The 6420 - Spring 2022

letters from the editors

Hello, Rose! I hope you enjoy this edition of The 6420. The focus of this issue is on integrity and genuineness. As many of us are graduating this semester, a mind focused on being genuine is important for us as we pursue our goals and learn more about ourselves. Having a heart full of integrity will only help us to serve our communities more and lift up those around us. Thank you to the Rose State Media Group staff for contributing so much to our publication this year. Thank you to our adviser Darcy Delaney-Nelson for guiding us along the way and letting us have fun with our creativity.

Laura Huskey | Editor-in-Chief

Hello, wonderful people! I am so grateful for all of the beautiful souls at Rose State Media Group who have worked together to create this publication, to our adviser Darcy Delaney-Nelson who has made it possible for all of our voices to be heard and to everybody reading this edition of The 6420 who make our voices matter. As always, stay cool.

Ashley Newsom | Assistant Editor

Howdy, Raiders! I hope that you enjoy this issue of The 6420. There has been lots of love and hard work put in by all members of the staff, and we hope you enjoy reading it! In this issue, we hope to provide interesting stories from our community, while also sharing newsworthy stories from around the world. I want to put out a huge thank you to all members of the Rose State Media Group and all their hard work that made this magazine possible. I would also like to extend a personal thank you to our program director and adviser, Darcy Delaney-Nelson. Thank you for always having our back and encouraging us to explore our creativity. Happy reading!

Thomas S.

Slinger | News Editor

Hello, Rose State! I am very proud of this issue and all of the hard work that was put into it by the Rose State Media Group staff. Our adviser Darcy Delaney-Nelson allows us to be creative with our stories and with our page designs, while also teaching us to maintain journalistic integrity, so, thank you Darcy Delaney-Nelson. And thank you to everyone that contributed to this issue! I hope the readers enjoy this issue of The 6420!

Coyt Wisdom | Sports Editor

Thomas

meet the staff

Editor-in-Chief, Graphics Editor

Laura Huskey

Assistant Editor Sports Editor

Ashley

News Editor

Newsom Thomas Slinger Coyt Wisdom

Layout & Graphic Design

Coyt Wisdom Laura Huskey Mario Isai-Viezcas Thomas Slinger Staff

Alyx Sabina Britney Underwood Carsten Clark David Heller Ethan Davis Hannah Bryant Harrison Sparks Jeremy Cockroft

Writers

Katrina Cumbracher Leandra Houze Luke Yost Michael Palacios Nathan Fox

Scott Tilghman Spencer Curren Valerie Scott

Adviser

Darcy Delaney-Nelson

An artistic interpretation of a girl wearing a Ukrainian flower crown is depicted on the cover. This flower crown is called “вінок” (vinók) and is a part of the traditional Ukrainian folk dress. These crowns have been donned by Ukrainian girls and women for centuries as a symbol of purity and fertility. Today, the flower crown is still worn, but often as a symbol of national pride. Wearing the crown reminds the wearer of the history of their nation and reminds them to keep their eyes on the road ahead. It is a symbol of cultural revival and survival.

Cover illustration by Laura Huskey.

Photo by Laura Huskey.

word of the issue

By Laura Huskey | Editor-in-Chief

ᎧᎵᏬᎯ

/kə.li.wʊ.hi/

/ka-li-wo-hi/

origin: the Cherokee language noun, adjective: integrity, thoroughness, genuine, perfect

This word has many meanings (even more than what’s listed here), though each one has a similar thought and intention behind it. This word was chosen for this issue to serve as a reminder for us to carry it throughout the next year. Integrity of genuineness go hand in hand, though while similar, they’re not entirely the same. The concept of integrity is choosing to do what is right, even if there is an easier way. It’s honesty at a completely different level. The concept of genuineness is about being sincere, being honest and being true. Both are about holding honesty in high regard and staying true to oneself.

These concepts are so important for us to keep in mind as conflict arises throughout the world and within our personal lives. Are we doing what is right? Or are we doing what is easy? Are we choosing the paths that are most comfortable for us or going beyond so that we can fully and completely pursue fairness and justice?

Integrity is an essential character trait that we all must strive to embody.

Rose PTK wins International Awards

Contributed by the Rose State Liberal Arts and Sciences Division.

The 2021-2022 PTK Officers attended both the Spring OK/AR Regional PTK Conference and the International PTK Catalyst Conference this year in Denver, Colorado. As a result of their collective work, the Alpha Eta Alpha Chapter earned several regional awards and certificates of merit, including:

• Most Distinguished Adviser Team (Kelly Bailey and Leanne May)

• Most Distinguished Paragon Adviser (Kelly Bailey)

• Theme 5 Honors in Action Project Award of Distinction (for their “The Inheritance and Legacy of the 2018 Oklahoma Teacher Walkout - Resistance to Reform Public Education Funding” project).

• Top Five Distinguished Chapter Certificate of Distinction

• Top Five College Project Certificate of Merit (for their “Cultivating Community” podcast)

• Distinguished Paragon Adviser Certificate of Merit (Leanne May)

• Five Star Chapter Plan: Five Star Level

Rose State President Dr. Jeanie Webb also attended the Catalyst Conference. She was awarded PTK’s most Prestigious Award, the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction for College Presidents.

PTK Advisers and Officers at the Catalyst Conference.

PTK Adviser Kelly Bailey, President Webb and PTK Adviser Leanne May.

Repaving the Path

By Ashley Newsom | Assistant Editor

Many now know Rose State College has entered into new transfer agreements with the University of Central Oklahoma, as well as the University of Oklahoma.

These agreements have been designed to make the transition from community college into a university “seamless.”

This agreement led to policy changes at UCO. For instance, upon completion of a degree at Rose State, students are now guaranteed admission to UCO.

UCO student Braxon Birsner said he thinks this agreement will help a lot of students achieve their goals with less fear of transferring or admittance.

OU had some equally large changes regarding Rose State transfers, which could open doors for students financially.

Eligible students will not have to pay tuition and are able to receive up to $8,300 toward student fees each academic year for up to two years.

However, transferring to a larger university for a bachelor’s degree can be intimidating.

Between 2013 and 2019, around 63% of students who attended colleges offering

bachelor’s degrees ended up graduating with their bachelor’s degree within a sixyear graduation rate, and this number drops for students attending colleges with open admission policies.

This isn’t to scare anyone off, however. In fact, a large majority of students drop out or stop attending college due to financial reasons.

The agreements in place with OU may provide more opportunities for further education for those whose finances are a concern.

Beginning in 2022, the OU Crimson Commitment program will be available to Oklahoma’s Promise transfer students who are part of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, as well as students involved in the Ticket to Rose program.

An extra couple of years in school to earn a bachelor’s can help you earn thousands of more dollars per year (experience and profession depending) and could be required for certain career paths.

All in all, these agreements are in place to assure that the students at Rose have a better chance at achieving higher education if that is what they desire.

E vehicles E c t r i c l

By Nathan Fox | Staff Writer

Modern-day electric vehicles foster optimism in the thought that automobiles can one day abandon petroleum and internal combustion. However, there are legitimate concerns that all of this optimism could be in vain. There are some significant hurdles that need to be leaped in order for the future of EVs to flourish. Most notably sustainability, such as the sourcing of battery components and EV infrastructure.

The biggest feature of a modern-day EV is how it derives its power—the lithium-ion battery. Most cell phones use these types of batteries to provide power.

In the case of EVs, several of these batteries are linked to provide massive amounts of power to the internal components of the vehicle. These linked batteries make up the “Traction Battery Pack.”

One of the most popular EVs produced, the Tesla Model S, contained just over 7,000 lithium-ion batteries in the aforementioned battery pack. Lithium-ion batteries

lose their electric potency over continual use. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, an EVs battery “must perform reliably for 10 to 15 years in a variety of climates and duty cycles.”

Many of the components that make up a Li-ion battery can be recycled and reused in other technical components. However, the current estimate for the amount of recycled Liion batteries is a paltry 5% in the US, with lower estimates in other parts of the globe. Furthermore, recycling may not be financially lucrative. This could lead to an over-prioritization of production, abandoning recycling altogether.

Most lithium-ion batteries use cobalt in their construction. This cobalt is primarily mined from certain parts of Africa, specifically in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

“Many of these mining operations cause ecological damage, and working conditions are unsafe and outright inhumane,” said April

Moreno-Ward, professor of geology and environmental science at Rose State. “When people think about EVs, many simply look at emissions. EVs will come out on top in that category every time. However, there are more ecological factors to consider that make EVs less environmentally conscious than we’ve been led to believe.”

