th NEWS 15 STREET
Benefits of using BetterMynd, an Online Therapy App CONSTITUTION WEEK
“Using BetterMynd has helped me a lot, mainly because of how accessible it is. I don’t have a car, so commuting to school just for a therapy session would be a hassle but, with BetterMynd, it has made it more convenient.”
-Sophomore Alicia Bristol
Rose State hosts one of the biggest celebrations for Constitution Week in the state
Ylleana Berryhill Assistant Editor
With the numerous events scheduled on campus, it is hard to ignore what is happening.
Students racing across campus looking for clues to
Praveena Jackson Editor-in-Chief
Many people tend to disregard the importance of mental health, often viewing it as less significant than physical health. However, mental health is just as crucial as one’s physical well-being and is vital to overall health.
With this understanding, Rose State College has
taken a significant step by partnering with BetterMynd, an online therapy platform that offers students easy access to mental health support and services.
Students at Rose State College can receive free online therapy through BetterMynd, which offers convenience and flexibility.
A 24/7 crisis hotline, mental health care and individual
counseling are among the services provided by the platform. Students, who often experience extreme stress due to both personal and academic difficulties, particularly require therapy. Rose State College wants to emphasize student mental health and make sure that assistance is always
the scavenger hunt. A rap battle between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. A game of Jeopardy between students and staff. However, this year is a little different.
This year’s scavenger hunt awarded the top three teams with scholarship funds.
Building Skills and Connections: The Benefits of On-Campus Employment
PART-TIME POSITIONS REGULARLY AVAILABLE:
Administrative Assistants
• Office Assistants
• Academic Advising
• Cashier
• Maintenance Worker
• Groundskeeper
• Tutor
Minimum Qualifications:
Qualifications may vary depending on the position applied for. Please include any work history, transcripts, licenses, etc. with your application.
Praveena Jackson Editor-in-Chief
Getting a job oncampus can be a big part of college, especially for international students whose academic specialties and varied cultural backgrounds provide a unique work environment at these colleges. In addition to offering financial advantages, on-campus employment allows students to grow professionally, gain useful skills and fully participate in campus life.
“Working on campus is beneficial because our campus is like a one-
stop shop," Bertie Nutter, Associate Vice President of Human Resources/AAO/ Title IX says. "You can study, live, work and enjoy all your activities right here. With the Student Union, housing and on-campus jobs, everything you need is at your fingertips. You can go to class, hang out with friends, have fun and get work experience, all without needing a car.”
There are numerous job opportunities available on campus and these are just a few of them. These positions are curated intentionally with the
WORK STUDY POSITIONS REGULARLY AVAILABLE:
RSC Students Eligible for Financial Aid
• Administrative Assistants
• Office Assistants
• Academic Advising
• Admissions and Records
• Groundskeeper
Minimum Qualifications:
Must be a current Rose State College student eligible for federal Financial Aid as determined by the Rose State College Financial Aid office.
Students Shanisty Whittington and Emily Hale won first place, Dynasty Poire and Jose Luna won second place and Alice Morris and Izzy Laidler won third place in
Left to Right: Professors Aaron Bachhofer, Mary Vick, Marcus Mallard, Emily Stacey, James Davenport. (Photo by Ylleana Berryhill)
FEATURES
The Opportunity That Is Hispanic Heritage Month
Ylleana Berryhill Assistant Editor
Hispanic Heritage Month began Sept. 15 and ends Oct. 15. Throughout this time period, individuals are seen celebrating their heritage in a variety of ways. At Rose State, dancers Isabel Perez and Marti Rickman each performed varying dances pertaining to their culture.
On September 28 the Fiestas de las Américas Festival took place to celebrate the holiday. Plenty of vendors could be seen around the area as they were selling various goods.
Celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month seem very communal. Hundreds of people gather together with colorful parades, moving music and delicious food. However, the celebration is more personal than some people may know.
Hispanic Heritage Month is about vigor, opportunity, aspiration and interconnection.
Issues are bound to occur when immigrating from one place to another. It is often a priority to remain resilient. Other times, it is a priority to remain together.
"I think what happens when you're away from your country, having something with you is what keeps you close: the traditions, the food, the music and the dances," said hairstylist and dance instructor Rickman.
A vision some individuals have is the unforeseen future.
"A lot of it is trying to pave the way for the next generation to still have their roots in their culture but still search ahead of what we could have ever dreamed of," said Global Studies major Isabel Perez.
The hardships and resilience are what makes a lot of individuals, including Perez, proud to be who they are.
For others, it is the change that can be witnessed within the community.
"When I first came to Oklahoma, I didn't see
very many Hispanics really. I saw that there was more Mexican people," Rickman said. "The good thing about Oklahoma now is there's more accessibility to get some little things like food, a little bit of Colombian food."
