The Colonnade, Feb. 23, 2022

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@TheColonnade

The Official Student Newspaper of Georgia College Feb. 23, 2022

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CRIME UPDATE

Milledgeville meth bust results in 22 arrests Andrew Oldham

Contributing Writer

Jarvis Havior

The United States Department of Justice’s nationwide fight against violent crime hit close to GC last week as warrants for 22 individuals, primarily residents of

Baldwin County, were executed concerning an alleged methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin trafficking ring with ties to Atlanta.

This wave of arrests follows an ongoing campaign from the Department of Justice, Project Safe Neighborhoods. As

part of this project, local, state and federal law enforcement agencies work synergistically to combat high-priority violent crime problems in communities nationwide.

In this particular case, the Baldwin County Sheriff ’s Office worked with the DEA, the U.S.

Attorney’s Office, and various other police districts in multiple counties to build a sufficient case against these individuals by both surveilling and infiltrating this ring.

Through a careful and extensive investigation that started in 2020, authorities seized

67 kilograms of methamphetamine; it was incomparable to any other in Sheriff Massee’s time as the Baldwin County police chief.

“We documented a bigger volume of narSee METHBUST| Page 3

CASEY TAUBE: GC’S MALE CHEERLEADER Ty Peavy

Staff Writer

Olivia Wilson | Staff Photographer

Taube didn’t cheer in high school, but decided to try out this year because a friend didn’t want to go to tryouts alone.

F

reshman Casey Taube plays a unique role in the world of GC sports. He is the only male cheerleader on the GC cheer team. Wildly enough, he had never cheered prior to college.

“I had never cheered a day in my life,” Taube

said. “One of my friends that is on the team did not want to try out by herself, so I tried out with her.”

That supportive decision to join his friend was all it took for GC to find its lone male cheerleader.

As a completely inexperienced cheerleader, Taube found himself in

a unique position this spring. Since he had never cheered before, he had to learn and practice the various techniques that go into cheerleading.

Taube has had to practice different motions such as the touchdown motion, clasping, and tumbling. His work

ethic has allowed him to take on such challenges with a positive attitude.

“A lot of the stuff we do is new to me,” Taube said. “Our coach is super willing to help me learn how to do it and better myself at whatever it might be. Even if you are scared to do it, she

is always there for you.”

Casey’s teammates have also played a key role in his development as a cheerleader and a person.

“They are all amazing,” Taube said. “We push each other to the best of our ability.

Whether someone perfects a new skill or has a bad practice, they are always there to pick you up and motivate you.”

The GC cheer team is a tightly knit group, and the environment of the squad has allowed Taube to fit right in. The relationship between Taube and the rest of his teammates has allowed them to push each other and get the best out of one another.

Taube is a special education major. He decided to come to GC due to the university’s welcoming environment, and it is a decision he would make again if he had the chance.

“I toured Georgia College back in my junior year of high school,”

Taube said. “It just felt very welcoming… not too big, but not too small.

My favorite part about Georgia College is that every day, I am pretty much guaranteed to see someone that I know.”

Overall, Taube’s decision to help a friend in need and join her for a tryout turned out to be a game changer for the freshman. Instead of solely serving as a GC student, Taube has been given the opportunity to compete and play a sport alongside supportive teammates and an equally supportive coach.

Despite Taube’s position as the lone male cheerleader on his team, nearly 50 percent of collegiate cheerleaders in the United States are male.

As GC’s only male cheerleader, Taube serves as a unique and important member of GC sports. As he continues his educational and cheerleading career, he will look to represent male cheerleaders all over the country as a one-of-a-kind student-athlete at GC.

Pressing pause: my week away from social media Lilyana Kovacheva A&L Editor When I first came up with this idea to go social media-free, I had just finished a week filled with 20 hours of work and 2 tests on the same day. I needed some serious downtime, and I owed it to myself to have an easier week and I wanted to spend it productively and not on my phone. It seemed like an easy task, but I will admit I made a few excuses as to why I should do this.

Before deleting any apps, I wanted to make a list of what social media I have and think about which I should delete. According to the Oxford Language Dictionary, the definition of social media is “Websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in

social networking.” Fortunately, my most used apps recently were streaming platforms, so I had no issue saying goodbye to those apps if I could still binge the show I was watching.

The apps I chose to delete were Snapchat, Tik Tok, Instagram, and Facebook. These were the social media apps I used the most and therefore they were the ones to go. I had to keep all my networking and messaging apps because I used them daily and couldn’t afford to not use them for a week. Apps like Outlook, Gmail, Group Me, Messenger, and LinkedIn. To make myself feel less guilty I just reminded myself that this was my experiment and can create all the rules.

My first day without social me-

NEWS | PG.3

PRESIDENT COX Q&A Cox began her presidency halfway through the fall semester - something that is rare for USG presidents. She has spent the first five months listening, watching, learning and creating future plans for GC.

See MEDIA | Page 6 Katie Dean | Art Director

SPORTS | PG. 5

MEN’S BBALL FALLS TO AUGUSTA GC Basketball star Harper Vick broke the 1,000-career point threshold against Georgia Southwestern on Feb. 12.

ARTS & LIFE | PG. 6 SUPER BOWL HALFTIME Aritsts Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar perform for the super bowl half time with a surprise guest.

