School lunch debt
Who pays the price?
Brianna Heard Staff Writer
For millions of students across the United States, school meals are essential to their daily well-being. Yet, for many families, the cost of these meals is an overwhelming financial burden, leaving children with unpaid meal debts and limited options.
According to the education data intiative, the national estimated school meal debt is $176 million a year. While some districts attempt to alleviate this burden through government assistance programs, many children still fall through the cracks, accumulating meal debt.
Teachers, cafeteria workers and community members have stepped up to address the problem, sometimes
raising money through donations or social media campaigns. However, their efforts are not always welcomed by school administrations.
Near the end of 2024, cafeteria worker for Shelby Elementary School in Alabama, Avette Dunn, wanted to make sure no child went hungry and began collecting donations to help pay for student’s food. However, she was terminated shortly after due to being untrained in handling donations for the school.
Jack McKinney, a junior rhetoric major, described the situation as both realist and dystopic.
”Faculty should not get fired for committing an act of great charity, but in the process of doing that charity is to acknowledge the reality of a broken education system,” McKinney said.
Many were angered by Dunn’s termination, arguing that she performed a good deed. Schools hold food drives, operate food pantries and accept donations as short-term fixes for meal debt, so many wonder why faculty are being punished for helping students in need.
When a student has a negative balance in their account, they are often punished or embarrassed by the school. Sometimes students are given
St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah
Mary Ciucevich
A&L Editor
March 17 marks the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day around the world. While many places like Chicago, Boston and New York host parades and celebrations of the Irish holiday, I think Savannah, Ga.’s St. Paddy’s Day parade puts it on top, making it my favorite day of the year.
“I absolutely loved it,” said Kylie Totten, a junior education major and parade first-timer.
“The St. Patrick’s Day parade and celebration in Savannah was so lively and it was really awesome to see how invested so many people were in all the festivities.”
The celebration of St. Paddy’s Day has become widely important in Savannah due to the city’s deep-rooted Irish heri-
tage. Savannah is home to many Irish and Celtic groups and organization chapters, like the Hibernians, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, The Irish Society, The Daughters of Ireland, the Savannah Port Society, Savannah Gaelic Athletic Association and many more.
“I think that because we have such a large Irish Catholic population it just is a big deal for the people that are here,” said Julia Whalen, a junior marketing major and native of Savannah.
The first public observance in Savannah of what became known as the St. Patrick’s day parade took place in 1824, with the Hibernian Society’s lead. In present day the parade is commemorated with over 280 different units of bands, families, societies, soldiers and public and commercial floats.
In 2025 Savannah’s parade marked the 201st anniversary of the celebration of the Irish. The parade followed the same route it has for several years, totaling around three miles long per start of the route.
Savannah’s Irish season starts in early February and kicks off with the Savannah Irish Festival, which hosts many traditions including the eating of Irish foods, gathering of the societies, the viewing of Irish dancers, music and the selling of various items of Irish origins or nature. The season consists of other traditional events like the grand marshalls’ investiture and greening of the fountains, all leading up to the main event, the parade.
While many people have traditions of watching the parade in designated spots, my family
a cheaper, cold meal option and are not allowed to eat a warm meal.
Breanna Thompson, a music education major, believes no one should have to go into debt over food.
“The faculty who help kids eat should be given some type of award and recognition for the outstanding kindness that the employee shows,” Thompson said.
NBA update
Brennan Schmitz Sports Editor
As the NBA approaches the 2025 playoffs, which begin on Saturday, April 19, teams across the league are fighting for playoff spots and better placement.
The Cleveland Cavaliers currently sit atop the Eastern Conference, boasting a 57-14 record and clinching the Central Division.
The Cavaliers are led by veteran shooting guard Donovan Mitchell, who averages 23.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game.
The defending champion Boston Celtics follow close behind in the east with a record of 52-19, and they do not look to be slowing down anytime soon, winning 10 of their last 11 games en route to the tune of a guaran-
teed postseason berth. The Celtics are led by star small forward Jayson Tatum and 2024 NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown. Tatum leads the team in average points, assists and rebounds, with 27.2, 5.9 and 8.7, respectively. Brown averages 22.8 points per game. In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder lead with a league-best record of 59-12. The Thunder, after losing talents like James Harden, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook and experiencing a period of down years, seem to be back in competition for an NBA title.
The team looked to make a run last year, but after finishing the regular season at an impressive 59-25, that run was cut short in the second round by the Dallas Mavericks
See NBA | Page 4
and many others walk in the parade each year. For as long as I can remember my family and I have walked with the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), one of the soci-
eties my dad is a part of.
“It’s been very special here, maybe because Savannah is very historic, a port city or because there are a lot of people here who love to cele-
The illusion of clothing sizes
Molly Goff Opinion Editor
OPINION In recent memory,
I love to shop, especially online shopping. However, my biggest pet peeve is shopping online and realizing that the measurements are not all that true to size…..
There are many online representations of this struggle shown in a term called “vanity sizing,” more typically known in stores where they
will only have in stock on a saleroom floor sizes between 0-4. These sizes contain the ideal image of a consumer, not how the range of consumers actually purchase size-wise.
In a time where personal identity is often linked to appearance and self-expression, the fashion industry’s embrace of “vanity sizing” poses serious downsides for young consumers. As clothing sizes continue to shrink their clothing and still be sized normally, the impact of these altered measurements takes over shopping
habits, self-esteem and body image. Vanity sizing, a marketing strategy that allows brands to label their garments with smaller sizes than actual measurements, empowers companies to create an appealing illusion. Especially for young girls and even extending to students on our GCSU campus, the perception of wearing a “size small” can be intoxicating, lending a sense of status in social interactions and on social media platforms.
However, this superficial allure often masks a larger concern: the disconnect between size labels and reality, which can lead to confusion and frustration among consumers.
See SIZES | Page 9
brate,” said Keelie Mincey, a freshman mass communications major and Savannah native.
Mary Ciucevich | A&L Editor
See SAVANNAH | Page 7
Julia Jensen | Art Director
Spring break, no gos!
Lily Reynolds Staff Writer
As spring break season commences, Florida beach destinations are implementing different strategies to manage the annual influx of college students and young adults, balancing tourism revenue with public safety concerns.
One of the cities in Florida is Miami Beach, whose actions include closing nine parking garages and all city parking lots during peak weekends, with any remaining locations charging flat rates of $30 during later March weekends—a substantial increase from the usual $2 hourly rate. Non-residents face potential towing fees exceeding $500.
The City of Fort Lauderdale recently unveiled an advertising campaign with a reality television show theme on Feb. 26. The campaign targets spring break visitors with a clear message encouraging them to “know the rules” and “enjoy our city responsibly.”
Owen Godfrey, a freshman biology major says, “Yeah I saw
Fort Lauderdale’s announcement on TikTok and it was funny while also keeping the spring breakers informed.”
This initiative represents Fort Lauderdale’s effort to promote responsible tourism while
tains a more welcoming approach, though with conditions. The city commission approved parking fee increases at beach-adjacent lots to $100 daily, hoping to influence visitor behavior. Despite these measures,
on beaches from Feb. 23 through Apr. 12, alongside increased police presence. These balanced measures reflect the city’s evolution from its overwhelming spring break crowds of the 1970s and 1980s.
own enhanced enforcement strategies, with law enforcement agencies coordinating with state authorities to prevent drug-related incidents and violence.
“I’m going to Panama City beach, and it seems
maintaining its appeal as a popular spring break destination. The advertisement aims to establish expectations for visitor behavior while still welcoming tourists to experience what the city has to offer.
City officials hope this approach will help balance tourism revenue with community needs during the busy spring break season.
Fort Lauderdale main-
VOLUME 105 | NO. 6
Editorial Board
Delaney Derry.................
