The 6420-Fall 2023

THE

6420

ISSUE NO.13

FALL 2023

STAFF Editors-in-Chief

Cartoonists

WILLIAM LITTLE PETER MONDEN

PETER MONDEN

Assistant Editor

Reporters

DAKOTA SCHICK

SHANNON LITTLE

DANIA HAMILTON

Assignment Editors

BLAINE MURDOCK

JACOBEY BROSSIE

FAITH TAYLOR

PRAVEENA JACKSON

NATHAN LOWMAN

JOSUE LEIJA MADISON LINTON

SEAN PENN* HUGO RUANO

ADVISER

Layout and Design

DARCY DELANEY-NELSON

MICHELLE JOHNSON

Top left to right: Jacobey Brosse, Dakota Schick, Peter Monden, William Little, Hugo Ruano Bottom left to right: Dania Hamilton, Nathan Lowman, Praveena Jackson, Michelle Johnson, Madison Linton *writes under a pseudonym

CONTENTS Intro 2. Letters from the Editors

3. TRIO

Education 4. Reach Higher

6. Rose Colored Glasses 20th Anniversary Retrospective

Lifestyle 12. Health & Wellness

14. Meals on a Budget

20. Breaking Rules A Love Letter To The Muscle Car

Entertainment 26. Star Wars RPG, You Won’t Be Board

28. Fortnite Nostalgia

Art 29. Who Am I?

32. Cycles of Change

35. Student Submissions

40. Comics

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Letters from the Editors When I first arrived at Rose State the last thing I thought I would be doing would be working for the 15th street news. Being a kid from Kansas and not having friends here my plan was to lay low, finish school.

I joined the news team for the ability to express my creativity and give students a voice who don’t feel like they have a voice. After a year of writing, editing and starting over from scratch I worked my way to the top.

Take it from me, a kid who hated to read and write, now producing a variety of stories, if you set your mind to something and work hard it will all pay off in the end.

-Dakota Schick Working as joint-editor alongside William has been a whirlwind of mostly frantic and desperate emotions. As a comic guy, I didn’t feel qualified to take on such a role. The highlight as always, has undoubtedly been working with the talented and interesting people who work in the newsroom. I have endless conversations with my fellow newsroom members, god only knows how much work I’ve prevented from happening. This has been a great opportunity and I only hope I wasn’t too much of a hindrance for the people who provide the content that we print.

-Peter Monden I want to say how grateful and honored I am to serve as joint Editor-in-Chief for 15th Street News.

Part of that honor is to work with the great staff we have here. Peter and Dakota have been amazing joint editor and assistant editor. I also want to share my deepest gratitude for this opportunity, since I am an Accounting major I never expected I could reach this position.

As we move into a new part of our lives I am reminded of a verse from the Bible: Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.”

I hope to see you around campus, and if you see me, say hello.

-William Little

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TRIO

By Dania Hamilton

There are numerous programs available at Rose State that can assist students on campus. At Rose, students sometimes have difficulties understanding a class during the school semester. Students should start their TRIO journey now at your current college or university. All students will need to do is apply to join their TRIO Program. Some schools provide a TRIO Program for students. “Students can look for a TRIO program on campus by using the “Search” tool on the school website,” Boyles Vance, Jazmyne said.

On notice boards around campus, there are several fliers, pamphlets, and QR codes for these programs. The students at Rose State can become aware of TRIO on campus by asking a professor, advisor or visiting the TRIO office in room 209 of the Student Services Building. One out of the three requirements must be satisfied by students in the TRIO Program. First the student must be a first-generation college student, which means neither parent nor legal guardian holds a bachelor’s degree, second meets federal income requirements, finally, has a disability that has been medically verified. The faculty advises students who fit one of these criteria for application since these services will be provided at no cost to them. At Rose State College, there is currently one TRIO Program available which is TRIO Student Support Services.

There are eight total TRIO programs recognized nationally. Each program offers support and services to a different demographic or age group. “For example, TRIO Talent Search is for middle school and High School students,” said Boyles-Vance Jazmyne’, “but TRIO Student Support Services is for College Students.” This semester, students can receive comprehensive support to address any academic challenges they may face. TRIO Programs are tailored to the size of the school and the amount of the grant awarded. The Rose State Trio serves up to 144 students, based on this the government grants funding to the Rose State program. At Rose State College, the TRIO Student support services program is dedicated to ensuring that participants persist in college and earn associates degrees or certificates, as well as transfer to a four-year university. The program is funded by the Department of Education as a national TRIO program.

If students have any questions or require further information, please visit us at the Student Service Building Room 209.

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Reach

Higher

By Praveena Jackson

T

he Adult Degree Completion Program, otherwise known as the Enterprise Development Reach Higher Emphasis Degree Program, is a statewide initiative created to help working individuals complete their associate degrees by getting them back into college. You can create a modified degree completion course that fits your schedule with the assistance of the Rose State Reach Higher program coordinator. “Some choose to leave school early and enter the workforce, leaving them with a few credits but no degree. To fulfill the program requirements for their degree, students can use credits from almost any subject in this program. After that, they just need to finish their general education requirements,” said Professor Terrance Grayson, Director of Academic Outreach.

