15th Street News 50th-Anniversary Issue

15th Street News

Volume XLIX

50th Anniversary Edition

Issue 1

Rose State celebrates 50 years

Rose State College opens its doors as Oscar Rose Junior College in September 1970, with its first classes being held in a mobile home. (File Photo)

by SERENA WOODARD | Reporter Rose State College’s 50th anniversary has been the main topic around campus. But how exactly did RSC become the way it is today?

THE BEGINNING OF A LEGACY In 1967, legislation officially passed to begin work on Midwest City Junior College. However, the college was renamed one year prior to opening in honor of a man’s near half century dedication to education.

Oscar Rose served in the Army for two years but is more famously known as being the first Midwest City-Del City Schools Superintendent.

Rose started working for the Midwest City school district when it was established in 1943 and never stopped. Throughout his career, Rose lobbied for financial aid from the government, influenced members of Congress and never lost the hope he had for

future generations.

While traveling to Washington, D.C., on a mission to gain funds for education in 1969, Rose died.

Even though Rose died one year before the college opened, his legacy was just beginning. With more than 2,000 local students eager to learn, Oscar Rose Junior College opened its doors in September 1970.

The first years on campus were fueled by optimism and excitement.

The 15th Street News was established along with student officers and the American Indian Club.

Baseball became the first sport offered to students at Oscar Rose Junior College in 1970, followed by basketball and cheerleading.

The cheerleading squad went on to qualify for national competition many times, bringing home the title in 1988.

In 1981, a name change for ORJC was being considered, but it was not until November 1983 the name officially became Rose State College under Oklahoma Senate Bill 9.

THE LEGACY OF TOMORROW Throughout the decades, Rose State College grew and developed into much more than a community college. The once four-building campus now houses more than 22 buildings, including a performing arts center, The Village, Learning Resources Center and the new Student Union.

Student enrollment now nears 10,000 every semester spread across more than 60 academic programs.

Rose State offers four competitive sports teams as well as swimming, basketball and tennis clubs.

With over 40 charted clubs and organizations, including Women of Purpose, Hispanic Students Association and Psi Beta Psychology Club, students are given the opportunity to join a network of peers with similar interests, backgrounds or ambitions.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic caused several alterations to RSC’s celebrations, many events

were able to continue with safety precautions.

Donors, students and faculty gathered together to witness Rose State President Dr. Jeanie Webb announce the opening of the anticipated Student Union Sept. 29, marking a milestone in the 50th anniversary and Webb’s plan for the future.

“Recently, we received a million dollar EDA grant to expand and renovate a state of the art Cyber Center,” Webb said.

This year Psi Beta started what they hope will be an annual event.

“We started the Symposium for Wellness because we wanted to spread awareness and get advice out there for everyone,” Psi Beta officer Carlos Bergman said.

The Wellness Symposium included detailed workshops on mental health topics including anxiety management, information on treating eating disorders and suicide prevention.

They also hosted an undergraduate research competition for college students.

Oscar Rose is still influencing Raiders to this day and several think he should be recognized for his achievements.

“People need to know why our college, gear and shirts have Rose on them … Oscar Rose acted as an advocate for education,” Cayce Cargill, Student Senator and DMA Division Merit said.

Cargill is currently working on adding a plaque of Oscar Rose to the Student Union, if approved by Webb.

The legacy once paved by Rose himself is continually making an impression on Rose State College.

As Rose State progresses, the devotion and dedication of the faculty, staff and students are nothing less than Rose’s own aspirations.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Battle over Pride

Summer Checklist

A Rose State Love Story

Page10

Pages 23-24

Page 28

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The 15th Street News

Spring 2021 commencement ceremony provides the Class of 2020 the opportunity to walk across the stage and receive diplomas after the pandemic outbreak in 2020. (Photo courtesy of Rose State College)

Spring commencement ceremony held outdoors

by SERENA WOODARD | Reporter Rose State College students will have an in-person commencement ceremony in May amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each spring semester, Rose State College has a lively campus. Students shuffle their way to their final classes and complete their last tasks before graduating in May. However, last year, the news of COVID-19 postponed several events worldwide. The pandemic stopped numerous events from happening on campus, including classes and the much-anticipated commencement ceremony.

Despite looking for other avenues, and with safety at the top of their priority list, Rose State College decided to hold a virtual commencement ceremony for the graduates of 2020.

Savanna Semmler, a 2020 Rose State College graduate and former student senate president, said last year’s virtual ceremony was nowhere near what she ever envisioned.

“Although the faculty and staff at Rose State did their best to make it feel as normal as possible, it just wasn't,” Semmler said.

Semmler, who was also a

member of Phi Theta Kappa and able to experience those same the President’s Leadership Class emotions.” while at Rose State, recalled preNow, the 2020 graduates will have the opportunity to walk vious commencement ceremoin their own commencement nies and how amazing she felt ceremony. just to be in the audience and watch her “We will own friends be inviting graduate. last year’s We have a lot of students “It was graduates [to in all of the who didn’t finish high school participate incentive the ceremony] that I needand got their GED, and this is from fall 2019 ed to power to potential their first time walking across summer 2021 through my second year the stage … it is a monumental graduates, at Rose State so a total of moment. six graduatto make it to ing groups,” my very own commenceGraduation ment ceremoCoordinator — JULIE ATKINSON ny,” Semmler Julie AtkinRose State Graduation Coordinator said. son said.

As Student Rose State’s Senate PresCommenceident, Semmler was supposed ment will be May 7. The day will be divided into three separate to give a speech in front of her peers on commencement day. ceremonies because of space Instead, she put on her graduand also to allow for social disation regalia and pre-recorded tancing.

Engineering and Health Sciher final words at Rose State ences will start the day’s events looking into the lens of a video at 10 a.m. Humanities and camera.

Business and Information Tech“I teared up a little bit,” nology will follow at 1:30 p.m.

Semmler said. “I just wished The day will close with Social that my classmates had been

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Sciences and eLearning and Academic Outreach at 4 p.m.

In recent years, commencement ceremonies were held at the First Southern Baptist Church in Del City before being moved back into Rose State’s own Hudiburg Chevrolet Center auditorium. This year, the college will hold all ceremonies outside.

“Our plan is to do the commencement ceremonies outside on the east side of the Student Union,” Atkinson said.

The ceremony will also be available via livestream for friends and family who cannot make it to the celebration.

Prior to the ceremonies, students were able to attend Raider Grad Fairs where they were able to order rings, announcements and regalia.

“We have a lot of students who didn’t finish high school and got their GED, and this is their first time walking across the stage … it is a monumental moment,” Atkinson said.

The Graduation Office is located in the Student Services Building and be reached at gradservice@rose.edu or 733-7332. All students should have a graduation check before graduating.

The 15th Street News

RAIDER NEWS | 3

Campus Living Creating Memories For Life

by Kendall Walton | Reporter

Rose State’s on-campus housing, The Village, provides students with activities, proximity and lifelong memories with a cushion into adulthood.

The Village is a gated community with four floor plan options, free Wi-Fi and cable, firepits, tabletops tennis, unlimited laundry, live-on staff, plus many more amenities.

“There is always something for the residents to do,” said Kim Queri, the director of residence life. “We had lots of volleyball parties this summer, and we just finished a DIY and pizza night.”

The events held at The Village are open to all students, including non-residential students and faculty.

Rose State did not provide the full college experience until the 2012-2013 Student Senate presented the legislation to the administration and broke ground in 2014 for The Village.

Located on the northwest side of campus, The Village offers students apartment-style living with fully-furnished options.

“We have lots of options from your private bedroom and bathroom to sharing with another student,” Queri said. “Some apartments have cable and some units are fully-furnished. It is a great way to try living out on your own for the first time after high school.”

Living on campus teaches residents who may have never lived out on their own before a lesson in being a responsible roommate and community member.

Hannah Robison and Molly Fry, 2020 Harrah High School graduates, chose Rose State College to be close to home while experiencing full college immersion.

“I was nervous moving in with girls I have never met before,” Robison said.

“However, my new roommates have become some of my closest friends. Working and living on campus is great. I have everything I need right here.”

The residents have started prank wars between the neighboring units and play basketball in the hall with a foam ball and door goal. They also get together for watch parties and study groups.

Students from around the globe attend Rose State College and also choose to live on campus.

“The Village is very diverse and completely different from my hometown,” Fry said. “I love how it has opened my world. I’ve met other students from Scotland, England, South Africa and Puerto Rico.”

The Village staff has helped keep students safe during the pandemic. They sanitize the units once a week and give updates to the residents. Students with COVID-19 symptoms go home to quarantine.

Students can pay for the on-campus living with financial aid, including scholarships, Pell Grants and loans or out-of-pocket if preferred.

The Village clubhouse provides a hangout spot or study retreat, with tabletop tennis and an outdoor volleyball sandpit. Rent also covers the laundry in the clubhouse—one cent per wash and dry.

Pam Stramski, alumni and Rose State recruiter, was a part of the Student Senate that helped make The Village a reality.

Stramski loves watching something she helped create blossom.

“I have loved watching our student housing change the demographic and feel of our campus,” Stramski wrote via email. “I truly hope it continues to flourish and students continue to want to live there. The staff does such an amazing job at making The Village feel like a home away from home.”

For more information about housing, search Residence Life at rose.edu.

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The 15th Street News

Why Rose?

by LAURA HUSKEY | Assistant Editor

One of the most attractive places for people wanting to continue their education is Rose State. Rose is an easy place to begin your education and get you on the path to success.

With more affordable prices, an accessible location and helpful faculty and staff, it’s no surprise that Rose State has become a top choice for both in-state and out-ofstate students.

“I first chose Rose over universities due to the lower costs, however, I stayed at Rose for the wonderful, encouraging and kind community,” said Olivia Wolfley, an alumna of Rose State. “Rose State really created such a great environment for me to learn and be able to experiment in my interests.”

The community is a large part of what many students love about Rose State. Connecting with other students on a more personal level is an important part of what makes the campus what it is.

With smaller class sizes, it’s more common for students to interact with each other and form connections.

“So many people at Rose went out of their way to help me time

and time again. They would have long conversations with me listening to my questions, explaining things over and over and just encouraging me,” Wolfley said.

The option of being able to experiment with different fields for a lower price also opens up doors for people with multiple interests.

It makes for less stress as it allows people to change their minds.

It’s important to Rose to set students up for success. By doing this, it builds a long-lasting reputation for the goal of making sure students are learning what they want to.

Rose is also a popular choice among active-duty military and veterans because of its proximity to Tinker Air Force Base and its commitment to helping military service members achieve an education.

“I am a veteran, so I wanted to use my Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits,” said alumna Jasmine Barth. “There was an office at Rose specifically for students who were part of the military and they were quick to process the forms that we needed.”

As well as this, Rose State attracts more students by having a

streamlined enrollment process.

This allows for students to be less scared about the unknowns of enrollment and gives them more control over their schedules.

“I preferred to schedule my own courses for the few prerequisites that I needed before applying to the hygiene program, and it was easy to do online,” Barth said.

Rose State does not skip out on fun events either. There is almost always something happening on campus.

“I rode a camel at lunch one day, for free,” Barth said. “I also had several free lunches that were just being passed out to students.”

There is no shortage of help or entertainment. Rose is the perfect starting point for anyone’s career.

The past experiences at Rose are a huge part of what makes students continue to enroll and have a passion for learning.

Everyone has a different ambition. Rose State is here to help you achieve yours.

To set up an appointment with an academic adviser, email enroll@ rose.edu.

The 15th Street News

RAIDER NEWS | 5

college-bound

SENIORS

by LUKE YOST | Reporter

As the 2020-2021 school year is coming to an end, many graduating high school seniors are trying to decide what is next.

Some will go straight into the workforce, while others will seek higher education.

For many, their circumstances, including the recent pandemic, put them in a situation where their goal to continue their education was difficult to attain.

Due to the academic requirements and inflated costs, this dream is out of reach for many. However, there are alternatives.

Rose State offers many opportunities for college-bound students looking for equal opportunity higher education. This ranges from the college being more accessible financially to academically.

Tyler Hays, Rose has been great for me a current student at Rose both financially and academiState, shared his admiracally. The price to attend is low tion for what Rose has givand the education you receive is en him.

“Rose has really good. All the professors been great for me both fiI’ve had are very nice and want nancially and academicalstudents to succeed. ly,” he said.

“The price to attend is low — TYLER HAYS and the edRose State Student ucation you receive is really good. All the professors I’ve had are very nice and want students to succeed.”

In the Oklahoma City metro area, when adding up in-state tuition and fees for 30 credit hours, Rose State is one of the most affordable colleges for those who might not be able to get into the bigger and more well known colleges like the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University or the University of Central Oklahoma, which all cost around $8,000-$10,000 per year.

Rose State on the other hand, has a cost of less than $4,000 per year, which puts them

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as one of the most inexpensive schools in the metro area. It also proves to be a huge difference when comparing the cost of Rose State to the bigger schools, which cuts the price more than half.

Rose State also offers Ticket to Rose, which is a scholarship offered to surrounding high school students and provides students with a free education.

For some, higher education is hard to obtain, but at Rose State, it can be made possible with affordable cost. By choosing to attend Rose State before transferring to a to complete your bachelor’s degree, you can save around $10,000.

College degrees are starting to become more important in society and more workplaces are starting to require them. According to Oklahomaworks.gov, between 2018 and 2028, 69% of jobs will require some sort of post-secondary education.

Some former high school students who might have struggled to maintain good grades do not have to worry about not being accepted into a college. As Rose State offers leniency for those who have struggled throughout their high school career.

Rose is known for being a public, two-year college and having what is called an “open door” admissions policy. This means it does not matter what grades a student had in high school as long as they graduated from high school or earned a GED. Kris Chavis, a former faculty member at Rose State, recalled one thing that makes Rose unique compared to other colleges.

“It’s rare that a school offers opportunity for scholarships without having to have a high ACT score, and with most of the PLC scholarships at Rose State College, as long as a learner took the ACT within a certain time period after graduating high school, it doesn’t matter what their ACT score is,” said Chavis.