Editor in Chief
Fort Lauderdale still emphasizes its inclusive philosophy with their “everyone under the sun is welcome” message.
In addition to a daily beach clean-up at 5:30 p.m., the city announced “increased enforcement” in specified locations and at specific times of the day.
Fort Lauderdale’s approach includes prohibiting coolers, alcohol and amplified music
Paige Blakemore............
Julia Jensen......................
Shadimon Smith............
Rylee Holland.................
Brennan Schmitz...........
Benjamin Clark...............
Mary Ciucevich...............
Kennedy Welker..............
Molly Goff.........................
Isabella McComis..........
Matthew Malkowski.....
Rebecca Ocampo..........
Kassie Arps.......................
Scott Dillard.....................
Managing Editor
Art Director News Editor
Asst. News Editor
Sports Editor
Asst. Sports Editor
Arts & Life Editor
Asst. Arts & Life Editor
Opinion Editor
Digital Media Editor
Digital Media Editor
PR Manager
Ad Sales Manager
Faculty Adviser
The advertisements depict the two cities’ different points of view on spring break: Fort Lauderdale encourages visitors to come as long as they abide by the city’s regulations, while Miami Beach advises them to completely avoid this popular vacation spot.
Other popular destinations like Panama City Beach, Clearwater and Daytona Beach are implementing their
@TheColonnade
Miami Beach focuses on strict enforcement to prevent the chaos seen in previous years, other destinations are finding their balance between welcoming visitors and maintaining public safety.
Further into Panama City Beach they are implementing special safety measures, to ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment, the following regulations will be strictly enforced: a beach alcohol ban (consuming or possessing alcoholic beverages on the sandy beach is prohibited during March) and limited alcohol sales hours (alcoholic beverages cannot be purchased between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m.).
like the same rules, so I’m not worried,” said Maddie Freeman, a junior education major. “You just have to go on the first day and feel out where you’re staying.”
The contrast between Miami Beach’s “breaking up with spring break” campaign and Fort Lauderdale’s conditional welcome, highlights the different strategies Florida cities are using to manage tourism. While
“I don’t plan to drink or anything just to avoid getting into any trouble,” said Avery Arnold, a nursing major. “ I went to PCB last year too, and it wasn’t that bad with rules.”
These temporary laws are an addition to existing regulations and are designed to provide a safe environment for all visitors and residents during the busy Spring Break season.
@TheColonnade
Contributing writers are always welcome at The Colonnade. Contact thegcsucolonnade@gmail. com for more information.
If you have a tip or wish to contact The Colonnade, email thegcsucolonnade@gmail. com or message our Instagram @thecolonnade.
The Colonnade is now primarily published online. Read at issuu.com/thecolonnade or on bobcatmultimedia.com.
Julia Jensen | Art Director
DEBT
Continued from page 1
The National School Lunch Program, or NSLP, is designed to provide free or reduced-cost meals to students from low-income households. However, eligibility criteria and administrative hurdles mean that some families who need assistance do not receive it. Many are fighting for the meals to be
free to all students.
Some school districts, like Baldwin County, have already taken that step. Superintendent Dr. Noris Price, assures there is no outstanding debt for any students in the Baldwin County School District.
“All of our students receive free breakfast and lunch on a daily basis,” Price said.
However, this is not the case for most school systems. The Wyoming
Valley West School District in Pennsylvania sent letters to parents, threatening to place students in foster care if their school lunch debt of $10 or more was not settled.
Mckinney feels that we could solve these issues in schools with a cultural shift in how we view schooling as a national society.
“We need to take school seriously,” McKinney said. “Parents rely on it to help their children
grow, and it only seems logical for a necessary aspect of schooling to be provided in the fees.”
Thompson never personally struggled to pay for lunch, but she recalls how her church had a program called GROW to help feed families who could not afford meals. She explained that in some cases, this was the only source of food for these families.
Food has become a luxury for many, rather
than a necessity. If some children rely on churches for meals, it suggests that schools may not be fully meeting students’ nutritional needs.
“School is a hub for education, creativity, self-expression and community building,” Mckinney said. “The fuel for intellectual stimulus, I would argue a necessity for educational and creative engagement, should be guaranteed to all children, regardless of
economic background. The issue of school meal debt continues to spark debate among educators, policymakers and communities. As some districts move toward universal free meals while others enforce strict repayment policies, the conversation remains focused on finding sustainable solutions that ensure students have access to the food they need to succeed.
Georgia House passes bill 268 for school safety
Allie Smith Staff Writer
Georgia lawmakers, Hold Persinger passed House Bill 268 in a vote of 159-13 on Tuesday, March 6, proposing measures to prevent violence in schools across the state.
The bill would require schools to participate in creating a student database, provide mental health support, and positions to oversee mental health treatment for students. Supporters of this bill say that this will allow schools to better identify potential threats and ensure protection.
“Having safer schools is incredibly important but our schools should already be safe,” said Jailey Ferrer, a sophomore mass communications major. “Staff members and students should be able to feel safe without the fear that their schools
will be shot up using an automatic weapon that not a single American should be carrying outside of a gun range.”
Representative John Smith, a sponsor of the bill, proclaimed that the legislation was a response to the Apalachee High School shooting that injured multiple students.
If the bill passes through the Senate and is signed into law, the statewide student database could be in use by next year, but it will need a lot of funding and cooperation between the different school districts, law enforcement and mental health professionals. Although the bill is a step toward preventing further school tragedies, some people are still distrustful about its ability to fully address the root causes of school violence.
Some critics question whether the creation of the database and mental
health information will lead to a positive change in student safety, especially in the communities that lack the resources.
“This bill is a good thing in retrospect,” Ferrer said. “The reason we even need these laws is because we do not have stricter gun laws which would prevent these massacres from happening.”
The statewide student database will store information about student’s disciplinary histories, mental health assessments, and law records. By having this data easily accessible, Georgia will be able to identify students at risk of having violent behavior. Supporters of the bill argue that this will help educators and administrators gain a better understanding of students’ backgrounds and give them a chance to intervene before a bad situation.
In addition, the bill establishes a new position to oversee more mental health services in schools with the help of a grant from the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health. The bill aims to make sure that students have access to different resources they need. This establishment within the bill will involve coordinating with the local mental health professionals to ensure the students are getting the proper support.
The bill will be implemented across Georgia’s public schools, with the local school districts having to create the new database. Schools will be required to submit relevant student information.
This system will be used to track down students who may need additional resources or attention, which will allow schools to intervene before a violent outcome.
However, some have raised concerns about whether the database could lead to a complication with an invasion of the student’s privacy and could affect people with mental health challenges.
“The ethics are definitely shaky,” said Elizabeth Kiene, a sophomore political science major.
“I think that the safety of the students should absolutely come
America takes the Panama Canal
Shadimon Smith News Editor
CK Hutchison Holding sold ports along the Panama Canal to American investment giant
BlackRock, Global Infrastructure Partners and Terminal Investment in a deal valued at about $28 billion.
BlackRock was founded in 1988 by eight partners and has grown into a trillion-dollar company by acquiring other companies and managing individual investments.
This deal happened after President Donald Trump mentioned that the canal was under Chinese control with CK Hutchison in control of major ports as it is a Hong Kong-based company.
“China is operating the Panama Canal,”
Trump said. “And we didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.”
Trump threatened to take the canal if something was not done to remove Chinese control.
The canal was made in the 1900s by the United States as a way for America to transport military equipment and for international trade. President
Jimmy Carter signed a treaty in 1977 to give the canal to Panama by the year 2000. The treaty went into effect in 1999, which is when Panama took over the canal.
Trump believes this was a bad decision made by President Carter.
The canal also became a neutral zone and connected 1,920 ports through 170 countries.
