TRUMP SET TO RETURN TO OFFICE, FLIPS GEORGIA AND BALDWIN COUNTY
Shadimon Smith News Editor
Donald J. Trump, former president of the United States and Kamala Harris, current vice president of the United States, both eagerly awaited electoral results after the voting polls closed the evening of Nov. 5. The candidates, along with the rest of the country, were ready to see who would become the nation’s 47th president.
As the counts went on, it became apparent that Trump was pulling ahead. As ballots were counted and electoral votes allocated, Harris fell behind as state after state turned red.
“I stayed up with my girlfriend and some friends watching the results come in, and I knew early on there was no hope for the Harris campaign,” said Skye Mears, a senior biology major. “It was incredibly tragic to watch Georgia turn red and then every swing state following.”
Trump reached the necessary 270 electoral votes first, solidifying him as the United States’ next president. When all votes were finally tallied, he had won the election with 312 electoral college votes and 75,044,060 individual votes, scoring 50.3% of the popular vote.
“I want to thank the American people for the extraordinary
honor of being elected,” Trump said. “Your 47th president and your 45th president. And every citizen, I will fight for you, for your family and your future. Every single day, I will be fighting for you. And with every breath in my body, I will not rest until we have delivered the strong, safe, and prosperous America that our children deserve and that you deserve. This will truly be the golden age of America.”
President-elect Trump won all seven swing states this election: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Ryan Grant Staff Writer
November is here, and on the last Thursday of this month, many Americans will celebrate Thanksgiving.
As GCSU prepares to celebrate the upcoming holiday, students can reflect on the traditions that make it a special day for many families to unite and show love.
Leading up to the week, GCSU hosts some fall-related events around the school. The Max dining hall will
celebrate with its holiday decorations, including pumpkins and paper turkeys, creating a festive atmosphere for diners. Additionally, The Max will be serving the traditional Thanksgiving staples during their annual Thanksgiving Feast. The Max will host their annual Thanksgiving Lunch for students and faculty on Nov. 14, and on Nov. 21, they will celebrate the nationally considered holiday, National Stuffing Day
My thoughts on the 2024 Grammy nominations:
Don’t forget to thank Beyoncé
Mary Ciucevich Asst. A&L Editor
OPINION
In recent memory,
The Recording Academy announced the 67th Grammy nominations on Nov. 8, and while there are many celebrations over well-deserved selections, there have also been many upsets during this award cycle. Music was in abundance this year, with albums from artists like Taylor Swift, Charli XCX, Beyoncé, Andre 3000, Cardi B, Billie Eilish and more. With a range of award categories and a select few most coveted titles, this award season is bound to bring more upheaval. Many fan favorites are up to bring home more honors, but some emerging artists have also arrived on the scene.
An early year look at the Atlanta Hawks
Brennan Schmitz Sports Editor
After spending the past three seasons as one of the most average teams in the NBA, with a nearly .500 record from 2021-2024, fans of the Atlanta Hawks came into the new campaign hoping that they could finally make that leap to be one of the best teams in the league.
However, now 11 games into the 20242025 season, the Hawks seem to be continuing their trend of mediocrity with a looming danger of being even worse, as they currently have a record of 4-7. Although the Hawks appeared to be on a downward trend after the 20232024 season, finishing below .500 and missing out on the playoffs, fans still held some hope for the team after they re-
ceived the No.1 overall pick in the draft. With their draft selection, they picked Zaccharie Risacher, a 6’9” small forward from France, but some fans were unsatisfied because the Hawks missed out on San Antonio Spurs forward-center Victor Wembanyama by one year. Wembanyama was selected first in the 2023 NBA draft by the Spurs, and he looks to
be an impact player and household name for a long time in the league. Despite any pushback or criticism from fans, the Hawks started the new season off hot, winning their first two games against the Brooklyn Nets and the Charlotte Hornets. Hawks star point guard Trae Young showed off in these games, scoring a team-high 30 points against the Nets and 38 against the Hornets. He also led the team in rebounds and assists, putting up eight and 10 against the Hornets.
President-Elect Donald Trump and Vice President-Elect JD Vance
Julia Jensen | Art Director
Kylie Rowe | A&L Editor Kylie Rowe | A&L Editor
HAVE CHILDREN’S READING LEVELS DROPPED SINCE THE PANDEMIC?
Emma Eslinger Asst. News Editor
The COVID-19 pandemic has left a mark on nearly every aspect of society, from public health to the global economy. One area that has seen significant and long-lasting impacts is education. When schools closed in March 2020, classes moved online and families faced unprecedented challenges, and the pandemic created a way for learning disruptions to affect students. Among the most affected areas was literacy, particularly reading levels of those in critical elementary school years when classrooms went digital.
When the pandemic forced schools to close, millions of students worldwide experienced an abrupt transition from in-person instruction to remote or hybrid learning. This sudden shift was disorienting for many, with numerous barriers to learning, including lack of access to technology, insufficient internet connectivity and difficulty adapting to online environments. These disruptions were especially detrimental for younger students, who rely heavily on face-to-face interaction with teachers and peers for development and are less able to suddenly perform in an online setting that they may not even wholly understand.
“It is difficult to watch adults and other children speak and see the way they articulate sounds when everyone wears a mask,” said Linda Bradley, a professor of literacy education at GCSU. “Yet, masks were vital for health and safety for schools during and in the recovery from the pandemic. Some of the most impact is noted in younger children who had fewer socialization opportunities and often less explicit instruction in the sounds of oral language and how they map to written language.”
During the first few months of the pandemic, early reading instruction came to a halt in many places, and for students already struggling with literacy, the lack of direct and targeted support led to a struggle. Gaps in reading levels grew significantly as a result of lost instructional time.
“We certainly see challenges that have emerged following the pandemic, and we recognize the complexity of reading levels,” Bradley said. “A great deal of foundational reading development and instruction occurs between [kindergarten] and third grade. Yet, tests like the Georgia Milestones that document reading achievement at the state level are not administered until the end of grade three. So, there can be a four to five-year lag between the beginning of reading instruction and looking at trends for grade-level reading.”
Crystal Bushart is a GCSU Alumni who graduated in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. She works for Fulton County Schools as a first-grade dual language teacher and has seen firsthand the impacts of children’s months in quarantine.
“The pandemic definitely had an impact on read-
VOLUME 104 | NO. 7
Editorial Board
Kate Verity.........................
Paige Blakemore............
Julia Jensen.......................
Shadimon Smith.............
Emma Eslinger................
Brennan Schmitz...........
Benjamin Clark...............
Kylie Rowe.........................
Mary Ciucevich...............
Delaney Derry..................
Isabella McComis..........
Matthew Malkowski.....
Rebecca Ocampo..........
Kassie Arps.......................
Eva Galova........................
ing levels,” Bushart said. “Knowing how to read and teaching to read are two completely different things. Since kids were home during the pandemic, they weren’t getting explicit phonics instruction needed for reading. There are so many rules to learn and sight words to practice. Most parents don’t know the rules or how to teach them. In addition to that, reading maybe wasn’t a priority during the pandemic.”
Bradley emphasizes how reading achievement is not a new problem, the pandemic just made it more known to the media.
“Yes, we notice a bit of a drop over the past five years, but more importantly, it is vital to understand that reading scores have not dropped suddenly, as might be perceived from popular or media sources,” Bradley said. “In other words, reading achievement is not a new problem. Reading scores have not ever been a strength in upper elementary, and we must address this challenge in our assessments and instruction. We can do better.”