As time goes on, some cultures lose their essence little by little. The current generations have only the remnants of the past to work with. Although the fear of a vanishing culture is valid, it is fleeting. Some people never forget what their culture consists of.
"I still try to embed myself and remind myself where I came from and where my
UCO Media Ethics Conference
Michelle Johnson
Graphic Design & Page Design Editor
The University of Central Oklahoma recently hosted its 13th annual media ethics conference. This was a twoday event that started on Oct. 1. The main topic of this conference was the spread of misinformation and conspiracy seen in today's media. The first event, Age of Lies and Conspiracies: The Ethics Battle, lasted from 9a.m.-3p.m. and hosted several speakers, from diverse mediums. On the second day, the First Amendment Congress was held from 10a.m.-3:30p.m.
Jonathan Turley, author
of "The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage," spoke the evening of Oct. 1. Turley is recognized as an American attorney and a legal scholar. He has served as a legal analyst for several main news networks. He and Jenny WagnonCourts, an ABC Producer, held a speech and Q&A going through his book and the First Amendment. When talking about his book he spoke about the debate over free speech. Currently in the U.S., the freedom of speech is a protected right. People are allowed to criticize their government and voice any opinion they have. This also includes hate speech. He said countries in which
parents came from to make sure that no matter which career I may pick or path I may choose, I carry that with me and I let it influence what I'm doing," Perez said.
Some parents pass it down to their kids. Some just reminisce.
"I just remember being born there. It's just my memories," Rickman said.
Rickman, who was born in Colombia, keeps fragments of Colombia in her shop, Clips and Hips. "I have a lot of things with the colors of the flag: the amarillos y rojo," she said.
The importance of storytelling is prevalent
there are restrictions on speech have failed to silence those who spread hate and misinformation. Instead, the laws have made everyone else afraid to speak out. It ended up silencing the wrong people. Turley warned his audience of the kinds of laws that are proposed to restrict misinformation that could lead to infringement on the original intent of free speech.
UCO holds the Media Ethics Conference each October. Over the years, Rose State Mass Communication alumni who attend UCO have hosted the event as part of a course taught by Joe Hight, the Edith Kinney Gaylord Endowed Chair of Journalism Ethics at UCO.
during this month. Someone's story is heard, remembered and commemorated.
"I remember my parents telling me my greatgrandpa was mariachi and my maternal grandfather was in a band in his early days, so I've always wanted to be musically inclined because for me, it was a way that I would carry their dreams with me and try to make them come true," said Perez.
Some people have their own stories to honor and celebrate. The distance some individuals have traveled to get to where they
are currently is admirable.
"When I was a little kid, I wanted to dance. I never had the opportunity. My dad died when I was young. So it was hard for my mom to make it and she pretty much took over the family duties," Rickman said. "It was always the thought of the American Dream. You always hear about that American Dream. I never thought that I was gonna do what I do now."
This month is not completely centered around the past. There are students now who are making a difference in their family.
"I feel like a lot of the time I try to carry a lot of pride in the fact that I am first generation which comes with its own ordeals," Perez said.
There are plenty of historical figures to look up to. However, it is often the people right next to you that provide the most guidance. Rickman's mom gave it her all trying to provide for her kids. Another woman taught her a lot about doing hair. This month is a dedication to them.
The past, present and future are held in high regard. The flag, waving pridefully behind these women as they dance wonderfully. Although the Mexican flag doesn't quite represent everyone, the feeling is there. It's seen everywhere.
Left to Right: Jenny Wagnon-Courts and Johnathan Turley. (Photo by Michelle Johnson)
Marti Rickman performs a lively Cumbia Dance from Columbia outside of the Fine Arts building. (Photo by Ylleana Berryhill)
The Harm in High Caffeine Consumption FEATURES
Amelia Beaty Reporter
According to MountSinai.org, symptoms of a caffeine overdose can include breathing trouble, changes in alertness, confusion, dizziness, fever, nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat or trouble sleeping. These are not warnings that appear on a can of an energy drink or the menu of a coffee shop, so when a surprise caffeine overdose occurs, it can cause panic. Lifethreatening caffeine overdoses are rare and tend to be more uncomfortable than a threat to one’s health.
Counteracting a caffeine overdose at home can be fairly simple for less severe cases. First of all, don’t drink or ingest more caffeine. Drink plenty of water. Caffeine is a dehydrator, so you’ll need to replenish the water in your body, as well as the electrolytes. Take a walk if you’re feeling too much pent-up energy, but if you feel your heart rate getting too high or out of control, take some deep breaths and slow down. However, if your symptoms reach a point to which they are causing you active danger, or you believe you may be in danger of passing out, it is advisable to visit to the emergency room.
Also remember, that people with pre-existing conditions are more susceptible to a caffeine overdose. Death caused directly by caffeine is extremely rare. However, people with heart problems, diabetes and osteoporosis are encouraged to be more diligent toward their caffeine intake, as their bodies are likely to feel the effects of consumption of caffeine more strongly.
