Issue 9 | Volume 105

GCSU’s annual Bobcat Awards

Kennedy Welker

Asst. A&L Editor

GCSU held its annual Bobcat Awards and Recognition Program ceremony on Tuesday, April 8, at 6 p.m. in the Magnolia Ballroom of the Student Activities Center. This event celebrates student leaders and organizations across campus. The three categories of awards are for organizations, individuals and activities.

All recipients of Bobcat Awards are considered through nominations. GCSU office of student engagement collaborates with student life, sends out forms for each Bobcat nominee, then a committee reviews all applicants and chooses a winner based off of the nominations.

In order to be nominated, a student organiza-

tion is required to be recognized by the Student Government Association and be in good stand-

received the bobcat statuettes were invited to a formal dinner with President Cathy Cox in

ing with the university.

Depending on the type of award received, students would win a certificate, a scholarship cash prize or a bobcat statuette. Students who

Liberation Day

Amelia McEwen Staff Writer

Liberation Day was created by President Donald Trump in which he imposed elevated tariff rates on more than 180 countries to boost domestic manufacturing in the United States.

“Jobs and factories will come roaring back into our country, and you will see it happening already,” Trump said during his Liberation Day speech on April 2, 2025, at the White House. “Ultimately, more production at home will mean stronger competition and lower prices for consumers.”

Trump voiced that every country has “ripped off” the U.S., defending his controversial economic independence efforts.

The tariffs imposed by the president are mainly defined as reciprocal; a tariff that is implemented in response to a country that imposed similar action. He added that he would be more “lenient” with the policies, explain-

ing that not all of them would be reciprocal.

“The expectation is that it would grow manufacturing in the U.S. because people are going to want to buy at a relatively lower price than the after-tariff price from international products,” said Christopher Clark, an economics professor at GCSU. “So products that can be produced here can now be produced more often.”

Clark’s comment highlights Trump’s goals regarding Liberation Day. The other side of the spectrum involves a drive-up in input cost for domestic companies that use internationally produced products. Thus slowing down their output to consumers.

U.S. consumers take the hit directly due to the raised prices of Chinese goods. With that being said, there is a lower demand on these goods because less consumers are willing to pay the raised prices.

Matthew Malkowski | Digital Media Editor

the Governor’s Mansion to celebrate their student leadership success. Kara Kahaian, a senior criminal justice major and President of the GCSU esports team, re-

ceived the Club Sports Member of the Year Award. Kahain said she was surprised to receive this award but very grateful overall. Collectively, Kahaian and Adam Lively, a junior management information systems major, received the Student Organization of the Year Award, representing the esports team as a whole. This award recognizes a student organization that contributes to the GCSU community in a variety of ways.

Lively said that the changes esports has made within this semester have been a huge contributor to their success as an intramural team. Their club was recently able to move into a new room and purchase new equipment.

See BOBCAT | Page 8

Atlanta Braves update

Lily Reynolds Staff Writer

The Atlanta Braves have stumbled to an alarming 0-7 start, marking one of the worst beginnings in the franchise’s modern era, as injuries and offensive struggles plague the perennial contenders.

One of the team’s latest defeats came Wednesday, April 2, at Dodger Stadium when Shohei Ohtani crushed a walk-off home run against closer Raisel Iglesias, sealing a 6-5 loss and completing a winless road trip.

“I don’t wish this on anybody in a competitive arena,” said Brian Snitker, the Braves manager. “There’s nothing you can do but to fight your way out of it.”

Through their first six games, Atlanta scored just nine runs, setting a franchise record for offensive futility to begin a season.

Before seeing slight progress against the

Dodgers, their performance with runners in scoring position has been concerning to fans, going 1-for-34 in those circumstances.

Third baseman Austin Riley has struggled considerably, batting just 3-for-27 with 11 strikeouts in the early going.

“I think the main reason the team is performing so badly is because the hitters have had really bad approaches at the plate,” said Jack Saul, a sophomore mass communication major. “At the beginning of the year, they were almost recklessly swinging and not trying to just do their job.”

An early April game against Los Angeles represents the Braves’ early-season woes. They built a promising lead with five unearned runs in the first two innings against Dodgers pitcher and two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell, aided by Max Muncy’s throwing errors.

Lets talk about it

Why communication is vital

Molly Goff Opinion Editor

OPINION

In recent memory,

Friendships are one of the most complex concepts we experience in day-to-day life. They take time, effort and communication to work through conflicts and issues when they arise.

Now, this doesn’t mean friendships aren’t one of the most beautiful relationships to experience in life either. My friends truly keep me going and are my biggest support system.

I bring up the complexity because of the keyword - conflict. We all have it because we all have different values, views and opinions.

That is all a part of life, and we shouldn’t be ashamed of that! The problem presents itself when we make the mistake of saying “ok” when it really isn’t ok.

Have you ever wanted to go to a Mexican restaurant for dinner when your friend chooses an Italian restaurant? In most cases, people just agree instead of advocating for what they want.

Why is that the case?

And why are there so many variations of saying “ok” when it is not ok, further making communication that much harder?

“When I am with someone who I’m more comfortable with, I typically say something along the lines of, ‘Honestly, I’m not super comfortable with that, but I’m open to anything, ’” said Bella Lopez, a junior physics major. Students like Lopez are on the right track with the idea of honesty. Honesty leads to transparency, open communication and a sense of understanding for future choices or conversations.

Another part of the argument is the idea of comfort. People can’t be as honest if they aren’t comfortable or have built up trust with that other person. Why? There is fear and risk of losing a friendship or causing more conflict in the process.

“I handle conflict with friends by bringing up the topic after I see nothing is getting resolved for a couple of days,” said Taylor Justice, a sophomore exercise science major. “I hate making a situation worse if it doesn’t have to be.” I add a new perspective to the discussion: What if this determines who our real friends are?

Many students have this goal to “find themselves.” If we are finding ourselves, we are finding our real friends in the process.

Why was everyone so obsessed with teen pregnancy

Molly Goff | Opinion Editor

President Donald Trump

Matt Olson

See BRAVES | Page 6

Georgia’s pollen panic

Rylee Holland Asst. News Editor

The metro-Atlanta area broke its pollen count record twice in the past month. On Saturday, March 29, the pollen count was 14,801 and the following day, Sunday March 30, it was 11,159. Before these dates the record was at 9,369 in March 2012.

“Experts say that any pollen level above 1,500 grains is considered extremely high, so we are currently looking at seven times the extreme amount,” said the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Along with the record high pollen count, in recent years, the pollen season has lasted longer and longer than the previous year.

The shifts in climate and precipitation have had an effect on pollen and the excess of it.

“There have been shifts in precipitation patterns, with warmer air temperatures and less frost. These shifts have resulted in spring coming earlier than normal, which means we have a longer pollen season,” said Kristine White, an associate professor of biology and environmental sciences, as well as marine zoologist.

Many GCSU students felt that their allergies to pollen have gotten worse over the years.

“My allergies have always had an effect on me, but I can definitely see a difference this year,” said Sophie Powell, a junior sociology major. “Even with my allergy medicine, I am still feeling the symptoms like congestion, fatigue and headaches.”

While many students and faculty have always had allergies and continued to have them this year, some showed a huge difference in 2025.

“I have never experienced allergies until this year,” White said.

Milledgeville and metro-Atlanta.

“The pollen has completely covered the shoreline on Lake Sinclair in such a thick layer that it looked like you could walk on it,” White said. “I have not seen this much pollen pooling, especially in areas where there is water for it to stick around a bit longer.”

While the pollen is surely apparent through either the worsening allergies or the thick layers of it on tables, benches and lakes, many people want to know if the pollen level is concerning

Many people have never had allergies to pollen and continue to be safe from it this year, but they can still see the effects and the differences this year’s pollen has had.

The pollen goes even further than on the tables and benches around campus; it also reaches different areas around

VOLUME 105 | NO. 9

Editorial Board

Delaney Derry.................