The pandemic not only affected reading levels in schools but also affected social skills that students develop at younger ages. Younger children learn not just by reading books but also through social interaction, speaking and play. Through the pandemic, they lost many opportunities to practice language and communication skills that go hand-in-hand with reading development.
“It has had a huge effect on their social/emotional skills and regulation,” Bushart said. “I have seen so many students who just don’t know the social cues that are expected of them at their ages due to the lack of socialization they got when they were babies/toddlers or whatever age they were during the pandemic.”
As schools have reopened and educators have returned to in-person teaching, there has been a concerted effort to help students recover from the learning disruptions caused by the pandemic.
Bradley wants people to know that their direct impact on kids makes an impact. She expresses that volunteering, reading and talking to children will help with oral language and practice amongst children.
“The Deal Center on campus is doing work to train tutors for a local reading clinic,” Bradley said. “This is a great way to get involved. Anytime you can read a book with a child, it will be helpful. Read books and talk with children. Your attention can make a huge difference. College students are mentors for kids.”
Bushart expresses that what takes place outside of the classroom is almost more important than what takes place inside of the classroom.
“Family support is crucial for any child to be successful in school,” said Bushart. “I have seen and heard from other colleagues that the parent/family support at home has decreased. In order for a student to be the most successful, it is important that there is a partnership between the teacher and parents.”
Bradley emphasizes that schools are work-
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ing hard to combat the effects of the pandemic.
“Schools, teachers, administrators, and community partners, are working diligently to improve the reading success and achievement of all students,” Bradley said. “We have experienced an extremely cohesive convergence of initiatives focused on reading over the past five years in Georgia.”
Some changes that have already taken place have happened in bills that were approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate.
“In 2019, Senate Bill 48—the Dyslexia Bill— was passed,” Bradley said. “This legislation included a three-year pilot, new required screening for all K-3 students in Georgia for dyslexia utilizing an approved screener list, the establishment of a state DOE office facilitating dyslexia efforts and tools for teacher education and professional learning to ensure effective instruction is provided.”
Georgia is already making efforts to aid students affected by the pandemic. Two more bills were also passed in 2023 that will help students in schools post-pandemic.
In 2023, House Bill 538 was passed, which is Georgia’s Early Literacy Act. This bill aims to improve early reading instruction in Georgia, with key components including a Georgia Department of Education list of approved high-quality instructional materials for teaching reading for K-3 — Core Reading programs.
Also in 2023, the Georgia Council on Literacy was established, which outlines Senate Bill 211. This council contains 30 appointed members from education, business and the community to review birth to postsecondary programs. It aims to ensure improved literacy outcomes among students.
The pandemic affected people of all ages and had lasting effects. By growing knowledge of the effects, students and teachers can better equip their students for the future. Investing in resources that support both academic and emotional growth, schools can help ensure that all students are equipped to succeed in the years ahead.
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Election
Continued from page 1
“This was a crucial election on both sides and not just in the presidential election,” said Lincoln Jepson, a junior finance major. “The House and Senate were also both important pieces to this upcoming term. Personally, I’m happy with the result. Foreign affairs are already better off than before. Inflation will drop, and illegal immigration will shrink. I want to end wars, make goods more affordable, pay less taxes and lessen the number of illegal aliens in this country.”
“I really liked Harris’s plan for the economy, how she was going to give small businesses more money to start, money for first-time homeowners, tax breaks for people with children and tax the rich
more,” said Elyse Matheny, a senior management information systems major.
Harris earned 226 electoral college votes from 20 states and 71,742,810 individual votes, winning her 48.1% of the popular vote, according to the Associated Press’s reporting. The Democrats have not lost a popular vote since Republican George W. Bush was elected in 2004.
“Harris’s campaign was largely based around not being Trump,” Mears said. “Her promises were mostly centered around how she was different than him and not actually offering any real change to health care, climate change legislation or cutting debt for Americans. In addition, she was a vigorous supporter of Israel in a time when many Americans were unhappy with
how the United States was supporting their war on Palestine.”
During the 2020 election, current President Joseph Biden won Georgia. Many of the main democratic counties were in Atlanta and surrounding areas — Fulton, Dekalb, Newton, Henry, Clayton, Douglas, Cobb, Richmond, Liberty and Chatham all went blue. Though Biden flipped Georgia away from the Republicans four years prior, in the 2024 presidential race, Trump was able to turn Georgia back in his favor.
This year, Trump won by over two percentage points, beating Harris by earning 50.7% of the state’s ballots in comparison to her 48.5%. In 2020 the margins were much more slim, with Biden surpassing Trump by a mere 0.3%, which is only about 11,800 votes.
ETHICS AWARENESS WEEK AT GCSU
Benjamin Clark Asst. Sports Editor
Ethics Awareness Week, which is sponsored by the University System of Georgia, stretches from Nov. 4 to Nov. 10, with GCSU bringing a variety of guest speakers to promote awareness of ethical issues across many different fields of study.
The week concentrates on smallscale ethical issues. One example of these ethical issues highlighted throughout the week is how to create an ethical workplace and how that can evolve into a more ethical culture. However, Ethics Awareness Week also promotes recognition of broader ethical issues, with core principles of integrity, excellence, accountability and respect.
Rhonda Fowler, chief audit officer at GCSU, is one of the main executives organizing Ethics Awareness Week. Fowler’s experience allows her to create a meaningful schedule of events for students to engage in and learn from. But Fowler is looking forward, believing Ethics Awareness Week can be improved for future years and already considering where to improve next year.
“I think as a learning institution, it’s important to bring in a variety of viewpoints,” Fowler said. “I also think it’s equally as important to teach the students to think for themselves and make their own determinations, rather than just bringing in one viewpoint and saying, ‘This is what you need to think.’”
Kicking off Ethics Awareness Week on Monday, Nov. 4, was Nels S.D Peterson, the presiding state supreme court judge, who spoke with attendees about the ethics of compliance in the workplace.
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, and Wednesday, Nov. 6, students and faculty came together in Donahoo Lounge to donate blood to the American Red Cross. This helps to create a feeling of assisting the greater good for many donors and emphasizes the accountability principle that USG strives to create.
In 2020, Biden won Baldwin County with 9,140 votes at the end of the 2020 presidential election, compared to 8,903 votes for Trump.
This Election Day, Baldwin County, too, turned red, winning the county with 9,573 votes, leaving Harris trailing a few hundred votes behind.
With Trump being named the president-elect, Harris conceded the race soon after.
On Thursday, Nov. 7. Harris stood in front of a podium at her alma mater Howard University with her family behind her and addressed the nation.
“The outcome of this election was not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for, but hear me when I say the light of America’s promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up and as long as
(top) Blood Drive sign and Stephen
Additionally, GCSU brought guest speakers from all across the state to discuss the importance of ethics in their respective fields of study.
One event was a panel of guest speakers on Zoom, who discussed the importance of “Integrity Intelligence.”
Another guest speaker was Author Stephen Palmer, who created an engaging discourse about the ethics of journalism and how journalists may misconstrue readers by only publishing articles that support their political agendas. His Times Talk, titled “The ‘Conservative’ Case for Harris?” was met with mixed reviews.
Through his presentation, Palmer discussed how recognizing bias in the media is an essential skill for critically engaging with mainstream news. Bias can manifest in various ways, whether through the selection of sources, the framing of issues, the language used or even the omission of key information.
“I don’t want to pretend to speak specifically to GCSU because I don’t know the political climate here,” Palmer said. “But studies have shown that as high schoolers graduate and go to college, they do move closer to the political left. That might be because of college, or that might be because young people, by nature, just tend to be more liberal. I think generally speaking, as 18-year-olds become 19 and 20 in a college setting, they do tend to become more liberal.”
