Issue 5 | Volume 103

The Official Student Newspaper of Georgia College

Augusta University nursing student murdered in Athens

Kate Verity

Editor in Chief

Laken Hope Riley was killed on Thursday, Feb.

22, while going for a jog on the University of Georgia campus. The 22-year-old Augusta University nursing and former UGA student was found unresponsive at approximately 12:38 p.m. by the UGA Police Department after Riley’s friend called, concerned that Riley had not returned home.

According to Athens-Clarke County Coroner Sonny Wilson, Riley’s death was the result of blunt force trauma to the head.

Both UGA and AU canceled all class-

es on the Friday following Riley’s murder.

In the weekend following, police located and arrested suspect Jose Antonio Ibarra, 26. Ibarra is being charged with felony murder, kidnapping, concealing the death of another, malice murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, false imprisonment and hindering a 911 call.

UGA Police Chief Jeffrey Clark addressed the public this past weekend and has named Riley’s murder a “crime of opportunity.” It is not believed that Riley and Ibarra had any previous connection or encounter before Thursday’s attack. Laken

See

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2024 HOMECOMING: ROAD TRIP

Addison White

Contributing Writer

GC kicked off this year’s Homecoming weekend on Feb. 16 by the Centennial Center with the annual Homecoming Parade. Campus organizations decorated a car or float, then drove around town spreading Bobcat spirit.

“It’s just the best of all days on the Georgia College campus,” said Cathy Cox, the GC president.

Cox supported every organization with a smile, loud cheers and lots of photos.

Gini Peña, a junior exercise

science major who attended the parade with the Council of Student Ambassadors float, says the parade was a blast and that she looks forward to doing it again.

“I think the highs were definitely being there with my team and all of us just having a good time, excited to represent our organization,” Peña said. “I think it was all fun.”

There was also a competitive aspect to the parade: who had the best-decorated float. The winners were announced at the basketball game that took place the following day. The winner

of the parade float competition was GC sorority Zeta Tau Alpha.

“The highs were definitely the floats,” said Wesley Whitehead, a sophomore math major. “They were so creative. I look forward to Homecoming week because it’s a great excuse for me to socialize and learn about more organizations.”

A way to live out the best years of your life

Delaney Derry Opinion Editor

College is said to be the best four years of your life — although for some, it is more like six or seven years. However, college is also the time when students are filled with feelings of depression and copious amounts of stress and anxiety.

There are many cop-

ing mechanisms that can be helpful in alleviating these feelings, but in my opinion, mindfulness is by far the greatest tool for living a more positive and prosperous life.

Being mindful entails being aware of everything we are doing. We should be very aware and conscious of our thoughts, attitude, ac-

PG. 3

See HOMECOMING | Page 8

tions, body and things we surround ourselves with.

When it comes to our thoughts, having a more positive outlook on life can be very effective. If we pause and look at what we think about, is it helpful or harmful to our mental health? By noticing and letting go of harmful thoughts, we can free ourselves from the restraint of constant worry and comparison. We can have peace of mind.

Changing sounds great and easy right?

Changing our mindset is by no means something that is easy. It is a process and takes practice, but when we take the time

GC baseball player Mason Poole takes home the Zaxby’s Player of the Week award.

to be mindful of the things we think about, a changed outlook on life ultimately leads us to a changed attitude. Becoming mindful of your body looks like being courteous of what we put into our bodies and how we treat them.

If we eat junk food and lay on the couch all day binge watching Friends, however tempting, it is not helpful for our physical, let alone mental health. When we are more aware of what we put into our bodies and whether we are getting the right amount of physical activity, we can develop more healthy habits which will in turn give us more energy and overall better health.

See MINDFUL | Page 10

SELF-CARE

BRAVES SPRING TRAINING PREVIEW

The Atlanta Braves have acquired a ton of new young talent and veteran leadership over the course of the off-season, and as spring training begins, fans will begin to see how the roster and rotation will shake out for the 2024 season.

The Braves’ moves this off-season are headlined with left fielder Jarred Kelenic and starting pitcher Chris Sale. The front office hopes that these two and some of our top AAA players will stand

importance

of

out in their spring training games and strengthen our team even more.

