Hammond, LA
January 28, 2020
S O U T H E A S T E R N L O U I S IA NA U N I V E R S I T Y
In remembrance of Dr. King
Bomani Brown, member of the Kappa Nu chapter Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Larry Banks, Vice President of the Kappa Nu chapter, lead the procession, carrying pictures of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial March & Program” took place on Monday, Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. The march started at the Pennington Student Activity Center and was followed by a presentation at the Student Union Theater. The guest speaker was Tyronne Walker, who serves as President of the Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Symiah Dorsey/The Lion’s Roar
Bryant’s chopper crashed in fog that grounded other aircraft
Domodar Dahal, a senior computer science major, stands with his application, PortableLion, that he created for the university. “When somebody else gets some kind of help through something I’ve made, that gets me the best kind of excitement, the happiness and satisfaction,” said Dahal. Jacob Lofton/The Lion’s Roar
An app for students, by students JACOB LOFTON Staff Reporter
To assist everyone on campus, university students have released an application that places all campus resources in one location. Damodar Dahal, a senior computer science and mathematics major, has unveiled the beta release of an app for the university called PortableLion. Dahal began work on the app at the start of summer 2019. He shared that he needed something to do while looking for work. “I started thinking about what I could do, and the simplest and quickest answer was to make an app for Southeastern,” said Dahal. “So, I started working on it, and I sent it to my professor Ray DeJean. He’s a computer science professor.” PortableLion was created to target three audiences, according to Dahal: first-semester freshmen, returning students, and visitors. To accommodate his audiences, Dahal included many features targeted at those demographics. “The purpose of the app, which we call PortableLion from now onwards, is to help the students navigate around the campus through, for example, Lion Traxx,” explained Dahal. “Also, to make it easy to use the most used systems such as LEONet, Moodle and so on.” Dahal also included other features including weather, emergency tweets from university accounts, event dates and times,
an interactive map with parking, buildings and transport overlays and hours for dining locations and university services on campus. Dahal explained that the app will not be replacing any current websites that the university has, but will instead be an additional offering of the university. “It’s actually a complementary feature to Moodle and LEONet,” continued Dahal. “Moodle is focused with classes, grading, assignments and so on. LEONet is more focused on enrollment, like student enrollment and all the features, whereas the PortableLion app will be like a mobile app for Southeastern where the student can get news of the university.” Dahal shared that the creation and approval of the app was a group effort. Another computer science senior, Aakash Amatya, contributed to the completion of the app, as well as many faculty members. The approval of the app began with Dahal’s computer science professor, then worked its way up to the University President, Dr. John Crain. “It was from my professor, from Ray DeJean, to Dr. Asoodeh, the chief information officer, to the president in a staff meeting where I presented the app during the first week of August,” shared Dahal. “After that, in the presidential staff meeting they approved the making of the app, and an application has been started to make PortableLion the official app for Southeastern.”
Weather
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Dahal’s plans for the immediate future still revolve around the app. He shared that the path to completion of the app is far from done. “My plan is to make this a useful app,” shared Dahal. “Right now, it’s just an app. We don’t have any users, but right after we start getting the users, there are going to be a couple problems we need to solve as with every other software, and my plan is to discover and solve those problems and to make the app as useful as possible to as many people as possible.” Dahal revealed what makes him excited about releasing the app. “It is definitely exciting,” said Dahal. “I think this app will help the students and that part is even more exciting for me. When somebody else gets some kind of help through something I’ve made, that gets me the best kind of excitement, the happiness and satisfaction.” Brian White, a freshman music major, gave his opinion on the app. “It is phenomenal,” said White. “It has all the things a Southeastern student would need, from FAQ’s to the route of Lion Traxx. It has it all.” The Lion’s Roar news and upcoming campus events are also available on the app. Though the app is still being worked on, PortableLion is currently available on both iOS and Android in its beta release stage. Index
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Campus Life.................................2 Opinions.....................................3 A&E............................................4
Horoscope, Crossword, Sudoku....5 Sports & Fitness...........................6 News..........................................8
CALABASAS, Calif. (AP) — The helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant and eight others that crashed in the rugged hills outside Los Angeles was flying in foggy weather considered dangerous enough that local police departments had grounded their choppers. The aircraft plunged into a steep hillside Sunday, scattering debris over an area the size of a football field and killing everyone aboard. The accident generated an outpouring of grief and shock around the world over the sudden loss of the all-time basketball great who spent his entire 20year career with the Los Angeles Lakers. Thousands of fans, many wearing Bryant jerseys and chanting his name, gathered outside the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, home of the Lakers and site of Sunday’s Grammy Awards, where Bryant
was honored. The 41-year-old Bryant, who perished with his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, was one of the game’s most popular players, an 18-time All-Star who helped lead the Lakers to five NBA championships. The cause of the crash was unknown, but conditions at the time were such that the Los Angeles Police Department and the county sheriff’s department grounded their helicopters. The Los Angeles County medical examiner, Dr. Jonathan Lucas, said the rugged terrain complicated efforts to recover the remains. He estimated it would take at least a couple of days to complete the task. The Sikorsky S-76 went down in Calabasas, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) northwest of downtown Los Angeles.
see KOBE BRYANT, pg. 7
In this July 26, 2018 file photo former Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna watch during the U.S. national championships swimming meet in Irvine, Calif. Bryant, the 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. Gianna also died in the crash. She was 13. AP Photo/Chris Carlson Stay Connected With Us! Like and follow @lionsroarnews.
Volume 91, Issue 18 A Student Publication www.lionsroarnews.com lionsroar@southeastern.edu
PAGE 2 | JANUARY 28, 2020
The Lionʼs Roar | CAMPUS LIFE
CAB releases list of events for the spring semester ANDREW JORDAN STAFF REPORTER
The Campus Activities Board announced its schedule of events for the spring 2020 semester. CAB kicks off their schedule with an interest meeting for the upcoming events. Marketing meetings will be included from Jan. 27-29 for “I <3 CAB Week” in February. Megan Blomquist, a senior management major and student event manager for CAB, explained what the meetings entail for those looking to attend, as well as their focus for “I <3 CAB Week.” “We have a marketing events manager,” stated Blomquist. “She goes over a small event to get the attention of others, gets people to say ‘Oh, what’s that?’
and go over and get to learn more about the actual event. So, it’s an event to learn about the event. We heavily promote the meetings because there are a lot of events going on, and we don’t want people missing out.” Blomquist listed the events CAB has planned for the “I <3 CAB Week.” “It’s a whole week long of nothing but events from CAB,” informed Blomquist. “It’s gonna be crazy, but great for the students because every day they can look forward to something. We have a ‘Chick Flick & Chick-fil-A’ for one night. The next one we have a hypnotist coming, and that’s something students have been interested in, a candygram event on Wednesday where we’ll be promoting the basketball game, and on the 13th, we’ll be
closing out “I <3 CAB Week” with giving out to students free stuff, have little booths where students can run by on their way to class. I don’t want to give too much away because it’s a surprise.” Blomquist revealed two events in particular that students will need to sign up for. “We’ll be having a Mulan Movie Trip in March,” stated Blomquist. “We’ll be taking students to the AMC Theaters in Hammond and rent out one of the theaters and just bring students to watch the new Mulan, which everyone would be interested in, I think. That will be a sign-up thing due to limited seats, but I don’t know if it will be multiple nights. What definitely will be a signup event is the Strawberry Jubilee, and all organizations
can sign up to have a booth for the event.” Out of the many events, Blomquist shared what events she is looking forward to participating in the most. “For this semester, there are two that I think are neck and
neck,” explained Blomquist. “So, Mulan Movie Trip, I just love Disney, I like movies, and in April, there’s a Young at Heart event where we’re going to bring some nursing home residents from the local area to campus and have students and
residents dance. It’s just a good way for the community, seeing other people that aren’t on campus. Plus, I have heard the nursing home residents enjoy getting out for the event, so it’s a great way to give back, but also something that is different.”