2

KATIE FUTCH, NEWS EDITOR JAYLON BROOKS, ASST. NEWS EDITOR

2.23.22

NEWS

EMMA GULLO: HOW ONE GC STUDENT’S MUSICAL DREAMS BECAME A REALITY Kate Verity

Gullo spent six or

life where I was like,

Staff Writer

seven hours that day

I need a challenge,”

strumming basic gui-

Gullo

tar chords and singing

these boys- it was

the songs she knew off

such a meant-to-be

her iPad. It unlocked a

kind of thing to hap-

whole new frontier of

pen. These boys are

musical

seriously the sweet-

Emma Gullo always loved the stage. As a girl, she dreamt of performing, whether that meant acting in a production, singing for an audience, or strumming her guitar on the street. When Gullo was fourteen, she and her dad, Peter, did just that in Nashville with nothing but a folding chair, a street corner, and her guitar. This is when Gullo began to realize that pursuing a career in music could change from a dream to reality.

Today, Gullo is a senior at GC. She released her first single, “Weight,” last semester under her brand name EGSINGS. By day, she works the bar at Buffington’s in downtown Milledgeville. But in the evenings, she is found behind the microphone for karaoke or

open-mic

nights.

Gullo often remem-

possibilities.

Today, Gullo has an album in the works and

est,

most

aging

big dreams for the future.

“Weight,”

said.

“And

encour-

individuals.”

Highspeed Dream

Gullo’s

would go on to win

single, represents how

Battle of the Bands

young people grow into

in

adults and feel the need

They will now open

to carry the weight of

for Flo Rida on Feb.

through it and rooting

the whole world on

25 for GC’s homecom-

for her the whole way,

their shoulders and try

ing concert. Gullo said

I know she is so in-

to solve every problem.

she is excited about the

sanely happy about it.”

“It’s like when you’re

upcoming performance

a teenager and you start

with Highspeed Dream.

figuring out that the

“I was like, this is go-

mentioned her deter-

world’s not perfect, and

ing to be my icebreaker

mination and passion.

there’s so much in the

on the first date forever.

“Emma is my best

world that’s crazy, and

That was the first thing

friend, my future maid

you start questioning all

I thought about” Gullo

of honor,” Smith said.

these things,” Gullo said.

said. “It just makes me

“It’s really surreal. They

“It’s my dad’s favorite. He

feel like the journey

says this is an anthem

that I’ve been on and

for

culture.”

now am going on with

Just a few weeks ago,

this new band that we

Gullo became the fifth

have is all just like-

member and lead vo-

it’s been worth it.”

bers how her trip to

Gullo’s friend and

Dream. The band al-

Kappa Delta sister,

Nashville

ready consisted of An-

Aidan McGowan, wit-

on

drew Bates on bass, Jake

nessed Gullo’s hard

career.

Mitchum on rhythm gui-

work and excitement.

“We found this fold-

tar, John McMaster on

able chair leaning against

lead guitar, and Devin

pumped,” McGowan

a wall on the street and

Robinson

drums.

said. “Emma’s a great

we were like, that looks

Bates and Gullo had

guitarist but what she’s

like a stage,” Gullo said.

been in touch a few times

super passionate about

“I had my iPad stand

before this year, but in

is singing. So being able

and it was just me and

January of 2022, Gullo

to really showcase that

my guitar. That was the

decided to take up their

and have a group of

very first time that sing-

offer to come and “jam.”

friends and bandmates

ing became on the radar.”

“I was at a point in my

that are supporting her

her

perspective

her

music

for

February.

Highspeed

changed

calist

modern

early

on

“Oh,

VOLUME 99 | NO. 4

Photos courtesy of Emma Gullo

she

Gullo’s Shelby

roommate, Smith,

also

is just started this band a few weeks ago and now they’re opening for Flo Rida. I wasn’t ex-

do some more gigging

ing what the next door

and touring. She hopes

opens and where it takes

to get some small concerts lined up and then

me to, and the next door it leads me to,” Gullo

pecting that at all, so

maybe move to Nashville

it’s just kind of cool.”

to pursue a music career.

After graduation, Gul-

“How I live life in the

the wave, and anything

lo said she is planning to

music world is just see-

can happen, you know?”

@GCSUnade

said. “So I’m just riding

@TheColonnade

Editorial Board Eric Boyd............................Editor-in-Chief Wendy Cravey..................Managing Editor Katie Dean.........................Art Director Katie Futch........................News Editor Jaylon Brooks...................Asst. News Editor Ben Grunert......................Sports Editor Hayden Flinn....................Asst. Sports Editor Lilyana Kovacheva........ Arts & Life Editor Rebecca Meghani..........Asst. Arts & Life Editor Marissa Marcolina.........Digital Media Editor Carrie Grace Irwin......... PR Manager Rob Trotter.........................Ad Sales Manager William Burke...................Faculty Adviser

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3

KATIE FUTCH, NEWS EDITOR JAYLON BROOKS, ASST. NEWS EDITOR

2.23.22

NEWS

President Cox Q&A

Cox discusses her listening tours, innaugural address and the transition to becoming GC’s 12th president Katie Futch | News Editor Cathy Cox has been President of GC for almost five months. She gave her Inaugural State of the University Address in early February. On Feb. 16, Katie Futch, the News Editor for The Colonnade, sat down with Cox to discuss her presidency and plans for the university. *** Futch: Can you talk to me about your experience in the first five months of being president of GC? Cox: Well, it’s been a whirlwind. It’s been wonderful, truly wonderful. It’s been a little crazy coming in mid-semester.

That’s not a customary time to start a new job in administration on the college campus. Typically, you would start at the beginning of the semester, or at least the beginning of an academic year. But COVID kind of upset the whole interview process for this job.

I didn’t interview until the fall semester was underway. I had already started teaching a class at Mercer Law School and was serving as dean. And then I was offered the job. I talked to them about waiting to start until January of 2022, but they wanted me to go ahead and give them a start date.

We agreed on a start date: Oct. 1. I launched and came in on a Friday and had to immediately leave campus to attend the President’s retreat for USG for the next two days, and then a Board of Regents meeting. So I was here one day and then gone.