With the loss of a key outfielder, Eddie Rosario, the Braves have been shopping around for a consistent left fielder to pair with Ronald Acuña Jr. and Michael Harris II due to Marcell Ozuna’s lackluster defensive ability. With the addition of Kelenic, the Braves hope to see a surge during the spring training games so that he can take over the role of the everyday left fielder.

See BRAVES | Page 6

Series like “The Bachelor” are incredibly popular. But are they realistic — at all?

Julia Jensen | Art Director

Isabella McComis | Digital Media Editor

GC’S NEW CHIEF OF POLICE

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MURDER

Continued from page 1 United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, has confirmed that Ibarra was residing in the U.S. illegally and is from Venezuela.

This realization has since sparked a slew of anti-illegal immigration dialogue among some, whereas others are against turning Riley’s death into an opportunity to involve politics.

For one, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp wrote a letter addressed to President Joe Biden on Saturday, posting it to his social media accounts as well.

“While we will continue to support Texas with National Guard resources as we have since 2019, federal action to secure the border is the only way to wholistically address this ongoing crisis and ensure Laken Riley’s horrible fate is not replicated across the country,”

Kemp said in the letter.

YikYak is an anonymous social media platform designed for college campuses. Students can only access the messages on their own campus’ platform, as you are required to have a valid student email address to sign up. Due to the anonymity of the platform, it can be the site of crude and hateful messages. In the case of Riley’s death, GC and UGA students took to YikYak to express an array of opinions.

Some of the comments were uplifting and shared love. Others even addressed politics in a respectful manner.

“While I am in favor of strengthening our border, I hate how this young lady’s death is only going to be used for lobbying efforts,” said a GC YikYak. “Once a death is politicized, I feel that it devalues the celebration of life that should occur for everyone.”

Some posts

were more blunt.

“I think it’s disgusting to use Laken’s murder as a reason to talk about politics,” said another GC YikYak.

“I think it’s disgusting that she could still be here if the border was secure,” said a comment on this post.

Although this exchange differs politically, it is one of the milder responses circulating both GC and UGA YikYak boards this weekend.

“Who wants to go hunting tonight?” said one of the more threatening UGA YikYaks. “I know a few places where these migrants hang out.”

The anonymity of these boards has shielded the individuals writing these messages from any direct public response, but it has not kept students and organizations from defending the Latino community.

The presidents of two UGA student organizations, Ximena Cabrera

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of Latinos(as) Invested in Students of Tomorrow, or LISTo, and Stephany Romero-Gomez of the Hispanic Student Association, or HSA, wrote a joint letter.

“As the two main organizations serving the larger extent of our Latino community, we have found it necessary and imperative to address recent hate comments made against us,” they said in the letter. “The hurtful and discriminatory comments made following the tragic loss of one of our own have deeply shaken us all. Such grief should not be made use of for racism, hatred, or xenophobia.”

On Monday, a vig-

il was held on the UGA campus, organized by several groups, including the Interfraternity Council, the Beta Lambda Chapter of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, the Panhellenic Council and the Beta Sigma Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority.

This vigil was not just to commemorate Riley, an Alpha Chi Omega; on Wednesday evening, UGA student and Kappa Sigma Wyatt Banks took his own life.

GC has several mental health resources available for students who are struggling or need to talk. Counseling Services is available 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at (478)

445-5331. Additionally, GC has a 24/7 Mental Health Support Line at (833) 855-0085. Additional services are listed at https://www.gcsu. edu/gcmentalhealth.

Editorial Note: The Colonnade chose to write minimal information on Wyatt Banks in order to report as compassionately and ethically as possible and respect his family and friends. We express our condolences for the entire UGA, AU and Athens community in light of the great losses they have faced this week and send comfort and love to our Dawg neighbors.

Multimedia Announcements

WGUR is hiring a General Manager for the Fall of 2024. Any GCSU student is eligible to apply, as long as they have worked/volunteered for at least one semester at WGUR, have a GPA of at least 2.0, and apply for the position by the deadline, which is Friday, February 29, 2024. Applications are available at 409 Terrell Hall.

