The Battalion — May 8, 2023

Graphic by Prenay Dhoopar — THE BATTALION

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NEWS

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The Battalion | 05.08.23

Turning a page: New leadership at The Batt Publication welcomes new editorial leaders for 130th year

By Staff Report @TheBattOnline As the 2022-23 school year comes to a close, The Battalion is proud to announce its newest editor-in-chiefs.

Once current editor-in-chief Michaela Rush steps down following her graduation, journalism senior Ruben Hernandez will serve as the summer editor-in-chief and journalism junior Zoe May will serve as the 202324 academic year editor-in-chief.

Hernandez has been an editor for the Life & Arts desk for three semesters, and said his main goal for the summer is to expand The Battalion’s reach.

“I really want to reach out to more students during the summer and show what College Station is during the summer, and hopefully spread that Aggieland love more,” Hernandez said. “That’s going to be my main goal, to get views up, get productivity up, get content up.”

Rush said Hernandez’s drive has been clear throughout his time with The Battalion, and feels confident in his abilities to improve engagement.

“Ruben has always had a deep passion for The Battalion, which has been especially clear during the past semester,” Rush said. “He’s worked hard to not only increase the amount

of content, but also the quality of content for Life & Arts. This experience will translate well as he takes over this summer.”

Hernandez said achieving this position was not something he saw for himself at the start of college.

“I started my freshman year with prospects to become an engineer, and now I’m here with award-winning journalists with The Battalion as the editor-in-chief for the summer,” Hernandez said. “That really just blew my mind, to be in this position makes me so happy.”

During the past year, May has served as both a multimedia editor and sports editor for The Battalion. Like Hernandez, May said she looks forward to expanding the publication’s reach across campus, through specific programming and events.

“I’m most excited about the outreach program ideas that I have, because I do love this program so much,” May said. “One of the big things I want to do is make sure other people can enjoy it as well and find their place here.”

Rush said she is confident in May’s community-building skills following her success with the sports desk.

“Zoe is the kind of person who can get along with everyone,” Rush said. “Her passion and excitement is infectious and will open many doors for her, and she has a clear and exciting vision for the coming school year.”

May said she encourages audiences to expand their idea of what The Battalion can be in the years to come, and invites more community engagement in the publication.

Robert O’Brien — THE BATTALION

Journalism senior Ruben Hernandez and journalism junior Zoe May on Sunday, May 7, 2023.

“Open your mind to The Battalion if you haven’t already,” May said. “I know a lot of people read us, specifically because we’re a tradition, but while we’ll always be a tradition and we’ll always be a paper where you

can grab [it] and learn, open your mind …

We’re really working to actively engage with the community and the people in our community.”

Petition for cannabis in Bryan-College Station Advocacy group collects signatures to decriminalize marijuana locally

By Emelia Gamez @EmeliaGGamez Decriminalize College Station is a student group collecting signatures for a petition that would decriminalize marijuana in College Station.

The group started collecting signatures on April 20 and has since collected over 600 signatures, political science junior Patrick Englehart, petition author, said. Cannabis Hemp Innovation League, Aggies for Liberty and Young Dems BCS are all involved in organizing the petition, and started planning in early January, molecular and environmental plant sciences Ph.D. student Joshua Van Dyke, a Decriminalize College Station leader, said.

The group is working to decriminalize cannabis possession by entering into a city ordinance that creates new rules for marijuana enforcement, Englehart said. Elections to amend a city charter can be held if 5% of the registered voters in College Station — at least

2,500 — sign a petition, Van Dyke said.

“We’re aiming for 4,000 [signatures], just so we have more than enough to get there,” Van Dyke said.

The petition has four main components, Englehart said. The petition outlines that police officers in College Station would not be able to arrest for a class A, two to four ounces, or class B, zero to two ounces, misdemeanor, unless they are already being charged with a felony, Englehart said. Second, it would end College Station’s use of marijuana testing. The tests are very unreliable and CBD — which is legal — can sometimes show up, Englehart said. Third, College Station police officers would not be able to use smell as a probable cause to search a vehicle. Lastly, police would get trained on the new policies, Englehart said.

“The only thing this is changing is if you’re just with your friends at 2 a.m., and a cop knocks on the door because he smelled something funny,” Englehart said. “None of you can get arrested for that because that’s the only misdemeanor you’ve committed.”

Currently in College Station, a class A or B misdemeanor can be charged under Texas Health And Safety Code Section 481.121 with a maximum fine of $2,000 and up to 180 days in jail for class B or $4,000 and a year in jail for class A, Englehart said.

The group has ensured they are in compliance with Texas A&M’s policies regarding to collecting signatures, plant and environmental soil science junior Clay Moore, president of the Cannabis Hemp and Innovation League said. A&M is smoke-free and no one is disrespecting those rules, Moore said.

“This is completely on anyone’s time that they might get caught with that small possession or anything like that off campus,” Moore said. “We’re trying to protect those students.”

It takes manpower and time to collect signatures, but students have been showing their support, Van Dyke said.

“Taking signatures is sometimes hard, but when we go out and do that, most people here are very supportive of this, and they’ll go up and they’ll take signatures and post this on their stories,” Van Dyke said. “On our first day alone, we got 260 signatures.”

There are a ton of students on campus who are for decriminalization, with some sprinting to sign, Moore said. Englehart petitioned on Northgate and went door-to-door at The Cottages, and he had more willing to sign than he thought, Englehart said.

“I had a lot more ‘Hell yes’ to a signature request than I thought I would,” Englehart said.

Marijuana use is less dangerous than people

assume, and probably less dangerous than alcohol, Van Dyke said. Yet, it is treated much worse.

“I think as a society, and especially here in College Station, we kind of push drinking culture,” Van Dyke said. “It just seems hypocritical to me that we are so friendly with drinking and all these things, and there’s something that is less dangerous than that, and we throw people in jail for it, and ruin their whole lives for it.”