Some universities, including the University of Georgia, have certificates that students can earn to learn more about how to recognize bias in the media. Though GCSU lacks a whole program, the Mass Communication Department, which houses a journalism concentration, requires its students to take Media Literacy as the prerequisite course to continue into upper-level major courses. Palmer further discussed how in-
we keep fighting,” Harris said. She went on to pledge to continue to fight for equal justice and democracy.
“I am devastated that Kamala lost; I don’t see anything good happening in the elected president’s upcoming term,” said Roeronidneys Celestine, a junior sociology major.
The presidential election was not the only race on the ballot this year. Locally, Democrat Floyd Griffin Jr. beat out incumbent Republican Ken Vance filled state House seat 149. Based on data on USA Today, Vance won much of Baldwin and Jones counties, but Griffin swept in Bibb.
Many await what is to come after President-elect Trump is sworn in on Jan. 20 and starts his official term.
stitutions can work to become less biased and expressed his opinions on whether universities should require classes on media literacy.
“I’m not a big fan of requirements or mandates,” Palmer said. “But I would really like to see students undertake that specific educational endeavor. I just don’t think it would take great purpose in mandating something.”
Scott Dillard, interim chair of the Department of Communication and professor of rhetoric, critiqued Palmer’s presentation.
“He went through ten things,” Dillard said. “Ten ways in which traditional media attempts to dissuade the public, and he said ‘traditional media’ or ‘liberal’ media tends to do these things. And my response to that was that you could just flip that and say the same thing of more conservative media.”
Additionally, Dillard considered the purpose of a Times Talk and how it is meant to create an environment of discussion and support for differing opinions. Dillard thinks Palmer missed the mark on properly aligning his discussion with the typical structure of a Times Talk.
“My problem was that I think he misunderstood the assignment,” Dillard said. “I don’t think he did enough work into making Times Talk do what it was meant to do — which is to have a good discussion. Whereas I think he was there to lecture on a particular point of view, which he is welcome to have in [a lecture-based] environment. However, seeing as he was leading it, he didn’t seem like he wanted a discussion. He seemed like he wanted to prove a point.”
Ethics Awareness Week is a hallmark of the USG’s commitment to shared values and expectations of the ethical culture of Georgia’s academic institutions. This week helps to highlight the core principles of not just GCSU but also the values of the entirety of Georgia’s public universities.
Matthew Malkowski | Digital Media Editor
Palmer (below) Blood Drive
Violence in the wake of the presidential election
Chloe Sanders Staff Writer
Like many of its predecessors, the 2024 presidential election has sparked intense emotions as partisan divisions emerge across the nation. As the race between current Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump intensified, many people worried that this divide would lead to violence.
With the recent history of violence in America because of politics, voters and the people of America were worried about what the 2024 election season might bring. In January 2021, Trump was nearing the end of his term and was expected to peacefully transfer power to President-elect Joe Biden later that month.
However, on Jan. 6, protests from Trump supporters turned violent as Trump’s continued denial to concede the election stoked his most loyal followers into action at the nation’s capital.
Though much that took place that day is still debated among voters, it marks a day when the election process lost people’s faith so severely that
they turned to violence. With the first presidential election since that event and already multiple assassination attempts made on candidates in the past year, many people were uncertain what new unprecedented events might unfold.
“I think that the increasing political tension during elections in America will lead to more violence and unrest in the country,” said Rory McInnis, a junior political science major. “This is because less people are communicating about issues and not believing in compromise. Bipartisanship is decreasing in America, and this is
causing a lack of education for voters or ability to realize a party’s faults or wrongs, especially during election time.”
The Jan. 6 events came after Trump had held a rally where he made claims that the election was stolen. Rioters breached security, vandalized offices and disrupted the certification of Biden’s victory. The attack resulted in deaths, injuries and damages.
It shocked the nation, leading to numerous arrests and a historic second impeachment of Trump. After this, some were shocked to hear of Trump’s rerun, while others were enthusiastic
for another chance to cast a ballot in support.
“I think it would be very unlikely for something like that to happen over the next four years,” said Hut Fahnestock, a senior management major. “There’s also evidence that proves the CIA and Chief of Police at the Capitol had intel of this event 4-5 days prior to it happening and did not take proper steps to prevent it.”
Before the winning candidate had been announced, some feared an event, such as a riot or protest-turned-violent, would occur again if Trump did not win. Many believe Trump ad-
vocates for that type of violence and encourages it from afar. The election cycle has already seen burnt ballot boxes and threats to poll sites, so more violence did not seem that far off.
Fahnestock said that due to the over 600 arrests that were made, many of the people who protested revealed themselves as extremist, and he believes something like it will not happen again based on national security plans to prevent it.
In the days before Election Day, the White House prepared its defenses. The Secret Service erected a ten-foot-
tall metal fence around the property, leaving many voters anxious, thinking that security officials, too, must sense violence on the horizon.
Leading up to the election, rallies on both ends got voters and supporters excited for the upcoming administration of their candidates. Many were confident that it was unlikely that America would see as much violence as on Jan. 6, but there was a chance some rioting could occur, especially as tensions around key social and political issues continue to escalate.
“I think people may argue that violence can draw attention to certain issues, however, more often than not, violence discredits the issue at hand,” said Ava Farmer, a sophomore biology major. “Non-violent forms of protest are more effective for social change. People can sympathize more easily with a peaceful protest rather than a violent one. The point is to create a long-lasting influence in your community to foster change, there is no place for violence in doing so.”
PROFESSOR SPOTLIGHT: Ruben Yepes Muñoz
Jaylen Mahayag Staff Writer
Ruben Yepes Muñoz, an assistant professor of art history at GCSU, brings an inspiring mix of global perspective, academic rigor and passion for social change to his teaching. Yepes is from Colombia, Dr. Yepes’ journey into art history began with his own ambitions of becoming an artist.
However, as Yepes moved into higher education, he was captivated by how art interacts with society—a pursuit that ultimately led him to a distinguished academic career.
“I started initially thinking I would become an artist, but then wondered, what are we going to live off of,” Yepes said.
Driven by a fascination with the transformative power of art, Yepes earned a master’s degree in cultural studies in Bogotá, Colombia. This broadened his interest, merging art history with the social sciences.
Later, through a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship, Dr. Yepes pursued a doctorate in visual studies at the University of Rochester, New York. His research explored Colombia’s complex social issues through visual art, culminating in
his 2018 book on the art of conflict in Colombia.
Dr. Yepes joined GCSU after overcoming challenges with international relocation. When COVID-19 struck, it delayed his arrival at GCSU by a year, though he had already secured a teaching position. Fortunately, the university kept the spot reserved for him.
“They were very generous, even putting a legal team in Atlanta on my case,” Yepes said.
At GCSU, Yepes finds the intimate campus environment ideal for cultivating meaningful connections with students.
“One thing I’ve realized working at GCSU is the importance of the social role educators play,” Yepes said. “You have this classroom full of wide-eyed, enthusiastic students who want to do so many things. It’s up to you to open up possibilities for them.”
In his Understanding Visuals Arts class, Yepes works to build students up to be able to explain how texts and works of art in the humanities address human experiences. He also teaches students how to evaluate multiple perspectives on ethical issues. One of the ways he does this is by focusing on historical and contemporary art to mediate political issues.
Yepes’s students benefit not only from his academic expertise but also from his deep understanding of art’s role in addressing social issues.
One memorable moment he recounted involved an art history exercise where students recreated famous artworks in photographs, working meticulously with props, lighting and costumes. The results exceeded all expectations, underscoring the dedication and talent of GCSU students.
