has seen the impact Simental has made on the team.
“Obviously, Hannah (Simental) is an amazing basketball player,” Hannah Ronsiek said. “She shoots it at a very high clip, and she brings a lot to our team on the basketball floor. But I think overall, just being a great teammate, she is … just a huge cheerleader and supporter for everybody.”
Before coming to CSU, she brought with her the experience of being a decorated player from her time at UNC, racking up 1,450 career points and being named to the All-Big Sky second team. Yet with all these achievements, she said the highlight of her college basketball career has been beating Gonzaga.
In an overtime match, CSU barely snaked ahead and took the game by two points. Throughout the game, Simental recorded seven points for her team, making one 3-pointer.
“We’ve got really good leadership that has helped progress (growth),” Williams said. “And you know, Simental is leading the charge there. … I’m happy with the development of our team, and we still have a lot of room for growth.”
Despite her already having a large presence on the court, Williams still wants to see a few things from Simental for the remainder of the season: to shoot with conviction, have no hesitation and play as if her hair is on fire. Audience members can expect to see Simental grow into more of a leader on the court as her final collegiate season comes to an end.
For Simental, though, this may not be her last year playing basketball. The three Simental siblings grew up playing basketball, and Simental’s brother, David, is still playing. He is currently part of the Derby Trailblazers in the United Kingdom.
In Simental’s dream world, she would expand her career overseas and play close to her brother.
“(Basketball) has brought a lot of adversity, a lot of ups and downs,” Simental said. “But I think I’ll take that to life going forward for many years. You know, things change fast but just being able to trust the process and enjoy the journey, too.”
Reach Sophie Webb at sports @collegian.com.
Colorado State University guard Hannah Simental (32) pushes through Gonzaga University’s defense during
WORLDWIDE WISDOM
Global connections drive CSU women’s basketball forward
By Michael Hovey @michaelfhovey
Like a well-executed play, many different parts together create something stronger than the potential of each one alone.
The Colorado State women’s basketball team boasts a small but vibrant international presence, enriching its roster and coaching staff with unique global perspectives. As only 12.8% of NCAA Division I studentathletes come from outside of the country, each perspective is more valuable.
Marta Leimane, hailing from Ventspils, Latvia, brings a wealth of international basketball experience. Growing up playing in the Baltic Basketball League, Leimane faced challenges early on, moving away from her family at just 12 years old to pursue her dreams.
“ We definitely share the same things in a way that you miss home. Sometimes food is a little different or you just want to have that home feeling, so we definitely give that to each other and just support each other no matter what.”
MARTA LEIMANE GUARD
“It was a big growth experience for me,” Leimane said. “You learn to take care of yourself and develop both as a player and a person — even not just basketball, like, just life.”
Leimane credits the European basketball style, which emphasizes teamwork and ball movement, with shaping her understanding of the game. Her transition to American collegiate basketball from numerous international leagues at different levels has offered her the chance to adapt and grow further.
“The defensive strategies and coaching styles here are different,” Leimane said. “But I’ve been fortunate to have amazing coaches both here and
back home who push me to be my best. They really care for you, and they’re tough.”
Sanna Ström, from Luleå, Sweden, also shines as an integral member of the Rams. With a decorated youth basketball career that includes MVP honors in the European Girls Basketball League, Ström’s skill set is finely tuned to both individual brilliance and team play.
“In Europe, basketball feels more free and team oriented,” Ström said. “Coming here, the detailed focus on strategy and individual skills has been an adjustment, but it’s also helped me grow.”
The transition to college life presented challenges for Ström, especially adjusting to the language and rigorous schedule.
“In the beginning, it was hard to be myself in another language,” Ström said. “But the team and the staff have been so welcoming. They’ve really created a second family here.”
Ström has since settled into the team and even lives with two other international players: Leimane and Joseana Vaz.
“We definitely share the same things in a way that you miss home,” Leimane said. “Sometimes food is a little different or you just want to have that home feeling, so we definitely give that to each other and just support each other no matter what.”
Assistant coach Annie Brady offers another global dimension to the team. A CSU alumna, her basketball journey has taken her from Fort Collins to Taiwan and Switzerland.
“Playing overseas gave me a broader perspective on the game and life,” Brady said. “It’s amazing how basketball can connect people from different cultures.”
Brady’s international experiences help her relate to players like Leimane and Ström, providing them with guidance and understanding.
“It’s kind of fun to talk with them about their experiences and bond over shared perspectives,” Brady said. “That connection carries over onto the court.”
Brady has embraced these relationships off the court as well.
“(Ström’s) mom came from Sweden for Christmas, and they spent time together, and I asked her to bring some black licorice,” Brady said. “It’s kind of fun to just love things that they love, and kind of have experienced that, and I think it’s just a fun way to bond with them outside of basketball —
that kind of helps carry over onto the court.”
Together, these international voices bring rich diversity to the Rams. Leimane and Ström’s experiences highlight the challenges and triumphs of adapting to a new culture, while Brady’s background bridges the gap between international and domestic perspectives.
“We all live together as a team,” Leimane said. “It’s like having a family away from home.”
This sense of unity is mirrored in the team’s playing style, which is influenced by the international emphasis on teamwork and the American focus on strategy.
The global reach of basketball continues to shape Colorado State’s program, offering opportunities for growth, learning and connection.