An Associate of Arts in General Studies degree is offered by Rose State College as part of the Reach Higher initiative. To meet the eligibility requirements, you must have done all necessary compensatory coursework, have at least 18 hours of college credit and have a 2.0 GPA from prior college credit. Additionally, students can select between taking a flex, online, or in-person class. “The good thing about this program is that almost all the classes are online, it has a flexible schedule and it doesn’t matter when you start or if you are taking classes full-time or part-time, whatever works for you,” Grayson said.

The Enterprise Development Reach Higher Emphasis Degree Program is supported by the Oklahoma State Regions of Higher Education received a scholarship in 2022 for the students who are completing degrees under the program. A student is eligible for the scholarship if they have over 30 credit hours, a minimum of 2.0 GPA, are a resident of Oklahoma and are working towards an Enterprise Development Degree, Cybersecurity Degree, or Enterprise Development Aviation Emphasis Degree.

“With this scholarship, students are eligible for a max of $5,000 or they can receive the scholarship for 5 semesters, depending on whatever comes first. It is called The Finish Line Scholarship because it is really to help students finish up the last few classes,” Grayson said. In 2022, approximately $70,000 worth of scholarships were given and in 2023, the program was awarded approximately $84,000 to give out.

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Students who complete this program will be awarded an Enterprise Development Associate in Arts Degree, Reach Higher Emphasis or an Enterprise Development Associate in Arts Degree, Aviation Emphasis. The goal of the Enterprise Development Associate in Arts Degree, Aviation Emphasis, is to give students who are part of the Aviation Alliance at Tinker Air Force Base a way to finish a transfer degree program. With an emphasis on aviation, students will study a wide range of general education subjects.

The Enterprise Development Associate in Arts Degree, Reach Higher Emphasis aims to offer a multidisciplinary associate degree completion program that is accessible, adult-friendly, and accommodating in terms of delivery and format. It also allows for flexibility in the creation of a well-organized, customized course sequence that is pertinent to each student’s learning objectives and career aspirations.

For more information about the Enterprise Development Reach Higher Emphasis Degree Program, visit the Rose State College website and look for Adult Degree Completion/Reach Higher or, email Professor Terrance Grayson at tgrayson@rose.edu.

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Rose Colored Glasses

20th Anniversary

Retrospective

By Peter Monden

Preface: I’ve been doing comics for the 15th Street News for over a year now. Rose Colored Glasses is a big part of the reason for that. The 50th Anniversary issue of the paper featured some reprints of Rose Colored Glasses. I was making a comic at the time, so I thought I should reach out to the paper.

I’ve been archiving student-made comics from the 15th Street News ever since. My interest naturally extends to the author of Rose Colored Glasses, Eyrnne Mitchell-Waltman, whom I’ve had the opportunity to interview about the fine details and rationale behind making the comics.

PM: First I’d like to thank you for agreeing to this interview. I’m looking forward to your insight and memories from making Rose Colored Glasses. My first question is: what inspired you to make Rose Colored Glasses? Were there any comic strips you looked to for inspiration?

EM: I’d been reading a lot of online comic strips around that time (a few of my favorites were Sluggy Freelance, Something Positive, and Boy Meets Boy), but I wouldn’t say I took direct inspiration from any of them. My main goal was to have repeating characters in college-themed situations with a punchline at the end of each strip. I didn’t plan an overarching plotline to carry on from week to week, unlike most comic strips, since I knew the strip would only run as long as I was a student at Rose.

PM: That’s interesting, I wouldn’t think webcomics were on many people’s radar at the time. Is that a scene you still keep up with at all?

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EM: Not as much anymore, unfortunately. There are a few I check in on from time to time, but I don’t follow any regularly.

PM: I was wondering how the strip began. The earliest strips I found were dated in 2002 but printed in 2003, did you start the comic independently from joining the newsroom?

EM: I’d been working with 15th Street News for roughly 18 months when I brought up the idea of a weekly comic strip. I’d been drawing short strips for my amusement since my junior year of high school, and I had a few ideas for college-themed jokes that I could utilize if the strip were given the green light, and I knew we’d been looking for more ‘fun’ things to include in the weekly paper (like crossword puzzles or horoscopes).

I’d started drawing the characters in the strip long before it was given a green light, so I had lots of artwork to work with when I was told to go forward with the production of RoseColored Glasses. Because of this, I didn’t always have to draw each panel fresh each week, although I did have to come up with situations and punchlines.

I got an award in a competition for college papers for one of the doublelength strips, so that one holds a place of honor in my heart.

PM: Oh, that’s really cool! Do you remember which one it was?

EM: I don’t, unfortunately.

(Follow up) I was able to find the name of the award that I won for the RCG comic strip. It was from the Oklahoma Interscholastic Press Association.

PM: What was your experience like making the comic?

EM: The experience of making the comic was about what one would expect: the hardest part was figuring out the joke for each week’s strip. Drawing the characters wasn’t too hard; I’m not an especially talented artist, so the images tended to be pretty repetitive. But once I had a script in mind, I’d draw a rough concept of the strip in wobbly boxes. When I had a feeling for how I wanted it to look, I’d draw the actual images I intended to use, then ink them in and erase the pencil beneath.

I’d scan them in and work on putting the week’s images into the blank template of panels I used for most of the strips. I enjoyed the process, both the creativity of making a new strip each week and the predictability of putting the strip together digitally once it was drawn and scanned.

PM: I guess that is pretty standard. I share your appreciation for the process, which is why I don’t typically do digital-only comics.

Your process actually sounds pretty similar to mine. Was your process self taught or did you seek out information on creating comics?