“It was just one of those moments when you realize how much students can do,” Yepes said.
The experience left him and his colleagues speechless, capturing the collective commitment to quality that characterized GCSU’s Art Department.
GCSU’s art history program stands out within Georgia for its unique concentration on visual culture, a distinction few universities in the southeastern United States offer. It also features a concentration in museum studies, preparing students for specialized careers in museums and galleries.
The program is small, allowing for a familial atmosphere where students and faculty work closely together — a
It’s up to you to open up possibilities to your students.
-Ruben Yepes Muñoz
rare quality among state universities but a major selling point for GCSU.
According to a 2024 report by the National Center for Education Statistics, Georgia employs over 500 art professors in its higher education institutions, reflecting the state’s growing commitment to the arts.
Yepes believes that GCSU’s dedicated faculty, coupled with innovative offerings like museum studies and graphic design, provide students with a robust education that is both professionally and personally fulfilling.
Yepes also encourages students to pursue art if they are truly passionate about it.
“Do it because you love art and visual culture, not just for profit,” Yepes advised, emphasizing the fulfillment that a career in art can bring. “If you love art, this will give purpose and deep meaning to your life.”
As a scholar, Yepes is excited by emerging
trends in art history, especially the reevaluation of art’s global narrative.
“There’s a shift from the idea of a unified, Western-dominated art history to recognizing diverse traditions worldwide,” Yepes said.
This decolonial approach reflects an eye-opening process in academia, acknowledging the valuable contributions of non-Western cultures. Dr. Yepes, with his background in Latin American studies, embraces this shift and aims to incorporate these perspectives into his teaching at GCSU.
Looking forward, Yepes has ambitious goals
for GCSU’s art program. He hopes to expand its impact regionally, drawing more students to the concentration and fostering a vibrant community of critical thinkers.
“My hope is that they’ll appreciate how art mediates social processes, identities and power structures,” Yepes said. “Art can shape the world we live in, and I want my students to feel empowered to be a part of that.”
For Yepes, the most significant outcome of his work would be for students to leave GCSU with not only a love of art but also the critical skills to analyze art’s role in society.
Matthew Malkowski | Digital Media Editor
The Capitol Building on Jan. 6, 2020 as Trump supporters converge
MLS teams fight for a spot in the cup
Delaney Derry Opinion Editor
The 2024 Major League Soccer Playoffs have arrived, and it is a battle of will and skill as the league’s best teams fight for the most coveted trophy in North American soccer. With the playoffs kicking off, fans can expect everything from dramatic goals to heart-stopping saves as the league’s elite clubs battle for supremacy. It is not just about winning— it is about legacy, pride and claiming the title that every team dreams of.
As the regular season fades into a memory, every moment counts— and with it, the promise of thrilling, high-stakes drama that only the playoffs can deliver. The season officially kicked off Oct. 22, 2024. The playoffs typically involve a knockout format, with teams competing in single-elimination matches leading up to the final.
The teams are currently undergoing round one. These games are played between Saturday, Oct. 26 and Sunday, Nov. 10, then lead into round two for the semi-finals.
It has been a fierce season, as any season can be, and GCSU students are watching ardently in hopes that their favorite team will make it to the finals, for Georgia fans, that is Atlanta United.
“Atlanta United is my favorite,” said Natalee Studdard, a freshman nursing major. “I like them because they are close to my hometown, and I used to go with my old soccer team to watch them play. I have good memories there, so I’m rooting for them.”
Whether it is nostalgia for a home team or simply the love of the game, fans are on the edge of their seats to see who will make it through this round into the semi-finals.
“For the playoffs this year, I personally believe that it’s kind of boring,” said Taylor Justice, a sophomore on the girls club soccer team. “It’s the same couple of teams who always take the top of their conference. We never see smaller and newer teams take the top like how Atlanta United did in 2018.”
Coming in at number nine, as of Nov. 8, for the Eastern Confer-
ence is Atlanta United. Though they took home the trophy in 2018, the team has been unable to earn another title since. Miami was ranked number one in the Eastern Conference and LAFC is at the top in the Western Conference.
“This season, it’s been incredible to watch Inter Miami FC because David Beckham has been able to bring back the core four from Barcelona,” Justice said. “I 100% believe that Inter Miami will take it all the way and win the cup this year. Messi has destroyed the competition, turning a losing team into a record-breaking team. Messi alone will take the MLS Cup home to Miami.”
The rivalry is fierce, the passion is unmatched and the road to the finals is getting intense. Although the road to playoffs this year has been rocky and seemingly unentertaining to GCSU students and in their anticipation of Miami vanquishing the competition this year, Atlanta United has shocked everyone by winning their match against Inter Miami on Saturday, Nov. 9.
“The Five Stripes pulled off the biggest upset in MLS history with their comeback 3-2 victory in a devastatingly dramatic Game 3 decider at Chase Sta-
dium Saturday night,” said Charles Boehm, a writer for MLS Soccer.
Until the MLS Cup on Dec. 7, only time will tell which teams have what it takes to defeat their competitors and take home the trophy at the end of the season. One thing fans know for certain, and that is that the 2024 MLS Playoffs just got interesting.
Caitlin Clark solidified herself as one of the greats,
but who will fill her
Bryan Cohen Contributing Writer
With Caitlin Clark making a significant impact in her rookie season in the Women’s National Basketball Association, there is a prominent hole in women’s college basketball of who will be the next big thing.
Clark is widely recognized as one of the greatest college athletes ever.
During her time in the NCAA, she set the all-time scoring record with 3,951 points and the all-time women’s single-season record with 1,234 points. She also scored the most three-pointers in a career with 548, the
most NCAA tournament points in a career with 491 points and is second alltime in career triple-doubles.
With a resume like Clark’s, attempting to fill her shoes will be challenging for players in college, but there are plenty of current players to compete to take that spot.
“I think there are a lot of players, not just Caitlin Clark, but this whole rookie class that went into the WNBA this year,” said Evie DePetro, a graduate shooting guard.
“All eyes have been on them.”
While Clark has been highlighted as the end-all-be-all of women’s college basketball for the past few years, oth-
shoes?
er draftees in her class have also performed very well in the league to this point.
“She was that standout player for that Iowa team, but I feel like teams like South Carolina and LSU have a lot of big names,” DePetro said.
College rival and former Louisiana State University forward Angel Reese was drafted six positions lower than Clark and performed arguably as well in the WNBA this past season.
Clark, no matter what, was a prominent role model for many young female athletes and continues to play this role even after being drafted No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever this year.
“She’s one of my biggest role
models, and I have looked up to her throughout college,” said Eva Garabadian, a freshman shooting guard. “She made people realize that women’s college basketball is the real deal.”
Clark drew in an average viewership of nearly 10 million people for the National Championship in 2023.
“I think that the people she brought in will still keep watching college basketball because they’re wondering who’s going to be the next big thing,” said Natalia Bolden, a sophomore forward. “The players I like or could fill that viewership rate would be Flau’jae Johnson from LSU and her teammate, Mikaylah Williams.”
The LSU Tigers are in a prime position to step up this season, finishing second to the University of South Carolina in the SEC conference the previous year and have a talented set of players all over their roster.
“I think Caitlin Clark leaving brought a lot of attention, but some players have filled in those shoes, so I think they will do a great job, too,” Garabadian said.
This college basketball season will be the first since 2019 without Clark. With the first few games underway early last week, only time will tell who will step into the role Clark has established at the college level.
