INDOOR POOL CLOSURE ENDS SCUBA PROGRAM AT GCSU
Jane Carr Staff Writer
GCSU’s decision to permanently close the indoor pool at the Wellness and Recreational Center has brought an abrupt end to the scuba diving program that many students and alumni say shaped their college experience.
The university cited the high cost of maintenance and low overall usage as the primary rea-
sons for shutting down the facility. For Professor Scott Stefano, who taught scuba at GCSU for 32 years, the announcement was both unexpected and devastating.
Stefano received an email from university officials informing him that the closure of the pool meant his course no longer had a designated or approved space on campus.
“We were recently informed that the Univer-
sity’s indoor pool will be permanently closed,” said the email. “Unfortunately, this means the scuba class will no longer have a designated, approved location at GCSU to conduct its sessions. I sincerely apologize for this change, and we are deeply grateful for the many years you have dedicated to providing this unique and valuable program to our students in Health and Human Performance
Friendsgiving traditions
Kate Walker A&L Editor
Though the weather may be getting colder, hearts are warm on campus as GCSU students celebrate Friendsgiving. An American cultural favorite, Friendsgiving blends the spirit of Thanksgiving with the comfort of community, giving students a chance to gather with the people who make campus feel like home. For many, it’s a meaningful alternative for those who can’t travel to be with their families or simply want to celebrate with
friends before heading home for the holidays.
Junior math major Anna Kroll mentioned that for her, Friendsgiving is simply a time to be present with friends.
“To me, Friendsgiving is just a time to sit there with a group of people that you care about,” Kroll said. “These are people you might not always just get to sit down and chat with, have fun with and reminisce about all the good stuff that happens.”
As finals season approaches and students become wrapped up in the holiday hustle,
students said the tradition gives them space to breathe, eat good food and enjoy good company. Whether they are celebrating with roommates or friends they can only catch between classes, for junior elementary education major Kelsey Slinn, the chance to spend intentional time together is what makes the gathering so special.
“Just being around your friends, hanging out, getting to chat and having that time that you can devote to them, that’s really fun,” Slinn said.
In a Facebook post published on Nov. 4, Stefano expressed disappointment in the decision and frustration that the program had been assured continued support.
“Despite 15 years left on a 30-year, $28,00,000 bond that students will continue to pay for, the lack of desire to maintain a world-class Olympic pool will now be closed off for meeting space or open space or pickleball courts,” said Stefano in
the Facebook post. “The estimates to repair are likely less than the cost will be to ‘renovate’. It is a sad day that an elite institution like Georgia College can’t main-
Academic excellence in GCSU athletes
Benjamin Clark Sports Editor
Across the nations Universities and Highschools, student-athletes juggle some of the most demanding schedules pressed upon young people. Between early morning practices, cross-state travel and academic/ social responsibilities, finding balance can become quite a challenge for many to overcome.
As mental health awareness increases and universities reevaluate the systems in place to support their players,
the task of balancing personal, academic and athletic responsibilities remains upon the college athletes themselves.
For many students, competing at a collegiate level is a dream that is rewarded through the opportunity to play the game they love while also being paid to do so. Among these primary motivators, many athletes also note the ability to develop leadership skills, foster lifelong friendships and the opportunity be able to be a part of a team as benefits in col-
tain a commitment on a world-class caliber pool for the duration of the loan to past, present and future Bobcats.”
See POOL | Page 2
legiate level athletics. Behind these benefits lie intense pressures rarely experienced by non-athletes. College sports require yearround commitment, including conditioning during the preseason and any postseason tournaments, like regionals or nationals. This intense pressure to maintain premier performance in athletics can lead to anxiety among many athletes, with the stress of expectations disrupting their academic stability.
See ACADEMIC | Page 4
Turkey at a Thanksgiving dinner
Courtesy of GCSU Athletic Department
Bella McComis | Digital Media Director
POOL
Continued from page 1
Stefano fostered encouragement as he expressed his interest to continue teaching scuba.
“I will continue introducing people to the wonderful world of scuba, but the friendships, camaraderie and accomplishment in thousands of college students will likely come to an end,” Stefano said.
Students who com-
pleted the course said the program was more than a recreational elective. Many described it as a supportive community that made the university stand out.
Jackson Austin-Cruse, a junior nursing major and former scuba student, recalled he enrolled after hearing positive reviews from a friend.
“I had a friend take the program and really enjoyed it and I’ve always wanted to get my scuba
license, so when I saw the school offered it, I was excited for the opportunity,” said Austin-Cruse. “It was a lot of fun, even though the classes were in the evening. It was very engaging, and everyone there had a good attitude. I think a lot of it had to do with it being a completely optional program, so everyone there was excited to work towards the same goal.”
He added that the loss of the program means
the loss of community.
“I absolutely think that the school is losing something,” Austin-Cruse said. “I think people really bond in scuba class, and especially the certification trip, and the number of former students that come back to help teach the course is proof of that. Mr. Stefano always says once we pass the class, we’re a part of the GCSU scuba family, and I think that’s true.”
While the pool’s clo-
sure marks the end of an era, the university has begun soliciting student feedback on how to repurpose the newly available space. A student survey was distributed following the announcement, asking for input on potential uses such as study areas, recreational zones or alternative programming. For those connected to the scuba class, however, the decision feels final and painful.