Editor in Chief

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

...any pollen level above 1,500 grains is considered extremely high...

- AJC

cerning trend in an increase of pollen or if it’s just a fluke.

“I don’t think we can say if it is a trend yet, but if it happens again next year, we might be looking at a concerning trend,” White said.

Some environmental professors on campus believe the record high pollen count is concerning in other ways.

“Pollen is considered an air pollutant, which can have serious effects on people with asthma and other respiratory diseases,” White said.“Even if someone doesn’t have an underlying condition, the additional air pollutants can affect normally healthy people and make it harder to fight infections, such as the common cold.”

environmentally and physiologically.

“I do think climate change has a huge role in the increase of pollen, especially with the warmer weather. I mean, I like warmer weather, but it does have its effects,” Powell said.

Many have wondered if the public should be worried about a con-

@TheColonnade

The Georgia record high pollen count of 14,801 concerns some on the basis of how it is an air pollutant, the multitude of allergies and the excess of pollen that is visible, but it’s not a concerning trend yet considering this is the first year it has been this high.

@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.

Bee Pollen

Senate bill proposes a new approach to truancy

Brianna Heard Staff Writer

A new bill making its way through the Georgia Senate aims to change how schools respond to chronically absent students. Senate Bill 123, introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy, seeks to prohibit public schools from expelling students simply due to chronic absenteeism.

If put into place, the bill would prohibit expelling students solely for excessive absences and instead focus on creating a supportive environment for struggling students. Absentee review committees would work with students and families to identify and address the root causes of the absences.

“For far too long, absenteeism has affected our communities and inhibited Georgia students from reaching their full potential,” Kennedy said. “This legislation will en-

able local school districts to identify and implement protocols that directly address this issue, get our chronically absent students back in the classroom and ensure they have the necessary resources to build a foundation for future success.”

Students may miss school for a variety of reasons, including mental health challenges, family instability, lack of transportation or economic hardship. For some, responsibilities such as caring for younger siblings or holding part-time jobs contribute to their absences.

In many cases, these students are already under stress, and further disciplinary action can make it even harder for them to engage with their education.

“Chronic absenteeism refers to the number of students missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, divided by the number of students enrolled,” said the

Georgia Department of Education. “Georgia’s current chronic absenteeism rate is 20.7% .”

Under the bill, Georgia’s current compulsory attendance law will stay in effect. This requires children between the ages of six and sixteen to attend a public or private school or participate in a home study program.

The bill would clarify that this requirement no longer applies to students who have already earned a high school diploma or a state-approved high school equivalency diploma.

“I think the bill will be a good thing for students to help them as opposed to punish them,” Rachel Tew said, a sophomore public health major. “Hopefully, with the solutions offered, they can attend school more often. I think it is a win-win situation.”

Many feel that the proposed bill could have a significant impact on students who are strug-

gling with attendance for various reasons.

The proposed bill emphasizes the importance of local absentee review committees. These committees would consist of educators, counselors and administrators who will work directly with students and their families to develop individualized plans to address absenteeism.

By taking a more personalized approach, the bill hopes to provide students with the necessary resources, such as tutoring or counseling, that might help resolve the underlying issues affecting their attendance.

“I believe that finding a solution is better than just expelling, which in turn creates bigger problems,” said Julie Simmons, a junior mass communication major. “I think this bill will be a good thing.”

Critics argue that schools already stretched thin may struggle to find the staff or fund-

Low literacy in Georgia

Shadimon Smith News Editor

Low literacy rates in Georgia have been a topic of discussion for years, and many people have tried to fix the gap.

The Department of Justice did an investigation into this in 1993 coming to the conclusion that a child failing in school could indicate that they would have less success in the future.

According to Atlanta News First, only one in three fourth graders read proficiently in Georgia. Children not knowing how to read leads to adults not knowing how to read.

Georgia fourth graders have not reached reading proficiency since 1998.

“It’s 100% a link,” said Jud Smith, a Barrow County Sheriff. “If you don’t have literacy and you don’t have an education, you are walking down a path of recidivism and criminal activity.”

In 2024, Georgia students achieved the score of 214 in reading proficiency when the proficiency level is 238,

according to a graph from National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP.

“Although I wasn’t really surprised about what I read in the article, it still made me sad to read,” said Meryl Black, a freshman English major. “I think more emphasis needs to be put on learning to read outside of a school environment, like offering certain programs at government institutions, like a library or community center, to encourage reading outside of school. I think these programs should also stress to parents how important it is to read to or with your kid developmentally wise.”

According to the State of Literacy in Georgia in 2023, one in 10 Georgia adults have low literacy skills and adults that drop out and do not earn a high school diploma are 1.9 times more likely to be unemployed.

The State of Literacy in Georgia is a report by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement that was conducted in

2023 to research where people with low literacy skills stood in Georgia.

ing needed to support these committees and provide consistent interventions. Others worry about how effectiveness will be measured and whether students will respond to the proposed support systems.

The bill has already sparked debate in the legislature, with some lawmakers questioning the best course of action to address absenteeism.

Senate Bill 123 is still in

are 3.5 times more likely to be arrested according to Literacy Mid-South.

For example their job status, job industry and taking a close look at how other states worked to improve literacy.

“I’ve seen in my personal life that low literacy has led to crime,” said Stephanie Vasquez, a sophomore Music Therapy major. “Peers of mine that did poorly in school and were never properly educated ,such as dropping out at 16, went down bad paths. One of them is in jail right now in Georgia.”

High school dropouts

According to the National Adult Literacy Survey, 70% of all incarcerated adults cannot read at a fourth-grade level.

People with a low ability to read and write are more likely to turn to crime due to the inability to do everyday tasks at a job or get a job without a diploma. Those who can get a job work in industries such as construction, retail, manufacturing and food service.

“Abraham Lincoln learned to read in a cabin with a candle light,” said

Jennine Labuzan-DeLane, a recruitment coordinator for the University of Georgia. “So it doesn’t take all these resources to learn how to read. It takes focused attention, at least 30 minutes a day, starting in these preschools where A is at and B is but, and you making little Johnny connect these sounds.”

Those with little to no income are more prone to crime as a means of survival. Once they get arrested once they are most likely to reoffend due to loss of a job or no one willing to hire them due to them having a criminal record.

“I think adult literacy programs should also be much more accessible, especially to those who are incarcerated,” Black said. “I think literacy lessons should be mandatory in prisons for anyone who isn’t fully literate. I think with these steps we can better help combat the low literacy to incarceration rates.”

Some things that may contribute to low literacy are chronic absentism,

the early stages of the legislative process, and it will be up for further discussion and revisions before it can be put to a vote.

With chronic absenteeism being a growing concern in schools across Georgia, supporters of the bill hope that its passage could pave the way for a more compassionate, solution-driven approach to student success.

summer learning loss and family-oriented stressors such as family mobility, hunger, housing insecurity and toxic stress should be addressed.

“Now, as a mom and parent, I know and teacher that even at the preschool level, you can get your little literacy kits, you know, from the little educational stores, you know, got the little math and science kids, the literacy kits,” Labuzan-DeLane said. “If you just give them 15, 20 minutes of that every day, they’ll learn how to read. Don’t take no big budget.”

Doing a little bit of reading a day can help students stay encode the sounds of letters and words into their brains for a long time. It is the same with writing constant repition allows for the brain to create new knowledge pathways that can be accessed later for reference when encountering new information.

Georgia is working on finding ways to improve literacy among students and adults to lower the incarceration rate.

Julia Jensen | Art Director

Julia Jensen | Art Director

COVID-19 vaccine, Novavax, no longer authorized in U.S.

Sarah Burnhart Staff Writer

On Aug. 30, 2024, the Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorization of the Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine, which includes a single component that corresponds to the Omicron variant JN. One strain of SARS-CoV-2. The Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine is no longer authorized for use in the United States. This was the first COVID-19 vaccine for FDA action since the second Trump administration took office in January.