Friends of Englehart have been arrested for marijuana possession, and while they only spent one or two nights in jail and had average fines of $1,000 each, lawyer costs can range from $5,000 to $10,000 for such a charge, Englehart said.

“You’re not often going to have the full 180 days in jail, but you’re going to have something,” Englehart said.

In pushing for decriminalization, the petition organizers want to affect change for College Station and broaden the debate about it, Englehart said. By pushing the issue, it forces people in power to address it, Englehart said.

“I think we’re putting it on state legislators’ radar, so that hopefully we can have some state action on this,” Englehart said.

Spring 2023 graduation: What to expect

How to watch, where to park, what to bring for end-of-week ceremonies

By Zoe May @MayZoella

Texas A&M graduates will walk the stage beginning Thursday, May 11, with undergraduate ceremonies and closing on Saturday, May 13 with graduate and professional school ceremonies.

The main ceremonies will be held in Reed Arena for College Station graduates with alternate locations for A&M Health Science Center, Law School and Qatar branches, according to the A&M Graduation website.

The doors to Reed Arena will open one hour before the start of each ceremony. Ceremony lengths cannot be guaranteed, but are estimated to be three hours per ceremony, according to the A&M Graduation website.

Commercial photographers will be in attendance for all ceremonies to take pictures of graduates as they walk the stage, according to the A&M Graduation website. Each graduate will receive photo proofs by email and mail the week after the ceremony. For those who cannot attend in person, the ceremony will be broadcasted on KAMU-TV television with an option for online streaming.

Guests are not permitted to bring their own “professional cameras,” according to the A&M Graduation website. The site classifies professional camera as any camera with interchangeable lenses, a lens longer than three

inches or an external flash. Tripods, noise makers and air horns are also not allowed at the ceremonies.

Guests are required to follow Reed Arena’s clear bag policy. The policy states “bags must be clear and not exceed 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches … one per person,” according to 12thMan.com. The only non-clear bags permitted will be small clutches the size of a hand, with or without a strap, according to the policy.

For families attending the ceremonies, A&M Transportation Services suggests entering from Olsen Boulevard or Penberthy Boulevard and avoiding Wellborn Road to maintain a constant flow of traffic. Free parking is available in Lots 100a-f with Lots 100a and 100b anticipated to fill up early. Lot 100g will be reserved for VIP guests but the lots sur-

rounding Blue Bell Park, West Campus Garage and Lot 61 will also be open for parking, according to A&M Transportation Services.

PUBLICATION NOTICE The Battalion will return for the summer semester online on Tuesday, May 30, and in print on Thursday, June 8. Summer editions are published biweekly, stands can be found at tx.ag/battstands.

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SWAN SONG

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The Battalion | 05.08.23

My place, my passion

Bitten by the journalism bug: Editor-in-chief reflects on time at The Battalion

By Michaela Rush @Michaela4Batt How do you summarize three years into 500 words or less? Hundreds of moments and thousands of words to explain how a subterranean, fluorescent-lit office could change your life.

Anyone who has spent more than 30 seconds with me knows how much I care about The Battalion, it’s pretty much all I talk about.

For the first time, I’m struggling with the words to describe this experience.

Once you get bit by the journalism bug, all you want to do is write. The Battalion gave me a place to do that.

When you come back from a year of virtual classes, all you want is a place to hide from freshmen. The Battalion gave me a place to do that.

Once I start a project, all I want to do is put my whole heart into it. The Battalion gave me a place to do that.

The Battalion is my place.

My place is filled with words, with laughs, with tears, with frustration. It holds my highest highs and lowest lows. My place is where I found my purpose and passion.

Most importantly though, my place is where my friends are, old and new. Everyone who I’ve met through The Batt has had a profound effect on my life, and I can’t possibly thank each and every one of them.

To my whole family, thank you for reading my work, for letting me vent and rant on the harder days and for helping me learn when to take a step back. To my dad in particular, I wouldn’t have worked at The Batt without you.

To Pils, thank you for trusting me. This year brought more struggles than I think anyone imagined, but thank you for handing over the reins. I hope I’ve made you proud.

Kyle, I could never write a list thanking you for all you’ve done for me and the paper.

What I can do is thank you for believing in me, even when I stopped believing in myself.

To Bobby, thank you for joining me on this crazy journey and seeing even my wildest visions. Seeing you find your passion for photography has been one of the greatest honors of my life. You have so much to offer the world, and I look forward to seeing it each and every day.

To Megan, thank you for standing by my

Robert O’Brien— THE BATTALION

Editor-in-chief Michaela Rush will graduate with a Bachelor’s in English and a minor in Spanish on Thursday, May 11, at 7 p.m.

side throughout one of the most challenging years of my life. I really didn’t expect to find one of my best friends in senior year of college, but there you were.

To Ish, Zoe, Ruben, Caleb, keep killing it. Each of you inspires me and motivates me to be better every day. To all the editors I’ve had the privilege of working with: Cameron,

Jordan, Caroline, Kenzie, Ana, Anna, Sydnei, Ryan, Jonathan, little Kyle, Grant, Luke, Skylar and all those who came before, thank you.

To every single member of The Battalion, THANK YOU. You have made the hardest of times worth the struggle, through your presence and passion.

Long live The Battalion.

‘As much as you know as quickly as possible’

Managing editor remarks on significance of his time at the publication

By Kyle McClenagan @KMcclenagan

Some people think everything happens for a reason, but I have never believed in that. I would rather take the chaos of life one day at a time. I take pride in creating something out of nothing because the act of creation out of chaos is what we do, and to believe that something was predestined defeats the purpose of its creation all together.

For the past three years, my daily chaos, which I’ve shared with some of my closest friends, has been The Battalion and I would not have had it any other way.