“If anybody has desires to play overseas, I encourage it 100% because it’s a really cool opportunity,” Brady said. “It’s fun. You get to continue playing the game you love, and you get a cool cultural experience and kind of opens your eyes to different opportunities for you down the road.”
Reach Michael Hovey at sports @collegian.com.
Emma Ronsiek (21) scores two points with a layup during Colorado State University’s women’s basketball game against Northern Arizona University Nov. 23, 2024. CSU lost 80-84. PHOTO BY KATELYNN ORTEGA THE COLLEGIAN
COWBOY CULTURE
National Western Stock Show, CSU honor Western ag roots
By Allie Seibel @allie_seibel_
For 16 days each January, the National Western Center in Denver is overtaken with a sea of cowboy boots, hats and vendors hawking everything from souvenirs such as custom sized-hats, toys for children and jewelry to horse stables, cattle chutes and speciality barns.
Three minutes away, past lines of fried foods and blasting country music, inside the Denver Coliseum, the slightly sweet smell of hay, fresh dirt and concessions mingle with the metallic jangle of cow bells, the grunting of powerful animals and the roar of an enraptured crowd as upward of three rodeos happen each day.
For institutions including Colorado State University, tradition has made the NWSS an annual highlight of the agricultural mission.
“CSU as an institution was founded as a land-grant university, and part of that and our original roots were agriculture and mechanics,” said Don Thorn, manager of external relations for rural Colorado at CSU. “So I think that just goes all the way back to our land-grant mission of education and extension and teaching ... and service to our state.”
Jan. 18 was a specially branded day at the NWSS: CSU Day at the stock show. The show featured a special rodeo performance sponsored by CSU and included appearances by President Amy Parsons and other university community members, but the CSU influences extended throughout the entire stock show.
Each day, a booth section upstairs boasts areas like CAM’s Classroom, an agricultural education section delivered by CSU and Sci on the Fly that is filled with stations promoting veterinary education, Colorado geology and basic agricultural concepts. Geared toward children, young attendees who complete the scavenger hunt earn a badge, designating them as a Junior Ag Ambassador for the National Western Stock Show.
“Our students in ag ed are all the people power for delivering that, and they’ll see thousands and thousands of students and parents and people — young people — sometimes every day, through the entire show,” Thorn said. “So there’s another extension of the classroom for them (because) some of them want to be future teachers. Some of them want to learn about agriculture literacy. And there’s a big extension of the classroom of just applying their knowledge and working with people of all ages and all backgrounds as well.”
Thorn emphasized that a large portion of the agricultural education taught in CAM’s Classroom focuses on food production with an emphasis on statewide collaboration to teach children where food comes from.
“We’re working with all those organizations that promote agriculture products in Colorado and then delivering and showing the patrons what they’re learning and where all that food comes from and how it connects to Colorado and how it’s an integral part of Colorado and what they might be seeing at other parts of the stock show,” Thorn said.
Running daily through Jan. 26, the NWSS offers over 10 events daily, including petting zoos, animal shows, trick roping, Western shows and professional rodeos.
The pro rodeos, which vary slightly based on sponsorship of events, typically include bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, mutton busting, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding. Entertainment between each event includes performances by the Westernaires, a drill horse organization.
Based on a bracket format, the first 16 rounds of rodeo are competed in a twoa-day format until Jan. 24. On Jan. 25, the top three cowboys from each event in each bracket compete in three semifinal rounds, and from there, the top four per event compete in the finals Jan. 26, the final day of the stock show.
In addition to the events put on by NWSS, CSU Spur, a research and education campus, hosts ag-themed events throughout the duration of the stock show.
CSU Spur is composed of three buildings: Hydro, focused on water education; Vida, focused on equine health and science; and Terra, focused on agriculture and soil sciences. Spur is located on the National Western Center grounds. Together in partnership with the NWSS, Spur offers daily activities and free admission.
Jordan Kraft Lambert, director of the Ag Innovation Center, is based out of CSU Spur and promotes innovative projects relating to agriculture.
“The purpose of the Ag Innovation Center is (to) understand the problems that Colorado farmers and ranchers are facing,” Lambert said. “We incubate and accelerate ag-tech companies that solve those problems, and then we also throw parties for problems that are worth solving that haven’t been solved yet. We keep a database of every problem any farmer (or) rancher has ever told us about, and one of the problems that comes up quite frequently in the database is the problem of disposing of organ meats and hides.”
To address that problem, Lambert said that Spur is hosting a brandnew event during the stock show called the Offal Party, featuring the Genuine Leather Fashion Show Jan. 25. Partnering with the design and merchandising program at CSU, the Offal Party will focus on sustainability of cattle and utilizing the entire animal for consumption and production by
offering a tasting of dishes prepared with offal — cattle organs that are usually discarded — and featuring a fashion capstone of sustainable leather designs.
This sustainability is crucial, as 44% of the weight of cattle is not muscle meats that are typically consumed, Lambert said. For ranchers, they have to pay to send that waste to a landfill.
“Their (profit) margins were already thin, and now they’re having to pay to do something — they’re going to emit greenhouse gasses once it gets to the landfill,” Lambert said. “And that’s the most nutrient dense part of the animal that just exited our food supply chain. And hide actually is, of course, the skin of the animal, which means that it evolved over millions of years to protect that animal and keep
her comfortable, and that means that it’s actually a really high-performance fashion material.”