If someone gets suspended or fails out of college and looks to transfer, Rose State still accepts them and offers enrollment.

Rose State also offers academic forgiveness. This means Rose gives students who failed in previous classes another shot at repeating individual courses or even complete semesters.

For more information on the programs offered at Rose State, visit rose.edu or schedule to meet with an academic adviser.

Top 5 Colleges in the U.S.

by TRYSTAN PIPKIN | Reporter

As graduation approaches, high schoolers and college transfers alike look to find the best next step. According to the 2021 Best National University Rankings, here are the Top 10 universities in the U.S. Princeton University Princeton is ranked No. 1 in the nation. It has a 98% graduation rate and a 6% acceptance rate.

The average unweighted GPA at Princeton is 3.9, with 62% of freshmen were rewarded scholarships.

Harvard University Harvard follows up at No. 2, right behind Princeton. Their unweighted GPA is also a 3.9 and graduation rate is at 97%, with the acceptance rate at 5%.

Columbia University Columbia is ranked third in the nation. The graduation rate is 95% and the acceptance rate is 5%. The average unweighted GPA at Columbia is a 4.0.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) MIT is known to be one of the best science and engineering schools.

At No. 4 in the nation, MIT has a 93% graduation rate and a 7% acceptance rate. The average unweighted GPA at MIT is a 4.0.

Yale University Yale tied with MIT at No. 4. Yale has a 94% graduation rate and a 6% acceptance rate. Its average unweighted GPA is also a 4.0.

Those are the four (really, five) universities in the United States.

However, the most important thing to remember when looking for a school is the program and the goals the student hopes to achieve. Many state schools offer quality education, small class sizes and experience in the field and are more affordable.

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The 15th Street News

All Oklahomans eligible for COVID-19 vaccine

by VANESSA QUINTANA | Reporter

The Coronavirus took the world by storm on Jan. 30, 2020. A year later, scientists Ugur Sahin and Ozlem Tureci have developed the groundbreaking vaccination named Pfizer-BioNTech.

The vaccine became available on Dec. 11, 2020. The company is set to receive FDA approval for distribution of its vaccine to children ages 12-15 sometime next week, according to government officials cited by CNN. With the rollout of more vaccines like Moderna and Johnson & Johnson being administered across Oklahoma so far, the total doses given are around 2.2 million, and fully vaccinated individuals are around 753,000, according to the Our World in Data Tracker. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently show at least 38% of Oklahomans have received the first dose and around 30% are fully vaccinated.

As of late-March, every Oklahoman age 16 or older was eligible for the vaccine.

The vaccination teaches the cells how to make antibodies against the disease, so when someone encounters the virus, the immune system knows what to do and how to fight off the virus cells. The vaccine gives the body immunity, so people do not get sick and more lives can be saved. The vaccine is a newly developed type called mRNA, which unlike other vaccines does not actually contain the virus.

“I got the COVID-19 vaccination because I believe it is a massive step toward getting back to normal life,” said Sidney Leach, a medical assistant at St. Anthony Hospital.

“I want to protect myself and those around me from the virus.”

Wearing masks and social distancing can protect the wearer those around them from the virus, but the vaccine works within. It helps the immune system so it can fight the virus from inside the body.

“The combination of getting vaccinated and following CDC recommendations will offer the best protection from COVID-19,” accord-

Gov. Kevin Stitt receives the Johnson & Johnson shot March 29 during the final phase of the vaccine rollout in Oklahoma.

(Photo courtesy of governor.ok.gov)

ing to the CDC. Danielle Holdsworth, a local hospital pharmacist, said, “Since the vaccine has been given, we have seen a significant decrease in the amount of COVID-19 positive patients and COVID-19-related deaths. At the beginning of December, we were in Tier 3, the worst of the tiers, and we are currently remaining stable at Tier 1, the least severe.”

According to an NBC News article, and the updated April 3, 2021, more than 500,000 people have died in the U.S. from the virus.

“Vaccines developed by Pfizer and BioNTech are reported to be 95% effective after two doses and 52% effective after the first dose, according to the UChicagoMedicine article written by Stephen Weber on Jan. 12, 2021.

People are ready to get back to normal.

“I want good health for my family and me,” said Kaitlyn Maxwell. “I am very ready to get

back to normal life and getting vaccinated is a big part of that.”

With the challenge of not being able to see loved ones, everyone has had to adapt social gatherings to phone calls, Facetime or being separated by a window. The risk of getting family or friends sick is a weight everyone holds.

No one wants to be responsible for possibly spreading the virus to a loved one. Once fully vaccinated social gatherings become a little less scary.

Some are hesitant to receive the vaccine.

Doing independent research and speaking to a health care provider for additional information can be the first steps taken to fight the pandemic.

For additional information regarding the COVID-19 vaccination, visit cdc.gov, vaccinate.oklahoma.gov or contact a local pharmacy or physician.

The 15th Street News

RAIDER NEWS | 7

y h W

FACE

MASKS

still Matter

by PRIA FAYNE | Reporter

During this pandemic, a mask is necessary.

The world is going through a tough time as the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a great amount of loss and discomfort to thousands of families.

While nothing can compare to the loss of life, many Americans have experienced other losses — unemployment, foreclosures, food insecurity, online education all among them.

Many students had graduations, proms and other milestone events canceled.

“I didn’t graduate around the time of COVID, but I have friends and family who did and I know it affected them greatly. It’s really sad how everything turned out,” said Rose State student Taylor Forbes.

Many people are experience COVID-19 fatigue and are ready to move past the “new normal.”

“This pandemic has really been hard on a lot of people,” said Ondray Menifee, Rose State alum. “I wish it would go away already but I’m aware it’s not going away anytime soon.”

One of the most striking lifestyle changes resulting from this COVID-19 pandemic is the mandatory use of the masks in grocery stores, restaurants and other public places.

Wearing a mask, especially when in close proximity to others, is imperative to slowing the spread of COVID-19. Many people who have COVID-19 are asymptomatic, but even if they don’t show symptoms the virus can still spread through droplets that can escape through your mouth when speaking, sneezing and coughing.

Most people say wearing a mask can lower COVID-19 cases, especially with being in school and interacting with others. Of course, many also believe that wearing a mask doesn’t help at all.

According to infectious disease expert and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center

for Health Security, Amesh A. Adalja, MD, “face masks can help protect against many respiratory infections that are spread through the droplet route, and that includes coronavirus and the flu.”

It is so easy to spread an infectious disease just by talking, coughing or even breathing. That’s why masks are important during this time.

“I believe masks play a significant role in the help of not spreading COVID, but then I don’t feel like it helps because we take it off at some point,” Menifee said. “Especially with children, I have a little brother and he barely keeps his mask on. It’s just an unrealistic rule sometimes.

Many people are not comfortable with wearing masks.

“COVID just doesn’t scare me. I know that kind of weird but I’m not really scared of it,” Forbes said. “Of course, I follow the rules and wear my mask but I don’t really feel like wearing a mask does anything. We all at some point take it off.”

While the efficacy of a mask is dependent on the quality and type of mask in which the individual is wearing, studies have

shown wearing masks prevents the spread of COVID-19.

Adalja reported, “viruses such as the coronavirus can spread from an infected person to others through the air by coughing and sneezing or by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes prior to hand washing.”

When a face mask is worn, one can prevent those droplets from coming into contact with one’s face or mouth before dropping to the ground.

Based on information from doctors and scientists, yes, it’s important to wear a mask around this time of year because no one wants to get sick. And no one wants to spread that virus to others, so it would be just better to wear a mask so we can all be safe.

8 | RAIDER NEWS

The 15th Street News

DACA STUDENTS

Working toward their goals no matter the cost

by KENDALL WALTON | Reporter With the new year came the new presidential administration, which quickly started preserving and fortifying several policies, including the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, also known as DACA. On June 15, 2012, President Barack Obama created the policy, which calls for deferred action for certain undocumented young people who came to the United States as children.

Being granted into the program allows immigrant youths temporary protection from deportation and permission to legally work.

According to the Anti-Defamation League's website, the program recipients are young people who have lived in America their whole life and identify as American.

Most recipients speak only English and have no memory or connection with the country in which they were born.

Generally, they have built lifelong friendships and have prepared for careers or have started one.

To be deported is challenging for children who may have never visited nor lived in their birth country.

The program has many stipulations for an applicant to be accepted. They must be under the age of 16, entered the states without inspection, resided in the U.S. since June 15, 2007 and proof of residency are just a few of the many requirements.

At a recurring cost of $495 plus potential attorney fees and a renewal application needed every two years, DACA can be out of reach for some immigrants.

The Trump administration tried several times to end the program and even reduce its duration for granted applicants from two years to one but was unsuccessful.

The program does not lead to citizenship and beneficiaries feel as though they can only plan their lives two years at a time.

Some youths do not discover their immigration status until they apply for a job, college or driver's license.

Michelle Rojano, a former editor-in-chief of the 15th Street News and The 6420, is a DACA recipient.

Rojano said she knew her immigration status but did not realize the effects until she was 16 years old.

"I wanted to buy my prom dress as my parents didn't need that

burden," Rojano said. "And that is when I found out my immigration status while wanting to apply for jobs."

Many DACA students pay for higher education out-of-pocket because they don't qualify for the full financial aid help, mainly scholarships alone.

"There is limited financial aid opportunity for immigrants, but it's an extremely competitive market," Rojano said. "Not only do they have to pay tuition but also the out-of-state tuition fees as well."

Rojano was born in Mexico close to the Texas border and her sister was born in America.

Because of limited financial aid opportunities, Rojano could only afford a community college like Rose State.

At the same time, her sister received financial aid opportunities and went on to a four-year college.

These students work full-time jobs and school schedules, juggling home life and maintaining their health and inspiring to create change.

Maria Algarate, a Rose State sophomore, treasurer for the Hispanic Student Association and DACA recipient, majors in criminal justice to help shift the future.

"A goal of mine is to hopefully go to law school one day, in hopes of being able to represent the Hispanic community," Algarate said.

"I want to offer bilingual services since there is often a language barrier."

Because of the program, Algarate thinks she can pursue her dreams without fear of deportation and an opportunity she couldn't receive in Mexico.

DACA may have multiple stipulations and huge fees, but it comes with peace of mind and a chance to create a better life for themselves and future generations.

For more information about DACA, visit https://undocu.berkeley. edu/legal-support-overview/what-is-daca/ For more information about RSC Hispanic Student Association, visit rose.edu, click on “Student Activities” at the top, then “Clubs and Organizations,” followed by Hispanic Student Association in the left column.

File Photo

The 15th Street News

RAIDER NEWS | 9

OKC comes together for Asian American Community

by KENDALL WALTON | Reporter

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, several reports have shown an increase in Asian American hate crimes, especially women.

The hate crimes became inflamed when former President Donald Trump repeatedly referred to COVID-19 as the "China Virus."

According to NPR.com, "Stop AAPI Hate, a coalition aimed at addressing anti-Asian discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic, received more than 2,800 firsthand reports of anti-Asian hate. Many reports including physical and verbal assaults; between March 19 and Dec. 31, 2020."

In February 2021, a Chinese man was walking in Manhattan when a man charged him and stabbed him in the back with a knife.

That same month, 27-year-old U.S. Air Force veteran Denny Kim was reportedly attacked by two men in L.A.'s Koreatown district. The attack left Kim with black eye and nose injuries.

Eight Asian Americans were murdered in Atlanta on Tuesday, March 16 in three separate massage parlors throughout the city.

The alleged gunman, Robert Aaron Lee of Woodstock, Georgia, was taken into custody by police the next day. Lee admitted to the killings and blamed his "sexual addiction" as the motive.

With anti-Asian discrimination on the rise, many citizens are concerned for their safety and their livelihoods.

The Asian District Cultural Association, the YWCA of Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations held a candlelight vigil Wednesday, March 24, at the Wesley United Methodist Church.

The vigil honored the victims and brought awareness to the community.

Veronica Laizure, the civil rights director for the Oklahoma chapter of The Council on American-Islamic Relations, said, "It is never easy to realize people like you are under attack. That is, unfortunately, a fear and discomfort that many people of color have felt for a long time."

In 1885, The Rock Springs Massacre, saw 28 Chinese miners slaughtered and 78 homes burned.

The Chinese Massacre of 1871, one of the largest mass lynchings in American history, took place, murdering 17 Chinese men and boys.

White workers beat Filipino field workers and left them to die in the Watsonville Riots of 1930.

These are just a few examples, not including systemic racism in the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 or the Japanese internment camps.

"We wanted the Asian American community to see that they had allies willing to come and stand with them," Laizure said. "We can show the OKC communities there is no room for bigotry or intolerance when we come together as friends and family."

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Several vigils and anti-racism protests have sparked across the country because of recent events.

President Joe Biden spoke out against anti-Asian hate in Atlanta on Friday, March 19.

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt spoke out against the violence at the OKC vigil ceremony.

"It is always the role of the city's leader to speak for its citizens,” Holt said. “I believe my 650,000 residents would like me to tell the Asian American community of OKC that they are loved and welcomed."

Holt hopes for a future without acts of hate, not only for the Asian American community but all communities. Holt also wants people to pay attention and not let incidents pass by them without standing up for one another.

Victoria Nep, a Rose State College Trio adviser, fled from communist Cambodia, where she feared for her life and safety.

"We are not trying to be like other people," Nep said. "We want to live our lives and work hard to achieve the American dream like everybody else."

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We can show the OKC communities there is no room for bigotry or intolerance when we come together as friends and family.

— VERONICA LAIZURE The Council on American-Islamic Relations civil rights director, Oklahoma Chapter

10 | RAIDER NEWS

The 15th Street News

The connection between mental health & exercise

by VANESSA QUINTANA | Reporter

If you have ever gone on a run, took a walk through nature, or went swimming, chances are you have felt better afterward. You might have felt accomplished, full of happiness, and overall, in a better mood. So, why is that? What is the connection between mental health and exercise?

Let’s dive into the brain-changing benefits exercise plays on the brain.