Personally, I have had two instances where I know I ingested far too much caffeine. The first was when I got hired as a barista and my manager at the time offered me a free drink while I was onboarding. I asked for my regular and she asked me
if I had tried the seasonal variant and when I said no she gave me both drinks. I now know that those two drinks accumulated to five shots of espresso or about 325 mg of caffeine. Even this is below the recommended maximum amount (400 mg) for a healthy adult, however, for adolescents, the amount is recommended to be closer to 100 mg. I hadn’t eaten at all that day and ended up drinking both of the drinks before going on an hourlong car ride. I ended up experiencing severe nausea that was only relieved by a nausea medication that my family kept in the car for such instances.
The second time I ingested too much caffeine was in an instance where I had forgotten that I had already had a cup of coffee that day. I have my own espresso machine and will sometimes make myself drinks instead of going to get one. That day, I didn’t plan on going out and made myself a drink before deciding a few hours later that I was going to go to a local coffee shop and get some writing done for
Average Milligrams of Caffeine in Several Sources of Caffeine.
• Coffee - 1 cup/8 oz = 60-95 mg
• Decaf - 1 cup/8 oz = 4 mg
• Espresso - 1 shot/1.5 oz = 65 mg
• Black tea - 1 cup = 47 mg
• Green Tea - 1 cup = 28 mg
• Soda - 12 oz = 40-55 mg
• Milk Chocolate - 1 oz - 6 mg
• Dark Chocolate - 1 oz = 24 mg
• Energy Drinks - 16 oz = 170 mg
• Bang Energy Drink - 16 - 300 mg
• Energy shot - 2 oz - 200 mg
• Supplements - 1 tablet = 200 mg
personal projects. I forgot that I had already had four shots of espresso earlier and ordered another drink without specifying that it needed to be decaf. I later found out that the coffee shop puts four shots in their drinks, meaning that I had a total of eight shots of espresso in less than six hours. I realized my mistake fairly shortly into my writing session when I couldn’t stop shaking and couldn’t focus on my
work and decided to drive home. I ended up googling ways to get caffeine out of my system faster and found that exercise was recommended, so I took a run around my neighborhood to stop from shaking uncontrollably, though I still felt off for the rest of the day and needed to sleep the rest of it off. It was after that incident that I started heavily favoring decaf coffee and monitoring my caffeine
intake more closely.
I attribute both events of having more caffeine than is healthy to my own ignorance, but there is a lack of awareness surrounding how much caffeine a person is consuming in each drink and how much a they should have. For both situations, I only learned how much caffeine I had from insider knowledge either from being employed at the location or from a friend who worked at that location. Many customers don’t ask how many shots they are getting, even when they are offered an extra shot for their latte. When asked if she thought customers knew how many shots were in their drinks, Anika Zawanda, assistant manager at Scooter’s Coffee, answered “No, absolutely not.” But even Zawanda didn’t know how many shots were in her daily latte at a different coffee shop, even though she works with coffee frequently. She described her daily caffeine intake as “a large amount.”
Caffeine is a chemical met with overwhelming
nonchalance. Many people don’t pay attention to the caffeine content in their drinks simply because they aren’t concerned about it. The discussion around concerns and dangers of overconsumption of caffeine is not common.
Even when caffeine content is known by the consumer, it doesn’t mean the effects aren’t felt, as experienced by Biology major Thomas Palmer after drinking a Bang energy drink.
“My body started to vibrate when it felt like I was going to ascend to the astral plane,” Palmer said. He said he was well aware of the amount of caffeine in the drink and also pointed out that his body wasn’t used to having nearly that amount of caffeine, which amounted to 300 mg.
Cherish Collins, a barista at Integris Health, recalled a time in which she experienced negative effects from drinking a Monster energy drink, which usually has 86 mg of caffeine. Due to a lack of experience with caffeine at the age of 13, this was unfortunately too much for her at the time.
“My whole body felt like it was jittery,” Collins said. “I had really high anxiety and it didn’t go away until I went to bed.”
She explained that she avoids caffeine as a whole, explaining that she tends to get extremely grumpy when she has it.
Remember that caffeine doesn’t affect everyone equally. What could be a perfectly fine and normal amount of caffeine for one person might be enough to cause negative side effects for another. Some regulars at my workplace frequently have five shots in their drinks every day and I can’t imagine those people are dealing with heart palpitations every single day. As said by Brennen O’Grady, Creative Media and Film Production major “My body is simply caffeine cool.”
can cause over time. (Photo by Michelle Johnson)
LOCAL NEWS
Rising Scholars: Dynasty Poire
these organizations can also help you learn useful career skills.
So, why political science? She initially wanted to be a diplomat and travel around the world to negotiate deals that help people on behalf of the U.S.