The Genuine Leather Fashion Show project will showcase capstone designs focusing on sustainability in leather design.
“I always knew that leather was something desirable and luxurious, but until I started this odyssey last year, I didn’t understand that fashion designers and people working in the fashion industry have to think a lot about durability of materials, and leather is second to none,” Lambert said. “There are no synthetics that touch leather in terms of breathability, durability, clean ability and biodegradability.”
In addition to the tasting and fashion show, the event will feature line dancing and lectures from members
of the design and merchandising department, and Lambert hopes it raises awareness surrounding the importance of sustainability in the agricultural ecosystem.
“It’s important because we all eat, and as foodies and fashionistas, you’re part of the ag ecosystem,” Lambert said.
“So we want to have events like this to have an opportunity to bring the entire supply chain — the entire food system — together in one room in a celebration so that you can actually shake the hands of the cowboys and cowgirls who helped raise your meat (and) understand a little bit about why what they do contributed to soil health. We really think about how we’re citizens of our food system as much as we’re citizens of Colorado.”
Reach Allie Seibel at science @collegian.com.
Rick Bishop, owner of Western Tradition hat shop, shapes a customer’s hat at the National Western Stock Show Jan. 19. Western Tradition has been a vendor of the stock show for the past 45 years and custom-shapes and cleans each customer’s hat at their booth.
PHOTO BY HANNAH PARCELLS THE COLLEGIAN
Photos by Hannah Parcells
1. An American flag is flown through the arena during the opening ceremonies for the first round in the fourth bracket of the National Western Stock Show Pro Rodeo in Denver Jan. 19. Athletes competed in two rodeos, hoping their combined score from each would be enough to qualify for the NWSS Pro Rodeo semifinals.
2. Current No. 1 ranked bareback rider Bradlee Miller competed in the first round event in the fourth bracket of the NWSS Pro Rodeo in Denver Jan. 19. Miller earned 87 points for his ride on Bandana Babe, earning him the first place spot moving into the second round that evening.
3. Two calves run from their intended captors during the Catch-A-Calf event at the NWSS Pro Rodeo in Denver Jan. 19. The Catch-A-Calf program is focused on livestock education.
4. Bareback rider Tanner Aus competed in the bareback riding event during the the first round event in the fourth bracket of the NWSS Pro Rodeo Sunday, Jan. 19 in Denver. Aus is currently ranked the No. 6 bareback rider in the world. He earned a 74.5 for his round one ride on Red Robin.
5. Header Clayton Van Aken and heeler Kory Bramwell rope their cow in the team roping event during the first round in the fourth bracket of the NWSS Pro Rodeo in Denver Jan. 19.
6. Bull rider Stefan Tonita became the first bull rider to successfully ride the bull Speed Test in the NWSS Pro Rodeo bracket four round one competition in Denver Jan. 19. Tonita came out on top after both rounds and qualified for the semifinals after successfully riding both his bulls.
7. Saddle Bronc rider Tag Moses stands over the chute his assigned horse, Mookie’s Pet, is being held in Jan. 19. Moses earned a score of 78 in the first round event in the fourth bracket of the NWSS Pro Rodeo in Denver.
8. Barrel rider Chelsea Moore finished off her first round barrel race with a 15.06 time Jan. 19. The time put her in fourth place going into round two of the NWSS Pro Rodeo fourth bracket competition.
7 8
CSU Seedstock Merchandising Team inspires next generation of cattle ranchers
By Allie Seibel @allie_seibel_
Every year, the Colorado State University Seedstock Merchandising Team prepares to present their animals at the National Western Stock Show in Denver. It is the crown jewel event for the program, which breeds cattle specifically for genetic and breeding purposes.
A significant part of seedstock breeding involves maintaining and establishing breeding pedigree and establishing genetic merit that ranchers and farmers utilize in their herds.
The team is composed of nine students and is in its 48th year for the 2024-25 school year. The group’s main event each year is showcasing their cattle at the stock show.
“CSU has a long-standing history in the purebred cattle business,” said Samantha Cunningham, adviser for the Seedstock Merchandising Team and associate professor in the animal sciences department. “I have found dates as far back as the early 1900s, and as we’re standing on National Western grounds, I think it’s important to point out that the very first National Western in 1906 Colorado Agricultural College had a champion steered that year with a short barn steer. So CSU is no stranger to National Western nor are we a stranger to purebred beef cattle.”
A completely extracurricular activity, the Seedstock Merchandise Team spends significant time studying Angus and Hereford cattle to determine which genetic components are the best to carry in cow breeding.
“These students have worked weekends, early mornings (and) evenings,” Cunningham said. “They not only studied how to prepare those cattle, but they’re integrating all of their foundation courses from our animal sciences department, so they do a lot of the feeding and observing.
They are studying the genetics through categories and EPDs and genomic profiles and then just learning strong, basic animal husbandry skills. ... They’re also developing teamwork and leadership and communication and time management and strength of self.”