In the hierarchy of uncertainty, if there were ever such a thing, the existence of a weekly independent student-run print newspaper in the year 2023 would be chief among its rankings. Yet, for the past 130 years, students like me have taken on the self-appointed Sisyphean task of creating a print newspaper for the benefit of our peers.

It would be disingenuous not to acknowledge that defiance and spite have, at different points in time both past and present, powered this 130-year campaign, but when one digs deep enough, one finds that the true fuel

of this journalistic fire is passion; a passion to serve one’s community with news for the students by the students.

If a church is defined by its congregation rather than its building, then The Battalion is not a fluorescent cave in the bowels of the Memorial Student Center, but rather a gaggle of dedicated journalists eagerly awaiting the next story.

And what is a church service without a benediction?

Mom, Dad and Jackson, a newspaper long enough to stretch from here to Plainview could not contain all the lessons that each of you has taught me, each of which has been key in making me the person I am today.

Thank you.

Douglas Pils, your continued dedication to The Battalion has not gone unnoticed. If The Batt truly were a church, you would be its patron saint. Thank you.

Caroline Wilburn, you have not only been a diligent and committed news editor but also my best friend. The newsroom is always a brighter place with you in it. Thank you.

Michaela Rush, you have held an editor-in-chief burden heavier than most with resolve. It has been great serving The Batt with you. Thank you.

To the rest of The Batt staff, both past and present, I wish there were enough space to name and thank each of you, but this is a newspaper, not a thank you letter so I will give you the same advice that I received at my first

Cameron Johnson — THE BATTALION

Managing Editor Kyle McClenagan will graduate from Texas A&M with a Bachelor’s in history and a minor in journalism on Thursday, May 11, at 7 p.m.

print production: Communicate often, learn from your mistakes and, most importantly, make deadline.

And to all the future editors, writers and photographers of The Batt, who will continue this tradition as our memories slowly become confined only to the names and photos on the

walls, I leave you this quote from one of my favorite authors — who just happens to have had a short stent as a journalist — Kurt Vonnegut.

“The point is to write as much as you know as quickly as possible.”

End of the road

Sports writer reflects on college memories from online to sideline

By Brad Bennett @Brad_Bennett13

For as long as I could remember, I have loved sports. I especially love Houston sports (thanks Dad). Whenever I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, it was always being a general manager in the NBA. I now realize that it is definitely never going to happen, but it was a dream.

When it came time to decide where to go to college, going to A&M was the best choice.

It was A; close to my hometown of Huntsville and B; had a great sport management program.

Freshman year started off great until everything got shut down because of COVID-19 pandemic.

I entered sophomore year looking to get more involved on campus and ended up applying for The Battalion sports desk after go-

ing (electronically) to the virtual MSC Open House. I’d never had any writing experience before, but it kind of just felt right.

In the beginning, I was terrible. My first semester with the desk was primarily devoted to writing feature articles on club sports teams. This experience forced me to get used to interviewing and accustomed to the correct format.

In the spring semester, I was writing 2-3 articles a week due to all of the sports outside of football being in season. This period of time was a grind but ended up being a great learning experience.

By the fall semester, I had paid my dues and was given the chance to write about football for the first time. Around then, I also had the chance to write a feature over junior forward Henry Coleman III. My Coleman feature was the first article I was truly proud of.

As great as writing about sports has been, my favorite articles to write were about film and TV. I never thought I would be able to write about both my top 10 sports movies and top 10 movies. Both of these articles helped

Provided

Sports writer Brad Bennett will graduate from Texas A&M with a Bachelor’s in sport management and minors in business and communication on Thursday, May 11, at 7 p.m.

me find my voice as a writer and led to an improvement in my sports writing.

The Battalion also offered me the opportunity to cover the A&M men’s basketball beat this past season and eventually travel to cover the SEC Tournament. Being able to travel to the tournament in Nashville was definitely the highlight of my time with The Battalion.

I am grateful to have had the chance to write for the best collegiate newspaper in the

country and to have worked with so many talented people. There’s definitely going to be an adjustment period because I’ve gotten so used to having to write at least one article a week. One thing I’m not going to miss is stressing about feature articles of winter and summer break.

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.

Mourning the end of my time at A&M

Opinion writer dwells on bittersweet ending to undergraduate career

By Lilia Elizondo @LiliaElizondo5

I can’t say I’m seething with excitement to jump into adulthood. I am in pain, and I am happy.

My college experience hasn’t been a traditional one. Because of AP tests and dual enrollment, I came with credit hours for a junior, and I knew exactly what I wanted to do after I graduate. I was gung-ho and ready to conserve money, study 25 hours a day, transition to law school and become the adult that I always felt I was — except none of that happened.

While I still feel very sure about law school, college has made me realize that I don’t actually have everything figured out. Shocker, I know.

My obsession with charging through life proved itself to be intensely goofy, and my concrete plans quickly fell in on themselves like a bad game of Jenga. At first I treated college like a gross frat guy treats a random girl at Northgate and cemented an important rule: no commitment.

Because the only commitment I was ready for was my desire to get in and get out.

However, unsurprisingly, I caught feelings.

I felt a deep sense of appreciation for people that I had never understood before. The routine I fell in love with in high school quickly dissolved, and I realized that spontaneity is the source of life. How could I just fall in love and then leave?

I realized it was fun to race on my Veo at 11 p.m. on a Tuesday, that being an English major involved writing short stories and acting them out with my friends at Barnes and Noble and that learning for the sake of learning is one of the most fulfilling experiences that we can ever partake in.

I realized I had a love of life that only a state of limbo such as college could give you.

I had the freedom to become what I wanted while at the same time savoring the delicacies of childhood.

It was all just happening so fast.