According to CNN,
the canal earned over five billion in profit and accounts for about 23% of Panama’s income.
Senator Ted Cruz made many claims that China could block passage using the canal because America sends about 70% of its container ships through these ports in January.
After U.S. Secretary Marco Rubio visited in February, Panama removed itself from China’s Belt and Road project. This project is meant to give more connections and gain cooperation between Asia, Europe and Africa to the rest of the world through infrastructure, transportation and trade. The project was started in 2013 and has helped China grow economically.
This has American
government officials worried for national security because the ports could be used by China as a way to spy.
The first two ports are in Balboa and Cristobal, which are at the ends of the canal. They are also taking over 43 other ports from Hutchinson that span 23 countries such as Mexico, Australia, Pakistan and Egypt.
“I think that putting one person in responsibility of all that is dangerous and can lead to more, like, I guess corruption is the word, where managing everything is not good for this individual company,” said Sydney Carrol, a sophomore psychology major.
Panama’s president has stated multiple times that China has no control over the ca-
nal or the way it is run.
This deal has to be approved by the Maritime Authority of Panama and they have requested the legal and financial documents regarding the deal.
The Authority will look over these documents to ensure that this deal does not harm anyone.
After the deal, Hutchison stocks dropped and China disagreed with the deal claiming that this was a betrayal to the Chinese people.
Some students feel that this purchase could be bad and cause problems between countries.
“I feel like that creates tensions between other people and countries,” Carrol said.
first but I feel like there are better ways to do it.”
Supporters of House Bill 268 hope that it will provide Georgia’s school district with the available tools to prevent future tragedies. By having easily accessible mental health services and a state-wide student database, they believe the bill can help create a safer environment for students and administrators.
“I’m not aware that any approval from Chinese regulators is required given CKH is retaining all of its existing Chinese ports,” Dan Baker, a senior equity analyst for Morningstar, told CNN.
China feels that America is forcing Panama to comply by making them back out of deals with them to get what America wants.
With the canal now under the control of an American company, Trump has started making plans to build a U.S. military presence along the canal. The planning could also include using Panama’s security forces but plans have not been finalized.
Even though CK Hutchison will keep its Chinese ports the government is still very upset and many think if the government does not agree the deal may fall through.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational
Benjamin Clark Asst. Sports Editor
The Arnold Palmer Invitational is one of the most prestigious tournaments on the PGA Tour, held annually at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando, Florida.
The event was established in 1979 by the legendary golfer Arnold Palmer, quickly becoming a fan favorite due to Palmer’s involvement and the high level of competition it attracts. Known for its challenging course and rich history, the tournament has featured many of golf’s greatest players over the years.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational is typically played in March and is considered one of the key events in the leadup to the PGA Tour. The course at Bay Hill, designed by Palmer himself, is renowned for its difficulty, with tight fairways, water hazards and greens that demand a true test of skill.
The tournament featured a competitive field with 72 players. Nota-
Continued from page 1
Young star point guard
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the bonafide face of the Thunder and is currently the betting favorite to win the 2024-2025 NBA MVP by a wide margin. He averaged 32.8 points per game and leads his team in points, assists, field goal percentage and steals.
“[Shai Gilgeous-Alexander] is a beast,” said Owen Faulk, a senior accounting major. “I think he should’ve won
bly, 38 of the world’s top 40 players participated, including defending champion Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, Hideki Matsuyama, Collin Mori-
pull through and dominate the tournament.”
Coming into the tournament, analysts expected the winner to be Morikawa.
Morikawa is an American professional golfer
at the 2020 PGA Championship at Harding Park in San Francisco, securing victory in just his second major appearance.
Morikawa has also earned multiple PGA Tour victories since
er Invitational was a thrilling finish, marked by a dramatic late eagle on the 16th hole, which helped him secure the win. Henley, who had been trailing Morikawa, made a clutch move
kawa, Viktor Hovland and Tommy Fleetwood.
GCSU golf fans remark on their opinions on who might prevail in the tournament before its close on March 13.
“My money is on Rory,” said Spencer Collins, a junior business major. “He’s my favorite golfer and I follow him during the PGA tour. He has some tough competition but I think he can
MVP last year, but he really should this year.”
However, it seems Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić has always in the MVP conversation recently, and this year is no different.
Jokić, winning three of the last four MVP awards, leads his team in points, assists, field percentage, rebounds and steals per game. The Nuggets have a 45-27 record and currently hold the threeseed for the playoffs.
The Los Angeles Lakers, pulling off one of the biggest trades in profes-
who has quickly risen to prominence on the PGA Tour. He is known for his consistency, exceptional skill off-drive and ability to perform in high-pressure situations.
“Yeah Morikawa is an amazing golfer,” Collins said, “he’s a fresh face and very talented, I understand the analysts however anything can happen.”
Morikawa won his first major championship
sional sports in recent memory back in February, have put their new duo consisting of NBA superstars LeBron James and Luka Dončić to good use, earning a 43-27 record, which puts them at the top of the Pacific Division and at the fourseed for the playoffs.
The teams that have not accrued as great of records as others are still fighting for spots in the postseason.
While the New Orleans Pelicans, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets
becoming professional, including titles at prestigious events such as the WGC-Workday Championship.
As of March 13, Russell Henley clinched the title with an 11-under-par finish, beating out Morikawa by one stroke. Corey Conners secured third place, finishing at 9-under par.
Henley’s victory at the 2025 Arnold Palm-
are the only team to be eliminated so far, other teams on the cusp of a playoff berth will need to finish the season strong to avoid the same fate.
The Phoenix Suns currently hold the last playoff spot in the west. Despite having stars Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, the Suns have gone through some losing streaks throughout the season that have hindered their record.
However, they are currently on a threegame win streak, most recently beating the Cav-
close, I mean he only won by one stroke so it makes for a very exciting competition going into the PGA tour.”
during the final round at Bay Hill Club & Lodge, finishing at 11-under-par. Morikawa, who had led the tournament for much of the week, finished with 10-under-par in second place.
“I kinda expected that Russell Henley would dominate,” said Cooper Treadaway a junior business administration major, “but I didn’t think it would be this
Henley’s performance was a testament to his composure and skill, especially in the final moments when he needed to perform under pressure. His eagle on the 16th hole shifted the momentum, and although Morikawa played hard, Henley’s strong finish ensured his first victory in nearly three years. It was a breakthrough moment for Henley, earning him the top prize of $4 million and exalting him into the top 10 of the World Golf Rankings. The tournament was a true test of skill, with Bay Hill Club & Lodge providing a challenging and dynamic layout that forced players to stay focused throughout the weekend. Henley’s performance on the back nine ultimately sealed his victory, creating a thrilling conclusion to a prestigious event.
aliers 123-112, so there is reason to believe that they will make a strong push for the postseason.
The Miami Heat hold the last playoff spot in the east. After losing star forward Jimmy Butler, players like point guard Tyler Herro and center Bam
Adebayo have begun to step up in absence to avoid missing their first postseason since 2019.
As the final weeks of the regular season unfold, time will tell what teams make the final push for the playoffs.
Los Angeles Lakers Forward Labron James
Arnold Palmer Invitational
Ovechkin nears Gretzky’s record
Amelia McEwen Staff Writer
Washington Capitals hockey player Alexander Ovechkin scored his 885th career goal in a win against the New York Rangers to put him nine goals away from Wayne Gretzky’s record.
Gretzky holds 61 National Hockey League, or NHL, records including the most goals and the most assists. His goal record is 894, with an assist record of 1,963.
The tight race between Ovechkin and Gretzkyallows the world to witness the constant evolution and progress of hockey as a sport. Their commitment to the sport allows their audience to experience not just one, but two of the sport’s most respected players.
