The Lion's Roar 12/04/2018 by The Lion's Roar newspaper

’ THE LION S ROAR 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

Hammond, LA

December 4, 2018

Crowning Chelsey PRAKRITI ADHIKARI Staff Reporter

Every year, the university chooses its new ambassador as Miss Southeastern and awards her with golden roses, the local Miss America crown, an opportunity to compete in the Miss Louisiana Pageant and recognition in various events on campus. The title holder is also awarded one year’s tuition, $1000 clothing allowance and a meal plan for the upcoming spring and fall semesters. The Campus Activities Board hosted the 2019 Miss Southeastern Pageant on Friday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. in the Vonnie Borden Theatre. 2018 Miss Southeastern Alyssa Larose, a junior elementary education and special education major, crowned her successor Chelsey Blank, a junior accounting major. Blank feels honored by the title. “It is an honor to have been chosen as the person to represent this campus,” said Blank. “I am looking forward to spreading all that Southeastern has to offer.” Blank is a student worker in the Office of Career Services and was also a member of the 2018 Homecoming Committee. She is currently an orientation leader and a mentor in the College of Business. Apart from being involved on campus, she enjoys “dancing, bargain shopping and doing hair and makeup.” Blank wants to continue being active on campus. “I am most looking forward to representing my school and my platform down syndrome awareness,” said Blank. Blank has been participating in pageants since the age of 6. She shared her experience of being a member of such competitions. “When I turned 16, I decided to start doing them again,” shared Blank. “I had the title of Miss Festival of Charities XI, which gave me the opportunity to represent the Down Syndrome Association of Greater New Orleans. I like participating in pageants because it allows me to meet

new people, share my passions, and learn more about my amazing state.” Competing for the pageant was a good experience for Blank. “I enjoyed the entire process,” expressed Blank. “The contestants were absolutely amazing, and everyone was so helpful. The only difficulty I had was finding my swimsuit

seeing the expressions on the kids’ faces as they pointed at ‘a queen.’”

bottoms.” Blank made her first appearance as Miss Southeastern at the Rotary Club of Hammond’s 60th Annual Christmas Parade. She shared her excitement on participating in the parade. “The parade was amazing,” expressed Blank. “I loved

see CHELSEY BLANK, pg. 6

Student fees increase Chelsey Blank, a junior accounting major, was crowned 2019 Miss Southeastern by 2018 Miss Southeastern Alyssa Larose, a junior elementary education and special education major. Blank also won the Talent Award and the Academic Award. Jacob Summerville/The Lion’s Roar

‘Sip Smarter’ initiative created to reduce plastic straw waste MAIAH WOODRING Staff Reporter

Americans use 500 million drinking straws daily according to the National Park Service, the equivalent of 183 billion straws a year. To counter this, Auxiliary Services launched its “Sip Smarter” campaign to reduce the amount of waste that these drinking conveniences contribute to landfills each year. Director of Marketing and Strategic Initiatives for Auxiliary Services Robin Parker explained how the shift away from plastic straws will be accomplished. Parker said, “We recently introduced the idea of reducing the use of straws by providing information on the impact of plastic on our environment to a few student groups in addition to placing informative flyers throughout our dining facilities with wording ‘Skip the Straw.’

Student fees will increase by $5.30 per credit hour at the university this spring semester. The fee increase follows a University of Louisiana System wide decision. Zachary Araki/The Lion’s Roar ZACHARY ARAKI

12 credit hours, the total fee increase equals $63.60. The university is expected to raise about $1.7 million total through the fee increase. In the spring semester, the university will Every university in the University of Louisiana introduce a $5.30 per credit hour student fee System will be raising student charges this increase in line with the University of Louisiana spring except for Nicholls State University. System decision. For a full-time student, or a student taking A&E Editor

see FEE INCREASES, pg. 6

Weather

Tuesday H 58 L 34

Index

Wednesday H 57 L 35

Campus Life.................................2 Opinions.....................................3 A&E............................................4

Horoscope, Crossword, Sudoku....5 Sports.........................................7 News..........................................8

This fall, we put out collateral advertising ‘Skip the Straw,’ and we consolidated all plastic straws at one beverage station. While straws are still currently available, we will move to having them available upon request in the next two semesters and then move to paper straws available on request.” Auxiliary Services partnered with the Student Government Association and the Food Committee for the campaign, and they chose straws as the “first barrier of entry” towards eliminating disposable or single-use items. “Straw reduction is part of a broader holistic strategy that addresses single-use plastics overall,” shared Parker. “The purpose of the ‘Sip Smarter’ campaign is to let consumers know Aramark is reducing straws and singleuse plastics to align with our commitment to

see PAPER STRAWS, pg. 6

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Page 2 | December 4, 2018

The Lion’s Roar | Campus Life

2019 Miss Southeastern Pageant

First runner-up Aesha Magee, a senior health systems management major, left, walks on stage during the evening gown competition. Alexus Dillon, a senior biological sciences major,middle, and Kayla Chategnier, a junior business administration major, right, perform their songs at the pageant. Jacob Summerville/The Lion’s Roar