What I thought would just be getting a degree transformed into me finding the greatest of friends, publishing research and newspaper articles, joining as many organizations as possible, getting piercings, finding amazing internship opportunities, love and a new sense of independence.

And it’s all over now.

I know I’ll move on, and I know I will continue to be happier with each year of my life because I get to experience new aspects of it.

However, I don’t want to make the mistakes I made before and jump so easily into the idea of forgetting to savor.

I want to relish the time I had this year, and I want to mourn this loss. I love Texas A&M, and it’s OK to be sad that I am leaving.

Because without this sadness, I won’t underProvided stand the joy that comes with the memories Opinion writer Lilia Elizondo will graduate from for later.

Texas A&M with a Bachelor’s in English on Thanks and gig’em.

Thursday, May 11, at 7 p.m.

L&A

The Battalion | 05.08.23

Horticulture meets pop culture at Pot Heads

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Local business owner extends roots into Aggieland community

By Anna Deardorff @annardeardorff

One woman is behind Bryan-College Station’s newest plant shop, selling anything from plants to pots to local art.

Bree Frasier realized college wasn’t the right fit for her, so she forged her own path.

She opened Pot Heads Plant Shop, or Pot Heads, on March 21, bringing her Austin vibe to College Station.

Frasier learned how to take care of plants from her grandmother, who would buy greenery from the Walmart clearance section to plant in her flower bed. Frasier displays photos of them together at the shop’s checkout center to show customers when they ask about her journey opening the store.

“I can have green hair and tattoos and own my own business,” Frasier said. “All the money was my life savings. Do the research, ask other friends that are business owners for help.”

Pot Heads is more than just plants, Frasier said, as 13 local artists sell their products from soaps, candles, art from her tattoo artist and more. The shop has an artsy feel, with a skeleton mural painted by Frasier featured at the front of the store reading “plants over people.”

You might be greeted by her dogs, Remi and Riot, who are frequently at the store.

“I like to describe us as a plant boutique because you’re gonna come in here and get more than just plants and supplies,” Frasier said. “I feel like there’s something for everybody here to shop. I have the more spiritual side of things so if you’re into witchy stuff or sageing, I’ve got that.”

Fayobami Taiwo — THE BATTALION Megan Dempsey owns The Junk Witch selling upcycled witchy items, according to Photos from the interior of Pot Heads Plant Shop in Downtown Bryan on Thursday, April 13, 2023. the shop’s Instagram. Pot Heads carries her the greatest feeling,” Darren said. “[Fra- events held at the shop, the latest one be- shop, some people think we’re a dispensaunmolded and Topo Chico candles with ry. People are shocked when they walk in, scents like “F--- Off Bugs,” “Double Rain- sier] is so amazing to work with, she wants ing a Tie Dye Tee Party on April 22. her local makers to succeed just as much as “We sold out all the tickets the day the they’re like, ‘Oh, it’s plants?’” bows” and “Iced Tea on the Porch.”

While she’s not looking at expanding tickets went live,” Frasier said. “I like the “I had originally started making candles she succeeds.” anytime soon, Frasier said if she did it Castile Confections puts a dessert twist smaller, intimate parties.

I’m gonna do a with tea cups and coffee mugs,” Dempsey said. “My partner was working at one of the on each product, such as bath salts instead cigar box planter workshop because I’ve would be towards other college towns. thrift stores in town, and it’s just crazy the of sprinkles, Darren said. Each product is done them for myself, and I’m a cigar For now, she called Downtown Bryan the handmade with oils and butters good for smoker. It just plays on with the whole shop’s home forever. amount of these that don’t get sold.”

“I’m willing to help you figure out the Pot Heads thing.”

Couple Darren and Chase Cadiz own soap the skin, according to thier website.

Frasier said she got the idea for naming right plant that you need, I’m not just gon“I know a lot of people like the fact shop Castile Confections and terrarium shop Urban Babylon, respectively. Darren said he that I support other local creatives,” Fra- the shop from a certain plant she might na let you shop around and buy whatevmet Frasier for the first time at the opening sier said. “That’s been a big thing, having partake in herself, but also because “Pot er,” Frasier said. “I’m gonna set you up a community of business owners that are Heads” is a common joke in the plant with the right plant … I want you to fall of Pot Heads. community. in love with being a plant person.”

“Honestly as a small business owner myself, friends that I can lean on.”

“It peaks people’s interests,” Frasier On top of valuing local Texan businesswhen you’re given any opportunity for someone to allow you to sell your product, it’s just es, Frasier said she enjoys small community said. “Some people think we’re a smoke

Criticism: Beach House’s new extended play

Photo courtesy of Paulo Dourado/WikiCommons

By Shea Kissell @SheaKissell

‘Become’ EP Artist: Beach House Release Date: April 22, 2023 Label: Sub Pop Records

5/10

All throughout the history of pop and rock, there are scarcely any bands that are as special as Beach House. The dreampop duo, famous for their spaced out and melancholy style, came out with their first stand alone extended play, or EP, “Be-

come,” this past April 22.

A well known name today, Beach House made their debut all the way back in 2006 as a small-time indie act from Baltimore. But with the release of the 2012 masterpiece, “Bloom,” they became the face of dream-pop.

The duo, composed of singer and keyboardist Victoria LeGrand and guitarist Alex Scally, are easily recognized by the heavily distorted yet heavenly tracks.

The most recent release from Beach House was a massive one hour and 24 minute long album, “Once Twice Melody,” which saw the two explore what was then uncharted territory for the band. The use of acoustic guitars and a heavy emphasis on dream-pop’s folk roots, as well as some synthesizers thrown in there, characterized the album.

Their latest project, “Become,” is an opportunity for the band to expand off of their recent experiments.