Ovechkin holds 886 goals with 714 assists. He has also played 12 few-
er games than Gretzky. For reference, Ovechkin scored 15 goals in 18 games at the start of the 2024-2025 season. Though, many argue that Ovechkin will never be as great of a hockey player as Gretzky.
“What has he done?” said Henry Jones, a junior management information systems major. “He’s just scored a lot of goals?”
Many hockey fans feel as if Ovechkin’s accomplishments are nowhere near the level of Gretzky’s.
Gretzky was placed into the Hockey Hall of Fame after his retirement and was inducted before the waiting period ended. Only nine other players have had this specific honor, signifying the true influence he has in the hockey world.
Some of Gretzky’s most notable achievements include: most ca-
reer goals, most career assists, most goals in a season and four Stanley Cup titles. These are only several of Gretzky’s records that have labeled him as “the greatest hockey player” by many.
Though Gretzky holds this title by many and has outstanding records, Ovechkin has his own set of achievements. A few of those include: most goals by a leftwing and most goals in three different decades.
Along with this, he has earned the Hart Memorial Trophy three times, which recognizes him as the NHL’s most valuable player. He also won the Conn Smythe trophy, awarded to an individual team’s most valuable player in the playoffs.
“He has also scored against 180 different goaltenders, despite advancements in goalie
equipment that arguably make this chase even more difficult,” according to olympics.com.
The advancements in goalie equipment explain how scoring has become more challenging over the years. This highlights the ability of Ovechkin to evolve his skills along with the sport, arguing for the side that sees Ovechkin as the next NHL. star.
Each player has their own set of achievements and records that signify their strong dedication to the sport.
“I don’t know if I could say Gretzky is the greatest of all time if he catches up, but he is a memorable player that people could look up to for motivation,” said Madi Hummel, a sophomore mass communication major.
There is a broader debate that involves the
recognition of Ovechkin’s achievements. His dedication to the game and his relentless pursuit of Gretzky’s record shows the level of commitment that truly resonates with hockey fans.
The hockey world watches closely as history is being made. As Ovechkin continues his chase of breaking the record for the most goals, debates about hockey’s greatest player persist.
Bobcats sweep Sand Sharks in three-game series
Bryan Cohen Contributing Writer
GCSU played the USC Beaufort Sand Sharks in a three-game set, beginning with the series opener on Friday, March 7, and concluding with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 8. The Bobcats entered the contest with a 9-11 record. However, they led the Peach Belt Conference standings with an undefeated conference record of 3-0 after completing a sweep of the Augusta University Jaguars a week prior.
Entering the opener on Friday, coach Nolan Belcher looked to his ace, junior John Luke Glanton, to set the Bobcats up.
GCSU attacked the Sand Sharks quickly to open the game, as a pair of walks to junior infielder Gabe Wuerth and sophomore first base Braeden Smith had sophomore outfielder Hank Noonan set up with an RBI opportunity, to which he answered with an RBI single to the left side of the infield. A throwing error from the USC Beaufort catcher drove Smith in right after.
Junior infielder Ben Hamacher and Smith teamed up to lead the fourth with a walk and a two-run home run. Shortly after, the Bobcats played station to station with the bases
loaded. Carson Phillips walked, Wuerth singled, Hamacher walked and Smith walked to drive in four runs and bring the score to 8-0.
“We worked the counts,” Smith said. “We slugged really well tonight. We had good at-bats, really happy with everyone’s play.”
However, the Sand Sharks showed some life in the bottom of the fourth, cutting the Bobcats’ lead in half at 8-4.
GCSU answered back with four runs of their own an inning and a half later, as Hamacher drove in a run on a sacrifice fly, and senior infielder Matthew Mebane crushed a pitch deep to center field to drive in three runs.
The USC Beaufort pitching quieted the Bobcat bats for an inning, but Smith walked once again to open the seventh, and a duo of
singles from sophomore outfielder Keagan
Baxter and junior outfielder Carson Phillips drove in two to complete the run-rule victory.
“Got a big swing from Braeden Smith and a big swing from Mebane,” Belcher said.
“It was good to see, and I’m very happy.”
Glanton pitched to the tune of 11 hits, giving up three earned runs and two walks while striking out five in his seven innings.
“Very proud of Glanton,” Belcher said.
“Wasn’t his best stuff today, but he continued to compete and kept us in the game.”
Game two of the series would, in turn, be the opener of a doubleheader, as Belcher sent out senior pitcher Bradley Wilson to secure the series victory.
Both starters shut
down the opposing offenses to open the contest, but the Sand Sharks struck first to open game two of the series.
However, three consecutive doubles from junior catcher Rand Bestermann, Wuerth, and Hamacher to open the bottom of the third was the Bobcats’ answer, driving in two runs, and a single from Mebane drove in the third of the inning.
A ball would strike Wuerth for a hit-by-pitch the following inning and walks to Hamacher and Smith set things up for Mebane to make some noise. Mebane sent the ball long over the right-centerfield fence for a grand slam, giving the Bobcats a 7-1 lead.
Junior outfielder Evan Cowan made his way around the bases via a walk, a stolen base, a flyout from Baxter and a balk to add on an-
other for the Bobcats.
GCSU set things up for the run-rule victory again in the bottom of the sixth. Wuerth led the inning with a triple, scoring on a wild pitch.
Noonan walked with the bases loaded, Cowan singled in a pair of runs and Noonan later scored on a wild pitch to bring the score to 13-1.
GCSU looked to close out the series with a sweep an hour later in the second game of the doubleheader, with senior pitcher Mason Brown starting for the Bobcats.
Neither pitcher let up through the first three innings, as both cruised until the Bobcat offense had seen enough of the zero in the runs column in the bottom of the fourth inning. A walk to Smith, his seventh of the series, and a hit-by-pitch to Noonan set things up for Baxter, to which he answered the call, hitting a home run to the opposite field to give the Bobcats a 3-0 lead.
Cowan added on a pair of runs an inning later as he drove in Smith and Noonan, and the Sand Sharks got on the board with an RBI single.
GCSU played the doubles game once again in the bottom of the seventh, this time with three consecutive from Cowan, Baxter and Phillips to drive in three, followed by a shot straight down
the line from freshman catcher/infielder J.D. Coleman, his first as a collegiate athlete, to bring the score to 10-1.
The Bobcats could not complete the run-rule victory in the contest, and the Sand Sharks scored another run in the top of the ninth via a ground out to shortstop, but the Bobcats still secured the sweep, winning 10-2.
“Very happy with our team after a sweep,” Belcher said. “It’s always tough to get a sweep in conference. All ten of our runs of game two today, came with two outs, which was favorable to see—a lot of clutch hits. Very impressed and happy for the guys, and hopefully we can build off of it.” Since the series against the USC Beaufort, the Bobcats have gone 5-4. They won a series against Georgia Southwestern State University, fought and won against Emmanuel University and finished an off-and-on road trip with a series win against Flagler College. They currently sit second in the Peach Belt Conference standings.
The Bobcats season continues Tuesday, March 25 against Valdosta State University. This will be a revenge contest, as the Bobcats dropped a single game to the Blazers 5-1 following the series against the Sand Sharks.
Courtesy of GCSU Athletics
Sophomore first baseman Braeden Smith celebrates a run with teammates
Washington Capitals left wing Alexander Ovechkin
GCSU’s evolution of fright
The campus horror club
Madison Hummel Staff Writer
The GCSU Fright Society is an on-campus organization that focuses on all aspects of horror media. It is collaborating with others in the English department to draw more attention to the variety of clubs offered.
Tanner Harris, a junior English major is the president and founder of the Fright Society. He was inspired to start the club as a way to bring together students who are passionate about multi-medium horror.