Madison Kent, a sophomore accounting major, left, performs a country song for her talent. Annie Goodman, a senior communications major, middle, poses during the swimsuit competition. Bryanna Laviolette, a freshman communications major, right, participates in the on-stage question portion of the pageant. Jacob Summerville/The Lion’s Roar

Chelsey Blank, a junior accounting major, above top, walks the stage after being crowned Miss Southeastern. Baylee Smith, a junior political science major, above, performs a dance for the talent portion. Jacob Summerville/The Lion’s Roar

Second runner-up Lily Torbert, a sophomore double majoring in biological sciences and Spanish, left, poses for the swimsuit competition. Torbert also won the Miss Congeniality Award. Anna Pias, a freshman biological sciences major, middle, performs a monologue as her talent at the pageant. Jacquelyn Walker, a sophomore athletic training major, right, performs a pop vocal for her song. Jacob Summerville/The Lion’s Roar

Opinions | The Lion’s Roar

December 4, 2018| Page 3

What I remember about 2018 SPEAK OUT Some events that took place in 2018 were heartbreaking while others were record breaking. One huge thing that stuck out to me this year was the Fortnite outbreak. The video game that can be downloaded for free shattered records Gerard Borne all across the globe and Staff Reporter leaped into fame in the early months of 2018. The Fortnite Battle Royale video game had over 40 million downloads on PC, Xbox, Play Station 4 and mobile app, according to the Forbes magazine. The video game propelled many people into fame like Tyler Blevins also known as “Ninja” and others like Alastair Aiken also known as “Ali-A.” The video game was one to enjoy, as it combined cartoon-like graphics, with a battle royale theme behind the game. The game brings opportunities like scholarships at Ashland University in Ohio. Another thing that stuck out to me in 2018 was the amount of celebrities who have unfortunately passed away. A popular celebrity that passed away was Burton Leon Reynolds Jr., better known as Burt Reynolds. The legend who was a huge part of many people’s childhoods passed away on Sept. 6 due to a cardiac arrest. This saddened me because he was in many of my favorite movies like the Longest Yard, Without a Paddle and The Dukes of Hazzard. Another saddening news was the death of the former New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson. Benson kept the team together during the chaos after

the destruction by Katrina. Even with the speculation of moving the team to San Antonio, Benson stuck through the pain and hard times to keep the Saints at home in New Orleans. He helped the Saints bring their first ever Superbowl victory in 2010. Some may not agree but in my eyes, Benson is a hero to the city of New Orleans and the Saints would not be the same without their Superbowl victory. 2018 was also filled with many surprises in sports, including the Philadelphia Eagles upsetting the favored New England Patriots in Superbowl 52 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This was one of my favorite parts about 2018 as the Patriots, who are always winning, were taken down by the ultimate underdog with their backup quarterback starting the game. Sports also continued to amaze me as New Orleans Pelicans had their best season in franchise history with a 48-34 record while reaching the second round of the Western Conference playoffs. The team completed their first-ever playoff sweep by beating the Portland Trail Blazers in four games. Forward Anthony Davis had an amazing year as he finished second in the Most Valuable Player voting behind Houston Rockets Guard James Harden. The New Orleans Saints had another great year for the record books. After a slow start in the 2017 and 2018 season, the Saints won the National Football Conference South with an 11-5 record. The team had a heartbreaking loss to the Minnesota Vikings as Minnesota scored a last second touchdown to secure the victory. This season looks like Superbowl or bust for the black and gold as they

To The Editor: A problem that affects and hurts a lot of American families is the high cost of a college education. I’d like to propose that we turn college student loans into college student scholarships so that one day every college graduate will not have to start their working lives deeply in debt. With a nearly $1 trillion yearly federal government budget deficit, we’d have to come up with the revenue to pay for this. I would propose the adoption of a national wealth tax of 10 percent on all individuals with a net worth of $10 million and higher. I am assuming that this would be more than enough to pay for this. I would like to point out to my conservative friends out

are 10-2. The time is right and the time is now for New Orleans to win it all, as they probably will only have future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees for one more season. The NBA also saw a lot of change in 2018 with the NBA’s most popular player LeBron James leaving his hometown Cleveland Cavilers to go to the West Coast and play for storied NBA franchise the Los Angeles Lakers. I was surprised by the move as James said he made the move for his family. 2018 was also a year of growth for many people including myself. I graduated from high school and began my move to the “real world” by starting college. College came quicker and harder than expected for me, and I was shocked to see the difference between high school and college. College came with a lot of surprises like the extensive hours spent in the math lab and the number of hours studying for exams. Thankfully, college is a success for me so far, and I want to continue that road to success and excel in all future semesters. I enjoyed many things in 2018, like a senior trip with all of my closest friends as we all traveled to Panama City Beach, Florida. Another enjoyable moment of 2018 was the great movies that came out. Blockbusters like Black Panther, Incredibles 2 and Blockers were all great movies that I personally enjoyed and would recommend to any moviegoer. 2018 was a phenomenal year and one that I will never forget. Many changes happened. Some were good and some were not as good. I hope that 2019 can live up to expectations just as 2018 did.