C RIME Log Date/Time, Locations, and Nature of the Incident for the Crime Log are compiled by The Lion’s Roar from the Daily Crime and Fire Report provided by the University Police Department - T������ V���������, P��������� �� M�������� 12/16/2019 �� 12:15 �.�. - D������ R���� L�� - P��������� �� M�������� 12/16/2019 �� 2:09 �.�. - U��������� A����� T������ V���������, O���������� W�������/ F������� 12/17/2019 �� 9:00 �.�. - S����������� O��� D����� �� P������� 12/18/2019 �� 10:45 �.�. - U��������� A����� T������ V���������, O���������� W�������/ F������� 12/18/2019 �� 2:37 �.�. - U��������� A����� T������ V���������, O���������� W�������/ F������� 12/19/2019 �� 12:24 �.�. - U��������� A����� T������ V���������, O���������� W�������/ F������� 12/19/2019 �� 6:46 �.�. - T����� H��� P��������� �� M�������� 12/20/2019 �� 12:32 �.�. - N���� O�� S����� - D������ W���� I����������, U������� P��������� �� A������, T������ V��������� 12/21/2019 �� 12:53 �.�. - N���� G������ P������� S����� - D������ W���� I����������, T������ V���������, P��������� �� F��������� I�������������� 12/23/2019 �� 4:34 �.�. - U��������� A����� T������ V���������, M������ E�������� 12/24/2019 �� 3:09 �.�. - U��������� A����� T������ V���������, O���������� W�������/ F������� 12/29/2019 �� 1:59 �.�. - N���� O�� S����� - T������ V���������, P��������� �� M�������� 12/29/2019 �� 5:48 �.�. - N���� O�� P��� L�� - P��������� �� M��������, O���������� W�������/F������� 12/30/2019 �� 11:44 �.�. - U��������� A����� T������ V���������, O���������� W�������/ F������� 12/31/2019 �� 11:24 �.�. - N���� G������ P������� S����� - D������ W���� I����������, T������ V���������
Students pose for a picture during the Gumbo YaYa event organized by the Campus Activities Board. Gumbo YaYa is an annual event organized by CAB every fall semester. The event was held last year on Oct. 9. FILE PHOTO/THE LION’S ROAR
Organizational
News
11/25/2019 �� 8:00 �.�. - V������ L�������� – T���� 10/26/2019 �� 10:00 �.�. - V������ - S����� A������ 12/3/2019 �� 10:00 �.�. - V������ L�������� T���� 12/4/2019 �� 4:00 �.�. - U��������� C����� H��������� 12/5/2019 �� 10:05 �.�. - U��������� A����� T������ C����, T������ V��������� 12/5/2019 �� 1:45 �.�. - D���� C����� H��������� 12/5/2019 �� 2:30 �.�. - M�G���� H��� - T���� 12/6/2019 �� 5:40 �.�. - U��������� A����� T������ C���� 12/6/2019 �� 11:33 �.�. - N���� G������ P������� S����� - T������ V��������, P��������� �� M��������, P��������� �� D��� P������������, M���� �� P��������� �� A������ 12/7/2019 �� 5:35 �.�. - S�. T������ H��� T���� 12/8/2019 �� 11:15 �.�. - W��������� H��� R�������� A���� F��������, R�������� �� O������ 12/9/2019 �� 9:05 �.�. - N���� O�� S����� T������ V���������, O���������� W�������/ F������� 12/10/2019 �� 11:30 �.�. - S������ B������� A���� - D����� �� P������� 12/10/2019 �� 3:50 �.�. - U��������� A����� T������ C����, T������ V��������� 12/11/2019 �� 5:10 �.�. - T��������� H��� S����� A������ 12/11/2019 �� 2:20 �.�. - N���� O�� S����� C������� D����� �� P������� 12/13/2019 �� 1:36 �.�. - N���� O�� S����� - D������ W���� I����������, T������ V���������, O���������� W�������/ F������� 12/13/2019 �� 2:45 �.�. - K���� A���� H���� C������� M������� 12/15/2019 �� 4:13 �.�. - S������ U���� C������� P����� V�������� 12/15/2019 �� 8:27 �.�. - U��������� A�����
SOUTHEASTERN CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION – The Southeastern Christian Association invites you to join us for our weekly Bible study on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. in the War Memorial Student Union. We will have large signs by our table in the food court to help everyone find us. Every Bible study is a group-led discussion centered around topics relevant to college life. We are nondenominational and welcome all university students seeking a Christian community on campus.
Opinions | The Lion’s Roar
Musk: The most important figure of the past decade To me, the most important trend of the 2010s was technological advancement, without a doubt. While social issues came and went relatively q u i c k l y, Jacob Lofton innovation Staff Reporter never stopped. N o t h i n g embodies this progress quite like Elon Musk and his many projects over the decade. One of Musk’s most notable affiliations is with Tesla, a car manufacturing company of which he is the CEO. To me, Tesla embodies the strides of technological development over the past decade. Never before were electric vehicles a practical possibility, but Tesla has made that vision a reality. Tesla began in 2003, but it wasn’t until entrepreneur Elon Musk became CEO in 2008 and shipped the first mass-produced electric car, the Model S, in 2012 that people began to
take the idea seriously. Since then, the trend has only grown, driven by pro-environment sentiments, which have risen in the past decade. The company has also been partnered with other companies, such as Panasonic, working to research and develop more efficient and powerful charging methods, batteries and car parts. In recent years, Tesla has also pioneered self-driving technology into its cars. Due to Musk’s commitment to innovation, automation in cars is becoming more commonplace, as self-driving technology is a feature that can come with any Tesla car. Musk also started other projects, such as SpaceX. SpaceX is a rocket manufacturing company founded by Musk in 2002, but the majority of the company’s notable accomplishments have been in the 2010s. SpaceX has developed many of the most modern rockets and
space vehicles that are being used today and has completed numerous missions to the International Space Station in a partnership with NASA. Musk also has contributed to scientific research through another company he helped start: Neuralink. Neuralink is a company that is working to create implantable brainmachine interfaces. The goal of these interfaces would be to make it possible for humans to interact with programs mentally, similar to how scientists have made prosthetics that a patient can control with their mind. Musk has also helped start many companies that people use every day but don’t usually associate him with. He helped start the website that eventually merged with another to become PayPal, one of the most common ways people pay for things online today. Musk also created The Boring Company, a company that specializes in tunnelling and underground
infrastructures. The company is looking to utilize tunnels and underground transportation to alleviate traffic problems in heavily populated cities. The Boring Company also became a cultural symbol for some people in America when it garnered a great deal of attention for selling flamethrowers to the general public. To many, this was viewed as an example of the kinds of freedoms that should be allowed in the country, while some thought that it set a dangerous precedent. Regardless of any controversy, Musk’s companies are creating the technology that we will use in the future. His ideas have made him a largerthan-life persona in American culture. While many of his ideas are not yet used in everyday life, Musk and his ideas have definitely defined what the future can mean for Americans, which has made him one of the most important figures of the past decade.