“It’s a unique program that not many places offer, so I think GCSU stood out with it, and losing it makes us less unique from other schools,” Austin-Cruse said. For Stefano and the thousands of students he taught, the end of the program is more than a scheduling change. It represents the loss of a tradition that brought challenge, confidence and connection to generations of GCSU students.
U.S. government’s longest shutdown comes to an end
Emma Jow Staff Writer
The 2025 United States Federal Government shutdown began on Oct. 1 and ended on Nov. 12, making the 43day shutdown the longest in U.S. history. GCSU students had strong opinions regarding the shutdown, with some being directly affected.
Many Americans are expressing concern that the shutdown reflects a deeper issue in the current U.S. political climate, with fears circulating about intense partisan division. A main concern is that the government is too partisan to run efficiently, with the shutdown being an indicator of the need for change in current government operations.
“I think this being the longest government shutdown in history kind of speaks for itself,” said Alexis Pellegrini, a sophomore management information systems major. “The government is extremely corrupt and divided and I think the shutdown is
a big reflection of that.”
The shutdown began after disagreements over funding priorities between the House and Senate. In response, Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer pushed to unite Democratic House leaders against continuing to fund the federal government.
Senator Schumer pressed for the extension of healthcare subsidies, which would drive up U.S. healthcare costs for working citizens if not extended.
Many other Democratic House and Senate leaders chose to support this extension against Republican funding plans.
After a 43-day stalemate, the shutdown ended without the extension of these healthcare subsidies. Eight of the Senate’s moderate leaders chose to collaborate with Republican leaders, reopening the government without meeting Democratic demands.
Republican leaders made it evident throughout the shutdown that they were not going to negotiate with the Democrats, choosing instead
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to extend the shutdown for as long as possible to place pressure on the Democratic Party.
The Republican strategy worked in the party’s favor, with Democrats eventually relinquishing their demands and compromising to reopen the government. The party choice came from the decision that they could no
families. With these programs lacking federal funding during the shutdown, many citizens were forced to live without necessary nutrition.
According to research by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 4 in 5 SNAP recipient households include at least one child or elderly individual, and 73% of households live
longer continue allowing Americans to feel the effects of the shutdown.
Over 42 million U.S. citizens rely on federal aid programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to feed themselves and their
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below the poverty line.
“I know a lot of people who rely on SNAP benefits to keep themselves and their family fed, so when those benefits ran out, a lot of people in my community were impacted,” Pellegrini said. “It meant that
a lot of people could be without food for an unknown period of time.”
The loss of SNAP benefits was a significant factor in the Democrats’ decision to allow the government to reopen, as the loss of these benefits left an already vulnerable population scrambling for a way to live.
During the shutdown, over 1 million federal workers went without paychecks, including air traffic control workers who missed two pay cycles. With many of these workers calling in sick or missing work entirely to avoid unpaid labor, airlines felt the strain of the shutdown, causing major flight delays and cancellations.
According to CBS News, “The shutdown impacted 42 million federal food aid recipients, 670,000 furloughed federal employees and 4,000 government workers who faced layoffs. It also threatened more than $7 billion in economic damage.”
These airline complications became a significant concern with the rapid approach of
the holiday season, in which many Americans use air travel to visit loved ones. Without stable operations, the shutdown led to looming concerns over air travel efficiency, reliability and safety during an extremely busy season.
Although Democrats did not succeed in their efforts to extend healthcare subsidies, the bill signed to reopen the government did provide the party with some benefits.
According to NPR News, “The bill passed by Congress and signed by Trump funds the government until Jan. 30 with carveouts for SNAP, benefits targeted at women, infants and children, or WIC, the Department of Veterans Affairs and Congress.”
Further, the bill provides funding for the job security of congressmembers and government officials, rectifies workers’ lost pay and pushes to reinstate federal workers who were fired during the shutdown. The shutdown also brought more public awareness to the Democrats’ concern about healthcare.
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United States Capitol Building in District of Columbia
Mutual Aid fights hunger in local community
Emma Tyler Asst. News Editor
During the week of Nov. 1721, Mutual Aid hosted a blind book sale drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the A&S Fountain to support the Homelessness Awareness Club’s Day of Giving on Saturday, Nov. 22.
Each month, Mutual Aid hosts a fundraiser near the A&S Fountain to garner money for a specified cause they deem important to the community.
The Homelessness Awareness Club counters food insecurity that the lack of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits caused by providing an alternative food source with no strings attached.
The Day of Giving provides food, clothing and more to those who might not be able to afford such right now.
To support the cause, Mutual Aid sold paperback copies of books for four dollars and hardback copies for seven dollars.
People walking by the A&S Fountain could purchase a book based on the genre and description. Each book was wrapped in packing paper to conceal the cover and featured the specific genre written at the top with a short blurb about the book below.
Although there was not a set amount determined for the fundraising goal, Mutual Aid hoped to reach more than $100. They found that the issue was not raising enough money, rather, running out of books too quickly before Friday.
All the proceeds went straight to the fundraising efforts, meaning the gross is also the profit. For the Day of Giving, this money was used to create hygiene bags, food and more for homeless people.