HAWKS
Continued from page 1
After an ideal start to the season, the team started to drop off dramatically, losing their next four games. Two of those losses came back-to-back from the Washington Wizards, whose only two wins of the season have come against the Hawks.
“It looks as if the Hawks are stuck in the rebuilding process every year,” said Owen Faulk, a senior accounting major. “Their firstround pick looks promising, but they’ve been losing games that they should be winning.”
The Hawks finally caught a break from their losing streak against the
New Orleans Pelicans and the New York Knicks, the current No. 3 team in the Eastern Conference.
Risacher broke out like fans were hoping he would against the Knicks, scoring a career-high 33 points, supported by a 10-assist game from Young.
However, just when it seemed the Hawks were starting to get back on track, they dropped another two games to the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls.
“The Hawks just aren’t good,” said Justin Buglion, a senior psychology major. “Maybe the new draft pick can help them out in the future, but I don’t see them winning anything any time soon with the way
things are right now.”
Things only seem to be getting more difficult for the Hawks as they look further down the schedule. They will have to play the defending champion Boston Celtics on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Young and Risacher will both need to play their best ball to pull a win out in that game.
Fortunately for the Hawks, they get a chance for redemption against the Wizards the following game, but something major will probably need to change for the team to see any sustained success. With Young mostly dominating the stat lines, the Hawks will need more players to step up to turn this season into a winning one.
A look into college football’s first
Hudson Taylor Staff Writer
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, the first official 12-team College Football Playoff bracket was released.
As of right now, the four teams who have the first-round bye are the University of Oregon, the University of Georgia, the University of Miami and Brigham Young University.
Even though these teams are not all ranked one through four, they would get the bye because of their records in their conferences. The official rankings disregarding the conference champions, have Ohio State University above the Bulldogs at two and mul-
tiple teams ahead of BYU, who are ranked ninth.
With pivotal games and conference championships still to be played, there is still a lot that can happen in these upcoming weeks.
Three of these teams are still undefeated: the Ducks, the Hurricanes, the Indiana University Hoosiers and the Cougars.
The Ducks have a solid resume, beating two ranked teams, Ohio State and Boise State. They have been the unanimous No.1 team for the last couple of weeks and look to stay there, as they have the University of Maryland, the University of Wisconsin and the University of Washington still left on their schedule.
Miami does not have a single win over a ranked team and has been in some nail-biters, to say the least. They have let teams like Virginia Tech, the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Louisville hang around with them in very close games.
In most of those games, quarterback Cam Ward has had to play lights out in the fourth quarter, leading his team to comeback victories. However, their slow starts ultimately caught up with them, as they could not pull off a comeback at Georgia Tech, losing 28-23.
The question of how Miami will fare against one of the powerhouse teams, such as
playoff rankings
UGA or Ohio State, remains to be answered.
BYU is another team that has not played a top team this year. They got a big win against Southern Methodist University, which is ranked, as well as Kansas State University which is also ranked.
The Cougars will most likely remain undefeated and win the Big 12, but once they get into the playoffs, they will have to play a powerhouse program.
“BYU is probably the worst team in this 12team playoff,” said Patrick Kryszczak, a junior management major. “They haven’t played a real team yet, and when they play any team from the SEC, they will lose.”
Just because a team
GCSU basketball kicks off season
Bryan Cohen Contributing Writer
The GCSU men’s and women’s basketball teams appeared in the Peach Belt Tournament last season. However, both fell in the early rounds, with the women’s team losing in the first round to Augusta University and the men’s losing in the second round to Flagler College. With the new season right around the corner, it is a fresh start for both teams.
The teams’ rosters are complete opposites, with the men’s team headed by six freshmen and the women’s team by six seniors.
“I think we graduated five seniors, so it’s going to be a fresh start this year,” said Aidan Kudlas, a junior guard on the men’s team.
For the upcoming 2024-2025 season, the men’s basketball team has three transfers in addition to the incoming first-year students.
The team needs players to lead the young squad.
With so many new faces on the team, leaders are necessary to help bring them together and allow the first and second-year students to develop.
“I think I take on more of a leadership role — more by leading by example,” said Zyair Greene, a senior shooting guard on the men’s team.
Junior guard Brendan Rigsbee was recently placed on the Peach Belt Conference Preseason All-Conference team. However, news came out that he will miss the entirety of the upcoming season.
“Losing one of our best scorers, we’re going to have to find a guy that can score, so everyone’s going to have to step up,” said Mason Etter, a freshman forward.
With the team coming off a .500 season and the added pressure of many new faces, a repeat of a season would likely be seen as a positive. The team will need to quickly find its groove in the upcoming season.
“We’re getting there, but it’ll be a pro-
cess,” Kudlas said.
Many of the women’s team’s players are upperclassmen and primarily seniors, so putting something together toward a championship would be a phenomenal way to end their careers as Bobcats.
“I’m excited about the leadership, the camaraderie and the energy we have going into the season,” said Evie DePetro, a graduate shooting guard.
The women’s basketball team is coming off of a subpar, below .500 season in both overall and conference play. However, it seems that the chemistry has changed entirely, and the Bobcats are ready to show the Peach Belt Conference that they are prepared for whatever their opponents have to throw at them.
“I think that the practices have been more attentive, and since there is more experience, I think that we will be positioned in a better place,” said Natalia Bolden, a sophomore forward.
While the team is mainly made up of upperclassmen and one
freshman, there are positives, which Bolden mentioned, explaining that having that leadership and experience will hopefully heavily influence the team’s chemistry.
“I think the team chemistry is great. We built it great off the court, and I think, on the court as well,” said Eva Garabadian, a freshman guard.
With so many potential leaders on the team, the Bobcats need to take advantage of them this season. Experience is the best way to learn, and the women’s basketball team possesses that.
“Our point guard, Ashiya Willis, and our post, Jada Warren, I think they will be two key players for us, being that they have been under our coaches program for the longest,” Bolden said.
The men’s team opened their season winless against Young Harris College and North Greenville University, and the women’s team opened with two wins against Young Harris and Emmanuel University.
is in right now does not mean they will be in by December.
There is a lot of controversy around Indiana, which has gotten off to the best start in school history. They have won every game by at least a touchdown but have not played the most difficult competition.
They did beat the University of Michigan on Saturday, Nov. 10, but the defending national champions are not the team they were last year under new head coach Sherrone Moore, sitting at a record of 5-5.
They have yet to play a ranked team this year. Their first true test against a top-ranked team will come against Ohio State on Saturday,
Nov. 23. Indiana has never beat Michigan and Ohio State in the same season but has a good shot to do that this year.
“There’s no way that Indiana beats Ohio State,” said Luke Parris, a senior exercise science major and Ohio State fan. “Ryan Day does not win big games ever, but they have to come to us, and I don’t think they will stand a chance.”
With so many big games still left to play, it is impossible to say who will be in and who will be out at the end of the season. The college football world is in for an inevitably exciting and controversial finish these next few weeks.
Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young
Courtesy of GCSU Athletics
Junior guard Ian Davis drives to the basket
Courtesy of GCSU Athletics
Sophomore guard Hannah Cail takes a shot
PREPARING FOR GRADUATION AT GCSU
Kylie Rowe A&L Editor
With just a month left until graduation, seniors are feeling a mix of excitement, nostalgia and perhaps a little anxiety. The countdown has begun, bringing the realization that in just a few weeks, the familiar routines, friendships and challenges of college life will become memories. While for many this is a time of reflection and celebration, it is also full of stress as students are preparing for graduation and life after.
The cost of graduation itself is a source of stress for some students. At GCSU, the graduation application is $60, and buying a cap and gown is another $160. This makes the lowest amount most students could spend for graduation $220.