Moreno-Ward went on to expound upon these ecological factors.

“Everything from the car’s body, internal wiring, windows and tires are made in similar ways that other vehicles are manufactured,” Moreno-Ward said. “If the EV has synthetic rubber tires, those were made using a petroleum product. If the car has plastic in its dashboard construction, that is another petroleum product.”

Moreno-Ward continued, “Generating electricity also has a high ecological cost. About 20% of US electricity comes from coal. Our focus shouldn’t be on whether or not man-

ufacturing EVs will be beneficial for the environment. Our focus should instead be on how we can be more ecologically responsible.”

There is also a massive issue in the current infrastructure for EVs to perform as well as their internal combustion counterparts. Gas stations are plentiful in every city. Locating an EV charging station may prove to be difficult. There are efforts to make this endeavor less headache-inducing, but this operation is still in its infancy. For EVs to become a legitimate alternative to gas-powered vehicles, major strides must be taken in order for charging stations to become widely accessible.

Politics and Power

A discussion about the Ukrainian Conflict

By Thomas Slinger | News Editor

Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Benito Mussolini. These men are universally recognized for their unique evil and crimes against humanity. Now in 2022, President Vladimir Putin has joined these men in committing atrocities on a scale the world has not seen in Europe since WWII.

On Feb. 24, 2022, Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in what he called a “peacekeeping mission” to “reestablish the traditions of

time passes, Putin lost the fear and respect of the West. So to combat this, he resorts to violence to remind us of how we should be thinking of him. However, with the invasion of Ukraine, he might have taken a step too far.

There is strong evidence suggesting Russia has committed serious war crimes over the last several months.

has allowed many to become passionate about helping in this conflict. It’s hard to remain calm and think rationally when you can see people suffering right in front of you. One student

IMAGES REMOVED DUE TO COPYRIGHT

real statehood.” At surface level, this seems like a semi-coherent reason to send troops to Ukraine until someone points out the country has been a sovereign nation since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

The real reasons Putin invaded are power and politics.

From a historical perspective, it is clear Putin wants to regain the power that the Soviet Union once held. We can see this in almost every foreign policy he has instated. Politically, however, Putin craves respect.

Try to think of Putin as the typical middle school bully. He pushes and shoves and while some might fear him, no one truly respects him. As

In a UN address from President Volodymry Zelenskyy of Ukraine, these are including but are not limited to the targeting of civilians, the use of nerve agents, the targeting of military and civilian hospitals, looting and sexual violence. In response, the world has imposed unprecedented levels of economic sanctions on Russia and has sent aid to Ukraine in numerous ways.

Even though Americans are half a world away, many feel personally connected to this war in a way that is unique to this generation. Social media has given everyday people the ability to share the atrocities and the horror that this war has brought. This

at Rose State is campaigning for more students to take an active role in helping.

Garrett Dutro, a freshman majoring in English, is from Ukraine and was adopted by American parents as a small child.

“Even though I consider myself American, I still have a piece of me that’s from Ukraine,” Dutro said. “My heart is still attached to the country, and it pains me to see them suffer. That’s why I’m trying to get people from school and around town to help out. The UN refugee agency and International Rescue Committee both accept donations that go directly to the people of Ukraine.”

Devastation in Ukraine

IMAGES REMOVED DUE TO COPYRIGHT

Many here at Rose are feeling the impacts of the war in a different way. Nick Gyuan, a sophomore business major said, “The invasion really scares me. I’m 20, and I know that I am of age to be drafted. I’m really scared of war. I have empathy for those in Ukraine, but I don’t want to fight for them.”

Many young Americans share similar viewpoints as Gyuan. In a recent study done by YouGov polls (Fox News Associate), only 23% of young men said they would support a draft.

The most important thing to realize is that the United States isn’t going to war anytime soon and even if we did, a draft is the last resort. Dozens of U.S.

politicians, including the president, have come out and openly committed to finding a peaceful resolution.

The most helpful thing that we can do as Americans is to try and help the citizens that are directly affected by this war. I believe it is our responsibility to take an active role in helping Ukraine. Given my privilege, I feel it’s only right to give to those in need in the ways that I can. If you feel compelled to help, visit one of the numerous websites provided that are directly helping the citizens of Ukraine.

How you can help

https://help.rescue.org/donate/ ukraine

https://give.unrefugees.org.

https://action.publicgood.com

https://helpukraine.center

These photos are just but a sample of the destruction and violence that is currently going on in Ukraine. Photos courtesy of CNN, Al Jazeera and BBC.

The Contemporary Art Museum

By Ashley Newsom | Assistant Editor

There are a lot of things that develop us as people. Our family, our friends, where we grew up, our hobbies and art.

It is through things like film, paintings, sculptures and photographs, that we learn what it is to be intimately, deeply human. What it is to be human can be tangible. You can see, feel and hear it.

Oklahoma’s art scene is evolving rapidly. From new museums to budding movie studios, it makes sense that downtown Edmond and Oklahoma City are being revitalized to meet new demand.

Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center opened its doors to its new building for the first time only two years ago

after the museum’s founding in 1989.

The new building is beginning to attract more visitors said Autumn Robards, a visitor experience associate at the center.

“[It is] exactly what Oklahoma needed,” she said.

The museum is a nonprofit, using grants, optional membership, donations and classes to fund it. This is how they are able to offer free admission to those wanting to experience the art.

The difference between the Oklahoma Contemporary and other art exhibits is that this one encourages getting involved in a different way.

“We want to promote participation, not always just observation,” Robards said.

Cameron Taylor, a fine arts

major said he thinks the museum and the classes available will give people “more of a voice and way to express themselves.”

The classes the museum offers come and go, but they range from painting and drawing to ceramics and jewelry making to stuffed animal crocheting and rug making and many others.

Right now, the museum is even offering a Dungeons and Dragons class where students can learn how to create items and spells that will expand their games.

The classes range in price as well as length. Anywhere from $40 for a one-night class to $200 or higher for some eight-

week classes. Students have many options for learning new artistic skills.

Robards said she had wanted to be an artist, but not a starving one, so she ended up pursuing a more financially sound career.

She described her experience growing up as an artist in Oklahoma as one that was lacking.

“The culture of art here was missing something,” she said.

She said she is only now, near retirement, finally working with art.

“I think art exposure gives you confidence, gives you connection; it gives you the ability to appreciate your own talents and those of others,” Robards said, “It can be shared as well as very personal. It develops

our culture, and without it, life is very boring, and that’s why I’m really excited about this gallery.”

This museum lets you experience art, make art and become part of the culture of art in Oklahoma.

“[Art is an important way to] communicate your thoughts and express yourself in a public manner, including politically, openly and without the risk of harming oneself,” Taylor said.

The exhibits the museum offers changes throughout the year. Currently, the museum is displaying “John Newsom: Nature’s Course” and “Off The Wall,” which features the artwork of three female artists.

All of the artwork features Oklahoma-based artists. The museum is looking to support and feature many more in the coming years, said Robards.

Creating art, Robards said,

“develops that inner soul.” Oklahoma is finding itself doing just that, and you can too.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT https:// oklahomacontemporary. org.

Photos by Ashley Newsom.

OKLAHOMA CITY –

The American Dream is only attainable for a select few Americans.

Today it is no longer the goal to settle down with a family in a house surrounded by a white picket fence. The current generation is pressured by fear, economic anxiety and familial issues. Many young adults struggle with their school system’s failure to provide sufficient guidance for the real world.

The question—and the solutions—are daunting. Many millennials are asking themselves what will they do to achieve their version of the American Dream?

The idea is deeply rooted in our Declaration of Independence, which states that “all men are created equal” with the right to “life, liberty and

THE AMERICAN FACADE

Note this story was developed, reported, and written by Alyx Sabina, Ashley Newsom, Nathaniel Fox, Valerie Scott, Harrison Sparks, Scott Tilghman, Leandra Houze, Michael Palacios, Britney Underwood, Thomas Slinger, Spencer Curren and Mario Isai Viezcas. The students, part of Professor M. Scott Carter’s Media Writing Class, produced the story in Dec. 2021.

the pursuit of happiness.”

But when that document was written in 1776, it only referred to white men who owned property. Women, children and minorities were left out. And women, children and minorities are all entitled to the same.

Diana Aguilar is a junior at the University of Central Oklahoma. She received her associate degree in sociology from Oklahoma City Community College. She is a first-generation college student. Aguilar said she decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice to help protect her immigrant family.