Formerly, the club hosted a clothing thrift sale in which they raised more than $250 and a baked goods sale in which they raised more than $200.
Outside of fundraising activities, Mutual Aid also volunteers at a community gar-
den every Saturday where the food they grow is donated to the Milly Free Fridge.
“We encourage all students at Georgia College to get more involved in helping not just the student base of GCSU, but helping Milledgeville at the
wider scale,” said Patrick Lingafelty, the co-president of Mutual Aid. “The school is great in a lot of ways but it’s also very harmful to the town itself. I feel like it’s almost more of a personal moral obligation to help
offset that as best as possible and to help grow the community in whatever way we can.”
Mutual Aid meets every Tuesday from 5 to 6 p.m. in A&S room 316. Because of the holiday schedule and final exams, the club cannot host a substantially large fundraiser in the month of December but plan for their next one to be in January or February.
The club will still be meeting in December and hopes to change its creation of fundraisers from a monthly basis to months in advance.
Lingafelty believes the club is creating a tangible difference in Milledgeville and finds this very rewarding toward their efforts.
“A lot of the politics of the club revolve around that kind of community involvement in engaging with and making legitimate action towards uplifting the community,” Lingafelty said. “Being able to very physically see and take part in that is rewarding in itself.”
Mutual Aid also has a news-
letter in which students outside the club can write a short, pagelong article to be sent out and published. There are themes each month for the newsletter, with September’s being mental health considering it was mental health awareness month.
“I really like that we are able to give back to the community in a way that does make a difference,” said Ava Kopcha, editor in chief of the newsletter. “We’ve picked organizations and then all the money from these book sales or other things goes to the community. I like seeing our community blossom and helping it thrive.”
Members of Mutual Aid hope to continually foster an impact on Georgia College and Milledgeville as a whole, providing resources and stability to those who are in need.
People who are interested in submitting a page for the newsletter can reach out to Ava Kopcha at Akopcha360@gmail.com.
Internship success tools New mission statement
Amelia McEwen News Editor
Many undergraduate students at GCSU find themselves stressing as they search for an internship opportunity during their academic career, but what they do not know is that there are a number of resources available to them through the school.
Whether a student is a history major or a marketing major, they are advised by GCSU’s Career Center to choose a company that is within the realm of their studies for the most beneficial experience.
“My internship this summer is heavily linked with my degree topic,” said Ayomide Rahman, a junior political science major. “It gives me a foundation within my career, which gives me an opportunity to grow and to learn about what I truly want to do.”
If a student is hoping to receive academic credit for an internship, the Career Center at GCSU recommends several actions. Most notably, a student should create an account on Handshake.
According to the official Handshake website, “You increase your chances of having your recruiter message you directly with job opportunities and event invitations. In fact, 80% of students who fill out their profile will receive a message from a recruiter.”
This pushes students’ resume contents out to a broader audience. The majority of students, regardless of their major, upload their internship
information through Handshake to be managed by the school. These documents include approval and documentation, for example.
Alongside Handshake, having a strong resume with a top-down structure is another way to be on top of the application process. There is a system within Handshake that allows resumes to be uploaded so a Student Assistant at GCSU can review them and offer suggestions.
Additional steps are recommended on top of this. A student should typically begin the application process early. For example, if a student is hoping to complete an internship over the summer, they would begin applying between September and November of the previous year.
I started applying in September to get an early start
-Kassie Arps
“I started applying in September to get an early start because a lot of the companies I was considering closed applications in early to mid-October,” said Kassie Arps, a senior political science and mass communication student.
If a student is applying for a Spring or Fall internship term, the need to apply early is less prevalent. For reference, most students applying for these semesters
submit their applications between four and five months before the internship would begin, rather than eight months in advance like the Summer session.
In order to report an internship for full course credit, a student must log in through Handshake, click “Career Center,” navigate to “Experiences,” and then “Request an Experience.” After that, the student would need to complete the required information about their internship and submit it by clicking the green “Request an Experience” button.
The easiest way to get a complete runthrough of information regarding the process is for a student to email their designated advisor asking for those resources. From there, they will receive multiple documents with the necessary steps.
Aside from the advisory staff, the Career Center is also a beneficial resource students can utilize throughout this journey. There are several ways to get involved with the Career Center. Those include one-on-one appointments, workshops, walk-ins, career fairs and several more.
To schedule an appointment with the Career Center, navigate to the official GCSU Website or contact the office directly: career.center@ gcsu.edu, 478-445-5384. The office is located at 110 Lanier Hall on campus and is open to walkins during posted hours.
Rylee Holland Managing Editor
University Communications sent out an email to faculty and staff on Wednesday, Nov. 12 notifying them of a newly proposed mission statement for the school.
In the email, they defined their reasoning for updating the mission statement as to condense it to align with other University System of Georgia schools and to align it with GCSU’s Imagine 2030 strategic plan.
GCSU’s current mission statement includes many sections: An Expansive Educational Experience, Highly Intentional Engagement, Inclusion and Belonging and Preparation for Leadership.
The proposed plan also has four sections, yet condensed with only bullet points, no explanation following.
The proposed mission statement according to the email is:
“Georgia College & State University’s distinctive liberal arts model provides innovative undergraduate and graduate programs that challenge future leaders to do more, learn more and seize more opportunities to make a positive difference in the world.”