EM: It was self-taught. I had some ideas for comics and doodled them out in a sketchbook. It was a lot

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of trial and error as I figured out what worked and what didn’t and streamlined the process to make it easier on myself.

curiosity, I was wondering if after all these years you have a complete set of the strips, or can you verify how many strips were printed?

PM: Same here, especially the trial and error… The early comics appear to have been hand drawn but seemed to change to digital in 2004. What was the reason for the change and how did you go about that transition?

EM: I actually am not sure how many total were printed. We put one in every issue of 15th Street News once we started including them, right up until I graduated. Unfortunately, I no longer have the computer on which I used to do all the digital work on the strips, so unfortunately I don’t have copies anymore.

EM: I actually drew everything by hand the entire time. The only thing that changed was that eventually, after scanning the hand-drawn images in, I’d convert those files to black and white images (which took all the softness out of the lines, making it possible for me to add color).

PM: That’s neat, It definitely gave your comics a cleaner look. I really thought they were made digitally after 2003. Since the paper was printed in grayscale at the time, I was wondering if the comic was originally in color?

EM: The comic strips were colored in. But since the paper was in grayscale, the colors all converted to shades of gray. But I liked the look of them with “color” added more than the black and white images I’d started with, so I continued doing it.

PM: I thought that must have been the case. Sure they could have originally been shaded in grayscale, but where’s the fun in that?

EM: Exactly! Plus, in my own mind, the colors still changed the value of the grays in the comic strips. I knew what the original colors had been, so I could still almost imagine them when I saw the finished, printed product.

PM: I have archived 70 or your comic strips printed between 2003 and 2006. It’s possible that some strips have eluded me. Mostly out of

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PM: That’s a shame, but it’s not too surprising to hear. At least the printed versions live on. Some of the content acknowledged topics like minor instances of sexism and objectification as well as having mildly inappropriate humor at times.

Was censorship a concern? Were there any comics that didn’t see the light of day due to that or any other reason?

EM: I understood the line I needed to walk for a college newspaper, so I tried very hard not to overstep the clear boundaries. I don’t remember any clear instances of comic strips being rejected outright.

PM: I’m a little surprised to hear that. Standards are a bit stricter now, there are a few Rose Colored Glasses strips that push things more than I’ve been able to.

EM: (As an aside, If I’d had a little more wiggle room in what could and could not go into Rose-Colored Glasses, I would’ve enjoyed adding more depth to the characters. I actually had a webcomic for a while featuring the same two characters but as semi-functional adults with other supporting characters.

Unfortunately, given the limited run and the necessity of restraints on topics covered, I was never able to get into Bingo and Lucky as much as I would’ve liked).

PM: I noticed a few long-running storylines in the series. Did you ever commit to an arc then realize you were tired of it before it was over or did you prefer working that way?

EM: I didn’t want to include any deep or long-letting storylines. I knew the comic wouldn’t necessarily be something people caught every single week, so I knew each strip needed to be able to stand somewhat on its own.

I tried not to put too much backstory into each one and instead keep them light and simple.

PM: Yeah, I see what you mean about each part being standalone. Multi issue stories are actually something I haven’t done with my main comic yet. But we do monthly issues now and I have a whole page dedicated to comics. When I have something longer I just run it in the magazine where space isn’t an issue. Do you have any favorite Rose Colored Glasses strips?

EM: I don’t have any that are particular favorites. I enjoyed them all. Getting to put together a strip for publication was already a pretty big deal for me, amateurish as it was and limited as the audience would be. Each strip was a delight for me, and every new one felt like ‘the best one yet’ when I finished it and turned it in.

PM: It’s cool to get your work out there in physical form. And I really think there’s something special about comics in college papers. There’s a sense of connection knowing that one of your peers is making them, and you probably aren’t going to see them

anywhere else.

EM: Exactly! I got comments from people in classes when they recognized my name in class and matched it to my name on the comics.

It was always a really good feeling to hear someone say they enjoyed it and looked forward to it each week.

PM: Bingo and Lucky are the two central characters with Bingo being the main character. Bingo tends to be the voice of frustration and source of comedy while Lucky provides contrast and occasionally antagonizes.

How did you go about defining and writing your characters?

EM: Bingo was based on how most people interpreted me upon first meeting me. In high school, my nickname was Daria, after the late90’s cartoon of the same name. I tend to be fairly quiet and taciturn at first. It was easy to write a character that lives up to all those “goth girl” stereotypes because that was the initial impression most people took from me.

Conversely, Lucky is based on my actual personality. I am happy-golucky, cheerful, and love making jokes constantly. He acts as the soft heart of the comic strip, keeping Bingo from being too grumpy about life.

PM: I really like the reasoning behind that dynamic. In my own comic, the two titular characters are based on the odd divide in my personality.

PM: When I was combing through our archives to make scans of your comic I noticed you did several editorial

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cartoons. I know at least some of them were for your own editorials.

Editorial cartoons have a specific kind of visual commentary that isn’t always intuitive to design. What was your process like for determining how to convey a message?

EM: Oh man. I just sat around doodling until I got a working idea for what I thought might best represent the central idea of the editorial. Then I did a couple of sketches to try and narrow down the exact look I wanted, and did a final sketch and ink. Sometimes I’d browse random editorial cartoons on the Internet to help myself figure out the ‘feel’ of an editorial cartoon.