On March 11, 2020, the entire world shut down after COVID-19 caused 4,291 deaths with 118,000 cases in 114 countries — the World Health Organization, or WHO, declared COVID-19 a pandemic.

The FDA is a United States federal agency within the Department of Health and Human Services responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety, ef-

DAY

Continued from page 1

10% baseline taxes were directed toward nearly every country.

The European Union, Cambodia and the United Kingdom are several examples of nations being affected the most by these higher tax prices.

ficacy, security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines, medical devices, the Nations’s food supply, cosmetics and products that emit radiation.

The Pfizer vaccine is an mRNA vaccine that helps protect against the COVID-19 infection. It was developed by Pfizer and BioNTech and was one of the first vaccines approved for use in the U.S. in December of 2020.

Founded in 2008, BioNTech is a German multinational biotechnology company headquartered in Mainz that develops immunotherapies and vaccines, particularly for cancer and infectious diseases. This company utilizes technology platforms, includ-

ing mRNA-based therapies, targeted therapies and immunomodulators, to develop its treatments.

The Novavax shot is already available for emergency use. Still, full FDA approval would allow the vaccine to be used more widely and could offer more reassurance to people looking for alternatives to existing vaccines.

“I had to [get vaccinated] as a requirement for going out of the country,” said Camille Tobey, a sophomore mass communication major.

The Novavax vaccine is a traditional vaccine compared to the other vaccines. Its technology has been used before to prevent such conditions as shingles, human papillomavi-

rus, or HPV and others.

“It contains the coronavirus spike protein, but it’s engineered as a nanoparticle that cannot cause disease,” said Chloe Butts, a junior theatre major.

Unlike other vaccines, Novavax directly injects a version of the spike protein, along with another ingredient that also stimulates the immune system into the body, leading to the production of antibodies and T-cells.

T-cells are part of the immune system and develop from stem cells in the bone marrow. They help protect the body from infection and may also help fight cancer.

“I have personally had the Pfizer version of the vaccine since it came

out,” said Will Evans, dean of the College of Health Sciences at GCSU.

“While I cannot officially say I have ever been diagnosed with the virus that causes COVID-19, the messenger RNA vaccines are very effective and have been found to have limited adverse effects, all things considered.”

Evans says that all vaccines undergo four phases of testing. Phase one is the initial trial of a vaccine in humans for safety, dosing, and early efficacy information in a two-digit number of healthy volunteers.

Phase two is the subsequent trial on a drug’s efficacy and safety in a larger population of over 100 people in particular disease settings.

Phase three is the larger clinical study, with more than 1,000 people, often spanning regions or countries, to confirm efficacy and safety by monitoring adverse reactions. The vaccine is compared against a placebo or standard treatment. Phase four a trial is conducted after FDA approval and after the vaccine is on the market to gain additional information about the vaccine’s risks and benefits. This also established effectiveness in a real-world setting vs tightly controlled scientific settings.

“This vaccine would work similarly to other vaccines but would not apply messenger RNA technology,” Evans said. “Rather, components from the spike protein found in one the virus are used. It still aims at producing an immune response in people so we can better recognize and fight the virus if exposed.”

Many await to see what it would take for the FDA to approve this vaccine in the future.

For example, an imported product from China that is $100 will face a $140 added charge, causing the product to rise to $240.

“All of the domestic production is going to increase, but will that be more important than the

However, Asian countries are the ones taking the hardest hit. China, specifically, has experienced a 140% incline in tariff rates. This means that goods imported from China experience a tax that is 140% of their actual value. Since fewer consumers are looking to buy more expensive goods, countries like China lose profit.

other effects these tariffs will have, like people losing their jobs?” said Caleb Duke, a sophomore Finance major.

Duke brings a question to the table that has been asked many times over in recent political conversations. Because of the increased inflation, businesses that are reliant on imports may not be able to afford to pay their workers.

Despite the multitude of negative outcomes, in-

cluding job losses, some alternatives can combat these recent changes.

“It’s true that there may be short-term challenges, but the long-term benefits outweigh them,” said Kelby Anderson, a sophomore history major. “Higher prices might push consumers to buy American-made products, which will ultimately strengthen our economy. As for job losses, I think the focus should be on retraining work-

ers for roles in growing domestic industries.”

Anderson acknowledges the challenges at hand but brings a solution to the table regarding job losses. Instead of assuming that these losses will be the definitive outcome, he comes up with a solution to train workers in order to compensate for the constantly changing economy. Additionally, he argues that although there are some disruptions, the domes-

tic benefits outweigh them in the long-run. Liberation Day proceeds with controversy and it is uncertain what exactly is to come, but with time it will be apparent. The sweeping tariffs may alter the economy in the short and longterm which is projected to introduce challenges, as well as benefits. Until then, the U.S. and other nations will have to adjust to the events following Liberation Day.

COVID -19 Vaccine Bottle

Fantasy football traditions

Benjamin Clark Asst. Sports Editor

Every fall, as the NFL season kicks off, a parallel universe comes alive — Fantasy Football. Fantasy Football is a world-renowned cultural phenomenon powered by fans who are passionate about the sport. Fans bring together their love for the game and their competitive spirit to draft players from the entire NFL player base while competing with friends for prizes, or punishments.

Fantasy Football is a game within a game, where fans act as franchise owners and compete against each other by building their teams made up of real-life NFL players. Instead of coaching or managing them in real life, you score points based on how well your players perform in actual NFL games each week.

There are several types of Fantasy Football leagues, each offering a

different experience. The most common is the redraft league, where a new draft occurs every season, and no players carry over from year to year. This format is straightforward and perfect for casual players or beginners.

For those who crave more depth, keeper leagues offer a middle ground by allowing managers to retain a few players each season, blending short-term decisions with long-term planning.

Redraft leagues are very popular, working in tandem with the yearly season. However, hardcore players might prefer Dynasty Leagues. A Dynasty League is a type of Fantasy Football league where you keep most or all of your players from year to year. Instead of starting fresh each season with a new draft, your team becomes a long-term franchise that you manage over multiple seasons, creating an interactive environment that forces

players to keep up even after the seasons end.

“We prefer Dynasty,” said Cade Steel, a junior history major. “The first draft is always very engaging, and making good trades actually impacts your score a lot down the road.”

During Fantasy, you draft your dream team of players from across the league, watch them rack up stats on Sundays, and go head-to-head with other “owners” in your league. It’s part strategy, part luck, and has the U.S. and many other nations, waiting patiently for fall to begin again.

At the heart of Fantasy are the traditions that bind leagues together year after year. From draft rituals to humiliating punishments, these customs make Fantasy Football feel less like a game to watch and more like an interactive competition.

The draft is Fantasy Football’s biggest event, with fans gathering

snacks, drinks and wings to commemorate the experience. For many, the draft isn’t just an event, it’s a celebration of the start of the new NFL season.

Some groups will include prizes for the winners, like trophies or money. Many fantasy players opt to punish the biggest loser, becoming a defining tradition with the younger generations.

In an interview with Bleav Fantasy, longtime Fantasy Football player Tyler Harding explored his experience with fantasy punishments.

“Every year right before the draft we throw

Is the torpedo bat revolutionary?

