Georgia College & State University inducted women’s basketball’s Shanteona Keys and softball’s Whitney (Okvist) Pape to the GCSU Athletics Hall of Fame, making up the 2025 Class, on Oct. 17.
In 2006, GCSU established the Athletics Hall of Fame to commemorate athletes who were not only exceptional on the field and in the box scores but also extraordinary off the field, representing the university through academics and extracurricular activities. Keys and Pape were recognized as the 43rd and 44th inductees to the GCSU Athletics Hall of Fame.
Benjamin Clark Sports Editor
The annual TEDxGCSU event, held this year on Oct. 17, centered on the theme “Spark” and celebrated how an idea can blossom into something worth sharing and ignite larger change. The project was curated by the Georgia College Leadership Program and
“I personally got to witness both of these inductees from the time they were freshmen,” said Wendell Staton, GCSU Director of Athletics. “The neat thing is, you develop these relationships, and then to become lifelong friends, that’s the beauty of what we do in education. I’m thrilled for them and their families.”
Beginning with Keys, a remarkable guard for the Bobcats from 201115, she finished her career as the program’s all-time leading scorer with 1,822 points, placing her 10th on the Peach Belt Conference list. Keys averaged 16.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 33.3 minutes per game in her 110-game illustrious career at GCSU. She
featured a mix of faculty, alumni, published researchers and, most notably, student speakers who brought forward their personalized stories of inward reflection and future application.
Many students have felt this spark in their own way. Having powerful student speakers at an event like TEDx can often create ripples of inspira-
racked up 549 rebounds in her career, and shot 43 percent from the field—36.2 percent from beyond the arc.
“Honestly, it’s not something I’ve been able to process quite yet,” Keys said. “It’s something I always knew was a possibility, given the career that I had here. But being here at the ceremony right now, I see all the relationships I’ve built. I’ve got a mass communications teacher, my rhetoric teachers, my athletic director, the current basketball team and my roommate when I was here. All these people that I grew to love while I was here are still supporting me—even Dr. Whipple, whom I had my freshman year.”
A Halloween style guide for GCSU students
Sydney Williams Asst. A&L Editor
As Halloween approaches at GCSU, students are preparing for a weekend filled with costumes, spooky events and plenty of photo opportunities. Whether they lean towards a DIY costume, pop culture references or simple looks, many are searching for ways to make their outfits stand out without overspending.
Halloween on campus is more than just one day. With Boo Bash, haunted houses and themed parties across Milledgeville, costumes can become a several night occurrence. Rachel Hefner, a senior marketing major, plans to take full advantage of this.
“For Halloween this year I am being a party animal and Kesha,” Hefner said. She is also planning on coordinating with friends, “I am doing a group costume with a few friends, we are all being founding fathers.”
Group themes are a popular trend for
students who want their costumes to feel more collaborative and memorable, whether it is coordinating for a sorority date night, matching with a partner or putting together a look with friends.
Hefner encourages students to embrace every chance to dress up while they can.
“My best advice is that you will never be in college again, so wear those crazy costumes, match
with your friends and have fun. Money comes back, you will never have college Halloween again,” Hefner said. Freshmen are also getting into the spirit, even while adjusting to their first fall semester on campus. As Halloween gets closer, new students are juggling the excitement of dressing up with the realities of college life.
tion for others who want to project their ideas.
“I went to the TEDx last year, and in that moment, I felt the goosebumps,” said Eowyn Aullo, a junior history major.
“And I did feel that spark, maybe I can be up there.”
Among this year’s roster of student speakers were seniors Paige Blakemore, Carly Walker and Chloe Melton.
These three student voices represented both intellectual curiosity and personal conviction to-
America. Drawing from her experience growing up in a small southern town, she used her spot-
speakers is that the root of all of our talks was deeply personal,” Blake-
wards an idea that they believed would be the spark for future change. Blakemore, a senior mass communication major, used the stage to challenge misconceptions about rural
light to explore how local journalism can reconnect people who often feel overshadowed by national conversation.
“I think what’s really interesting about the three of us student
more said. “We all had something that was very impactful to our lives. But it also stemmed into our career aspirations and what we study now.”
Sydney Williams | Assistant A&L Editor
Julia Jensen | Art Director
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Georgia College and State University
NEWS
GCSU’S NEW MUSIC REHEARSAL HALL
Jane Carr Staff Writer
For years, Georgia College & State University music students practiced in spaces that weren’t built for the sound they were trying to make. Porter Hall, the old rehearsal space, often let music seep through the walls and the low ceilings made it difficult for groups to hear one another clearly.
The new $4.45 million Music Rehearsal Hall was introduced by the Department of Music and is the first building at GCSU designed specifically for music and choral rehearsal.
The new hall is located near the Miller Gym and is easy to spot with its tall structure and large rehearsal windows.
Many students say the difference between the new space and the old one is immediately noticeable.
“I feel like I have been able to listen better, allowing me to improve much faster,” said Alyx Humayra, a junior music education major. “There is less bleeding and the ded-
icated space for singers has allowed me to practice and rehearse appropriately without the possibility of interruption.”
Humayra said one of her favorite parts of the new hall is the extra space and privacy it gives students.