Along with things that a lot of students enjoy doing to celebrate graduation, such as buying ceremonial outfits and taking graduate photos, the cost of graduating can even be upwards of $400 for a typical student at GCSU.
This cost is also on top of the thousands of dollars students have paid in tuition, books, housing and just the general cost of living as a young adult.
Along with this financial stress, there is also the impending weight of needing to secure a full-time job as quickly as possible after graduation. The cost of living is not getting any lower, and being in the job market is always a point of stress. For graduates entering into a full-time position for the first time, it can be exciting to find your next move and nerve-wracking at the same time.
Though many student work parttime throughout college, for most, after graduation is their first time working in a setting that actually applies what they have spent the past years learning. This anticipation can cause a combination of excitement and anxiety, alongside a
hope that they will even manage to secure a position related to their chosen major. It is no secret that many degree fields have limited entry-level positions, and it is not uncommon to end up working somewhere completely different than what one spent college aiming for.
what’s after GCSU because I’m confident in myself and the tools that this university provided me with to succeed,” said Ricky Smith, senior political science major. “In the end, there’s nothing to be nervous or ready about, it’s about taking all of the past
But some students are more certain. Through connections, hard work and a strong resume, many students are more than ready to attack their anticipated career field, confident that they have honed themselves to be the perfect candidate for desired positions.
“Truthfully, I’m excited about
four years’ worth of energy, effort and hard work into the next opportunity and hitting the ground running.”
Preparation for graduation is not only about buying fun things and applying to jobs, but it is also about finishing the schoolwork for your last few classes, which can be a handful in itself.
When is it the season to be jolly?
Students’ opinions about when to decorate for the holidays
Kate Briesemeister Staff Writer
The Christmas season is just around the corner. Stores across the country are already displaying Christmas items as the sounds of the season serenade shoppers. Lots of people have already put up their decorations. But this raises the annual question: When is the right time to begin all the festivities?
“Christmas is my favorite holiday, and when Nov. 1 rolls around, I believe that is when it is time to start decorating,” said Tanner Gallahair, a senior business management major. “I like when companies put out all of their Christmas stuff around this time, too, because it puts me in a good mood. Christmas decorations take a long time
to put out, so it is nice to begin early so I can have more time to enjoy it all.”
For many, the transition from October to November means a jump straight from Halloween into Christmas. Many wake up on Nov. 1 feeling a shift in mood and energy from spooky to merry, making it feel like the perfect time to kick off the season. The sight of holiday decorations and festive items in stores adds a spark of excitement and warmth that eases the pressures of daily life. For students balancing school and work, this early dose of holiday cheer can be especially uplifting.
“As soon as Halloween is over, everything Christmas should come out,” said Sahar Ziv, a sophomore business management major.
“My roommates and I decorated on the first of November. This time makes the stress of finals and school so much more joyful. I love seeing all the decorations at stores too. I think the best part is the Starbucks holiday drinks.”
Many GCSU students think that Christmas celebrations should begin at the start of November. Many businesses start decorating for the holidays over two months before they officially occur. In places like Walmart or TJ Maxx, Christmas is softlaunched before Halloween is over, and when November first hits, it is a winter wonderland.
Though all may seem merry and bright, there are still dissenters. Lots of people wait until after Thanksgiving to kick
Senior exit exams vary depending on major. For mass communication, it involves building and compiling work for a professional online portfolio, for political science, it is a final research paper and for others, it is an actual exam.
“At this moment, my focus isn’t on being nervous or being ready to graduate, it’s on getting to the stage,” Smith said “I’ve spent the past year working tirelessly on my research thesis, interning and working for two campaigns, all while sprinting for the end zone.”
For seniors, balancing these final academic tasks with job applications and graduation expenses can feel like a full-time job. Many find themselves juggling last-minute assignments, wrapping up internships and preparing for exit exams—all while managing the pressure to secure a future career. This balancing act is often overwhelming, but it also brings a sense of accomplishment and anticipation.
Despite the stress, many seniors are determined to end strong and make the most of their final month. They are eager to take the skills and experiences they have gained and turn them into career opportunities. For now, the goal is clear: finish the last few weeks with focus, celebrate the journey and step confidently into the future.
“Applying for jobs and finishing all of these assignments is a lot, but I know it is short-term stress, and overall, I am just excited for the future,” said Pete Bryant, a senior management information systems major.
Graduation is a time of excitement and stress, but overall it is a meaningful transition into a new phase of life. It marks the culmination of years of hard work, friendships and personal growth. For many, it is a bittersweet farewell to college life and an open door to new challenges and opportunities ahead.
off the Christmas spirit. They treat November as the month of turkey and family, keeping the Christmas celebration squarely in December.
“Do not get me wrong, I love Christmas, but everyone needs to hold off until after Thanksgiving to start celebrating,” said Laney Foust, a junior exercise science major. “I love Thanksgiving, and when everyone starts to celebrate so early, Thanksgiving gets overlooked. I grew up getting the Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving, so I have always gone about decorating for Christmas at that time as well. ” Thanksgiving is not a minor holiday in America, especially compared to less-noticed days such as Flag Day or Groundhog Day. But the Christ-
mas Holiday season is so enormous that it may have the capacity to drown out the month for thankfulness and turkey.
“Christmas is so joyful, so I feel like people should decorate whenever they want to,” said Alexi Quisito, a sophomore nursing major.
“I do not have a certain time or day that I decorate every year, but this year my roommates and I decorated a few days
after Halloween. We wanted to decorate early because we will not be here much in December due to fall break. ” The holidays are meant to bring joy, so if decorating two months early adds to that joy, perhaps that’s exactly what the season is all about—creating moments that lift spirits and bring people together whenever they choose to start celebrating.
Courtesy of Carly Seitz
Kylie Rowe
Julia Jensen | Art Director
ARTS & LIFE
TURKEY
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For those looking forward to Thanksgiving desserts, there will be plenty featured in the dining hall, including a lineup of pies that features holiday staples like apple, pecan and pumpkin. Other Thanksgiving food traditions students can look forward to include corn, green beans, stuffing and, of course, the turkey.
For Citlali Aguilar-Franco, a sophomore education major, Thanksgiving combines Mexican and American traditions. Her meal consists
of main courses like tamales and pozole alongside American classics such as turkey or ham.
“Much like American culture, we all gather around, and it’s a huge celebration where we have to gather a bunch of tables for everyone to sit and dine together,” Aguilar-Franco said.
Milledgeville hosts many local Thanksgiving-themed events, including the Autumn Dash, a fundraising event that will be held on Nov. 19 at the Oconee River Greenway. The goal is to help bring meals to less fortunate families in the community.
There are plenty of
other ways for students to feel Thanksgiving warmth on campus this November. The Office of Inclusion and Belonging will be hosting a “Friendsgiving” event at the H.U.B. on Nov.17. The Department of Theatre and Dance will put on dance performances inspired by the fall season in Magnolia Ballroom. Other GCSU clubs and organizations, such as the Council of Student Ambassadors and GC Miracle, will hold themed meetings and activities to get students and faculty in the turkey-eating spirit Students and faculty will have a break from
regular campus operations from Nov. 27 to Nov. 29, and many will be heading home to enjoy the holiday with their families. On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28, families and friends will come together to give thanks and celebrate their own unique traditions.
“One of the traditional events that we have, annually, is ‘Hey, everyone, let’s eat all that we can,’” said Elijah Sultan, a freshman engineering major. “It’s a very American thing to like to eat.”