Bryan Cohen Contributing Writer

The New York Yankees swept the Milwaukee Brewers out of the Bronx, outscoring Milwaukee 3614, as they knocked out 15 home runs to tie the American League and National League record for most home runs in the first three games of the season. However, many look to a new revolutionary bat structure as a reason for the Yankees’ prolific home run start to the season. Aaron Leanhardt is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in electrical engineering and a Ph.D. in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He later returned to Michigan as a professor in physics from 2007 to 2014; however, Leanhardt left his teaching position to become an assistant coach first in the Independent Atlantic League and later in a community college in Montana before joining the Yankees as a Minor League hitting coach in 2018. Leanhardt quickly climbed through the organization’s ranks, with many players commenting on the intuitiveness of Leanhardt’s explanations of his hitting advice. In 2024, Leanhardt became the organization’s first-ever “Major League Analyst.” “The bat shall be

a smooth, round stick not more than 2.61 inches in diameter at the thickest part and not more than 42 inches in length. The bat shall be one piece of solid wood.” According to the official Major League Baseball Rule Book. The Bat shifts the density of the barrel from the traditional position towards the top of the bat, to an almost unorthodox location, shifting more towards the bat’s handle. There have been many innovations in baseball bats over the past few years, the first being Axe Bats. Axe Bats slant the knob at the end of the bat to replicate the handle, it was originally popularized by players such as Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Another example is NoKnob Bats — bats without knobs at all, that slightly adjust weight distribution, used lovingly by Jeff McNeil of the New York Mets. Players around the league have adapted and begun to use this innovation in the sport. Elly De La Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds went 4-5 with two home runs, four runs, and 11 total bases in his first game using the Torpedo Bat. Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who set the record for hardest-hit exit velocity in 2024 at 121.5 was in the 99th percentile for average

exit velocity at 95.5 and began using the Torpedo Bat this year. However, Cruz improved one of his struggles, the Launch Angle Sweet Spot percentage, by using the new innovation, going from the 27th percentile (32.1%) to the

an 86 OPS+ (100 is the average) in the previous year, but so far this season, he’s launched four long balls, a .908 OPS and 160 OPS+.

Volpe has also improved immensely in almost every category: average exit velocity (22nd percentile to

97th percentile (51.7%). By shifting the sweet spot of the bat from the generic location to lower towards the handle, Cruz’s more compact swing, due to his 6’ 7” height, allows for a higher percentage of better swings from the newly minted centerfielder. Finally, the possibly most improved, Yankee shortstop Anthony Volpe, entering his junior season, went from a Baseball-Savant batting run value in the 4th percentile (-16) in 2024 to the 87th percentile (4) to begin the 2025 season. Volpe homered just twelve times in 160 games and a very much below average .657 OPS, producing

66th percentile), expected slugging percentage (8th to 75th), and barrel percentage (12th to 86th). In an interview with Bryan Hoch, Volpe explained his thoughts on the Torpedo Bats. “The concept makes so much sense. I know I’m bought in,” Volpe said. “The bigger you can have the barrel where you hit the ball, it makes sense to me.”

Many players are intrigued by the bat, using the Torpedo Bat in batting practice to test the hype around the invention. However, some have also decided against it. San Diego Padres’ Brandon Lockridge explained that he tested the Torpedo

in ideas of what we can do for a punishment,” Harding said.

“This year, whoever lost had to take the ACT.”

Harding lost his friendly league of fantasy football, inevitably finding himself taking the ACT as a punishment.

These punishments tend to brew up rivalries, with trash-talk and arguments only being inflamed by the fear of losing.

Rivalry weeks are common among longer Fantasy leagues. Over time, matchups develop extra heat as brothers, old roommates and longtime friends go

Bat during Spring Training, yet chose to stick with his current baseball bat. Yankees’ Aaron Judge, who has won the MVP in two of the last three seasons (2022 and 2024), decided against changing over to the Torpedo Bat with many of his other teammates. It seems to have not mattered, though, with the bat hitting a league-leading six home runs so far this season, driving in 20 runs. The Torpedo Bat is more of a situational tool, which relies heavily on the batter rather than the bat itself, usually working better with players who get jammed more often because of their swing path.

After the Yankees opening series, many fans and even a few players sided against the Torpedo Bats, looking for a possibility to ban the innovation. “Baseball has always done this,” said Nolan Belcher, GCSU’s baseball head coach. “Hitters adjust, and then pitchers adjust right back.” It’s true that whenever batters make an adjustment, even one that does not involve such a drastic change as moving the bats’ sweet spot, pitchers will soon follow, learning new ways to attack hitters.

head to head. These rivalry weeks come with higher stakes, like side bets or bragging rights.

Some leagues even keep lifetime head-tohead records or power rankings. It is the Fantasy equivalent of a college football rivalry game. At the core of these traditions is friendship and camaraderie. Fantasy Football allows friends to stay connected, brings coworkers closer and provides weekly excitement for many fans. The stories, inside jokes and annual customs, turn a simple sport into a much larger personal tradition.

Just a few years ago, Major League Baseball introduced the pitch clock, forcing pitchers to speed up their motions in a way to decrease the length of baseball games and retain viewer attention. Many immediately thought this was an advantage for batters, forcing pitchers to potentially become uncomfortable in comparison to when they had more time, yet pitchers, as usual, quickly adjusted, and the pitch clock has become a beloved addition to the sport, successfully, decreasing the average game time from a little over three hours to about two hours and 45 minutes.

With the popularity of the new bats growing, Minor League Baseball will shortly take suit, and if the bats stand, it’s possible that NCAA Baseball may soon follow in the Major’s footsteps. “We would try it out, and if we thought it was in the best interest of the player, we’d certainly give him a shot and let him use it,” Blecher said. As of now, the bat has not been banned by Major League Baseball, but it’s also not a cheat code for every player. It depends on the player’s mechanics for the success of the bat, and right now, the New York Yankees have seen that success. Only time will tell to see how far the Torpedo Bats will make it in baseball, but it seems as of right now, many players will continue to give it a shot, trying to torpedo some baseballs out of the ballpark.

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BRAVES

Continued from page 1

However, they squandered a bases-loaded, no-outs opportunity in the sixth inning when Riley struck out and first baseman Matt Olson popped up. Iglesias couldn’t preserve their lead, allowing a game-tying double to Muncy in the eighth before surrendering Ohtani’s decisive homer in the ninth.

Injuries have compounded Atlanta’s problems. Spencer Strider is scheduled for what could be his final rehabilitation start with Triple-A Gwinnett from his elbow surgery in 2024. Strider is expected back this week.

Right-handed pitcher Reynaldo López underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery on April 8 that revealed no structural damage, but he will be shut down for 12 weeks before being reevaluated. The team hopes he might return later this season.

Talented outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. is scheduled to return in early May after continuing his recuperation from a ruptured left ACL. To prevent the persistent pain he felt after recovering from

a right ACL injury in 2022, the team is being cautious with his recovery.

“I am excited to see Acuña Jr. come back next month,” said Elise Yankus, a sophomore mass communication major. “He has been one of my favorites since playing on the Braves.”

tros on April 8 to solve their pitching shortage, with a player to be named later. Zach Thompson, a right-hander, was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on April 9, and Montero was added to the active roster.

The team also activated catcher Sean

Reliever Joe Jiménez faces a much longer timeline after knee surgery revealed significant cartilage damage. He is not expected to return before August and could miss the entire 2025 season.

The Braves signed reliever Rafael Montero from the Houston As-

Murphy from the injured list on April 6 and designated Chadwick Tromp for assignment. Tromp elected free agency after being outrighted to Triple-A. Infield prospect Nacho Alvarez Jr. remains sidelined with left wrist inflammation but is ex-

pected to return by mid-April.

Despite the disappointing start, bright spots include Marcell Ozuna’s .552 on-base percentage and MLB-leading 13 walks, along with contributions from Matt Olson and second baseman Ozzie Albies, who each have one home run and five RBIs this season.

The Phillies entered on Thursday, April 10 with amatchup having won two of three games when playing as underdogs this season. Their offense is powered by Kyle Schwarber, who ranks third in MLB with five home runs and 12th with 11 RBIs while batting .324.

“We recognize our fans’ concerns and share their desire for improved results,” Snitker said. “This organization has a proud tradition of overcoming obstacles, and we’re committed to turning this situation around for our supporters.”

As the Braves search for more wins, they will need to overcome both their injury challenges and offensive struggles to avoid digging an even deeper hole in the early season standings.