“My favorite feature of
the new rehearsal hall is the sectional rooms in each ensemble rehearsal room which are soundproofed and large enough to fit multiple people in,” she said. “It has become a vital asset to rehearsals and
provided practice spaces for chamber ensembles and sections of large ensembles.”
Before the new building opened, students used several locations across campus for practice, including the McComb Building. Those spaces were not designed for the size or sound of large ensembles. In some cases, students said they had to adjust their rehearsal volume to avoid disturbing nearby classrooms.
“It’s more spacious, comfortable and designed specifically for ensemble work,” said Autumn Taylor, a junior music education major. “Unlike Porter Hall and the McComb Building, this space allows for better balance, visibility and communication among musicians. It also feels more professional, as if we are preparing in a space that truly supports our growth as musicians.”
Taylor said the new building has also made it easier for groups to rehearse whenever they need to.
“Having a dedicated rehears-
al space is essential because it creates an environment where students can focus on making music,” she said. “It also allows ensembles to rehearse at any volume and time without worrying about disturbing classes or offices nearby. It’s a space designed to meet our specific
needs as performers, which helps us take our rehearsals more seriously and achieve a higher level of artistry.”
Faculty in the Department of Music have shared similar excitement about what
Professor Spotlight: Dr. McClure
Emma Tyler Asst. News Editor
Professor Stephanie McClure, a sociology undergraduate coordinator and professor entered her 20th year teaching at Georgia College during which she amassed numerous awards, honors, publications and strong relationships with students.
For McClure, college is more than a degree. She believes it is an art of finding yourself and your passions.
“That college was really transformative for who I was when I started there and who I was when I left,” McClure said. “I was so different, and I liked the second person so much better.”
McClure was inspired to teach at the collegiate level in graduate school when she earned her PhD in sociology at the
University of Georgia. She reminisced about her time spent in a teaching assistantship which covered her tuition and allowed her to teach with UGA professors in 300-person introductory courses for sociology. She was then responsible for four different breakout groups of twenty-five students where their meetings consisted of activities to supplement the lectures.
Although the love for teaching started here, it was not bound to finish. She still thoroughly enjoys teaching students and watching as they learn a new curriculum that shapes their worldviews.
In the same way she found herself through college, she finds joy in students who do the same.
“This little table right here in my office,” McClure said. “The number of amazing students who
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have sat in that chair talking to me about stuff we talked about in class, their life, their future or the things they are interested in. You can watch
pline that would help answer questions about how the world works, and it does so across a large range of areas. She purposely specialized
students come alive and it is the best part of my job.”
McClure learned that sociology was a disci-
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the space means for future performances and outreach.
“Having a professionally designed, designated space for music allows us to welcome in visitors, students from other schools and the community,” said Dr. Dana Gorzelany-Mostak, a professor of music at GCSU. “Just last month, the Department of Music hosted Choral Day, an event that brought in almost a hundred students from Middle Georgia high schools. It was a great opportunity for not only music making, but also to recruit future Bobcats!”
With the new rehearsal hall, GCSU has fostered a space that not only improves how students practice but also helps them connect more deeply with their music and the community.
While the building represents a major investment in the arts, many students see it as more than just an upgrade in facilities. For them, it’s a sign that their work and musical sound matters.
“Sociology lends itself to the answering of a whole range of questions,” McClure said. “They are generally questions that have more to do with the way we move about the world and interact as opposed to what’s inside of our brains.”
McClure has many publications, with her biggest being the race readers. The first edition came out in 2014, and the fourth edition will come out in 2026. She originally co-edited with her colleague Professor Cherise Harris, who lectures at Connecticut College.
partment of Education at the University of Delaware and was a Georgia College graduate. Aside from her publications, McClure has also received multiple awards and honors across the years at Georgia College.
in racial stratification because she wanted answers about race from a particularly young age.
Editors approached the two and asked for a new edition, but Harris confided in McClure that she would not have the time to do so. Because of this, they invited James Bridgeforth, a third editor for the new edition who is a new faculty member in the De-
“I have gotten across the categories, but my most proud is the 2019 Faculty Mentor of the Year award from the Southern Regional Education Board,” McClure said. “That was from Sida Patel, who was Jame’s best friend, and she nominated me for that award. I got to talk in front of an audience about how brilliant she was from the time that I met her and what a gift it was to be her professor.” Students find that McClure is a gift to the university and find her teaching to be inspirational in their curriculums.
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TEDXGCSU
Continued from page 1
This personalized and intimate nature of the student’s talks distinguished TEDxGeorgiaCollege from its larger counterparts. Allowing students to draw upon their own lived experiences creates an extremely profound understanding within the audience, offering intellectual ideas bonded by the ambition of youthful voices and the passion behind their stories.
One of such ideas was Walker’s, a senior psychology major, who framed her message around daily interpersonal relationships and how small moments of empathy can shift someone’s week. Walker’s was an intimate personal reflection that drew an emotional response through a collective understanding of mental health issues.
“It was originally about having better language around OCD,” Walker said. “But then it turned into having better conversations about mental health and how to talk to each other. So it’s just so much more of a deep and profound version of what I was originally talking about, which I love.”
Melton, a junior history major, found considerable
difficulties when framing her idea, much like Walker. However, she soon came to realize that grounding her discussion in her experience at GCSU assisted in exploring the misconceptions surrounding BMI.