“Throughout my life, I have had a lot of racist comments from teachers,” she said. “I remem-

ber my freshman year of college. One of the teachers was being racist toward myself, a Latina, and another African American student. We were the only students of color in the class, and we received the lowest grades in the class.” Aguilar went to school on the south side. She said she did not receive the same level of education as students in other districts could.

“The teacher told us we weren’t going to make it in her class with our writing,” she said. Aguilar said her teacher told the class that, “ ‘people of color usually don’t pass my class’ and that’s what mainly motivated me to prove her wrong and to prove other people of color can achieve anything as well.”

Most young adults

strive for success. However, choosing a path can be quite arduous. For financial success, many enroll in college, complete their degrees and go on to lead successful, fulfilling lives. It is painted as such a pretty picture, but that picture becomes murky when a person notices the stains, the cracks and the often-unspoken underlining strain.

With so many factors in play to keep a person afloat, the slightest event can result in a domino effect. On average, the task of pursuing a higher education happens right after high school with most people being between the ages of 17 to 19.

Psychological research conducted over the last two decades has pushed the idea that true adult-

hood is something that comes from responsibility and emotional maturity, instead of the age of a person.

Society is asking young adults to make many important decisions in their life before reaching maturity.

“This is essentially the time from the end of adolescence to the young adult responsibilities of a stable job, marriage and parenthood,” said psychologist Jeffrey Jensen-Arnett.

And while some have these responsibilities immediately after high school or even before, most people don’t reach this adulthood until their mid-20s.

Logan Hausman, a freshman at Rose State College, had the unconditional support of her family.

“My mom helped push me in the right direction. I don’t think she meant to, but she did a lot of things for me. She’s always supported me,” Hausman said.

Hausman knew she wanted to play volleyball going into college. What she didn’t know was how challenging it would be to balance both school and athletics.

“Like with taking classes and playing volleyball, I don’t have time to get a job, because I’m too exhausted,” she said. “I feel broke.”

Many young adults face the undeniably hard task of having a stable job to bring income into their household. For Aguilar, her family’s situation forced her into the labor force early on.

“My dad was deported twice, once when I

was in high school and the other one was when I was going into college,”Aguilar said.

“I think that affected me in the sense that my family isn’t rich, so with my dad leaving it left a burden on my mother, my older brother, and me as the second oldest. It affected me since I had to work, and the money I would gain wasn’t for my benefit, it was for the benefit of my household. I had to provide at the age of 16,” Aguilar said.

According to the Education Data Initiative, the total dropout rate for undergraduate students is 40%. There are approximately 20 million students in colleges around the United States. Thus, about 8 million students drop out of college before attaining a degree.

Of this 8 million, 30% have only completed their freshman year. There are a multitude of reasons why the dropout rate appears so high. Some may not be equipped to handle the financial burden. Others may have non-financial factors, some of which are truly harrowing.

For one brave woman, who asked that her name not be used, that trauma included sexual assault.

The woman was sexually assaulted at a college party. She became pregnant and decided to keep the baby and dropped out of college. The pursuit of her American Dream crumbled quickly.

After having her child, though, things changed. She returned

to college.

She said she was determined to achieve her dream and would stop at nothing to succeed. She took on student debt, worked tirelessly in her academic pursuits, all while doing her very best to be a good mother to her child.

For many, success isn’t necessarily found in higher education. For 22-year-old Kenzie Long, she thought about college early on but as she grew older, she decided it was not for her. This may have to do with the lack of preparatory classes at her high school.

Long’s family comes from a lower economic background and staying away from debt is a big factor for her.

“I would rather have a debt on a mortgage than a degree,” she said. Her grandparents encouraged her to pursue college, as she would have been the first one to attend. However, this gave her more fuel to climb the professional ladder. She wanted to prove she could be successful without having a Bachelor’s degree.

Long compared herself to her peers that went to college, seeing them broke, paying for classes they could not afford, and missing out on opportunities in life. In the meantime, she was gaining professional ex-

perience, creating a good business profile and was able to afford to live.

A common trend has been the failure of school systems, primarily for not teaching students the ways of the real world. Many students, such as Aguilar, say that high school should be the place where they learn the basics of everyday life.

“Coming out of high school I didn’t even know how to write a resume. They failed me socially and financially,” she said. “I didn’t know about opening a bank account or about buying a car. How to buy or rent a house. How to do a basic interview; you don’t even know if you’re dressed the right way.” Some say high school isn’t the place to learn this, but I think it is, she said.

“You’re going to school for 12 years and then they’re just going to throw you in the world,” Aguilar said. “They should at least provide a course to prepare their students.”

This lack of proactivity by teachers and schools alike, cannot be blamed on them alone, she said. “They don’t get paid enough, and I understand. If I didn’t get paid enough to do my job. I wouldn’t do more than what I’m supposed to.”

Every state has its own education policy which

is where part of the problem surfaces. In Oklahoma specifically, the state spends about 10% less on education per student than any other state, according to the Oklahoma Policy Institute.

So why not just make education a national policy?

If Congress were to make education a federal law several states would most likely sue. As every state has their own reserved powers. The hope lies in aggressive federal mandates. But if states choose to decline the offer, they should at least be distributing the money they have set apart for education in areas of much-needed attention. For example, if schools want to develop realistic preparation classes for adulthood and college life, experts say they should consider: -Workshops on how to pay taxes.

-How to write a resume and business letters. -Financial budgeting and the importance of credit.

-Avoid going into debt. -Financial preparation for college and higher education.

-Fact-based sex education, including the use of birth control.

-Menstrual and health education.

With these measures in place, society can en-

sure future generations don’t have to struggle the same way that the current has.

Despite their struggle, and the failures of our current system, young adults like Aguilar continue to rise and become successful.

“Work for what you want or you’re never gonna get it,” Aguilar said. “It’s sad to say the resources that are out there for you can sometimes fail you. So, just never give up, sometimes it does get hard; sometimes you might think you’re never going to get anywhere. So, don’t compare yourself to the success of others and recognize that it’s gonna be on your timing.”

STAFF SHORTAGES

By Katrina Cumbracher | Staff Writer

Since the COVID pandemic, a new contagion has spread and infected the job market: staffing shortages.

“It’s a day-by-day thing,” said Brenden Stevens, a shift manager at Sonic. “Sometimes, we have stalls open. Sometimes, we have everything open. Sometimes, we have nothing open. But generally, if we can have it open, and if we have the staff to do it, we do it.”

Food service and hospitality have been among the hardest-hit industries.

It’s been almost two years since the pandemic forced everything to shut down and employment in these industries has still not returned to pre-pandemic levels, according to data from the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission.

“It’s food service. Everyone avoids it because it’s usually not worth the effort you put into it,” Stevens said. “Unless of course you’re like me, a manager.”

One of the biggest roadblocks is getting people to submit the application, he said. About 90% of the time, applicants won’t even show up to the interview.

Despite the challenges, the staff at Sonic on South Boulevard in Edmond have managed to take it in stride.

“Regardless of what happens, we stick together, and we handle it like champs,” he said.

“Help Wanted” signs have never been quite as prevalent as they are now. All it takes is one look outside to see how desperate employers have become.

“What we are seeing is people are leaving jobs and going to other jobs that they perceive as being better,” said Taylor Adams, an OESC spokesperson. “It’s really common right now for someone to be swapping positions or finding a new job that might pay better, offer better benefits.”

Creatively dubbed “The Great Resignation,” it’s like the job market right now is a deck of cards. The deck has been reshuffled, and many have traded in their cards for better ones.

“It’s not necessarily conventional wisdom to think that if we have a historically low unemployment rate that employers will have a hard time filling positions,” Adams said. “Actually, this is exactly what we would expect to see.”

In a capitalist society, the job market relies just as much on supply and demand as does any other commodity, and currently, labor supply is failing to match employer demand.

“When more workers are in the workforce than ever before, employers and businesses are going to have to reevaluate the ways in which they promote and pursue employees,” Adams said. “The same things that would have worked to gain employees and incentivize people to come and work for you before the pandemic aren’t necessarily going to work now.”

Schools have also continuously struggled with their own staff shortages, and it weighs on teachers and students alike.

“It was common for me to sub one class a day when I was at Roosevelt,” said James Taylor, a history and geography teacher at Little Axe High School. “Sometimes, we’d have to have two or three, or sometimes, four classes go to the library or go to the gymnasium during their class period.”

To the public school system’s dismay, the coronavirus only exacerbated this

That’s going to cost them. They were not prepared.”

Formerly an employee of Roosevelt Middle School, Taylor and five others were fired for refusing to comply with an OKCPS mask policy.

“COVID has changed everything,” Taylor said. “Education is not the same.”