NFL receives mixed reactions with rule changes

Allie Smith Staff Writer

The National Football League, or NFL, has announced significant rule and operation changes for the 2025 season, aiming to enhance dynamics and fairness.

One of the most notable changes is the league has moved the spot for touchbacks from the 30-yard line to the 35yard line and modified overtime rules to ensure both teams have an offensive opportunity.

automatic field position at the 30-yard line. By moving it to the 35-yard line, the league hopes it will increase how often returns happen by adding excitement to special teams plays.

This change is happening because of the past several seasons of declining kickoff returns, a result of player safety concerns and better kickoff strategies.

“By moving the touchback to the 35, the league projects that

I wasn’t a fan of it at first, but I liked the dynamic kickoff once I saw it in play.

The reason for the touchbacks being changed is to encourage teams to keep kickoffs in play rather than usually settling for the

-Grant Phillips

the return rate will rise to somewhere between 60% and 70%, with a similar increase in long returns, adding more excitement to the

game,” said AP News.

The new overtime format makes sure that both offenses will have at least one possession, without the technicality of whether the first team to receive the ball scores a touchdown, and NFL games that are tied after the four quarters of regulation enter a 10-minute overtime period.

“Both teams will now get at least one possession, even if the team that has the first possession scores a touchdown,” said FOX Sports News. “If the team that got the ball first doesn’t score a touchdown, or if the score is tied after each team has possessed the ball, the next score would end the game.”

In the past, if the team that won the coin toss and received the ball first scored a touchdown on the opening drive, the game would end immediately, which prevented the opposing team from having an opportunity.

This rule was often

criticised for favoring the team who won the coin

the correct outcome.

The change involves

toss, often predicting the game’s outcome before the opposing offense had a chance to take the field. The change looks to create a more fair and competitive environment, especially in highstakes playoff scenarios. Other changes include a stricter enforcement of roughing-the-passer penalties, intended to reduce controversial calls that have previously impacted the games outcomes. The league has also updated instant play procedures which allows officials to review plays like touchdowns, turnovers and boundary calls to ensure

that officials will have expanded authority to correct clear and obvious errors on reviewable plays, even if the coach does not challenge them. This change aims to ensure greater accuracy in officiating and reduce in-game mistakes.

League officials stated that the touchback adjustment was influenced by the data showing a huge decrease in kickoff returns, which some believe decreased the excitement of the game itself.

The decision to alter overtime rules came from the common frustration among players, coaches and fans who

felt the system was unfair in the past. The new format was used in last year’s playoffs in which both teams in each game had a chance to score.

The overall positive feedback and reaction led to them changing the decision for the regular season moving forward.

There have been many different reactions to these changes among fans. Some welcome the adjustments while others remain skeptical.

“I wasn’t a fan of it at first, but I liked the dynamic kickoff once I saw it in play,” said Grant Phillips, a sophomore exercise science major. As the 2025 season approaches, teams and fans will be closely watching how these rules will impact the gameplay during the regular season and playoffs. Whether these changes will achieve the league’s intended goals or not, they show a commitment to continue to balance fairness and safety in professional football.

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr.

IN ADDITION TO TUITION

What are students really paying for?

Kate Walker Contributing Writer

Every semester, GCSU undergraduates pay thousands of dollars in tuition and fees. However, students may not know what their money is funding and what amenities are available to them.

In addition to tuition, undergraduates pay around $750 in flat fees, on top of other fees such as Housing Program fees for undergraduates living on campus and foreign language fees for students enrolled in foreign language classes. These fees are often grouped under broad labels such as “health,” “tech” and “activity” fees, all of which support the everyday operations of the campus.

“We’re getting charged for all of these different things, and we don’t even necessarily use them,” said Kelsey Slinn, a sophomore elementary education major. “If they’re going to continue to charge us for these things, I think it’s important that we try to use them as much as we possibly can.”

The Activity Center Fee pays for the purchase

and renovation of the Georgia College Student Activities Center, which includes the Magnolia Ballroom and “The Den,” both used for student meetings and events.

Separate from the Activity Center Fee, the Student Activity Fee funds recreational sports, social entertainment, student

includes a gym, climbing wall and swimming pool, which is currently under maintenance.

One of the most controversial GCSU fees is the Parking and Transportation Enhancement Fee, which every student is required to pay regardless of whether or not they have a car

$181 a semester, funds intercollegiate athletic programs, granting students free admission to all athletic events.

Students also have access to the Student Health center through the Health Fee, which covers operational costs and health education programs. Students who pay the fee can make appointments at the clinic between the hours of 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,

publications and Student Government. It also supports campus-wide events and registered student organizations.

Students have access to the campus recreational complex through the Wellness Center Fee, which covers both the operational costs of the center and the bond approved for its construction. The complex

registered on-campus. The fee maintains surface parking in addition to supporting campus shuttle services.

“They always advertise that parking is free and then it’s not, and if you don’t have a car, why are you paying for parking?”Slinn said.

The Athletic Fee, the highest of all mandatory undergraduate fees at

Monday through Friday and visit a licensed health professional at no additional cost, given that no lab work is involved.

The fee also supports a part-time Psychiatric Clinical Nurse Specialist for the Counseling Center, where students can access counseling services at no additional charge.

“If you need a prescrip-

tion or something, they’ll write it for you, for free, and you don’t have to pay to go to Urgent Care or anything,” Slinn said.

The Technology Fee provides funding for technology across campus, including the Library and Instructional Center computer facilities and software, equipment checkout, replacement and expansion of student used hardware and support for technology in the classrooms.

Finally, the Bobcat Card Fee covers annual support and maintenance for the one-card system, which serves as both a university ID and a debit card used for access to buildings and campus dining services.

Regardless of whether students use all the services available to them, it’s crucial they understand where their money is going.

“I think it’s important so students can make good financial decisions and decide an allotted amount of money to put for certain things,” said Madelyn Lowe, a junior middle grades education major. “That might influence the decision of what they want to purchase or what they want to do or what they want to be in-

volved in, because then they know where else their money is going.”

However, Lowe also noted that some fees, such as the parking fee for students without cars and student activity fees, may not be necessary.

“I think you should pay for what you want and not for what other people want,” she said.

According to the GCSU Business Office, these fees are set by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. However, there is a campus Advisory Mandatory Student Fee Committee that reviews and votes on these fees each year.

The committee, a part of the Office of Student Life, includes graduate students, part-time students, residential students and commuter students. Any student interested in serving on the committee can contact Fina Endere, the Senior Director of Budget, at fina.endere@gcsu.edu. Additionally, the Office of Student Life noted that the introduction of new fees, the repurposing of fees, or the increase of any fee by 20% or more must be voted on by a student body referendum.

Is Milledgeville the perfect college town?

Sophia Abad Staff Writer

GCSU students enjoy the tight-knit community that going to college in small-town Milly provides. Mikaylie Hadden, a senior criminal justice and psychology major, appreciates the personal relationships she has made during her time at GCSU.

“Since Milledgeville and GCSU especially have such small populations in comparison to other cities and universities in Georgia, GCSU students have the unique privilege of forming close relationships with their peers and faculty,” Hadden said.

Hadden feels that the atmosphere in Milledgeville has encouraged her to participate more in serving the community.

“We have more opportunities to closely work together in various ways such as buddy programs with students who have

intellectual disabilities, working in collaboration with the animal shelter to help get cats and dogs homes and off the euthanasia list and we get to volunteer in a way that helps the environment by doing monthly trash pickups,” Hadden said.

Jenna Vansant, a liberal studies major, feels that her involvement in the Millidgeville community has been an indispensable part of her experience at GCSU.

“Getting involved in the community in Milledgeville is so unique and important because there is so much you can learn from this town,” Vansant said. “GCSU and Milledgeville or Baldwin County are very different from each other.”