“The Fright Society is different from other clubs in that we appreciate these mediums of horror, and then critically engage with it,” Harris said. “We discuss why it’s scary, what its approach is and who it’s speaking to.”
our own ghost stories. It was a fun night for sure.”
“Horror isn’t afraid to talk about what makes us human,” Harris said. “I wanted to make a space to embrace the scare.”
The organization hosts events like movie watch parties, cemetery walks and discussions relating to the genre.
Jamaree Brown, a junior psychology major and club treasurer, enjoys all the events hosted by the organization and is proud to be a part of the Fright Society.
“My favorite aspect of the Fright Society is the variety of activities we get to do,” Brown said. “From our fun trivia nights and film screenings to the graveyard walks, there’s always something engaging and unique happening.”
Hanna Lovern, a freshman mass communication major and the
The Fright Society was founded in 2024 and has been gaining members steadily.
club’s GCSU Connect manager, appreciates the originality of the club and highlighted a memorable event held in the previous semester.
“My favorite event has
The Fright Society uses Milledgeville’s rich history to further conversations about horror.
“The plot of land that A&S is on was once a state penitentiary,” Har-
definitely been going to the cemetery together as a club,” Lovern said.
“We brought flowers to put on the graves that we felt needed some love and learned about Milledgeville’s history. We also talked about
ris said. “It is important to know our history and talk about all of the things that society shuns.”
The organization meets every month and holds different events throughout the semester.
“I’m really look-
Who should play Britney Spears?
Hope Martin Staff Writer
For a year now, there have been discussions of a Britney Spears biopic in the works.
The Spears biopic, based on her memoir “The Woman in Me,” will be directed by Jon M. Chu. Chu previously directed the Oscar-winning movie “Wicked,” which hit theatres late 2024.
“I haven’t really started anything fully yet,” Chu said in a clip from Pink News. “I have ideas, but it’s very early.”
Since the biopic’s announcement, many stars have been fan-cast as Spears, but no official announcement has been made.
Some popular choices have been well-established actresses like Florence Pugh and Sydney Sweeney.
“I would be interested in Florence Pugh,” said Colin Whitworth, a lecturer of rhetoric teaching a pop culture course this summer. “With the budgets and kind of coaches they have they can get anybody as good as they need for the performance stuff. But I would also be really excited by casting an unknown.”
Former Disney child stars, such as Sabrina Carpenter and Dove
Cameron, have been another common suggestion, with many feeling their shared background as child actresses and now singers could have them more accurately represent Spears’ story.
Some people additionally felt that not only looks had to be taken into account but that vibes and aesthetics needed to be considered too. Both singers in the past have made some Spears references in their videos.
“Tate’s got a little bit of attitude, she could pull off the raspier tone,” Daniel said. Some of these girlies have too clear of a tone to be Britney or are too clean to pull off the 2000s look.”
The most popular choice seemed to be Millie Bobby Brown, according to many. Brown recently dyed her hair blonde and has been going through a style change, some have suspected to possibly try and make herself more of a clear choice for the role. Brown in the past has said that playing Spears would be her dream role.
“I feel like Millie Bobby Brown could really, really capture the energy of Britney Spears,” said Tamara Bean, a junior philosophy major. “She can show the emotional depth and complexi-
ty. A bunch of actresses who want to be Britney seem to only want to be her for the icon status.”
Bean elaborated that actors and actresses can be taught skills needed for the job, as is done for the skating movie “I, Tanya”, where actress Margot Robbie, who plays Tanya Harding, learned how to ice skate for the part.
There have been some who feel that the actress who gets to play Spears should be someone unknown. Dolly Parton’s upcoming musical “Dolly” recently went viral for their use of open auditions, which raised awareness and excitement.
Many of Spears’ fans feel an open call would be more beneficial after witnessing the open auditions for “Dolly,” with many preferring someone to get their breakthrough through this role.
“Open calls are good, there’s a lot of nepotism in businesses,” Bean said. “A lot of films that have done open calls have produced the most knock-out stars, like the ‘Harry Potter’ or ‘Stranger Things’ casts. I think open calls are the most fair way to go about a business that is all about status.”
Despite much discourse over Spears’ cast-
ing forward to our upcoming movie nights,” Brown said. “It’s going to be a great time.”
The Fright Society has a strong sense of community and welcomes students to attend the monthly events. At upcoming meetings, attendees can expect games and interactive experiences for students to enjoy.
“I love the little community that we have built,” Brown said. “It really makes the experience special and memorable.”
There are several clubs formed through the English department that go unrecognized by students across campus.
The Fright Society has big plans to expand its reach within the GCSU campus in the near future. They are taking part in a department-wide newsletter to bring more attention to many unique clubs.
“By connecting with the other groups we can provide students with pathways into or-
ing, people agreed the most on who should play Britney Spears’ dad in the biopic. Many people who are possibly in the running for Britney Spears were instead sometimes preferred for the role of Jamie Lynn Spears.
“I don’t like Alec Baldwin, but I also don’t like Britney Spears’ dad,” Daniel said. “Unfortunately, Alec Baldwin is perfect for this.”
Whitworth felt similarly that there was an interesting parallel between Baldwin and Spears’ dad.
“I haven’t given a lot of thought to the family but I do think someone like Alec Baldwin, who himself is a controversial figure following the ‘Rust’ controversy, has something really interesting in the mirror of that,” Whitworth said.
GCSU faculty and students showed clear interest in the biopic, regardless of how the movie turns out.
“I will be watching optimistically to see what happens,” Whitworth said. “I think it could be wonderful or it could be a mess but I hope it’s nothing in between.”
Chu is reportedly aware of the fan casting speculations and takes them into consideration, but says he ultimately will not know anything
ganizations that pique their interest,” Harris said. “With a newsletter, clubs will have the space to announce their meetings and topics surrounding their clubs.”
The introduction of a consistent newsletter will allow clubs within the English department to broadcast their events to students faster and to a larger audience.
Students interested in joining The Fright Society are encouraged to attend the upcoming meetings.
“If you’re looking for a community related to anything horror and thriller media with kind people, please drop by,” Lovern said. “We’re always so excited to see new members who just enjoy talking and learning about this spectrum of genre.”
The Fright Society offers an outlet for horror fans of all genres to view and discuss media and be part of a unique community.
for sure until the movie’s production is closer.
Many young rising pop stars, such as Addison Rae and Tate Mcrae, who both started out as dancers, have been suggested to play Spears due to their strong dance background and likeness in appearance.
“The best option is Tate Mcrae or Bella Thorne,” said Mae Daniel, a master’s student of public administration.
Many celebrities that have been fan-casted as Spears have made public responses.
“I honestly don’t think anyone deserves to play Britney,” Rae said in an interview for The New Hit List.
Rae explained that she does not think it’s right to compare her to
Spears, expressing that Spears created something untouchable that no one can replicate.
Stars have had a range of reactions, from stating that no one could live up to Spears to expressing how honored they would be to be able to play Spears.
Mcrae expressed that the comparisons between her and Spears were both flattering and scary, according to Rolling Stone.
Many stars emphasized the story being told how Spears wants it to be, a sentiment shared by GCSU students.
“Britney Spears needs to be heard,” Bean said. “She’s been silenced for so long. We need her to tell her story, there’s so much we don’t know.”
Julia Jensen | Art Director
Julia Jensen | Art Director
ARTS & LIFE
SAVANNAH
Continued from page 1
Walking along-side other families, we would meet each year at a spot that would come to be called “the tree,” marking the start of our walk into the parade. Just like every other year, 2025 was no different, I gathered hometown friends and college friends and met at “the tree.”
My friends and I gathered early in the morning dressed in our green and white attire, beads and the traditional red lipsticks. Gathering at the tree waiting for everyone, you are greeted by an ensemble of bagpipes and a view of many of the parade floats, family gatherings and soldiers of various ranks.