This year, the team displayed a pen of spring yearling Hereford heifers
Following exhibit at the stock show, the cattle are prepared for the Annual CSU Bull and Female Sale held Feb. 15 at the CSU Agricultural Research, Development and Education Center, where cattle samples are available to ranchers for purchase. This year, the event will be offered in conjunction with the Bob Taylor Beef Symposium, focusing on
“I just fell in love with it from the beginning,” Juarez said. “I came in with a little bit of knowledge, but just being on the team really helped me learn a lot more and really got me tied in with all the people in it. I was normally an Angus breeder and worked with Angus, and now I’m on the Hereford side, so it’s a different view, and it’s just something new.”
and a pen of yearling Hereford bulls from Jan. 12-19.
“As I’ve watched this particular group of students over the last several months, they’ve came together and built their own little family, and then through that, they truly have become a team to get this group of cattle ready for Denver,” Cunningham said.
the history of the seedstock tradition and cattle industry. The event will also feature talks from Temple Grandin and John Matsushima.
Jhoany Juarez, a member of the Seedstock Merchandising Team, was introduced to the program during first semester of his first year at CSU.
Hailing from Burlington, Colorado, Juarez, who became an official member of the team this year, had some agricultural experience coming in.
“Through the seed stock team, I learned so much about the whole show of the pen,” Juarez said. “Normally I only showed, like, in a
“It really brings in the country into the city because a lot of people don’t know what it is, and I think it allows for people to understand what we do, why we do it and why we want to do it. And it just — it’s an educational thing. I think it’s really good that CSU comes together and helps out because many people don’t know about the whole ag industry, and it’s a dying thing. And I hope (the) stock show continues to promote it as a valuable resource to our country.”
normal drive, which is just you on your own, but this time, you had three animals to work with, all in one pen. And I don’t think I would have gotten that experience outside of CSU because it’s kind of hard to get an entire team that does that.”
At the stock show, Juarez said that a pen show consists of a group showing of the three best cattle for competition and judges to compare to other cattle. Prior to the event, students care for, exercise and feed the cattle to make sure they are prepared for the show.
“You don’t come across universities that will be raising bull for a pen or for (the) National Western Stock Show, even just for show — it’s really rare,” Juarez said. “There’s only two more colleges that do it, and it’s actually really interesting to see.”
Juarez said his favorite memory with the team has been the time spent in the barns caring for the animals.
“It really brings the country into the city because a lot of people don’t know what it is,” Juarez said. “And I think it allows for people to understand what we do, why we do it and why we want to do it. And it just — it’s an educational thing. I think it’s really good that CSU comes together and helps out because many people don’t know about the whole ag industry, and it’s a dying thing. And I hope (the) stock show continues to promote it as a valuable resource to our country.”
Closing out the 48th year, Cunningham hopes to continue the legacy of agriculture.
“It is not lost on me that this is a legacy of our university and our college and our department and, certainly in the last 48 years, Dr. Bob Taylor and others,” Cunningham said. “And this is also giving the opportunity for our students, who may not have a lot of agricultural background, a chance to expand, a chance to live and breathe and experience this piece of agriculture.” Reach Allie Seibel at science @collegian.com.
PHOTO COURTESY OF COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY SEEDSTOCK MERCHANDISING TEAM
Ins, outs for 2025
By Sophia Masia @csucollegian
Although nothing really changes from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1, I think it’s important that we as humans have a moment to reflect on how things are, put it behind us and decide that the future will be different. No matter what the year brings, this is what is in and out for 2025.
In: Physical media
Having everything digital might feel like the most organized and environmentally conscious way to store our lives, but physical media is a dying artform due to the rise in streaming services. People tend to immediately think of books when thinking of physical media, but if that’s not your thing, you can collect DVDs, vinyls, polaroid images, magazines and more.
In: Alcohol alternatives
I know this is a big one, but hear me out. I love Lucky Joe’s Sidewalk Saloon coffee bombs as much as the next person, but cutting down on alcohol consumption is in this year. Mocktails, Kava, nonalcoholic replacements and, of course, marijuana make sobriety not so sobering.
In: Punk
music
Younger generations tend to be more liberal and radicalized thinkers, but for a few years now, political tensions have
been rising with little art to show for it. The punk movement was born out of protest during similar times, and I think we need a resurgence of mainstream punk music and attitudes.
In: Practical skills
We may or may not see the death of TikTok in 2025, but either way, it’s time to stop scrolling and start learning. Knowing how to do things like change your oil, repair clothing or cook for yourself is invaluable. As college students, most of us don’t have the money to pay people to do the things we can learn to do on our own.
In: Volunteering
On the topic of practical skills, spending time volunteering sounds like a lot more of a hassle than it is. If there is a cause one is passionate about, there’s more than likely a way to get involved, and it will not feel like work. Helping people, building community and finding opportunities through the people you meet is as rewarding as it gets.
In: Unique style
With the steady resurgence of thrifting and vintage stores, it’s time to bring back pieces and looks nobody else has. The Shein-fication of modern style has made street fashion repetitive and safe. Building a good wardrobe sustainably takes time, so start in 2025.
In: Astrology
If you’ve only been exposed to mainstream astrology that tells you all Geminis are backstabbers and Mercury retrograde is the end of the world, you
might be rolling your eyes. I get it, but a real horoscope is more like checking the weather than consulting a crystal ball.
Out:
Overconsumption
A new Stanley tumbler; the viral 12step beauty routine; ruffled shorts; denim vests; fisherman aesthetic; another PlayStation console; 11.95 million Amazon orders a day — it’s too much. Sustainability should be prioritized in 2025 with a few good things that last a lifetime and can be repaired if needed.