PM: If there’s another way of doing it, I haven’t figured it out. Often I’d have a solid idea to begin with but lacked confidence, so I’d wait until the deadline and then show my idea to the writer. Then they’d like it and I’d feel like an idiot for not running it by them sooner.

I have a habit of obsessively doodling in the newsroom and I’ve hidden sticky notes all over the place. Did you do anything similar?

EM: I would sometimes put up sticky notes with Bingo and Lucky and some sarcastic saying in my cubicle, for my own amusement.

PM: You mentioned revisiting the series as a web comic, I was wondering if you could elaborate a bit more on that.

EM: I had a webcomic for a few years called Et-cetera that had Bingo

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and Lucky as the main characters. It had long-running storylines and lots of side characters, but I ended up letting it fall by the wayside when life got hectic and I never really got back to it.

PM: Do you still dabble in making comics?

EM: I don’t draw often anymore; I’m a mom to four kids now, and what little spare time I have, I usually devote to either reading or writing fiction, my two biggest hobbies.

PM: That’s understandable. It’s cool that you did continue on with the characters for a while. Does that comic still exist online? I’d really like to see some if that’s possible.

EM: The full archive still exists at ComicGenesis. I haven’t updated in years, and it kinda left off at a cliffhanger...but I hope you get some fun out of it. You can watch my style grow if you go all the way back to the very first comics and work your way forward. Just to clarify, while the characters are the same, etcetera touches on more adult topics. http://etc.comicgenesis.com/ e t - c e t e r a

b y P. C h u u

PM: That’s great, thanks for sharing this!

That’s only natural, my interests have yet to stick with any one thing indefinitely. Creative hobbies are something I consider essential.

Writing’s a good outlet to have. It’s definitely a more intuitive way to express yourself. What kind of things do you write about, if you don’t mind

me asking?

EM: I mainly stick in urban fantasy (i.e. paranormal but in a modern, “real” world setting). I’ve written about Death falling for a human, a world in which the dead rising into zombies is the accepted norm and everyone just deals with it, and am currently working through a story about an autistic werewolf who befriends an asexual bear shifter. I like poking nonsense with a stick to see what will come of it.

PM: That certainly sounds interesting. Do you publish or post this work anywhere? Or is it more of a personal thing?

EM: I have not yet sought to publish anything, although with the ease of Kindle, I might rethink that soon. As Ferenc Molnár once said (although it’s been attributed to Virginia Woolf recently), “Writing is like sex. First, I did it for my own pleasure. Then I did it for the pleasure of my friends. And now—I do it for money.”

share some of the silly characters that live in my brain with a bunch of other people and maybe help add a little levity to their weeks.

PM: Well I’m grateful that you did.

When I saw a reprint of some of your comics in the 50th anniversary issue of the paper, that’s what encouraged me to reach out to the 15th Street News. I hope future students will continue to contribute comics to the paper. I want to thank you, Erynne, for agreeing to this interview and answering my questions. I’ve really enjoyed our conversation. I made a little drawing for you as a way of saying thank you. It’s Bingo and Lucky drawn in the art style of my comic.

EM: It’s been a pleasure talking about it! Thank you for chasing down all the facts.

PM: That’s a great quote, I’ll try and get it printed. For myself; as long as it doesn’t become a chore, that’s all I ask.

EM: I’m still in the “pleasure of my friends” category. I write fanfic sometimes, which is publicly available, and I share my novels to close friends whom I think might enjoy them. But being paid for my pastime wouldn’t be bad, either.

PM: The 20th anniversary of Rose Colored Glasses’ debut in the 15th Street News was (to my knowledge) this February. Do you have any thoughts about that you’d like to express?

EM: It’s bizarre to think it’s been 20 years since I started drawing Bingo and Lucky for the RSC newspaper. I love that I was able to

Eyrnne Mitchell-Waltman

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Health & Wellness

By Dakota Schick

Hitting the gym and eating strict diets are two major stereotypes that many people believe nutrition and wellness to be. Though that may be true there are many smaller details that can go into this.

Wellness is not being strong and muscular, but rather being fit for your body type, having a strong mental health and a healthy social life. Yes, physical wellness for some can mean hitting the gym for huge lifts and pumps, but for others lifting a few weights, walking on a treadmill, going for a run, or doing a sport and activity with their friends is also considered physical wellness. It does not always have to feel like a job when one exercises, rather it should be something one enjoys doing and can be easily done on a day-to-day basis.

According to an article posted by MedicineNet.com, “Being physically fit, a person would have an enhanced ability to prevent illness and diseases.”

Having a strong social life is important to one’s well-being. No, this does not mean going out every night or having to live up to other’s standards. Simply just having a group of close friends who can support each other whenever it may be needed. In the same article from MedicineNet, “Relating, interacting, and contributing to a community, establishing good interpersonal relations, and maintaining longterm relationships with family and friends keep a person happier and healthier.” Once one finds a long-lasting relationship, they learn that those friends will be there no matter the cause, good cause good or bad.

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Mental health is a problem many Americans face in today’s world. With social media, politics, pandemics, and life in general wearing down on someone it can be difficult to keep a strong mental health. One example many people avoid suffering mentally is by trying to learn something new every day. Whether this be from reading, asking others or using an app on their smart phone there are many ways to keep a sharp and healthy mind every day.

Eating healthy and good nutrition can be the same for men and women. It is a simple rule to follow, eat healthy foods and do not eat junk food. This may be easy to follow but most follow most people do not. Some do not know where to start.