Jose Antonio Ibarra

GC's Chief of Police: Wesley Hardin

Shadimon Smith News Editor

GC’s recently appointed Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety, Wesley Hardin, has now spent his first two months working to foster a better relationship between GC police and students.

Starting his adult life as a basketball player overseas, he came back home and wanted to be a state trooper but says he decided against pursuing this because he does not like their hats.

When he got the offer in September 2023 to work for GC, Hardin was excited to return back to Georgia after his two-year tenure at Tallahassee Community College, or TCC.

“There were several reasons,” Hardin said. “One was because it was coming home. That never hurts, being able to come home.”

With 29 years of law enforcement work under his belt and a majority of his time working in Georgia, Hardin

has held positions such as Lieutenant for the City of Doraville, Motor Officer for the City of Lawrenceville and Student Resource officer for Gwinnett County Public Schools. In these positions, he spent time protecting the people of various cities and around 180,000 students throughout Gwinnett County Public Schools.

At his previous position as Chief of Police at TCC, Hardin and his team worked to keep over 12,000 students safe. Through his time here, he understands the dynamics of a college campus and how best to work with the students and faculty, which he is working to implement at GC.

Having officially joined the GC family on Dec. 1, 2023, Hardin has had time to settle in and get to work on improving the Department of Public Safety here at GC.

“What I really want to do is build the department up to where we are so ingrained and so a part of the culture and

the campus community that when you see us police officers, police uniforms, you do not think, ‘Oh, there’s the police,’” Hardin said. “You just think, ‘Oh, that’s Chief Hardin.’ It gives us the opportunity to get out and talk to the students and meet with the students, put on presentations and put on classes.”

Hardin has started working on this by implementing the Primary Alternate Contingency Emergency Program, or PACE, which he explains is a way to “cross-train” his officers.

“I want to take every duty and responsibility that we have at the police department and, instead of having all that institutional knowledge tied up in one officer, I like to have three or four officers that can do everything,” Hardin said. “That way, if somebody’s out, if somebody’s sick, we don’t have to put the department on hold because we only have one person who can do it.”

Hardin also has got

his team together to create a new mission statement for the Department of Public Safety that better represents what they hope to achieve.

“The mission of Georgia College & State University’s Department of Public Safety is to partner with our community of faculty, staff and students, dedicated to educating, protecting and serving the university through collaborative and innovative efforts,” Hardin said. “We strive to create and maintain a safe and secure learning environment, fostering a culture of well-being, trust and respect for all, providing selfless service to all above all else.”

Hardin has also helped to start an Officer and Career Development Program for his team to help with career growth. He intends to help them find their “why” and keep them true to that “why.”

“They’re [GC’s officers] still learning and still growing because you got to have a growth mindset,” Hardin said.

“It prevents burnout; it keeps you growing; it keeps you young; it keeps you moving forward.”

Some of the things Hardin wants to bring to GC are classes like Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events, or CRASE, Rape Aggression Defense, or RAD, self-defense and sex trafficking to keep the students and faculty informed and safe both while on campus and when they leave campus. He wants to offer classes that students want and is happy to help put these classes on.

Hardin also wants people to know a little bit more about him.

“The biggest thing about me professionally is that I take my job seriously, but I do not take myself too seriously,” Hardin said. “I am loyal to a fault most of the time. I am in a place that I wanted to be, not just looking for a job and that I’d very much like for this to be my last job. I am always continuing to try to educate myself, to learn and grow.”

Hardin loves being outside and walking his dog, and you might even catch him riding his motorcycle around town, so keep an eye out for him on campus and be sure to say hello!

Milledgeville subject to string of car break-ins

Emily Kirkwood Staff Writer

Recently, there have been cars broken into and multiple cars stolen from the GC campus, as well as Magnolia Park Apartments, Revelry Flats and Arcadia on the River, complexes that house college students off campus. In addition to the vehicle theft, many residents are reporting their cars being broken into and items being stolen.

Some students have left their keys in their cars or their cars unlocked, which has resulted in their cars being stolen.

GC Public Safety has sent students emails and texts about these incidents and how to prevent them.