The EP opens with “American Daughter,” which has a uniquely dissonant tone that usually is not found in their very soft discography. Still, the band makes use of the eerie chords and vocal disharmony to build up to a powerful climactic clash of both high energy drums and drawn-out, echoing guitars.

The second track “Devil’s Pool” seems like a throwback song to the band’s earlier days, especially those of their 2010 album “Teen Dream.” Much slower and stagnant than the previous track, “Devil’s Pool” is a casual, laid-back tune that exhibits some of LeGrand’s powerful vocal abilities with a catchy chorus.

The EP soon loses a bit of its momentum by the third track, “Holiday House.”

The song is not bad, but the synthesizer loops are not anything special, and definitely get boring during the five-minute runtime. The vocals similarly are fine, but do not really lead anywhere. It works as background music, and not much else.

The fourth track “Black Magic,” has everything that would make a Beach House song great, but falls just short. Reverbed guitar loops, dreamy vocals with a soft harmonization in the background, but the song just does not seem all that thought out. It comes across more as a demo track, and would stand out as being especially forgettable if it was on an album like “Bloom.”

The titular song closes the EP, and while being one of the more simpler songs, actually presents some interesting tones and sounds in a subtle way. Utilizing acoustic guitars as well as typical dream-pop synthesizers, an ambient yet very uplifting backing loop is created for LeGrand’s swaying vocals. It’s a solid song and performs as a nice closer to “Become.”

If this EP had come from nearly any other band, it would be much more monumental, but for Beach House, it ultimately seems like a halfway checkpoint between “Once Twice Melody,” and whatever album is to drop in the near future. It is enjoyable, but in the grand context of the discography, not very notable.

From first setting foot on campus to walking across the stage, we’re proud to support students on every step of their Aggie journey.

OPINION

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The Battalion | 05.08.23

Opinion: Howdy, haters!

The Battalion Opinion Desk responds to favorite online hate comments from their articles

At the opinion desk, we post our articles on both Twitter and Facebook to facilitate discourse and expose our writers to constructive criticism. Oftentimes, the comment section is full of thoughtful, wholesome and considerate insights. Other times, not so much.

So without further ado, the hate comments that managed to rise above the rest and command our attention:

Regarding “STEM education lacks humanity:” “It’s amazing how often hubris, ignorance, presumption, and naivete travel together, and this article exemplifies that. The presumptuousness of someone who hasn’t even finished his freshman year casting some sort of broad-stroke criticism across an entire college is laughable …”

Charis Adkins @Charis_Batt, opinion columnist —

Caleb Elizondo @CalebElizondo7, opinion editor — In my better moments online, I pause to reflect; does anyone really care about what I have to say? Will anyone, or even myself, remember what I’m typing a week from now? I haven’t come to a sure conclusion, but in regards to this commenter the answer to both questions is clear. This comment has lived in my head rent free for roughly a year now and brings me an occasional burst of giggles at least once a week.

Regarding “Family Weekend should be rescheduled:” “Charis Adkins, I read most of these comments and essentially no one agreed with your opinion. Is EVERYone [sic] else wrong?”

Ma’am, I literally just work here. They tell me to write an opinion, I write an opinion.You’re a grown woman picking a fight with a 20-year-old who wrote this article in a Red Bull-fueled fever dream at 3 a.m. What do you want me to say?

Maddie McMurrough @MadsMcMurrough, opinion writer —

Regarding “Something smells Fishy, Camp:” “If [Fish Camp] would have been three days at a tropical resort with a personal servant she wouldn’t have enjoyed it. She held her breath and shut her eyes like a toddler being force fed her vegetables.”

Saanya Troutman @Saanyalache, opinion writer — Oh my gosh. It’s almost as if a Texas A&M student opinion writer can’t write an opinion about how she likes her lucrative education to be served — at A&M. Though I appreciate the article suggestions, I think I’d rather write a piece on “How to use proper capitalization and punctuation as a full-grown working adult” because I think certain individuals who happily flex their Twitter fingers have forgotten what correct spelling and grammar is.

It’s ironic that a full grown man is lecturing me on maturity, while he uses an ad hominem argument against someone that can display more respect for others at 20 than he can at his age. I think this commenter is just deflecting his own maturity issues onto me simply because we have opposing opinions.

Regarding “What happened to syllabus week:” “I guess the next article will be ‘can you believe they gave us homework due during spring break’ or ‘Assignments due on Monday? Who does that’ … softies”

Lilia Elizondo @LiliaElizondo5, opinion writer —

Regarding “A&M is UT’s Crazy Ex- Girlfriend:” “I guess Ms. Elizondo was never assaulted by one of [U.T’s] ‘students’ at Midnight Yell.”

What. Do I have to be assaulted to not like someone? Where is this aggression coming from? Is this a threat? Who has to assault me? Should I prepare for someone to assault me?

Why is the word students in quotes? Why is this actually kind of funny to read and making me laugh out loud? Why am I still laughing as I type this?

OPINION

6

The Battalion | 05.08.23

Opinion: Freshman year is the honeymoon stage Opinion columnist Ana Sofia Sloane says first year is exciting, but not the end-all-be-all of the college experience

Samuel Falade — THE BATTALION

Ana Sofia Sloane @anasofiasloane “Freshman year is the only year that actually feels like college.”

When I came across this claim in a random TikTok during my first semester at Texas A&M, I felt a slight curiosity for about 2.3 seconds before promptly continuing to scroll.

I was skeptical. How could college possibly not feel like college?

With parents, hometowns and childhood bedrooms left behind, every moment was nothing short of an adventure — a whole new world of endless possibilities presented each day.

Perhaps it was the long-awaited emergence from lonely pandemic isolation or an invigorating freshman boldness, but it seemed like everybody was eager to start conversations and become friends.

I attended a dorm movie night and bonded with the entire floor below mine. During our nightly dining hall dinners, my roommate and I would enjoy conversations with random students in food lines and across tables.The Community “Learning” Center housed boisterous groups and socializing extravaganzas.