"I plan to go through a lot of schooling because I value being an educated person but also the good careers I want require a lot of schooling," she said.
"I'm an ambitious person, I kind of always have been," she said. All of the effort that she puts into school, assignments, work and volunteering opportunities will eventually lead to a successful future.
There are two things that encourage her to take initiative. "Coming from humble beginnings and knowing that there's more out there," she said.
important to celebrate yourself.
Academic scholar Dynasty Poire recently received the 2024 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship.
Since she's the President of Phi Theta Kappa, the information about the scholarship was passed along to her. The scholarship was for returning students in community college.
She said she felt a little anxious applying for the scholarship because of how many students apply. Only 200 people are awarded this scholarship out of the 1,500 applicants they usually see. Additionally, there were some scholarships for which she didn't qualify, making the process more intimidating.
Along with this scholarship, she has also received the Young Women in Public Affairs Scholarship and the Liberal Arts and Sciences Scholarship Award. She is also a part of the President's Honor Roll and takes honors credits.
She intends to be a leader of promise by showing that she will make the most of every opportunity she has.
"They're not just giving you scholarship funds for no reason, they're giving you scholarship funds to fund your education," she said. "And whatever you plan to do with your education is obviously going to make some contribution to the world that's meaningful."
Poire is involved in a few organizations on campus. As previously mentioned, she is President of Phi Theta Kappa. She is Delegation Chair of the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature, a member of the Black Student Association and part of the Liberal Arts and Sciences Book Club.
The Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature didn't have a delegation in over a decade before Poire and another member of the organization chartered it back to Rose State. She would also consider it the most successful thing that she has done under that
organization. Since they started from nothing, it was a lengthy process to go through. Nonetheless, she founded it and created it from the ground up with an immense amount of effort.
Being a part of so many organizations comes with learning a variety of useful skills and life lessons.
"I feel like every organization or every club I've been a part of has taught me something meaningful that I can use in my life," she said.
Leadership is one of those skills. She stressed the importance of leading a group, organization and creating an effective agenda for your organization. Another skill she has learned from the organizations she is a part of is networking.
"You're going to meet people, whether they're in your career field or not, that could help advance your career. I've gotten a lot of external opportunities as far as internships because of people I've met through that club," she said. In general,
She is determined to receive her bachelor's but is unsure of what she wants to pursue. Additionally, she wants to obtain her master's in public policy and partake in a J.D. dual program. She is also interested in studying International Relations.
There's so much one could do with political science. Law creates a variety of opportunities in this field of study.
Despite the numerous subjects she wants to study, she's still interested in being a diplomat, a lawyer and becoming a jack of all trades to anything political science. Poire has already come so far in her academic pursuits. One of the underlying values she has that still keeps her going is that her hard work will someday pay off.
Oftentimes, it's easy to stay within your comfort zone. However, she is a huge advocate of the fact that anyone can do anything in life.
Yet, many challenges will arise during this time. For example, burn out.
"Obviously you have to do a lot of things to be ambitious and accomplish goals but at the same time if it comes to the detriment of your mental health, your personal life in general, and not being able to be a kid it makes you focus on that instead," she said.
Another obstacle she has tried to overcome is patience. Balancing each aspect of your life is important for your mental health. Among the busy days spent working on assignments, it is also
A combination of the hard work, internships, scholarships and awards is what she is most proud of. Alongside that she is grateful for her role model. Dr. Emily Stacey has helped her accomplish so much. Whether it is from how sophisticated she is or her great connections, she has helped Poire obtain so many opportunities.
Of course, getting this far and achieving this much can't be easy. She advises everyone to take the first step.
"Me personally, nothings ever been handed to me. If it's not going to be handed to me, I have to go after it," she said in regards to taking initiative.
Overthinking the first step will delay your accomplishments. Taking the first step will be difficult but once one does, taking initiative will become easier. Poire has been quite a successful scholar. Her ambition is inspiring due to the vast opportunities she has discovered. She has the characteristics of a leader of promise.
“I feel like every organization or every club I've been a part of has taught me something meaningful that I can use in my life.”
-Dynasty
Poire
the scavenger hunt.
"Constitution Week is yet another example of how Rose State College goes the extra mile for students of all majors. From voter registration booths to Constitution-themed Jeopardy and scavenger hunts, Constitution Week
was and is an excellent way to combine both knowledge of the U.S. political system as well as being fun for both students and faculty," said Professor of Political Science Jonathan Honig. Congress established Constitution Week in 1956 to acknowledge the importance of the Constitution. The celebration started the
same day the Constitution was signed in 1787 which is Sept. 17. This was done by President Dwight Eisenhower. Although colleges that receive federal funding are required to at least celebrate Constitution Day, Rose State exceeds the expectations.
Guest speaker, Stanford University Professor Dr. Jack Rackove, discussed the
importance of democracy and the Constitution.