“It was unlocked, so no physical break-in

of my car, but they did break into Arcadia,” said an anonymous source who got their car stolen.

“It was around 2-4 a.m. when the car was stolen. The local police department were so amazing. They responded when I called and reported my car stolen, and they did everything they could do in their power to help me locate my car.”

While GC campus police are not involved with off-campus car break-ins, such as those at Arcadia on the River, campus police have been informing students to be cautious.

“My car has been found,” the anonymous source said. “It was on the road when a police car scanned the tag and turned on their lights

to pull the car and suspect over. He did not pull over and started a car chase with the police officer. This chase was from Milledgeville to Jones County, where the car was pitted by a GSP and crashed into a pole.”

There have been additional car break-ins on the GC campus. GC Public Safety notified students about a vehicle stolen from the West Campus parking lot in front of Village Apartments Five and Six. This was reported on Feb. 11, at approximately 2 p.m.

During the West Campus investigation, it was reported that another student’s vehicle was also entered, and money was taken during the same time frame.

“I am scared of the incidents because I spend a lot of late nights in the library,” said Ansley Cook, a sophomore exercise science major.

“Sometimes, when I’m coming back home, I have to park far from my apartment and walk in the dark alone. It’s very unsettling, knowing everything that’s going on.”

Not all students who commute to campus are concerned about breakins, especially those students who are only on campus during the day.

“I’m not too worried to leave my car on campus since there are a lot of people around during the day,” said Marisa Perry, a sophomore accounting major.

To prevent break-

ins, campus police recommend ensuring that your vehicle is locked, removing any valuables, parking in well-lit parking lots, being aware of your surroundings, knowing where emergency call boxes are and keeping car and residence keys in hand.

“I always lock my car and never leave my keys in it,” Cook said. “Even if I need to run inside for a quick second, I will take my keys with me.

The RAVE Guard-

ian app can additionally be used to set a safety timer and notify Public Safety. This is a branded mobile safety app that connects people directly to an organization or university security with location, a two-way chat, dynamic polling, anonymous tips and an automatic safety timer.

Although the breakins have continued, GC Public Safety is actively trying to help and inform residents.

Isabella McComis | Digital Media Editor

Courtesy of Gabby Bosse-Joseph

Georgia proposes new anti-squatter bills

Jack McKinney Contributing Writer

There are currently three bills moving through the Georgia State Capitol that are focused on defending property owners from squatters, who are people occupying a property without legal ownership or permission from a property owner. Although each bill has its own concentration, one bill is undoubtedly the most effective at dealing with squatters. This bill, House Bill 1017, transitions squatting to a criminal matter rather than a civil matter.

There are clear differences between criminal and civil cases through the squatter dilemma.

Some scholars claim the civil process of evicting squatters is too lengthy,

complicated and temporary, as there are six steps needed to evict a squatter: There needs to be a formal eviction notice; the owner must file a complaint; the court will issue a summons; the owner must attend a hearing; the judge must issue a writ of possession; and, lastly, a sheriff will execute the eviction.

Karl Johnson is a victim of this process, as his Fulton County residence was encroached on by a stranger for an extended period of time. Johnson went through the process of legally evicting the squatter. However, merely three months after the eviction, they broke back into the house and remained legally protected up until the next court order.

“She kicked the side door,” Johnson said. “I’m

back down to square one.”

Conversely, under the new proposed bills, Johnson might need only a 911 call to evict current and potential squatters. This has the potential to transform the way squatting is handled across Georgia.

“When only a civil remedy is available, a property owner must often resort to eviction proceedings that take a substantial amount of time to resolve through the court system, particularly in states where courts are sympathetic to squatters or other de facto tenants,” said Adam Lamparello, an assistant criminal justice professor at GC. “By making this a criminal offense, law enforcement officers will be empowered to remove squatters immediately and thus enable property

GC RANKS NATIONALLY IN GRADUATE PROGRAMS

Rebecca Ocampo Staff Writer

One of GC’s proudest accomplishments is its high-ranking graduate programs. Many of its online graduate programs are included in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Online Programs” national rankings.