Student Press Freedom Day: Accurate news reporting in 2020 is as important as it was before Entering a new year means the return of an important day for student media: Student Press Freedom Day. Celebrated on Jan. 29, the day recognizes the 32-year-old ruling of Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier, which ruled that student journalists have less First Andrew Jordan Amendment protections Staff Reporter than professional journalists. This ruling has been seen as a downturn of free speech to student media and student news outlets. It prioritized the need of formality over the need of important information. As a result, reporting for the student body is silenced. As the world of journalism is evolving with the advancement of technology, the need for free speech in student press is as important today as it was 32 years ago. To some credit, times have changed in a new generation since that ruling. A lawsuit was born out of articles discussing divorce and teen pregnancy. The inclusion of online media has provided more opportunities for the student body to connect and discuss campus issues. It has also allowed the
introduction of new clubs and has allowed various student organizations to engage. We even have a university gaming club now, which is a great advancement considering that the Dungeons & Dragons game was once perceived as a game of Satan worshipers. However, the limits of student journalism have been quite detrimental in a time of changes and events. In the recent events of the #MeToo movement, it has not been student publications, but outside sources and social media that obtained the information of on-campus sexual assaults. In a 2017 report by The Daily Helmsman, the University of Memphis student newspaper had an article admonished by President M. David Rudd due to the reporting of two rape cases, in spite of the reporter going through several professors before publishing the article. In some cases, universities such as the University of Kentucky have sued their own school newspapers for the investigation of oncampus assaults in 2016, turning the focus from assault survivors to whether or not students should “shut up and learn.” The right to publish accurate and
important news should not be hindered so freely and willingly. Issues of the national and international sphere are not only important, but they are also necessary in this age of greater connection through media and technology. Events as small as the opening of a new restaurant in downtown Hammond or the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival have significance, as well as major events, such as the upcoming presidential election. The ability to report it should not be sidelined for the mere sake of saving face. For this Student Press Freedom Day, I would like to see a bigger push for free speech for student publications to freely report stories, even the ones are considered controversial. For a world where thoughts are considered harmful or stories that are considered too damaging of image, the best medicine is to shine light on that subject. Students should be able to gather sources and be able to make a report without being shouted out by administration. The best solution to solve issues is to recognize that there is a problem. Letting these issues and these discussions not see the light is more of an issue than receiving administrative backlash.
Forgive Beckham and drop the charges Shortly after Louisiana State University won their fourth national championship, a video of alumnus Odell Beckham Jr. slapping a New Orleans Police Officer Gerard Borne on the butt Staff Reporter surfaced on the news. Three days after the video flooded social media, the New Orleans Police Department put out an arrest warrant for Beckham. As of Jan. 20, the NOPD has rescinded the warrant with NOPD spokesman Gary Scheets saying “judge for yourself” on the conflict. I believe that the NOPD overreacted, as the security guard who was assaulted never planned to press charges. Now,
I am not defending Beckham’s actions as his actions were not appropriate regardless of the circumstances, but I feel the warrant was overboard. This inappropriate action was clearly not thought out by Beckham. Beckham was in the heat of the moment and made a stupid decision. Should it have been done? Of course not, but there were also rules being broken by the whole team with the Tigers smoking inside the Superdome. To me, if you are going to take action against one person then you should take action against everyone who broke the rules. The other problem I had about the arrest warrant was how late it came out. It felt like the NOPD waited for the public’s reaction to file an arrest warrant. If the NOPD’s true reason for obtaining a
warrant was to arrest Beckham, then they would have done it earlier, not four days after the championship. Yes, technically Beckham did something unethical, but it was a light tap and no one was injured. I can almost guarantee you that more illegal things were happening in New Orleans that night. If the NOPD was to file arrest warrants every time someone was touched without consent, then Mardi Gras would have to be shut down completely. I feel that the NOPD filed the arrest warrant simply because of Beckham’s social status, or maybe it was a way to obtain money from Beckham. We will never know, but the warrant never really made sense and was only active for a couple of days. If the warrant was serious, I feel like the NOPD would
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have done a better job actually trying to arrest Beckham. Many people of the media claimed that this was Beckham’s way to blow off some steam from his disappointing season. I felt that this was Beckham being proud of his alma mater and trying to have a fun time with the team. I don’t agree with Beckham’s actions but everyone has their own way of having a good time and maybe Beckham’s is just in a different way. In all honesty, the whole situation was blown out of proportion, Beckham should have never done what he did, and the NOPD should have never filed for an arrest warrant. I feel like the whole situation would have been better if Beckham came forward and apologized to the officer as well, but hindsight is always 20/20.