Thanksgiving with Sultan consists of his family, including cousins, distant relatives, uncles and aunts, who
Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”
Notes from Paige’s Playbill
Paige Blakemore Managing Editor
OPINION
In recent memory,
William Shakespeare debuted his romantic comedy
“Twelfth Night” in 1602. The play, named after the last day of the Christian festival celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas, follows separated twins Sebastian and Viola as they navigate the coast of the characterful Illyria and a comedic love triangle.
From Nov. 6-10, the GCSU Department of Theatre and Dance presented its version of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, directed by Jeremy Lee Cudd, assistant professor of performance, with a cast of wildly talented actors and modern-day influences.
“Above all, I think the department just wanted everyone to have fun,” said Jane Carr, a junior English major who played Olivia, a wealthy heiress avoiding courtship but unexpectedly finding love. “With recent events, a lot of people are feeling unsure about the future and albeit a bit scared. While
it’s important to keep these things in mind, the theatre allows people to live in a different world for a little while.”
Making her stage presence undeniable in this year’s spring production of “We Will Rock You,” Carr delivered a standout performance as one of the Shakespeare leading ladies and a crowd favorite. She commands the stage with her cunning wit and indubitable comedic timing.
Jody Hensley, a senior theatre major and cemented star of GCSU theatre, delivered yet another applause-worthy performance. Hensley has the unique ability to take something as difficult to master as Shakespearean Old English and make it entirely his own.
“Shakespeare plays and their various adaptations are such a staple of the theatre and literary worlds,” said Em Jones, senior English major and president of GCSU’s Shakespearean Circle. “I think it’s important to demystify his language. They’re all stories about people at their core.”
From her musical direction and arrangement to her
impeccable line delivery to her astounding tap dancing skills, Helen Garcia-Carreras, a senior theatre major, always captivates audiences from the moment she steps out. Garcia-Carreras helped to lead the modern musical influence on the “Twelfth Night” adaptation by using sounds from “The Doors,” “Whitney Houston” and incorporating a guitar-led audience participation moment after intermission.
Truly, the world is Garcia-Carreras’s oyster. She is a one-of-a-kind, multi-talented creative with an astoundingly bright future ahead.
The production team, from lighting, set design and costuming, worked seamlessly to transport audiences into the ancient world of Illyria. Notable moments include the lighting and sound design on the infamous shipwreck sequence, Malvolio’s, played by the hilarious Wesley McClure, a sophomore theatre major, yellow stocking reveal and the incorporation of a hollow jail cell built into the subfloor of the versatile set.
Following themes of love,
all come together for a multi-generational celebration. He and his family normally feast on turkey, roasted pork, mac-n-cheese and gravy.
For Sultan, the Thanksgiving experience is special because his birthday falls on Nov. 23, and, though not this year, some years that means he celebrates it on Thanksgiving Day. When it does fall on the holiday, some of his family stays to celebrate both his birthday and Thanksgiving.
Some GCSU students are unable to go home during the holiday season. Many of the students who remain on campus are internation-
al students who instead spend the breaks catching up on school work or spending time with other friends who stay in Milledgeville. In previous years, GCSU’s President Cathy Cox hosted international students at her house for a warm Thanksgiving dinner.
“I normally spend time at my friend’s house in Atlanta,” said Laura Almagrogez, a junior exercise science major.
“Or I go with my friend to visit any place like Savannah, we always have something to do.”
identity and the power of changing one’s mind, college audiences and the Milledgeville community alike had many messages to take away from the theatre department’s latest triumph.
“Several characters would start out wanting one particular thing, only then to be exposed to love and teaching those characters that there is some-
thing more desirable to go after,” said Grayson Riggott, a junior middle-grades education major and audience member. Over the past several showcases, the GCSU Department of Theatre and Dance continuously tops itself again and again while producing both on-stage and off-stage talent, creating forces to be reckoned with in the performing arts world.
Put down your screens and breathe
Kate Verity Editor in Chief
The twenty-first century is inarguably an era of technology. Everyone has a smartphone, and many people carry three to four pieces of personal technology on them at all times. From laptops to smartwatches and headphones, much of the world is immersed in a carefully curated and personalized online bubble for hours each day.
“I noticed I was spending a lot of time on my phone so I put locks on TikTok and Instagram because it was embarrassing how high my screen time on those apps was,” said Ansley Kate Allen, a senior mass communication major. “I feel like I started procrastinating less though.”
Many students spend hours a day scrolling on social media, texting friends or watching videos. For some, time spent online is a way to alleviate the stressors of being a college student, but staring at a screen for hours on end might not be as stress-relieving as students think.
A 2022 study published in the National Library of Medicine called “Increased Screen Time as a Cause of Declining Physical, Psychological Health, and Sleep Patterns: A Literary Review” studied the connection between screen time and health, stress and sleep.
“Overusing digital screens during one’s adolescence and young adulthood may result in their mind relating to outside
stimuli rather readily and cause a lack of attention,” the study said. “Internal triggers such as unhelpful or negative thoughts and feelings of lower satisfaction levels regarding one’s life can also be accompanied by an onset of health problems in adulthood, such as cardiovascular disease and infertility. It may cause one’s stress to increase up to levels that would turn difficult for one to handle. These ailments can result in unhealthy coping mechanisms, which eventually might increase the likelihood of sadness, depression, and anxiety in one’s later years.
In recent years, intentional limitations of time spent online have grown in popularity. Even Apple released a setting al-
lowing users to monitor and limit their screen time each week by setting password-protected time limits on chosen apps and reporting weekly data on the number of time spent on one’s phone.
“Realizing I was spending 12 hours on TikTok a week was humbling,” Allen said. Though ending a long day with a half hour on TikTok before bed may sound enticing, instead unwinding with a book, some journaling, a cup of tea or just sitting and reflecting on the day are much healthier alternatives. Allowing the brain time without intense stimulation is important to maintaining a personal quality of life and getting a truly restful night of sleep.
Courtesy of Brian Wallenberg Jane Carr and Helen Garcia-Carreras
Julia Jensen | Art Director
THE “REALITY” OF REALITY TV
Molly Goff Staff Writer
Among all I have to do as a GCSU student, my favorite hobby has been watching reality TV religiously. From “The Bachelor” to “Dancing With The Stars” to “Love Is Blind,” I endlessly watch the episodes released with rapt attention.
Last week, I sat down to watch the newest season of “Love Is Blind.” One couple in particular made me think, “What really is the ‘reality’ of reality TV?”
Ashley Adionser and Tyler Francis met on “Love Is Blind” in season seven and were deemed one of the “golden” couples—the couples to go farthest on the show and even keep their commitment to marriage post-decision day. The couple stayed together when the reunion show was released, but fans questioned the pair staying together due to Francis’s controversial past, which was revealed in an episode right before the weddings.
“Tyler tells Ashley that he served as a sperm donor for a female friend and her wife, who wanted to have a child,” said Palmer Haasch, a writer for Business Insider. “He also told her that the children didn’t
GRAMMYS
Continued from page 1
The four major awards of the show are Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best New Artist and the highly coveted Album of the Year. Other sought-after awards include Best Rap Album, Music Video of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best R&B Album and more. In total, 94 awards are given out at the Grammys.
To the delight of many, including myself, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX, are ‘receiving their flowers’ in awards this year. Roan and Carpenter have each received six nominations, while Charli XCX received seven. Roan and Carpenter have both been nominated for Best New Artist, competing for the title with artists like Doechii, Raye, Benson Boone, Shaboozey, Khruangbin and Teddy Swims. In my honest opinion, the decision of the winner should come down to Roan or Carpenter because of the mighty impacts and progress they have both made in the industry over the past year.
know what he looked like and said he wouldn’t be upset if Ashley decided she didn’t want to get married because he’d initially kept this information from her.”