Governor Kevin Stitt recently signed an executive order allowing state employees to volunteer as substitute teachers in an effort to combat the school staff shortage, and around 3,600 teachers have been emergency certified, year-to-date, according to data from the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

Schools are not alone when it comes to dealing with pre-existing staff shortages. Hospitals have also been debilitated by an inability to fill open positions.

“Behavioral health was always a shortage,” said Liz Harrel, the recruiter at St. Anthony – Midwest City, “but we never had the issues that we do now with the

EVERYTHING; EDUCATION IS NOT THE SAME.”

- Taylor, FORMER OKCPS EMPLOYEE.

emergency room and intensive care unit. Those used to be the two most wanted areas. We never really had any openings. It’s definitely been a dynamic change for sure.”

The nursing industry saw this shortage coming, but COVID threw a curveball hospitals weren’t equipped to handle.

“This nursing shortage was predicted. It was predicted 10 years ago. We knew we would be in this situation,” said Debra Pender, the chief nursing officer of St. Anthony –Midwest City. “Nurses are starting to retire, and we don’t have enough nurses replacing them.”

Many hospitals utilize “traveling nurses” to supplement their nursing staff. Much like a talent agent, these nurses receive short-term contract offers from across the country.

“They are making a lot of money traveling to be a nurse, and local hospitals are struggling to compete with that wage,” Pender said. “You have sick patients and nurses who are leaving to go travel. It’s kind of just a perfect storm for staffing challenges.”

Besides the staff shortages in education and healthcare, the vast majority of short-staffs are seen in minimum-wage paying positions.

“If they’re paying minimum wage,” Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn said, “they’re not going to get and keep anyone for a length of time.”

As it stands, many people have begun to realize their value as employees.

“The fact is that we are very much in a job-seeker’s environment,” Adams said. “Job seekers have the power right now. They know what they’re worth. They’re willing to ask for it, and if they won’t get it then they’re also willing to go elsewhere.”

“COVID HAS CHANGED

a world of cinema

By Ashley Newsom | Assistant Editor

Exploring art from other cultures can feel like a daunting task. Especially when it isn’t a painting or photograph, but rather something depicted in an entirely different language. Something you have to stay focused on to understand.

Mass Communication major Jeremy Cockroft is big fan of film and said one of the reasons he thinks watching foreign films may seem intimidating is the language barrier.

Cockroft said, quoting director Bong Joon-Ho who said, in his Oscar acceptance speech that, “once you overcome the 1-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films,” and that more regular exposure has helped him begin to explore new cultures through these outlets.

Foreign films come in just as many shapes and sizes as American films do. If a sprawling epic covering a conflict between bandits and samurai coming in at 3.5 hours isn’t your cup of tea, maybe an animation about two young girls discovering a forest full of magical spirits would be up your alley.

“As someone who already loves movies, watching foreign films is so special,” said aspiring cinematographer Caden Birsner. “They have exposed me to many different cultures and stories that I wouldn’t have experienced otherwise.”

Dip your toes in. Here are some recommendations.

“Parasite”

- South Korea

Perhaps one of the most popular foreign films today, and winner of Best Picture at the 2020 Oscars, this film portrays the class divide and one family’s experience infiltrating the lives of an upper-class family in order to attain a more comfortable mode of living after they experienced disaster in their personal lives.

This world, fictional but painted with reality, begs the question of who deserves to live certain kinds of lives and why? Whose fault is it, really, and how does it end?

If you enjoy “Parasite,” you might enjoy some of Bong Joon-Ho’s other work, including “The Host,”Memories of Murder” and “Okja.”

Birsner said Joon-Ho is “one of the most interesting filmmakers working right now.” He said he is glad he is getting the “worldwide recognition he deserves.”

“Seven

Samurai” - Japan

A personal favorite foreign film, and recognized by many as one of the most influential movies of all time. This 1950s film by Akira Kurasawa is about the events and experiences leading up to a great battle between a group of bandits and a lowly village with a small team of samurai to protect them.

Hidden in the line of fire are smaller stories told about how loyalties are created, love, what

it means to be a part of something bigger than oneself and the effects this can have on individuals within groups.

Though this film is three and a half hours long, you may just find yourself itching for more. And, fun fact, Pixar’s “A Bugs Life” is basically a remake.

“Another Round” - Denmark, Netherlands and Sweden

“Another Round” won Oscars for Best Director as well as Best International Feature Film in 2021, for good reason.

This movie is about four teachers who, in good spirits, decide to challenge each other to a sort of drinking game. It’s a bit different though. The challenge is being intoxicated constantly - at work and at home.

The film doesn’t hesitate to tell the audience what the characters feel. The alcohol makes them happier, more outgoing, funnier. It is alluring. Suddenly, they can’t stop.

If you enjoy “Another Round,” you may enjoy another one of Thomas Vinterberg’s films, “The Hunt,” which features the same main actor, Mads Mikkelson.

Faces Places - France

Changing the pace a bit with a documentary. This film features filmmaker JR documenting a journey with fellow director Agnes Varda.

The two of them travel through France, meeting people along the way and forming stronger bonds with each other as well as the

strangers they meet.

Made two years prior to Varda’s death, the conversations throughout which feature her experience with growing old and slowing down, your heart will likely break just as much as it’s mended.

“My Neighbor Totoro” - Japan

Remember the movie mentioned earlier about the two young girls who discover a forest full of magical spirits? This is it.

This movie extends the feeling of what it is to love, to have compassion, to belong and to not belong, while at the same time having no real plot, no real meaning. It is endless magic. It is what it is to be, and not to be. To watch it is to be a kid again, and learn to be the person you needed when you were one, though it is unexplainable how it does this.

A great comfort movie and one of the many films by the production company Studio Ghibli, which is to credit for others such as “Princess Mononoke,” “Kiki’s Delivery Service”

and “Spirited Away.”

Cockroft said the animation of “Spirited Away” is “vibrant and detailed,” and that it took him to a “whole different world.” Miyazaki tends to do that for people.

Of course, these are only a few of the many great foreign films out there.

“Bicycle Thieves,” “Yi Yi,” “Hiroshima Mon Amour,” “Still Walking,” “Ponyo,” “The Battle of Algiers,” “Monos,” “Roma” and “Pickpocket”are also critically-acclaimed movies.

There are so many different lenses to see the world through, and so many places to look through to. All it takes is a screen and a couple of hours.

By Nathan Fox | Staff Writer

1. Netflix. From its humble beginnings as a mail-in video rental service, Netflix has amassed a subscriber base which reaches more than 220 million accounts, though in the last months, they’ve lost 640,000 subscribers. Their prevalence is undeniable. They debuted their online streaming in 2007.

“Who doesn’t have Netflix?” Makayla Chaney, a nursing science major, said. “I have some of the other streaming services, but Netflix is what I watch the most. My current obsession is “Good Girls.” They have great new stuff all the time, and I can always find something good to watch every single time.”

2. Amazon Prime Video. Starting in 2006, this recognizable streaming service is available to Amazon Prime members for $8.99 per month. Currently, there are 175 million streamers of this service.

“I prefer using Amazon Prime Video,” said Chad Bailey, a physics major. “They have a lot of really good original shows and movies. I’d honestly recommend any one of them!”

3. Disney+. The newcomer on this list, Disney+ launched in November 2019. The success of the service was immediate and their subscriber count stands at a staggering 118 million.

“Who doesn’t know about Disney+?” said Michael Green, a computer information technology major. “I’m a huge Star Wars nerd. ‘The Mandalorian,’ is so awesome. I’m incredibly excited to see “Obi-Wan Kenobi.” The first episode comes out on May 25, and I’ve got that date marked in my calendar.”

4. HBO Max. Another newcomer, this service only debuted less than two years ago in May 2020. Their current subscriber base sits at around 73 million.

“I like watching ‘Rick and Morty’ and ‘Friends,’ so I mainly use HBO Max,” said Kaylee Milligan, a business major.

5. Hulu. While they’ve been around since 2008, their subscriber count is only around 45 million. They rose to popularity as mainly an online destination to stream television shows, but have since added a library of movies to stream as well.

“My favorite thing is Hulu,” said Callie Adams, a nursing science major. “I don’t have cable, but I can watch all my favorite shows the next day on Hulu. It’s so convenient and I love it. Mainly, I just watch ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ though.”

6. Apple TV+. This service is also a newcomer, first launching in November 2019. Their current subscriber count is around 40 million. The main draw of this service is the Apple Originals. They also allow for renting of other streamable content at a small fee, similar to Amazon Prime Video.