Staff Editor-in-Chief - Jacob Summerville Copy Editor - Prakriti Adhikari Distribution - Samuel Townsend Office Assistant - Ashlyn Harris Graduate Assistant - Sean Haydel Administrative Assistant - Gemma Carter Coordinator - Lorraine Peppo Director - Dr. Lee E. Lind
Speak
January 28, 2020 | Page 3
Out
What moment in the 2010s stands out to you? “My favorite moment would just be hanging out with my family, mostly my brother.” Jordan Wroblewski Freshman, Chemistry
“I think all of the movies of 2010. My favorites are the Marvel movies this decade.” Brooks Waite Freshman, Engineering Technology
“I would definitely say being an international student. I’m from Mexico, and I play for the tennis team. The most memorable moment would be just coming here in 2017.” Maria Yanez Junior, Biological Sciences “What stands out to me is being able to become a 2019-2020 orientation leader.” Ricketta Griffin Senior, Social Work
“I guess my standout moment was when I turned 18, and I could go out with my friends, have a good time and became an adult.” Mckay Rayborn Sophomore, Business Administration
“I became an ordained deacon. That was very good.” Jalen Richard Freshman, Occupational Safety, Health and Environment
“LSU Tigers going undefeated and to the national championship.” Alyssa D’Agostino Sophomore, Criminal Justice
“Traveling to Colorado during the summer with my family.” Mikayla Noto Sophomore, General Studies
“When my baby brother was born in 2010.” Shelby Skinner Sophomore, Psychology
“In my case, it was the summer of 2017 because I moved to the United States. I’m originally from Russia.” Tim Kunin Freshman, Music
“When I got accepted into Southeastern in 2019. It was an exciting time.” Colton Kenderes Freshman, Nursing
“I became an aunt which was a really exciting moment.” Deyla Gage Sophomore, Psychology
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Page 4 | January 28, 2020
The Lion’s Roar | Arts & Entertainment
Forum following play performance explored civil rights in the modern era
Dr. Antoinette Harrell - a genealogist, author, historian and producer - Rebecca Hensley, instructor of sociology and Christopher Westhoff, manager at Mad River Theater Works, participate in the forum following the production “Walk On: The Story of Rosa Parks.” Jacob Summerville/The Lion’s Roar JACOB SUMMERVILLE Editor-in-Chief
In remembrance of a civil rights activist, a discussion that ensued in Hammond brought light to modern issues. Following the play “Walk On: The Story of Rosa Parks,” produced by Mad River Theatre Works on Jan 25, the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts hosted a panel discussion centered around civil rights in the modern era. Moderated by Marjorie Parker, interim director for the Office of Student Engagement, the panel consisted of three people: Dr. Antoinette Harrell - a genealogist, author, historian and producer - Rebecca Hensley, instructor of sociology and Christopher Westhoff, manager at Mad River Theater Works. The panel answered questions that Parker presented, and towards the end of the program, the floor opened up for the audience’s questions. Hensley explained that through her 50 years of experience in the criminal justice system, she believes that hope must be given to the young people if society wishes to see any reform. “When people feel hopeful, they will stand up or sit down, whatever is necessary, and they will do what needs to be done,” said Hensley. “When they do not feel that there’s any hope, they give up.” Protests have been a common way for activists to express demand for change. While social media has brought local protests to an international stage, Harrell believes that the social media presence is not enough if no one is being consistent or doing the hard work.
“Even in the daytime when people go off to protest, it’s just something to do,” commented Harrell. “It’s not long term. You have to be long term. You have to do the work. You have to roll up your sleeves and stay with that.” One problem with white culture, Hensley argued, is that impatience by those who seek change is not the problem. The problem is that slavery is an issue that has affected a whole race for hundreds of years, and the modern era may not realize how recent its effects have lingered. To use her family as an example, Hensley shared that her mother’s family in Kentucky used to hold “hundreds of people in bondage,” something Hensley was not told growing up. “I found out online in my 50’s, and I put it in a book,” shared Hensley. “I wrote all about it because that’s what needed to happen. We need to get real about not just what happened. It was important to know for Rosa Parks’ story is that she wasn’t just some tired seamstress who decided not to get up because her feet hurt. She had prepared for that at the Highlander School, in her work, in her community.” Harrell explained that her personal experience of not being allowed in a library and the influence of her grandmother motivated her to advocate for social justice. “Most of it was my grandmother making sure that I watch Dr. King and all the things going on, and I guess paying attention to what I have experienced, and it wasn’t a really good time,” expressed Harrell. “So, I wanted to be the change. I knew I had to set up a change because I wanted other kids to be able to go to the library, the public library. We knew that our public dollars were paying for the library, yet I couldn’t go into the library.”
“Walk On: The Story of Rosa Parks” was written by Jeff Hooper of Mad River Theater Works and performed at the Columbia Theatre on Jan 25. Sheena O’Murra played the role of Rosa Parks. Jacob Summerville/The Lion’s Roar From the theatre side of civil rights, Westhoff has seen an improvement in comprehension and awareness of historical events in the younger generation during his time at Mad River Theater Works, which was pronounced in the production of Rosa Parks. “Ten years ago, our young audiences didn’t seem to understand the history that we were talking about,” shared Westhoff. “They seem more familiar to us with it in the last couple of years.” Seeing that the company has only been run by white males, Westhoff hopes to diversify the management to add depth to the message of their work. “I intend for the company to grow, but I would like it to grow and reflect the diversity of the stories that we tell,” said Westhoff. “How you do that and what that process is like, I don’t know, but I can’t imagine it’s too much different than seeing it and wanting that to be the case and going out and continuing to work for it.”
Inkslinger competition produces Hammond Regional Arts Center honors the works of emerging playwrights legacy of Marjorie Morrison with her art ELANA GUILLORY Staff Reporter
An annual competition at the university provides emerging playwright opportunities to see their work produced on stage. The 2020 Inkslinger Playwriting Competition challenges any playwright to submit their original scripts. Hosted by the university’s theatre program, the coordinators will be accepting script submissions until Apr. 1. This year’s winning play will be produced in the spring of 2021. Initiated in 2014 by James Winter, associate professor of acting and directing, Inkslinger was created to allow aspiring playwrights to be recognized by the public. “What I wanted to do was create a playwriting contest and use our students and our university as a place for emerging playwrights to get full productions of their work, which really helps to get published in the playwriting
world,” stated Winter. Inkslinger receives hundreds of submissions from all over the world, not just locally. Because of this, Winter says that the funds from submissions are used to bring the winner to the university to see their play produced. “The prize for the playwright is not only do we do a full production of their show as part of a mainstage season, but we actually fly them in, and they can come in and be a part of the rehearsal process for a few days,” claimed Winter. “But usually, they come in to see opening night and actually see it performed, and we house them of course. We usually put them in the university, and they get all of that for winning. We get well over 100 scripts per year, sometimes we get 200, and that money allows us to fly these people in and house them and advertise the contest.” According to the university website, the contest is open to all ages, and submitted plays must be original, professional
and unpublished. Only fulllength plays are accepted, and they must appeal to a collegeaged audience. Included is a submission fee of $10. The winning play of the 2019 Inkslinger competition, Exit 27 by Aleks Merilo, will be performed March 10-13. Chad Winters, instructor of acting and directing and director of Exit 27, described the plot of the upcoming production. “Exit 27 is based on true events of the ‘Lost Boys of Utah,’” stated Winters. “The play follows four young men who have been excommunicated from the polygamous Mormon fundamentalist group, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and their fight to survive until they can find salvation.” Winters shared what set the winning play apart from other submissions. “I think what stood out about the piece this year
see INKSLINGER, pg. 5
The university’s theatre program produced the 2018 Inkslinger Playwriting Competition winner, “She Danced With A Red Fish,” by Carolyn Nur Wistrand, in the spring of 2019. Inkslinger allows aspiring playwrights to have their work come to life on stage. Courtesy of Chad Winters
GABRIELLE WOOD Staff Reporter
Marjorie Morrison, advocate of the arts and former wife of U.S. Senator Jim Morrison, has been featured through the works of Hammond artists Pat Macaluso and Denise TullierHolly. The exhibit is formally titled “The Marjorie Morrison Sculpture Biennial” and opened at the Hammond Regional Arts Center on Jan. 24 with a reception from 5-8 p.m. It will continue to be showcased until Feb. 21. Morrison passed away in 2016 and served as the
organization’s first president, promoting the arts however she could. Tara Bennett, HRAC media coordinator, explained who Morrison was and her impact in the Hammond community. “Every other year we host this sculpture biennial in memory of Marjorie Morrison who passed away in 2016,” said Bennett. “She was a lifelong advocate of the arts and an icon of summer hospitality. She was highly involved here, one of the original founding members, and she also had her hand in the Columbia Theatre.” Morrison had many interests and passions throughout her
life. “She really loved opera and ballet but was mostly passionate about the arts,” discussed Bennett. “We have this show every other year, and there are several regional artists who submit their work that contribute to the show.” For more information on attending or submitting work for next year’s Marjorie Morrison Sculpture Biennial, contact the Hammond Regional Arts Center or visit during their business hours.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | The Lionʼs Roar
JANUARY 28, 2020 | PAGE 5
Manage your stress before it manages you KAYLA NOLL UHC WELLNESS COORDINATOR
The university’s theatre program produced the 2016 Inkslinger Playwriting Competition winner, “Why Are You Nowhere,” by Ethan Warren, in the spring of 2017. Inkslinger allows aspiring playwrights to have their work come to life on stage. COURTESY OF CHAD WINTERS was how raw the story is,” mentioned Winters. “The story we see unfold is one of passion and desperation that is very palpable for the audience. The play is visceral, which certainly helped make it to the final round and eventually being chosen as the winner.” For the theatre world to remain in touch with modern-day society, Winter mentioned that recently-developed plays must receive audience support. INKSLINGER
continued from pg. 4
“New plays are the life and blood of this art form,” commented Winter. “If we don’t produce new work, then we’ve almost become like some sort of weird living museum or something. We’re no longer current. We’re no longer talking about things that are in the forefront of the public eye. Come out and support new works. You might not recognize the name because it’s never been done before, but Inkslinger winner could be on Broadway in five years.”