Out: Chat GPT, artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is becoming more integrated in our lives and more believable than ever. I’m sick of widely normalized AI art and every single website introducing an auto-generated feature that will go widely unused. Not to mention, ChatGPT is horrendous for the environment. It’s time to start writing your own essays.
Out: Letting things slide
Many people label themselves as nonconfrontational, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s time to start calling people out directly in 2025. No more playing it cool out of fear of coming off as the woke friend — sometimes it is that serious.
Out: Eating, drinking with friends
The death of the third space has made hanging out with friends too expensive. Why must we always either spend money or just stay home? Going to public libraries, parks, museums and free sober spaces is in this year.
Out: Botox under 30
The wave of people in their early to mid 20s getting botox was strong in 2024. I won’t yuck your yum if you’re pro-Juvederm, but getting botox before you have wrinkles can leave you looking older sooner and supports society’s relentless expectation of women to not age.
Out: Men saying ‘cunt’
I, for one, am happy that see you next Tuesday has been reclaimed in recent years and made its way into mainstream slang. However, I am not thrilled that men have taken this chance to reclaim the word as well. Use the thesaurus.
Out: Country, traditional aesthetic
In addition to the death of overconsumption and the ongoing moral panic of American society, I think the patriotism and Old West trend is going to die out. Obviously for some it’s a lifestyle, but I don’t think we’ll be seeing romanticization of traditional living anymore or hear as much country music as much as we have in recent years. Reach Sophia Masia at entertainment @collegian.com.
GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY ALLIE SEIBEL THE COLLEGIAN
Collective Vintage flourishes as FoCo social hub, thrift spot
By Sananda Chandy @csucollegian
From embracing the creativity and sustainability of various sellers and artists to providing a collaborative space where unique stories can shine, Collective Vintage has come back stronger than before, aiming to develop a social environment where nostalgia and hidden treasures are abundant.
Collective Vintage has grown to become one of the primary bar-vintage shops in Fort Collins, hosting various events that affordably highlight different artists and individuals within the vintage community. The Collective Vintage team hosts vintage markets in various venues that draw in vendors from a diverse array of backgrounds.
Molly Van Anne and Dryden Alberts are the current coowners of Collective Vintage
and officially moved into their newer and larger location in October 2024. Van Anne began reselling used clothing when she was a student at Colorado State University and got Alberts more involved with the marketing and brickand-mortar process when they started dating.
Van Anne has enjoyed being able to provide affordable opportunities for local artists to be present in the space, making the bar-vintage shop a versatile and inclusive space.
Coming into the shop, there is a fairly big space for individuals to shop, grab a drink from the bar or relax in the lounge area. There is also an area allowing Collective Vintage to host different events that draw in various parts of the community.
“It’s been really fun to help create the vintage community in Fort Collins,” Van Anne said. “It’s been a huge goal and pillar of ours to create a third space and a place where people can come and create
community as well as finding an accessible way to do that.”
They have about 60 different vendors across Colorado and have implemented buy hours over the weekends for people to sell their vintage clothing to the shop.
Having recently moved into a larger location, they found the space to be beneficial in developing an experience alongside vintage shopping. The pair hosts events from live shows and open mics to art marts that showcase local artists.
“It’s a collaboration of all of the things that we love and enjoy in just one spot,” Alberts said. “The response has been really good.”
Alberts has seen how the community brings in various items that hold a form of nostalgic and sentimental value. It also helps to develop the vintage charm and DIY aspect of the shop.
“Hearing all of that history and the stories is really exciting,” Alberts said. “A lot
of the people that we buy stuff off of end up coming back, and we get to build a (stronger) relationship.”
Marcus Quere got involved with Collective Vintage when he started selling at the FoCo Vintage Market, and he realized how much of a heart he had for vintage clothes.
Quere appreciates the social environment that Collective Vintage has become, allowing him to reconnect with old friends from high school and returning customers.
“One of my favorite things to come into the store was a 1993 Michael Jordan Caricature Chicago Bulls T-shirt,” Quere said. “I love all things basketball, and it’s a great blend of culture, art and nostalgia.”
Van Anne sees the business working toward establishing a true collective that aims to build community through an openness to creative possibilities. Quere said he is blessed to be a part of the Collective Vintage team and has recently become a coowner alongside Van Anne and Alberts.
“Collective Vintage is a place where people can shop, drink and play pool, card games, pinball, etc.,” Quere said. “The most unique aspect is how it helps friends and even random people connect through nostalgia and memories. I love seeing the faces of people finding items in the shop they have an emotional attachment to.”
Alberts hopes for Collective Vintage to progress as a hub for the vintage community, having the freedom to truly grow into the space with other Fort Collins residents and vendors.
“I want to see more people stepping out of their boundaries and seeing what is possible for them, whether it is getting into the reselling world or joining the markets to sell their art or their baked goods,” Alberts said. “My biggest thing is creating a platform and building a spot for people to come display their art and play their music.”
Reach Sananda Chandy at entertainment@collegian.com.