Right behind the forehead is a section in your brain called the pre-frontal cortex. Inside of the cortex is another section called the temporal lobe, and deep down in the temporal lobe is called the hippocampus. According to Harvard.edu, as one gets older, the hippocampus shrinks, which causes Alzheimer’s and memory loss. As you work out, the hippocampus produces new brain cells, which improves long-term memory.

Katelyn Maxwell, a bungee instructor at Sling Bungee, said, “I started working out because I was at a job where I was sitting a lot, and I gained quite a bit of weight in a short amount of time. I had gotten together with a friend who also had fitness goals, and we started going to the gym together.”

Working out increases neurotransmitters, which are chemicals made by the nerve cells to transmit messages between each nerve to the brain.

Dopamine and serotonin are both mood-stabilizing hormones. Working out increases their levels. These two hormones promote feelings of well-being. They make you feel happy, relaxed and overall recharged.

“I reached a really low point in my life, where I was de-

pressed, and I felt like I didn’t matter,” Javan Hayes, a soldier in the U.S. Army, said. “I was constantly upset. I was overweight and did not have much motivation for anything, and I was injured and lost my Military Occupational Specialty.

When I was reclassified to communications and IT, I decided that I was going to make some changes about myself. Once I found the gym, things started to get better. After a workout, I get this sense of full-body euphoria. I feel relieved, happy, and like my most real self.”

Regular exercise can reduce symptoms of moderate depression. Some people may wonder, why doctors do not just prescribe exercise instead of pills.

According to an article found in Slate written by Scott Douglas, “The U.S. healthcare system famously incentivizes procedure and pills over a holistic approach.”

However, most people feel better after a workout.

“Mentally, I feel more relaxed as working out is a stress reliever for me,” said Haylee Moore, a personal trainer at Crunch Fitness. “Physically, I feel better depending on the specific workout. I like upper body days, so I feel more motivated to work out and the muscles I am more focused on growing and feel like I have made more progress after those specific workouts.”

As the old saying goes, “mind over matter.” The motivation to keep going is a skill set that most people seem to struggle with, leading to depression, obesity and an ever-growing list of mental health issues.

The 15th Street News

RAIDER NEWS | 11

BATTLE FOR OKC PRIDE

by KENDALL WALTON | Reporter

Every year in late June, thousands of people covered in glitter gather together in OKC’s 39th Street District, waving rainbow flags and celebrating their LGBT pride.

However, this year, Oklahoma City is having two pride festivals. The Pride Alliance Pride Festival in Scissortail Park in June and OKC Pride Inc.’s festival in the 39th Street District in October.

These events did not come easy as John Gibbons with the OKC Pride Inc. filed a lawsuit against The Pride Alliance for copyright infringement.

Also, the lawsuit requested “a declaratory judgment that the attempted dissolution of OKC Pride on Sept.

20, 2019, was defective and done in contravention of OKC Pride’s bylaws; breach of fiduciary duty; and aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty.”

This lawsuit developed after The Pride Alliance held the 2019 Pride Festival to much success and wanted to move the parade from the historic 39th Street District to Scissortail Path Park after an embezzling situation by the former OKC Pride director.

Three OKC Pride Inc. members agreed to end OKC Pride Inc. and shift to The Pride Alliance in late 2019.

Gibbons, an owner of The Boom club and other 39th Street District business owners, are concerned it takes away from the history and financial gain.

Oklahoma District Judge Aletia Timmins ruled in OKC Pride Inc.’s favor, causing The Pride Alliance to remove “OKC Pride” from its brand phrase, logo and internet domain OKCPride.org or OklahomaCityPride. org.

The organization must also reinstate OKC Pride Inc. and transfer back all the equipment, money and other items.

On April 6, 2021, an interim board of directors was elected for OKC Pride Inc. under the guidance of the trustee appointed by Judge Timmons.

“I like having a pride festival on the 39th Street strip and downtown,” said Austin Storm, a drag queen performer named Crystal Beth. “It gives an opportunity to not only the bar scene but also the younger generations who aren’t of age for the bars yet.”

Austin Storm has been performing as their alter ego, Crystal Beth, for nine years. Among the four pride festivals Storm has attended, Beth has performed at two.

Pride is not only about celebrating LGBT acceptance and history but also diversity in all its forms.

LGBT Pride festivals started after Marsha P. Johnson, a Black transgender woman, blocked police from raiding The Stonewall Inn in 1969, when being gay

was illegal.

The inn is most known for an underground LGBT speakeasy, among others that spread throughout the city and country.

The next three days following Johnson’s defiant act, New York City’s LGBT citizens and allies took to the streets, protesting and demanding justice.

In 2019, the head of New York’s Police Department publically apologized for the history of violence caused by the department towards LGBT members and allies.

OKC had several LGBT speakeasies throughout the city, mainly between NW 23rd Street and NW Expressway on Classen Boulevard.

In 1983, OKC LGBT community members hosted the first block party on 39th Street. They went behind buildings with a boombox, beer and drag queens and named it Glitter Alley.

In 1988, OKC held its first pride march.

Pride allows older and younger community memWe need to be better menbers to come together, share stories and “pass the tors to our younger generations torch” to keep fighting for and more respectful to our elequal rights.

Paula Sophia, OKC ders. If we aren’t the rainbow cotrans-activist, said, “I hope alition, then we should put away the two prides bolsters our presence in OKC and that our rainbow flags. If we cannot it lets mainstream people interrogate our own biases, how can know that we are proud to walk Main Street. That we expect others to do so? we have come out of the ghetto, we constructed for — PAULA SOPHIA ourselves and regulated to OKC Trans Activist & Rose State for too long.”

Adjunct Sophia, a former OKC Police officer, was the 2017 Recipient of Hope winner for her trans-activism work and is currently writing a memoir. Knowledge and experiences she hopes to pass down to younger community members.

“We need to be better mentors to our younger generations and more respectful to our elders,” Sophia said. “If we aren’t the rainbow coalition, then we should put away our rainbow flags. If we cannot interrogate our own biases, how can we expect others to do so?”

“

”

The 15th Street News

12 | RAIDER NEWS

� n � � �r��

the best time to start g

by TRYSTAN PIPKIN | Reporter

Since the pandemic started, people have found all kinds of different hobbies to try and explore. Hobbies from all different spectrums.

Gardening has been something more people have tried to understand and work on their own, especially with it getting closer to spring.

People are at home and want something new to do. They want to fill that space of time when just sitting at home all day.

Oklahomans have lately seen some nice sunny weather as we enter spring. More people are trying to focus on creating new flowerbeds or garden areas. Even people that have gardens are still learning new things to improve their gardens.

Digging and preparing or even improving their soil. Gardeners enrich their soil with organic matter and remove any weeds or grass that get in the way.

Many in the state begin their preparation around February or early March, depending on the crop. Most seedlings require an indoor start before being transplanted to the outdoors.

Donnell Cohee has been gardening for about 50 years in Oklahoma, with experience in vegetable and flower gardening. She was asked about gardening during a pandemic.

“Gardening during a pandemic has been different,” Cohee said.

“It has been a lot busier because I have done more gardening to have more food that I can up. I’ve done it a lot and with a pandemic, it has made me save my seeds because at the beginning of the pandemic there was a shortage of supply.”

She went on to describe the work she put into the soil.

“As spring comes, I have been doing my own composting. I am adding a lot of composting that I have built up since I have been in the pandemic,” Cohee said.

The pandemic has pushed everyone to try something new. Another Oklahoma resident who has just started to learn about gardening is Alisa Skinner, a family member of Rose State student Nick Skinner.

She is trying to explore gardening since the pandemic has started.

“I have an insight into gardening considering being at home so much. The pandemic has given me something new to learn and try out. I have mostly done plant gardening. Vegetable gardening gets a little bit crazier,” Skinner said.

For those just starting out with gardening, the Oklahoma State University Extension Center offers plenty of tips, tricks and advice for new gardeners. Those interested can take their soil to be tested in order to make the most of this season.

For more information, visit extension.okstate.edu.

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The 15th Street News

RAIDER NEWS | 13

GREEN & CLEAN How the new Eco Club plans to beautify Rose State

by KENDALL WALTON | Reporter A group of Rose State students aims for an eco-friendly campus with a community garden, composting and recycling days.

Over the decades, Rose State students have tried to create a community garden with not much success until this year.

April Moreno-Ward, professor of Environmental Sciences and Geology, has created The Eco Club alongside several students.

The student organization is open to all students of various majors and faculty who desire to see our campus green and clean.

The Eco Club members are excited to start a community garden next to the University Center with many plans moving forward.

The garden will bring students together to study outside or cultivate and be used as an educational source for science classes and service volunteer hours.

"Geology could use the garden, for example, when we talk about the breakdown of soil," said Moreno-Ward. "Environmental sciences also benefits."

They hope to expand the experience to the community, as well.

"Hopefully, as we move forward, we would love to bring in the local elementary schools and allow teachers to use it as an educa-

tional tool," Moreno-Ward said.

According to Dump and Run Inc., the average college student produces 640 pounds of solid waste each year, including 500 disposable cups and 320 pounds of paper.

That's over 60 reams of paper.

Future horticulturist and second-year student Aleah Walker wants to make the campus and the community more beautiful.

"I want to bring recycling and composting services on campus so that we may reduce waste and, in turn, use the compost in the community garden," Walker said.

Composting is the breakdown of organic material such as food waste into recycled nutrients for repurposing, mostly used in the soil for garden beds.

"I want to see the college more sustainable and to implement sustainable practices into our daily lives," Walker said.

Walker is also a mutual aide organizer for a grassroots community organization called Uprooted and Rising, focusing on creating food sovereignty for Black, Indigenous and people of color.

Once the club has its charter and declaration written and their bids are accepted, the community garden starts with three rice beds. However, with the help from passion-

ate volunteers like faculty and students, the community garden hopes to expand to more flora and fauna.

Scarlett Sellars, The Eco Club Secretary, moved from California to Oklahoma and saw a contrast in how the two states differed in eco-friendly initiatives.

"It is no secret that our generation has to endure the hardships of our planet's climate crisis," Sellars wrote via email. "The complexity and intersectional issues that arise through the climate crisis can feel overwhelming and hopeless. Let's pull back from the large scope for a moment and focus on what is in front of us right now, our campus and the potential it holds to inspire and provide to our community."

To help reduce recycling fees, The Eco Club plans to select designated recycling days for the whole campus to participate.

Residence Life, Student Union, faculty and students can come together and help.

The club is currently taking donations for garden supplies and fundraising by having plant sales at local events and showing the school a quick return on investment.

Message professor April Moreno-Ward via Raider email for more information, including club meetings and service hours.

14 | RAIDER SPORTS

The 15th Street News

Rose State Athletics Adding more sports on campus

by SERENA WOODARD | Reporter Athletic opportunities continue to grow at Rose State College despite low funding.

Raiders are expected to have a cross country team and possibly a golf team in the near future. The athletic department at Rose State College is already dividing a small sports budget between two soccer teams, baseball and softball. In fall 2020, RSC implemented a volleyball program to succeed on the same budget.

Coty Cooper, executive athletic director at RSC, said while there is discussion on adding a cross country team sooner than later, it has “not been set in stone.”

Cross country is an open-air running sport where players run on natural terrain for a preset number of miles. It is one of the fastest growing sports programs in the Oklahoma City area, just like volleyball and soccer had an explosion of popularity in recent years. Cross country does not require as much financial help in establishing itself as other popular sports like football.

“Budgeting is a huge problem,” Cooper said.

For cross country, runners will only need uniforms, transportation to and from the meets and possibly food for game days. Participants would be able to use training equipment in the Wellness Center on campus. Golf is slightly more expensive but still possible in the future.

However, before Raider Athletics can add any new sports, they need to focus on growing volleyball while maintaining the opportunities offered to other athletes.

“If volleyball received more financial help they could offer scholarships to devoted players, new [gear] and equipment that could make the Rose State volleyball program more successful,” RSC volleyball player, Morgan Toney said.

While Cooper confirmed a large amount of last year’s athletic

budget was used on purchasing volleyball equipment, including essentials like a net and balls, the players still had to purchase their own practice jerseys, spandex bottoms and game socks. They also did not obtain any athletic scholarships.

“If there is a new sport added to campus it should receive equal treatment as the other sports,” Toney said.

Cooper confirmed the college has already started establishing some scholarships for volleyball players for the upcoming school year. The number of scholarships, financial amount and other details were not disclosed.

No new sports will be added at Rose State College this upcoming school year. However, the athletic department still has a plan in place. Their main goal is to renovate the volleyball facility, which is located inside the Wellness Center. They also want to win more games and just take a minute to grow their brand.

To support Raider Athletics, students, faculty and staff can attend any of the athletic events for free by showing their Rose State College ID card. A list of game days can be found in the Student Engagement Office or online and www.rose.edu.

“Show up. It creates an exciting atmosphere for our players,” Cooper said.

Since volleyball is an indoor sport, players are only allowed to bring two guests each due to COVID-19 guidelines. A livestream of the game is usually aired in the Student Union for all other fans.

The 15th Street News

RAIDER SPORTS | 15

Raider Baseball Back at bat in 2021

by ETHAN DAVIS | Reporter The Rose State College Baseball team is looking to bounce back and get back on the field after having to take some time off due COVID-19 and then the unprecedented snowstorms in the state.

Head Coach Ryon Butts’ top priority during the storms was his player’s and staff’s safety. No practice was held during the storms as campus was shut down, but players who lived on campus were still able to get some hitting in.

On top of getting some hitting in, sophomore outfielder Don Huber said the coaching staff sent them some workouts to do at home and some of the team was able to get out and play some catch when they could.

Players were not too happy to see some of their season slip away, as the whole baseball season last year was canceled due to COVID-19. Huber described the cancellations as a “lag.”

“We’re just ready to get back out there,” Huber said.

During times of adversity like this it is important for guys to step up.

Drake Irby, Hutch Underwood, Huber, Clay Sechrest and Devin Downing are all players Butts described as leaders.

“They make my job easier. It’s a blessing to have those guys a part of our program,” Butts said.

The head coach is not having his players do anything special to get them ready for this next stretch of games coming up.