During the duration of the parade walk, we wave, give out beads, hug anyone we know watching the parade and
wish each and every person a “Happy St. Patrick’s Day.” Myself and many others walking have been known to try and hype the crowds as we walk past, starting chants, the wave and giving high fives to children and adults alike.
Walking with the AOH, of whom consist of Irish men of all ages, has garnered many memorable moments over the years, my favorites have been the collection of Irish tunes they sing while walking. Childhood memories of walking with the same members of the same society, alongside childhood friends makes the holiday my favorite time of the year.
Once the parade walk comes to an end, we are greeted by the parade committee and the Grand Marshall of the parade year. The Grand Marshall is a man of Irish descent selected by the parade committee for his commit-
JAMES KIMBRELL
How poets think
Welker Asst. A&L Editor
Poet James Kimbrell visited GCSU for a Q&A on his craft of poetry and a reading of his most recently published collection of poems titled “The Law of Truly Large Numbers” on Monday, March 10 from 5:00-7:30 p.m. in the Pat Peterson Museum education room.
Kimbrell is a renowned poet and has been a professor at Florida State University for 20 years. His work has been published in anthologies such as the “Pushcart Prize Anthology” and “Best American Poetry” and has received numerous awards, some of which include a National Endowment for the Arts Individual Fellowship, a Ruth Lilly Prize and a Whiting Writers’ Award.
Kimbrell is the author of “The Law of Truly Large Numbers,” “Smote,” “My Psychic” and “The Gatehouse Heaven.” He is also a co-translator of the collection “Three Poets of Modern Korea: Yi Sang, Hahm Dong-Seon, and Choi Young-Mi.”
Travis Mossotti, the author of “Apocryphal Genesis,” called Kimbrell an American Master in his review of Kimbrell’s most recently published collection.
“His poems are perfectly balanced, giving us just enough moments of laughter to keep us from crying,” Mossotti said.
Dr. Kerry James Evans, assistant professor of the Department of English, moderated Kimbrell’s Q&A, kickstarting the conversation on Kimbrell’s craft.
Kimbrell first began with an explanation of the title of his most recently published collection of poems, “The Law of Truly Large Numbers.”
The Law of Truly Large Numbers is a quantum theory that states that with a large enough sample size, anything is possible. Kimbrell believes that, by this law, the growth of the human population makes it so that everything possible when he was born is now more possible than it was before.
If that is true, then there is a chance in
ment to the Irish heritage and family legacy within the parade’s committee.
The parade walk’s conclusion can lead to different escapades depending on the year. In the past my family and many others would gather in my high school alma mater’s gym and eat food, play games and socialize; but the past couple years have varied. This year we walked downtown for a little then left downtown, got food and visited the Botanical Gardens; later ending the night with a sunset walk at Tybee Island beach.
St. Paddy’s day traditions are vast and vary in size, some of the more widely known ones being, wearing green to prevent getting pinched, drinking all day as the Irish are known for and the display of the shamrock.
“I think that St. Patrick’s Day songs are definitely my favorite,” Whalen said “When we were in high school in chorus
more of a singular voice.
Kimbrell’s mind that through poetry, he will be able to reconnect with the people in his life who have passed away.
“I realized I’m not feeling very ready to accept the death of several people and I’m trying to fig-
“There’s some pressure as you get older as a poet to have something very distinctive about your sound,” Kimbrell said. “Your best bet is to just be yourself because nobody can do that better than you. The poets I love the most are the ones who sound like themselves.”
Kimbrell believes that
ure out how to hang out with them again,” Kimbrell said. “If I can escape this time boundary, then maybe that can happen.”
In the Q&A session, Kimbrell said that one of the things in poetry that has taken him the longest to curate is his voice. He admitted that his second book felt more to him like an anthology of different poets than a succinct collection, but that he has grown to write poetry that has
we learned all the St. Paddy’s Day songs and we got to go around to different places and sing them, and all our friends still love singing them to this day.”
Totten describes how unlike Savannah’s celebration of the holiday and the traditions that many have, she and her family never celebrated the holiday, but she enjoys the tradition of pinching someone for not wearing green.
This parade holds a special place in my heart because of its nature of community and its showing of traditions Irish and non-Irish alike. My favorite parade tradition is the red lipstick tradition which involves the kissing of friends and strangers alike on the cheek.
“There is a lot of enthusiasm in regard to St. Patrick’s Day, and it is very contagious,” Totten said. “So I think the energy is what makes it unique to other places that celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.”
tion, unlike anything he had ever seen before. It was a difficult and vulnerable, but wonderful experience that made him question if he had ever been understood fully in that way before.
“Anything can be written about if you find the right entry spot,” Kimbrell said. “Think about a big mountain that’s way too steep. If you hang out at the base of the mountain long enough, you’ll find a secret door that’s got a stairwell, but until you find it, it seems insurmountable.”
For Kimbrell, putting into words emotions that are seemingly unreachable, such as the grief after the death of a loved one, is the true achievement of poetry.
poetry is important to uniquely understanding the world, separate from logic or philosophy. Logic, Kimbrell explained, has a difficult time explaining complex emotional processes of life such as love, fear, anger, and grief.
In Kimbrell’s graduate workshop, when workshopping on a poem about his father, he claimed to have seen on his peer’s faces an understanding of his situa-
“No matter how long my poem is, I am not getting my mother back,” Kimbrell explained.
“No matter how many words I use to describe her, she’s not going to magically appear on the page. So now what’s the best you can do? Do justice to grief, to understand it, to help somebody else understand it.
After the Q&A, Kimbrell participated in a reading, introduced by Dr. Chika Unigwe and
preceded by the readings of two GCSU poets in the Master’s program, Christina Faber and Kai Elliot Beck.
Kimbrell read many poems from across his published collections, some of which were his title poem “The Law of Truly Large Numbers,” “Making a Turkey Sandwich for Mikhail Barynshnikov,” “My Path to Riches,” “Retirement language,” among others. While the Q&A was an explanation of Kimbrell’s skill and experience, the reading truly showed the scope of his prowess.
“Kimbrell wrote about things I would never even think to put in a poem,” said Ruby Hull, a junior English major who attended the reading. “He found a way to tie numbers and statistics into a poem about love.I thought that was really interesting because I thought about how similar two ideas are even if they seem like complete opposites.”
The Kimbrell reading and Q&A were an outstanding success and an incredible opportunity to discover one of the most promising American poets of the modern day.
Kennedy
Kennedy Welker | Asst. A&L Editor
The perks and pitfalls of having a pet in college
Kate Walker Contributing Writer
For many college students, the companionship of a pet can be a source of comfort and emotional support amidst the pressures of academic life. However, emotional rewards of having a pet also come with financial and physical responsibilities, which can be overwhelming for some students.
According to the UC Davis Health article titled “Health benefits of pets: How your furry friend improves your mental and physical health,” having an animal in the home is proven to help reduce stress and anxiety, ease feelings of loneliness and create a calming presence, which can be crucial in the midst of busy college life.
The article claims that physically, 60% of dog owners meet the recommended weekly amount of exercise, which can significantly lower the risk of heart disease and cancer, and just the presence of an-
imals can significantly reduce blood pressure.
“It keeps me active for sure, taking my dog on walks, but he’s also such a comfort,” said Rebecca Young, a sophomore English major.“Just coming home and him being so excited really just lightens the pressure of school and all the other things.”
Young and many other students adopted pets before coming to college and experienced separation anxiety and homesickness being away from them during their first year at GCSU. “I got my dog in the ninth grade of high school, and honestly freshman year was so hard without him,” Young said. “I just had to figure out a way to have him here with me.”