Constitution week is an opportunity for students and faculty to playfully learn about the history behind America. It all starts with the Constitution.
Not only does this week give a multitude of people the opportunity to celebrate this week lightheartedly, it also gives people the
opportunity to build lifelong skills.
"I think these events have definitely opened my mind to a lot of different perspectives and a lot of different communities that are sometimes marginalized or sometimes have different issues. It opens my eyes to be more aware of my surroundings. By doing so, knowing how
to make a more pleasant experience with everyone on campus that would ultimately transfer into my career one day,” said Business Administration major, Jose Luna. Constitution Week has found a way to bring students together so eloquently nobody would have ever thought that this is what they were celebrating.
Ylleana Berryhill Assistant Editor
Dynasty Poire is awarded a $1,000 scholarship. (Photo courtesy of Valerie Vaughn)
Vice Presidential Debate Watch Party
Ylleana Berryhill Assistant Editor
student’s best interest at heart, providing them with flexible work hours that suit their academic calendar. Additionally, a lot of these jobs offer the opportunity for students to have practical experience in their field of study, such as research assistantships, tutoring positions or technical support jobs. If this interests you, there is can find more information regarding jobs on campus by visiting the Rose State College website and look for job listings. You can also visit the Larry Nutter Administration Building, Room 104 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or call (405) 733-7979.
Rose State offers various job opportunities for students. (Photo by Ylleana Berryhill)
JOBS, from Page 1
With the presidential election less than a month away, Rose State students gather to watch the vice presidential debate between JD Vance, a Republican Senator from Ohio, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. The debate was held Tuesday, Oct. 1, with students watching live from the CLC auditorium. (Photos by Ylleana Berryhill)
LOCAL NEWS
BETTER, from Page 1
accessible, which is why it is offering these services.
“BetterMynd is an online platform that matches the students based on characteristics with a therapist that best matches them," said Emily Wise, the Director of Counseling and Access Services. "It provides one-on-one therapy with a licensed professional. If they need immediate sessions, they can use the credits given to them on the app to book a session instantly, so they can get the services they need in a quicker time.”
One of BetterMynds greatest feature is its personalized care option, which lets students select from a large network of certified therapists to make sure they find someone
who genuinely understands their particular needs. This improves therapy when a student can choose a counselor who shares their preferences because it builds comfort and trust between the student and the therapist.
Online therapy’s convenience and flexibility do not require working around office hours or commuting. It is simpler for students to prioritize mental health without sacrificing their academic or personal time when they can access sessions from the comfort of their flat, dorm room or any other place where they feel at ease.
“Students are given four credits, four sessions to start with just to make sure it’s a good fit for them, and if they need more sessions after that, they can contact the counseling center and
we can offer them more sessions,” Wise said.
BetterMynd also aims to prioritize safety and confidentiality, conducting all sessions on a secure platform to guarantee that user privacy is given high consideration. This creates a safe space where students can talk freely regarding their concerns, guaranteeing the privacy of their conversations.
The Counseling Center’s mission is to help individuals resolve anything they are dealing with, and for those needing long-term care, the center provides referrals to external agencies.
“Using BetterMynd has helped me a lot, mainly because of how accessible it is," said Alicia Bristol, a sophomore at Rose State College. "I don’t have a car, so commuting to school
just for a therapy session would be a hassle, but with BetterMynd, it has made it more convenient."
To register for therapy students can either log in through the SSO, or visit www.bettermynd. com and click “Register.”
After completing a brief intake survey, students can view a list of available therapists and schedule their first session. This simple process ensures that support is always within reach.
For more information about BetterMynd, you can contact Wise by emailing her at ewise@rose.edu or by calling (405) 736-0266.
Rose State College Pre-Med Club
“Most students take a year off after premed just to study for the MCAT.”
-President Avesta Soleymani
Pennina Jackson
Photography Editor
Pre-med is a major that most people struggle with. However, as bad as it sounds, many people who have taken it as their major always seem to enjoy it as they want to help people around them. Pre-medical, often referred to as pre-med, is a course of study that most undergraduate students
in the United States take before enrolling in medical school. It includes premed education, volunteer work, clinical experience, research and all the other work for getting students the help they need to be ready for medical school. As challenging as it sounds, Professor Matthew Czapla, a CHEM Coordinator became an adviser of Rose State College’s Pre-Med Club to help students who are
struggling whilst studying for their MCAT. He was thrilled to be approached for the role of Pre-Med club advisor by members of the STEM division. He had genuine familiarity with the premed field. He also understood the struggles premed students face, having seen many of his family members go through the process. This experience motivated him to use the opportunity to help students prepare for the MCAT
through the club.