“I thought it was very full circle and so beautiful that I ended up getting into a history lesson,” Melton said. “The importance of questioning what you believe and what you’re taking in, it applies to politics, it applies to our current world. So it ended up being really great. I didn’t discover my love for history until I got to college. So if I hadn’t recovered, I never would have even known that I loved history. It was very cool.”
Each of these talks reflected TEDx’s central purpose of ‘ideas worth spreading’ but with the distinct accent of personalized stories from undergrads at a small, rural liberal arts school like GCSU.
At first glance, a regional rural school like GCSU might seem an unlikely venue for an event that echoes the global renown of TED. But that is exactly what makes TEDxGeorgiaCollege so special. In an academic culture that is often dominated by large-scale institutional research, smaller schools like GCSU can often provide the intimacy, mentorship and community that allows students’ ideas to emerge with authenticity.
Students face grocery price influx
Amelia McEwen News Editor
Citizens nationwide, including GCSU students, have had to budget accordingly as grocery prices have increased, with the main causes being recent tariff implementations and labor shortages.
It is not atypical for grocery prices to rise and fall, but this year the U.S. has seen a dramatic elevation. Students in college already have a monetary burden on top of them, whether that is for buying textbooks or paying tuition. With rising grocery prices, additional stress is added. Some students have resorted to budgeting to combat this change.
“I’m setting more of a budget for myself now,” said Shakira Farley, a junior political science and economics major. “Like counting costs and buying more processed foods because it helps me save money.”
Some students resort to buying processed foods as a way to cut back on their spending. Though, this leaves individuals with
dietary preferences in an awkward position.
“I do not eat gluten-free as much as I would like to because grocery prices have risen,” said Jenna VanSant, a junior global studies major. “It is extremely expensive to be fully gluten-free in this economy... it is just too expensive.”
The two most prominent causes of these price changes are the nationwide labor shortages resulting from immigration crackdowns and recently implemented tariffs on imported goods.
According to the British Broadcasting Company, President Trump and his administration have implemented base tariffs of 10% on all imported goods from any country, 50% tariffs on Indian goods, 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods and so on. These expenses are then passed on to consumers.
“If we have a 10% tariff on nuts, we’re just basically charging people 10% more to buy those nuts,” said Kalvin Mudrow, an economics professor. “This raises tax revenue, but who’s it coming from? Well, it’s com-
ing from you and me… It’s domestic consumers that really pay the large portion of that tariff.”
With these implementations, companies must pay a higher tax to the government on their imported goods. In most cases, companies raise their prices so consumers can take on the effects of the changes.
At the same time, more immigration crackdowns have taken place nationwide.
Agricultural and meat packaging sectors have been a sizable target for Immigration and Cus-
It is extremely expensive to be fully gluten-free in this economy.
-Jenna VanSant
toms Enforcement raids.
According to CNN Business, “Since January, 1.2 million foreign-born workers have left the labor force. Agricultural employment dropped 6.5% from March to July, a loss of about 155,000 workers, reversing two years of growth.”
Many illegal immigrants are employed in
Melton reflected on the connections and networking she experienced throughout this process. She referenced the Dean of the Honors College, Dr. Brian Newsome, who mentioned her to a textbook writer and landed her this opportunity at TEDxGeorgiaCollege.
“My idea started as a passion paper for honors credit,” Melton said. “And I don’t say that to minimize the work that I put in, but it’s just things like that don’t happen at places that aren’t Georgia College.”
For the students involved, the TEDx process itself was as formative as the performances. Over months of preparation, they refined their arguments, worked with thought-partners and movement coaches to develop their ideas into products of personal reflection and intellectual integrity.
By combining academic insight with personal reflection, TEDxGeorgiaCollege illustrated how a liberal arts environment can translate classroom learning into a deeper connection.
In an era where national attention tends to favor major universities, this event at this scale offered a reminder that smaller campuses will continue to produce strong, original voices.
these divisions and have been scared off by ICE’s presence. With fewer workers, food production decreases, as the United States has seen this year.
Immigration crackdowns and tariffs have impacted grocery prices significantly, but the effects are not completely uniform. Product prices fluctuate depending on their origin. For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, coffee prices rose 20.9%, while cereals and bakery products only rose upwards of 1.1% in the past year. Coffee is typically imported from Brazil and has seen this hike in prices because of the high tariffs, higher global demand and even climate change. Cereal and
bakery products, on the other hand, are impacted by United States labor shortages, but not tariffs as they are typically produced domestically.
Students at GCSU recognize that these changes may impact a broader scope of individuals.
“Although I’m not going to become homeless or starving because of these grocery prices, there are still people that did not grow up with the same privileges that I was given,” said Lizzie Peters, a senior political science major. “I think it’s very important that we think about this. Just because it is not affecting us, does not mean it’s not affecting other people.”
Peters’ comment serves as a reminder that federal legislation has a significant impact on local communities, especially in cities like Milledgeville, which have high poverty rates.
GCSU offers resources for students who are struggling financially. Campus Corner is a food pantry on the first floor of the Student Activities Center that provides food and hygiene products. The pantry is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Office of Student Care and Outreach is also a resource that students can utilize for further assistance with basic needs. It is located in Parks Hall in room 206 and the office can be reached from the number 478-445-7535.