“Baseball is a slow-paced game, if you try to do too much and work too fast you tend to make mistakes,” he said. “It’s business as usual. Not anything too crazy.”

After having 12 games canceled, players and coaches were anxious to get back on the field.

“The confidence is there. If we knew the outcome, we wouldn’t play the game,” Butts said. “It’s all about competing for us, we love to compete.”

Huber said the team would have to be focused heading into these next games.

“We haven’t had the opportunity to be on the field as much as we’d like heading into these games,” Huber said. “We all decided that we were going to have to be super focused.”

Butts and the baseball team would love everyone’s support as they head into the middle of the season.

“I know with the COVID people may be a little skittish to get out and watch but there’s lots of places to get out and stand around,” he said.

“Our guys have all worked very hard and we’d love your support.”

To catch an upcoming game, visit rscraiders.com for a schedule.

(Photo courtesy of 18sportspix)

16 | RAIDER SPORTS

The 15th Street News

One-on-one with Rose State Executive Athletic Director Coty Cooper

by COYT WISDOM | Reporter 2020 was a year unlike any other. It is a new year, and a new season has begun.

Like many colleges, Rose State athletics was prepping for the new season this year.

Coty Cooper, Rose State executive athletic director, said preparing for this season has been more difficult than it has been for previous seasons.

During the pandemic, social distancing and wearing masks have been a staple in helping to prevent the spread of the virus, which has not been any different regarding the preparation of this season.

“There’s a lot of new protocols and procedures put in place that keep the athletes safe, so once we got to where we could navigate those, we’re kind of getting back to normal as much as possible,” Cooper said.

Rose State athletics have been following protocols such as temperature checks and wearing masks to help flatten the curve of virus spread and to follow the protocol rules, according to Cooper.

One thing that will help make things seem normal is that people will be able to attend sporting events during this season.

Cooper said games played outside such as baseball and softball do not have many limitations for people attending.

Socially distancing and wearing masks are the only requirements to attend games this season.

Living through a pandemic is something that many people probably will not forget, and it will be an important part of history moving forward, but despite playing in a pandemic, this season should not be devalued by any means, according to Cooper.

“These guys have worked hard; they’ve put in the time and they have done a good job academically, they’re working hard to improve themselves,

File Photo

Rose State Executive Athletic Director Coty Cooper

but I don’t think this will be something that people will look back on and say ‘hey, there was something wrong with it’ or anything like that just because of the pandemic,” Cooper said. “I think the pandemic is just part of this time period, and people are dealing with it and they’re moving on, I don’t think it will change anybody’s attitude about how the season turned out.”

One of the main goals to attend a community college is to earn an associate degree and transfer to a four-year school, that is not any different for the Rose State athletic program.

Attending a school like Rose

State has a major impact on the success that student-athletes will have after attending college according to Cooper.

“I know from a personal experience that it has a huge impact,” Cooper said. “My academic success as a student when I played baseball in college was directly tied to my athletic success. I didn’t attend Rose State but I did attend a community college and then I attended a four-year school to finish my degree and I know for a fact when I coached baseball and played baseball that it has a huge difference as far as building character, leadership skills and team working

ability it keeps you focused in the classroom, because you’re held to a really high standard academically, so the impact is massive it’s immeasurable.”

Encouraging student-athletes to succeed in the classroom is very much part of the culture in the Rose State athletic program, according to Cooper.

“We push all of our athletes to graduate, to maintain good grades and to keep high academic standards; we do study hall, we do grade checks and we do a litany of things to ensure that they are getting a quality education,” Cooper said.

Preparing for this season has been out of the ordinary for student-athletes due to the pandemic.

Student-athlete and member of the Raiders’ softball team Callie Cardin expressed her thoughts about how it has been preparing for the season during the pandemic.

Cardin said she has been taking an optimistic approach to preparing for this season due to the pandemic.

“The pandemic has taken so many things away and I feel as if I should just be grateful to get the chance to play,” Cardin said.

Cardin said another approach she has taken in order to prepare for the season is just to focus and get better when she can practice with her teammates.

“It’s really hard to have everyone together at the same time to practice due to the restrictions of the pandemic so when I do get the time to work on what I need to, it’s best to take it seriously and stay focused because you never know what other time you will be together again,” Cardin said.

For more information on Raider athletics, visit rscraiders.com.

The 15th Street News

RAIDER SPORTS | 17

Raider Sports: Throwback Check out these Raider Sports articles and photos that were published in past issues of the 15th Street News.

September 2006

Triple Play: ‘New team, new field, new coach’

by MARAE LEGGS | Alumni Assignment Editor This is the sixth year that RSC has had an active women’s softball team, but it is the first year that they get to practice and play on their own turf.

The women’s softball team has just received not only a new playing field and fresh paint but also a new head softball coach.

The new field, which is located in the northeastern corner of the campus, is still an active work in progress.

Nevertheless, school officials believe that the new field should have a tremendous impact on the team; hopefully increasing their fan base dramatically.

THE NEW COACH Along with a new playing field, the women’s softball team also gained a new coach.

Head coach Dr. Debbie Lynch said she is looking forward to establishing a successful tradition both on the softball field, in the classroom and within the RSC community.

“We [myself and my staff] will do everything we can to help the girls move on,” she said. Lynch also said that the “great team” she has is largely due to successful recruiting by the assistant coach and supporting staff during the summer.

“They did an excellent job this summer of putting into place a program with great potential,” she said.

Men’s Soccer head coach wins Coach of the Year for second year

by DANNY FRITTS | Alumni Sports Writer

Photo courtesy of Bob Whitaker

Photo by Alexis Harris

Men’s Soccer Head Coach Billy Martin discusses strategy during Soccer Sophomore Day 2017 at Rose State.

Rose State Basketball in the 1980s.

will eventually hold bleachers for fans to come and cheer on their Lady Raiders.

Rose State coach receives top honor

Students participating in flag football in 2004.

A student rollerblading at Rose State in the early 2000s.

THE NEW FIELD What started in the spring as a project to build the women’s softball team a quality practice field eventually blossomed into an ongoing venture that began with the installation of a premium base for the women’s playing field.

“We did not take any short cuts,” Ivan Quate, director for operations, said. “We want to provide a college level playing field for the school.”

This continuing job was paid through the Athletics budget and also from the Student Activities fund. So far, RSC has spent more than $45,000 on this project.

As part of the continuing project, workers will be setting forms for the dugouts next week, along with adding some topsoil to even out the field, laying sod and adding fences to the sides.

After that, they will concentrate on laying the concrete pads that

November 2017

Photo provided by Kenneth Beachler

THE NEW TEAM The Lady Raiders are made up of 23 RSC students, with five sophomores and 18 incoming freshmen.

All members of the team must be enrolled as full-time

students and meet all other athletics requirements.

In years past, the girls softball team has had to practice and play games at other area fields, including some elementary school fields.

But beginning in August, the girls took to their new playing field. Rain or shine they practice from 1:30-4p.m. every Monday through Saturday.

But their demanding schedule doesn’t keep the girls from hitting the books, too.

“Our new coach has made us aware that we will have study hall and plenty of resources to succeed on and off the field,” said Akeilah Clark, a first year geosciences major, who is attending RSC on a scholarship.

Although softball games do not get underway until Feb. 12, 2007 the team does plan to scrimmage with other area schools at least 8-10 times this fall.

The Rose State Baseball team in 2016.

Billy Martin, head coach for Rose State’s Men’s Soccer team, won Coach of the Year in Region II for the second time. Martin has been the head coach for Rose State since 2014.

During his time at Rose State, he has played a large role in revamping the soccer program. Martin led his team to a Regional Championship victory over NEO 2-0.

“Coach Billy Martin has been a great addition to Rose State College,” said Taylor McCool, Coordinator for Athletic Activities and Wellness Enrollments. “He has continued to recruit great athletes and won conference two years

in a row as well as Coach of the Year. He is a valuable member to our team and has helped Rose State Athletics grow and break history by advancing to Districts. We look forward to the coming years to see how Rose State Soccer will grow.”

Besides Coach Martin’s accomplishments, some players received awards as well.

Women’s Head Soccer Coach Damon Solomon earned his 100th career victory Friday, Nov. 3 as the Raiders defeated Hill College in double overtime.

The next day, the women’s team came up short against Tyler Junior College 3-1 in the District Champion-ship game.

The 15th Street News

18 | ENTERTAINMENT

Upcoming Films

by LOGAN WOOD | Reporter The year 2020 was a very un-

Rudd. It’s the official sequel

eventful year for fi lm. COVID

to “Ghostbusters (1984)” and

restrictions forced most movie

“Ghostbusters 2.” The fi lm

theaters to remain closed for

follows the grandchildren of

the last year. With more vac-

Egon Spengler as they inherit

cines being distributed, the

his legacy. Rather than tak-

triumphant return of movie

ing place in New York City like

theaters is getting closer. Here

the previous two fi lms, this

is a list of just a few of the up-

fi lm takes place in Oklaho-

coming fi lms that moviegoers

ma. “Ghostbusters: Afterlife”

have to look forward to in the

is scheduled to be released in

near future.

theaters Nov. 11, 2021.

First up is “Cherry” directed

“The Suicide Squad” is di-

by Joe & Anthony Russo and

rected by James Gunn and

starring Tom Holland. The fi lm

stars Margot Robbie. It’s the

follows an army medic who

sequel to 2016’s “Suicide

turns to a life of bank robbing

Squad.” This fi lm takes the

to pay for his drug addiction.

Suicide Squad in a complete-

Critics haven’t been very kind

ly new direction thanks to

to the fi lm but regardless of the

James Gunn’s signature style.

fi lm’s storytelling quality, Tom

James Gunn is also the direc-

Holland is sure to turn in an

tor of 2014’s “Guardians of the

incredible performance which

Galaxy” which makes him a

will show everyone that he can

perfect fit for an ensemble fi lm

be more than just Peter Parker

like “The Suicide Squad.” “The

and Spider-Man. “Cherry” is

Suicide Squad” is scheduled to

scheduled to be released on Ap-

be released in theaters and on

ple TV + on March 12, 2021.

HBO Max Aug. 6, 2021.

“Black Widow’’ is directed by

Before the fi nal fi lm on the

Cate Shortland and stars Scar-

list is revealed, here are two

lett Johansson. This fi lm marks

upcoming fi lms that other mov-

the triumphant return of the

iegoers are looking forward to.

Marvel Cinematic Universe to

“I am really looking forward

the big screen. After 11 years

to the new Space Jam com-

of playing Natasha Romanoff,

ing out this year!” Rose State

Scarlett Johansson is fi nally

student Abby McNeely said. “I

getting her own stand-alone

love the fi rst one and anything

a majority of fi lms to change

It is directed by Jon Watts and

fi lm to shine a light on the

related to basketball is always

their release dates, I just want

stars Tom Holland and Zen-

character she fi rst played in

really good.”

to be excited about a movie

daya. After Spider-Man’s secret

“Space Jam: A New Legacy”

again. Even if it’s about a giant

identity is exposed Peter Parker

a prequel to 2018’s “Avengers:

is scheduled to be released in

monkey fighting a giant lizard,

has to go on the run and seek

Infi nity War’’ and tells the story

theaters and on HBO Max July

it’ll be a good time. So, when it

of what happened to Natasha

16, 2021.

releases you better believe that

help from Dr. Strange. If the

2010’s “Iron Man 2.” The fi lm is

Romanoff after the events of

“Honestly, I’m eager to see

“Captain America: Civil War”

Godzilla vs. Kong,” says Okla-

as she confronts the demons

homa City University student

uled to be released in theaters

of her past. “Black Widow’’ is

Tanner McAfee. “I know that it

and on HBO Max March 25,

scheduled for release in the-

won’t be a work of art and may

2021.

aters on May 7, 2021.

not even be that good of a mov-

I’m going to watch it.”

“Godzilla vs. Kong” is sched-

Last but not least, “Spi-

“Ghostbusters: Afterlife” is

ie. But I’ve missed watching

der-Man: No Way Home” is the

directed by Jason Reitman and

popcorn movies like Godzilla

third solo Spider-Man fi lm in

stars Finn Wolfhard and Paul

vs. Kong. With COVID causing

the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

rumors about this movie prove to be true, then this film will be the most ambitious Spider-Man film ever released. “Spider-Man: No Way Home” is scheduled to be released in theaters on Dec. 17, 2021.

The 15th Street News

ENTERTAINMENT | 19

Sixth Film Production at Rose State College

by PRIA FAYNE | Reporter This year, Los Angeles movie directors decided to take up a shop at Rose State, as the movie industry shot a sixth film on the Rose State campus.

The event was a two-day camera shoot that began in February. It was a showcase of the Lifetime network that centered around a psychological drama relationship film.

“I just heard about it, but I did not know exactly what it was,” Rose State student Noelia Espinoza said.

It seems a lot of students at Rose State are not aware of the film production, but there were also some who were fond of it.

“One of my professors was talking about film production and how we could learn some-

thing about film design and movies in class,” said Rose State student Alexis Richardson. “The film production is a really big event.”

The film production’s earnings are also going toward a good cause at the school, as well. A usage payment from the movie company will go to the Dan Points Tomorrow’s Healthcare Scholarship, which provides funding for a selected student in the health field.

The movie crew filmed within the Health Sciences building at Rose State.

The director of the film said the reason he loves the Rose State campus is because he’s impressed with the health facilities as they closely mimic a hospital

A film crew shooting at Rose in October 2020. emergency room.

The Rose State healthcare program strives to ensure its students get the most life-like experience during their educational period at the college enhancing

preparedness when they enter the workforce.

Keep an eye out on campus and on the screen. This will likely not be the last movie to be shot at Rose State.

The Movie Industry and How Movies are Being Watched This Year

by COYT WISDOM | Reporter For some, movies are a gateway to help escape the realities of the real world. However, this year new films are being released unconventionally.

Unfortunately, for some, new movies did not get a wide theater release last year to the pandemic. However, some new movies did release through streaming platforms in 2020.

Movie lovers were still able to watch a new movie amidst the pandemic.