There is a basic list to follow when trying to eat healthier.

First and most important, drinking water is one of the best ways to improve a diet. There are also a wide variety of food groups that are considered a healthy option. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, low fat and fat free, and oils are all on the list of healthy food items. Fruits and veggies are self-explanatory but some of the others are not. Whole grains like brown rice and whole-wheat bread are some examples of whole grains foods. Lean meats, chicken, eggs and nuts are all examples of proteins. Low fat milk, yogurt and cheese are all items to put in the cart at the grocery store.

There is plenty more simple food besides these few in Eat Healthy an article posted by Health.gov.

Eating healthy and caring for one’s physical wellness shouldn’t have to feel like a chore. Start simple because jumping all in can very easily overwhelm one’s self and lead them to stray away from a better lifestyle.

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Meals on a budget

By Jacobey Brossie

Being creative when cooking is a fun experience for me, I love to go to Dollar Tree and Walmart to find items to cook up a meal. It reminds me of the quote, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade”- Elbert Hubbard, so in today’s recipe, I will show you how to make a meal on a budget.

Budget Ramen -1 Norita Tonkotsu Miso Pork Ramen Bowl, 2.6 oz.

-1 12.5 oz can of chicken.

-1 tsp of brown sugar or sugar, preferably brown sugar.

-1 Hard boiled egg.

-Boiling water.

Instructions 1. Boil some water and open your noodles into a bowl 2. Add the sugar, egg, and toppings 3. Pour the hot boiling water in the bowl of noodles 4. Give it a stir to blend 5. Add your can of chicken to the noodles bowl 6. Enjoy!

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$5.85

Virgin Drink On A Budget -1 Great Value Low Sodium Club Soda Sparkling Water, 33.8 Fl Oz. -1 Crush, Sugar Free, Powder Drink Mix, Pineapple, 6ct, on-the-Go. 1 cup of ice.

Instructions

$3

1. Open the club soda and insert the flavor packet 2. Add the lid back onto the club soda.

3. Give that club soda a good shake 4. Now gently tap the top of the club soda 5. Now get your cup of ice 6.Pour the club soda mix into the cup of ice 7.Enjoy!

Let’s eat a delicious dessert!

Are you looking for a nice sweet and salty desert, a desert that gives you the taste of both worlds ? I’m talking about flavorful food and dessert cravings. Then you are at the right place. Let’s dip fries in a shake.

Tasty Treat -Salty crinkle cut fries -A vanilla shake or ( flavor of your choice).

Instructions

1. Open your shake lid 2. Take your good looking salty fries 3. Now dip your salty fries into the shake mix and Enjoy!

$5

Hopefully you will enjoy the recipes that were provided. All the recipes I provided are very useful to me as a college student.

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Amma’s Homemade Recipe

By Praveena Jackson

( Amma is Mother in Tamil )

These are a few homemade Asian recipes that are easy to make with just a few ingredients. These dishes bring so much comfort and will guarantee to make your day better, especially when you are having a rough day.

Soy Sauce Chicken

Ingredients;

Directions;

-½ Chicken ( cut to bite size ) -Garlic ( thinly sliced ) -Ginger ( ½ inch thinly sliced ) -1 Big onion ( thinly sliced ) -Oyster sauce ( 2 tablespoons ) -Light soy sauce ( 1 tablespoon ) -Dark soy sauce ( ½ tablespoon ) -Sesame oil ( ½ teaspoon ) -Salt & Pepper -Green scallions for garnishing ( 2 stalks )

1. Marinate chicken with oyster sauce, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, and salt & pepper.

Set aside for half an hour.

2. Then, heat the wok. Add onions, ginger and garlic. Fry until fragrant.

Add marinated chicken to the wok.

3. Mix everything well.

4. Then, add some water.

5. Once the sauce is thick, remove the chicken from the wok.

6. Garnish the dish with some thinly sliced scallions.

The dish is now ready to be served with steamed white rice and salad.

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Top 7 Places to Visit in 2023 for Anyone in Love with Travel

By Blaine Murdock

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1. Paris, France

Paris houses numerous attractions, from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre. Paris is just a cozy city that has so much to offer.

Activities range from exotic art exhibits to many restaurants serving French delicacies.

According to U.S. News travelers might discover something new with each trip. Paris is deemed an ever-changing city. The ChampsÉlysées is a notorious street located in Paris. In fact, U.S. News said that it is France’s most famous boulevard. The street is also a paradise for those who love shopping.

The Arc de Triomphe is unforgettable at first glance. History is etched underneath the arch for tourists to discover.

Tokyo is the capital of Japan and one of its best-known cities. U.S. News said autumn is the best time of year to visit Tokyo. In the fall, Japan is full of vibrant foliage and lovable temperatures. However, tourism reaches a high peak during the summer. According to U.S. News, the Tokyo National Museum is the right place for history buffs. The Meiji Shrine is a Shinto shrine that was built in memory of Emperor Meiji. When entering the shrine, tourists need to bow as a sign of respect.

The museum is currently home to over 116,000 pieces of art. Also, the museum is composed of numerous buildings ,each with their own unique masterpieces. Tourists are also sure to find artifacts from all over Asia.

This Spanish city is appealing to the eyes of travelers.

Barcelona is a scenic city and a perfect destination for tourists.

Attractions range from restaurants, nightclubs and a whole pedestrian market.