Grocery cart filled with minimal products.
HALL OF FAME
Continued from page 1
Keys, who was the 2011-12 Women’s Basketball Freshman of the Year, graduated with a degree in mass communication and a minor in rhetoric and was named to the College Sports Communicators All-America Team twice during her career. Keys also graduated as valedictorian in the spring of 2015, the ninth Bobcat student-athlete to accomplish the feat. She is just one of seven Peach Belt Conference women’s basketball athletes to be named an All-Conference selection all four seasons during her career.
Keys earned the Peach Belt Conference Elite 15 Award for women’s basketball twice, was named the league’s NCAA Woman of the Year nominee in 2014-15, and was named the Peach Belt’s Women’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2014-15.
“It’s a special moment to have a former women’s basketball player at GCSU get inducted,” said Catrina Green,
head coach of the GCSU women’s basketball team.
“It shows the level of greatness we can achieve with the student-athletes we recruit. I’m a firm believer that if you can see it, you can believe it, and this allows my girls to come and experience this moment, allowing them to continue to reach for the sky and achieve greatness.”
The Roswell, Georgia native was named to the WBCA Allstate Good Works Team. She was a finalist for the Arthur Ashe Leadership Award in 2014-15. She represented the Peach Belt on the NCAA Division II national Student-Athlete Advisory Committee for four years. She was also the first Division II student-athlete named to the prestigious Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics.
“It’s really special to be here. I think this is what I was most excited about. It’s not necessarily going into a whole thing. It’s great that a banner will be put up in Centennial, but cel-
ebrating these relationships is what I’m most excited about,” Keys said. Pape impressively patrolled the outfield for the Bobcats for four seasons, from 2011-14, concluding her career with an elite 163 stolen bases, an impeccable 84 stolen bases ahead of second place. The record also sits in first place
ence single-season history. Her 52 stolen bases that season ranked third in all of Division II.
The Kennesaw, Georgia native posted a .377 batting average in 195 career games. Pape holds the GCSU record for hits (244) and runs scored (174), and is second in at-bats (648). She laced 18 doubles, 16 triples and
the 22nd softball athlete to complete the task.
Pape helped the Bobcats advance to the NCAA Division II Southeast Regionals in 2013.
Pape, who became the sixth softball athlete to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, was named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s all-regional
all-time for the Peach Belt Conference, and 11th all-time in NCAA Division II history.
Pape holds three of the eight single-season stolen base records in the Peach Belt Conference, and is the only athlete in the conference’s history to have three seasons with forty or more stolen bases. Pape’s 52 stolen base season in 2012 is the GCSU single-season record and third all-time in Peach Belt Confer-
53 runs batted in during her exceptional career.
“All the hard work that my team and I put in has really paid off,” Pape said. “I couldn’t do this without my teammates, so this is not just about me; it’s also about them. I’m honored to have this achievement.”
Pape was also named a Peach Belt Conference softball All-Conference selection in all four seasons of her career, making her only
team three times and named to the NFCA All-American team in 2012 and 2014. Pape graduated with a degree in early childhood education and was named to the NFCA All-Academic team in 2014.
“I think it’s a really great thing to witness,” said Brittany Johnson, head coach of the GCSU softball team. “When someone gets inducted to the Hall of Fame, you can see all the loved ones
all around, all the teammates that have come back, and you can see the type of impact that Whitney has had both on and off the field. I think that’s what’s truly special.”
Pape holds the Peach Belt Conference record for most hits in a single game, with six against Young Harris College on Mar. 27, 2012. She also had three stolen bases in the impressive performance.
“You have to have had a pretty special career, both as a Bobcat student athlete and since you graduated, to be selected for this Hall of Fame honor,” said Cathy Cox, GCSU President.
“This is a pretty special night every year, but tonight we’ve got two real rock star honorees. Two women who have stood out as student athletes and who have accomplished a lot in their careers afterwards. There’s a lot of reunion, and it makes this special for them and their family.
It’s one of the best feelgood nights of the year.”
Julia Jensen | Art Director
Julia Jensen | Art Director
Julia Jensen | Art Director
Julia Jensen | Art Director
Julia Jensen | Art Director
THE LEGACY OF THUNDER
James Cordero
Contributing Writer
It is almost impossible to find a GCSU student who doesn’t know about Thunder, our very own bobcat mascot, but most don’t know his history.
Thunder is a symbol of the GCSU community and loved by all, but his past is a mystery to many.
When the school first opened, GCSU’s mascot was the Colonials with brown and gold as the color scheme. It was only in the fall of 1997 that the Bobcat became the mascot of the school and only in Nov 2007 that Thunder made his first official appearance.
Since his first appearance, Thunder has been the symbol of spirit for the school, sitting on the
sidelines of games and serving as a great cheerleader. Even off the field or court, Thunder serves as the hype man for any group that wants him at their event, a friendly face on Fridays giving away free stuff, and a figure for the community to connect over.
Thunder strives to make everyone welcome and ties students closer as a community; having a figure that everyone loves and looks out for serves as a community builder.
“I love thunder, he’s so full of joy,” said Gideon Alland, a freshman computer science major. “He’s showing up to all these different events; he clearly cares.”