The president of the club, Avesta Soleymani Farokhzadeh, mentioned how the MCAT is challenging as it covers a wide range of subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, psychology and critical thinking. The test lasts about 7.5 hours with most questions based on passages, often involving patient cases or scientific scenarios, requiring those who are taking the MCAT to apply
their knowledge and give a reasonable answer.
“Most students take a year off after premed just to study for the MCAT," Farokhzadeh said, a freshman and a pre-med Major at Rose State College.
The Pre-Med Club's main purpose is to help pre-med students in the best way possible. It encourages students to study enthusiastically.
The club is designed to help students understand
the struggles and worries some students face and how to overcome those obstacles. Pre-Med Club plans to organize activities that are fun, valuable and educational to students. If you and your friends are interested to join, contact avestasoleymani@gmail. com via email. The pre-med club meets at the Science and Math building every Thursday at 3.00 p.m.
Left to Right: Professor Matthew Czapla, Avesta Soleymani Farokhzadeh. (Photo by Pennina Jackson)
The Counseling Center is always ready to help. (Photo by Pennina Jackson)
ENTERTAINMENT
'It's Not a Lake, It's an
Ocean:' An Alan Wake 2 Review
Shannon Little Assignment Editor
Alan Wake 2 is a survival horror single-player story game developed by the Finnish game studio Remedy Entertainment. It was released on Oct. 27, 2023, but only on digital storefronts. On Oct. 22, it will have its physical release in stores. I highly suggest playing it if you played the first one or any game developed by Remedy. Playing the first one is not completely required, but I highly recommend it. Alan Wake 2 may be one of the best games I have played due to its interweaving story, satisfying gameplay, deep aesthetic and great use of liveaction cutscenes.
You play the role of Saga Anderson, an FBI agent sent on a case to a small town called Bright Falls in northwestern America with your partner Alex Casey. Your objective is to investigate a string of murders. You begin to uncover a connection between the murders and the disappearance of a writer named Alan Wake.
A manuscript page is found at the murder site, an excerpt from a book in progress. A horror story with Saga Anderson as the protagonist. The page would talk about events that just happened and it talked about Saga finding the page and reading it. The story in this game is just incredible. The whole gimmick about finding pages and being able to read about future events or past ones in more detail is so nuanced and not seen outside of this game series. You also play the role of Alan Wake in this game, trapped in a dark alternate version of New York, trying to get out. Alan can alter reality with his writings. It is so fascinating to see the two stories intertwining together for a
fantastic finale.
The gameplay is fun and engaging. I never got bored or tired of the gameplay loop. A lot of modern games have padding. The first game had quite a bit of padding near the end, but with the second one I feel like every encounter and every section was handmade and thought out. The gunplay has a gimmick where the enemies, which are called "taken", are weak to light and you have to blast them with a flashlight before shooting them with your gun. Ammo batteries and medical supplies are scarce. Planning ahead and quick thinking are necessary to survive. During the game, Saga can find clues and organize them in case files and different missions. She has something called a mind place, which is a place in her mind, like a room, where the player can connect clues and profile suspects. The case solving is not completely free like some mystery games. It holds your hand more, guiding you to the right conclusion. The game strikes a good balance with the puzzles by not making them super challenging but also not making them where you don't have to put effort into solving them. All the side items are rewarding and feel earned. Little notes are attached to the collectible items, telling you more about the town and events.
The mystery undertones, slick gunplay and puzzles are kin to games like Resident Evil, but Alan Wake 2 puts a meta twist on it.
The northwestern small-town aesthetic is rich with a creepy atmosphere and stunning visuals.
From fog coming off the lake to a local diner, every location in Bright Falls is ripe with detail and care. There is a beautiful contrast between Bright Falls and New York. The sections in New York
feel like they come out of a thriller crime novel that Alan has written. While playing Alan’s section in New York, he has an internal narration of what happens in the game much like a novel. In other games, the characters talk to themselves and it feels awkward and forced, but Alan is a writer and his writing affects the world. It feels natural for this narration to happen. The aesthetic and atmosphere are great. They definitely pulled from murder mysteries like "Insomnia" (2002) and the TV show "Twin Peaks" (1990).
AW2 uses live-action cutscenes for some of the sections. The cinematography is excellent, raising the bar for other game's cinematography. The framing is great and feels like they're pulled straight from a thriller. TVs play ads in live action, bringing depth to the world and making it feel lived in. I loved searching every corner for another TV, so I could see a cool or funny ad. The ads are originally done with Finnish actors and then dubbed later in post-production with American actors. You can tell that they're dubbed but they do a fantastic job. The live-action actor for Alan (Ilkka Villi) and his voice actor (Matthew Porretta) do a great job bringing the character to the screen.
Alan Wake 2 is a breathtaking and exciting experience. Uncovering the story piece by piece is a blast, slowly seeing how all the little details go together. I recommend this game to anyone who likes single-player story games or the survival horror genre. The mind-bending plot, engaging puzzles and rich aesthetic set this game apart, blending movie and video game.