There were so many things that I just had to hit the ground running with that made it a little bit different, and I guess awkward in some ways.

I’m glad this was not my first president’s job because I probably would have been in a little more of a panic than I was.

But, I had such good

people around me to help me and I had a great transition team that was already in place to organize my schedule. I had unbelievably fabulous help here, in the president’s office with my two assistants, Monica Starley, and Mary Beth Pennington, who just walk on water, and made everything so easy. But truly, the transition team helped me kind of look ahead at the first 100 days, and at what did I want to try and accomplish. I think all of that gave me a good springboard to do a lot more this semester.

Futch: I want to address something you mentioned in your Innagural State of the University Address about your listening tours. Can you tell me some of the things that you heard and maybe some of the changes that you’re planning on implementing?

Cox: Well, I think the first question I asked at every one of those listening sessions was, what are you most proud of?

Because I wanted people to start talking about something they knew about, but something that they felt passionate about. I wanted to hear what they are proud of.

I heard faculty say, I’m so proud of what we do in our class, I’m so proud of our commitment to students. I’m so proud of what I see in my class, I’m so proud of what I hear my peers doing down the hall and talking to students.

All kinds of things that you heard from faculty, but it ran down to our custodial staff. They said, We’re so proud of the ability over the last two years of the pandemic to keep our campus safe and clean. And a place where people still could come and learn and feel safe, because we were the ones having to clean every surface and vacuum and do all these things that people don’t necessarily notice every day.

There’s a lot of pride in what people are doing here. And that was exciting for me, as president, to hear because I don’t have to worry about motivating people here. They’re very motivated to do good work.

I also asked people to look ahead. What are things that they think we could address and what things can we do better?

A lot of responses had to do with the facilities here on campus.

We have some facility challenges, which is not surprising on a campus with a lot of historic buildings. Performing arts has some serious facility needs on this campus, from music to dance to all kinds of theater performances.

We don’t have any facilities that were built for their work. Russell Hall was built for lectures and speaking performances, but it was not built for theater. There’s not the appropriate kind of fly space for scene changes, there’s no backstage for the cast to come on and off a stage. It doesn’t have the right acoustical treatments for music, and so on. We have facility needs that we’re going to have to tackle to help our programs rise to be as good as they have the potential to be.

You know, I don’t necessarily want to be the one who comes in and says, I think we should do this, this and this. I want the people with the expertise to say, how do we build on what we’re doing?Futch: It sounds like you have a very busy agenda. Can you describe to me a day in the life of GC’s President?

Cox: Well, the good thing is that every day is different, which is what I love most about my job.Last week, I had a board of regents meeting so I was out of town for a day. I could have other meetings, like

Meth bust

Continued from pg. 1 narcotics in this case than any other investigation we’ve ever worked,” Massee said in an interview with the Union Recorder.

Although the quantity and severity of the charges vary among the individuals, all were indicted on at least one charge of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.

That charge alone carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Authorities believe that this particular ring was supplied by affiliates of the Mexican drug cartel in the Metro-Atlanta area. They suspect that this ring is just one of many that obtain methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin from suppliers in Atlanta and distribute them in their respective localities throughout Georgia.

The inner machinations of this traf-

ficking ring began to unravel due to a search warrant obtained and executed by the Eatonton Police Department concerning the possession of one gram of methamphetamine. This amount is inconsequential compared to the volume of narcotics this ring processed and sold; the alleged leader of the ring, Jarvis Havior, possessed 4 kilograms of methamphetamine upon being apprehended at a traffic stop coordinated and executed by Georgia State Patrol and Baldwin County Police. that are coming up at local civic clubs in Sandersville. I also have the Local Exit Issues Breakfast at the Chamber in another month or so.

So, there are things like that, where I’m going to do more getting out to talk about the university and what we hope to do and what we can do to serve the communities.

Then, there’s a big external piece. I want to get

According to statistics from the National Drug Intelligence Center, a pound of methamphetamine from Atlanta costs between $10,000-$20,000 which would place the cost of just one kilogram between $22,000-$44,0000.

The possession of this large quantity of methamphetamine by the suspect is indicative of a large-scale operation. The initial discovery of only a small quantity of methamphetamine played a critical role in dismantling this local stronghold of organized narcotic distribution.

Despite the involvement of a variety of different law enforcement agencies, GC’s Public Safety Officers were not involved in the investigation or apprehension of the alleged members of this drug trafficking ring.

This ring has been loosely tied to an uptick in gang-related violence. However, there is little indication that this ring was attempting to sell its variety of narcotics to GC students. This claim

is supported by the findings of a 2021 anonymous survey of all GC students.

The survey found that GC’s students do not use methamphetamine, cocaine, or heroin in a higher proportion than they are used at other colleges researched as part of the ACHA’s National Study of College Drug Use in 2018. Additionally, the GC Chief of Police Brett Stanelle sees no connection between this trafficking ring and the presence of these drugs at GC.

on the road to go visit our alumni and our significant donor and friend base, to get to know those people personally, and why they love this college and university. I haven’t been able to do much of that in the fall both because of the pandemic and because of scheduling. But I want to do that.

So that will take me off campus a little bit more this spring and summer.

Katie Futch | News Editor

President Cox

Futch: Whenever you are not working, what are some of your hobbies and interests? What might a GC student find you doing in your free time?

Cox: Well, the off-campus part is what has driven me crazy lately, because I didn’t get to move to Milledgeville until the week of Christmas. I commuted from Macon throughout the fall semester, because we had found a house here, but it was not ready to move into because we were having to redo floors. We are still living through the renovation mess here in February.