The new sections are:
Early access to transformative learning experiences for students, including undergraduate research, study abroad, internships, leadership and service programs.
Personal connections with faculty and staff mentors.
Opportunities to explore freely across programs and degree fields.
An honor code built on “The Three R’s” of Reason, Respect and Responsibility.
University Communications informed the faculty and staff of a meeting, an opportunity to provide feedback, on Nov. 26 at 1 p.m. Students began to
find out about the proposed statement and were surprised when they were not invited to the meeting as well.
“The meeting was enlightening. A group of students came and it—I would say—surprised the people on board for the meeting,” said Jacob Gonzalez-Labra, a junior triple major in English, philosophy and Spanish.
lence through diversity.” Yet Young is correct when mentioning that section is missing in the new one.
“I would be devastated if GCSU decided to remove ‘inclusion and belonging’ from the mission statement because, historically, marginalized groups have had to fight to be in places, take up space in said places
Gonzalez-Labra alongside other students showed up to the meeting to provide feedback.
“I think they wanted to first talk about the situation with faculty before student involvement. They were receptive to our voices and wanted to clarify before we got confused. They said that they heard us and even asked us to draft up a mission statement of our own,” Gonzalez-Labra said.
Most students were concerned about the lack of certain sections missing from the new mission statement.
“There is one part glaringly missing from the new proposed mission statement and that is the section about inclusion and belonging,” Bella Young, a senior English major.
In the current mission statement, the inclusion and belonging section reads: “We foster a sense of belonging within a campus community that values diversity of intellectual thought, experiences and identifications.
Georgia College faculty, staff, and students intentionally embrace inclusivity to advance excel-
and be open with their identities,” Young said. “They shouldn’t have to do that at GCSU.”
Some students believe inclusion and belonging is an essential part of a liberal arts education.
“I came here to get a liberal arts experience,” Gonzalez-Labra said. “I wanted to ensure I had places to go to and implement my voice as a minority.”
The students who attended the feedback meeting reported feeling more hopeful after than before, but some remain weary that change will happen.
“While it seemed productive, I cannot help but consider how much of our sentiments they will take into consideration,” Gonzalez-Labra said. “I want to be optimistic.”
To provide additional feedback on GCSU’s new mission statement visit this form https:// forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=-pzSv3GO5kKavJU6bW8H1ulTZsCt74VJsTLQ
Courtesy of Mutual Aid
Rylee Holland | Managing Editor
ACADEMIC
Continued from page 1
Emma “Joy” Jow, a Junior English major and team captain for the Women’s Cross-Country team, speaks to how she balances her academic load with the expectations derived from her sport.
“I honestly think my athletics help me with my academic performance,” Jow said. “Because it forces me to be extremely organized and have very intentional time management. If I know I have practice from 5 p.m.- 8 p.m., then I have to plan my time accordingly during the day to get work done, and I’m less likely to procrastinate.”
The pressure to excel in your sport and in school comes not just internally, but also through the University itself, as many maintain the ability to take away funding of scholarships, should a student’s grades drop below a certain point.
Jow’s experience as a thirdyear and captain of her team shows that GCSU students can reliably structure their time to combine the rigor of a large class-load with the demands of their team. Her experience also shows that students can maintain this balance while managing their own anxieties surrounding external pressures imposed by the school, coaches, parents, teammates and themselves.
Other students also tend to attribute this balance to good time management.
Emily Wright, a cross-country runner and senior philosophy major, shares her opinion on the subject.
“The key to balancing sports and school, for me, is time management.” Wright said.. “I am very intentional about how I spend my time, and I spe-
cifically create positive downtime between long study sessions and practice so my mind doesn’t get too overloaded.”
Wright’s experience mir-
spend time with friends even if I’m tired, because I never regret time spent with people.”
Jow’s emphasis on her social life, even when she feels
flexible, even when your entire day is scheduled, is a valuable skill that many athletes and individuals involved with multiple organizations devel-
member that rest is just as important as hard work. Don’t be too hard on yourself…because you always have someone in your corner to help you.”
rors that of athletes all across the nation, in every division. Many rely on detailed schedules or structured downtime in order to stay afloat.
While this structure helps, it often leaves little room for personal flexibility, leaving student-athletes to struggle when considering their social responsibilities as well.
Peering beyond academics and athletics, college athletes often face challenges in intertwining their social lives into their already blockedout schedules. Many athletes complain that strict curfews (having to be up for 6 AM practice) impede their social flexibility, introducing a sense of FOMO from over-prioritizing school and sports.
“I am extremely intentional with my time, and I make sure I allot enough time every day for all of my priorities,”
Jow said. “I have a color-coded Google calendar where I outline specific times for my athletics and academics so I can clearly see when I have time for socializing. I make sure I go out of my way to
drained from athletic and academic responsibilities, highlights the mental fortitude that many college athletes gain from years of conditioning within this structure and reflects the common reality that many athletes face: the risk of burnout without scheduled, intentional downtime, as noted by Wright.
“It’s similar to managing sports with school,” Wright said. “I really care about making time to relax and pursue hobbies. I go to trivia with friends each week and often study in groups to make things more fun. I’m good
The key to balancing sports and school, for me, is time management
-Emily Wright
at trapping myself in a study room, so scheduling time like this forces me so socialize and actually have fun.”