She believes getting involved in both GCSU and Baldwin County events will diversify a college student’s experiences.

“By involving your-

self in both atmospheres, it allows you insights into different lifestyles and experiences that you may not be used to,” Vansant said. “I think that being a student here and involv-

college in Milledgeville.

“Something unique about going to GCSU is the historical aspect,” Pelaez said. “There is a lot of history behind the buildings around town.”

Though Milledgeville is no longer the capital of Georgia, the city contains well preserved architecture and many opportunities for exploring Georgia’s past.

ing myself in the community has allowed me a much broader experience than if I went to school and did nothing else.”

Val Pelaez, a freshman political science major, also notes the town’s rich history as a special part of going to

In December of 1804, Milledgeville was officially named the new state capital and served as the capital of Georgia until 1868. The city was modeled after Savannah, Georgia, and Washington D. C., with a layout built for efficiency and order.

GCSU original founding as a prep school for women named Georgia Normal & Industrial College Milledgeville, which students affectionately refer to as “Milly,” is now primarily known as a college town, which allows for many opportu-

nities for students across different majors to connect with peers and faculty and get involved in the Baldwin County area.

The Liberal Arts GCSU students know and love today culminated from multiple university changes and has remained the same since 1996.

Pelaez shared that she loves visiting the old Governor’s mansion to take pictures before events.

Students at GCSU have the unique ability to learn about Georgia’s past, through exploring the city’s historical buildings, touring museums and doing research on their own to become more informed about their college town. There are also plenty of opportunities to become involved with the local community of the Milledgeville/Baldwin County area by participating in programs and volunteer projects.

Julia Jensen | Art Director

Kennedy Welker | Asst. A&L Editor

ARTS & LIFE

BOBCAT

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“We’ve grown our club a lot over these past couple of months,” Lively said. “We did a lot of talk with student staff, and we’re doing a lot of work with the middle school. So we’ve done a lot of programs just in the past couple of months to build and expand.”

According to Kahaian, the esports team used to be much smaller, and promotion and recognition has helped them flourish as an intramural club.

“We used to have a single competing team, and now we have probably five

year-rounds,” Kahaian said. “We’re always traveling, and we’re just making good friends in our community, so we’ve definitely grown in recognition too.”

The Registered Student Organization Advisor of the Year award was given to Sarah Goodelman, a GCSU graduate and Student Engagement Program Coordinator. Goodelman also happened to be one of the announcers at the Bobcat awards ceremony.

The RSO Advisor award acknowledges an advisor who performed outstandingly in advising a student organization. Goodelman oversees two clubs on campus, the Campus

Activities Board and GC Miracle.

“I’m not a person who works for validation or anything like that,” Goodelman said. “I’m just a girl doing my job. But to know that I’m making an impact on these students’ lives is something very rewarding to know.”

During her time as a student at GCSU, Goodelman was involved in GC Miracle and asked specifically to work as the advisor for the club to continue showing her support for its mission in funding the Beverly Knight Olsen Children’s Hospital.

“My key role now, even though I’m not a student anymore, is to be there and

What is the proper concert attire?

Madi Hummel Staff Writer

Concert attire has become a popular topic on social media platforms as a way to promote individual style and unique clothing brands.

Summer is quickly approaching, bringing warm weather, breaks from school and most importantly, concerts and music festivals.

Big-name artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Kendrick Lamar and Green Day are touring this summer.

Concert series’ and festivals like Coachella, Rolling Loud and Shaky Knees are home to some of the year’s biggest music scenes.

With the variety of artists and events happening right now, the big question for most concert goers has less to do with ticket prices, venue location or openers, instead their concerns lie with what to wear.

Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” has become one of the biggest examples of prominence when discussing the topic of concert attendees’ outfit choices.

Swift held 149 concerts in 21 different countries and took the internet by storm with a movie capturing the experience, clips of different performances and importantly, fan’s outfit choices.

Most attendees’ outfit choices reflected Swift’s different albums and genres in the form of clothes.

Popular outfits included looks taken from Swift’s past music videos, tours, album covers and most specifically from songs or lyrics. Prominent features of most fans’ fits comes down to Swift’s signature “13” drawn on her hand.

The Eras Tour highlighted the significance of concert attire and became a focal point for the spread of fashion trends within an artist’s fanbase.

Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to dress-

ing up for concerts.

Hannah Beth Chapman, a sophomore history major, recently went to and enjoyed a Hozier concert.

“I wore a pair of Mary Jane shoes, a long brown skirt, a cream tank top and then a black cardigan on top,” Chapman said.

Chapman went to the concert with friends who also liked the experience of picking out their outfits for the event.

“My friend wore a white sweater, black jeans and a cool headband,” Chapman said.

Claire Peterson, a sophomore mass communication major, attended the local Milledgeville concert series, Sounds of the Spring, recently.

“I ended up wearing this little black tank top with a dark denim mini skirt, and then I had this long, loose knit sweater that I tied,” Peterson said. “I thrifted it a couple of years ago.”

Peterson highlighted the universal experience of getting ready as a pivotal step that every concert attendee takes.

“It actually took me quite a bit of time to pick out my outfit,” Peterson said. “My roommates and I played dress up a lot.”

Ty Karraker, a junior mass communication major, has been to a number of concerts in Milledgeville and Atlanta within recent months.

“I honestly think that there’s less of an expectation for guys to dress up for concerts,” Karraker said. “In Milledgeville especially, the majority of guys wear jeans and a t-shirt or a polo; that’s what I usually wear too.”

Apart from personal style, different music genres can be defining features in determining how one dresses to attend a concert.

Chapman could see common themes in the crowd’s choice of clothing at the Hozier concert.

“People were wearing a lot of long skirts, Converse and boots,” Chapman said. “There were a lot of warm tones and

white and brown clothes; it was very cottage-core.”

Hozier is an Irish musician famous for his mix of indie, folk and alternative genres within his music.

“I’d say Hozier’s specific genre of music was reflected in what people were wearing,” Chapman said.

Sounds of the Spring was a series of concerts held throughout downtown Milledgeville in March.

“There were some people that were wearing normal going-out outfits, like a nice top and jeans,” Peterson said. “Then there were a lot of people who dressed up a little more, like dresses, tights, a lot of jewelry, everything like that.”

At each specific show, attendees’ outfits became reflective of the specific genres being played. Many of these genres fall into their own subcultures, which generally reflect specific fashion trends.

“There were a couple different bands that were playing different genres,” Peterson said. “The bands playing at Blackbird were more of punk or grunge, so people that were there were dressing more to that subculture.”

Smaller concerts, like those held in Milledgeville and other college towns, have a unique atmosphere compared to major concerts held in arenas or big cities.

“I feel like to an extent, there’s a dress code for college concerts, especially here,” Peterson said. “It’s kind of a little bit more alternative and a little bit more edgy in some ways.”

Today, social media plays a large role in concert attire, from “get ready with me” videos, brand promotion or sharing pictures of the events on different platforms, social media has become an integral part of the concert experience.

In terms of personal style, social media can be a useful tool for picking out outfits.

“I’ve definitely seen

posts about what people are wearing to go to concerts,” Karraker said. “I think it’s cool to see how creative they get with it.”

Social media also spreads inspiration for unique topics and helps introduce people to new things.

“Social media opens you up to a variety of subcultures and aesthetics and can give you a lot of good ideas on what to wear,” Chapman said.

Social media can have its downsides when it comes to trends and promoting certain clothing styles at concerts and festivals.

“You sometimes see posts about concerts, and everyone in the crowd is wearing the same thing,” Karraker said. “So I think it can go either way with how social media plays a role in what people wear to concerts.”

Social media is a useful source of inspiration, but it can have an impact on how quickly people buy certain items of clothing and trends.

“I think social media creates more consumerism and buying things you may not really need,” Chapman said. “People might buy a piece of clothing to wear for a concert and then never wear it again.”