So every waking moment I’ve been out of this building has been spent working on our house or trying to get our Macon house cleaned out to sell, which we’re down to the wire on. I’ve been back in Macon most weekends, working on cleaning out the house here, stumbling over boxes there.

As for hobbies, my first degree is in agriculture, horticulture from ABAC. I love to work in my yard, and I love to garden. But that may be the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced here with all the deer that live around my house here. There seems to be a colossal herd every night that chomps on every shrub around, so I don’t know how much gardening I’m going to get to do here. So that will be interesting.

4 KATIE FUTCH, NEWS EDITOR JAYLON BROOKS, ASST. NEWS EDITOR

2.23.22

NEWS

Come see “Spirit of Macon” Paul O’Neill Staff Writer

cated on the corner of

creating on their own

Fifth and Poplar streets

and finding out who

in downtown Macon.

they are as an artist and

“The inspiration [of

not just as a teacher.”

the bus in the mural] is

Since his arrival at

actually to display the

GC, Abebe’s skillset has

Macon Transit Authori-

allowed for the oppor-

ties service and the con-

tunity of a graphic de-

tribution they provide

sign concentration in

to the citizens of the

BA of art along with a

Authori-

community,” said Abebe.

graphic design minor.

ty) with a Downtown

“The birds were to

There have been seven

GC Professor of Art Abraham Abebe recently completed his largest mural yet in downtown Macon-Bibb

County.

This project was started by the MTA (Macon

Transit

grant.

show a conceptual el-

new courses as a result

“There was actually

ement to reflect terms

of these two additions

an announcement by the

of excellence, progress

to the GC curriculum.

country’s transit author-

and achievement,” said

“We talk about that

ity, and I submitted two

Abebe “I used all the

kind of stuff a lot in

proposals following the

colors to show diversity

our classes, about what

announcement on the

within the community.”

art does for the com-

Challenge

2.0

website,” said Abebe. “I

Before

GC,

Abebe

munity,”

said

Dietz.

“It is nice to see

have done four before,

taught at the Univer-

two exterior and two

sity of Las Vegas, Ne-

[my professors]

interiors, but this is the

vada

originally

volved

largest I have ever done.”

grew up in Ethiopia.

outside

The MTA hoped this

GC senior and art

and

in

in-

something

of

Georgia

College and making a

project would improve

major

Dietz

piece of the commu-

the bus transit that many

took a graphic design

nity better,” said Dietz.

considered

class

dreary

by

adding a lively art mural.

“Thousands of people pass this place a year in

Emma

Professor

GC senior art major

Abebe. She described

Jessie Deyo described

him as

Professor Abebe as a

tive

with

very explana-

and

resourceful.

teacher

that

strong-

Courtesy of Stacey Lumley Director of GC Video Communications

Professor Abebe cutting the ribbon at the debut of his “Spirit of Macon” mural.

doing

in

his

mural.

piece.

munity of Milledgeville

“I have not had the

“Abe holds himself to

could provide substan-

chance to see Abe’s mu-

the same standard that he

tial change for those

ral in person yet and

holds all of his students

less served,” said Deyo.

I’m

miss-

to and never cheats him-

“Yes it is something

ing out,” said Deyo.

self out of working hard,”

that

Abebe has published

Deyo said. This is evident

cool,” answered Dietz.

an experimental typog-

in this mural project.

“I am from Newnan,

raphy book and a book

When asked if they

Georgia and on all the

of poetry, both in his na-

think Milledgeville could

corners downtown we

tive language of amharic.

benefit from a mural

have

specifically

like the one in Macon,

by local artists and it

inspires me about Abe

Abebe, Dietz and Deyo

brings something inter-

and his work, is that he

had

definitely

“What

is

incredibly

complete

humble

this

could

animals

be

very

painted

similar

answers.

esting and unique to our

“Definitely

because

community,” said Dietz.

for someone that has

a mural is the center

such talent,”said Deyo.

of a community, so the

“The Spirit of Macon”

Professor

Abebe’s

Macon to look at it and

“A lot of the time in

ly encourages students

Abebe worked from

community can engage

mural is now seen by

see themselves through

class, we do projects that

to create designs that

sundown to sunup from

the mural. It is import-

thousands of Macon res-

it and the creativity that

have specific guidelines

are

miss-

mid-December 2021 to

ant to have something

idents everyday. When

is in there,” said Abebe.

and don’t give all of us

ing in the art space.

mid-January 2022. He

like

Milled-

people are getting on

description

worked through Christ-

geville,”

said.

or off the bus station,

The mural was giv-

free

creativity,”

currently

This

Dietz

this

in Abebe

en the title “The Spirit

said. “It’s really cool to

perfectly fits just what

mas and New Years

“Putting love and ef-

they are reminded of

of Macon,” and is lo-

see them [professors]

Abebe was tasked with

in the cold weather to

fort into the entire com-

the town they call home.

The Colonnade's Crossword 1

2

3

4 6

8

5 7

9

10

Across 2. abbreviation given to one of the three Florida beach towns GC students go for spring break 3. abbreviated title given to this weekend's game/concert 6. unnecessary, more than enough 9. premiers in theaters March 4 10. one of the three Florida beach towns GC students go for spring break

Down 1. to show positive support 2. to publish online, especially social media 4. one of the three Florida beach towns GC students go for spring break 5. it was fun until the NYT bought it 7. where the Career Center is located 8. tomorrow, men's hoops takes on #21 ranked ____

5 BEN GRUNERT, SPORTS EDITOR HAYDEN FLINN, ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

2.23.22

SPORTS

Bobcats split series with Wolves

Courtesy of Bailey Clark

GC junior Harper Vick reaches 1,000 career points against Georgia Southwestern Saturday Feb. 12.