Wright’s approach mimics that of Jow’s and many college athletes around the nation. The ability to remain
op without even realizing it.
Despite the challenges presented, many college athletes find ways to maintain a healthy balance between their academic, athletic and social lives. These strategies from senior college-athletes stem from years of trial and error, learning the ins and outs of their abilities while also navigating their waning ambitions towards their three primary responsibilities, excluding self-care.
Incoming Freshman athletes may view collegiate athletics as daunting at first; however, their main lifeline for advice is in these senior students, who offer profound knowledge stemming from their experiences as student-athletes.
When asked to give a word of advice to incoming freshmen, Jow reflected on her first years and how she has learned from those experiences to maintain balance in her final two years at GCSU.
“I would tell them to give themselves grace to make mistakes,” Jow said. “It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed with so many responsibilities. Re-
The life of a college athlete is demanding but deeply rewarding. The journey is shaped by discipline, sacrifice and growth, as balancing academics, athletics and social lives requires strong support systems and a sturdy mental fortitude.
At schools like GCSU, the commitment to supporting athletes on and off the field and in the classroom is evident, as the US News’ report recently ranked the school as No.1 for Best Academic Success rate in the Nation, among all NCAA DII public universities.
As college sports continue to evolve and schedules grow increasingly demanding, the resilience and adaptability shown by student-athletes remain central to their success on the field and in the classroom. GCSU’s accolade comes as a recognition of the support systems the school has in place; however, it’s more of an award to each and every student athlete, as their success is obtained through their own application of their skills in time management while giving their all to their sport.
Courtesy of GCSU Athletics
GCSU students’ anticipation for the Olympics
Benjamin Clark Sports Editor
With just under six months until the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, the picturesque north-western Italian town of Milan is preparing to welcome the world’s audiences to one of Europe’s most historic cities.
The coming Winter Olympics, officially recognized as Milano-Cortina 2026, will mark Italy’s first showing of the Winter Olympics since the 2006 games in Turin.
Milan’s close proximity to the Italian Alps makes this venue particularly special, with the surrounding mountains and snowy peaks, viewers will likely anticipate the beauty of Milan’s cityscape as well as the breathtaking view of the Alps.
Among Olympic fans remains a contentious attitude surrounding the Summer and Winter games, specifically, which ones are preferred and why.
“I would say I look forward to both for different reasons,” said Megan Mainor
a senior environmental science major. “I love the Summer Olympics because I get really into watching the gymnastics, but my favorite sport to watch is the Figure Skating in the Winter Olympics.”
account all aspects of the City’s beauty and its unique surrounding environment.
Much like the prior Summer Olympics in Paris, athletes and viewers will need to travel across the host country
opinions concerning their excitement for the coming Olympic Games in Milan.
“Generally not, I don’t really keep up with the Olympics,” said Lulu Whitener, a junior english major. “I try
Milan’s role as a host city for the Winter Olympics is very unique, while indoor events such as ice skating will be held within the city’s urban area, nearly all alpine-related sports will take place in Cortina d’Ampezzo, as well as other mountain venues several hours away.
This structure of the Olympic Games highlights not just the host city, but also its surrounding area, taking into
in order to view certain events, creating both an appreciation for the sport and for the beauty of the natural landscape.
The 2025 Summer Olympics in Paris were some of the most-watched Olympic games in recent history, owing much thanks to this newer structure, which uses not just the host city, but also the surrounding towns and historical landmarks.
GCSU students share their
to, but I usually get caught up with other stuff. I wish I could do more because I think it brings people together.”
In recent years, worldwide viewership surrounding the Olympics has fluctuated, but indicators, such as the success of the Paris Olympics, predict strong interest in the 2026 Games.
During these games, the International Olympic Committee reported spiking engagement among younger audiences, a trend that is expected to continue. During the 2026 Milan games, men’s and women’s alpine skiing is projected to dominate national interest, while figure skating is expected to be viewed by most internationally.
“I absolutely love watching figure skating,” Mainor said. “I get very invested every Winter Olympics.”
Milan-Cortina 2026 will not introduce any brand-new Olympic sports; however, it will feature new and expanded formats that endorse competitive diversity and expose criticisms surrounding gender inequality, primarily through the addition of mixed-team events, such as skiing and snowboarding.
Historically, the most watched Winter Olympic events have been figure skating, snowboarding and alpine skiing, as reported by the data surrounding the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
GCSU ATHLETES THANKSGIVING LETTERS
Bryan Cade Asst. Sports Editor
Georgia College & State University prides itself on its athletic department. GCSU athletes are a significant part of the on-campus experiences students can have; however, when it comes to being an athlete, support is arguably one of the most critical parts of the journey
GCSU’s athletic department provides extraordinary levels of support, from the coaching and training staff and fellow teammates to the directors of athletics and the fundraising staff. Nevertheless, the most essential part of support for GCSU athletes is the parents who have cheered them on from the beginning.
In anticipation of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, the following are thank-you letters from GCSU athletes to their parents and family members who have supported them throughout their athletic journey.
Shipley Smith:
“My parents’ support has been the most important aspect of my journey at GCSU,” Smith said. “Without them, I wouldn’t be half the man I am today. They’ve always strongly encouraged me to chase my passions
and give my best in everything I do.”