These programs provide students who might be balancing employment or other outside obligations with a more cost-effective option to earn their graduate degree. According to U.S. News & World Report, these rankings are a reflection of the faculty credentials and training, services and technologies available to students, student engagement and expert opinion on the academic quality of programs.

The GC business, education, and criminal justice online graduate programs are ranked in the

top 100 nationally. These qualifications include the programs being predominantly virtual and not requiring in-person attendance for the classes.

The GC online graduate programs offer its virtual students unique opportunities to further their education outside of the classroom.

Dr. Michael Stratton is the dean of the College of Business and Technology here at GC. He thinks that one of the factors that differentiates GC from other schools is its individualized attention to students.

“Even our master’s in management information systems program has premium student support hours on a weekly basis,” Stratton said. “Because it’s an asynchronous program, this gives them synchronous attention.”

This personalized education is what sets GC

owners to avoid a protracted eviction process.”

In addition to the primary bill that transitions squatting out of civil cases, another bill out of the three enables off-duty officers and deputies to assist in evicting squatters. While this may not have instantaneous effect, this bill may have intensifying effects if passed alongside the primary bill.

“Allowing off-duty sheriffs and deputies to assist will not necessarily expedite the eviction process, which can be lengthy and difficult, particularly in states that are favorable to ‘tenants’ rights,’” Lamparello said. “However, it will facilitate the immediate removal of squatters because the conduct, if the legislation is passed, is now deemed criminal.”

Complications arise

when considering the ethical dilemma of intensifying the response to squatters. Squatters are often low-income and homeless. By bolstering squatting defenses, it is likely to damage people experiencing poverty in the process of helping the middle and upper class.

“There are multiple perspectives to consider, deciding whether the bills are good,” said Josh Wilson, a junior accounting major. “For the low-income though, it might be detrimental in the long run because this bill will only add onto the current problems associated with being low-income.”

Contrarily, some may consider the negative effects on the low-income to simply unveil ongoing injustices. The sacrifice the low-income are

making through these bills could be transposed amidst poverty-addressing solutions.

“They [the low-income] should be very conscious of local homeless shelters and know what their options are, what different communities and organizations there are in their areas,” Wilson said.

Regardless, these three bills are landmark in protecting property owners across Georgia. While ethical concerns are raised for those who need affordable housing, the effectiveness of solidifying property ownership quickly and forcefully is undeniable.

apart from other schools. The online class range for these graduate programs is from 20 to 40 students so that each student can get that individualized education experience.

Cassie Napier is the graduate admissions recruiter at GC. She thinks that for their students to be successful, they need that personal interaction with their industry-leading faculty.

“That personalized interaction and the networking of both knowing their faculty and their faculty knowing them and making connections is something that distinguishes us quite apart from other schools,” Napier said.

The students in these programs are also able to get their degrees while saving both their time and money by being able to take these classes virtually.

According to Stratton,

contact for the students in the programs. They use their jobs as educators to pay it forward to the students currently enrolled in these programs.

“In addition to our full-time faculty, we have exceptional part-time faculty who teach in the graduate programs,” Stratton said. “These are experienced practitioner experts with advanced degrees in their field.”

One of the unique graduate programs offered at GC is the Double Bobcat Pathway. It is a program that allows college undergraduates to begin taking graduate-level courses while they are still in their undergrad. The credits taken go toward both the student’s undergraduate and graduate credits.

This allows them to

degree, which is very beneficial in today’s competitive job market.

Baylee Browning is a junior biology major who just got admitted into the biology Double Bobcat Pathway.

“It’s a really great thing to put on applications,” Browning said. “Plus, I’ll be getting credits for my master’s and undergrad at the same time, so it’s a no-brainer.”

At GC, 24 online graduate programs are offered, one of the most popular of which is the nursing program.

Ranked at No. 1 in the state, the GC online nursing program offers its students a wide variety of skills and knowledge that they can use in the workforce. The online nursing programs offered at GC vary from a concentra-

and more.

Josie Doss is a professor and director for GC’s School of Nursing. She thinks that something that sets the GC nursing program apart from others is its Simulation and Translational Research Center.