there that before he became a fake conservative, Donald Trump proposed a national wealth tax in 1999 of 14.25 percent on all those with a net worth of $10 million and higher. He wanted the money generated from it to go toward eliminating the national debt with the remainder being put into the Social Security Trust Fund to make it more fully solvent for many additional years. The latter of the two expenditures is not exactly “conservative.” If anyone doubts that he made this proposal, it appears on several websites for anyone to see. Sincerely, Stewart B. Epstein

society. Men’s bodies are objectified more than they ever were. Actors on television have well-built bodies with abs and are considered appealing. Various medias such as films, soap operas, magazines and music videos are molding the ideals for a human body. It is rare to see both men and women out of shape having a lead role. This is putting pressure on the world to try to look a certain way. The phenomenon is leading to body shaming, eating disorders and psychological problems. Objectification of people is therefore a negative catalyst for the progression of society. Respecting people as they are is the foremost foundation to equality in the society. Instead of asking people to focus on their outer appearances, they should rather be inspired to realize their potential that helps overcome more serious problems of the world. Every person is beautiful and attractive in their own way. The society should absolutely have no right to decide on what kind of body figure is appealing. Since the media has a major role in

objectifying people and setting standards for them, the problem can be solved for the most part with the help of the media. Portraying women as a constructive and intelligent species helps eliminate serious problems of objectification-like sexual abuse. Similarly, if families change their mindsets and educate their members to respect people as they are, the problem can definitely be marginalized. The call also lies with every individual. With small steps in daily life, one should learn to detach themselves from rooted beliefs and learn to stop treating people of the opposite sex only as toys. After all, a person is not just what the mirror reflects. Like the precious minerals buried in the earth crust, human values are buried inside their physical appearances, which should be dug up and used for the greater glory of humanity. After all, every human person is a breathing, living masterpiece with dreams and amazing talents. We should stop seeing ourselves as body parts and instead be viewed as minerals who can be refined into a gem.

Policies and Procedures The Lion’s Roar is the official newspaper of the students of Southeastern Louisiana University. It has been in continuous publication since 1937. Submissions and letters to the editor are welcomed, but the editor of The Lion’s Roar reserves the right to edit all submissions for grammar, libel and available space, or refuse publication without notification. Submissions must include the author’s full name and either phone number, e-mail or other contact information (not to be published). Faculty and staff members should include their title and department. Students should include their classification and major. By submitting an article for publication, the author understands that the submission will be edited. Organizational News space is provided at no charge as a courtesy for university recognized Greek and Student Organizations. The space of such articles is limited to 150 words. Submissions of this Organizational News must adhere to the same polices as other submissions or letters to the editor, but must also include the name of the organization.

“My most memorable event in 2018 was whenever I went to Dallas for first time for a concert. We went downtown and had a great time.” Emily Whittington Senior, Kinesiology “I would say finishing up my degree as I graduate in two weeks.” Karlee McKernan Senior, Family and Consumer Sciences

“We went to ‘Voodoo,’ and we waited all day for Travis Scott. He shouted, ‘Let me see those mosh pits,’ which caused everyone to start pushing each other, and we had to leave.” Brailyn Bergeron Freshman, Nursing “The fact that I cultivated so many more friendships and really came into my own. I got a 3.5 GPA I’m managing, and I feet a lot better about myself.” Eva Hoffmann Junior, English “I got into nursing school. I always dreamt about being a nurse. Coming from another country, struggling, and becoming a nurse is the biggest thing I will ever achieve.” Archana Kharel Sophomore, Nursing “I experienced my first accident and my first kiss.” Shaneta Carr Freshman, Nursing

“My most memorable event of 2018 was when I was at the Saints game when they played the Redskins, and Drew Brees broke the record for most passing yards thrown in the NFL.” Mason Anderson Junior, Industrial Technology

The final countdown to finals

Why you should not judge a book by its cover Have you ever seen an advertisement and wondered what was actually being advertised? The man with six-pack abs, or the hotel in the background? The tall and slender looking women wearing revealing clothes or the glass of wine that she is drinking? Prakriti Adhikari With media being very Staff Reporter influential in the modern world, it bombards society with unconfirmed hypotheses of femininity and masculinity. The world is getting so superficial that a person is judged by their external appearances. The flesh and skin that wrap up the soul are objectified and treated merely as sexual objects. Women have been objectified for a very long time. The history has witnessed females being viewed merely as sources of pleasure for men. Even though the modern world has progressed to respect the views of a woman, the generality for an ideal female body still exists. While she is expected to behave a certain way, she also needs to have a figure that is acceptable in

What was the most memorable event in your life in 2018?