This information was presented to all of the viewers in a way that made him out to be an honorable man helping out a friend in need. In reality, quite literally, the situation slowly became a gray area as more details came out from the friend in question.
According to staff writer Joelle Goldstein for People Magazine, photos of him and the kids spending Christmas morning in matching pajamas were leaked on social media showing that Francis had more of a relationship than he was letting on, along with allegations that he owed money in child support and abandoned his children to be on “Love is Blind.”
The most shocking part of this whole dilemma is how Adionser, Francis’s now-wife, reacted at the reunion.
“Who do you think has better insight on what’s going on?” Adionser said, according to Goldstein. “Social media or me? For people to imply that she was blindsided, she didn’t know, is insulting to my intelligence.”
Roan’s album, “The Rise and Fall of the Midwest Princess,” is her debut album and has the ability to draw crowds of all ages, making her a great contender for Best New Artist, but also for so many other nominations. Carpenter’s release “Short n Sweet,” however, showcases her growth from her Disney Channel star days, as well as her growth into womanhood and an established musical identity.
But The Grammys are notorious for snubbing artists of both nominations and wins. One of the most infamous snubs was the win of Best Rap Album by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis for their album “Heist” over widely praised albums like “Good Kid, m.A.A.d. City” by Kendrick Lamar, “Magna Carta… Holy Grail” by Jay Z and “Yeezuz” by Kanye West. I think the biggest snubs from the nomination list year are the exclusion of Dua Lipa’s “Radical Optimism,” Twenty One Pilots’s “Clancy,” The Last Dinner Party’s “Prelude of Ecstasy,” Meghan Thee Stallion’s “MEGHAN” from a shot at any
She continued to say that they did end up talking about it on camera in “some capacity” so that there wasn’t a “disconnect” with loved ones and viewers, but “there were things he was comfortable sharing and things he wasn’t.”
This is the first time I, as a viewer, have seen a reality TV star openly admit that a controversial scene that could have a make-or-break ending for the show was actually staged and that both parties knew this beforehand.
According to Goldstein, Adionser even pointed out that Francis knowingly lied on camera about his kids not knowing what he looked like and joked about how it was very obvious in that scene.
After this whole situation resurfaced again post-finale with more context, I did a deep dive into any more controversial moments in reality TV that weren’t all that controversial, just staged for the cameras. Similar situations from a variety of reality TV shows all have one thing in common: a distorted reality.
“Reality shows influence our behavior and perception through observational learning,” said content creator Sandhya Bhandari from
awards and no nomination to Jack Antonoff for Producer of the Year. Despite past nominations, the Grammys completely disregarded Meghan Thee Stallion and Dua Lipa, who have always been contenders at the award show. Stallion’s exclusion, in particular, comes as a shock, with her album having well-known hits like “Hiss,” “Otaku Hot Girl” and “Mamushi.” Her musical night was so prominent this year that she was invited by Vice President Kamala Harris to perform at an August campaign rally in Atlanta.
Ariana Grande, although nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Best Dance/Electronic Performance and Best Dance Pop Recording, was not nominated for any of the most coveted four categories. Despite her album “Eternal Sunshine” being critically praised by Pitchfork, it fell short of a nomination for the Album of the Year category.
Myself, like so many other fans, was shocked to see that not only was she not nominated for Album of the Year, but
The Washburn Review. “Reality shows are not always completely real, as they may include fictional elements. Watching these shows may cause people to have a distorted perception of reality, which could lead to actions or beliefs that are not ideal.”
Between these observations, it’s clear that reality shows not only shape perceptions but also blur the lines between authenticity and entertainment.
“These shows have become a cultural phenomenon in many ways, and people often think they feature real people in unscripted situations,” said Bhandari. “So, viewers are often drawn to these shows because they can relate to the stars and feel better about their own lives after watching them.”
Overall, reality TV offers viewers a skewed version of reality, blending scripted drama and real emotions to craft compelling narratives. Shows like “Love Is Blind” reveal how participants and producers shape storylines, blurring the line between authenticity and performance.
But here’s where my personal opinion comes in: as much as I adore the escapism that reality TV provides, I cannot help but feel uneasy about the
she was also excluded from Music Video of the Year for her song “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love).” Many fans expected the music video to be nominated for the extensive inspiration from the film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind but also for her heartbreaking performance as someone erasing the memories of a past lover.
For all the snubs the award show has this year, they have many more positive and celebratory moments. The nominations of Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter,” Charli XCX’s “Brat” and Billie Eilish’s “Hit Me Hard and Soft” are the highly celebrated albums of the Grammy lineup.
Beyoncé has become the most nominated artist this year with eight nominations. She leads with her album’s nominations, crossing genre categories from Best Country Album to Best Pop Solo Performance.
Beyoncé’s lead in the country music categories comes well-deserved, especially as she was completely overlooked for any nominations at the 2024 Country Music Awards.
implications it holds for how we perceive relationships and life choices. In a world that increasingly consumes curated images and narratives, are we setting ourselves up for disappointment by expecting our own lives to mirror the highs and lows depicted on screen?
Take, for example, Adionser and Francis’s situation. It raises a poignant question: how much of what we see is truly authentic? When we invest our emotional energy into these characters’ journeys, are we not also contributing to a culture that prizes spectacle over sincerity? It’s one thing to enjoy the drama; it’s another to internalize those conflicts as a reflection of reality.
I believe we deserve more than mere entertainment from our me-
The biggest question on my mind is why the Recording Academy has continued to nominate Chris Brown. Chris Brown is an alleged abuser and has been canceled by the public numerous times, yet he is nominated this year for two R&B categories.
In spite of his nomination, Muni Long, an R&B artist, leads the R&B nominations. Long, as well as so many other women, dominate the Grammys this year.
This year, the pop girlies have taken over, dominating the majority of nominations to the big four categories.
Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Charli XCX are truly the headliners of the categories.
I think the funniest and simultaneously well-deserved nomination is for Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” The song’s purpose of being a diss track against Drake makes it even better, especially after Drake’s failed attempt to win the beef with his diss track “The Heart Part 6”.
Along with Lamar’s diss track, Future and
dia. Reality TV should invite us to question its motives and challenge us to seek authentic connections in our own lives. As we indulge in the manufactured chaos of shows like “Love Is Blind,” let’s strive to hold onto the grounding truth that real life—messy, complex and unscripted—deserves just as much attention. While reality TV can entertain, audiences must recognize these shows as carefully curated productions, not authentic glimpses into people’s lives. Reality TV can realistically be depicted, but the “reality” it presents is often far from the truth. So, next time you tune in, remember: what you see may not be all that real—and maybe that’s the point.
Metro Boomin’s nomination for their joint diss track album “We Don’t Trust You” adds to the nail in the coffin of Drake’s career. The biggest surprise for me was the nomination of the Beatles for their AI-assisted song “Now and Then.” The song garnered a nomination for both Record of the Year and Best Rock Performance. The Beatles, while being musical legends, don’t necessarily need to be nominated for a Grammy, especially in a category like Record of the Year. I also think that the use of artificial intelligence for a song is a cool thing to do, but it shouldn’t be able to win these prestigious awards, and it takes away from the group’s original impact on music by equating AI-generated work with their already adored discography. Though a legendary group, I don’t think they deserve a nomination over other artists.
Winners won’t be crowned until February but I leave one final warning for all nominees: don’t forget to thank Beyoncé.
Kylie Rowe | A&L Editor