Late last year, Warner Bros. announced it would release its full 2021 movie slate through theaters and HBO Max simultaneously. Other movie studios such as Disney released some of its 2021 movies through streaming as well. “Raya and the Lost Dragon” is Disney’s newest movie release. The film is currently showing in both theaters and Disney’s streaming service Disney Plus.

However, Disney is not fully committed to releasing all of its 2021 films through Disney Plus and theaters. The upcoming Disney film “Black Widow” is set to release this year in May. But Disney has insisted to keep the

film’s release theater-only for now.

Releasing movies through streaming has affected the movie theater industry, according to Jeff Massad, Winchester DriveIn owner.

Massad said his theater is trying to compete with streaming platforms while still paying the asking price asked by movie studios.

“Movie studios are wanting us to get their movies and go into the same terms as they did before streaming mostly, and we’re paying the same price competing against a bigger outlet than other theaters — it’s everyone’s home TV,” Massad said.

For some people, they have only been to an indoor theater.

But drive-in theaters are unique in their way. The Winchester Drive-In theater is continuing the legacy and nostalgia of the once-popular hangout spot for people many years ago in Oklahoma City.

“We have the nostalgia of sitting in your car and hugging your girlfriend or whatever,” Massad said. “And enjoying the food at the concession stand,

and coming out watching and listening over your radio.”

Massad said that the drive-in theater does not use the same speakers that were once used in the past, but new speakers that provide good quality.

The Winchester Drive-In theater was built in 1968 and they try to keep the drive-in upto-date and they still use neon signs for the nostalgia of the theater.

Massad said the benefit that his theater provides that indoor theaters cannot is being outside and enjoying the surroundings of the nighttime sky and the stars while watching a movie on a big screen. And most importantly practicing social distancing during the movie presentation.

The Winchester Drive-In showed classic movies all of last year due to no new films being released due to the pandemic.

But this year they are showing both new and classic films.

“Our prices are $7 for two movies. We do double features,” Massad said.

Massad said that there is a face mask requirement. But

only when attending the concession stand.

Streaming movies have been a popular choice to watch movies for some time. Not until now though streaming services have been able to release more movies than a theater has due to the pandemic.

For some, streaming is their preferred choice when it comes to watching movies.

Alex Bowden, a Rose State student said she prefers streaming over going to the theater.

Bowden said that considering the pandemic is still ongoing, it is not a difficult choice to choose watching movies through streaming, instead of going to the theater.

Bowden said that she believes that streaming is the future of watching movies.

“I think a lot of people are going to get used to it. I feel like people are going to keep streaming even if the virus does slow down,” Bowden said.

Bowden said that when new movies are released she will watch them through streaming services.

20 | ENTERTAINMENT

The 15th Street News

Lights, Camera, Aspiration A Motivational Movie List

by SERENA WOODARD | Reporter The semester is drawing to a close and it may seem more challenging to push through the workload. During tense times, it is important to step back and regather thoughts. Inspirational movies are a great way to unwind and relax your mind. Below is a list of movies to help reignite light your inner flame for the last month of the spring semester.

Remembering the Titans

Starring well-known actors, including Denzel Washington and Ryan Gosling, among others, “Remembering the Titans” is a popular football film set in the early 1970s. The movie discusses division and diversity as the players show good sportsmanship and are social only to their own race. This true story teaches multiple life lessons, but the moral of the story is revealed when the head coach urges his segregated team to become one. “Remembering the Titans” will remind its audience that change is necessary for success and that almost everything comes down to how hard you are willing to work for it.

Forrest Gump

The line that comes to many people’s mind, “my mama said life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get,” is only the tip of the iceberg with Forrest Gump. This film, directed by Robert Zemeokis, is known for starring Tom Hanks and bringing popularity to Bubba Gump’s Shrimp Co. The movie offers insight on living life with a disability and a generous heart. This film takes viewers on a trip starting as a young boy then traveling through high school sports, the Vietnam War, pingpong tournaments, devotion and love. He teaches us one of the best things we can do for ourselves, live life with a positive attitude. “Forrest Gump” reminds its viewers to live a life full of passion and cherish any situation life puts you in.

Dead Poet’s Society

Robin Williams was known for making others smile and thinking outside the box. The “Dead Poet’s Society” is no different. After he becomes a teacher at a traditional all-boys boarding school, he uses his wits and creativity to lead his students. As he guides

them through school and teaches them to navigate life challenges, viewers will see the younger characters evolve by embracing the lessons they are taught. One of the most important lessons from this film is to not view life through a single lens. It also reminds students that not all education is learned through textbooks.

Hidden Figures

The female-led power movie encourages viewers to embrace what makes them unique. “Hidden Figures” focuses on three Black women who are amongst the most intelligent employees of NASA in the 1960s. These three women face the challenge of being women of color, smart and female every day. While enjoying this movie starring Janelle Monáe, Taraji Henson and Octavia Spencer, viewers will learn a true story about brains and beauty. These women must accept their day-to-day mistreatment while advocating for a better tomorrow. Their characters show the true power in good teamwork and great resilience.

Ratatouille

Although cartoons are not for everyone, they can offer as much inspiration as actors on the screen. “Ratatouille” is an award-winning animation that shows viewers the importance of following personal dreams. Directed by Brad Bird, the movie follows a rat who aspires to become a chef. The only way to achieve his dream is to help a young, passionate cook excel in the kitchen. The human and rodent duo face many obstacles but learn to overcome them with teamwork. The characters show the audience that a life without risk is a life full of “what ifs.” However, the most important lesson to take from this movie is that any goal is achievable, no matter where you come from or where you are now, as long as you are willing to work for it.

Each of these movies brings a different aspect of motivation to the table, but they all have one variable in common: hard work. It will take this and determination to achieve any goal. After finishing these movies it is vital to take the lessons learned from the characters and utilize those tools in your own life. With only a week left, recenter yourself and push through the spring semester.

The 15th Street News

ENTERTAINMENT | 21

Bowser’s Peace Sanctuary Pink, Oklahoma’s Hidden Oasis photos & story by KENDALL WALTON | Reporter The COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis have produced mental health conditions and fluctuated existing ones due to loss of income, isolation and fear.

Substance addiction such as alcoholism and drug use have risen in numbers as more people face uncertainty, insomnia and anxiety.

Many people are leaving the city for country retreats in hopes of reconnecting with nature and themselves.

Everyone wants to leave the hustle and bustle of their everyday life and experience something beyond themselves.

Stanton Pace, the owner of Bowser's Peace Sanctuary, creates a place for people who need to get away from the city and into a serene environment by bringing people and animals together.

The sanctuary, located roughly 35 miles from Rose State College in Pink, Oklahoma, is a lush 80-acre meditation spot and future campgrounds surrounded by luscious trees, hiking trails, and mossy ponds.

With weekly drum circles every Sunday, people can gather together outside and feel a sense of community.

Pace loves having people out to the sanctuary and embracing the natural energy and love from everyone gathered.

Goats, bison, Great Danes, Clydesdale horses, chickens and Bowser the black bear are the friends Pace uses to help people heal during meditation drum circle.

"I wanted to open this up to the general public once I saw how people interacted with animals, especially Bowser, my bear," Pace said. "Watching people arrive with stress and anger on their faces immediately change when they

approach my animal friends. That is why I want to let people heal here with animals."

Pace said his life was full of anger, wrong decisions and substance addiction before meeting Bowser. Being around animals helped shape his outlook differently.

“The opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety. It is connection,” Pace said.

With an early fascination with bears, Pace has spent his life studying, researching and learning about all kinds of bears.

Shopping for sheep on a goat farm, Pace met his first two bears up close and personal. He was mesmerized by their nature. A few months later, the goat farmers called Pace and offered him a baby cub Pace would name Bowser and his dreams came true.

“Bowser helped me grow as a human. He is

so kind and nurturing to people with inner turmoil,” Pace said.

The bear is friendly with all the animals and the chicken is his best friend as they cuddle together often.

Each animals’ name has a special meaning to Pace and values he believes all people should share. Names like Gratitude, Compassion, Dreamer and Wakan Tanka, which translates to Great Spirit in Lekota spiritually.

“We accept all walks of life with open arms.

Your religion, skin color or whom you love does not matter out here,” Pace said. “We are all a part of the Great Spirit and energy created by this universe. We ask that you respect the animals and be open to peace.”

Mind.org.uk says on its website that spending time in a green space, being around animals and bringing nature into your everyday life can have several positive effects. Including mood improvement, reduces stress or anger and helps make new connections.

Pace’s neighbors and regular drum circle attendees said they love watching the great work he provides people by improving their demeanor. He has come a long way but has such a great vision for the future of this place.

The animal sanctuary also has Spirit Coaches, horse-led carriage rides, which he takes around the property and Shawnee’s surrounding town.

Spirit Coaches has allowed Pace to bring the community together by giving rides to children in school and the elderly in nursing homes.

Bowser’s Peace Sanctuary is open Sundays around 2 p.m. and the drum circle starts at 4:30 p.m. if the weather permits.

22 | ENTERTAINMENT

The 15th Street News

Summer Activities

by KENDALL WALTON | Reporter

From outdoor events to self-care excursions, the perfect summer 2021 bucket list for RSC students.

Theater & Concerts Lyric Theater Presents “Grease” OKC June 15 - 27 A secret summer romance between the new girl in town and the school’s coolest cat finds its way into Rydell High’s school year. These were “the good times” where hula-hoops, bouffants and hot rods were all the rage and rock ‘n’ roll was king. You’ll be fans in the stands when Lyric’s production hits the field in a spectacular, new ’50s musical experience! With book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, the production will be directed by Lyric’s Producing Artistic Director Michael Baron.

Justin Bieber World Tour 2021 BOK Tulsa, OK June 17 Tickets for new shows* go on sale to the general public starting Thursday, August 6th at 10am local time.

Tickets for rescheduled dates** will be honored. All previous ticket-holders will receive an email from their ticket provider with event updates and options if they cannot make the 2021 date.

Tickets on sale at lyrictheaterokc.com

Bricktown & Beyond Wheeler District Ferris Wheel Downtown, OKC Season begins April 3rd Single Ride $6 Day Pass $10 Season Pass $20 Kids 3 & under FREE Children under 42 inches must ride with an adult.

For group ticket rates please call the Wheeler Ferris Wheel ticket office at (405) 655-8455.

More information at wheelerdistrict.com

Flashback Retro Pub Downtown OKC If you long for the days of bold styles, bright colors and big hair, then this is the place for you. From the high school lockers turned liquor cabinet, to the Rubik’s Cube tables and the Lite Brite directional signs, you’ll be wondering if you accidentally drove a DeLorean back in time to get here.

Monday-Thursday 5 p.m. - 12 a.m.

Friday 5 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Saturday 1 p.m. - 2 a.m.

Sunday 1 p.m. - 12 a.m.

814 W. Sheridan Ave, Suite A

The 15th Street News

ENTERTAINMENT | 23

Hiking & Camping Turner Falls Davis, OK Turner Falls is a waterfall on Honey Creek in the Arbuckle Mountains of south-central Oklahoma, United States, 6 miles south of Davis.

With a height of 77 feet, Turner Falls is locally considered Oklahoma’s tallest waterfall, although its height matches one in Natural Falls State Park.

Float the Illinois River Tahlequah, OK The Illinois River in Tahlequah offers a gentle, moderate current and plenty of canoe, kayak and raft outfitters along its scenic banks, plus camping, making it a favorite float trip destination.

Visit travelok.com for more information

Camping and park information at turnerparks. com

Spa Days & Self-Care The Float Spa at Classen Curve OKC Come experience the ultimate in relaxation.

The Float Spa offers flotation therapy in a beautiful, state of the art facility located in the heart of Oklahoma City @ Classen Curve. Flotation therapy, also known as floating, allows one to effortlessly float atop a pool of highly-saturated salt water, nearly at zero-gravity.

Lady Stardust Salon Paseo District, OKC From facials to cup massage, Lady Stardust Salon has all your self-care needs. They offer 30 and 60 minute massages, brows, estheticians and reiki.

For more information or to book your appointment, go to ladystardustokc. com

More information at floatthecurve.com

Outings & Events OKC PRIDE 2021 39th Street District June 25 - 27 Celebrate diversity and LGBTQ+ community during the weekend celebration. Drag queens, face painting, parades, and alcohol for those 21+.

For more information go to oklahomacitypride.org

OKC Dodgers vs Salt Lake OKC July 2 - July 4 Hot dogs, open sky and baseball.

Come celebrate Fourth of July with the OKC Dodgers at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Friday night firework show with Sunday post-game fireworks displays.

For more information go to milb.com/ oklahoma-city

The 15th Street News

ALUMNI | 25

Humbling times photo & story by HALEY HUMPHREY | Alumni Reporter

I’ve been humbled a lot lately. I’m humbled to write to you, the reader of a fabulously-dedicated community college newspaper, of which I had the honor to work for years ago.

Wow — years ago. I’m still shocked to think it has been three years since I graduated from Rose State College.

I love this college for many reasons. Most of all, I love Rose State for being where I found what I love to do every day.

I’m humbled by my higher education career, which, no doubt, played an essential role in getting me my first, as I like to call it, “big girl job” upon graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma in the summer of 2020.

I also have big thanks to the 15th Street News for being the kick-starter of my experience in journalism.

This year has been devastating, and I don’t need to tell you why. You know — you’ve felt it.

But despite the detriments of 2020, I’m humbled. I was one of the lucky ones who got a job in my field immediately after graduating.

I wish I had all the time and space in the world to tell you all about the many stories I’ve gotten the pleasure to tell in Yukon, Mustang and surrounding areas throughout Canadian County. I racked my brain about which one I’d like to share with you and couldn’t choose.

Instead, I want to preface an in-depth piece I worked on about young, homeless, pregnant mothers in Oklahoma. Before you stop

reading because you can’t take any more bad news, (and trust me, I get it), I want you to know this is one of the greatest stories of hope I’ve ever told.

Before I was hired by Chisholm Trails, a local publisher who owns the Yukon Review and Mustang News, I accepted an opportunity to work alongside Big If True, a nonprofit media organization and The Curbside Chronicle, Oklahoma City’s street paper that employs people experiencing and transitioning out of homelessness, on an in-depth that examines youth experiencing homelessness in Oklahoma City. I reported and collected data on this topic from mid-July to early-October.