All views expressed in The Lion’s Roar are those of the author or, if unsigned, those of the staff of The Lion’s Roar. These views should not be interpreted as the views of the administration, faculty or students of Southeastern Louisiana University. A single issue of The Lion’s Roar is free. Additional copies may be purchased for 50 cents in the Student Union suite 1303. Annual mail subscriptions are $35 within the continental U.S. The Lion’s Roar, in its print form, and associated online or digital versions, are designated public forums. Student editors have the authority to make content decisions without censorship or prior approval. The Lion’s Roar also defends the rights of student journalists relative to freedom of speech and press as stated in Amendment I of the Constitution of the United States of America. The Lion’s Roar is published through the Office of Student Publications, part of the Division for Student Affairs. It is published weekly during regular semesters and monthly during the summer semester.

The most stressful time of the semester has arrived. The countdown to the finals is almost over and students are burying themselves in notes, flashcards and Noah Smith presentation Staff Reporter slides. The only ray of hope is the month long winter vacation that gives students time to ready themselves for the spring semester. Many people see finals in different perspectives: positive, negative and a few in between. They can be seen as the task before the end of another semester that leads students closer to graduation. They can be seen as the test that puts the last nail in your coffin. Whatever your perspective is, there are still many different ways to prepare for finals and to cope with stress, exhaustion and nerves. A major problem many students have, which I am guilty of as well, is procrastinating on their studies. Trying to cram in all the information the night, hours or even minutes before your final can impact your grade significantly. It is always a good idea to begin to study a week or two before to refresh your memory. Take 30 minutes a day to study old material as those minutes will begin to add up and help you in the long run. Use flash cards, join or create a study group, or even use online tools such as Quizlet

to get those minutes or hours of studying you need. Cramming it all before the test can cause you to stress out and even cause you to crash and burn in exhaustion. The last thing that you want to happen is to walk into your exam sleepdeprived and a nervous wreck. Resting during finals week enhances one’s learning experience. Taking a break from cracking down hard on studying is perfectly healthy if you manage your time with it wisely. Getting a good night’s sleep before an exam is a great and healthy thing for the mind and body. As you sleep, your mind may even work out or store problems and information you need. When you wake up, have a good breakfast, not something too heavy that will make you sluggish but something that will help you get the nutrition you need and the energy needed to think and do well on your exam. During finals week, make a chart and set some goals. For example, if you study for at least five hours that week, you can treat yourself to maybe go out to eat, shop or see a movie. Hard work should be treated with rewards. Now, the day before finals and the hours before can be stressful as well. Take some time to unwind a bit and do a little last minute studying on subjects you still have trouble understanding. Pump yourself up and tell yourself you will do great. Do not bring yourself down. No matter your perspective or your test taking ability, putting forth the effort will help you in the long run and will definitely

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The Lion’s Roar Staff Editor-in-Chief - Annie Goodman A&E Editor - Zachary Araki Distribution - Lauren Walker, David DiPiazza, Garrison Dighton Office Assistant - Alyssa Larose, Ashlyn Harris Advertising - C. Ian M. Squires, Kyla D’Arensbourg Administrative Assistant - Gemma Carter Coordinator - Lorraine Peppo Director - Dr. Lee E. Lind

The Lion’s Roar | Arts & Entertainment

Page 4 | December 4, 2018

5 years of laughter fuel a theatre memorial

Alumni returned to the university for an improvisational comedy performance to honor the memory of three university theatre community members, Brandon Cubas, Jacob Zeringue and Kay Files. The “Cubas/Kay/Jacob Memorial Comedy” is in its fifth year of running. Zachary Araki/The Lion’s Roar ZACHARY ARAKI A&E Editor

Alumni returned to their home Vonnie Borden Theatre stage to honor the memory of three university theatre community members with the 5th annual “Cubas/Kay/Jacob Memorial Comedy Show.” Brandon Cubas and Jacob Zeringue were students, and Kay Files joined the university’s theatre staff in 1993. Files also served as the faculty sponsor for the improv troupe that included Cubas, Zeringue and performers at the memorial show. 2006 Alumnus Casey Saba explained why they decided to hold the tribute show five years ago. Saba said, “One of our friends named Brandon Cubas, he passed away, and we were trying to figure out a way to celebrate his life, and a network of mutual friends and SLU alumni came together, and we were like, ‘We should do a tribute show.’” After the first show, the group decided to make it an annual performance. “It was so much fun,” said Saba. “The vibe was just like the old days. Back in the old days, the comedy show would be on Wednesday nights in the Student Union Theater, and it was always a free show, and the student body got on board, and we used to go out afterwards in Hammond and celebrate and have a good time.” For Technical Director Benjamin Norman, Cubas and Zeringue

were some of his first friends as a freshman at the university. “When I heard of their passing, it was a pretty big blow to me,” said Norman. “I was all of a sudden flooded with memories of like them taking me under their wing, showing me the ropes of what it’s like to go to college and just interact with humans at this level. They were some of the people who encouraged me to become a part of the theatre program here at Southeastern.” Files was Norman’s acting and directing teacher. Norman said, “I only worked with her for maybe a year or two, but she was once again a figure at the beginning of my college career and this human who saw something in me and encouraged me to continue to pursue it.” Performers in the memorial show like 2011 Alumnus Lucius Falick found and developed their passion for theatre at the university. “I just fell in love with it from day one,” said Falick. “It was probably one of the main reasons I stayed in school, the family that we have here.” Norman explained the use of improv in the memorial show. “It was something that bonded us while we were in school here for a really long time,” said Norman. “As you graduate and you grow apart from people, it’s tough, but when we decided to do an improv show again, and we decided to make it an annual thing, it’s this incredible moment of catharsis both to remember