GC basketball star cracks huge milestone Bailey Clark

Vick continued to play

Senior Writer

dominant basketball in her ju-

Harper Vick, a veteran guard on the GC women’s basketball team, reached the 1,000-point milestone

Saturday

Feb.

12

when the Bobcats took on Georgia

Southwestern.

The

redshirt junior has put together a very impressive resume throughout her tenure at GC. Vick has been putting in serious work since the 2018-19 season, when she played in 29 games under Coach Mo Smith as a freshman. That spring, she notched 72 assists, the most she has recorded in a season thus far. Vick also netted 131 points, averaging 4.5 points per game.

As a rookie, her game-high in points was 13, and she mustered four double-digit scoring games during the season.

In her sophomore season, Vick transformed her game and took a big leap forward.. She started in all 28 games that season, playing 864 minutes total.

This season marked a transitional period for the program as head coach Ross Jolly came on board, as well as assistant coach Jordan Kyles. Vick has since flourished under the leadership of Jolly.

nior season as she set another career-high of 34 points in a single game, which she accomplished on the road. In her 14 games played and 12 starts, she banked 209 points and av-

Courtesy of GC Athletics

GC transfer sophomore Montana Ledbetter fires a pitch Tuesday Feb. 15 against the University of West Georgia.

Bailey Clark

“My strike zone I would say is

gle to put the Bobcats up 7-5.

Senior Writer

modified. I am always look-

The fourth inning was an-

ing for my pitch even when I

other big one as four runs

have two strikes. Luckily for

came across. Checo came

me, they threw me one right

around to score on an RBI sin-

where I wanted them to and

gle to right field by sophomore

I capitalized on it. When I

Bella Carnes. With two speedy

step into the box, the pitch-

runners on, Hoffman drove a

er is on my time. This is my

single up the middle, driving

box, and the pitchers will

in the final two runs of the

throw me the pitches I want.”

inning in Martin and Behan.

Sophomore pitcher Macy

The Bobcat bats stayed hot

Banks got the start and the

going into the fifth inning

loss in the circle for GC. She

where they ultimately put the

allowed four earned runs on

Wolves to bed. Martin put the

seven hits in her 4.1 innings

ball in play and forced an error

of work with two strikeouts.

to score redshirt-sophomore

GC split their midweek matchup with the University of West Georgia Tuesday Feb. 15. UWG took Game 1 with an 8-5 victory, and GC took Game 2

13-5,

mercy

ruling

eraged 14.9 points per game.

UWG by the fifth inning.

Vick shot 80% from the char-

In game one, sophomore

ity stripe, only missing 10 free

MacKenzie Hoffman got

throws all season. If her junior

things started in the first

season had not been shortened,

inning after reaching on an

she would have been on track

error, then she moved into

to score close to 400 points.

scoring position on a stolen

has

base. Batting in the cleanup

nabbed 110 rebounds, 72 of

spot, junior Jessica Owens

them offensive. She has played

launched a double to the

in 23 games this season, start-

center field fence scoring the

ing in every one. She continues

first run of the game for GC.

to lead the team as one of two

The offense went quiet

veterans on the roster. The tal-

until the fifth inning where

ented guard is averaging 12.5

three runs came across.

points per game so far this year.

Freshman Jaycee Haycraft

“When I came in as a fresh-

and Hoffman got things

man, the offense we ran was

started after two singles to

This

season,

Vick

more based on post and offball scoring,” Vick said. “As a point guard, I just didn’t get as many opportunities to score, and I didn’t have as many opportunities. Then Coach Jolly came in and moved me to the off-ball position, and in his offense, the off-ball guard on the wing has a lot of plays

Montana Ledbetter. Haycraft then knocked a single into cen-

This is my box, and the pitchers will throw me the pitches I want.

-Jessica Owens

ter field to score Martin and Zweifel. The Bobcats picked up the 13-5 mercy rule victory.

Thrower got the start and the win in the circle for GC. She allowed five earned runs on six hits in her 3.2 innings of work. Ledbetter got the relief effort and the save for GC

left field. Redshirt sopho-

Freshman Brayden Latim-

more Brooke Lougher drew

er got the relief effort allow-

a walk to load the bases for

ing two earned runs on three

Jessica Owens, who pro-

hits in 2.2 innings of work.

ceeded to drive home her

first save for a Bobcat pitcher

The GC offense came out

second RBI of the day af-

since Hannah Rogers in 2020.

with the flaming bat in game

ter another base on balls.

“Having my first career

two tallying four runs in the

save is special because it’s

Junior Shea Zweifel drew

first inning. Owens, Golden

something I’ve never expe-

the third consecutive walk,

Thrower, and Checo had three

rienced

scoring the second run of

consecutive doubles scoring

said. “It shows that you can

the inning. Freshman pinch

the first four runs for GC.

rely on me at any point in the

hitter Davina Checo en-

After a few walks, sopho-

game whether that be start-

tered the game for infielder

more MacKenzie Martin had

ing or finishing. My riseball

Carlie Behan and drove in

the fourth double of the in-

was really working for me

the final run of the inning

ning to tally the fourth run.

and being able to work across

on a sacrifice fly to right

The Bobcats scored in all

the zone with my drop curve

field. The Bobcats were able

five innings of the contest,

was also a key factor. I can see

to cut the UWG lead to one,

scoring one run in the sec-

my riseball move above their

in her 1.1 innings of work. She allowed zero runs on one hit with two strikeouts. This is the

before,”

Ledbetter

In her second year, she more-

drawn up for them, so be-

than-tripled her freshman scor-

ing in that position gives me

ing total, netting 398 points.

great opportunities to score.”