Smith, a runner for the men’s cross country team, is currently a sophomore at GCSU and the son of Jeff and Elizabeth Smith. He had an overall successful season on the men’s cross country team, even being named Zaxby’s Player of the Week in late October for his success in helping GCSU to a third-place finish at the Peach Belt Conference Championship, and finishing just one spot shy of All-Conference. Smith also led the Bobcats in the NCAA Southeast Regional, finishing 46th of 173 competitors.
Emma Shanklin:
“My mom always makes it her mission to be at every cross-country meet I have,” Shanklin said. “It doesn’t matter if it’s in Georgia or South Carolina, she’ll do everything in her power to be there. I am so grateful to have someone in the crowd looking for me. Her support is something I carry with me in every race.”
Shanklin, a runner for the women’s cross country team, is a new Bobcat, being a freshman at GCSU and has quickly adapted to the collegiate level of cross country. She is the daughter of Lisa and Alan Shanklin. She led the Bobcat women’s cross country team at
the Peach Belt Conference Championship, finishing just one spot shy of the All-Conference mark, but the Bobcats finished fourth. She also set a new personal best of 23:50.8 at the NCAA Southeast Regionals, finishing 43rd of 174.
Ella Hayes:
“I would not be half of who I am today without all of my family’s support,” Hayes said. “They have driven countless hours, so many hotel stays, early mornings, all for me to do the thing I love, play soccer. They are my biggest supporters and my biggest role models. Whether it’s my sister making the almost fourhour drive from her school while being a student athlete herself, or my parents making the drive for just about every home and away game, their dedication to being there for me is unwavering. They push me to be a better person and athlete, and I cannot thank them enough for all the love they show me.”
Hayes, a goalkeeper on the women’s soccer team, is currently a sophomore at GCSU and the daughter of Susanne and Sean Hayes. Her sister Kaylie also played goalkeeper for Young Harris College. Hayes had an electric year protecting the goal for the Bobcats this season, going on to be named Peach Belt
Conference Goalkeeper of the Week in early October, allowing only one goal in fifteen shots in two games. Hayes made 25 saves for the Bobcats in just over 640 minutes for GCSU this season.
Reina Checo:
“My parents have shown up to mostly every game, and are always only a call away if I need to vent about the stresses of being a student athlete,” Checo said. “It makes a huge difference and makes me work hard every day to make them proud.”
Checo, a utility player on the GCSU softball team, is a junior at GCSU and the daughter of Camisha and Francisco Checo. Checo had the privilege of playing with her sister Divina in the prior few seasons; however, she still has the chance to have her sister on the sidelines as a graduate assistant for the 2026 season. While the softball season has not come around this school year, Reina has had a successful time as a Bobcat, slashing a career .266/.410/.377 with four home runs and 28 RBI.
GCSU athletes are a big part of campus life; however, no one can ever forget about the parents who have supported our Bobcats on their path to playing in Milledgeville.
Courtesy of Brittany Lamele
Courtesy of Austin Zschach
Courtesy of Austin Zschach
Courtesy of McKinsley Lewis
Benjamin Clark | Sports Editor
National Healthy Skin Month
Sydney Williams Asst. A&L Editor
November is National Healthy Skin Month and GCSU is using the occasion to encourage students to slow down and take better care of themselves. As students navigate the stress of exams, projects and upcoming finals, many are turning to small selfcare rituals, including skincare, as a way to stay grounded. Paying attention to skin health offers students an accessible way to build healthier habits and support overall well-being, both mentally and physically.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, “The AAD launched the first National Healthy Skin Month in Nov. 1997. Since then, it’s become an annual event in which the AAD and dermatologists emphasize the importance of good skin care, share tips that can lead to healthier skin, hair or nails and encourage you to take time to pay attention to your skin, hair, or nails and adopt healthy habits to care for them.”
Bobcats FIRST, a campus program focused on student success and well-being, recently hosted a “Skincare & Self-
Friendsgiving
Continued from page 1
Care” workshop that brought students together to make DIY face masks, learn simple skincare steps and talk about how small routines can support both physical and mental health.
For Emily Jarvis, assistant vice president for student health and wellbeing, the event was about more than mixing ingredients. She explained how students often overlook the emotional benefits of taking a few minutes for themselves.
“We want to encourage students to take mindful moments for themselves,” Jarvis said. “Self-care doesn’t mean just scrolling TikTok. It can be more productive than that, like taking a few minutes for skincare. Skin care is just one example of a healthful but quick and easy way to take care of your inner self.”
Students today are surrounded by influencers and beauty trends that make elaborate routines look like the norm. It is easy to get swept up in the excitement of trying new serums or mixing different products that promise instant results.
Jarvis noted that skincare does not have to be over-
While many students embrace the tradition with the community they’ve built at GCSU, others extend the celebration beyond campus. For students whose closest friends live in different cities or belong to hometown circles, Friendsgiving is a time to reunite with those they do not get to see as often.
“Last year, my siblings and I had a Friendsgiving where each of us invited some of our close friends,” said Laura Mei Sanders, a sophomore nursing major. “We all just hung out, and we were able to catch up and relax.”
For Sanders and others, the hol-
whelming or costly, what matters most is maintaining habits that fit individual needs.