these people who had such an impact on our lives but also to get together with the people who are still here.” For Saba, the performance reaffirmed the importance of staying connected. “We came to check in with each other and reconnect and enjoy each other’s company and reflect together,” said Saba. “In overcoming the loss of three people that mattered a lot to all of us, I think there’s a lot of healing that takes place on the stage when we do these kinds of shows. The year when someone passes can be very rough.” Norman described the performance as a privilege to work with old friends and colleagues. Norman said, “I forget how wonderfully hardworking and talented the individuals I’m on stage with are because I don’t work with them every day anymore, and each and every one of them inspire me to be a better artist in general.” Saba explained the value of coming together as a group. Saba said, “We came together to play games with each other, and I know that’s a silly, almost juvenile concept, but it’s cathartic, and there’s healing, and there’s reaffirmation of the fact that we’re all in this together, and the crop of people we did it with all these years, it was something special to be a part of.” A stream of the tribute performance can be found on the CaseySabaMusic Facebook page.

Theatre and self-reflection in one exhibition room

Senior art majors Veronica Hall and Heath Feraci stand next to their artworks in the Contemporary Art Gallery as part of the “Fall 2018 Senior Exhibition.” The pieces will be up in the gallery until Dec. 8. Jacob Summerville/The Lion’s Roar JACOB SUMMERVILLE Staff Reporter

Senior art majors got the opportunity to showcase artworks of their choice while fulfilling a requirement for their degree. The Department of Visual Art and Design held the opening reception for its “Fall 2018 Senior Exhibition” on Nov. 20 from 5 7:30 p.m. in the Contemporary Art

Gallery. The exhibition is on display until Dec. 8, and attendees can view the artwork of senior art majors such as Veronica Hall and Heath Feraci. Hall stated that her works stand out from the rest because they are not typical art pieces found in exhibitions. Since she is concentrating in theatre design, her exhibition contains props that she created for university shows

including weapons from “She Kills Monsters.” Hall explained what message she hopes to promote through her props. “I really hope that people see the props and really want to go to theatre, and they want to go see the shows, and they’re like, ‘Oh, that’s so cool. I want to see how that was used,’” said Hall. “I feel like, even though this is technically my senior

show, and this is where all the things are being seen, I feel like this isn’t the real place for them to be seen. When ‘She Kills Monsters’ ran for the week, that’s when my stuff was being showed. That’s the real audience reaction and the interaction I wanted and got.” Hall shared that her preparation for creating props for a fall semester show starts during the summer. “We go over the script as a production team, and then we break up individual parts,” said Hall. “So, my part, what I had to do was just go through the script and pick out anything I thought a prop would be. So, all of those props were looked over by me and the entire production staff. It started in the summer, and it basically went into a couple of days before the show.” One challenge Hall faced was redesigning weapons to make them lighter for some actors. Hall explained an ironic perception people have about her. “I just think it’s funny that a 5-foot-1 woman is making weapons on her own time,” said Hall. “A lot of people are just

surprised by that.” For Feraci, his work displays a personal struggle. He stated that his exhibition work shows conflict of who he wants to become versus what his temptations want him to become. “I have been influenced by my love for psychology and concern for emotional and mental health,” explained Feraci. “I do feel as though this project was a calling from God to elaborate on my own struggles in my mind in a visual way to better understand myself and even allow others to do the

same.” Feraci hopes that his art peers notice the Baroque style through his paintings, but he hopes all people see his art as a time to selfreflect. “I hope to invite the viewer into a self-exploration into their own mind to learn themselves and achieve a deeper sense of selfawareness of who they are,” said Feraci. “I hope to promote a worth of perseverance through dark and confusing times as well as a call for

see CAG SENIORS, pg. 5

Arts & Entertainment | The Lion’s Roar

December 4, 2018 | Page 5

The Hammond ballet magic on and off stage MAIAH WOODRING Staff Reporter

According to Roy Blackwood, executive director of the Columbia Theatre, “The Nutcracker” is the most popular production that the universityowned theatre shows. This year, the classic tale is back and will be performed Dec. 7-8 at 7 p.m. at the Columbia. Blackwood, who is accustomed to tickets for this Hammond Ballet Company production being sold out, speculated the reason why. “This is comprised of school children primarily, parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, they all come and so, most typically, those shows are all sold out,” said Blackwood. Blackwood explained a reason for the show’s popularity. Blackwood said, “The other reason it’s popular though, is, it’s not only because it’s a wonderful, timeless, story, but because it’s that time of year when people like to get together as family—and what’s better if you can get together with your family and someone’s going to entertain you, right? So, it’s a very popular show from that standpoint.” Blackwood explained that the hardest part of setting up