For many, picking out what to wear is an important part of the concert experience.

Based on the artist’s fan-base or subculture surrounding a band’s music, concert attendees can find inspiration in what to wear.

While social media can impact how people dress for concerts, there is a balance of inspiration and creativity that attendees can utilize when making their outfit decisions.

Ultimately, whether an attendee chooses to dress up or stay casual, to reflect a genre or dress in one’s own personal style, it comes down to individual preference; there is no real dress code for concert attire.

do tasks for them that they don’t need to be spending their time on,” Goodelman said. “It’s just a very big impact I know I’m making, not just on the organization, but the kids at the hospital as well.”

Goodelman, Lively, Kahaian and the rest of the reward recipients were all thrilled to be recognized at the Bobcat Awards and Recognitions Program Ceremony. The ceremony celebrated and honored student programs and student leaders for all of their contributions to the GCSU community through service, fundraising, promotion and leadership development.

Paige Blakemore | Managing Editor

Paige Blakemore | Managing Editor

Courtesy of Meghan Mainor

GCSU VEGAN FEST

Zoey Hooper Contributing Writer

On Monday, April 7, the Jain Studies Program invited the campus community to an evening of Jain Philosophy and vegan cuisine. Vegan Fest offered delicious plantbased meals as well as information on the ethicality and environmental dimensions of veganism.

pan-fried seitan cutlets with a lemon tahini sauce, Indian vegetable stir-fry and chana masala. At the Mediterranean Mezze Station was hummus, baba ganoush, fresh cucumbers, kalamata olives, and vegan pita chips .

As the guests enjoyed their vegan dinner, the event began with opening remarks from Caley Smith, assistant profes-

The menu consisted of a diverse array of global vegan cuisine. At the Mexican Taco Station, guests could build their own tacos with tortillas, vegan shredded cheese, black beans, spicy roasted vegetables and guacamole.

Meanwhile, the Indian Cuisine Station featured

sor of religious studies, who spoke about how the ancient Indian philosophy of Jainism aligns with many of the principles behind modern veganism. According to Smith, Jainism emerged alongside early renouncer movements such as Buddhism and strands

of Hinduism. The core principle of Jainism is to break out of the cycle of birth and rebirth, as life is riddled with suffering, and instead pursue a spiritual path towards liberation.

In this philosophy, karma physically sticks to the soul through violent or careless actions. Therefore, the less one acts, the purer the soul remains.

“The core value in Jainism is ‘Ahimsa’, or non-violence,” Smith said. “It’s not just about avoiding harm to humans, but to all sentient beings.”

It is the Jain belief that ethical action means minimal action. The idea of doing the least harm possible to ensure minimal suffering is what many see as one of the earliest examples of ethical vegetarianism.

While many Jains have traditionally practiced vegetarianism, growing numbers of Jains outside of India have embraced veganism. They regard this as the ultimate nonviolent lifestyle.

Sunrise on the reading

Jain values have influenced inspiring global figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, who applied ‘Ahimsa’ to political activism, as well as Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez.

Further into the event, Dr. Mark Causey, senior lecturer of philosophy & religious studies discussed the environmental and analytical aspects of veganism. Veganism is regarded primarily as an animal rights issue but it has expanded into a prominent environmental movement.

Infographics were provided to show the numerous effects meat consumption has upon the climate. Some of the facts discussed were that one pound of beef takes around 16 pounds of grain, roughly 3,000 gallons of water, and that the methane emitted by livestock farming surpasses the total emissions from the entire transportation sector.

“If we diverted even a fraction of the land, water, and food used for animal agriculture toward plant-based alternatives, we could feed significant-

Is the release of “Sunrise on the Reaping” reviving the dystopian genre?

Hope Martin Staff Writer

In the past couple of months, the popular YA book and film series “The Hunger Games” has piqued new interest with another prequel release, sparking speculation around a 2014 dystopian revival.

“The Hunger Games” is a dystopian post-apocalyptic trilogy set in an authoritarian capitalist America based in the future. The first book was published by Suzanne Collins in 2008, with a movie adaptation released in 2012, quickly after the book gained popularity.

Collins has authored many books before “The Hunger Games” rose to fame. Before “Hunger Games,” Collins wrote “Gregor the Overlander,” a book popular among pre-teens at the time.

Popularity of the series launched the dystopian genre into the mainstream, with the first movie alone achieving a $695.2 million profit and many awards.

While dystopian stories have done well for decades, George Orwell’s “1984” being one such notable example, Col-

lin’s series caused a new wave of American dystopian fantasy to trend.

From “Divergent,”

“The Uglies” and “Matched,” the 2010s were filled with dystopian young adult romance.

While “The Hunger Games” does not match all the characteristics of this genre trend, it is widely believed that the series is what started the 2010s dystopian craze.

A common complaint from this genre was that it became overdone or watered down over time, losing the uniqueness.

The YA dystopian genre in film seemingly died out with films like “The Darkest Minds” and the second installment of “Divergent.” Despite a falling out of the genre, “The Hunger Games” remains steady, as seen with the release of the 2023 film adaptation of “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” which earned $349 million worldwide.

The latest installment of the series is “Sunrise on the Reaping,” a prequel focused on Katniss’s mentor, Haymitch Abernathy, and the first game he was reaped for. The cover of the novel shows a flint striker with a bird and snake

on each end, representing the rebellion and Snow respectively, and illustrating how Haymitch sparked the rebellion in the original “The Hunger Games” trilogy.

With the book having been released only one month ago and a movie is already in the works, students are excited.

“I remember reading his games in ‘Catching Fire’, and I always wanted to find out more,” said Ridgley Fenters, an English master’s student. “I’m really excited we now get to see Haymitch. I can already tell that it holds really true to the character of Haymitch, and you get to see how he turned into who he was in the first ‘Hunger Games’ book.”

No official news has come out about who will play Haymitch, the main character of “Sunrise on the Reaping,” played by Woody Harrelson in the original series. Many actors, such as Tom Glynn-Carney, Rudy Pankow, Mike Faist and Louis Hofmann, have been fan-cast.

Many fans have suggested for Keifer Sutherland to play President Snow in the prequel. Keifer Sutherland is the

ly more people and reduce environmental degradation,” Causey said.

Another primary topic of the event was the nutritional aspect of veganism. Christina Caro, the school’s regional dietitian for GCSU, offered practical guidance for those considering a vegan lifestyle.

“The key to a healthy vegan diet is variety,” Caro said. “Think of the nutrition rainbow. Eat as many colors as possible.”

son of the original actor for President Snow, Donald Sutherland.

Keifer Sutherland bears a strong resemblance to his father and is well known for his villainous roles, leading many to fan-cast him as a middle-aged President Snow.

“I would love for Donald Sutherland’s son to play President Snow,” Ridgley Fenters said. “I think it would be a full circle moment.”

Many students did not have strong feelings about who was casted, as long as they were age appropriate. Some students liked the possibility of Elle Fanning playing a young Effie, and others liked Keifer Sutherland playing Snow, but overall, people did not have a strong preferred casting.

“I’m not too picky on the casting, as long as it still holds true to what Collin wants,” Fenters said. ‘The Hunger Games’ movies tend to be good about doing that.”

Collins has relayed that she writes when she is influenced by real-world events, as she has stated the original trilogy was inspired by a combination of reality tv and war-coverage

Caro also highlighted the importance of texture and suggested meals should contain hot and cold elements to make them satisfying. Vegans should also supplement B-12 and seek calcium from a variety of sources.

“I thought what the nutritionist said about incorporating a variety of colors and textures into your diet was really interesting,” said Regan Duke, a sophomore management major. While vegans do need to replace certain proteins typically derived from animal meat, plantbased diets are wonderful for gut health. The enhancement of the gut through a variety of plant foods can have a plethora of effects on well-being.

she has viewed at the time. While support of a specific party or system is never directly said or implied, many students feel that her writing heavily reflects past and current issues the U.S. is facing or faced.