“There’s a lot of pressure in the media to meet certain
explained how it is an issue she sees across campus, including in her own routine.
“As college students, our tendencies to have high stress
beauty standards, but the positive side of that coin is that people are taking care of their skin younger and younger,” Jarvis said. “What GCSU students should know is that you don’t need a ten-step, $200 routine. Skincare should be about finding what works for your chemistry and what gives you a mindful self-care moment every day to ground yourself.”
Skincare tends to fall to the bottom of priorities for students, especially during latenight study sessions or weeks packed with exams. Peyton Eley, a senior business major,
iday is especially meaningful when it brings together the friends they rarely see face-to-face during the semester. Between busy schedules and long distances, the chance to gather around a table together can be rare.
“It’s so sweet, getting your close friends coming together and just having a good time to hang out with each other and catch up on everything,” Sanders said.
While Friendsgiving is typically in a pot-luck style, with one host and a spread of Thanksgiving staples, some college students with limited kitchens or tight schedules chose to improvise.
“We all went out to eat at a restaurant, and then we all just sat together, had fun, talked, ate our food and
levels, stay up until late at night and consume a lot of junk food while cramming for exams or writing papers can have harsh impacts on our skin,” Eley said. “It’s important for us to prioritize our health (and skin health) while still getting those study hours in.”
Bobcats FIRST’s workshop included stations where students created their own face masks with natural ingredients, which helped show just how simple skincare can be. The activity was a surprise for many, being located right on front campus.
had a really good time,” Kroll said. Kroll said she traded the traditional turkey and stuffing for a
pub-style meal, and in the true spirit of Friendsgiving shared plates with a friend to try different dishes.
“I had two different dishes because I split with a friend, so I had fish and a burger, but I think the fish
“I learned that natural products are really beneficial for your skin and that it’s so easy to make your own face mask at home,” Eley said. “It felt like I was mixing up a little potion and it was so fun to make it myself instead of just picking one up that had already been made.”
The activity fits within the broader purpose of the Bobcats FIRST workshop series, which aims to combine practical skills with opportunities for reflection and emotional growth.
“This month, leading up to finals and the holidays, we focused on self-care,” Jarvis said.“The activity was skincare related, but the real message was about creating rituals and routines that have a great effect on your mental health.”
As the message behind National Healthy Skin Month encourages people to pay closer attention to simple daily habits, GCSU students are also discovering that skincare isn’t only about appearance, it’s another way to slow down, reset and support their well-being during one of the busiest times of the year.
is my favorite out of all,” Kroll said. For Sanders, her group chose to celebrate at Pickle Barrel, a local favorite known for its fried pickles, burgers and wings. While it was far from the standard Thanksgiving meal, she said it was no less festive for those who gathered.
“After church, our small group went to Pickle Barrel and just we hung out, talked about random stuff and had a good time,” Sanders said. Whether they gather around plates of fish and fried pickles or tables of gravy and pumpkin pie, for GCSU students Friendsgiving is a time to enjoy the relationships and memories that they’re grateful for this Thanksgiving season.
Courtesy of Emily Jarvis
Person cutting a turkey.
GCSU’S GUIDE TO SURVIVING FINALS SEASON
Margaret Scarbrough Contributing Writer
As the end of the semester quickly approaches, students at GCSU are preparing for finals week. This year, finals are scheduled from Dec. 9-12 before the holiday break. During this time, it is common to see on-campus spaces such as the library and front campus fill up due to their convenience and resources.
However, with close deadlines and group study sessions comes an uptick in stress. Elevated stress levels can be due to a change in daily routine, increased academic pressure, a higher volume of work and individual or societal pressure. According to a Spring 2024 survey by the American College Health Association, 76.4% of American college students reported moderate to high stress levels within the 30 days prior to the survey.
“I personally believe things could be spread out a little more to put less pressure on students. It can affect mental health to balance so many things at once,” said Naomi Gee, a junior political science major.
Gee is not the only one who has noticed the correlation between academics and mental health.
“It is especially stressful,” said Julia Stephenson, a junior biology major. “Maybe instead of a final test, we could do a final project.”
Staff members willingly offered their advice and tips to help make finals week less stressful.
“We definitely see an uptick in students during finals week,” said Abby Dugger, learning center graduate assistant. “Our tutors sometimes offer extended hours during the day, and we have a larger volume of tutors to keep up with the students”.
Dugger believes staying organized and asking for help when needed can lower stress.
“Make sure to take note of dates in your syllabus, and if you’re struggling, you’re more than welcome to drop in,” Dugger said. “We have tutors that are also students and are happy to help.”
When reflecting on her undergraduate years, Dugger emphasized the importance of taking breaks.
“Spending time in nature helps
me take a pause from studying and let myself decompress, slow down and be more present,” Dugger said.
According to the University of North Carolina’s Learning Center, taking intentional breaks can help the mind retain more information and lead to better recall. To many students at GCSU, personalized study habits combined with leisure activities help with the demands of school and work.
“I like using the library, but preferably in the middle of the night because it’s quiet,” Gee said. “I then use the weekends to find time to hang out with friends,”
Other students have different preferences when it comes to studying.