for a production like this falls on the technical director. “The Hammond Ballet is made up of dance students, obviously, and as such, they’re not professionals,” Blackwood explained. “So, they’ve got their hands full learning how to dance and whatever else they’re gonna do, and so the tech director’s job is to make sure that the choreography works out well.” Blackwood elaborated on what difficulties may fall onto the technical director. “There will be four or five drops, and the drops are the backdrops that you see behind the dancers,” said Blackwood. “And that’s a big deal, because in ‘The Nutcracker,’ of course you’re inside this palatial estate where Clara lives and there’s a Christmas tree and at a certain point the Christmas tree grows. So, that’s a big deal. The backdrops are a big deal, and the light and sound is all a big deal, and that’s why I said probably the most difficult aspect is the tech part of it out there because the rest of the contracts and the selling tickets. That’s all standard stuff that we do all the time.” Blackwood responded to how long it takes for the dance students to train for the performance.

“So, they take three months, and they train those kids up and they learn the dances and all that sort of thing,” Blackwood explained. “The other half of it is the one week that they take from load in to production. That’s five days. So, they’ll load in on December 1st, and then they’ll rehearse all this week, and then a performance here on Friday, and a performance here on Saturday.” Pete Pfeil, the associate director for operations and production at the Columbia, acknowledged that set work does provide a challenge. “The load-in and rehearsal process is the most difficult aspect,” said Pfeil. “Even though the dances are the same, the dancers are moving up into new dances for them as they get more experienced. We also have some very quick set changes that my amazing crew has to accomplish.” Pfeil shared what he thinks is the most rewarding part of it all. “The realization that our hometown Nutcracker is a wonderful, very polished traditional production,” Pfeil explained. Tickets for “The Nutcracker” are $39 for loge seats and $25 for orchestra or balcony seats. The Hammond Ballet Company invited professional dancers to perform with them during last year’s production of “The for orchestra or balcony seats. Nutcracker” at the Columbia Theatre. File Photos/The Lion’s Roar

DIAMOND HOLLINS

he had a support from his family when it came to pursuing his passion. Winters’ ambition for acting started at a young age. “I knew since I was a little kid that I wanted to be an actor,” said Winters. “Things inevitably change, but I always knew that I would be in the field of acting in some form. I have always been very interested in telling stories. I love to watch stories. It is just a passion of mine and always has been.” One of Winters’ goals is to “make students realize the value of art in their lives” because he finds that live theatre can move people in powerful ways. Winters described how every

Winters entangled in the art of acting since childhood Staff Reporter

Driven as a young boy towards the field of acting, Instructor of Acting and Directing Chad Winters started teaching at the university in 2007. He had a passion for acting within him and a vision to aid students in developing their talents. According to Winters, he does not come from a musical background aside from his Winters worked at the “Friday the 13th grandmother who loved to sing Horror Trivia Night” this past summer. and his father who had his own File Photo/The Lion’s Roar rock band in the ‘70s. However,

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Careful, Lamb. Don’t let your generous nature lead to some serious overspending as you contemplate your holiday gift-giving. Your social life kicks off into high gear by week’s end. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) A positive attitude helps you weather annoying but unavoidable changes in holiday plans. Aspects favor new friendships and reinforcement of existing relationships. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Demands on your energy level could be much higher than usual as you prepare for the upcoming holidays. Be sure to pace yourself. Friends and family will be happy to help. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Don’t allow a suddenly icy reaction from a friend or family member to continue without learning what caused it -- and what can be done to restore that once warm and caring relationship. LEO (July 23 to August 22) A relationship seems to be unraveling, mostly from a lack of attention. It might be a good idea to ease up on whatever else you’re doing so you can spend more time working to mend it. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) New facts emerge that not only help explain the recent rift with a trusted colleague, but also might provide a chance to wipe the slate clean and make a fresh start in your friendship. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) A family member’s personal situation is, fortunately,

resolved in time for you to get back into your hectic round of holiday preparations. An old friend might bring a new friend into your life. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Pace yourself in meeting holiday pressures and workplace demands to avoid winding up with a frayed temper and a Scorpian stinger that lashes out at puzzled kith, kin and colleagues. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) A financial matter requires close attention. Also, news from a trusted source provides the means to help sort out a longstanding state of confusion and put it into perspective. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) This is a good time to reinforce family ties. Make it a priority to assess and resolve all outstanding problems. Start the upcoming holiday season with a full measure of love. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Don’t be pressured into a so-called solid-gold investment. Wait until the holiday distractions are over. Then take a harder look at it. You might find that the “gold” is starting to flake off. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) A former friend might be trying to heal the breach between you by using a mutual friend as an intermediary. Best advice: Keep an open mind despite any lingering bad feelings. BORN THIS WEEK: You have a way of saying the right thing at the right time. Your friendships are deep and lasting. (c) 2018 King Features Synd., Inc.