Even classes were exciting in their own way, as lecture halls were originally an environment I’d only seen in movies and now had the privilege of sitting in. Evenings spent studying political policy textbooks with classical music playing in the background felt like the pinnacle of dark-academia aesthetics.

Though the journey was certainly by no means all happiness and sunshine, it nonethe-

less felt like a wholesome college coming-ofage film. …Then the bubble burst.

Over the course of the past two sophomore semesters, what can only be described as the “magic” seems to have slowly fizzled out.

Casual hangouts, which once only required a walk down the opposite end of the hallway, now demand planning ahead and driving across College Station. With a schedule of grueling courses, it’s become difficult to romanticize research papers and hundred-page readings.

Adulting responsibilities like paying bills, cleaning and cooking pile up with off-campus apartment living. Never having to wash a single dish after meals in the dining halls or clean the bathroom is a privilege I sorely miss.

Granted, some students may have despised their first semesters and all that accompanied the momentous transition from home. Others may view sophomore year as the highlight of their life.

However, there still remains an inevitable disillusionment that accompanies the passage of each semester. That which once seemed novel and exciting becomes ritual and normal, stress levels continuously climb and graduation looms nearer and nearer.

My intentions with this long-winded anecdote aren’t meant to distress any underclassmen readers or spark a feeling of impending doom. Instead, I hope to impart two important messages: One, appreciate and make the most out of whatever walk of life you may currently be in.

Whether you are a freshman, graduating senior or former student, nothing will be the same tomorrow, next month or next year. I don’t mean to sound like a motivational selfhelp book, but if I’ve learned anything from

this rocky change it’s that this unpredictability more special. is exactly what makes the present invaluable.

The “magic” may not be the same, but the The least you can do is cherish it. adventure certainly continues.

Did I ever think I would look back on comAna Sofia Sloane is a political science sophomore munal dorm bathrooms and oily Commons and opinion columnist for The Battalion. fries with a nostalgic smile on my face? Absolutely not. Yet moving onward put it all in perspective.

Two, your reality largely depends on you.

Though starting sophomore year felt like enduring a badly filmed sequel to a great standalone movie, there have been countless Michaela Rush, Editor-in-Chief happy moments and silver linings along the way — Kyle McClenagan, Managing Editor Emma Moser, Business Manager those that have come along Caroline Wilburn, News Editor Dan Hung, Business Manager naturally and those I’ve Kenzie Finch, News Editor Caleb Elizondo, Opinion Editor made for myself.

Ana Renfroe, Asst. News Editor Ryan Lindner, Asst. Opinion Editor For instance, living in an Ishika Samant, Photo Chief Zoe May, Sports Editor Kyle Heise, Asst. Photo Chief Grant Gaspard, Sports Editor apartment requires scary Ruben Hernandez, Life & Arts Editor Luke White, Asst. Sports Editor adulting but also allows great Anna Deardorff, Asst. L&A Editor Skylar Cheek, Social Media Editor freedom. If I want to bake Sydnei Miles, Asst. L&A Editor Evelyn Peterson, Page Designer banana bread at 1 a.m., swim Megan Williams, Page Designer in the pool after class or rest in my room all day with zero THE BATTALION is published Thursdays in the 2023 spring semester (except interruptions, I can.

University holidays and exam periods) at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843. Offices are in Suite L400 of the Memorial Student Center.

An optimistic perspective and taking the time to make News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at Texas A&M good memories are necesUniversity in Student Media, a unit of the Division of Student Affairs. sary during these chaotic Newsroom phone: 979-845-3315; E-mail: editor@thebatt.com; four years. website: http://www.thebatt.com.

So, yes, the ominous Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or warning I saw four semesendorsement by The Battalion. For campus, local, and national display ters ago turned out to have advertising call 979-845-2697. For classified advertising, call 979-845-2697. Office an element of truth to it. hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Email: battads@thebatt.com.

What the video failed to Subscriptions: A part of the University Advancement Fee entitles each Texas A&M note, however, is that changstudent to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. ing times opens new doors First copy free, additional copies $1. and only makes the present

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SPORTS

The Battalion | 05.08.23

Swinging into SEC tournament

7

A Nguyen — THE BATTALION

Junior INF Rylen Wiggins (2) hits a single during Texas A&M’s game against Missouri on Sunday, April 30, 2023, at Davis Diamond.

Softball wins over Houston to end regular season

By Kaci Williams @KaciWilliams17 No. 23 Texas A&M softball traveled south from College Station to the University of Houston for some mid-week action and concluded the regular season with a win marked by a booming offense on Wednesday, May 3.

With nine runs, 11 total hits, two home runs and a grand slam in the Houston finale, the Aggies will head into the 2023 SEC softball tournament in high spirits.

Junior 1B Trinity Cannon got the momentum moving early for the Aggies with

her opening homer in the top of the first inning, her eighth home run of the season. She has now extended her on-base streak to 15 straight games.

An RBI double from sophomore CF Allie Enright quickly pushed A&M to 2-0 in the top of the second inning. Sophomore SS Koko Wooley followed and brought her pressure to the plate with a two-RBI single and clutched an early four-run lead over the Cougars.

Houston punched back in the bottom of the third inning and put up two runs of its own to quickly chip away at the A&M lead.

Wooley stepped back up for her third atbat of the game and blasted her first career grand slam over the right field fence in the top of the fourth inning. The “four loko” brought her teammates out of the dugout to celebrate at home plate with the team home

run cowboy hat and ear-to-ear smiles from all.

Wooley now has 71 hits on the season and 30 RBIs, proving to be a productive and consistent hitter throughout the 2023 slate. The Aggies were now up 8-2 over the Cougars.