Stress is not a new problem that college students deal with. However, more students are experiencing stress in college than ever before. With this epidemic on the rise, it is important for students to know the harmful effects that bad, long-term stress has on their body and how to manage their stress. First, there are two types of stress: eustress and distress. Eustress is known as the “good” stress. It is minimal stress that motivates an individual to accomplish projects and things they need to get done. Distress is known as “bad” stress and can affect an individual’s health in many different ways. Distress can affect an individual’s body, mood and behavior. Below is a list that shows how distress affects an individual’s whole being. Stress management techniques that a student can use can be as simple as they want to make them but should be something that the individual enjoys. Examples of how a student can act to manage their stress include, but are not limited, to physical exercise, practicing relaxation techniques - deep breathing,
mindfulness and yoga spending time with family and friends and participating in a hobby. If a student is not sure on whether stress is causing their symptoms or they have tried different stress management techniques and they do not see an improvement in lowering their “bad” stress, it would be beneficial for the student to see a doctor or counselor to help and identify resources they can use to help manage their stress. The university has multiple resources students can use to help reduce their stress. A few services the university offers include working out at the REC Center, talking to a counselor at the Counseling Center and visiting the Health Center. The university also has beautiful landscapes and oak trees all around campus that students can enjoy while they take a walk outside to reduce their stress. We encourage students to try these different services on campus to find just the right stress management fit for them. For more information on everything the university has to offer, please visit Southeastern’s webpage. Follow different departments on social media to keep up with what is happening around campus.
Signs of distress
Body Headache
Change in sex drive
Muscle tension/pain
Upset stomach
Chest pain
Problems sleeping
Fatigue
Mood
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You need to be certain that all the right conditions are in place before you take that first step. It can’t hurt to listen to good advice from those who have your best interests at heart. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Be careful not to get involved in other people’s disputes unless you know the facts behind the disagreements. That’s the best way to be assured of making wise and honest decisions. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You still need to be careful about how you’re going to spend those energy reserves you finally got around to restoring. Best advice: Avoid overdoing it. Let things take their course. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Your aspect continues to favor travel -alone or with that special person. So if you’ve been putting off making those getaway plans, it’s still a good time to get started on them. LEO (July 23 to August 22) Those so-called golden opportunities that continue to dazzle the Lion still need to be carefully checked out. Be suspicious about anything that looks like the “perfect” prospect. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Changes at the workplace could make it more difficult to do things the way you prefer. But the wise Virgo who shows some flexibility could find it paying off in a big way. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) You might want to check out the explanation you were given for
a sudden shift in your duties. There’s a possibility that you haven’t been told all the facts that you deserve to know. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Having confidence in your abilities is important, especially when you could be facing a new challenge, whether it’s in the workplace or in a personal relationship. Good luck. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A new work-related opportunity might not be all that it seems. Before making any decisions, you might want to check with others who have had some experience in that area. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) A situation involving someone close could benefit from your timely intervention. Avoid being judgmental. There’ll be plenty of time later for those “little talks” you like to have. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Travel could be a surprise element in that new project. Be prepared for other previously undisclosed aspects that also might come to light as you proceed with the work. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Try to balance your work-related responsibilities with the time you’re spending on your recently revived social life. An old friend might be planning to return after a long absence. BORN THIS WEEK: Your sensitivity makes you aware of the needs of others. Have you considered a career as a counselor? (c) 2020 King Features Synd., Inc.
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Anxiety
Irritability or anger
Restlessness
Sadness or depression
Lack of motivation/focus
Feeling overwhelmed
Behavior The Marjorie Morrison Sculpture Biennial was held on Jan. 24 from 5-8 p.m. at the Hammond Regional Arts Center. The exhibit honored Morrison’s legacy as an advocate of the arts and HRAC member. GABRIELLE WOOD/THE LION’S ROAR
Overeating/undereating
Tobacco use
Angry outbursts
Social withdrawal
Drug/alcohol misuse
Exercising less often
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The Lionʼs Roar | SPORTS
Lionettes place fifth in UDA hip-hop competition GABRIELLE WOOD STAFF REPORTER
The Lionette Dance Team traveled to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL. to compete in the Universal Dance Association’s annual National Dance Team Championship. The Lionettes had been preparing for their moment on stage all year, receiving a top 5 placement in D1 hip-hop. The UDA competition was held on Jan. 1719 and showcased college dance teams from all over the world. A panel of judges scored each team on the genres pop, jazz and hip-hop. The hip-hop finalist for 2020 over Southeastern was St. John’s University. Olivia Graziano, Lionette dance coach, explained how the team had been preparing for UDA throughout the year. “We got ready for competition throughout the season by taking technique classes, working on quality of movement and mastering new skills, but after finals are over, the dancers practice daily, with the exception of major holidays, to prepare for nationals,” stated Graziano. “In these practices, we clean routines, drill skills, alter choreography to better ensure we hit each section of the score sheet and focus on performance quality.” The Lionettes were crowned first place for UDA hip-hop in 2018. Although not placing as a finalist, the team is proud of what they have accomplished together this season and plan to achieve a higher score for next time. “I’m proud of the girls’ performances,” shared Graziano. “This team had a special entertainment quality and different routines than other people in our division. Moving into next season, we’ll review score sheets to capitalize on sections where we can generally improve based
on what judges are looking for and continue to push for increased team difficulty.” Breleigh Bentivegna, a freshman nursing major, described how it felt to be competing at UDA for the first time as a Lionette. “Competing at UDA competition in Orlando was amazing,” emphasized Bentivegna. “I was so thrilled and excited to be a part of the dance team. Together, we put in numerous hours of practice and it paid off. We came out fifth in the nation, and I am beyond proud. I love this team of ladies and am so thankful for all the wonderful memories we’ve made.” Catherine Bonaventure, a sophomore nursing major, discussed what representing the university felt like for her. “Being able to represent Southeastern at my first college nationals is something I will never forget,” said Bonaventure. “Our team grew closer, and we made so many memories. Over the break, we practiced every day and pushed each other to be our very best. I just can’t believe this nationals season happened so fast, but I’m so proud of this team for coming home with top five in the nation.” Having competed at nationals before, Ally Serigne, a junior marketing major, reflected on her experience this nationals season. “UDA Nationals is always an incredible experience,” said Serigne. “In fact, I’m certain it’s our team’s favorite time of the season. We put a tremendous amount of effort into nationals season and are very happy to have remained top five in the country for hip-hop.” The Lionettes look forward to competing in hip-hop each season. Serigne shared how she believes it is their biggest asset when competing. “It’s definitely our thing,” expressed Serigne. “We loved our routine, and we loved performing in front of the national audience. I am so proud
The Lionettes dance team poses for a picture at the 2019 Universal Dance Association National Dance Competition. Southeastern finished with a top five placement in division one hip-hop. Even though the Lionettes did not repeat as champions, dance coach Olivia Graziano was still proud of the team’s finish. COURTESY OF SHELBY JOHNSON to represent Southeastern Louisiana University.” The Lionettes will not be stopping after Nationals, as they have a full spring schedule filled with performances at upcoming events on campus. “In the spring semester, the Lionettes
are involved in basketball and baseball performances, working hard in school and training weekly to prepare for any upcoming tryouts or auditions,” shared Graziano.