U.S. News said that in Barcelona, the cuisine is a mix of Spanish and Mediterranean.

Famous dishes include jamón ibérico,

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3.

Barcelona, Spain

2. Tokyo, Japan tortilla española and gazpacho. Barcelona houses innumerable attractions for people touring the area.

The Park Guëll is a colorful landscape of architecture and parks. According to U.S. News, Park Guëll was at first intended to be a housing community for the rich. Visitors can spot a wavy stone bench full of lively mosaics.

Costa Rica has quite an abundance of rainforests and unique wildlife. Also, volcanoes are around every corner of the country.

According to U.S. News, the locals of Costa Rica live a more relaxed lifestyle. Locals live by the phrase pura vida, or “Pure Life.” The capital, San José, is an ideal tourist location.

Tourists can take a relaxing hike by the Arenal Volcano, for starters. U.S. News said that the La Paz Waterfall Gardens house many vibrant butterflies.

Costa Rican cuisine is on a whole new level. According to U.S. News Costa Rican dishes contain many exotic fruits and vegetables. Black beans and rice are the norm for almost every meal. Gallo pinto is a simple dish of just rice and beans. Pati, on the other hand, pastry loaded with curried beef and onions.

4. Costa Rica

U.S. News said that Santorini is a top honeymoon destination.

Some say that Santorini was home to the original lost land of Atlantis. Santorini is now home to beautiful, colorful beaches. The beaches of Santorini have black and red sand, which is an oddity. Many tourists flock to Santorini during the summer season. The weather is warm at that time. According to U.S. News, body language is key to communicating with locals. For instance, when waving goodbye, visitors should have their palms facing them. Greeks are always open to long conversations with visitors.

6. Rio de Janeiro

Janeiro, Brazil.

5. Santorini, RioRioisdealso known as Cidade Maravilhosa (Marvelous City in Greece Portuguese), according

Sydney, Australia. Sydney offers some of the Southern Hemisphere’s best sights.

According to U.S. News, Sydney has something to offer for everyone.

Alongside its many beaches, Sydney features sights like the Royal Botanic Garden and the Sydney Harbor Bridge. The Sydney Opera House is one of the most well known landmarks. According to U.S. News, the opera house was built by Danish architect Jørn Utzon back in 1956. Sydney is generally a laid back city. U.S. News said that Australian summers tend to be more expensive.

Plane tickets skyrocket during that season, lasting from December to February. Visiting during the spring and fall is less expensine.

7. Sydney, Australia

to U.S. News. Rio’s geography ranges from white-sand beaches to high green mountains.

U.S. News said Rio has a diverse demographic.

Rio is also a city that has a passion for athletics. Maracaña Stadium hosted the 2014 World Cup finals and the 2016 Summer Olympics. Carnival is a vibrant festivity among Brazilians. According to U.S. News, visitors can directly witness some of Brazil’s blocos (street parties). The five day festival brings in flocks of travelers from across the world. Cariocas, or Brazilians born in Rio, are known to be laid back. Cariocas delight in simple things like dancing and eating late.

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Breaking Rules A Love Letter To The Muscle Car

By Nathan Lowman The smell of unburnt gas in the exhaust fumes, sound of a thumping camshaft and the raw throw-you-in-the-back-of-your seatpower of a big-block V8 are all unmistakably part of the muscle car experience. The 1966 edition of the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a muscle car as “A group of American-made-two-door sport coupes with powerful engines designed for high-performance driving”; though this definition is correct, the muscle car is all about breaking the rules even before fails to even stick to its own definition. What more could you expect from a car with aggressive styling and engines loud enough to shake the pavement on which they rule? These are just some of the qualities that make the muscle car so worthy of the love (and money) of car enthusiasts around the globe.

When one thinks of the muscle car, they likely think of a loud, bright-colored, aggressively styled and borderline obnoxious car that is driven by the likes of “gym-bros” and rednecks. The muscle car doesn’t care to follow the rules or fit into high society. The music produced from the exhaust pipe is so loud it can shake the ground and cause car alarms to go off. Colors range from the attention grabbing “Hugger-Orange” that adorned Chevrolet Camaros to the rebellious gender-role defying “Panther-Pink” that was worn on the Dodge Challenger broke the rules of painting cars in rather calm, pleasant colors. The styling of the Plymouth Barracuda was outright scary and the minimalist yet mean design of the Buick GNX defied the styling norms of their respective eras. The muscle cars of the late 1960s were so fast and so bad for the environment that the government effectively regulated them in 1975 through EPA regulations. The muscle car’s spirit of rebellion goes deeper than just that though, breaking the rules which define it.

Though the muscle car is the pride and joy of the American automotive landscape, it has found itself all over the world, specifically in Latin America, Northern Europe and Australia. Some of America’s most iconic modern muscle cars like the Pontiac GTO and Chevrolet SS are actually Australian imports, and Ford Motor Company legends like the Ford GT40 Mk1 and the Shelby A/C Cobra are entirely British built other than the drivetrains. This street goes both ways though, with the American muscle car becoming a popular import all over the world, particularly in the Nordic countries. Australians have even started their own muscle car culture. Holden (Australian

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counterpart to Chevrolet) and Ford built muscle cars have become the flagship cars of the Australian car industry. Even the sophisticated sports cars of Italy and Britain have borrowed parts from the Americans, with the hand-built Italian DeTomaso Pantera GT-S and the refined Marcos Mantis hailing from the British Isles both hosting motors sourced from the very American Ford Mustang GT. One may think the muscle car is just an impractical two-door meant by the definition given earlier, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The muscle car transcends beyond just being a car, with the Chevrolet El Camino and Dodge Lil’ Red Express pickup truck proving that the muscle car can indeed be a truck. The muscle car doesn’t always have to have just two doors either, with the modern iteration of the Dodge Charger and the Cadillac CTS-V proving sedans can also be muscle cars. They can even be SUVs, with the Hellcat V8 powered Jeep Trackhawk proving you can take the whole family to the grocery store in a hurry.