Thunder started as
an idea from a group of students who noticed the lack of a mascot and wanted to do something. They went by the name Thundercats, and after a vote to decide his name, with options like Kool, Prowler, and Paws, GCSU’s favorite feline was named after the club.
Originally, they just dressed in attention-grabbing outfits, but their leader, Jason Hendrix, ‘09, decided that GCSU needed an official mascot. He started campaigning for funding, asking alumni and students alike about donating to get the money necessary to make a cat suit.
After asking other universities where they got their mascots, Hen-
drix was led to Tom Sapp and his team, who designed mascots like the
Thunder is partially responsible, so he didn’t lie.
Thunder’s first public
appearance was during the “Hanging of the Greens” on campus, and since then, he has been a public figure at all major
tures with whoever asks.
“I want to do this because I want to give
ty somehow in some way,” Hendrix said.
ed the costume; after some convincing from Hendrix, she gave him a check for $25,000. Hendrix promised a return on her investment, and with the number of students that come to GCSU for the community,
It is obvious that he gave back to his community through his behavior with students and made a lasting impact; when they see Thunder, they wave, high-five and take plenty of pictures because he is so well-liked.
Thunder’s engagement in the community is a reflection of the kindness that GCSU students give to the community around them, and his fun personality is like that of the welcoming college community.
“My end-all, be-all goal is to a leave a legacy,” Hendrix said. “I’m so glad to see what they’ve done with Thunder. The whole thing is super special to me, and I love it.”
From pumping up the crowds at games to high-fiving and hugging kids at smaller events, Thunder serves as a figure of positivity on campus. The mischievous bobcat stands as a representation of the students and alumni of GCSU.
GCSU Athletic Department hosts Day of Giving
Emma Jow
Contributing Writer
On Oct. 21, the Georgia College & State University’s Athletic Department hosted its sixth annual “Day of Giving.”
The Day of Giving is a one-of-a-kind fundraiser event in which every GCSU varsity athletics team participates in fundraising efforts for their program. One hundred percent of funds raised by the teams goes directly back into their own programs, with no profits being taken out by the athletic department, event organizers or GCSU officials.
It is up to the teams individually to decide what their funds will go towards, whether it be new gear or equipment, travel funds or student scholarships.
“Last year’s Day of
Giving funds allowed the GCSU Cross Country team to buy upgraded uniforms and participate in an overnight travel Cross Country meet,” said Alexander Bruno the cross country head coach.
Leading up to the event and on the day of, student-athletes work diligently to do their part in fundraising money for their individual teams. Athletes repost graphics and donation links on social media, and many have keychains that display the Day of Giving donation link, making it easy for people to scan and donate in person.
Another fundraising method is the athletic department’s “Pie an Athlete” event held outside of Arts and Sciences, which raised money for the Student-Athlete
Advisory Committee.
At this event, athletes, coaches and athletic officials hosted a tent in which students could pay to “pie” a representative. GCSU’s athletic director, Wendell Staton, is extremely involved in Day of Giving, and was one of such individuals who was pied.
“This day is so critical for us,” Stanton said. “Our goal is $200,000, and we’re well on our way. It really impacts the student athlete experience, and that’s the goal for today.”
Another notable figure at the fundraiser was Assistant Director of Athletics, Cathy Stevens.
“Day of Giving is giving back to the sports programs to make the student-athlete experience better. This is for them,” Stevens said. “This
one is strictly for funding foundation accounts, because each sports program has one particular need that they’re raising money for.”
and she explained that in just the four years she has been a player, the team has experienced a variety of important changes.
In other words, where other fundraisers may be to raise money for an athletics department or the school as a whole, Day of Giving proceeds go directly into the accounts of individual teams based on their own fundraising efforts.
Senior Early Education major Stephanie Condland is a dedicated softball player at GCSU,
“We are still an upand-coming program,” Condland said. “Gives Day gives us the opportunity to just keep getting better. Last year, we were able to get a pitching machine, which has made us more efficient with hitting, and this year we are getting new uniforms.”
donations. This money will be put towards allowing the team to upgrade their gear and travel to compete in more prestigious events.
Cross Country, Softball, Women’s Basketball, and Volleyball all also exceeded their donation goals, allowing them to expand their ideas of what their funds can be used for.
In total, on Oct. 21, the GCSU athletic department raised $174,521.89 from 990 donors. The baseball team had the most donations, with 200 gifts totaling $30,868.44. This was 134% of their goal donations, having aimed for just 150
Benjamin Clark | Sports Editor
GCSU Athletic Department
GCSU’S CAMPUS ACTIVITY BOARD HOSTS ITS VERY OWN PERFORMATIVE MALE CONTEST
Mary Ciucevich Editor in Chief
GCSU’s Campus Activity Board hosted their own performative male contest Friday, Oct. 24 on front campus. Tote bags, matcha, listening to Clairo with feminist literature in hand all describe the recent personification of the performative male.
The performative male is a 2025 man, usually archetype by his fashion sense, his supposed progressive nature and emotional sensibility. Oftentimes this is a persona put on to appeal more attractive towards women, specifically progressive women.
The Campus Activities Board announced via their social media that they would host their own performative male contest, allowing students to sign up and present themselves in an organized manner. The contest was equipped with a stage, seating and mics for students to compete in different ways including a display of their outfits, accessories or musical performances.