I encourage you to pick up a copy the next time you’re in Oklahoma City or you can read it on Big If True’s website. This story deserves all the awareness and more.

While I was working on this, I became interested in finding out more information about youth experiencing homelessness in Canadian County, which encompasses Yukon and Mustang.

I started focusing on foster care, as many youth become homeless upon aging out of the system when they turn 18. You can find more information in the Oct. 22 edition of the Mustang News.

This story truly enthralled me, so when my publisher told me about Grace Home, I nearly jumped out of my seat. Grace Home is a maternity home for young, homeless, pregnant mothers in Blanchard.

In the span of about five years, the home has changed 37 women’s lives. More stories

of homeless youth need to be told. More stories of homeless mothers need to be told.

While I want you to read my full in-depth, I will give you a preview into the life of LaKrisha Crawford, who had all but run out of options until she found Grace Home. Crawford walked through the home’s doors in 2018, leaving behind more than 10 years of opioid addiction, prostitution and more.

It was weird at first for Crawford, who was not use to people being nice to her without wanting something in return. However, she warmed up to the home and its staff members after the first 30 days.

“No one made me feel how I really was feeling,” said Crawford.

At Grace Home, Crawford learned various skills from programs that ranged from education, to a healthy pregnancy, balancing finances and spending time in scripture, as the home accepts all denominations and non-denominations of Christianity. Currently, she is continuing her higher education journey to become a sonographer to help women, who, like her, have unplanned pregnancies.

Helping others doesn’t stop there for Crawford. A few months ago, she founded Grace838, a ministry that provides support to young women and single mothers, as they journey through different stages of sobriety because she knows firsthand that recovery happens with a support system.

Like many aspects of 2020, LaKrisha Crawford humbled me.

Look for her story in the Yukon Review and Mustang News at theyukonreview.com.

The 15th Street News

26 | ALUMNI

Alumni Advice

by SERENA WOODARD | Reporter

Rose State College’s motto, “it is greater to be a Raider,” does not only apply when you are a student. The skills, connections and friends you make during college can last a lifetime. Two RSC alumni share how Rose State helped them after graduating and advise current students.

Photo courtesy of Rose State

Photo provided

Rose State Alumna & Professor Chris Knox

Rose State Alumna & Attorney Rhonda McLean

Called to Teach

Lead to Legal Matters

Chris Knox attended Rose State as a student in 1983 but was a member of the Raider family long before.

Both of her parents worked on campus while Knox was growing up.

“I started coming to my dad’s [English] classes when I was young, maybe 8 or 9,” said Chris Knox, Professor and Reading Coordinator at Rose State.

Knox also co-coordinates the English as a Second Language program at RSC for all ages.

Her late mother, Nancy Knox, became the first female Vice President of Rose State College in 1988. Knox’s parents had strong influences on her life and career. She also believes reading can make the biggest impact on someone’s life.

“I always knew I wanted to be a professor … and I know I am changing lives by teaching reading,” Knox said.

While on campus, Knox was a member of the theatre club and Phi Theta Kappa.

Since graduating from RSC in 1983, Knox has taught students from Oklahoma City Community College, Oklahoma State University and found work as a private tutor. But something told Knox she was home when she started working for Rose State.

“The common thread which weaves together the fabric of Rose State employees is in our sincere devotion to strive for a quality learning environment,” Knox said.

Knox was recognized as a standout alumnus in 2018 as she was inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame. She was also an Outstanding Mentor for the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence in 2019.

Knox credits her time at Rose for teaching her persistence and shares that the most important part of anything in life is just showing up.

“I loved my time here as a student,” Knox said.

As a full time employee, Rhonda McLean had no other option than to take mostly evening classes at Rose State College in the ‘90s.

Firstly, she studied hotel management, but quickly learned she was meant for another career.

By 1997, McLean graduated from Rose State College with a degree in focus of Paralegal Studies. Now, Attorney McLean delivers oil and gas titles and works on state planning.

“I really appreciated that in my degree program, the instructors worked in the field,” McLean said. “They have been in the trenches and knew how things actually worked.”

McLean also notes that creating connections with professors and peers is important, especially the first few years after starting a new career.

“It is all about having a network of people you can call on,” McLean said.

While in college, McLean focused her free time on working to provide for herself and was not able to actively participate in extracurriculars.

However, years later, she is extensively involved with the Rose State Alumni Association.

She served as the alumni president from 2018 until June 2020.

McLean currently serves on several boards and became the President of the Oklahoma City Real Property Lawyers Association starting in 2021.

She credits Rose State for being the beginning of her path towards her career and reminisces on her time on campus.

“My favorite memory [of Rose State] was how close it was … it is the memory of the comfort feeling,” McLean said.

It’s safe to say Rose State lives up to their motto in many ways and extends a lifetime worth of opportunities for their students. Make the most of any college career by listening to the advice of these alumni: Show up, network with peers and professors, stay determined and enjoy every moment.

The 15th Street News

ALUMNI | 27

Love of Classics Started at Rose

by SARA EDWARDS | Alumni Reporter

In Western academia, Classics

and including our own. The

is the study of ancient Greek and

tales of the heroes of Classical

Roman literature, history, cul-

antiquity-Heracles, Theseus,

ture, philosophy and archeology.

Perseus, etc.-all follow a basic

I had always found Classical

theme. Students were asked to

Greco-Roman mythology partic-

write their own story, using the

ularly interesting and enjoyed

hero’s quest as a guideline, cre-

helping my older sister study

ating modern connections to the

for her college mythology exams

ancient accounts.

while I was still in high school.

Once I transferred to a uni-

I enrolled in a mythology class

versity from Rose State College,

when I began attending Rose

I continued with a focus on the

State College, but the course

Classics, and earned a Bach-

proved to be so much more than

elor’s Degree in Classical Cul-

a retelling of the fanciful stories.

tures. Although I’m not working

In addition to covering Clas-

in an academic setting, I find

sical mythology, the study of

myself using my education in

Classics as a whole was covered.

everyday life. I recognize many

An examination of subjects from

classical themes in modern en-

the still-undeciphered Linear A

tertainment, and also find myself

tablets of the Minoan civilization,

taking comfort in the writings of

through the wars in Troy that

those who feel the same human

likely inspired “The Iliad,” to the

struggles as I do, thousands of

seemingly-fated conflict between

years later. Reading first-hand

Rome and Carthage, all facets of

accounts of doctors and states-

Classical Studies were covered.

men in the throes of the plague

Even the myths themselves

of Athens 2500 years ago feels

are representative of the chang-

particularly relevant in the cur-

ing cultures through time, and

rent year—but we can also see

the motifs are found throughout

that hard times do come to an

other cultures in time — up to

end, and humanity prevails.

Achilles, the central character of the Iliad, is depicted tending to Patroclus’ wounds on an Athenian wine-cup by Sosias found in Vulci, Italy, c. 500 bc

The 15th Street News

28 | ALUMNI

My Rose State College Love Story photos provided & story by JAYLYNN RICHARDSON | Alumni Reporter In the fall of 2001, pressure was mounting to choose my path to higher education. I knew college was in my future, but I had no idea where to begin. Community college? Four-year university? Public or private? The options were daunting. My school, Del City High School, gave all seniors a day to tour college campuses, and I decided to tag along with a friend to tour Rose State College. After our tour of the campus, I felt a sense of joy and belonging, and knew I must apply right away. This defining moment in my life was the gateway to many of the things I treasure most: Friendships, leadership opportunities, community service and much more.

Most significantly, this was where I would meet my college sweetheart, Doug, now husband of 13 years.

Writing was a passion and ambition, so joining the staff of the 15th Street News was a perfect fit. Working as a student reporter enabled me to become familiar with events and opportunities all over campus, including student clubs and leadership opportunities.

When I learned of the Student Senate, I was intrigued and decided to add my name to the ballot. I was elected to the Student Senate as a freshman, and re-elected as secretary, an officer position, as a sophomore. However, as much as I enjoyed the time I dedicated to student government, my heart

belonged to the newsroom. As a sophomore, I became the Editor-in-Chief of the 15th Street News.

During my sophomore year, a new Student Senator was appointed from the Business Division. When I saw him, I said, “That’s the most handsome man I’ve ever seen up close.”

I didn’t know much about him, other than the fact that his name was Doug, he was from a small town and was very athletic. He was quickly adopted into my circle of friends and became that – a friend. As my sophomore year passed, we began to spend more time together at Student Senate events, and even joined some of the same clubs. Our friendship grew deeper as we worked together to coordinate events through our student government roles like the Halloween Fest, Holiday Lighting Ceremony, Annual Coat Drive and more. He was always a fixture in the newsroom, too, joining us for lunches, parties, and even our year-end awards celebration.

Near the end of my sophomore year, Doug won the election for president of the Student Senate, and I was ready to graduate. As I prepared to make the transition to my four-year university, this felt like the end of a chapter, hardly a new beginning. One weekend evening, I had plans with a group of friends, including Doug, to go to the movies. Everyone else canceled except Doug and I, and we decided to go anyway. There had not been romantic gestures or feelings ever shared before, so I was astounded during the movie when he reached across the armrest and held my hand.

A little over three years from this day, we would be husband and wife.

Our love story must be one of the geekiest ever told, as the president of the student government weds the editor of the student newspaper.

Rose State College is central to the story of “us,” and had it not been for our time there, we would not

Doug as the Rose State Mascot

JAYLYNN & Doug’s wedd in

g

have built our little family and come to think of this community as our home.

Midwest City is where we choose to raise our children, purchased a home, and where we intend to stay. We are blessed to be parents to Ava Jasmine, 11, and Burke, 10, who also attend school in this community. As you can imagine, we are already encouraging them to begin their higher education at Rose State!

After graduating from Rose State

College, Doug and I both attended the University of Central Oklahoma on President’s Leadership Council Scholarships. We have both also earned master’s degrees. Our start at Rose State College laid a strong foundation for future educational endeavors. On behalf of our little family, we wish a very happy 50th anniversary to all staff and students at Rose State College! We hope there are many more years – and love stories to come!

JAYLYNN graduating from Rose

The 15th Street News

ALUMNI | 29

MANIFESTATION the power of positive thinking

by MICHELLE ROJANO & RYA UNDERWOOD | Alumni Reporters

“Success is not the key to happiness.

Happiness is the key to success,” said Albert Schweitzer, the renowned theologian. It is a simple solution to the question most seek the answer to. But how exactly can someone simply just be happy? Some believe the key lies in the power of manifestation.

Manifesting is creating your reality through the power of thoughts, feelings and beliefs. The ideology has strong roots embedded in Buddhism.

There are also theories that Jesus, a prominent figure in Christianity, taught manifestation through his stories of healing, all-encompassing morality, endless abundance and other seemingly godlike capabilities.

Manifestation is argued to be a part of human thoughts, even if only subconsciously throughout our entire existence. The phrase “Law of Attraction” was eventually coined in the 1800s. According to the Law of Attraction website, Helena Blavatsky is credited for creating the term.

Blavatsky wrote the book “The Secret

Doctrine,” which tells of old religious traditions and explains the connection to the Law of Attraction. The book includes her theories revolving around how humans can, through the power of manifestation, overcome limitations and create their own chosen realities.

Thomas Troward is another figure regarding the Law of Attraction. Troward wrote several studies on manifestation.

These studies were a vital source in writing “The Secret,” which is ultimately a guide to conquering the power of manifesting.

“The Secret” was written by Rhonda Byrne in 2006 and later made into a film. The self-help book has sold more than 19 million copies, according to The New York Times, with over 21,000 reviews on Audible and maintains a 4.6 star average. In addition to outlining the Law of Attraction, it features stories from the people who put the law into practice.

While the Law of Attraction is a bit obscure, it is practiced by millions of people across the globe. Some of which

are well known public figures, like Will Smith, Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Arnold Schwarzenegger and many others.

So, how does it work? Well, it relies on the idea of a universal mind. This is how everything connects together. In some religions or other ideologies this can be referred to as god, spiritual energy or an all-knowing power. The first step to practicing manifestation is believing and trusting in the ideology. The universal mind is energy and it acts and reacts to energy. Because energy cannot be destroyed and is ever-flowing, it is believed that the universal mind contains all energy, or thought and ideas, from humans tracing back to the beginning of time.

Because it is believed that thoughts are energy, it is also believed that thoughts create each individual’s surrounding energies. The universe is said to receive that energy and respond with correlating results. Thus, the power of manifestation is created.

“All that we are is a result of what we have thought,” said Buddha.

This quote is a direct correlation to the Law of Attraction. Thoughts are made, the universal mind receives, and then it presents results. However, this also means all thoughts are being manifested, intentional or not. The most crucial rule of manifesting is believing.

In fact, it follows the same three concepts as in the Bible. “And all things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive,” Matthew 21:22.

In manifestation the process is to want/ask, believe and receive. The Law of Attraction is an ideology that is practiced, but it is not considered a religion. Nevertheless, many people who practice manifestation are religious, such as Christians, Buddhists, Hindus and more.

The Law of Attraction is a simple yet complex concept. The book and film “The Secret” serve as great jumping off points to start learning about how to manifest and hear from people who have successfully practiced manifestation. Of course, there are plenty of other books and films on the subject, too. Additionally, there are many podcasts to listen to, like Kathrin Zenkina’s “Manifestation Babe”.

There are also people who specialize in helping others achieve their goals and practice manifestation. Lizel Zeager, Divine Purpose Coach and Manifestation Coach, helps women business owners and leaders overcome obstacles mentally and spiritually holding them back from their true potential.

“I help you discover your true purpose in life so you can finally do what you came here to do, which means your life will take on a new meaning, “ said Zeager.

She helps people repurpose pain for their benefit and success.

“You release old subconscious thoughts and belief patterns that Future You doesn’t have anymore, so you can finally stop getting stuck in the same old cycles over and over again,” Zeager said.