How athletes stayed motivated over winter break SYMIAH DORSEY STAFF REPORTER
As the 2019 fall semester came to an end, university basketball players prepared to practice, travel and compete throughout the winter break. With several practices and games scheduled, the men’s and women’s basketball teams shared their thoughts and struggles of playing throughout winter break. Morgan Carrier, a junior guard and forward for the university women’s basketball team, expressed that playing the sport is worth having a busy schedule. “It’s fun being around the team,” shared Carrier. “It’s always a good experience playing the game that I love. It’s just hard not being able to go home and spend as much time with my family as I would being a regular student, but it’s all worth it.” Carrier shared what she hopes to accomplish during the current and upcoming seasons. “At the end of the day, I know we’re playing for a higher goal to win a championship,” said Carrier. “I just want to stay as consistent as I can and be a leader in any way I can be for the team, and to win two rings, to finish my last Junior forward Pape Diop, native of Ziguinchor, Senegal, dunks the ball in the two years out with a ring.” 79-74 victory over Southern University at New Orleans. JACOB SUMMERVILLE/THE LION’S ROAR Celica Sterling, senior guard, mentioned what she looked forward to and described what
kept her motivated throughout winter break. “Pretty much just playing,” said Sterling. “That’s what I look forward to, being able to play another game. Some days it’s hard, but then I have to look at it like this is basically what I’m getting paid to do. They’re paying for my schooling, so I have to be here ready every day and ready to go because this is what I want to do. So, I have to do it.” The men’s basketball team was also able to devote more time towards basketball throughout the winter break, as they had time away from classes. Ty Brewer, sophomore forward, shared how he felt about playing during the break in comparison to playing during the semester. “I honestly kind of find it easier because I don’t have many other students around me,” commented Brewer. “It actually gives me time to work on things that I need to work on. I’m spending time on things that I love. I feel like I become a better person, a better player and a better teammate.” Von Julien, senior guard, expressed a similar preference for playing during the winter break. “I actually like it because we get to really focus on basketball,” shared Julien. “That’s the thing we love and not have to really worry about waking up for class. We can just get in the gym whenever we want.” For many of the players, spending more
time together during the break allowed them to bond. Brewer shared how winter break has helped the teammates get closer. “We’re honestly the only family we have here over this break and the coaching staff as well,” shared Brewer. “So, that’s really going to make us get closer.” Julien explained how sharing a love for basketball with his teammates has brought them together. “My teammates coming every day and just having that bond with them,” explained Julien. “Just having guys that give it all and leave everything on the court, and I would say we have that factor of just loving basketball that brings us together.” As a senior, Julien mentioned what he hopes to accomplish by the end of his final season. “We would love to get conference championship and be able to make it to the NCAA tournament,” said Julien. During the winter break, men’s basketball competed in nine games, and women’s basketball competed in eight, traveling to various states, including Texas and Alabama. Both teams will be competing against Central Arkansas on Jan. 29. Women’s basketball will be playing at the University Center, and men’s basketball will play away in Conway, Ark. .
Brett Beard named head coach at Denham Springs GERARD BORNE STAFF REPORTER
On Nov. 22, Denham Springs High School named Brett Beard as head coach of its football team. Beard, who coached at Live Oak High School for five seasons, also played nose guard and defensive end for the Lions. The alumnus shared how his time at the university prepared him for his head coaching job with Denham Springs High School. “A lot of what I do and have learned is from Coach Woody Widenhofer, he’s how I ended up at Southeastern,” said Beard. “He recruited me to play at Vanderbilt, and I love him and wanted to finish my career with him. I fell in love with Hammond and Louisiana and ended up coming back after my stint with the Indianapolis Colts. Coach Woody influenced
me defensively basing out of a 3-4 defense, and we have since grown what he taught me.” Beard, who first started his coaching career at Franklinton High School in 2004, explained how his prior coaching experiences helped him land the job with the Yellow Jackets. “Years of hard work and treating people right has given me the opportunity to get to know a lot of great people in Livingston Parish,” stated Beard. Denham Springs High School finished their 2019 season with a 1-9 record. Beard shared how he hopes to turn around the football program at his new school. “The mentality and belief in what can be done here has to change,” explained Beard. “The culture and mindset will be a hard-nosed, nasty brand of football.”
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This week in Sports
MBBALL
WBBALL
MBBALL
WBBALL
vs. McNeese State
@ McNeese State
@NW State
@ NW State
L 61-77
W 74-67
W 74-67
W 72-56
Sports | The Lion’s Roar
January 28, 2020 | Page 7
Lady Lions prepare for 2020 softball season
The Lady Lions softball team finished the 2019 season with a 34-23 overall record. The team also finished with a total batting average of .315. Southeastern will begin its 2020 regular season against University of Buffalo on Feb. 7 at 4 p.m. at North Oak Park. File Photos/The Lion’s Roar DANIEL MCCLAIN Staff Reporter
After attaining a record of 34-23 in 2019, the university softball team is seeking to mirror its achievements in the upcoming season. With the season beginning on Feb. 7, players and coaches have noticed a surge of energy throughout the team, including head softball coach Rick Fremin. “I think this group’s ready to go,” shared Fremin. “There’s an expectation here to put the work in prior to that game, and so, I’m not concerned from the standpoint of them not having awareness. So, there has been excitement, and there has been a sense of urgency as well.”