“I’d say the most interesting thing about the competition was the execution of the con-
cept of a performative male,” said José Genao, a senior sociology and english major. “It’s been almost a stereotype built off of a trend and it’s interesting to see that embodied in others in a funny and lighthearted way. Like it’s cool everybody understands the key facets that make a performative male, so much that they can replicate it on their own.”
Genao noted that some of the recurring accessories and outfits consisted of tote bags, carabiners and matcha. Some competitors even went as far as to include displays of music on vinyl such as records from Jeff Buckley and Clairo. The contest ended with three finalists, named from third to first place, the winner seemingly named Harry Styles. Tommy Creekmore, a senior english major, was named the winner of the contest.
“I knew I needed performative vinyls and books,” Creekmore said. “And then, while many performative males play the guitar, I took the extra step to drag my keyboard out there and performed some of the most classic performative male songs by Clairo and Laufey.”
Aside from GCSU, many other colleges and cities have hosted their own performative male contests, dedicating the competition to the aesthetic and joke of the deemed trend. These contests have gained much traction throughout the nation, and
inclusive because anyone can wear the performative male accessories but not everyone can look like Timothee Chalamet.”
This trend or aesthetic has been presently made aware through TikTok, where videos were originally aimed towards mainly men finding a
similar to GCSU these competitions include all genders competing to be named the winner.
“Honestly, I think it stems from the celebrity look-alike competitions that were popular last year. Genao said. “Seeing stuff like that gain traction probably inspired this as a great way to engage students or the community. I’d even say this type of contest is more
new way to dress. It has since become a series of comedic videos around the actions that seemingly come with the style.
“I think it’s a trend because most girls have encountered an actual performative man in their lives,” said Sarah Loncon, a senior english major. “A man that would take on the same interests as a girl to impress her but is actually
lying. I do believe and know men who have the same hobbies and interests that have been deemed ‘performative’ but actually enjoy them.”
Several posts surrounding the performative male deal with distinguishing who fits this image of the male and what actions categorize them besides the styles. According to various videos, an individual who is considered to be performative may deem themself as a progressive man who reads feminist literature, like that of Slyvia Plath, and will prescribe themself
Favorite Halloween candy around campus
James Cordero Contributing Writer
With Halloween right around the corner, the age-old question is being asked repeatedly. What is the best Halloween candy?
Students around campus were surveyed on which candy they preferred. Reese’s cups had the most bargaining power this year, especially the pumpkin and bat shapes.
“I don’t eat candy that much,” said Ellis Thur, a freshman environmental science major. “But the prospect of peanut butter being in Reese’s cups, makes them slightly more appetizing.”
Though Reese’s may be the favorite among most, another iconic candy that students enjoy is candy corn. Many feel that this treat best represents the holiday through its colors or shapes.
While some seasonal candy is put on a pedestal by students, others would rather throw away certain types than eat them. For GCSU students, that candy is Almond Joy, Mounds bars and Laffy Taffy.
For many of these despised candies students didn’t like the taste at all or enough to struggle with the packaging to get the candy open.
“I think that they [Laffy Taffy] are really hard to get open,” said sophomore George Wommack, an environmental science major. Whether it be the unpopu-
lar flavor profile or puzzling packaging, these candies are thrown out by students across the board.
The disdain for Laffy Taffy and
“I’m torn, but probably Fruity Candies just because there’s more of them,” said Cater May, a freshman psychology major.
the love for Reese’s doesn’t represent all opinions students have on Halloween candy. In the debate of candy on the GCSU campus, chocolate versus fruity was discussed. Fruity candy commonly won the hearts of students, including those whose favorite candies were chocolate based.
Most people grew up liking fruitier candies that were either sweet or sour, but as they started to mature, they started liking chocolate and other less sweet candies more. Eventually, students’ favorite candies became simpler candies that focused on the chocolate.
While the debate of chocolate-based
as a feminist ‘advocating for female rights.’
“I think it started off as a joke, it quickly took off as something different,” Loncon said. “Guys now change themselves to fit into this stereotype to join in on the joke. Now any guy who has any interest seen as ‘performative’ is now labeled as performative themselves.”
Whether or not the persona of the performative male is considered a curated facade or a real fashion, it seems that the styles of the performative male will evolve and become a new trend over the next couple years.
or fruity is constant on campus, one thing most students could agree on is that there is no place for healthy options on Halloween. Halloween is an all-incheat day for most students on campus.
“Halloween and the two weeks after it are all cheat days,” May said.
Many students prefer handing out chocolate to trick-or-treaters, often Reese’s or Kit Kats, usually in king size versions. When it was not chocolate, the next most common choice would be a hard fruity candy.
“[My favorite candy] has got to be Dots, they come in a great packaging, they taste really good and they have always been a favorite of mine,” Wommack said.
The most controversial opinion that people had was about the gumdrop candy, Dots. Some students swore by Dots, calling them a defining Halloween candy that was underrated while others said they tasted bad, and it was the first thing that they traded away when they were a kid.
“I cannot stand those Dots, they taste like rubber,” said Tess Richardson, a freshman Mass communications major.