The interior of Collective Vintage, a bar, music venue and thrift store in Fort Collins Jan. 21. Co-owners Molly Van Anne and Dryden Alberts bring together a wide selection of curated vintage clothing while also providing a community atmosphere with games, drinks and music. PHOTO BY RUBY SECREST THE COLLEGIAN
The Collegian fuels nonjournalism students’ passions, knowledge
By Hana Pavelko @hanasolo13
Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.
As a first-year student, it is easy to become overwhelmed by all of the clubs and student organizations trying to catch your eye at the beginning of fall semester. During the first few weeks of school, clubs are on the Lory Student Center Plaza with candy, games and flyers trying to increase membership.
As a biomedical sciences major, of course organizations like the Premedica Club, the Biomedical Student Association and the EMS club caught my eye. In the whirlwind of signing up for anything that piqued my interest, there was one organization I actively sought out the moment I set foot on campus: The Collegian.
MIDDAY SCRAMBLES
Now, as someone who is not associated with the journalism and media communication major and is not intending to pursue a career in it, it might seem strange that I was so drawn to the school newspaper. It certainly was not something my family was expecting to hear when I called them that first week of my first semester. However, being a part of The Collegian has been one of the most influential parts of my college career and has shaped my experience to be so much more meaningful.
The Collegian not only acts as a way for journalism majors to get experience with the foundations of reporting and editing, but it also acts as a resource for the student body to learn more about the current happenings on Colorado State University’s campus and in the surrounding Fort Collins area.
But perhaps most importantly, it gives its writers a chance to share their passions through their articles. Whether it be discussing football game statistics, Taylor Swift’s newest album or sexual
safety, reporters at The Collegian often incorporate their own interests into their reporting. So while it may seem strange that a nonjournalism major writes for the school newspaper, The Collegian allows me to share my knowledge and passions with the CSU population.
The Collegian also keeps me involved with what is happening at CSU and in Fort Collins. There are so many topics I have gotten to learn more about because I have written about them for The Collegian. From psychological influences on alien abductions to the newest paleontology discoveries, The Collegian has allowed me to research and report about a wide range of topics. Without The Collegian, I would be much more out of touch with this university. The Collegian has allowed me to be involved with CSU in a way that very few people are.
The Collegian plays an important role on CSU’s campus and in the Fort Collins community as a whole. For over 100 years, The Collegian has brought
important news and information to this community. And although I am not a journalism major, being a part of its special history has made my college experience so much better, and I’m sure
Braiden’s lunch rush makes food less enjoyable
By Charlotte Seymour @csucollegian
Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.
“Braiden is in the ultimate location, as it is right next to where most classes are held, but that also contributes to the business. I think the large crowd makes the whole experience unenjoyable, which makes the food less delicious.”
once you walk in, the line is wrapped around the hallway, there isn’t a single open table in sight and your stomach grows angrier.
This happens almost every time I try to eat lunch at Braiden Dining Center, which is a bummer because I think it has the best food. I don’t live near Braiden, so maybe that is why I like it so much — I don’t allow myself to get sick of it.
I think Braiden has the perfect variety of food. RAMwich is a major plus along with the best sweets because there is always some type of pie or cake. I love that they do quesadillas and grilled cheese, too.
Braiden is in the ultimate location, as it is right next to where most classes are held, but that also increases the crowd size. I think the large crowd makes the whole experience unenjoyable, which makes the food less delicious.
I’m sure some of you have sat in class while your stomach rumbled, unable to even begin to focus on anything except the thought of filling your stomach. Once the class ends, you rush to the dining hall to fulfill your desires with a juicy meal. But
As much as I hate being trapped in a zoo when it gets busy, I love the size of Braiden. That is probably why so many people go there — it has the best vibe. They are always playing good music, and it feels homey, unlike The Foundry and Ram’s Horn Dining Center, which both feel a little prisonlike. The Foundry is too big, especially if you are trying to find your friend who has already sat down — it is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. And Ram’s Horn just doesn’t offer much except the Mongolian Grill.
I am not saying there is anything we should directly do about this conflict, except maybe eat at Braiden less. I usually eat lunch there once a week, and I try to get there on the earlier side of lunch.
One time my friend and I planned to grab lunch at Braiden after class. We got there around 11:30 a.m., and it was empty enough to grab a table. The table we were at had six seats. My friend and I were both sitting in the middle seats on either side, and our backpacks were on the chairs closest to the wall.
We got all of our lunch fixings and sat down, but the dining hall was filling up. We ate, and we chatted about what we should do during the
upcoming weekend. We finished our lunch and began eating our dessert as someone came up to our table and asked, “Is this seat open?” I had a mouth full of pie, so my friend answered, “yes.” He sat with his back to me, but my phone was placed right in front of him, as I previously tossed it on the table. He awkwardly glanced at me like I had killed his dog and handed me my phone.
My friend and I then got up and cleared our dishes. We were both
confused and amused because the experience was so strange. Don’t get me wrong, we were happy to share our table, but it was clear he did not want to sit with us. He just had no other option.
With all of this being said, Braiden is the best dining hall, so I understand why it gets so busy. But if you happen to not like it that much, stop going and free up a table.
Reach Charlotte Seymour at letters @collegian.com.
other Collegian reporters who are not part of the journalism major feel the same way. Reach Hana Pavelko at letters @collegian.com.