In general, pets are not allowed in GCSU residence halls, with the exception of fish, service animals and emotional support animals. For students who grew up with pets, not having an animal companion can be an adjustment, leading them to adopt pets early in their college experience.
“I have had pets growing up my entire life and it just did not feel right to be here without a pet,” said Caitlin Schmidt, a sophomore elementary education major. “The situation just kind of fell into my lap where
students still have to care for their pets, including the physical responsibilities of feeding, exercising, and playing with pets as well as the financial responsibility of providing for them.
“It’s definitely a chal-
I had the opportunity to adopt a cat, and I’ve had Archie ever since.”
While having a pet certainly has its benefits, there are also challenges. Full-time college
lenge to keep up with the maintenance of having a pet and just the responsibility of it,” Schmidt said.“There’s a learning curve that takes a little bit of time to get over.”
Students who are away for long hours at class and work may struggle to find enough time for a pet, especially more high-maintenance pets such as dogs that have been routinely taken outside.
“It can definitely be difficult sometimes, but my roommates are really sweet about taking him out when I’m gone for a long period of time,” Young said. “If I do go on like a weekend trip, I have to drop him off at my parents or grandparents or somebody to take care of him, but every trial is worth it.”
For students looking to adopt, Young suggests taking time to evaluate whether or not they’re ready for the responsibilities of having a pet.
“I would say to just be really conscious of the responsibility, making sure to put in the time to take them on walks, to make sure that they’re fed really well and getting plenty of exercise,” Young said.
“I would say get a routine down as soon as you can and just be able to section off a little bit of time every day to spend time with that animal and be able to financially and physically support it,” Schmidt said.
For students at GCSU who are looking to adopt, there are cats and dogs available for adoption at both the Baldwin County Animal Control, located at 1395 Orchard Hill Road and the Animal Rescue Foundation, located at 711 South Wilkinson Street. Students should expect to pay $100-200 in adoption fees as well as fill out adoption applications, which may take a few days or weeks to process. For those interested in smaller or lower-maintenance pets, the PetSmart on North Columbia Street offers hamsters, mice, gerbils, guinea pigs, fish and reptiles, as well as plenty of general pet supplies for new owners.
Schmidt also recommended ensuring students have enough time to commit to their pet and are both physically and financially capable of providing for them.
DISS TRACKS GOOGLE OR TIKTOK?
Sarah Barnhart Staff Writer
For decades, musical battles between artists have defined generations. Usually taking place in the hip-hop or rap genre, beefs between these artists have created many memorable diss tracks. Diss tracks are songs written to “diss” another artist. The most recent example is Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” which was written against Drake and his pedophilic allegations. The song had a tremendous year, awarding Lamar with Record and Song of the Year at the 2025 Grammys, becoming the first diss track to ever win this award. Lamar even performed at the 2025 Super Bowl, where he sang “Not Like Us,” and in the performance, he called out Drake by name and
looked at the camera when he said it. Feuds date back far, dominating the 90s and 2000s. One of the most notorious feuds of the 2000s producing several diss tracks is the one taking place between Kanye West and Taylor Swift. At the 2009 Video Music Awards, Swift was awarded Best Female Music Video for “You Belong With Me” when West stormed the stage and declared that Beyoncé should have won for “Single Ladies.” The moment became infamous in pop culture and is still talked about today. West created the song “Famous” in 2016, which claimed he made Swift famous due to the infamous VMA incident. One year later, Swift dropped “Look What You Made Me Do,” which fans theorized attacked West and his then-wife Kim Kardashian for their years of hatred.
“Diss tracks can benefit the music world by letting artists express themselves and their feelings,” said Chloe Butts, a junior theatre major.
Swift has been known to write songs that inadvertently or pointedly call out someone, like her song “Bad Blood”, which had been said to be about pop singer Katy Perry. In response to “Bad Blood,” Perry released the song “Swish Swish,” a song about dodging haters, that is said to be about Swift.
A multitude of interactions via X, formerly known as Twitter, later, they finally buried the hatchet, and in 2019 Swift released the “You Need To Calm Down” music video which featured her and Perry sharing an embrace. The two are no longer feuding, and Perry went to Swift’s Eras Tour in 2023.
In the 90s, one of the biggest musical feuds erupted in the media, between famous rappers Tupac and Notorious B.I.G., also known as Biggie Smalls. Tupac and Smalls were previously best friends before they became hip-hop’s biggest rivals.
The two rappers’ beef is considered a major catalyst for the East Coast/ West Coast hip-hop rivalry. In 1994, Tupac was robbed and shot, but not killed, after leaving a recording studio, to which he accused Biggie of having prior knowledge of the shooting.
The rivalry produced diss tracks like Tupac’s track “Hit ‘Em Up,” which was aimed at Biggie and the record label, and Biggie’s “Who Shot Ya?” as his response, which only ignited the feud further. The feud tragically ended when both their lives did, Tupac in 1996 and Biggie a year later.
“I think that diss tracks are very beneficial to the music world,” said Elizabeth Brosman, a junior theatre major. “They not only stimulate creation but also are able to express strong emotions. Music is all about expressing your emotions, and I think that is extremely prevalent in diss tracks, even if the emotions are considered negative.”
Artists have to express themselves creatively, and one way to do that is through diss tracks. If they are angry at someone else and can only find one way to get their point across, they can do it through song.
“They give people more insight on the artist’s point of view and perception of the other person to them,” said Imani Cooper, a sophomore graphic design major. “It can also reveal topics to the public that may not have been known previously.”
Rylee Holland Asst. News Editor
It is no surprise that Google, according to Britannica, has been the leading search engine since 2000, growing exponentially through the years, but the social media app, TikTok, may be giving it a run for its money. According to Forbes, as of 2022 around 40% of Gen Z is using TikTok as their primary search engine rather than google.
People search for things like news updates, recipes, navigation, Amazon and the daily weather. Up until the rise of TikTok in 2020, there was no doubt that Google was the No. 1 search engine, but with new updates and the younger generations using social media more often, that is changing.
Although the percentage of people using TikTok as a search engine over any other one is not high, it is certainly a climbing rate. According to Adobe Learn, over two in five Americans use TikTok as a search engine and nearly one in 10 Gen Zers use TikTok over Google.
The reasoning behind TikTok searching rising among Gen Z has been researched a number of times. The surveys put out by Forbes, EMarketer and Adobe Learn have found different but similar results.
“TikTok shows them relevant content faster than Google,” said Adrienne Sheares, a social media PR expert. “The algorithm knows them well, and they love that.”
Many active TikTok users don’t even need to search for anything because the algorithm is so specific to each person that it gives them that information before they think to look it up.
“My TikTok algorithm is super specific to me and the things I like,” said Lilia Anderson, a freshman finance major.
In 2022, TikTok came out with the opportunity when scrolling through comments or looking at a video, to click on the blue search button. The blue search bar is the most common words or phrases that people searched up after or while watching the video.
Patrica Dowling, a freshman psychology major, said she found the blue search very helpful.
“A lot of the time it helps to provide context for the video,” Dowling said.
While all students interviewed agreed that they use Google or Safari the most to search for things, all also agreed that they find even more information on TikTok.
“The most helpful part [of searching things on TikTok] is that you can find very specific things,” Dowling said. “If I’m trying to look up good hair products, I can always find people who are genuinely reviewing it.”
The ease of finding information is an important topic for Gen Z, considering most students agree that they like to get information fast. Students seemed to be on either side of what platform does this the best.
“[On TikTok] I’m usually able to
find the specific answer easier than I would on a different platform,” Anderson said. “Plus it’s in a video; it’s usually people talking about it in basic terms so I can easily figure out the information.”
“The most helpful in finding my answers is probably Google, and sometimes TikTok,” Dowling said.