Pryscilla Prince, a junior outfielder, explained the technical changes and discussed the importance of stepping up to the challenge. “We have a lot of defensive changes, so we have a lot of utility players, so we’re not really focusing on certain people playing certain positions. We have a lot of people bringing to the table utility,” explained Prince. “So, we have a lot of people playing different positions at the field in case of injury or sickness, or just stuff like that in general. So really, we just have a lot of people that are useful for the team.” Senior utility player Ali McCoy explained how the team has made efforts to prepare for the season despite the unforeseen weather patterns. “We’ve definitely persevered through it,”
stated McCoy. “It hasn’t affected us. We’re inside, and we work just as hard inside as we do whenever we’re out here.” As the team prepares for the new season, McCoy feels her team has no pressure. “I think we apply pressure to other teams,” said McCoy. Fremin noted that the seniors have stepped into leadership roles. “I think our three seniors are our key leaders: Tanner Wright, Ali McCoy and Alley McDonald,” explained Fremin. “Those three seniors have been with us for the last four years. They understand what’s going on and what the expectation is, so they’ve done a good job running the team.”
In preparation for the upcoming season, Prince shared that the Lady Lions have been working on defense, offense, small ball and other aspects of the team. “We’ve been doing a lot of infield work and outfield work, really focusing on the small things,” commented Prince. “We’re playing a lot of small ball too this season. We’re doing a bunt scrimmage. We are practicing not only offense reps, but defensive reps, because small ball and getting our bunts down is really impactful to the game.” The Lady Lions softball team will play their first regular season game against the Buffalo Bulls on Feb. 7 at 4 p.m. at North Oak Park.
Frank Scelfo signs contract extension to be head coach through 2024 GERARD BORNE Staff Reporter
In the 2019 season, head football coach Frank Scelfo doubled the Lions’ win total from the previous season and reached the second round of the FCS Playoffs. Along with leading the football team to the playoffs, Scelfo also picked up the 2019 Southland Conference Coach of the Year award. Due to his successful season, the Abbeville native earned a contract extension through the 2024 season. Scelfo explained how the contract negotiations began. “You know, towards the end of the season, me and Jay sat down and discussed where the direction of the program was heading and where we wanted to go,” shared Scelfo. “We talked about the team’s projection and where the team has gone in the past two years. We also discussed where we
need to improve on going forward.” Along with director of athletics Jay Artigues, University President John L. Crain was a vital part of the negotiation process. “After me and Jay spoke, I sat down with Dr. Crain and went over what I wanted to do with the program, and he had the same visions as I had,” commented Scelfo. “All three of us were on the same page, and that made things go a lot smoother.” Scelfo shared how the contract extension will help the football team in the future. “It guarantees stability in our program with kids knowing that there is going to be structure in the program for a while,” explained Scelfo. “It helps with the recruiting process too because a kid always in the back of his mind is thinking about coaches when choosing where to play.” The second-year head coach shared that the coaching staff was excited
when he broke the news to them. “They were thrilled for me and ready to get to work,” explained Scelfo. “We have a great coaching staff here. They understand this profession and how it works. They understand that, if we work together, we can get a lot done and we can get great things done. It makes them feel better when they know that I’m not trying to go anywhere or jump to the next job on them.” Artigues shared that Scelfo’s extension was partially due to his leadership ability. “He’s a tremendous role model, and we are very excited to have him here for the long term,” said Artigues. The Lions will kick off their 2020 regular season on the road against Tulane on Sept. 3. With Teuhema’s older brother Sione playing for the Carolina Panthers of the NFL, he shared how his older brother helped him in his football career.
Fans mourn the loss of Kobe Bryant in front of La Live across from Staples Center, home of the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. Bryant, the 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday. Keith Birmingham/The Orange County Register via AP KOBE BRYANT
continued from pg. 1 Authorities
did
not
where Bryant was going, but the helicopter appeared headed in the direction of say his youth sports academy in
This Week’s Puzzle AnsWers
nearby Thousand Oaks, which was holding a basketball tournament Sunday in which Bryant’s daughter, known as GiGi, was competing. Bryant’s helicopter left Santa Ana in Orange County, south of Los Angeles, shortly after 9 a.m., heading north and then west. Air traffic controllers noted poor visibility around Burbank to the north and Van Nuys to the northwest. The aircraft crashed into the hillside around 9:45 a.m. at about 1,400 feet (426 meters), according to data from Flightradar24. When it struck the ground, the helicopter was flying at about 160 knots (184 mph) and descending at a rate of more than 4,000 feet per minute, the data showed.
Frank Scelfo received the 2019 Southland Conference Coach of the Year award after leading the Lions to an 8-5 record and a playoff appearance. In Scelfo’s second season, the Lions also finished with the top-ranked offense in the Southland Conference. File Photo/The Lion’s Roar
KBOI-TV in Boise, Idaho, reported that a girls team that was to have played against GiGi Bryant’s squad returned home Sunday night after learning of the fatal crash during the tournament at Bryant’s Mamba Sports Academy. “All of a sudden the games just stopped, the whole facility went silent,” George Rodriguez, coach of the Treasure Valley Hoop Dreams team, told the station. “We heard some girls screaming. Nobody really quite knew what was going on until the news started to break ground and the message got around of the tragic stuff that happened with Kobe.” Federal safety investigators were sent to the scene. Among other things, they will look at the pilot’s history and the chopper’s maintenance records, said National Transportation Safety Board board member Jennifer Homendy. Kurt Deetz, a pilot who used to fly Bryant in the chopper, said the crash was more likely caused by bad weather than by engine or other mechanical problems. “The likelihood of a catastrophic twin engine failure on that aircraft — it just doesn’t happen,” he told the Los Angeles Times. Justin Green, an aviation attorney in New York who flew helicopters in the Marine Corps, said pilots can become disoriented in low visibility, losing track of which direction is up. Green said a pilot flying an S-76 would be instrumentrated, meaning that person
could fly the helicopter without relying on visual cues from outside. Colin Storm was in his living room in Calabasas when he heard what sounded to him like a low-flying airplane or helicopter. “It was very foggy so we couldn’t see anything,” he said. “But then we heard some sputtering and then a boom.” The fog cleared a bit, and Storm could see smoke rising from the hillside in front of his home. Firefighters hiked in with medical equipment and hoses, and medical personnel rappelled to the site from a helicopter but found no survivors, authorities said. News of the charismatic superstar’s death rocketed around the sports and entertainment worlds, with many taking to Twitter to register their shock, disbelief and anguish. “Words can’t describe the pain I am feeling. I loved Kobe — he was like a little brother to me,” retired NBA great Michael Jordan said. “We used to talk often, and I will miss those conversations very much. He was a fierce competitor, one of the greats of the game and a creative force.” Bryant retired in 2016 as the third-leading scorer in NBA history, finishing two decades with the Lakers as a prolific shot-maker with a sublime allaround game and a relentless competitive drive. He held that spot in the league scoring ranks until Saturday night, when the Lakers’ LeBron James passed
him for third place during a game in Philadelphia, Bryant’s hometown. He was the league MVP in 2008 and a two-time NBA scoring champion. He teamed with Shaquille O’Neal in a combustible partnership to lead the Lakers to consecutive NBA titles in 2000, 2001 and 2002. He went on to win two more titles in 2009 and 2010. His Lakers tenure was marred by scandal when in 2003, Bryant was accused of raping a 19-year-old employee at a Colorado resort. He said the two had consensual sex, and prosecutors later dropped the sexual assault charge at the request of the accuser. The woman filed a civil suit against Bryant that was settled out of court. Among those killed in the crash were John Altobelli, 56, longtime head coach of Southern California’s Orange Coast College baseball team; his wife, Keri; and daughter, Alyssa, who played on the same basketball team as Bryant’s daughter, said Altobelli’s brother, Tony, sports information director at the school. Costa Mesa Mayor Katrina Foley tweeted that the dead also included Christina Mauser, a girls basketball coach at a nearby elementary school. Her husband, Matt Mauser, said in a Facebook post: “My kids and I are devastated. We lost our beautiful wife and mom today in a helicopter crash.”