Muscle cars are typically imagined on the drag strip or NASCAR oval, only good for straight lines and left-hand turns. This stereotype couldn’t be further from the truth though, with scores of muscle cars being built for every purpose you could think of. The Shelby Daytona being an endurance racing legend, the AMC Javelin dominating the road courses, and the Ford GT40 rules over circuits all over Europe. There is a muscle car for everyone and every purpose, and herein lies the beauty of the muscle car. Its ability to break its own rules and defy expectations is why the muscle car is so loved.

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Mechanical Beauty Photos by Ashton Case

1965 Ford Mustang

Indian Scout Bobber

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Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star ( stationed @Tinker AFB, OKC )

1956 Desoto Adventure Front Dash

Douglas C-47 Skytrain

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Campus Beauty Photos by Josue Leija

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A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. . .

By William Little

Star Wars RPG, You Won’t Be Board Tabletop role-playing games or TTRPGs, are a strange and interesting idea. A group of people gather together and pretend a world into existence and wreak havoc upon it. The individuals reach into the abyss of their souls to find the most deranged madness to regurgitate into the game. The master of the world also reaches into his soul, to pour hate and ire onto the field to torment the individuals.

What I just described sounds like a game that should not exist.

But it does. The most well-known version of it is called “Dungeons and Dragons,” or DnD, by Wizards of the Coast. This game came out in 1974 and has grown tremendously in popularity. As all things that grow in popularity, there were those who saw its capabilities to make money with other Intellectual properties. Star Wars would eventually make one in 1987. This game was very well designed and quite fun. Wizards of the Coast would create the next one called “Star Wars Roleplaying Game.” Which would be a straight up rip off of their own IP DnD. It would include almost the exact same perks, classes and abilities just with a bit of Star Wars flavoring added.

The series I want to bring to light today is Fantasy Flight’s “Star Wars Roleplaying Game”. This is different from most TTRPG. It is a brilliant system that can be tricky for veteran players and is fun for everyone.

The average player of DnD will find comfort in the similarities of the game. It consists of a Game Master who is the narrator and creator of the world. They guide the players through the world and conform it to their style of play. The players go through the world and complete quests and defeat enemies, or whatever they feel like doing. TTRPGs are a weird kind of game. They almost require playing them, watching others or video to fully understand how they work.

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Some aspects of this game can be seen as having a high cost of entry. The game is broken into three books, which offer different styles of play from the source material. The first book is called “Edge of the Empire”. It offers a style of play more akin to Bounty Hunters and The Underworld. The second is “Age of Rebellion”. This tackles a favorite of mine which is large vehicle and capital ship combat. As either a Rebel or a member of the Empire, players can construct bases and engage in battles. The final one is “Forces and Destiny”, it’s everything Jedi. From Jedi powers to classes, it covers everything about the Jedi anyone would need to know

about Jedi for a campaign. But going back to the high cost of entry, each one is sold individually for around $50. This is a very daunting investment. I only own two of them, which are the “Edge of the Empire” and “Age of Rebellion.”

DnD players will also find comfort in the presence of classes.

Each book includes six main classes named “careers” and subclasses called specializations. There are eighteen careers and three specializations per class. These cover almost every want or need in the Star Wars Universe. From Bounty Hunters to doctors, it truly does have something for everyone. Most people go with the Bounty Hunter option. I personally enjoy the Bounty Hunter career with the specialization of Assassin, which gives the player an edge in combat and makes for a great Jack-of-all-trades experience.

The largest hindrance to fans of TTRPGs will be the dice.

These are not like d20 or even a normal set of dice. The dice that are utilized are called narrative dice. On each side instead of numbers there are symbols. One die is for the player, which contains three symbols. One for success, one for advantage and the last one is triumph. The opposing dice contains the inverse: failure, threat and despair. The outcome is measured by the amount of successes to failures. This can be complicated the first few times through, but becomes a freeing mechanic in the long run.

Instead of trying to read what a sixteen means you just need to figure out if the move was successful.

The Star Wars Roleplaying Game is one of the most unique RPGs I have played. The amount of diversity and range the game gives you with the books is freeing. The narrative dice gives the Game Master finer control over the whole experience. It all culminates in a fantastical experience that truly delivers on every front.

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FORTNITE NOSTALGIA

By Dakota Schick

Kids, teenagers and even some adults around the state of Oklahoma joined the many Americans glued to their gaming consoles during the first weekend of November. No, it was not cold, rather the weather was nice, it was because Fortnite OG was launched by Epic Games. Epic Games set a record high for Fortnite with over 44.7 million players logging a combined 102 million hours of play according to the games official X account.