GRAPHIC ILLUSTRATION BY KAYLEE MADSON THE COLLEGIAN
A crowd of students waiting at the RAMwich lunch station at Braiden Hall Dec. 5, 2024. RAMwich is one of the lunch station options at Braiden Dining Center, which is open Sunday-Friday. PHOTO BY ALLIE SEIBEL THE COLLEGIAN
Find student meal deals at participating LSC Dining venues and save on dining all semester long.*
Ask for “Aggie Appetite” when you are ordering!
Scan to learn more!
$10 Sandwiches with Chips or Salads with Protein
$5 Medium Oregon Chai and Chips Add Uncrustable for
Sabra 16 oz. Coke Product
lsc.colostate.edu/ dining/aggie-appetite/
lsc.colostate.edu/ dining/aggie-appetite/
$6.50 Turkey Sandwich $5 Meat Pizza Bagel
$4 Corn dog, Tater Tots, 20 oz. Soda & Aggie Sauce
Standard Bundle $5 Medium Oregon Chai and Chips Add Uncrustable for Vanilla Latte: $3 Small
$4 16 oz. Vienna fresh fruit option
$6 16 oz. Snickers Specialty Latte bread of choice *Aspen Grille deal available Thursdays and Fridays
Medium
Large
$7 full, $5 half Power Plant OR Spicy Chicken Wrap
HEALTH CARE POLICY
3rd-trimester abortion should be legal in all cases
By Will Engle @willengle44
Editor’s Note: All opinion section content reflects the views of the individual author only and does not represent a stance taken by The Collegian or its editorial board.
Even for proponents of the abortion-rights position, the distinction between acceptable and unacceptable abortion date restrictions can cause hesitation. As the expected delivery date draws nearer and nearer, many abortionrights supporters jump ship along the way. Some draw the line at six weeks; our president draws it at 16; others draw it at 24; and some suggest that a third-trimester abortion should only be legally permissible if the pregnant person and their doctor can prove the abortion is an absolute medical necessity.
Let’s be clear: If the goal of abortion is to allow the pregnant person to have complete autonomy over their own body and health, abortion must be legalized without restriction in all trimesters.
As believers of the abortion-rights position, it is silly and counterproductive for us to bog ourselves down in a debate of personhood. If a fetus is a person at six weeks, why not five weeks and six days? Why not five weeks and
Instead, I’ll accept the antiabortion premise that a fetus is a human. Let’s say from the moment of conception onward, the pregnant person is carrying a person in their womb.
As Judith Jarvis Thomson argued in her 1971 work “A Defense of Abortion,” the personhood of the fetus is not what determines whether the pregnant person may receive an abortion; it is the person’s right to autonomy over their own body and health that allows them to make the immensely difficult decision to undergo such a procedure.
The right of the pregnant person to make decisions — with their doctor — regarding their bodily autonomy is vital. As restrictions and laws are imposed upon this essential right, the health and autonomy of the pregnant person is instantly jeopardized — this is what makes removing restrictions from thirdtrimester abortion so important.
Despite what the anti-abortion position often argues, no abortions are happening in the third trimester for fun or leisure.
A procedure conducted in the first trimester is by far the cheapest, least invasive and safest form of abortion. Prior to 10 weeks of pregnancy, the pregnant person is able to undergo a medically induced abortion rather than a surgical one. This would
according to data collected between 2017 and 2021 by the University of San Francisco. If the pregnant person simply did not want their child, this would be the stage in which a majority of those abortion cases would happen.
A third-trimester abortion, however, is a much more expensive, invasive and dangerous procedure. In addition to potentially costing up to $25,000, a late-pregnancy abortion is a decision that is made while bearing in mind life-threatening side effects, whether the procedure is done via dilation and evacuation or via an induction abortion — two options that pose significantly higher risk than a medical abortion.
An abortion done so late in pregnancy is not a decision one would take lightly nor one that most people would make — and the data supports this. In 2021, an abortion surveillance study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found abortions past 21 weeks of gestation account for less than 1% of all reported abortions. In comparison, the period of six weeks or prior accounted for the most reported abortions, tallying 44.8%.
So why are these 1% of cases so important to protect? Let’s consider the two most prevalent reasons behind these late abortions: medical necessity and financial insecurity.
examination known as the 20-week anatomy scan. Through this scan, medical professionals can observe structural fetal abnormalities that would not have been present earlier in the pregnancy — fetal abnormalities that could lead to the death of the fetus or the birthgiver. The date of this examination goes far beyond most proposed restrictions on abortions, yet the complications discovered in these examinations could certainly lead to the pregnant person and their doctor choosing abortion as a necessary step.
Financial insecurity is another prevalent factor in late-term abortions. Even for the cheapest form of abortion, an expense of that nature can present financial challenges for many Americans. According to the Federal Reserve Board, 32% of Americans could not pay an unexpected emergency expense of $400. For pregnant people in this group, saving the money to be able to cover an abortion can be a long, arduous journey. A pregnant person dealing with that level of financial hardship does not need another hoop to jump through at the legal level.
Many proponents of term restrictions concede the point of medical necessity and propose that, along with their restrictions being put in place, there should be an exception
This manner of thinking, while a step in the right direction, is still harmful.
In addition to leaving behind those who need the abortion out of financial necessity, these restrictions harm those who have a pregnancy that is actually medically necessary. In cases such as a cancer diagnosis that needs immediate treatment, requiring the pregnant person to jump through hoops to receive an exception for their abortion deprives them of precious time needed for their care.