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“Students at Southeastern have the opportunity over the time span that they are here to see good theatre performances that enlighten and entertain them and also helps them to think about the world around them,” said Winters. “They have the chance to learn and understand how the world works and what makes it click.” Winters shared a motto that has guided him in the direction of his career. “Do what you love no matter what anyone else says,” said Winters. “Follow your gut and live a full life doing what you desire. Fulfill yourself, and you will inevitably affect other people’s lives in a profound way.”

my friends that I have and really learning from them and growing from them as a whole,” said Feraci. “As for my project, I most enjoyed bringing what I’ve always felt mentally into the visual realm and being able to see a piece of my own inner experience in front of me.”

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The Lion’s Roar

Page 6 | December 4, 2018

The life of Roomie the Lion JACOB SUMMERVILLE Staff Reporter

The university’s mascot prowls the grounds of home games and campus social events. Roomie the Lion has been the name of the university mascot since 1964 and is named after former biology professor, alumnus and student-athlete Hollis “Roomie” Wilson. Although it has been decades since the university has had a live mascot, the spirit of Roomie resides in the students who portray the lion. Students who are interested in trying out to become the mascot need to contact Director of Spirit Catherine Messenger, the head cheerleading coach for the university. “Our past few Roomies have come through showing interest in the spirit programs via email,” said Messenger. “We are in the works of creating a better application. At this point, the best way to apply and get more information on Roomie would be to contact myself.” Messenger explained that during the selection process, she looks for specific

aspects that would make the perfect candidate. “As far as the selection process goes, the past few years we have had our mascot tryouts with our cheerleading tryouts,” said Messenger. “He or she must be able to get in front of the judges and recreate the Lion walk, stance, and show interaction through movement and no voice.” As for the student who currently represents Roomie, they believe that their personality motivated them to try out for the role. “I felt like it would be the best way to help out my university in the only way I knew how,” said the anonymous student. “I’ve always been told I was a bit of a character. So, I decided to put my skills to the test.” Messenger shared her approval of the current mascot since they have retained their position for years now. “This has been the fourth year we have had the same student as Roomie,” said Messenger. “They do a great job managing school and the amount of events they must do as the mascot.” Between school and representing the

university, the student explained their time management of duties. “It is actually fairly simple,” said the student. “Most things I have to do are at night. So, I attend class in the morning finishing up what homework I have between, then completing my events in the afternoon.” To them, the one thing that they look forward to on game day is “messing around with the little kids that attend the games.” “They’re the most lovely,” the student said. Out of the four years in their position, the student shared a memory from one of the games they played as Roomie. “One time, a parent dressed their baby up as a lion and had me do the whole ‘Circle of Life’ thing with them,” said the student. “That was way too awesome.” Roomie not only attends sports games, but also makes appearances at events including “Gumbo YaYa,” “Strawberry Jam” and “Lion Pride Preview.” Regardless of what campus-wide events students attend, they are almost guaranteed to spot the Lion of the university. During a football game, Roomie the Lion rides on his bike at Strawberry Stadium. File Photo/The Lion’s Roar

A potential budget increase for Louisiana ZACHARY ARAKI A&E Editor

In response to past budget cuts, the Louisiana Board of Regents requested a $172 million increase in the state budget for public colleges. If approved, general state funding for higher education would increase to $1.2 billion in the 2019-20 fiscal year beginning on July 1. President Dr. John L. Crain looks forward to the budget request’s result. “It is high time for targeted reinvestment in higher education in Louisiana, so in that regard, I think it is an appropriate request,” said Crain. “It’s not entirely clear yet how the additional funding Regents has requested would be allocated to institutions, so I am interested in learning more about that.” Abigail Shallin, a senior general studies major, believes that the Board of Regents’ budget request needs to pass.

“It’s not just for Southeastern but for all the other schools in the University of Louisiana System,” said Shallin. “There’s all kinds of things that financially need to be fixed, physically need to be fixed about a bunch of buildings, and even when it comes to things as students getting money back, this goes back to scholarships, financial aid, all kinds of programs that students use and take advantage of.” Across the state, students experienced reductions in higher education funding. According to the Louisiana Board of Regents, from the 2008-09 year to 2016, tuition and fees at four-year institutions increased by $3,646 while state funding decreased by 44 percent. Devaughn Hendrix, a sophomore computer science major, described Louisiana’s financial state as “taxing on students.” The Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce showed in its “Recovery” state report that 56 percent of jobs in Louisiana by

partner to Southeastern on future and current sustainability initiatives,” said Parker. “Other initiatives Dining Services is working to launch reduce waste before it happens and to help include a food donation program and weigh the conserve the health of the world’s oceans.” waste activity.” Parker shared other sustainability initiatives Parker discussed the importance of such in progress. initiatives. “Dining Services will continue to be a “We only have one Earth, and we all have PAPER STRAWS