Fontaines D.C.'s “Romance” is Overly Forward
Peter Monden Online Editor & Cartoon Editor
I’ve been following Fontaines D.C. since they crossed my radar a little over a year ago. They’re an up-and-coming post-punk band. Fontaines D.C.’s latest studio album, “Romance” is a definite departure from their other albums and as such I’ll be reviewing it mostly on its own merits.
The album was released on Aug. 23. The band released four singles in the lead-up to the album's launch. Considering the album only has 11 tracks, I think four singles are at least one too many.
Fontaines D.C. is an Irish postpunk band. That paints a partial picture of what to expect, but this album doesn’t quite fit that mold. “Romance” has more of an indie sound and the tempo of some tracks is more energetic than what is typical of contemporary post-punk.
The instrumentation is more vibrant tonally and the vocal delivery on “Romance” has a different emotional range than is typical in post-punk. There’s more of a wistful and occasionally apathetic quality to the vocals than a sad one. The album is an Irish, indie, post-punk and pop combination. I’d definitely say “Romance” has more of a pop sound than most of Fontaines D.C.’s other albums.
The album opens with the title track: “Romance.” It’s slow and meandering, but not in a particularly interesting way. “Starburster” is varied and has a distinct rhythm. It has an odd and infectious energy throughout.
The vocal delivery is rapid and has a bit of a hip-hop style.
The instrumental matches the energy with a unique electronic composition. It’s the highlight of
the album.
“Here’s The Thing” is another highlight. It’s instrumentally similar to “Starburster” but the different vocal style gives it an indie rock sound. “Desire” is slow-paced and boring. “In The Modern World” is solid. It's slower than most of the tracks but that’s not a bad thing. “Bug” is good but not great. It’s the midpoint between the most and least energetic tracks on the album.
“Motorcycle Boy” is on the slower side. It doesn’t have much vibrancy and is melancholic in a way that isn’t interesting. It’s okay, but unremarkable. “Sundowner” is solid, I’d describe its sound as most similar to shoegaze in genre. “Horseness Is The Whatness” is similar to “Motorcycle Boy” on paper, but it’s the better song.
“Death Kink” is pretty good. It has more of a post-punk sound and the vocal delivery has enough variety. It’s a solid track. “Favourite” is pretty good. It has more of a melancholic tone with an indie-rock sound. It’s a great sendoff for the album.
“Romance” is a solid enough album with a few highlights that help it stand out. My favorite songs on the album are “Here’s The Thing,” “Death Kink,” “Favourite” and "Starburster.” Of those, “Death Kink” is the only one that isn’t a single and “In The Modern World” is the only single that isn’t one of my favorites. I can’t help feeling it would have been better if they didn’t release most of their best songs as singles, “Starburster” in particular. It may have helped build hype, but the audience was robbed of the impact of experiencing that moment for the first time in the album. Overall, I did enjoy the album and I recommend it.
Alan Wake II poster, fans anticipate the physical copy release. (Photo courtesy of Remedy Entertainment)
The Romance album is available as a cassette or vinyl. (Photo by Peter Monden)
ENTERTAINMENT
Taylor Swift’s Influence
Taylor Swift, a singer who over the last two decades has managed to cement herself as a cultural icon. Her influence has spanned continents. Someone like Swift cannot be as popular as she is and not have fans. Rose State has its share of “Swifties.” I was privileged to interview two Swifties on campus. As a fan of Swift, I know why I love her, but I want to know why others do as well.
As a Swiftie, the most important information to know from another Swiftie is their favorite album and era.
Addison Wilson, a sophomore and member of the Rose State Softball team, stated that she is “an every eras girl,” but if she had to choose she would go with Debut.
Debut is the nickname for Taylor Swift’s self-titled first album. It is a country album released when Swift was 17, and because of this, it has many songs about high school love. She also loves her "Folklore" and "Evermore" era because of the storytelling in them and that Swift got to write what she wanted.
For those who do not know, "Folklore" and "Evermore" are composed mostly of songs based on characters Swift had made up. A couple of the songs
draw inspiration from her life. This was an interesting change for Swifties as previously Swift mostly wrote about her own life.
For Paige Stramski, Director of Student Engagement, "The Tortured Poets Department" is currently her favorite album of Swift’s.
“The lyrics and sound are just amazing,” she said.
The "Tortured Poets Department" was a new but still familiar direction for Swifties. Swift, as usual, gave insight into her life, but still left enough to keep devoted and casual fans guessing about what events or people inspired them. The album also referred and gave praise to those who came before her such as Stevie Nicks, Clara Bow, Dylan Thomas and Patti Smith. However, before Stramski loved "The Tortured Poets Department," she “was 100% a 1989 girly.” She said this album was when Swift “really showed that she wasn’t just a kid making pop country hits anymore.”