“Honestly, I think she wrote ahead of the political landscape,” said Sarah Neilson, a creative writing graduate student.

“Collins’s writing about the modern day, I think that’s the main influence for her writing. I think the books are more relevant than they’ve ever been.”

Collins also focuses heavily on found family, trauma and serious psychological topics. The original series deals with topics of PTSD, political turmoil, class and societal inequality. Haymith’s trauma will be explored

more in depth in “Sunrise on the Reaping.”

“I think Haymitch Abernathy is one of the most informative illustrations of the impact of trauma that I’ve ever seen,” Neilson said. “I think you could assign “Sunrise on the Reaping” in particular in psychology classes. It’s one of the most fearless portrayals of trauma I’ve seen.”

Not everyone is excited though, some students felt the dystopian genre is overdone, or that “The Hunger Games” is too on the nose in its themes.

“It feels like [the movie] is such a generalization, and all that it’s done is just spawn more copies of the exact same movie,” said Paige Adams, a sophomore English major.

“The young adult dystopian genre has fallen off.”

Matthew Malkowski | Digital Media Editor

Jullia Jensen | Art Director

Matthew Malkowski | Digital Media Editor

OPINION

TALK

Continued from page 1

Are they really your real friends if you are hesitant to share your real thoughts, ideas and emotions? Where does that comfort, trust and open communication begin if you can’t start being yourself by voicing your true opinion?

I think we all know the answer. Society has progressed into a generation that is kinder and more thoughtful in our words and actions.

“Always be kind,” said Jorja Mackenzie, a sophomore mass communication major. “Kindness is important to keeping relationships.”

However, with kind-

ness, do we lose the genuineness of our character by not saying how we feel and being decisive on a choice with the risk of disagreeing with the other person in a conversation?

I believe, like with any sort of ideology, there is a balance. Having intuition with certain social situations to advocate for what you want and be true to yourself, adding in a bit of kindness and consideration for the other person will lead you to independence while being thoughtful to your friends the next time conflict or a disagreement arises. So, how do we put this into action?

Staying open-mind-

ed and considerate.

“I typically think I can be a bit of a people pleaser, so often I like to hear what my friends’ thoughts are, and to validate feeling that way,” Lopez said. “I then like to express my thoughts and see if we can see eye to eye on it, but if not, I respect their thoughts and know they do the same.”

Respect and understanding also play a huge factor. Without respect, trust cannot be formed.

“In conflict, I try to work it out and see both sides of the arguments,” Mackenzie said. “It helps to communicate and understand the problem as opposed to ignoring it.”

The foundation of any strong friendship

lies in honest communication and mutual respect, allowing us to navigate conflicts rather than avoid them.

Friendships may be complex, but they are also invaluable relationships that enrich our lives.

These relationships enrich our lives by creating outlets, bonds and a unique support system beyond superficiality.

Surface-level conversations and relationships may be appropriate for professional and academic settings, whereas in friendships, you want to have someone to rely on and be there for you for all the ups and downs of life.

With the ups and downs come hard con-

versations and sometimes conflict. From miscommunications to disagreements, healthy relationships are ones where individuality shines compared to conformity to agree with your partner for fear you may upset them.

You grow from conflict in relationships 99% of the time and continue to learn from mistakes to constantly be improving. It is all a part of the process to be a great friend, and it takes time!

As we strive to discover our true selves, it becomes increasingly important to cultivate relationships where openness is welcomed and valued. By embracing our authentic

The fake teen pregnancy spike of the 2000’s

Molly Goff Opinion Editor

My first Christmas outside of Georgia was in Texas with my millennial-aged cousin, who religiously watched the show “Teen Mom.” Each week, a new episode aired, including the holiday edition, where I discovered girls ages 13-19 becoming mothers with all the drama attached.

As I was in rapt attention from the drama aspect at my respective age of 13, I was also mind blown that this show was really highlighting to me this surge of teen pregnancies.

I wanted to know more naturally, so I did my own research, and let’s just say I was shocked to find the truth about the teen pregnancy spike.

According to the Library of Congress, the National Center for Health Statistics’ earliest estimate of teen birth rates was 54.1 in 1940 then peaked in 1957 at 96.3. Then, from 1992 on, the teen birth rate declined except in 2006 and 2007. From 2007 to 2022, the rate declined by approximately 67% to a historical low of 13.6 in 2022.

I was just as shocked by the concept of teen pregnancies as I was that the biggest spike for them was actually in 1957, not the year 2007 like I once thought. What is the reason

for the 1957 spike, you may ask, and why has it significantly decreased? Well, this was the post-war era, where people were enlightened to celebrate and show true love in all forms.

Two factors helped increase the surge.

“The first is that marriage in the teen years, which was not uncommon in the 1950s, has by now become quite rare,” said Heather D. Boonstra, a writer for Guttmacher Policy Institute. “The second is that this trend has extended to pregnant teens as well: In contrast to the days of the ‘shotgun marriage,’ very few teens who become pregnant nowadays marry before their baby is born”

The cultural shift away from teenage marriages reflects broader societal changes. The post-war era was characterized by an atmosphere of love and freedom, encouraging early parenthood as part of youthful rebellion and romance.

This was also a generation where partnership was at the forefront. Where women craved marriages and becoming homemakers, we now live in a society where individuality takes over and where women can have more than being a mom as an aspiration. Today’s society emphasizes education, career development and personal aspirations over early mar-

riage and motherhood.

With this notion, I wonder why people are mesmerized by teen mother entertainment. Is it because we live in a society that promotes independent women, free from the pressures of motherhood?

Maybe it is due to the traditional values entitled in teen moms when they have to step up at such a young age. In reality, teenage mothers were a common practice way back when because of young marriages and courtship.

It is because we are conditioned to view a family as dating, to marriage, to then pregnancy that we forget families are unique and created in many different scenarios. This doesn’t make any family more or less valid than the next, and all can be full of love with effort and perseverance.

So, why do people believe that this spike in teen pregnancies is from the 2000s? I believe it is due to the influx of reality TV centered around teen pregnancy and the mothers’ lives.

“Teen pregnancy is fairly common, but reality TV definitely exaggerates a few things,” said Cami Glover, a freshman nursing major. “I knew multiple people in high school who had children, but it was not as huge of a deal as TV makes it.”

Reality TV shows like “Teen Mom” not

only dramatize the challenges of young motherhood but often misrepresent the average experiences of teenagers today. These shows paint a sensationalized portrait where drama reigns supreme, diverting attention from the underlying issues of socioeconomic status, access to education and family support systems that genuinely influence teen pregnancy rates.

Additionally, today’s teens are more informed than ever due to comprehensive sex education programs and the availability of contraception. Many schools actively engage students in conversations about healthy relationships

and the consequences of early parenthood. By the time teenagers reach high school, they are often equipped with tools to make informed decisions about their bodies and futures.

The decline in teen birth rates can also be attributed to changing priorities among youth. With increasing opportunities for women in higher education and the workforce, many young people view financial stability and personal growth as prerequisites for starting a family.

They are less likely to see teenage motherhood as a desirable path, recognizing the long-term implications it can have on their lives.

selves and engaging in thoughtful discussions, we can foster deeper connections that withstand disagreements. The balance between kindness and honesty can lead us to not only strengthen our friendships but also build a community where differing opinions are respected. Going forward, let us strive to communicate more transparently, advocate for our needs and support one another through the inevitable highs and lows of these complex relationships we share.

All in all, the perception of teen pregnancy as a modern crisis is not supported by statistical trends. Instead, it is a reflection of how our culture and media amplify certain narratives, leading us to misunderstandings about reality. Awareness and education are paramount in continuing the trend toward lower teen birth rates. As society evolves, we must aim for a better understanding of the nuances surrounding these issues and step beyond the sensationalized dramatics of reality television to focus on fostering informed and empowered future generations.