She put up 14.2 points per game

Vick also worked this past

during her sophomore campaign.

offseason with a trainer as she

Vick shot 75.8% from the chari-

continues to grind and work

ty stripe, also improving upon

on her game. She focused

her freshman year percentage of

specifically on shooting and

68.9%. She even poured in a new

agility to better prepare for

career-high 29 points in a con-

the season. Vick says she feels

making it 5-4 after the fifth.

ond inning. Hoffman drew

bats, and it makes me cheese.”

ference matchup with Augusta.

that her offseason habits play

However, the sixth inning

a walk then Owens, with a

The Bobcats are back in

Vick is a multifaceted athlete

into her in-season success.

proved to be too much for

big hit, drove her in to score.

action Wednesday Feb. 23,

who has done nothing but grow

The Bobcats are back in

the team as UWG knocked

GC scored two more runs

where they travel on the road

since coming to GC. She has

action Wednesday Feb. 23

in three more runs and held

in the fourth inning after Hay-

at USC Beaufort in double

been able to adapt to change in

at Flagler College. Tipoff is

onto their lead to defeat

craft reached on the fielder’s

header fashion. First pitch

the coaching staff, as well as ex-

set for 5:30 p.m. with live

the Bobcats in game one.

choice and Hoffman drew

is set for 3 p.m. with live

cel and persevere through proto-

stats and video links avail-

“For me, I go to the plate

another walk. The big lefty in

stats and video links avail-

col changes due to COVID-19.

able

with a plan,” Owens said.

Lougher had a two RBI sin-

able

at

GCBobcats.com.

at

GCBobcats.com.

6 LILYANA KOVACHEVA, A&L EDITOR REBECCA MEGHANI, ASST. A&L EDITOR

2.23.22

ARTS & LIFE MEDIA

Continued from page 1 media wasn’t difficult, I never thought it would.

At some point during the day, I remembered a funny Tik Tok sound and grabbed my phone to look it up on the app and then remembered that I couldn’t. I found myself grabbing my phone a lot throughout the day, almost out of pure instinct, just to go to Snapchat or Tik Tok and spend my spare time scrolling through videos. At the end of the day, I did miss my nightly Tik Tok time, but I just used the extra time to go to sleep earlier.

There were times when I wanted to use Snapchat to take a picture of something (usually of my dog) and when I remembered I couldn’t do that I just took a picture of whatever the subject was, on my phone. It made me enjoy it a little bit more.

No geo-tags, no filters, just a picture of whatever caught my attention enough that I wanted to keep it on my phone.

Day two was a Saturday. I decided to use the time that I would usually be wasting scrolling aimlessly, to do something else and be productive.

I took my dog out for a hike and finally washed my car. It’s not that I couldn’t have done these things while I had social media on my phone, I just didn’t allow myself to get distracted by my screen.

Super Bowl Sunday fell on day three. It was easier to ignore my phone that day than any other. We had guests over and I had a marketing assignment about the commercials during the breaks. I was guilty of opening Instagram twice on that day, but I needed it so that I could look something up for a class. Is it cheating if I’m the one who makes and changes the rules?

I noticed that there were times I was more productive because I didn’t have the social media to scroll through, but I still played plenty of games and binged an episode or two here and there.

The rest of the week was essentially the same. I was more productive since I couldn’t slack off during my breaks or in class. I never truly missed having the apps, come the end of the experiment I forgot that I was able to redownload them all until

someone mentioned it to me. Even then it took me a few more hours before I downloaded any apps back onto my phone.

When I checked my screen time, I was disappointed that there wasn’t much of a change between this week and the last. I realized that social media wasn’t the only issue. It’s my phone.

I have too many games to feed into my ADD multitasking desire. I averaged almost 6 and a half hours a day on my phone, meaning over 40 hours a week I spend time staring at my screen.

Whether it’s an email, a show, an article I’m reading, a text I’m sending; I can’t escape the issue.

Nothing changed just because I deleted apps.

However, I’ve come to understand what the true issue is: our phones. There’s a power that our phones hold over us because of their ability to grant us whatever we want access to. The issue was never about my social media use. Without Snapchat and Tik Tok, I still have Candy Crush, Hulu, Spotify, and more, waiting to waste my time.

The instinct of being on our phones when we’re bored or

distracted is an instinct

rude comments to get

hard to kill. Escaping my

upset with or photos to

phone was easier when I

be jealous of, or time

didn’t

have more apps to kill time with. I didn’t have

to

feel

unproductive

and guilty for it. I still I still don’t have Insta-

gram or Tik Tok on my phone, I saw how they’re a gateway to be unproductive and I liked how much more I was able to achieve when I knew I couldn’t just go watch a few stories or Tik Toks.

I’m hesitant to download them again, I don’t think I want to.

T h e r e’s less pressure when I’m not wasting my time looking at other people’s lives.

At least with the games I play and the shows I watch, I use those apps because I want to. Not because I’m bored and have nothing to scroll through. I’m in no rush to get back to Instagram and Tik Tok, I like the silence and I like the relief of notifications not flooding my home screen.

Superbowl fun-day Sunday: Halftime show and commercial review Emily Schulte

perbowl ads used to feel

square with a QR code

memorable was the Toy-

Staff Writer

as if they carried weight

inside it, bouncing

ota ad. The ad focused

weekend

like they were important,”

around the screen in

on telling the story of

on Feb. 13 was the Su-

said senior market-

complete silence for 30

the Mckeever broth-

per Bowl LVI with the

ing major Cole Peavy.

Los Angeles Rams vs.

The ads were not as

the Cincinnati Ben-

out there as they have

gals. The rams ended up

been in the past and

beating the Bengals 23-

went for a more dramatic

This

past

20. Superbowl hit all the stops this year, even having

Dwayne

“The

Rock”

Johnson

in-

troduces at

the

the

teams

beginning.

tone their

seconds.

ers, who are Paralympics. The ad not only told

a

heartwarm-

ing

story,

but

also

ed Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Kendrick Mary

Blige,

and

the national anthem to

Eminem.