Candy is an essential part of Halloween and serves as a way for people to connect and make for a fun tradition. Whether they spend Halloween this year at home, at their dorm or at a bar there is going to be candy connecting GCSU students back to their childhood.
Bella McComis | Digital Media Editor Be
Bella McComis | Digital Media Editor
Julia Jensen | Art Director
Fall 2026 housing hunt
Kate Walker Arts & Life Editor
Amid the pressures of midterms and exams, students are already scrambling to secure housing for the 202526 school year, barely three months into the current one. Upperclassmen are rushing to re-sign current leases or find new housing and roommates, while freshmen face the housing search for the first time.
Limited availability, rising rent prices and competitive roommate hunts are pushing students to sign leases as fast as possible.
“I started looking when I got back to school because Magnolia’s mass lease renewal was at the end of September,” said Caroline McDonald, a sophomore elementary education major living at Magnolia Park Apartments. “It was so early that I had to look for either something else or re-sign for Magnolia. So, I started looking literally when I moved back into GCSU.”
After a stressful housing search last year, McDonald was determined to search early. Even though upperclass-
COSTUMES
Continued from page 1
“I’m not normally a last minute costume planner, I usually do things in advance, but time has slipped away from me in college,” said Hallie Zimmerman, a freshman business management major.
Even with busy schedules and a new environment, students are still wanting to make time for Halloween traditions.
Eden Frayne, a freshman nursing major, said
men had warned her about the scarcity of affordable, convenient and good condition housing, she found that by the time she was ready to sign, her options were narrowing fast.
“Freshman year everyone told me they get gone fast. That stressed me out, and I was like, oh wait, I need to sign now,”McDonald said. “This year I didn’t want to make the same mistake, so I looked extra early.”.
Lillian Winn, a sophomore mass communication major, chose to re-sign her apartment at Prospect Milledgeville after facing similar pressures last fall.
“I am re-signing with the same girls that I’m living with right now, but last year I started looking probably September, if not October,” Winn said.
Not even halfway through the school year, students are expected to find compatible roommates and sign leases before rent prices rise or availability disappears. Some students sign first and hope to match with friends later, while others take their chances with random roommates.
“When I knew who I was living with, I saw that they were going to jack up the prices re-
her plans include celebrating with close friends.
“For Halloween this year, I will probably watch a scary movie and bake cookies with friends. We’ve also been discussing attending a haunted house,” Frayne said.
Frayne also looks forward to dressing up throughout the weekend and choosing costumes that feel fun and nostalgic.
“I try to dress up every year.
My costumes were definitely more elaborate when I was younger and still trick or treat-
HIKES & TRAILS
Popular places for students to walk
Lucy Nunez Staff Writer
As the weather turns colder, GCSU students are starting to utilize local trails as well as trails at home to stay active. Popular Milledgeville trails include the Lockerly Arboretum, Bartram Forest and the Oconee Greenway.
The Lockerly Arboretum is known for its beautiful nature center that allows visitors to enjoy a garden, pond and walking trails. It also offers guided tours of Rose Hill, a historical house from the 1800s, field trips and summer camps.
“I love coming back to Milledgeville and visiting the Lockerly Arboretum with friends,” said Ella Caroll, a GCSU alumna. “I feel very calm when I look out into the pond and walk
ally quickly. So, we all signed as soon as possible,” Winn said.
McDonald believes the housing process has only gotten more competitive this year, with limited apartments and houses near campus. Students are comparing rates and weighing factors such as utilities, amenities, furnishings, location, safety and convenience.
“Most people want to live in a house, I would say, or closer to campus, but they’re really hard to get unless you know people. It’s super competitive to get close to campus and most of the time, people just have to settle for somewhere they have to drive in from,” McDonald said.
For students like McDonald who already live in apartments, the early decision is whether to re-sign despite rising rent prices or search for a better deal.
After Magnolia raised rates by $50 a month, McDonald decided to secure a house near campus with two other girls.
According to Aparments. com, rent in Milledgeville has increased by 2.3% in the past year. Average monthly rent ranges between $700 to $1000, with about 40% of rentals fall-
ing, but I think it’s a fun way to spend the holiday,” Frayne said.
Pop culture choices like movies, games and music have always been costume staples. For some, inspiration can come from their current interests.
“I mainly choose a costume based on whatever media I’m into at the time,” said Lily Marsden, a freshman biology major.
Marsden, like many students, said budgeting also influences her decision.
“I’m poor, so I’m re-wearing a costume from high school,” she said. “I wanted
walking and running on the Oconee Greenway three times a week,” said Eva Jeswald, a sophomore exercise science major.
around the garden.”
Another Milledgeville favorite is Bartram Forest, home to wildlife and three hiking trails measuring 5.5 miles, 7.5 miles and 10.3 miles. The forest also includes hunting opportunities and an education center.
“I visit Bartram Forest every other weekend and enjoy the 5.5 mile hike,” said Lauren Bledsoe, a junior nursing major. “I am very busy as a nursing major with the cohort, but when I hike it takes my mind off of school for a little while and refreshes my mind.”
The Oconee Greenway offers an open green space for picnics and three miles of paved paths, boardwalks and trails that run against the Oconee river. It also includes fishing opportunities, a boat ramp and a dog park.