“I really didn’t know what Apple TV+ was until my friend told me about it,” said Zackary Smith, a general studies major. “One of my favorite shows is ‘Ted Lasso,’ and I can’t recommend it enough.”

5 Cheap Healthy Meals for College Students

Eating healthy can be so difficult sometimes. As a college student, most of the time it’s easier for me to just swing into a drive-thru. From late night study sessions to skipping breakfast, it has been so difficult to keep myself on a good schedule. Thats why I’m going to give y’all five cheap meals that you can make ahead of time, taste great and most importantly are great for your mind and body.

My go-to breakfast’s are burritos and overnight oats. For me, they both serve the same purpose of being meal prep options. These breakfast burritos are perfect freezing options, and overnight oats you can be made the night before.

One of my favorite foods ever is pasta. It was so hard for me to get right but I think I have the best recipe. This tomato penne is light, airy, and serves a lot of people, which is great for families or several meals for yourself. My two go-to dinners are ratatouille and red beans and rice. Look, I’m not a veggie guy. Growing up, I would do anything to get out of eating things like squash and zucchini. But as an adult I’ve found ways to sneak it into my diet. Beans and rice is flavorful, filling and perfect for meal prepping. Ratatouille is my favorite dish to make because it always makes me feel so “cheffy”. All of these meals can be made with $20 or less if you already have some of the ingredients.

Penne

Ratatouille

1.

coffee: test your knowledge!

By Ashley Newsom | Assistant Editor

Coffee is characterized by the stimulating properties of caffeine. Originally, coffee plants evolved with this substance in order to fend off bugs, which became overstimulated from the caffeine.

Now, we grow and harvest around 19 billion pounds of coffee each year and there are over 65,000 coffee shops in North America alone.

The coffee industry is an overwhelming one. There is so much information available, from types of specialty drinks and beans, to the overall history.

How much do you know?

What is the difference between a latte and a cappuccino?

A. A latte has more milk foam

B. A cappuccino has more milk foam

C. They have different, distinct flavors

2.

What has more caffeine: a shot of espresso or an 8 oz. cup of black coffee?

A. A shot of espresso

B. They have the same amount

C. A cup of coffee

Brazil is the country that produces the most coffee. What country is second?

A. Ethiopia B. Vietnam C. Colombia

Where did the first Starbucks originate from?

A. Seattle

B. New York City

C. Chicago

What is a “doppio”?

A. Two shots of espresso

B. Stronger shots of espresso

C. Shots of espresso pulled “shorter,” and are sweeter in flavor

What is a “Café au lait”?

A. Half steamed milk, half brewed coffee

B. An espresso beverage with mostly milk, little espresso and no milk foam

C. Another name for a latte

What is the difference between arabica and robusta?

A. The only difference is growth regions

B. Arabica is sweeter while robusta is harsher in flavor

C. Robusta is stronger in flavor while arabica is more subtle

Do light or dark roast beans have more caffeine?

A. They contain roughly the same amount of caffeine

B. Light roast

C. Dark roast

What is the origin of the most expensive coffee beans in the world?

A. Animal poop

B. Rare rainforest coffee plants

C. Seattle

answers

1. By American standards, lattes and cappuccinos are both made with shots of espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam; however, cappuccinos typically have a ratio of espresso, milk, and milk foam of 1:1:1, while lattes have a ratio of about 15% coffee and 85% milk, meaning cappuccinos have more milk foam.

2. Espresso is a concentrated version of coffee, typically added to beverages such as lattes and cappuccinos. Although caffeine levels differ based on beans, roast and brewing techniques, an 8 oz. cup of coffee should have a significantly higher amount of caffeine than a single shot of espresso.

3. One of the biggest competitors in production for robusta coffee, and the second leading country in coffee bean production overall is Vietnam

4. Located within the popular tourist attraction “Pike Place Market,” in Seattle, this first Starbucks opened in 1971. Since then, over 33,000 locations have opened up across the globe, as of 2021.

5. “Doppio” is Italian for “double.” When referring to espresso, this means two shots, or a “double-shot.”

6. AKA a “Misto” at Starbucks, a cafe au lait, by American standards, is made by combining steamed milk and brewed coffee.

7. While there is no “better” option, many prefer arabica. Robusta beans have a stronger, harsher flavor with grainy qualities and they contain nearly twice the caffeine. Many describe the flavor as peanutty. Arabica beans tend to have a smoother, sweeter flavor and contain less caffeine. Many describe the flavor as chocolatey.

8. Many believe that lighter roasts have more caffeine, which is true to an extent. In actuality, the roasting process does not really change the amount of caffeine in beans, but rather it can affect the mass of the beans, meaning that if you measure by volume, lighter roasts will surely have more caffeine, but if you measure by weight then they should have comparable amounts of caffeine.

9. Though there is a lot of debate about the ethicality of its production, the most expensive coffee beans come from the feces of an animal called a “civet.” The civets eat the beans, and during the digestion process, their enzymes alter the structure of proteins in the beans, which removes acidity and makes smoother coffee.

The Underground Coffee

By Jeremiah Cockroft | Reporter

Holy Mocha, Batman! is a drink well known to Rose students and Midwest City locals. Along with the Caramel Underground and $87 Latte, these are the handcrafted signatures from The Underground Coffee.

With two locations on campus, as well as one at 1621 S. Douglas, The Underground has been a staple of coffee lovers in Midwest City for 17 years.

Co-owner Jacob Hussain and his sisters, Amber and Maryam, have created a welcoming place where people can feel comfortable.

“We say our mission is we want to serve well,” Hussain said. “We want to serve drinks well, serve customers well, and serve our community well. A lot of that comes from creating this atmosphere where people feel at home in.”

Hussain and his family started out with a need for coffee.

“If we wanted

coffee, the closest place was Nichols Hills’ Starbucks,” Hussain said.

After graduating from college in 2004, Hussain couldn’t find a job, so he started considering the idea he and his sisters joked about when they were teenagers.

“One day, I was just like, hey, why don’t we start a coffee shop?” Hussain said.

With very few coffee shops in the city at the time, their hometown of Midwest City was the best place to act on their dream.

“We think it’s a great community, and we love being a part of it,” Hussain said.

About a year later, The Underground opened in a small space on South Douglas Boulevard.

They steadily grew and in 2008, The Underground expanded into the neighboring space next to the shop and added a drive-thru window. This allowed them to expand their

customer base.

Rose State College approached The Underground looking for a cafe for the Learning Resources Center on campus. After lobbying from the student senate and faculty members, the Rose location opened in 2017.

When COVID-19 started closing down businesses across the city, The Underground had some of its busiest months. The Underground closed the inside lobby but was able to keep the drive-thru open to continue serving customers.

This gave Hussain and his siblings the unique opportunity to rethink The Underground shop. With the lobby closed, it was the perfect chance to completely remodel the inside.

The shop was under construction for several months and was completed in December 2021. Next door, The Underground Coworking, a space

that can be rented for office work, was completed in January 2022.

On Feb. 17, 2022, the new shop and coworking space opened with a ribbon-cutting.

Hussain said they are always looking for new ways to get the most out of the new space and are considering using it for events.

For right now, Hussain has no plans for adding more locations, however, nothing is out of the question.

“I always say if the opportunity comes, I’m definitely going to consider it,” Hussain said.

OKC’s First Native-Owned Brewery

By Ethan Davis | Staff Writer

At the end of last year, OKC established its first Native-owned brewery. Jake Keyes opened up Skydance Brewing in downtown Oklahoma City in October 2021. Even though their location opened just a little over a few months ago, Keyes and the people at Skydance have been brewing their beers since December 2018.

Prior to opening their own location, Skydance was brewing out of a co-op brewery called the Brewers Union where local brewers could brew, can and distribute their beers.

Keyes grew up in Little Axe, and this is where his love for brewing began. Keyes would help his father brew beer at a young age.

“I started brewing beer at 12 years old with my dad, he used to homebrew at the house, and I was always real curious about what he had going on,” Keyes said. “He used to let me help him out, and over the years, I learned how to brew myself.”

Keyes said he knew that he wanted to open his own brewery at some point in his life.

“All those years of brewing with my dad and when I was in college I worked at a brewery in Norman called Coach’s, me and my dad started talking about how cool it’d be to open a brewery one day,” he said.

Unfortunately, Keyes’ dad passed away before they could start their brewery together.

“When my dad passed away several years ago, it made me think about how short life is, and you need to do the thing you want to do, so I decided I needed to open that brewery that we always talked about,” Keyes said.

He said there is a lot of responsibility that comes with owning Oklahoma City’s first Native brewery.