“I really like to study upstairs in the Integrated Science Complex, and sometimes outside if there is seating. I like to study during the day and take time to wind down at night,” Stephenson said.
According to the National Institute of Health and ScienceDirect, chunking is the recording of smaller units of information into larger, familiar units. This bypasses the limitations of short-term memory. Our brains can only focus on one
thing for so long, especially during periods of high stress. Studying for hours without breaks may seem beneficial short-term, but it is better to split tasks up into manageable sections. It is no doubt that finals can be
stressful, but with the right tools and resources, it can be an opportunity to learn and grow as a person. Having a good support system, using campus resources and asking for help will prepare students not only for class discussions, but also throughout college, graduate school, the workforce and life.
AI generated song reaches top of billboard chart
Lucy Nunez Staff Writer
The song “Walk My Walk” by Breaking Rust is an entirely AI generated song that has recently hit number one on Billboard’s Country Digital Song Chart. With three million streams on Spotify in less than a month, “Walk My Walk” has
in the mix, artist Lydia Caesar commented on an Instagram post regarding the song.
“No breath, no inflection and it sounds very crunchy.
The song would actually be good if they got a real singer to sing it! As a real singing artist, I’m tired y’all,” Caesar said.
Other sides of the argument hold true to Breaking Rust’s fanbase and support his Ins-
started a large conversation across the music industry and social media surrounding the future of music creativity. Adding a singer’s opinion
tagram page and music with likes and positive comments. Along with “Walk My Walk’s” viral outbreak on social media, the creation of Breaking Rust and “Walk My
Walk” has recently been credited to Aubierre Rivaldo Taylor. Little is known about him except for his online presence “Breaking Rust” on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
Taylor and his songs continue to bring debate on social media and have recently spread to news platforms.
According to a CBS News video, “AI generated ‘Walk My Walk’ by ‘Breaking Rust’ tops the charts.”
A CBS news reporter shows statistics from IPSOS polling firm describing listeners’ inability to differentiate between AI and human made music.
“97% of listeners could not differentiate between AI and human made music,” said a CBS News Reporter.
With that high of a statistic, GCSU students are unsurprised due to the similarity of AI music and human made music.
“That statistic is very high but fair,” said Mariana Alvarez, a sophomore Spanish major. “I was scrolling on YouTube, came across Breaking Rust, then listened to a few songs and the voice sounded very real.”
CBS News also hosted Andrew Chow, a technology correspondent for the company Time and interviewed him on his thoughts on how AI will shape the music industry.
“First off, the Billboard chart was not real,” Chow said. “I think it is concerning that people can’t tell the difference between AI and human made music as AI is increasing in the music industry.”
For many listeners, the line between human and AI-made music is becoming harder to spot.
“I was scrolling on Instagram the other day and ‘Walk My Walk’ came up on my reels page,” said Spencer Boyd, a sophomore marketing major. “When I first listened, I thought that it was a real artist but was in disbelief when I saw comments mentioning AI.”
Along with GCSU students, student band Subatomic expresses concern with the rise of AI artists, songs and the future of the music industry.
“I am concerned that artists are deciding to use AI to write songs and artist names,” said
Alyx Humayra, lead vocalist in Subatomic. “AI takes the human emotion and connection away from the song and fans.”
GCSU’s music department has thoughts of their own regarding the increase of AI in the music industry.
“I think it’s a blatant cash-grab and speaks to the soullessness of the popular music business,” said Dr. Allen, associate professor of music. “When maximization of profit is the ultimate goal, companies are going to try anything at their disposal to pump out content cheaply.”
Performers are also participating in the debate and sharing thoughts through news interviews as well.
“It’s definitely going to influence the future of the music industry in a lot of ways,” said Daniel Gerard Breland, a rapper and songwriter, told The New York Post. “At some point, when AI is good enough at making compelling music, these companies are going to start growing their own AI artists and promoting them over human artists.”
Reaghan Shehee | Digital Media Editor
Mary Ciucevich | Editor-in-Chief
CATERWAUL: a shrill howling or wailing noise like that of a cat; commonly associated with a bobcat
A message from the Colonnade staff
On behalf of The Colonnade staff we would like to present our newest submission column, “The Caterwaul.” This is an opportunity for students to share their poetry, flash fiction, photography, drawing, comic strips and more. We are extremely excited to give students more of a place in the paper and for their creativity to be acknowledged and published. We encourage any and all students to reach out and ask questions. In the spirit of GCSU’s mascot, Thunder, the name of this column takes inspiration from all that is a bobcat. Caterwauling is the noise bobcats make often, and that is what The Colonnade intends to do with this column: make noise with your voice.
GCSU STUDENTS GIVE THANKS
Courtesy of Haley Paige | Freshman, undeclared major
“I am always grateful for my horse because he is always there for me and always brightens my day no matter what.”
Courtesy of Kaitlyn Taylor | Junior, buisness major
“I am grateful for the ministry of Campus Outreach and the friends I have made through it! And for the opportunity to go on the summer leadership project these past two summers(picture).”
Courtesy of Savannah Carley | Senior, art major
family because we always have so much fun together and always can count on one another!”
Courtesy of Madi Morton-Leach | Junior, psychology major “Grateful for friends and family”
Courtesy of Sarah Waldron | Junior, sociology major “Grateful for family and friends”