There

was

protest police brutality.

even a surprise per-

A recent poll showed

formance

50

that 41.7% of respon-

Cent, who hung upside

dents said Snoop Dogg

down from the ceiling.

was their favorite artist

The set was all white

who performed this

mercials.

E d u c at i o n major

from

props,

mot-

com-

like

a

year. Kendrick Lamar and

house, car, etc.

Eminem were tied, with

There

were

each having 16.7%. Mary

many

dancers

surrounding

Chloe

Guler said, “I

the

ed

stage.

But besides the game,

think past

Some of the

other big parts of the

years have

songs

whole

been bet-

experience

of

done in the past during

J.

pro-

in

Lamar,

which players have

Courtesy of Art Director Katie Dean

J.

Blige,

50

Cent,

and Dr. Dre were the least popular with only 8.3%

of

votes

each.

per-

One GC student said,

formed this

“It felt like a throw-

watching are the ads and

ter than this year. The

When you scanned

the Paralympics, which

year included 50 Cent’s

back with the old clas-

halftime show. A sin-

ads were more about

the QR code, it led you

are currently going on.

“In Da Club,” Eminem’s

sic songs.” Although the

gle 30second ad slot

sympathy than comedy.”

to a site for free cryp-

The Halftime show

in the Super Bowl cost

According to a re-

$7 million this year.

cent poll conducted, the

has been struggling as

“The ads the past

most memorable ad this

of late, this seemed like

few years have seemed

year was the Coinbase

an attempt to get back

less special. This could

ad. In the ad, there

lost

of

was a simple black screen

P

getting older, but Su-

with a color-changing

Another ad that was

just

be

a

result

tocurrency.

“Coinbase

customers,”

said

e

y

a

v

.

Your-

Superbowl ads and

is always a big part

self ” and Dr. Dre and

halftime show may not

of

Snoop

song

have matched some of

Episode.”

the past years, it was still a

the

Super

Bowl,

and there was a lot of anticipation for this year’s lineup. The performers this year includ-

song

“The

“Lose

Dogg’s Next

A notable part of the

performance

was

good

experi-

ence all around, and

when Eminem took a

hopefully,

knee while performing,

will

be

next even

year better.

7 LILYANA KOVACHEVA, A&L EDITOR REBECCA MEGHANI, ASST. A&L EDITOR

2.23.22

ARTS & LIFE

The evolution of crypto Hannah Adams Staff Writer The development of crypto currency has prompted individuals to rethink how they handle money and exchange in the modern-day world.

Crypto currency started with the creation of Bitcoin and has since progressed into newer ideas such as NFTs. While Bitcoin is digital currency, NFTs are encrypted digital art pieces that can be sold or traded. Since the development of Bitcoin, those that partake in this system now have a new way to complete transactions without the use of the more familiar systems such as paper money and credit cards.

Crypto is a new process of encryption that involves the creation of a crypto or digital currency that serves as an accept-

ed medium of exchange through a computer network. These transactions cannot be performed under a government system or fundamental authority such as a bank. Brad Fowler, a management information professor, shared some of his personal insight on NFTs. “NFTs are built on the blockchain technology,” Fowler said. “A blockchain is basically a very secure ledger system.

It allows two people to make a digital agreement that can be recorded in a way in which neither party can claim that they did not agree to the transaction. In the world of database, this is called non-repudiation.”

Fowler conveyed his predictions on whether the development of crypto currency will be a positive advancement in the future.

“I think they are solutions built on negligible problems,” Fowler said. “The problems that they solve, like giant banks and centralized government-backed currencies, are not a big enough problem that most people are seeking out cryptocurrencies in order to make their lives better.”

Despite this idea being a new and exciting prospect to some, there are still those that have their doubts about the system. A fair amount of people feel that things are changing too much and becoming overcomplicated. According to a 2021 survey performed

by Morning Consultant, 20% of U.S adults are somewhat interested in the concept of NFTs. Only 9% felt very interested. Along with this, Morning Consultant also

reached the conclusion that 23% of those collecting NFTs are Millennials.

A poll was also conducted to a general population on Instagram in which out of 72 people, 83% voted that the use of NFTs is a step in the wrong direction for society. Only 19% felt that it was a good advancement. Nathan Mulling, GC management information systems graduate, described his perception of NFTs and the potential effects they will have in society over time.

“I think crypto is all a scam. It’s a study in basic economics and it’s all about supply and demand,” Mulling said.

“It has value because people think it has value. I’m not a fan. In terms of changes that I think it will have on the world I don’t really see it doing anything crazy.”

Katie Dean | Art Director

Trending NFT ape reading The Colonnade

The pros and cons of cryptocurrency will remain a subject of debate for many years to come.

While research shows that many people do not trust the concept, it is still

Bobcats’ weirdest food combinations Shadimon Smith

Contributing Writer Students are exposed to new environments and cultures throughout their time on campus.

GC has students that come from all around with different lifestyles.

Throughout their time here, they build new tastes and couple that with old tastes. Sometimes, they end up with interesting food combinations. These tastes can be influenced by new friends, classmates, strangers, and family members.

Strawberries and cheddar cheese.

“I have been eating this for a long time. I wanted to try something new so I experimented.

It tastes like heaven and it is sweet and savory and other people should try it.” -Raquel Emmons, a freshman criminal justice major.

Yellow mustard on salad.