“There’s a lot of things to balance in all of that. There’s some negative connotation when it comes to Natives and alcohol; there’s some falsehoods there that people think that Native Americans aren’t supposed to be drinking alcohol, so we’re trying to break some of those barriers down while also being respectful to the culture and the heritage, but we’re also super proud to be representing our people,” he said.

Keyes’ goal isn’t to just brew and sell beer, he also wants to educate people on indigenous tribes and historical figures.

“Educating people is one of our main goals and our top priority,” he said. “I think it’s super important because we’re

basically the founders of this country, and I think there’s a lot of things that people don’t understand even growing up in Oklahoma where people are surrounded by tribes and Native people all the time. Hopefully, through some of our beer names and some of the story-telling that we do, we’re able to help educate some people about that. I think a lot of the misunderstandings would be done away with if people took the time to learn the history.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it took a toll on the timeline of the opening of Skydance Brewing. Keyes said he expected to be at the Brewers Union for a year, but COVID delayed the plan. About two and a half years later, Skydance Brewing opened.

Oftentimes, when starting a business there are some failures and shortcomings that come along with it.

Along with failures, there are also some victories. One of Keyes’ favorite moments was seeing some of his beers on the shelves at Walmart.

“It was a cool thing to see the only Native American product in Walmart,” Keyes said.

Skydance releases a new beer every Friday, and beer lovers around the metro area head downtown to try the latest beer from the brewery.

Some of Skydance Brewing’s beers have become pretty popular around the metro area.

“Our No. 1 beer is Fancy Dance, which is a hazy IPA and it’s the beer that put us on the map a little bit. Also the 49, which is an oatmeal stout, is my dad’s recipe so that one has a big soft spot in my heart,” he said.

Skydance Brewery brews a plethora of different beers. Whatever your taste may be, there is a beer for you at Skydance Brewing.

If you are 21 or older and would like to try out some of the brews that Skydance Brewing produces, check out their location in downtown Oklahoma City, located 1 NE 7th St., Suite A, visit their website at skydancebrewing.com or find their products on the shelves at Walmart, OnCue or local liquor store. Remember to drink responsibly, and don’t drink and drive.

Oklahoma City Essentials For Local Foodies

By Michael Palacios | Staff Writer

With the springtime seasonal shift underway, many Oklahomans are drawn to the outdoors to experience the variety of food hot spots the city has to offer. The diverse culinary culture throughout the city is a staple that has continued to prosper even through recent uncertain economic times.

Here are seven ‘must-try’ local restaurants that offer a delicious menu and a welcoming dining atmosphere.

No. 1 Jimmy B’s Culinary + Krafted

1225 N Broadway Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73103

The menu here is considerably diverse but has been elegantly mastered, leaving each customer with a memorable taste on their tongue. The menu varies from fresh-tasting sushi to sandwiches, though the more popular dishes that bring diners back are the steaks and the uniquely crafted Thai Steak Noodles, which happens to be a salad. The ambiance is comforting and private for the visitors inside, while the outdoor seating gives the customers a great view of downtown.

No. 2 FRIDA Southwest

500 Paseo, Oklahoma City, OK 73103

Located in the ever-popular Paseo Arts District, which is home to a rich culture of creative expression for the locals, FRIDA presents a contemporary take on classic southwestern cuisine. Lunch trips here are common for all because of the expansive menu, along with the sleek design of the restaurant’s interior with a patio that complements the district’s colorful architecture.

No. 3 Eastside Pizza House

1734 NE 23rd St, Oklahoma City, OK 7311

Pizza is an American favorite with an endless assortment of toppings that never seem to go wrong, and Eastside Pizza House capitalizes on that. Opening on Valentine’s Day of 2022, the pizzeria was an instant hit in the city due to the unique visual of black crust under their delicious toppings. The mind behind this restaurant is Jabee, who is a musical artist and community activist within the city.

No. 4 The Loaded Bowl

1211 SW 2nd St, Oklahoma City, OK 73108

A carefully-crafted menu with an emphasis on plantbased food, the industrial-styled eatery seeks to feed Oklahomans a healthier platter whilst maintaining great tasting qualities. The love and care put into the establishment is unrivaled due to their efforts in reducing their carbon footprint by only using packages that are reusable and biodegradable, along with environmentally friendly products and practices.

No.5 Gorō Ramen

3000 Paseo, Oklahoma City, OK 73103

Another staple that resides in the Paseo Arts District, Gorō Ramen is a Japanese-inspired ‘noodle house’ and bar that offers a hip atmosphere and an authentic taste. The Tori Paitan is the most popular bowl of ramen on the menu, and that’s due to their enriched chicken broth that complements the pork belly within the soup. The “shareables” on the menu are praise-worthy themselves with the eagerness customers have to grab them once they are served.

No. 6 Sushi Neko Robata and Sushi Bar 4318 N Western Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73118

Visitors are drawn in by the traditional Japanese-styled setting but stay for the famous specialty rolls and sashimi. With always fresh ingredients and friendly staff, Sushi Neko has been a long-lasting restaurant in Oklahoma City. The only issue is figuring out what to try since they have an extensive menu that has been perfected with the passage of time.

No. 7 Florence’s Restaurant

1437 NE 23rd St, Oklahoma City, OK 73111

The list would never be truly complete without classic Southern comfort food here in Oklahoma City. Tested by time, Florence’s Restaurant has been in the foodservice industry since 1952. Offering homemade country recipes such as the famous top seller fried chicken or the juicy steak burger. Inside their rustic centric restaurant, the establishment aims to welcome all customers as if it were their home, too.

TRANSFER PORTAL

By Hannah Bryant | Staff Writer

College football fans in Oklahoma currently have perhaps the best understanding of the changing landscape within college football in the nation. After the news broke of former head coach Lincoln Riley leaving in what seemed like overnight, and what felt like a hundred announcements that either players at the University of Oklahoma were leaving the program via the transfer portal or that brand new players were joining, it became clear that whatever is going on in the world of college athletics is not similar to what was happening even five years ago. Now, athletes, coaches, administrators and fans are in disagreement as to whether or not the path they are on is the right one to move forward.

The NCAA transfer portal is the database in which players “enter” when they want to be looked at by other teams, meet with other coaches and/or consider schools they would transfer to from their current programs. It debuted in 2018 to create an organized way for everyone involved to track transferring players and to establish rules for transferring.

One of the rules

required athletes in football, baseball, men’s hockey and men and women’s basketball sit out for a full season once they transferred before they play with their new team.

That rule was obviously unpopular among student athletes and many of them voiced their disappointment in it, pushing for a change. About three years later, they finally got it.

In April 2021, the NCAA D-1 Board of Directors accepted new legislation that would allow all student athletes to transfer once and play immediately, doing away with the forced year of ineligibility. What followed was expected: a mass entrance of athletes into the portal.

“College athletes have been very receptive to the agency they’ve received,” said Chris Hummer, a college football and transfer portal writer for 247 Sports. “There’s still a big push for athletes’ rights, since it’s still a structure where there’s unpaid labor, but I do see this change as a positive thing.”

In addition to the transfer portal eligibility, the NCAA also moved to allow student athletes to accept profit off of their name, image and likeness (NIL). Student athletes can make money from partnerships, endorsements, merchandise and more. These actions are giving more freedom and autonomy to college athletes than ever

before. College sports have been a billion dollar industry in America for years. Now, the ones making it all happen are able to have a slice of the pie.

After a full season with immediate transfer eligibility in college football took place, the problems are starting to show, and the opponents are asking their questions.

Some coaches are not too fond of the way players can move with ease from program to program. A lot of program heads have called for revision of the rules that were just adopted.

“Coaches are protecting their own interest,” Hummer said. “It creates more work for them, yes, but they’re compensated. They’re usually the highest paid figure in their state.”

Some people feel that all the transferring of players is creating a loss of loyalty and tradition. However, it can’t be overlooked that coaches have already had that privilege and used it when they see fit.

“For the longest time now, coaches have been able to leave institutions when they want to,” said Coty Cooper, Athletic Director at Rose State College. “Their contracts can be bought out and they can up and decide to take a job at a different place. That same ability wasn’t there for the players.”

The NIL rules added another complex layer to the process. Lane Kiffin, head football coach at Ole Miss, compared it to the NFL’s free agency.

“The kids a lot of times go to where they’re going to get paid the most,” Kiffin stated during a press conference in December 2021. No one else is saying that, maybe. But the kids say, ‘This is what I’m getting here from NIL.’”

Schools that have a lot of money to offer students in the form of NIL deals now have an upper hand when an athlete in the portal is trying to decide where to go. The schools with the most money are typically the ones that have been the most dominant in football.