For more information, check out Kelsey Aida’s blog for a list of manifestation resources at kelseyaida.com. For more information or to connect with Lizel Zeager, follow her on Instagram @HowToManifest or email at lizelzeager@gmail.com.

30 | RAIDER SPORTS

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LIFESTYLE | 31

Talkin’ ‘bout My Generation The Gen Z Experience

by HANNAH BRYANT | Reporter

After a year that was turbulent in nearly every way, it can be hard to step back and think outside of the immediate present. People everywhere have quite literally been in survival mode, concerned only with each day ahead of them-going to work (if not one of the many pandemic unemployment cases), making sure their family has food and is healthy and safe, navigating life after a year into a global pandemic.

Amidst all the chaos, it’s important to take the time to think about just how monumental these huge cultural events are and how they will inevitably change our world for years to come. The people leading the change will be the ones who were affected the most, shaken to their core by this time period: Generation Z. Generation Z is the demographic of people born from roughly the late 1990s to the early 2010s. This generation comes after the Millennials and are mainly being raised by Generation X parents. While Gen Z is still a young and emerging generation, many distinctive traits clearly separate them from generations of the past.

Gen Z is the first generation to be born after the internet was created, so they have been immersed in technology all their lives and are comfortable navigating it.

They’re generally independent and have been able to observe events globally more so than older generations. They’re defined by their diversity as the most diverse generation yet, and it definitely shows in their attitudes and actions.

“What I notice from your generation is a distinct lack of apathy. You guys feel things, you believe things fervently and it’s really refreshing,” said Dr. Emily Stacey, a professor at Rose State College.

Gen Z has been observing the partisan split in American politics grow increasingly extreme and has responded with unabashed activism and a willingness to discuss their opinion.

While Baby Boomers and Gen X shared an experience of politics that was largely centered around patriotism and unity, Gen Z has experienced the opposite, and they will be stepping into these governmental roles with a major side eye, Stacey explained.

Their skeptical and curious attitude toward politics was a low lit fire stoked by the chaos that was the 2020 Presidential election.

“I think with Gen Z, one of the interesting things is going be their take on the role social media played in some of these outcomes, whether that’s distribution of false information to the public or whether that’s coordination of some of the actors in the Capitol riots, and what they believe can or should be done about that,” said Professor James Davenport of Rose State College.

Davenport emphasized the way Gen Z has seen and will continue to deal

with the intersection of social media and politics. There will be major discussions about censorship, freedom of speech and the regulation of Big Tech that Gen Z will be deciding factors in.

Along with an unorthodox few years of politics, another major thing shaping the worldview of this generation is the COVID-19 pandemic, which began rattling the United States in early March 2020.

In a Reuters article profiling the COVID experiences of 10 young adults, Leonardo Benassatto and Marcelo Rochabrun explained the significance of this pandemic on the youth.

“As they look towards 2021, members of Generation Z share concerns that their lives may have taken a worse hit from COVID-19 than their predecessors, the Millennials, suffered after the 2008/09 financial crisis. Beyond the immediate damage to education and job prospects is the risk of what economists call ‘scarring’, or long-term harm to earnings, training, career prospects and even mental wellbeing.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has directly affected the schooling of Gen Z in secondary and higher education, and the results of this may not reveal themselves fully until years down the line.

However, it’s clear that Gen Z will emerge from this with a unique kind of grit and some ideas about how they think the world should work.

“I think it certainly has potential to be one of those defining generational events that shape how that generation views the world,” Davenport said. “It will be interesting to see where it pushes that generation. Does this make them more inclined to want to see governments at all levels take a more proactive role in certain situations? Or do the opposite and say, ‘Well they didn’t handle it very well, maybe we ought to look at other alternatives than government solutions to solve these kinds of problems.’”

He explained that this pandemic could set the framework for how they view other events and what role they think the government should play in those.

Gen Z has already been through a lot on a generational level. It may be daunting, but it’s likely to provide a sense of togetherness and strength throughout.

Navigating this immense cultural shift while trying to figure out adulthood at the same time, these next few years will be formative not only for Gen Z themselves but for other generations to observe the way things will change as Gen Z enters the workforce and grows to a major population in this country.

Politicians, corporations, advertisers, small business owners, family members-everybody should keep an eye on Generation Z, the ones experiencing rapid world change at a key age, and already proving to be a powerhouse.

32 | LIFESTYLE

The 15th Street News

10 Reasons to Delete Social Media

by VANESSA QUINTANA

| Reporter

It is 2021, and social media is everywhere; it is hard to ignore it.

TikTok, Instagram, Sn Most people have all th apchat, Twitter, the lis e social media apps. Fa t keeps growing. Wha Here are 10 reasons cebook, t would happen if everyo to consider deleting so ne just took a break? cial media apps.

1. Time to start working on ourselves

It is hard not to get wr apped up in the pressu re of social media. We That takes a toll on m see people who are m ental health. ore fortunate, prettier “I think deleting socia , skinner. l media apps would he lp me not compare m Lashaunda Warlick, yself or my life to othe a Rose State College student. r people as often,” sa id

2. Posting for likes 3. More time on our hands 4. Live in the moment ; Embrace our surroundings 5. Social media is making us unhappy 6. Social media lies 7. Social media is a toxic escape 8. Click delete to save the soul 9. Social media twists things out of context 10. Live a better life !

There is a rush we ge t from posting. Whene ver we receive no “like pointed and usually de s” or not the right am lete the post. Start po ount of “likes,” we ge sting for yourself, not t disapfor likes.

All the time we spend scrolling through socia l media, we could be “Deleting apps would making memories with help me focus more on friends and family. family time rather th what is going on with an be distracted with other peoples’ lives,” constantly needing to said Emily Liang. know

Deleting social media will increase attention span. Without all the more productive and apps, we are less distra engage more in our su cted and more likely to rroundings. be

We are watching how the other half lives - tra glimpse into other liv veling, adventures do es, and we wish we co ing activities we migh t not be able to. We ca uld have that life. tch a

Half the things on so cial media are made to look good. Posts ar items are modified to e edited, faces are fac please the eye. Real-life e tuned for flawless sk and social media life in and are not the same.

One of the main reas ons we tend to scroll through media is to foc thoughts on paper. Le us our thoughts elsew t them out, and watch here. Try focusing yo how creativity can floo ur d the pages.

That might sound a lit tle dramatic, but in all honesty, most of us sp time on our phones ju end most of our day us st scrolling through ea ing a computer and th ch app. en more News is twisted arou nd. It is hard to belie ve anything that gets posted unless it com es from a reliable so urce.

Taking a break for a co uple of days, maybe ev en a week, can change Sometimes we forget we how we perceive ourse are all unique, and it is lves and life.

OK to live life our way tells us. and not how social me dia

The 15th Street News

Sole Man

The history behind the ‘sneakerhead’

by COYT WISDOM | Reporter

Collecting sneakers has become a cultural phenomenon within American culture as of late. Those who collect sneakers are termed “sneakerheads;” however, they don’t seem to mind the term.

Sneaker culture is a part of American history, but there was a time before popularity had risen with sneakers.

Most people know of Chuck Taylor shoes.

The Chuck Taylor Converse shoes were created in the 1920s, and many professional basketball players had worn them up until the 1980s.

Some of the major brands of sneakers people recognize are Nike, Adidas and Jordan brand. However, not all of them started as recognizable companies.

Between the 1970s and 1980s, the major sneaker brands were Adidas and Converse.

Magic Johnson and Larry Bird had just signed sneaker deals with Converse, which was major considering during that time, Bird and Johnson were two of the biggest names in basketball. That shoe was called the Converse Weapon, and that shoe foreshadowed what was to come.

As many know, Michael Jordan was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the 1984 NBA draft.

Jordan was not yet the world-famous athlete that he would later become, but sportswear companies were looking to sign endorsement deals with young new athletes, and Michael Jordan was one of the most sought-after young athletes.

Jordan’s preferred sneaker brand was Adidas. Adidas was popular at the time, especially with the Adidas Superstar sneakers.

Adidas was looking to compete with Converse and sign a basketball star to wear their line of sneakers, as well.

However, a sportswear company located in Beaverton, Oregon named Nike was looking to make their company grow, and they took a shot and offered Jordan a shoe deal.

Although Jordan was a huge fan of Adidas, he was urged by his agent to take the deal Nike had offered him.

Due to Jordan accepting Nike’s deal, the Air Jordan 1’s were created, and it changed sneaker culture forever.

The Jordan brand sneakers had a huge impact in making sneakers incredibly popular, mainly due to the popularity of basketball legend Michael Jordan.

It became common for stores to sell out of Jordan sneakers.

The Jordan sneaker deal also allowed for other basketball stars to have their signature shoes, such as Shaquille O’Neal and Reebok.

Kobe Bryant worked with Adidas and then later on with Nike.

Allen Iverson and Reebok also created a shoe that became a classic amongst sneakerheads. The shoe was called the Reebok Question. It had become a popular sneaker due to when Iverson was wearing the sneaker while playing against Jordan in a basketball game.

It has become common for basketball players to get a signature sneaker. Some of the biggest names in basketball, such as LeBron James and Kevin Durant have their versions of sneakers, and both players have had at least 14 signature sneakers released while playing. There are also NBA newcomers who are about to release their signature sneakers, such as Zion Williamson and Luka Doncic.

Both Williamson and Doncic are signed to the Jordan brand.

However, sneaker culture goes beyond basketball. Sneakers are quite popular in skateboarding.

Some skateboarders wear Van’s sneakers, which have a flat-shaped outsole. Professional skateboarder Tony Hawk at one time had a signature sneaker called the Airwalks.

Nike has sneakers that were created for skateboarding, as well. They are called the Nike SB Dunks. Similar to Van’s sneakers, the SB Dunks have a flat outsole. However, both sneakers are popular within the sneakerhead community.

Some people also collect sneakers. It is somewhat of a hobby.

Similar to waiting for a new album to be released or film. Sneakerheads will anticipate the release of a shoe.

Sneaker creativity has also branched outside of sports and into the music industry.

Hip-Hop artist Kanye West originally collaborated with Nike to create “Yeezys.” West eventually left Nike to collaborate with Adidas while still using the “Yeezy” name for his sneakers.

Jordan brand has collaborated with hiphop artist Travis Scott to help recreate some of their Jordan sneakers while allowing him to put his input on the design of the sneaker. Most of Scott’s sneakers have sold out at retail outlets.

Sneaker culture has also become a part of some collegiate sports teams, such as the University of Oklahoma and the University of Florida. Both schools use the Jordan brand as their official athletic wear provider, which includes school-themed Jordan sneakers.

Sneaker culture has made an impact on American culture, and it helps express creativity while bringing people together from various backgrounds.

Who knows what the next popular sneaker might be in the future?

LIFESTYLE | 33

34 | OPINION

The 15th Street News

‘Ghosted’ Reviewed

by PAYTON HAYES | Alumni Reporter

Almost every one of us can relate to the sour feeling and phenomenon of being “ghosted” and what it feels like to never hear from someone again.

For those who have read Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl, Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce and/ or anything by Llane Moriarty, then you may have heard about The Man Who Didn’t Call or “Ghosted” by Rosie Walsh.

This book is a romantic thriller from cover to cover and I devoured this fantastic summer contemporary like it was candy. Or perhaps, honey is the better word; the prose is so smooth and sweet, and it draws you in and keeps you hooked until the end.

I ate up this short 174-page whirlwind of a tragic love story within the span of a single day, if that tells you how truly wrapped up in it I was.

There’s no better feeling than picking up the perfect book for your current season of life — the ideal read you’re just craving. I nabbed this book just before summer 2020 started and left it sitting on my shelf for weeks before I realized what gold lay in store or me within its pages.

I picked it up around July 2020 and was left hungering for more as soon as I’d put it down.

“Ghosted” was sweet, to be sure, but it was also equal parts heartwarming, and heartbreaking, gushworthy, swoonworthy, and it’s a story I will always look back fondly on.

This contemporary romance has everything you could ever want — complex relationships that make your heart ache, flawed, yet deeply loveable, compelling characters, multiple layers of secrets/intrigue guaranteed to keep the pages turning, a pacing that you’ll find makes you hold your breathe one moment and sigh out of relief the next, and a premise that is just utterly dazzling.

The TWIST was so, so good.

“Seven perfect days. Then He disappeared. A love story with a secret at it’s heart” — Rosie Walsh, Ghosted.

An underlying theme in this book, much like Walsh’s other works is the protagonist who is not what he or she seems. Layers of mystery woven together pull readers in ever deeper the longer they read and leaves them eager for more even after the mystery is solved. Walsh makes clever use of Facebook posts and text messages to build suspense— an apt strategy for creating a compelling and relatable read for many readers today.

Although it was hard to break away from the story, I found myself having to put the book down a few times because certain scenes were just so raw and deeply moving to me. And I would chalk this up to personal response, however after a quick glance at other reader’s reviews on Goodreads and Amazon, it’s clear I am not the only one who felt this way.

“I was ready to hate this book. I didn’t pick it up for an entire day, not wanting the story to go the way I thought it was. But it called me to just see, just see how it ends. And I couldn’t put it down until it was though!” — Angie on Amazon, July 28, 2018.

I was honestly touched by the unforeseen way mental illness was portrayed and the kind of dysfunctional relationships that can be wrapped up in it. I had a lump in my throat throughout these scenes because Walsh just gets it.

It is always refreshing to read an author that is able to examine something from multiple perspectives, especially subjects as complex as mental illness, loss, bitterness, and tragedy. Walsh lovingly and honestly wrote around these sensitive topics with great empathy and care.

This book gets a lot of criticism for having a contrived plot, unrealistic characters, and cringe-inducing writing. I simply have to disagree. From the outside looking in, someone being “ghosted” may seem obsessed, childish, and naïve.

However, I implore these readers to think back to when

they were treated this way (or imagine it, if they have never experienced this) and consider how painfully unyielding this experience truly is. Closure is never promised and although people joke endlessly about “ghosting” each other on social media, its wound for some, that may never truly heal.

“This plot is focused and squeezes its reader into the manic grip of Sarah’s growing insanity, dragging us on a journey that is both obsessive and dryly comical.” — Kristin on Goodreads, July 9, 2018.