Taylor Swift’s "1989," named after her birth year, is her fifth studio album filled with synth, pop lyrics and references to city life as a young adult.
Just as interesting as a Swiftie’s favorite album is when they became a fan of Taylor Swift and what drew them to her music.
“I was in second grade when I remembered
wanting to sing 'You Belong with Me' in my school’s talent show, so I would say probably around 2009/2010,” Wilson said.
Wilson also said that when she was a child, she loved how Swift performed and the joy her songs brought her. As she got older, Swift’s relatability was something that drew her in.
“I learned to appreciate that she has a song for every situation. She’s a girl just like me who has gone through similar things and I’ve always loved that I can relate in every season of my life,” she said.
Swift’s relatability has been a consistent part of her public image, even as she reached mass amounts of fame and fortune, her lyrics make it easy to see her as the girl in her room pouring her heart into a journal. To this day, many of Swift’s lyrics have a diary-esque feel to them, even if her problems are that of a 34-year-old woman struggling with fame and long-term relationships rather than a 16-year-old girl struggling with high school crushes and friends.
Stramski also cited Taylor Swift’s relatability as the reason she became a fan.
“We are around the same age and her songs were always so relatable for me in whatever stage I was in at the time. Plus, she’s a fantastic storyteller,” she said.
Stramski got into Taylor Swift on Christmas of 2006.
“I got her debut album that year as a Christmas gift, and I was hooked,” she said.
Again, Swift's authenticity comes up but so does her storytelling. Another quality many Swifties admire is her ability to put you in the moment she is writing about, whether that be the dirt roads of Tennessee, the lights of a New York City party or the beautiful Lake District in England. Not only is it easy to see the place but the emotions they bring as well.
Swift’s wonderful writing abilities are something that both Wilson and Stramski stated as something that stands out in her Music.
“I’ve always loved poetry and writing," Wilson added.
"Her songs almost always are a bit poetic in the sense that she is careful with her words and makes them mean something. Of course, there’s still some fun pop ones in there, but her ability to put her feelings and experiences into words has always captured my attention.”
Stramski had similar sentiments.
“Sure, her early stuff is a lot of teeny bopper pop but as she’s matured so have her lyrics," she said. "There are jokes online that we need to get dictionaries out for her newer stuff and it’s funny because it’s partially true. The way her lyrics are so deeply coded it takes the entire internet to decode. It is such a fun thing too.”
The internet has echoed similar thoughts. With all this praise it is not surprising that Taylor Swift has amassed many awards, achievements and records throughout her career. I asked both Swifties what accomplishments of Swift’s stood out to them.
For Wilson, it would be the fact that Taylor Swift is re-recording her albums so that she will own the masters. If you ever notice that one of Taylor’s albums or songs has “(Taylor’s Version)” by it, this is why. This indicates that this is her re-recorded version that she owns. This, however, does not apply to albums or
songs made after she split from her old record label. That is because she owns the masters to those already.
The re-recordings have been a fun time for Swifties, getting to revisit old favorite albums and eras, as well as getting to hear “vault” songs that had not previously been released.
“It also shows how much she has been supported because fans continue to get excited and continuously stream her songs once rereleased,” Wilson provided via email.
Stramski has a different favorite accomplishment.
Swift won the most Grammys for “Album of the Year,” which is the most wins in history.
“It’s amazing to see someone so young, driven, and a female who has faced so much criticism over her entire life also prove time and time again that she deserves respect," Stramski wrote in an email. "I always say you don’t have to like her music, it’s not for everyone, but you can’t not respect an artist who grinds like she does. I mean, sold out world tour, supported her boyfriend in his career and somehow managed to record a double album with 31 songs? That’s wild.”
My last question, was arguably the most important question to ask any Swiftie, which was, “Has liking Taylor Swift
impacted or influenced your life in any way?”
Wilson responded, “Definitely! I think that her music has helped me through all kinds of emotions and transitions in life. Also, once I got to Rose I was able to become best friends with so many wonderful people because of our common love of her music! Her music brings people together and lifts them up.”
“Yes. Her music has brought me joy, gotten me through sad times, helped me appreciate the flexibility of art through her various eras and so much more. Some of my greatest memories have her music in the background. She’s someone I’m proud to be a fan of,” she said.
Despite being one person, the name Taylor Swift may go beyond just one person. For many people, she is a uniting force. It seems that whether people love her or hate her, almost everyone has strong feelings about her. As seen in this interview, she can represent long-term friends, strong memories and pride in fellow women. Her relatability and strong writing have carried her to the hearts of many. This talent has spread her fame across the world and right into the Rose State College campus.
Taylor Swift's album 1989 has sold over 14 million copies worldwide. (Photo courtesy of Unsplash)
Swifts' popularity has surged recently. (Photo courtesy of Unsplash)
Kelcie Petty Reporter
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