“The strong are gonna get stronger, and the weak are gonna get weaker,” Cooper said.

College football could eventually become less competitive because of this. It will definitely become more interesting. And for players, more empowering.

As spring football practices are starting, and the transfer portal remains overflowing (over 1,000 players entered from August-January, with about half finding a landing spot), it remains to be seen if it is the best option for everyone.

There may be more boardroom arguments, rule changes and tweaks, complaints by coaches and angry Facebook posts. Come September, though, we will all be plopped in front of the TV regardless.

TOP 5 ALL-TIME THUNDER PLAYERS

By Luke Yost | Staff Writer

When the Seattle Supersonics relocated to Oklahoma in 2008 and became the Oklahoma City Thunder, no one thought in just a few years into the relocation, the Thunder would become a powerhouse of a basketball franchise and become one of the winningest teams of the decade.

This list will look back and rank the Top 5 players to put OKC on the map as a professional basketball team. This list also takes into account what they did not just on but off the court.

No. 5: James Harden (SG/PG) (2009-2012)

In just a short amount of time, Harden had immortalized himself in OKC history. Despite just being on the team for just three years, those few years were quite possibly the best times to be a Thunder fan. During this time, OKC appeared in its one and only NBA Finals appearance.

He was considered as one of the “Big 3” alongside fellow teammates Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. And at such a young age, they took the league by storm. In his best season, he was lethal off the bench, averaging 16.8 points per game off the bench, which in turn gave him the Sixth Man of the Year award.

His famous beard he grew during his time in OKC coined him a nickname, “The Beard,” and fans often held signs saying, “Fear the Beard.” Fans will always remember his time in OKC as short and sweet.

No. 4 Serge Ibaka (PF/C) (20092016)

Serge Ibaka was quite the unknown when drafted from the Congo. To everyone’s surprise, he became the defensive anchor in the time he was a part of OKC. Ibaka, in his early years, was a force to be reckoned with in the interior end of the defense. He logged seasons with 2.4 2x, 2.7, 3.0 and a staggering 3.7 blocks per game. His prowess in blocking quickly earned him the nickname Serge “Iblaka.”

As years went on, he soon

developed a patented elbow jump shot that made him lethal in the pick and roll game alongside guard Russell Westbrook. He became reliant on not just the defensive but offensive end as well.

No. 3 Nick Collison (PF/C) (20082018)

This ranking will surprise most people outside of Oklahoma. Collison, during his time in OKC, was often considered the backbone of the team. Hence the nickname he garnered in his time in OKC, “Mr. Thunder.”

He didn’t flash you with his play, as he only averaged a high of 8.2 points as a member of OKC, but anytime he was subbed into the game, he would leave it all out on the floor.

In 2019, he eventually became the first OKC player to get his jersey retired. This confused a lot of people as by just glancing at his stats and accolades he didn’t do much, but, he contributed greatly to the community of Oklahoma. He cemented himself as a part of the fabric of the city by setting an example of commitment, hard work and authenticity.

No. 2 Kevin Durant (SF/PF) (20082016)

Now, it’s time to ruffle some feathers. But before talking about why Durant is not No. 1 on this list, let’s talk about the good.

From a talent perspective, he is one of one. He is a practically 7-foot forward that can dribble and shoot like a guard. This is unheard of. He can do it all and not one person has come close as to what he’s been able to do on the court.

As a member of OKC, he logged some amazing seasons. He was a scoring machine as he was a 4x scoring champ, was a consensus all-star and won his one and only MVP as a part of the franchise. He was one of the sole players to put OKC on the map.

Now, why is he No. 2 here? Well, the way Durant left this franchise will always leave a stain on his legacy, no matter where he goes.

It wasn’t just the fact he left OKC but rather the way he went about it.

He left to go to the Golden State Warriors, a team that just defeated OKC, choking a 3-1 lead in the conference championship. He took the saying, “If you can’t beat them join them,” to heart. Durant threw passive aggressive jabs at the management and former teammates during his transition stage off the team, which was another low blow. The whole situation was a mess. The time Durant spent with OKC will always be bittersweet.

No. 1 Russell Westbrook (PG) (2008-2019)

At No. 1 is the longest tenured player in the short Oklahoma City Thunder history.

When drafted by OKC, he was originally selected to be a defensive-minded shooting guard. But what they did not know is he would become so much more.

As years went by, Westbrook got better and better, slowly becoming a premier Point Guard in the NBA. He and Durant became a dynamic duo that was electrifying to watch and hard to stop.

When Durant left the team in 2016, the Thunder were in trouble of slipping out of relevancy, but Westbrook decided to stay loyal and sign an extension.

In that following season, Westbrook unlocked another gear. He ended up doing the impossible and averaging triple-double for a whole season. Only one other player was able to do such a feat which was Oscar Robertson in the ‘70s. This earned him his one and only MVP award and rightfully so.

But soon, Russ would make triple doubles look normal as he would do so two more times in an OKC uniform. This would garner him the nickname,

“Mr. Triple Double.”

Hewas a stat sheet stuffer and could do it all as he is a 2x scoring champ and 3x assist champ. He is the only player in NBA history to win those awards multiple times.

Unfortunately, due to poorly constructed teams since Durant’s departure, OKC never quite found the playoff success they once did. But unlike Durant, Westbrook stayed loyal to the very end and OKC will always have a soft spot for him.

Photos courtesy of Chris Landsberger.

By

With one of the craziest NFL off-season’s occurring this year and one of the largest quarterback carousels in recent memory, the upcoming draft could be even more insane. This list is based on who I think teams will select, not necessarily the ranking of talent level.

But congratulations to the NFL newcomers and I wish them success in their future playing careers.

No. 1 Jacksonville Jaguars select Aidan Hutchinson –Michigan – DL Jacksonville needs all the help they can get during their current rebuild. Hutchinson is considered one of the best players in this draft class.

No. 2 Detroit Lions select Travon Walker – Georgia –DL

Similar to the Jaguars, the Lions are in another rebuild and they too need as much talent as possible. Walker was part of one of the most productive college football defensive lines in recent memory.

No. 3 Houston Texans select Evan Neal – Alabama – OL Houston could go multiple ways here, but I believe they will go with Neal here and create a solid tackle tandem with current LT Laremy Tunsil.

No. 4 New York Jets select Drake London – USC – WR

MOCK 2022

After failing to get Tyreek Hill in a trade the Jets showed they are looking for a receiver. London is considered the top receiver in this class.

No. 5 New York Giants select Kayvon Thibodeaux – Oregon – DL

Thibodeaux is one of the top edge rushers in this class and at one time he was considered the top prospect in this class. Thibodeaux should be able to fit well in the Giants’ defense.

No. 8 Atlanta Falcons select Kenny Pickett –Pittsburgh – QB

The Falcons just traded away Matt Ryan to the Colts. It is almost guaranteed they take a quarterback here.

No. 9 Seattle Seahawks (from Denver Broncos) select Ahmad Gardner –Cincinnati – CB Although, Seattle could still go QB or OL here. Gardner has boosted his draft stock in recent weeks and is considered the top CB prospect in this class.

No. 12 Minnesota Vikings select Jordan Davis –Georgia – DL Minnesota needs interior help on their defensive line. Davis has freakish talent and is one of the top prospects at his position in this class.

No. 13 Houston Texans (from Cleveland Browns) select Matt Corral – Mississippi –QB

The Texans just traded their franchise QB in Deshaun Watson and they need someone to replace him. Corral could very well have the highest ceiling in this class.

No. 14 Baltimore Ravens select Charles Cross -Mississippi State - OL

The Ravens need help on the offensive line, especially after trading Orlando Brown Jr. to the Chiefs last season. Cross has excellent size and has great talent.

No. 6 Carolina Panthers select Malik Willis – Liberty –QB

The Panthers are in dire need of a quarterback and I think they will take Willis here. Willis has the skill set the Panthers look for and should be a day one starter.

No. 10 New York Jets (from Seattle Seahawks) select Derek Stingley Jr. – LSU – CB

The Jets need a secondary player, and Stingley Jr. is one of the top prospects in this class. He has elite size and skills.

No. 7 New York Giants (from Chicago Bears) select Ikem Ekwonu – NC State – OL

The Giants can take Ekwonu here and get a solid tackle here to help protect Daniel Jones.

No. 11 Washington Commanders select Kyle Hamilton – Notre Dame – S The Commanders also have a need in the secondary. Hamilton shows a lot of promise and is the top safety in this class.

No. 15 Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami Dolphins) select Jermaine Johnson – Florida State – DL Edge rusher is at the top of the Eagles’ team needs and Johnson would be a great fit for them. Johnson has great speed off the edge and has great size.