“I alternate between
ing between $1001 to $1,500. While some complexes have raised prices, others encourage students to re-sign by guaranteeing their current rates.
“My rent has not gone up, thankfully. They gave us opportunities just to keep our current rent since we all were re-signing, which is nice,” Winn said.
According to GCSU’s Off-Campus Housing Marketplace and Arcadia’s website, as of October 2025 a four-bedroom, four-bathroom apartment in Milledgeville rents for as low as $700 at College Station and as high as $889 at Arcadia. Apartments at Revelry Flats, Bellamy, Magnolia Park and The Oaks range from $704 to $1,099 a month depending on size, occu-
to DIY my costume this year and buy it in separate pieces, but I’m not able to afford it.”
To keep things practical, she advises students to think about what is already in their closet before buying anything new.
“I’d say go thrifting or try to use pieces that you already have,” Marsden said.
Zimmerman is following a similar approach.
“I wanted to see what I already had in my closet, so I didn’t have to spend as much money. I tried to pick a costume that I already had the
pancy, utilities and location.
Townhomes and houses are also options, but their availability is limited, and they often lack the conveniences and amenities found in apartment complexes.
GCSU has continued to see record enrollment each year, welcoming over 7,200 students this fall. As freshman classes grow, housing availability continues to shrink.
“Since the freshman classes are getting bigger, every year it’s getting a little bit more competitive,” Winn said.
To aid students in their search, GCSU offers an Off-Campus Housing Marketplace at https://offcampushousing.gcsu.edu/listing.
stuff for,” Zimmerman said. This year she is choosing a simple, but classic costume, a black cat. Zimmerman’s best advice when it comes to Halloween costume planning is to “just wear something that you feel good and confident in.” Whether pulled from the back of a closet, thrifted, bought or handmade, GCSU students are putting their creativity on full display this Halloween.
Local hiking, walking and running trails are great opportunities to increase regular exercise in a daily routine. Getting in the habit of exercising early can also have health benefits in the future.
“It’s important to stay active for your physical and mental health,” said Eva Jeswald, a sophomore exercise science major. “People who exercise regularly will reap benefits such as a stronger memory and immune system later in life.”
Across Georgia, GCSU students engage in hiking a diverse range of state parks when they commute home. Red Top Mountain, located in Acworth, is known for its hiking trails stretching 15 miles.
“When I go home to see my family in Sandy Springs, one of our favorite things to do is take a trip to Acworth and hike a different trail on Red
Top Mountain,” said Elle Weiner, a sophomore management major. “It is a good way to spend time with family while also engaging in exercise.”
The Chattahoochee Nature Center is another popular hiking spot for GCSU students. Located in Roswell, Georgia, visitors can explore six wooded hiking trails, wildlife, an education center and canoeing opportunities.
“When I visit home in Marietta once in a while, I enjoy hiking and canoeing at the Chattahoochee Nature Center,” said Dorie McKown, a junior marketing major. “I have grown up around the outdoors and continue to try and get outside as much as I can.”
GCSU students who live in Kennesaw, Georgia, find Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park another popular nature center.
“The Pigeon Hill trail is my favorite at Kennesaw Mountain,” said Maggie Fleeman, a freshman graphic design ma-
jor. “My family and I hike and take our dogs with us during the fall season.”
Some students highlight Panola Mountain State Park as well for its three main trails Outcrop Trail, Watershed Trail and PATH Foundation Trail.
“My hometown friends and I visit Panola Mountain often when I come home from Milledgeville,” said Amy Kroll, a junior nursing major. “All three hikes have
beautiful viewing points.”
Stone Mountain is another hiking attraction that attracts visitors of all ages with trails, themed events, field trips and lake life.
“I love going to Stone Mountain over holiday breaks with my parents,” said Scarlett Simon, a junior music major. “Going on a hike and seeing many people hiking as well reminds me that it is a privilege we are able to move our bodies.”
Reaghan Shehee | Digital Media Editor
Mary Ciucevich | Editor in Chief
Your Local Government
Understanding the Mayor’s Role
Milledgeville operates under what’s commonly referred to as a City Manager form of government, which means the day-to-day operations of the city are handled by a professional administrator—the City Manager—who is appointed by the Milledgeville City Council. The Mayor, on the other hand, serves a unique and vital role:
• acting as the public face of Milledgeville
• presiding over City Council meetings
• representing the city at community events and in conversations with state, federal, and regional leaders
• helping set the tone for city leadership while keeping projects and initiatives moving forward
• serving as a bridge between residents, council members, and city departments.
While the Mayor only votes on Council matters in the event of a tie vote, the Mayor has the power to influence priorities, encourage action, and ensure accountability—especially when it comes to transparency, communication, and civic trust.
Walter is committed to...
• Transparency & Communication
• Infrastructure & Public Services
• Community Cleanliness & Beautification
• Economic Development
• Partnerships & Collaboration
• Affordability & Housing
• Public Safety
For 12 years, I've served Milledgeville with honesty, consistency, and heart. I've shown up — listening to neighbors, solving problems, and lending a hand wherever needed. With three new seats opening up on Council this year, we have an opportunity to truly reimagine what it means to live and work in Milledgeville. Now more than ever, our city needs a committed Mayor who is ready, willing and able to help move Milledgeville forward with focus, transparency, and action.