I should also say that I typically see plot twists coming from a mile away.

I’m the kind of reader who

has to cover the bottom-half of the page with my hand to keep my eyes from darting down as I read, eager to know whether I’ve figured out the twist just before it happens. However, this plot twist shocked me. If you think you know where this story is going, you’re wrong.

“Ghosted” is a real holdyour-breath-squeal-as-youread-grit-your-teeth-can’t-stopsmiling kind of book and is absolutely the perfect summer read. (Also great for the fall if you love cozying up with a sweet read and your favorite warm beverage.)

If you love Liane Moriarty’s writing, I am confident you will also love “Ghosted.”

The 15th Street News

The Wright Direction

OPINION | 35

A look at one director’s version of Hollywood

by LOGAN WOOD | Reporter In Hollywood, every film director strives to have a distinctive style that makes them stand out amongst their peers. Many directors fall short of this, but some succeed.

Edgar Wright is one of the few that genuinely succeed at giving their movies a unique personality that exudes energy.

“I'm not normally a fan of action movies, but Wright's films are an exception,” said Rose State College Professor Kristin Hahn. “I teach English Literature, so I'm a bit of an anglophile. ‘Hot Fuzz’ and ‘Shaun of the Dead’ are my favorites.

Even though he is known for slapstick comedy, his films still contain that quintessential, understated British sense of humor that I love. If I say ‘for the greater good’ to someone I've just met, and that person understand the reference, I know right away we'll be friends.”

Wright made his feature length directing debut with the film “Fistful of Fingers” in 1995, which was based on a short film he made while in film school. The movie was a Western parody made with an extremely low budget and looks very much like a student film but is still very clever and creative despite the limitations they had to work with.

The film that really put Wright on everyone’s radar is his second film, “Shaun of the Dead.” Wright co-wrote the story with the film’s lead actor, Simon Pegg. The movie is a parody of the zombie film subgenre and is the first part of the “Cornetto Trilogy” of films that Wright made.

The three movies in the Cornetto Trilogy are not connected by their story but rather by the people behind the scenes.

All three films are British comedies staring Pegg and Nick Frost, co-written by Pegg and Wright and directed by Wright.

Each film also features a reference to Cornetto ice cream.

The second film in the Cornetto Trilogy is 2007’s “Hot Fuzz.”

“My first Edgar Wright movie was actually ‘Hot Fuzz’,” said

Oklahoma City University student Tanner McAfee. “It’s got such a dry sense of humor; it’s hilarious. He really understands how to make use of the camera to tell jokes. The cuts in that movie are phenomenal, but you can’t talk about Edgar Wright without mentioning ‘Scott Pilgrim,’ which is his best film in my opinion. It’s the closest anybody has gotten to making a live action movie look like it came straight from a comic book. He absolutely nailed it.”

“Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” was Wright’s third film and was released in 2010. It was Wright’s first big budget film costing an estimated $85,000,000. The film stars Michael Cera as the title character and is based off a popular comic book series called “Scott Pilgrim.” The film takes place in a stylized world where fights play out like video games and because of that, it was definitely Wright’s most stylized movie and the most entertaining showcase of what he’s capable of creatively.

The newest film by Wright was 2017’s “Baby Driver” starring Ansel Elgort and Lily James. The most notable aspect of this film is its soundtrack and how it uses it. The main character has tinnitus which means he hears a constant ringing in his ears, so he spends almost the entire movie listening to music to help drown out the noise. Everything the character does is to the rhythm of whatever song he is listening to.

Wright has a new film releasing in October starring Anya Taylor-Joy. The film is about a young girl who is passionate about fashion design and is mysteriously transported back in time to 1960s London.

“Overall, I think Edgar Wright is an amazing filmmaker with an immaculate style,” McAfee said. “I love his sense of humor and the pure energy that he exudes. He is definitely one of the best in the industry right now.”

image courtesy of collider.com

36 | LIFESTYLE

The 15th Street News

SPICY TOMATO PESTO

Ingredients: - Bronze Cut Radiatore Pasta - Filippo Berio Spicy Tomato Pesto - Water - Salt

Directions:

1. Boil two cups of water in a small sauce pan with a pinch of salt.

2. Add pasta. Cook until al dente.

3. Strain pasta.

4. Place pasta back into pan, mix in 2 tablespoons of pesto, mix.

5. Enjoy!

SOUTHWEST TACOS Ingredients: - 1/2 lb. Ground Beef - 1 Poblano Pepper - 1 Red Onion - 1 pack of Taco Seasoning - Shredded Cheese - Hot Sauce - Tortillas

Directions:

1. Slice Onion and Poblano Pepper 2. Cook ground beef about half in a pan, add onions, pepper and taco seasoning.

3. Warm tortillas in the microwave.

4. Put everything onto the tortilla.

5. Enjoy.

The 15th Street News

LIFESTYLE | 37

CHICKEN POT PIE Ingredients: - 2 Chicken Breasts - 1 Bag of Mixed Veggies - 1 Can of Flaky Biscuits - 2 Cans of Cream of Chicken - 2 teaspoons Thyme - 3 teaspoons Salt - 3 teaspoons Pepper - 1/2 cup of milk

Directions:

1. Cube chicken breast, cook chicken full in a large pan with salt, pepper and thyme.

2. Mix in veggies, cream of chicken and milk.

3. Put into baking dish, top with biscuits bake until gold and brown.

4. Enjoy!

FROZEN LEMONADE Ingredients: - 1/2 cup of Lemonade - 1 cup of Ice - 1tbsp of Grenadine

Directions:

1. Add ice and lemonade into a blender. Blend until smooth.

2. In a cup add grenadine. Top with your blended lemonade mixture.

3. Enjoy.

38 | LIFESTYLE

The 15th Street News

A Look Back

1980-2005

15TH STREET NEWS FILE PHOTOS

The 15th Street News

LIFESTYLE | 39

40 | LIFESTYLE

The 15th Street News

Rewind to May 1974

The 15th Street News

Fashion Flashback

By DANICA BRACKETT | Editor-in-Chief

Rose State College was founded in 1970, 51 years ago. Not only has Rose State changed tremendously during those years, but so has the fashion industry. Many fashion trends have come and gone during that time.

Elle Magazine refers to the ‘70s as “the decade with the best style.”

Many well-known names today were fashion icons during this time: Diana Ross, Stevie Nicks, Farrah Fawcett and many others.

Let’s jump 50 years back in time and take a look at the fashion trends from the ‘70s.

Early 1970s

The early ‘70s was slightly influenced by the hippies from the ‘60s for a short period of time.

Flared jeans, midi skirts, bell bottoms, wooden jewelry and so much more.

During the early ‘70s if women didn’t want to dress on the hippie side they went for a more casual look involving sweaters, boots and cardigans.

In the early ‘70s men were highly influenced by textures and bright colors.

Men wore lots of satin shirts and three-piece matching suits.

Velvet, corduroy and paisley were very popular in menswear during this time.

Mid-1970s

Later on into the ‘70s. Chino pants, leather jackets, Western shirts and Oxford shoes started to become popular for men.

As for women their style became more casual. Fitted T-shirts with graphic logos became the go-to.

LIFESTYLE | 41

Reliving the 1970s Late 1970s

The ‘70s ended in a disco. Women were mainly seen in sequin shirts, wrap dresses and chunky boots.

Don’t forget the spandex shorts.

Men were also influenced by the disco scene. Many started wearing flared leg pants and matching suits.

Fashion trends come and go, some even reappear. Fashion, like history, repeats itself.

Today

Catherine Dzanski, a criminal justice major at Rose State college, said, “I feel like the ‘70s was one of the most stylish decades of all time.”

Dzanski said she loves vintage wear and that she thinks that is surely starting to return within today’s fashion.

She explained that she has even started seeing bell bottoms incorporated into the fashion scene we have today.

“Vintage clothing is in right now and I’m totally okay with it,” Dzanski said.

Fashion is constantly changing and repeating itself.

Things from the past become things of the future.

15TH STREET NEWS FILE PHOTOS

Rose State 1972-1973

Campus Mazes

START

END

START

SOLUTIONS

Drawn by Laura Huskey

Rose State Trivia 15TH STREET NEWS FILE PHOTOS

RSC has gone through three names!

The school offered its first classes on Sept. 21, 1970.

RSC has served over 270,000 students since its establishment.

The #1 declared major is Nursing Science.

Rose State’s Dental Program in the 1980s.

A Rose State student studying and working at her desk in 2000.

RSC was originally named “Mid-Del Junior College” before being renamed to “Oscar Rose Junior College” after the former Midwest City-Del City Superintendent of Schools.

RSC wasn’t named “Rose State College” until 1983.

The 15th Street News was established in 1971, a year after RSC opened its doors.

RSC started with one building, but now has more than 20!

RSC has had seven official presidents and one interim president.

Rose State students studying English Composition in the 1990s.

RSC has had students from 66 Oklahoma counties, 34 U.S. states and 25 countries.

There are over 35 clubs and student organizations on campus!

The Rose State Music Program in 1982.

COMIC c o r n e r 44 | RAIDER SPORTS

The 15th Street News

2020

happy 50th anniversary, rose state!

April 2006

April 2005

The 15th Street News

April 2005

March 2005

February 2005

RAIDER SPORTS | 45

Richard E. Noakes

Mary C. Bassett

James Cox

Janice K. Wilkerson

Toni F. Thompson

Amy Holsapple

Robert D. Alyea

Zachary James

Harold Spurgeon

Fredric Bassett

Lou Nesbitt

Larry H. Payne

1971-1975

1977-1978

Leo H. Dunlap 1969-1979

David P. York 1979-1980

Merle L. Canfield

1975-1993

1991-1993

1987-1993

1988-1995

1989-2003

2002-2003

2011-2013

1972-2013

1973-1984

1986-1996

1975-2016

Franklin D. Wilson

Shannon Pendley

Marcus A. Lewis

1979-1985

1997

1994-2016

Doris J. Reese

Eldon R. “Pat” Walsh

Amphai Wasson

1980-1988

1971-1998

2011-2018

Donald G. Williams

Dell Lightner

Dawcett Middleton

1988-1989

1978-1998

1991-2020

Nancy C. Knox

Mike Freeman

Joe Anoatubby

1971-1990

1983-2000

William D. Howell

Amy W. Unsell

1982-1990

2000-2002

Stephen A. Leone

Vanessa Wampler

1984-1990

1999-2003

2009-2020

MAY 2021 SUN MON TUES WED THUR FRI

SAT

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Women’s soccer 1 p.m. @ soccer field

Wild Western Art Scavenger Hunt 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. @ Civic Center Music Hall

Softball game 8 a.m.-5 p.m. @ Rose softball field

Cinco de Mayo

Softball game 8 a.m.-5 p.m. @ Rose softball field

Commencement ceremonies 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Baseball game 1 p.m. @ Rose baseball field

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Mermaid show 4 p.m. @ Blue Zoo Aquarium

National Clean Up Your Room Day

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Mens soccer 2 p.m. @ soccer field

Softball & baseball games 8 a.m.-5 p.m. @ Rose softball & baseball fields

23 National Laffy Taffy Day

30 National Water a Flower Day

Tuesday Trivia 7:30-9:30 p.m. @ Parlor OKC

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National Cherry Cobbler Day

National No Dirty Dishes Day

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National Scavenger Hunt Day

31 Memorial Day

National Wine Day

Dope Poetry Night 7:30 p.m. @ Ice Event Center Bar & Grill

National Buttermilk Biscuit Day

Oklahoma Margarita & Taco Festival 1-10 p.m. @ Woodson Park

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Third Thursday: Adult Night at Mixtape 7-10 p.m. @ Factory Obscura

Free OKC Streetcar rides Downtown, Bricktown, Midtown & Auto Alley

Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show 6-9 p.m. @ Skirvin Hilton OKC

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2021 Phillips 66 Big 21 Baseball Championship @ Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark

National Grape Popsicle Day

19 National Juice Slush Day

National Road Trip Day

Staff Members

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Rose State 50th Anniversary Edition

Editor-in-Chief DANICA BRACKETT Assistant Editor LAURA HUSKEY Senior Editor AHMYA WILLIAMS Adviser DARCY DELANEY-NELSON Reporters HANNAH BRYANT ETHAN DAVIS PRIA FAYNE TRYSTAN PIPKIN VANESSA QUINTANA KENDALL WALTON COYT WISDOM LOGAN WOOD SERENA WOODARD LUKE YOST Alumni Reporters SARA EDWARDS PAYTON HAYES HALEY HUMPHREY JAYLYNN RICHARDSON MICHELLE ROJANO RYA UNDERWOOD Letters to the Editor

The 15th Street News welcomes and encourages letters to the editor. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and are subject to editing for obscenity, clarity and space. Submissions must include name, major and phone number. 15th Street News reserves

the right to not publish submitted letters.

Letters to the editor may be hand-delivered to FA110.

Policies The 15th Street News is published monthly and is a designated public forum. Student editors have the authority to make all content decisions without censorship or advance approval. Columns, commentaries and letters to the editor are personal opinions of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of 15th Street News or other students, faculty or administrators of the college.

Anyone having a complaint may contact the Editor-in-Chief, 733-7400.

15th Street News is a member of OCMA, OPA, ACP, Great Plains Journalism Association, and the Society of Professional Journalists.

This publication is printed by the Edmond Sun, issued by RSC and authorized by the Advisor of Student Publications.

RSC in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Executive Order 11246, as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other federal laws and regulations does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices or procedures.

This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid and educational services.

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4. What is Rose State’s secondary color?

5. What is Rose States mascot?

9. What department runs the newspaper?

10. What is Rose State’s main color?

11. What is the name of the student living facility on campus?

14. What is the first name of the 15th Street News adviser?

1. What is the name of the college?

2. What virus has impacted this school year?

3. Where is Rose State located?

6. What is the last name of the Humanities adviser?

7. What is the name of the new café on campus?

8. What coffee shop do we have on campus?

12. What is the name of the building where the library is located?

13. How many years has Rose State been around?

Happy 50th Anniversary,

Rose State College —- Rose State Media Group