“I have been eating it for about a year. I tried it because a friend’s par-

ents did it so I wanted to. mac and cheese at school It tastes like a salad with one day and thought the a tang of mustard and mixture of foods was I like it because of the good and I added onto tang. It is an interesting it. It has a creamy tangy color since it is bright taste with a crunch. I yellow with salad.” -Leah love the different texKelly, a freshman busitures.” -Jalissa Wilburn, ness undecided major. a junior management Applesauce and pork information systems chops. major.

“I have been eating this since I was little. I started eating it because my mom made it up since I would not eat the pork chops by itself. It tastes like apple with good meat.

It makes the meat sweeter Peanut butter and Cheez-its food combination. and adds to the flavor. It Marshmallow fluff does not smell weird.” and peanut butter sand-Kat Kaveney, a freshwiches. man nursing major.

“I have been eating Macaroni and cheese with ketchup and jalape- them my entire life. My mom got me to put these no kettle chips. together and it is sweet “I have been eating and salty at the same it for ten years. I was eating tomato soup and time. It has become a

senior art major.

Peanut butter, coconut yogurt, brown sugar oatmeal and cheesy ube bread with slices of banana scattered atop.

“I came across this in a moment of desperation when all seemed lost for my poor abused tastebuds. It is a sweet and satisfying dessert-themed oatmeal bowl that is worthy of my approval and the approval of all fellow struggling college students ready to take a dive off into sugar heaven.”

-Maggie O’Kelley a senior biology major.

Olivia Wilson | Staff Photographer Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with Doritos in taste slightly sweeter. the sandwiches.

The only weird thing “I have been eating about it is the texture. It it for three years. I put is like you are simultathem together because neously conscious of the I saw it online once and whipped cream texture it tastes sweet and salty. that is light and fluffy I like it because of the and the pizza which is crunchy texture.” -Olivia denser.” -Sarah Sander, a Berke, a senior art studio comfort food to me.”

-Ellie Munson, a junior psychology major.

Whip cream on pizza.

“I have been eating it for seven years. I tried it because someone I knew told me that their brother tried it on a dare, and I tried it. The whip cream makes the pizza

Underfunded student organizations Rebecca Meghani Asst. A&L Editor GC hosts many organizations on campus and provides students with many opportunities for the chance to get involved. These can vary from sports to gardening with some working with professional organizations outside of campus to accomplish their goals. Many of these organizations host fundraisers, events and go to competitions, depending on what their purpose is. Because of this, they require funding to keep these going, which comes from Student Life on campus.

“It’s from the student activity fee and every student pays $128 every semester for student activity fees only,” said Kristy Johnson, Director of Student Activities and Organizations.

“From that $128, it filters down to some for sustainability, some goes to the student activity center, some funds to the GIVE center, SGA (Student Government Association), homecoming, CAB (Campus Activities Board) and RSO (Recognized Student Organization) funding.”

Johnson goes on to explain that $15 from the student activity goes to RSO’s on campus.

With GC’s enrollment, the funding amount can range from $150,000200,000. The only way to be eligible for this funding is by being an open organization on campus without exclusive membership for students.

The funding is relative to what the RSO’s request is.

SGA executive members are the people who create the budget and decide how much each organization on campus receives in funding,

with oversight from the budget manager, office and staff members.

This is the SABC (Student Activities Budget Committee) made up of the outgoing SGA president as the chair and incoming executive members making up the rest of the committee.

“Every group that wants funding submits a budget on what they plan on spending it on,” said James Robertson, President of SGA. “We review all the requests and decide the level of funding for each RSO on campus.

We do hearings where we ask for clarification on their budget. There’s only so much money we can spend so we prioritize depending on past budgets and how much was spent or not spent.”

Most of the time, what you’re allocated is what you receive unless organizations find other avenues. A way to possibly

receive extra funding is through the bill allocation process. There are instances where members of organizations must pay out of pocket to continue participating in their activities because of the limited funding that they receive.

The equestrian team is an example of one.

The team has been on campus for around eight years and competes against D1 schools with open membership to all GC students.

“Every time we show, we have to pay our own entry fees into the show, even though we are showing on behalf of GC,” said Ellie Munson, co-captain of the equestrian team. “Our entry fees are approximately $35 a show so it ends up being $130 a semester.

Since we do not have a barn on campus, every time show, we have to rent horses and that’s

about $500 every other show. We have to pay for our own lessons which is $60 so it’s about $800 a semester per an individual, if you want to be on the equestrian team, which is not accessible at all.”

Munson continues to explain that in order to compete, it is required to pay the fees by students.

The equestrian team receives about $3,500 a semester which Munson expresses that she feels it’s not adequately funded. The team has lost members to other competing and rival schools

a project that has continued to evolve. From Bitcoin, to now NFTs, it seems that crypto currency is here to stay, and society may just have to adjust with the times.

major.

Ritz crackers with ranch dip and banana peppers.

“I have been eating this for a few months and I started eating it because of limited groceries. It tastes like a weird version of pizza with ranch except it is not. I like it because I love ranch and all things spicy and it also has a weird smell to it.” -LiliAnn Pittman, a junior biology major.

French fries and ranch.

“I have been eating it for a year. Wendy’s has the best ranch I have ever had and before the combo, I did not try the ranch and I love fries. It tastes salty and creamy.

I like it because it is flavorful and most people I have told about it have tried it and love fries with ranch now. The texture is based on how much ranch you use and it just smells like ranch.”

-Charlotte Everts, a sophomore mass communication major.

with higher funding in their programs.

There are a rising amount of student organizations showing up on campus but because there aren’t more students coming in, RSO funding is limited and minimizes allocations to organizations to make room for more. Even with SGA processes in place, what they receive is not always enough for what they need and results in students paying out-ofpocket to participate in student life on campus.

Olivia Bowen | Staff Photographer

GC organizations tabling on-campus.