Enright joined the home run party with another bomb and brought the six-run lead to seven, now 9-2 in the top of the fifth inning After a scoreless sixth inning, Houston managed one more unearned run in the bottom of the seventh and scored on a wild pitch from sophomore LHP Emiley Kennedy.

A&M wrapped up the regular season with a 9-3 win over Houston and will head into the SEC softball tournament with high team morale following the win.

A&M finished the 2023 regular season 3318 overall. The Aggies defended the home turf 19-6, performed 8-7 on the road and 6-5 at neutral locations. The SEC tournament will

be hosted by the 2022 defending champions in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and begins on Tuesday, May 9. All 13 teams in the conference will compete in the single-elimination bracket and will conclude on Saturday, May 13, with the championship game.

A&M lost to Florida in the second round of the 2022 SEC tournament. Since joining the Southeastern Conference in 2011, the program has yet to add the championship title to its list of accolades.

Previously in the season, A&M edged Arkansas in a three-game series and upset the Razorbacks at home in Bogle Park with a 9-1 run rule in the last game.

The first pitch of the tournament is set for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9, and will be broadcasted live on the SEC Network. For bracket updates, check ncaa.com.

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Robert O’Brien — THE BATTALION

Junior RHP Nathan Dettmer (35) pitches from the mound during Texas A&M’s game against Florida at Olsen Field on Friday, May 5, 2023.

See you later, Gators

A&M baseball secures series win against No. 4 Florida in final weekend of spring semester

By Hunter Mitchell , Luke White & Emily Godsey @HunterM1001, @Lukewhite03 & @emgodsey Game 1 Someone forgot to tell both teams that the Home Run Derby isn’t for a few more months.

Texas A&M baseball gave the No. 4 Florida Gators all they could in Game 1 of the series, but the home run onslaught from Florida proved too much for the Aggies to overcome.

Junior RHP Nathan Dettmer worked a clean first frame, but Florida was not held down for long. In the top of the second, Florida junior INF Josh Rivera hit a double to right-center field to start the inning and then immediately took third on a wild pitch the next at-bat.

That all proved to be irrelevant, however, as Florida senior C BT Riopelle hit a deep fly ball to right field that, at first, appeared to be robbed by freshman RF Kasen Wells. After a few still moments, the first-base umpire signaled home run, and Gators went up 2-0.

Wells got the starting spot after senior RF Brett Minnich sustained an injury this past week.

Florida tacked on another run in the third after sophomore 1B Jac Caglianone grounded out to drive in freshman INF Cade Kurland.

The Gators continued to pour it on in the fourth, as a fly ball to left field that freshman LF Jace LaViolette had to dive for drove in Riopelle off the bat of junior INF Tyler Shelnut.

The response for A&M finally came in the bottom of the fourth. Leading off the inning, LaViolette blasted a towering shot 447 feet to the top of the scoreboard to put the Aggies in the run column.

The answers kept coming for A&M in the next inning. Wells grounded out to start the inning, but freshman C Max Kaufer singled to left field to put a runner on. Junior SS Hunter Haas dropped a long single into deep left field that the runners could not advance on due to the hit’s long hangtime.

Junior 1B Jack Moss could not capitalize on the runner in scoring position, flying out to bring junior 3B Trevor Werner to the plate with two outs. The Houston native delivered in the biggest way possible, showing up LaViolette’s home run by sending a moonshot over the scoreboard in left field to tie the game at four. “[LaViolette] had good stuff, Friday guy,” Werner said. “He just flipped a curveball up there and I just saw it pop, put a good swing on it.”

After going five full innings of work, Dettmer was relieved by junior LHP Brandyn Garcia to start the sixth inning. The right-hander surrendered four earned runs on five hits while striking out three.

The bubbles lingering from the last inning swiftly popped, with Riopelle crushing his

second home run of the game to almost the exact position of his first, breaking the tie and putting the Gators back in front.

In the end, Florida ended up having the last laugh. With one out in the top of the seventh inning, Kurland hit a ball with line-drive speed over the right field wall, putting the Gators ahead for the final time.

A&M tried to make some noise in the bottom of the ninth, as after a Kaufer strikeout, Haas and senior RF Jordan Thompson drew walks, putting runners on first and second with two outs. LaViolette could not cash in on the opportunity to tie or win it in the end, hitting a soft flyout to Rivera to secure Florida’s victory.

“We hung up there with one of the best teams in the country,” Werner said. “I feel like that was probably one of the best games we’ve played all year. [coach Jim Schlossnagle] mentioned to the team that’s what a regional, that’s what a super regional looks like.”

Game 2

After a close loss the night before, A&M baseball bit the No. 4 Florida Gators back in a big way at Olsen Field on Saturday, May 6.

The Aggies used two big innings to club their way to a 15-2 run-rule win over the Gators to set up a Sunday rubber match. With 12 hits, including three players recording 3-hit performances, the offensive production and quality pitching was refreshing for the whole team, but perhaps none more so than for senior 2B Austin Bost.

A .360 hitter last season, Bost entered the contest batting a mere .220 while starting every game for A&M this season. That number may be deceiving, though, as Schlossnagle has consistently described the Groves native as the victim of great defense and hitting to the wrong spots while being robbed of hits.

One hit the Gators couldn’t rob was Bost’s 3-run homer in a six-run sixth inning by the Aggies. Bost sent a 1-1 offering 370 feet off the protective netting in left field to put the maroon and white up 12-1 and put it in position for the run-rule victory. Bost finished the game 1-for-1 with four runs batted in on a walk, hit by pitch and sacrifice fly.

“It felt like a thousand pounds came off everybody’s shoulders when Bost finally saw one go out of the ballpark, so maybe that’ll spark him,” Schlossnagle said.