That’s not to mention the prevalence of medical racism in the reproductive health care system. In 2021, out of all non-Hispanic populations, American Indian and Native Alaskan persons experienced a pregnancy-related mortality ratio of 118.7; Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander persons experienced a ratio of 111.7; and Black persons experienced a ratio of 69.3. In comparison to this, the pregnancy-related mortality ratio of white persons was 24.3. The only way to ensure universal, nondiscriminatory care for pregnant people is to remove all barriers to late abortions.
Reach Will Engle at letters @collegian.com.
Sudoku
WEEKLY HOROSCOPE
By Sophia Masia
TODAY’S BIRTHDAY (01/23/25)
ARIES (MARCH 21 - APRIL 19)
Your resolution: Observe, then react.
This is the year you mature and glow up mentally, physically and spiritually. You can expect to spend some time alone or withdraw from your usual communities. There is opportunity for travel, picking up a new hobby or just taking time to look within and do some inner work. Is this the year you commit to therapy, Aries?
TAURUS (APRIL 20 - MAY 20)
Your resolution: Stop bringing old baggage into new situations. This year is filled with lots of sweetness, but it will feel difficult at times. Expect to let go of unhealthy patterns and gain closure on past situations so you can make room for new work opportunities, fated friends and mindsets about life. When things get rough, don’t underestimate the power of a nap, Taurus.
GEMINI (MAY 21 - JUNE 20)
Your resolution: Work as hard as you play.
You are constantly evolving, but this year is an entirely new life phase for you. Listen to your intuition — you will be decisive and secure in your decisions. You can expect a busy year with luck around money and success in your goals. Remember that more responsibility comes with more problems, Gemini.
CANCER (JUNE 21 - JULY 22)
Your resolution: Create a life you
love, even if it’s not the way you imagined it.
Expect to begin changing your mindset this year, become more motivated and try new approaches without getting discouraged. Feeling more secure, you will have more luck in your hobbies and relationships. Allow yourself to feel optimistic this time around the sun, Cancer.
LEO (JULY 23 - AUG. 22)
Your resolution: Be open to change. Life is so vast and delicious, and you want to sample as much of it as you can so long as you get to be in control. This year, whatever plans you’ve made for yourself are being put on pause so you can experience new and different things. Take this time to assess your beliefs and your relationship to power and explore new talents. Restart as many times as you need to, Leo.
VIRGO (AUG. 23 - SEPT. 22)
Your resolution: Indulge in your life whenever possible. Expect to be focused on your career goals, self-respect and making your younger self proud. You will be rewarded with big opportunities if you stay disciplined, but it won’t be all work and no play. Cherish the people around you, and soak in the good parts of life, Virgo.
LIBRA (SEPT. 23 - OCT. 22)
Your resolution: Leave the past in the past, and be in the now. With a fresh slate, you have a refreshed sense of optimism around your goals, and the stars are behind you. You may be having a change of environment. Impulsive decisions have positive outcomes. You can begin better health routines with ease. Out with the old, and in with the new, Libra.
SCORPIO (OCT. 23 - NOV. 21)
Your resolution: Trust yourself to make important decisions. In case things have been a little too routine lately, your forecast for 2025 includes taking on new roles, getting second chances, fated events and allowing yourself to be more vulnerable. Whether this excites you or terrifies you,
you will be experiencing life to its fullest. There are sweeter days ahead, Scorpio.
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22 - DEC. 21)
Your resolution: Invest your time and energy wisely. Expect a boost in wealth and social opportunities this year, so long as you can learn to be selective. Reflecting on the past can help you decipher what actually is too good to be true. Being your most authentic self will bring you peace, so don’t shy away from major personality or aesthetic changes, Sagittarius.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22 - JAN. 19)
Your resolution: Find out what you want, and live for that purpose. This year is about figuring out what you truly want. You’re discovering what excites you by changing up your home, trying out new hobbies and switching up your daily habits. Your relationships improve as you embrace honesty and learn to forgive yourself. You’re the main character of your life, Capricorn.
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20 - FEB. 18)
Your resolution: Find the fun in whatever you do. Pluto in your sign is heavy, so this year, you need to figure out what makes you light up. Expect increased motivation to change your life, and ease when setting your priorities or cutting ties. It’s time to embrace fun, flirting, fresh ideas and life plans. You’ll find money anywhere, but this is about doing what you love, Aquarius.
PISCES (FEB. 19 - MARCH 20)
Your resolution: Stop doubting yourself. This year, you are slowing down to reorient yourself. You can think clearly and realistically, bringing you fated opportunities and breakthroughs from strange places. This is a good year to plan travel, move or begin a new direction in your life. Your ability to turn your manifestations into reality brings you newfound confidence and romantic attention, Pisces.
Last edition’s crossword solution
Last edition’s sudoku solution
OVERHEARD AROUND CAMPUS
“My first mistake was relying on the intellect of a man.”
“Personally, I believe in child labor.”
“Does ‘Cars’ pass the Bechdel test?”
“He looks like a parking meter.”
“Why use Hinge when you can use LinkedIn?”
“Let’s not throw glass stones here.”
Have you overheard something funny on campus? Put your eavesdropping to good use. Tweet us @CSUCollegian and your submissions could be featured in our next paper!