Page 8 | January 28, 2020
The Lion’s Roar | News
Virus death toll in China rises as US prepares evacuation BEIJING (AP) — A new viral illness being watched with a wary eye around the globe accelerated its spread in China with 80 deaths so far, while the U.S. Consulate in the city at the epicenter announced it will evacuate its personnel and some other Americans aboard a charter flight. China’s health minister said the country is entering a “crucial stage” as “it seems like the ability of the virus to spread is getting stronger.” Ma Xiaowei declined to estimate how long it would take to bring the situation under control, but said travel restrictions and other strict measures should bring results “at the lowest cost and fastest speed.” President Xi Jinping has called the outbreak a grave situation and said the government was stepping up efforts to restrict travel and public gatherings while rushing medical staff and supplies to the city at the center of the crisis, Wuhan, which remains on lockdown with no flights, trains or buses in or out. The epidemic has revived memories of the SARS outbreak that originated in China and killed nearly 800 as it spread around the world in 2002 and 2003. Its spread has come amid China’s busiest travel period of the year, when millions crisscross the country or head abroad for the Lunar New Year holiday. The government said early Monday the death toll had risen to 80, with 2,744 confirmed cases. The National Health Commission said 769 new cases were confirmed in the 24 hours through midnight Sunday. The government also reported five cases in Hong Kong and two in Macao. Small numbers of cases have been found in Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, the U.S., Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, France and Australia. The U.S. has confirmed cases in Washington state, Chicago, Southern California and Arizona. Canada said it discovered its first case, a man in his 50s who was in Wuhan before flying to Toronto. Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea each reported one new case Sunday, while Thailand reported three new cases. A notice from the U.S. Embassy in Beijing said there would be limited capacity to transport U.S. citizens on a Tuesday flight from Wuhan that will proceed directly to San Francisco. It said that in the event there are not enough seats, priority will
be given to individuals “at greater risk from corona virus.” The French Consulate also was considering an evacuation of its nationals from the city. It said it’s working on arranging a bus service to help French citizens leave Wuhan. French automaker PSA Group said it will evacuate its employees from Wuhan, quarantine them and then bring them to France. Japan was also making preparations to fly its nationals out of Wuhan. Chinese travel agencies have been told to halt all group tours, and concern is growing over the potential impact of millions of people traveling back to the cities after the Lunar New Year holiday ends on Thursday. China’s National Health Commission said anyone traveling from Wuhan is now required to register with community health stations and quarantine themselves at home for 14 days — the virus’ maximum incubation period. Beijing has decided to delay the start of classes after the Lunar New Year holiday ends, the official Beijing Daily reported on its website. That will extend to all schools in the capital from kindergartens to universities. Hong Kong announced similar measures on Saturday and on Sunday two of that territory’s biggest attractions, Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park, announced they were closing for the time being. A proposal to possibly quarantine suspected cases and others at a still-unoccupied public housing complex in the Hong Kong suburb of Fanling sparked a protest by area residents. Though largely peaceful, they were joined by black-clad protesters like those who have clashed with police during months of anti-government protests and those protesters set a fire in the lobby of one of the buildings. The fire was extinguished without appearing to cause major damage. Police later moved in to disperse the group, using pepper spray on occasion. In the heart of the outbreak where 11 million residents are already on lock down, Wuhan banned most vehicle use, including private cars, in downtown areas starting Sunday. The city will assign 6,000 taxis to neighborhoods to help people get around if they need to. China cut off trains, planes and other links to the
A worker wearing a hazardous materials suit takes the temperature of a passenger at the entrance to a subway station in Beijing, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. The new virus accelerated its spread in China, and the U.S. Consulate in the epicenter of the outbreak, the central city of Wuhan, announced Sunday it will evacuate its personnel and some private citizens aboard a charter flight. AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein city Jan. 22, and has steadily expanded the lock down to 16 surrounding cities with a combined population of more than 50 million — greater than that of New York, London, Paris and Moscow combined. Wuhan is building two makeshift hospitals with about 1,000 beds each to handle the growing number of patients. The city has said the first is expected to be completed Feb. 3. Medical workers in Wuhan have been among those infected and local media reported a doctor died on Saturday morning. The 62-year-old physician was hospitalized on Jan. 18 and died a week later. Xinhua also said medical supplies are being rushed to the city, including 14,000 protective suits, 110,000 pairs of gloves and masks and goggles. Videos have circulated online showing throngs of frantic people in masks lined up for examinations and there have been complaints that family members had been turned away at hospitals that were at capacity. The National Health Commission said it is bringing in medical teams to help handle the outbreak and the Chinese military dispatched 450 medical staff, some with experience in past outbreaks, including SARS and Ebola, Xinhua reported. The new virus comes from a large family of what are known as corona viruses, some causing nothing worse than a cold. It causes cold- and flu-like symptoms, including cough and fever, and in more
severe cases, shortness of breath. It can worsen to pneumonia, which can be fatal. First detected last month, the virus is believed to have originated in a type of wild animal sold at a Wuhan market to be consumed as food. Chinese authorities announced a temporary ban on the trade of wild animals Sunday, saying they will “severely investigate and punish” violators. They also called on the public to refrain from eating wild animal meat. Investigators are closely observing whether the virus was mutating, but thus far found “no obvious signs,” that it is doing so, head of the Chinese Center for Disease Control, Gao Fu, told reporters. That could make it easier to develop vaccines against the virus, something the center is already working on. Xinhua quoted center official Xu Wenbo as saying they had isolated the virus and were identifying seed strain. The rapid increase in reported deaths and illnesses does not necessarily mean the crisis is getting worse but could reflect better monitoring and reporting of the virus. Those killed by the virus have mostly been middle-aged or elderly people, sometimes suffering from other conditions that weaken their ability to fight back. It is not clear how lethal the new corona virus is or even whether it is as dangerous as the ordinary flu, which kills tens of thousands of people every year in the U.S. alone.