While the consensus is that the students interviewed find TikTok overall more helpful, other older generations are nearly polar opposites.
“79% of adults aged 55-64, 76% of those 35-44 and 74% of those aged 45-54 use Google Search,” said John Koetsier in an article for Forbes Gen Z’s parents and grandparents tend to have very different searching habits in everyday life than Gen Z. Older generations have even nicknamed Gen Z the “TikTok Generation” due to TikTok being so successful and popular among that age group.
“No, my parents wouldn’t use TikTok to search,” Dowling said. “I don’t even think my grandparents have TikTok.” TikTok can be helpful in ways like the ease of searching, the specified answers and the blue search button that helps provide context. Though Google is still far ahead of TikTok and any other search engine in the race for No. 1, this shift is reshaping the way people may search forever.
Kennedy Welker | Asst. A&L Editor
Julia Jensen | Art Director
Julia Jensen | Art Director
OPINION
SIZES
Continued from page 1
The shift from instore to online shopping has further emphasized the issues surrounding vanity sizing. As more young consumers turn to online platforms emphasizing convenience and variety, they are often met with inconsistent sizing charts and confusing fit descriptions.
“The size and shape of my body has remained more or less the same for years – it’s the ability to know whether or not a purchase will fit that has fluctuated,” said Leah Harper, editor for The Guardian. “Ask any woman, and they’ll tell you that finding the perfect T-shirt in, say, a
size 10 from one brand doesn’t mean you’ll fit size 10 T-shirts everywhere. You may not even fit other size 10 t-shirts from the same shop.”
With inconsistent sizing and the challenge of finding a shirt that actually “fits,” the rise of influencer culture and social media amplifies these concerns.
Young adults are bombarded with images of seemingly perfect bodies and curated lifestyles, all often enhanced through filters and edited photographs. As they compare themselves to these idealized representations, the pressure to fit into smaller sizes intensifies.
“Sizing has definitely changed over the years,” said Kaylee Colwell, a
sophomore special education major. “Maybe not significantly, but I have noticed that what was once considered a 6 is now a 4 or even a 2, and while I think part of it is coming from a place of “body positivity” and good intentions, it’s mostly just an annoying thing that has made it more challenging to shop by making sizing inconsistent.”
In this environment, vanity sizing seems to offer a fleeting sense of validation. Yet, it ultimately reinforces unhealthy standards that can contribute to anxiety and body dysmorphia.
“The rise of so-called vanity sizing has rendered most labels meaningless,” said Eliana
Dockterman for Time Magazine. “As Americans have grown physically larger, brands have shifted their metrics to make shoppers feel skinnier—so much so that a women’s size 12 in 1958 is now a size 6…67% of American women wear a size 14 or above, and most stores don’t carry those numbers, however arbitrary they may be.”
Retailers, sensically aware of the psychological impact of vanity sizing, must reconsider their approach to product labeling. Some brands have started to adopt more inclusive sizing strategies, aiming to provide a better reflection of the diverse body types that exist in reality.
Fashion retailers
Spring forward or falling behind?
Molly Goff Opinion Editor
As the clocks spring forward an hour earlier this month, many students on college campuses are still fully preparing for the annual ritual of adjusting to daylight saving time. While the extra evening light is often celebrated, the effects on students’ sleep patterns, academic performance and overall well-being raise concerns among campus health professionals.
Daylight saving time kicked in at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 9, forcing clocks ahead one hour. This change is intended to provide more evening daylight, encourage outdoor activities and reduce energy consumption.
However, studies suggest that the abrupt shift can disrupt circadian rhythms and lead to increased fatigue, particularly among college students who already struggle with sleep deprivation.
“The practice of springing the clocks ahead an hour started in 1918 as a World War I era measure but was repudiated in 1919 after farmers, a group commonly cited as a reason for the practice, rejected it,” said James Powel and Anthony Robledo,
writers for USA TODAY. With historical backgrounds, no wonder such an interesting practice was put into place - ultimately affecting people with their sleep schedules, similar to jet lag off of a vacation.
Sleep is vital for growing and healthy college students even with busy day-to-day schedules. The risk of mental health issues may increase with disrupted sleep schedules, which is a significant concern for college populations where mental health struggles are prevalent.
“I feel like the time change completely throws me off my rhythm,” said Anneliese Sandberg, a sophomore nursing major. “I’ve been so exhausted this week and putting registration week on daylight savings was probably the worst thing ever! I feel like I really struggle to adjust to daylight savings in both the spring and fall because I am very routine-based and the hour change makes me feel very thrown off.”
How we can respond is a call to action on campus. We should respond to these challenges by offering workshops on time management and self-care during the transition. Additionally, GCSU campus health
services should promote resources for better sleep, and hygiene and encourage students to maintain regular sleep schedules and prioritize rest during the adjustment period.
America is one of the countries that participates in daylight savings, and most countries do not participate in it. Many Americans, including college students who need vital sleep to function, keep in the social atmosphere that they do not want to change clocks twice a year just to signify a few extra hours of daylight.
The most interesting part is how the President plans to provide support in the effort to eliminate the practice.
“On Dec. 13, 2024, Trump posted on his social media site, Truth Social, The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t!” said Chantelle Lee, a reporter at Time Magazine. “Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation. But more than a month into his presidency, Trump has yet to make any moves on the issue since his Truth Social post, and experts are a little unsure as to what chang-
should prioritize transparency in their sizing practices, giving detailed measurements that empower consumers to make informed choices.
As the conversation surrounding body positivity and acceptance grows, the industry stands at a crossroads. Young consumers deserve clarity over illusion and the freedom to embrace their authentic selves without the pressures of a misleading size label.
It is time for fashion to move beyond vanity sizing and create an inclusive environment that celebrates all shapes and sizes. Clothing should be about freedom of expression, not stuck in the confines of
es could be coming.” Unfortunately, Trump’s statement and how the public deals with the national event itself have something in common - they are inconsistent and waver with the decision to acknowledge Daylight Savings, or have it been
daylight make the evening feel so much nicer and more productive,” Sandberg said. “In the winter, I have a harder time studying past sunset because it gets dark so early that it feels like bedtime even when it really is not. In the spring and summer, I
what is the “right” or “correct” size because there isn’t an answer!
The need for honesty in clothing sizes has never been clearer. Vanity sizing may attract shoppers, but it creates barriers that inhibit self-acceptance and complicate the shopping experience. If the fashion industry hopes to foster a healthy relationship with its younger audience, it must break free from the superficial chains of vanity sizing once and for all.
All of us, no matter our age or gender, should feel like we don’t “fit.” If the sizing stays inconsistent, we don’t have to feel inconsistent too. The clothes are meant to fit YOU!
pandemic swept all over the world as we came together in the community to stay safe healthwise. Now, we make another national decision to stay safe timewise, protecting our precious hours of light. As we spring forward,
a practice of the past. Permanent daylight saving time would look something like this: we would advance our clocks an hour for the entire year, so the sun would look like it is rising and setting an hour later not only in the summer but also in the winter. In the meantime, we have to think positively and appreciate the benefits that Daylight Savings brings us. “The extra hours of
feel like I can be productive for so much longer.”
As the debate surrounding daylight saving time continues at the national level, its effects on college campuses including GCSU reveal a complex reality. The balance between enjoying extra daylight and managing the consequences of lost sleep presents an ongoing challenge for students as well as staff and faculty.
Around this time five years ago, the COVID-19
it’s essential to recognize both the potential pleasures and pitfalls of the time change. For now, students should prepare to navigate the shifting hours while prioritizing their health and well-being—because, in the fast-paced environment of college life, we want to savor all of the wonderful moments outside. How are you making the most of your daylight savings?
Woman snoozing a clock.