Launching in 2017 the Fortnite franchise has been through 25 seasons, with each new season, maps, characters and weapons have come and gone. Instead of new upgrades the game went back in time to the season 1 chapter 4 game bringing back previous guns, characters and more importantly the original map. Fortnite has new season releases every few months, with another new update coming within the next couple of months Epic Games plans to keep the OG style going by re-releasing old characters and weapons from the first few years of the game.

Players have many emotions about this because of the nostalgic factor the new updates have given fans. People everywhere can be nostalgic about many things, whether that’s an old sport, friend, family member or anything they miss from their past. For many of these players it is not the game itself that made them come back, it is the nostalgia they felt while playing.

Staying up late at night, eating very unhealthy snacks, constantly checking the clock to see how fast time has flown by and celebrating a Victory Royal.

This is what is bringing back some of the game’s original players to reunite them with all their friends who they’ve played with before. People around the Oklahoma City area discussed getting home from school, starting their gaming console and joining online parties with their friends to play for hours, sometimes even full days and nights. Social media has also brought a lot of excitement since many former Fortnite streamers started announcing they will be making new videos and live streams for all their former audiences to enjoy once again. Fans are excited to be able to go back to a time where they didn’t have much to worry about besides where they were going to drop on the Fortnite map.

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Fortnite and Epic games have given their fans a blast to the past with the release of Fortnite OG.

Disclaimer;

The 15th Street News feels the need to provide a disclaimer for the submissions provided by Kendrick Simpson. On January 16, 2006 Simpson shot and killed len Palmer and Anthony Jones. Simpson is a death row inmate, he is also currently enrolled here at Rose State. Kendrick Simpson is scheduled to be executed March 7, 2024. Given his situation and his standing as a student, we feel his voice should be heard. We do not condone anything he has done, but we do not believe it is our place to pass judgment. The justice system embodies that role for better or worse. In Simpson’s case, he is set to receive the harshest punishment practiced by our justice system. Due to the nature of his offenses, and the recent tragic passing of RJ Long, we don’t feel comfortable publishing these pieces without acknowledging the context behind them.

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Cycles of Change Hugo Ruano Gutierrez

From Joy to Sorrow, and back again. A mere single phase of change.

The air is getting cold and bitter, I’m sure you can feel it, just another phase.

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How many times can someone visit a graveyard until the memories of the past stop bringing comfort?

Stop and sit for a while. Let your restless soul take a minute.

Your road has been long, you’ve been happy and sorrowful. You’ve been energetic, you’ve been enervated.

Everyday is a new start, the middle of something, and the end of another.

How can you stand to be the same as you’ve been? Perhaps the answer lies in the comfort of the familiar. To stay the same means nothing new to confront, every fight eventually becomes the same or similar.

No one is meant to cross the same river twice. For the river changes over time, and so should you.

Embrace the challenges of your life. Take the lessons found in failure and soar. Just keep yourself level, unlike Icarus.

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DIVERSITY CENTER FIND YOUR PATH TO SUCCESS AT ROSE STATE COLLEGE

ABOUT US The Diversity Center embraces a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion that empowers anyone from anywhere to be successful in their academic and professional endeavors. We strive to provide an environment that is enriching to all by understanding and appreciating our dimensions of diversity, becoming global citizens, and welcoming new ways of engaging the unique contributions of all people.

THE CENTER PROVIDES:

A safe and affirming space Mentorship Advisement Case Management Programming for students Student Success Workshops Study Skills Assistance Connection with Campus Support Resources Early Alerts Volunteer and community engagement opportunities Raider Necessities (Food Pantry) Raider Rack (Clothing Closet)

Check out our page for Diversity Center events!

MORE INFORMATION : 405-733-7524 WWW.ROSE.EDU/DIVERSITY-CENTER

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6420 S.E. 15TH STREET MIDWEST CITY, OK 73110

STUDENT GROUPS: American Indian Student Association (AIA) Asian Student Association (ASA) Black Student Association (BSA) Hispanic Student Association (HSA) Spectrum Alliance (LGBT+)

WE ALSO DO: Diversity outreach, school visits Custom college & student success workshops and presentations Collaborations with community partners & local organizations

APPLY TODAY! Rose State College offers degrees and certificate programs that prepare you for careers that are in demand, whether you are interested in advancing your career, getting back to work or entering the workforce for the first time.

By Addie Wilson Pre-Education Major

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Bottle of Rum My best friend’s house is filled with lots of nice things: Yarn, decorations for every season, little figures Her house bleeds comfort.

Mine does not.

Mine smells like smoke constantly, My dogs don’t like people, And if there is Dr. Pepper on the counter, I don’t bother asking her in.

Because that Dr. Pepper means that up on the fridge, Way high where I can’t even reach, Sits Captain Morgan.

Captain Morgan has been there for most of my life.

Going away for very short periods of time, But coming back quickly.

Captain Morgan lets me know not to invite anyone over, And to watch my parents.

Because he makes them different.

When he visits, They are not the parents who took me to soccer practice Or helped me with homework Or helped me move.

When he visits, They are my parents who are alcoholics, Who have a problem that they can’t ever seem to fix.

Captain Morgan and I don’t get along.

And I don’t see us ever wishing the other was around.

By Marissa Stride English major

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By Peyton Stein Mechanical Engineering

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By Dalton Mathews Fine Arts Major

By Lynn Thompson Returning student, Liberal Studies graduate

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By Gail Carone Health Sciences

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Find Your Voice. rosestatemediagroup.com @rosestatemediagroup