FEE INCREASES President Dr. John L. Crain discussed the decision leading to the fee increase. “Our student leaders approached the administration last year about a fee for this purpose,” said Crain. “The discussion initially was about the interest of student leaders to pursue a student self-assessed fee through a referendum. Eventually, it was decided to ask the University of Louisiana System Board to approve the fee under its authority instead. That is what we did, and the board approved the fee.” The fee increase will fund student engagement and success to increase opportunities for CHELSEY BLANK During her reign as Miss Southeastern, Blank wants to host a “queens booth at the next Special Olympics held on Southeastern’s campus.” According to Larose, Blank will get a chance to work with sponsors from across the Hammond area including an outfit of her choice from Antonio Melani at Dillard’s, free hair services for her year of reign from the Shea Tyler Salon and a $500 allowance at Bra la Vie. A personal trainer will be provided by the Pennington Student Activity Center. Larose shared her thoughts on Blank accepting the crown. “It was really important for me that the title would be

student leadership development, student organizations, academic advising and tutoring among other student support services. “We know that students who take advantage of these activities and services realize increased retention and progression toward earning their degrees,” said Crain. “There are currently no funds available in the existing budget to expand these offerings. A student fee was the only option to expand these services and activities that students are requesting.” While the university is eliminating an existing student success fee flat rate, the new fee is a $5.30 per credit hour net average increase. Some financial aid options like the Taylor Opportunity Program passed down to someone who loves the university as much as I do,” said Larose. “I am so glad to have Chelsey as my successor. She is such a genuine and kind person. I can’t wait to support her through her year and watch her wow everyone at the Miss Louisiana Pageant.” Blank thanked Larose and Homecoming Queen 2017 Tyron’E Hawkins for helping her feel confident in herself. “Alyssa and Tyron’E are just fabulous,” said Blank. “They know how to make you feel as confident as can be.” During her reign as Miss Southeastern 2019, Blank will be participating in various events on campus, preparing for the Miss Louisiana Pageant, and working to promote her Down Syndrome Awareness platform.

for Students free college tuition program do not cover fees. According to Crain, however, the mandatory attendance fee will be covered by the Southeastern Promise. “We are very sensitive to affordability issues for our students, so we were very judicious in our request for this fee increase,” said Crain. “Students at most of the institutions in the University of Louisiana System will see some type of fee increase this spring, but the fee increase here at Southeastern is the smallest

2020 will require a postsecondary education. Though Shallin described the university as her “home away from home for the past five years,” financial situations made her college process more difficult. “I would gladly repeat my education process here, but each year, there has been an increase, and there has been noticeable things such as financial aid getting taken away,” said Shallin. One such financial challenge for Shallin was losing a scholarship. “They took it away because they said they can’t afford to do it for us anymore, so it’s kind of complicated, and it’s sad,” said Shallin. “It’s sad that students are having to pay more and more for this education that we need and that we want, and it’s not really taking us anywhere. We’re not getting the benefit out of it.” If the governor approves the budget request, Shallin wants the money to fund school repairs and parking. a responsibility to protect it,” explained Parker. “The university, along with its business partners, will continue to find ways to make our campus and our environment more ecofriendly. We want to be a partner with the students on these deliverables and increase two-way communication with them in this process. We will work to increase awareness of increase that was approved.” Abigail Shallin, a senior general studies major, believes that the results of increased prices over the years are not visible. “There’s so many potholes, and I’ve seen blowouts,” said Shallin. “I’ve seen people just hit the potholes then get stuck in them. There’s a lot of things, such as in Pottle, where things are falling apart, and yet they’re increasing prices, and I don’t even see where it’s going. It’s been like that since I’ve been here in the beginning.”

What’s your favorite KSLU program?

“There’s a lot of things that need to be fixed such as potholes, more parking,” said Shallin. “There’s a lot of times where they shut down parking and just don’t tell students ahead of time, and so if you’re going to shut this down, you need to create more parking. I’m hoping, just as I know a lot of students are, that over where ZT used to be, that they’re going to be building a second parking garage. I know that’s been a thought of a lot of students that they like.” Hendrix shared how he would like the money to be used. Hendrix said, “Specifically, I would like it to open up new majors because I’ve heard lately that they’re trying to get a theatre degree opened up for school because they have a minor for it, but they never have a major. I would like them to use it to open up more possibilities for the students.”

our sustainability programs with the university Sustainability Office.” Other initiatives include making sure oil is recycled by a local vendor, managing food waste more efficiently, and reducing plastic bottle purchases on campus. To learn more about green initiatives at the university, contact the Sustainability Office at

Devaughn Hendrix, a sophomore computer science major, shared his thoughts on the fee increase. “I’m alright with the fee as long as it actually has a helpful aspect behind it,” said Hendrix. “If it’s just meaningless, then no.” According to the Common Data Set 2018 Annual Expense report by the Office of Institutional Research, the required fees for an undergraduate student amount to $2,388 prior to the spring fee increase.

Though the fee increase is not intended to offset specific cuts in the past, it may help fund resources lost due to higher education funding cuts. “I am sure there are some student engagement activities that lost resources during multiple years of state budget cuts, and this fee will allow us to support those types of initiatives,” said Crain.

SPORTS | The Lion’s Roar

DECEMBER 4, 2018 | PAGE 7

Wrapping up the fall sports for 2018 GERARD BORNE

The football team wrapped STAFF REPORTER up its season, finishing ninth in the Southland Conference with Football, cross country, a 4-7 record. soccer and volleyball concluded Football Head Coach Frank their seasons this semester. Scelfo discussed his team’s

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