The win was also the result of a productive outing by the pitching staff, as sophomore LHP Troy Wansing threw 3.2 scoreless frames with three hits, four walks and five strikeouts before sophomore RHP Chris Cortez earned the win with 2.1 frames of work with one run on a hit and two walks.

“The pitchers the past two days have been really fun to play behind, defensively,” Haas said. “Pounding the zone, getting action, so that’s what you want to play behind.”

The Gators picked up their only runs on Caglianone’s nation-leading 27th longball in the fifth and a wild pitch in the seventh that allowed junior PH Dale Thomas to dart home, with both runs coming with the game firmly in hand.

Haas kickstarted the Aggies’ big day in the third with a solo homer past left field to put A&M up 1-0. The run proved to be the first

of many, as the offensive onslaught began an inning later.

“We felt good about our approach last night as a team and how we played, it just didn’t turn out how we wanted to,” Haas said.

“We just wanted to take the same aggressive approach on offense back to ‘em tonight.”

Bost took a pitch to his side to lead off the bottom of the fourth before Wells singled and Kaufer drew a walk to load the bases and chase junior RHP Hurston Waldrep from the game. Haas welcomed redshirt sophomore RHP Blake Purnell to the rodeo with a double down the right field line to plate a pair of runs. After a walk, Werner grounded out to first to score Kaufer and give A&M a 4-0 lead.

An intentional walk of LaViolette made the bases juiced for Thompson to rip a single to left field to score two more runs and chase Purnell from the game.

“I just beared down and told myself ‘you are not striking out,’” Thompson said. “‘If it’s close, doesn’t matter what pitch, you are touching it.’ And that’s exactly what I did.”

Redshirt sophomore RHP Nick Ficarrotta was greeted by junior DH Ryan Targac, who reached on an errant throw to first that allowed LaViolette to make it home. Bost then hit an RBI sacrifice fly before Wells grounded an RBI single to right field. Once the dust settled on the eight-run fourth, the Aggies led 9-0 after four frames.

A&M struck again in the sixth as Thompson led off with a single and Targac walked to set the stage for Bost’s cathartic 3-run blast.

“I was on second base and I was screaming for him,” Thompson said. “I knew the ball was gone, I don’t wanna take anything away from him, but the wind was blowing out. It was awesome to see, I was real happy for him and he needed it.”

Haas collected his third hit of the game with a single before Moss laced an RBI single and junior 3B belted an RBI double to right field to make it a 14-1 game. Thompson capped the scoring with his third hit, an RBI single to left for his third hit.

“He keeps doing what he does,” Schlossnagle said. “I can tell you [coach] Mike Earley’s been fighting for him the whole year because he’s pretty much proven since he’s been here that if you just let him play and get his at-bats, then he produces.”

Game 3 The balk is a pitcher’s worst nightmare, but an Aggie’s wildest dream — especially when it presents itself in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the ninth inning.

After defeating the University of Florida with a run-rule victory on Saturday night, A&M baseball looked to replicate its offensive savvy in Sunday afternoon’s rubber match in order to end the weekend with a conference series win.

Following a 15-minute lightning delay, the Gators were hungry for revenge and eager to draw first blood from junior LHP Will Johnston, A&M’s starter on the mound.

Johnston, notified of his start less than 24 hours prior to throwing the first pitch, opened the game with a 1-2-3 inning, recording two strikeouts in the opening frame of play.

“He did a nice job, he probably deserves to

be in there some more,” coach Jim Schlossnagle said. “We’re just trying to win them one at a time.”

A quick-hit solo home run in the third frame allowed the Gators to take an early lead — and with the Aggies unable to gain any offensive traction in the first three innings of the game, a one run deficit would prove to be trouble.

The maroon and white began to show signs of life in the bottom of the fourth frame when Werner started the inning with a single into center field. Back-to-back walks administered to Targac and Bost would load the bases for Wells.

Wells, walked on four pitches, would score Werner from third base and reinvigorate the crowd of Aggie fans, who came alive as they began their infamous “Ball 5” chant.

Johnston’s day came to an end in the top of the fifth inning after allowing a hit from the Gators. His Sunday start served as the longest outing of his career as he left the mound after allowing one run, three hits and serving five strikeouts in 4.1 innings.

“As I go, I continue to get better,” Johnston said.

Johnston’s reliever, junior LHP Evan Aschenbeck, finished the fifth inning with two strikeouts.

“When Aschenbeck is able to come in in the middle of games twice in a weekend, then we normally have a really good chance of winning,” Schlossnagle said.

In his return to the mound in the sixth inning, however, he allowed another no-doubt solo home run to leave the ballpark, and the Gators took the lead once again.

Trailing 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning, LaViolette’s plate appearance resulted in a leadoff triple, breathing life into the crowd that had been silenced after Florida broke the tie.

With a sacrifice fly from Targac, LaViolette was able to tag up and score from third base, tying the game once again with a score of 2-2.

Despite the skill on the mound from both bullpens, neither offense was able to score and the game remained tied as the ninth inning began.

Hoping for some “Olsen Magic,” the bottom of the frame began with Targac being hit by a pitch and junior OF Travis Chestnut taking his place at first base as a pinch runner. A well-timed and well-placed single from Bost would allow Chestnut, known for his speed, to reach third base easily.

As Olsen Magic would allow — or, as Chestnut’s incessant third-base taunting would allow, Florida’s pitcher twitched his knee on the mound for a balk, allowing all runners on base to advance. As Chestnut crossed the threshold to home plate, the Aggies took the lead and the series with a 3-2 walk-off win.

“We’re just proving to ourselves that we can take on any team in the country — it gives us that edge and a little bit of confidence going into the rest of the year,” Werner said.

A&M baseball will return to action at Olsen Field on Tuesday, May 9, at 6 p.m., where it will face the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley before its final home SEC series of the season against Alabama begins on Friday, May 12, at 6 p.m.