No. 16 New Orleans Saints (From Philadelphia Eagles) select Chris Olave –Ohio State – WR

The Saints made a massive trade with the Eagles. And they need another receiver to pair with Michael Thomas. Olave is one of the best WR prospects in this year’s draft.

No. 17 Los Angeles Chargers select Trevor Penning – Northern Iowa – OL

The Chargers need a right tackle to help protect Justin Herbert. Penning is one of the top tackles in this class.

No. 18 Philadelphia Eagles (From New Orleans Saints) select Garrett Wilson – Ohio State – WR

Although, some are still skeptical about Jalen Hurts being the franchise QB for the Eagles. I think they will take a wide receiver here. Wilson should pair well with DeVonta Smith.

No. 19 New Orleans Saints (From Philadelphia Eagles) select Tyler Smith - OL Wide receiver and offensive line are the Saints’ biggest needs. Smith has elite size and his draft stock has been rising.

No. 22 Green Bay Packers (From Las Vegas Raiders) select Jameson Williams –Alabama – WR

I would not be shocked if the Packers trade up in the draft and select a different player, however, as it stands, I believe they will take a receiver with this pick to replace Davante Adams, and they will look to replace Adams with the best available receiver.

One of the Titans’ biggest needs is cornerback and McDuffie is one of the best cornerback prospects in this draft. He is quick, versatile and a great tackler.

No. 27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers select Kenyon Green –Texas A&M – OL

The Buccaneers lost two guards in free agency, so they will need to draft one here to help their offense. Green is one of the top guards in this class and has elite size and technique.

No. 31 Cincinnati Bengals select Perrion Winfrey – Oklahoma – DL

Winfrey had a great senior bowl outing and won the MVP. Winfrey showcases freakish ability with speed and strength.

No. 32 Detroit Lions (From Los Angeles Rams) select Desmond Ridder – Cincinnati – QB

No. 23 Arizona Cardinals select George Karlaftis –Purdue – DL

I would argue the Cardinals should take an offensive lineman here, but at this point, the elite offensive linemen will be gone. However, they will need to replace Chandler Jones, and I think Karlaftis would be a great pick for the Cardinals here.

No. 28 Green Bay Packers select Daniel Faalele – Minnesota – OL

The Packers need a right tackle to help protect Aaron Rodgers. Faalele is a giant standing at 6’9. Faalele will need to develop his technique, but he has the size to be elite.

The Lions have holes all over their roster, and the pick might not be Desmond Ridder but I do not think Jared Goff is the answer at quarterback and I think they go quarterback here.

No. 20 Pittsburgh Steelers select Tyler Linderbaum –Iowa – C

The Steelers need to rebuild their offensive line and they should start that process by selecting Linderbaum here. Linderbaum is rated as the top center in this class.

No. 24 Dallas Cowboys select Nicholas Petit-Frere – Ohio State – OL

The Cowboys just lost La’el Collins, so they will need to replace him with someone. Nicholas Petit-Frere has great size and he has experience at both left and right tackle.

No. 21 New England Patriots select Devin Lloyd – Utah –LB

The Patriots have a need for linebacker and Bill Belichick may want to develop a young linebacker as well. Lloyd has shown he is athletic and has great pass coverage skills.

No. 25 Buffalo Bills select Nakobe Dean – Georgia – LB

The Bills need to improve defending the middle field, and picking Dean here should help improve that area.

No. 26 Tennessee Titans select Trent McDuffie – Washington – CB

No. 29 Kansas City Chiefs (From Miami Dolphins) select Treylon Burks – Arkansas – WR

The Chiefs just traded Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins, so they will need to try to replace him. Burks has size and speed. And he has great after-the-catch ability.

No. 30 Kansas City Chiefs select Kaiir Elam – Florida – CB

The Chiefs lost one of the cornerbacks in free agency. Elam is considered a top five cornerback prospect in this class. Elam is a physical cornerback with good size.

summer wreath: step by step

By Alyx Sabina | Staff Writer

The seasons are changing quickly. It's almost time to put away our spring flowers and decor and bust out the bright colors of summer. The first step for a house that's ready for summer is what's on your front door. This beautiful and eye-catching wreath will have everyone excited for the upcoming hot weather.

Supplies:

• Tulle Rolls in your desired color

• Foam ring in your preferred size

• Sharp scissors

• Extra strength glue

• Wood or foam cutouts of your desired shapes

• All supplies can be purchased at Hobby Lobby

To prepare for crafting your wreath, you will want a large flat surface. First, you'll want to wrap your foam ring in any color tulle of your choice. Keep in mind, tulle is relatively see-through so you might have to wrap your ring a couple times to get an opaque color.

Next, you will start preparing your tulle “fluffs” as I like to call them.

First, choose a color and cut two pieces that are each about a foot in length.

Next, you tie the two pieces in a knot, and continue to make a bow. I found that using the bunny ear method was easiest.

After making your tulle bow, proceed to “fluff” out the bow, it should end up looking something like this.

The more tulle fluffs that you make, the quicker and easier it will get. Continue making these in your desired colors. I used about 30 to complete my wreath.

When you get finished making all of your tulle fluffs, it's time to start applying them to the pre-wrapped foam ring! I applied about a nickel-sized amount of glue to the knot of the fluff, firmly pressed it and held it onto the ring.

Something to keep in mind when doing this, if you want to achieve a more full wreath look like mine, make sure you aren't leaving any gaps between the tulle fluffs.

Now it's time to add your wood or foam cutouts. Do the same glue process with the cutouts and apply them in desired places.

Once you’ve finished, allow enough time for all of the glue to set. And ta-da! A wreath that's ready to hang on your door. And if you enjoyed making it as much as I did, you might even make another for a friend.

sUn sIgn

mOON Sign

AscEndAnt core self: basic identity, who you are at all times, how you see yourself.

inner self: control on emotions, who you are in private, how your inner circle sees you.

outer self: first impressions, who you are on the surface, how others see you.

HOROSCOPES

PISCES

(Feb. 19-March 20)

LEO

(July 23-Aug. 22)

This will be a testing time for you, Leo. There will be many dis-

tractions thrown at you. It would be best to take this time to focus on the things that are beneficial for your growth.

An abundance of money is coming your way, Pisces. Keep up the hard work and stay focused. Your

goals are coming to fruition. Find the balance in life to keep from neglecting things that truly matter to you. True happiness comes from within.

CANCER

(June 21-July 22)

ARIES

(March 21-April 19)

You will be receiving an abundance of good news this month. Many of your manifestations will see fruition during this time. Take a weekend trip this month, Aries. You deserve it. Don’t forget to live in the moment and make memories that will last a lifetime.

Cancerians, you have been very busy focusing on your goals this year. Many of your goals have been completed. You are still running around being very busy to create the life you’ve always wanted. Your hard work is paying off.

SCORPIO

(Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

This will be a good month for you to network and make friends, Sagittarius. Don’t let your anxiety and insecurities stop you from going after what you want. You are capable of way more than you think.

You have been indulging in the finer things in life lately. While you do deserve this, don’t forget to remain humble and track your finances. You have a tendency to be impulsive, try to control that this month. Find the root of your impulsive ways and face it.

AQUARIUS CAPRICORN

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

(Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

You will be tested greatly this month. Be ready to use your wisdom and discernment a lot this month. You are

trying to control your actions, do not let them. Stand up for yourself and

There will be people in for surprises that will either benefit you or not depending on your reactions. You are in control.

what you believe in. Only you know what is best for you. Better days are ahead, Capricorn. Keep your head up and stay focused.

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Many of

(Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

This is a time

for you to learn balance, Libra. You have been focused on one specific thing lately which has caused you to neglect other things. Your friends and family may miss spending time with you, make time for them. Find a balance between work and play that will make you happy but still focused.

VIRGO LIBRA GEMINI

your manifestations will come to fruition this month. Keep up with your hard work/play hard balance. It has been very beneficial for you to stay focused but also have fun during this time. You may find opportunities to network and make new friends this month.

TAURUS

(April 20-May 20)

If you have been neglecting your overall health and wellbeing, this will You tend to live life like a merry-go-round which has worked for you, but sometimes it is better to focus on some of the goals you have been neglecting for some time. This is a good time to focus on your close friendships and relationships. Spend time with the people you care about.

(May 21-June 20)

be a good time to start focusing on that. Find ways to destress and compress this month. This season of renewal will be very beneficial for you. Go to the spa, get a massage, write in your journal, and spend time with your favorite people this month.

find your voice.