“It is an accredited center where they can do standardized patient experiences or high-fidelity mannequin experience that will help them practice their skills in a safe and controlled environment,” Doss said.

GC offers its students a variety of different graduate programs to choose from that can take their education to the next level. The experiences they gain and skills they learn, whether virtually or in person, will make it so they are fully prepared for when they graduate.

tion in Nurse Educator to Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

GC WOMEN'S HOMECOMING GAME

Ellie Smith Staff Writer

On Saturday, Feb. 17, the GC women's basketball team took on Lander University during their Homecoming game. GC had a mere even matchup during the first three quarters of the game until it hit the final quarter, resulting in a loss for the Bobcats, 43-50.

Both teams had a low-scoring first half, with the first quarter ending with the Bobcats up 8-7. A near-even matchup in the second quarter landed the halftime score in favor of GC, 18-13.

During the third quarter, the Bobcats came right out of the gate, as Hannah Cail

scored on two free throws. GC then got quiet, allowing the Bearcats to make a comeback.

It was not until there were three minutes left in the quarter that Myra Strickland, a red-shirt senior guard, put another basket on the board for GC. Strickland put up both a foul shot and an impressive three-pointer before the quarter came to a close. Lander's impressive comeback went all the way to the buzzer, as they made a layup at the end of the quarter to make the score 23-24, Bobcats still up.

The fourth quarter was the highest scoring quarter for both of the teams. Overall, the Bob-

cats were able to score 19 points with the help of Ashyia Willis, Miracle Parker and Cail. Willis scored six points early in the quarter, while Parker and Cail helped try to rally the team back before the last buzzer.

While GC was able to have a high-scoring fourth quarter, the Bearcats outshined them in the fourth quarter, scoring a total of 27 points. This last-two-minute rally from Lander eventually put them on top, with a final score of 43-50.

“It was definitely a disappointing loss, being that it was a close game the entire time and that it was Homecoming,” Strickland said.

“As a team, we took it as a lesson learned and had to move forward.”

Throughout the game, GC and Lander went back and forth, as they were tied five different times. Cail was the top scorer of the game for GC with 13 points. Jaleah Storr had a total of eight, and Deshaun Jackson and Willis both had a total of seven.

The GC women's team, which is currently ninth in the Peach Belt Conference, knew that going up against Lander would be tough competition, as they lost a close game against them earlier in the season 63-68.

“We both have pretty good teams, so I knew

coming into the game that there would be a fight,” Parker said. “We performed great defense for the full 40 minutes, but we fell a little short offensively. With the conference finals approaching, there is still hope, prayerfully, we will get another opportunity to prove ourselves because we have a great team that's more than capable.”

With the team only having two games left until the PBC tournament begins, the team is taking every win, along with every loss, as a way to learn and grow so they can give it their all during the tournament. GC’s women’s team plays their last home game of the season on Sunday, March 3, at 1:00 p.m.

Women’s college hoops sees boom in popularity

Christian Castillo Staff Writer

It is a known fact that women’s sports do not typically get the viewership and attention brought in by men’s sports. However, in the last two years, the popularity of women’s college basketball has skyrocketed.

Popularity was growing gradually until March Madness last year. Viewership for the 2023 tournament was record-setting for the women’s game. The first-round games were up 27% in viewership from 2022’s tournament.

The viewership spike came from the increase of NIL over that span of a year.

The NCAA has transformed across all sports since the explosion of NIL deals student athletes are receiving. NIL stands for name, image

and likeness. The system serves as student athlete compensation, and while in some sports, the effect is harshly on recruiting aspects, it has contributed majorly to completely transforming women’s basketball.

names, such as Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.

“I think NIL is awesome,” said Drew Bogumill, a senior mass communication ma-

The game finished 102-85, making it the highest scoring national championship in the history of the women’s game.

Clark, an Iowa guard,

Reese, an LSU forward, nicknamed the “Bayou Barbie,” also has a net worth perceived to be around $3 million.

“The star power com-

jor. “College players that rise to a level of fame deserve payment.”

NIL has paved the way for superstars to gain compensation for their fame, fandom and the money they bring in. Due to this, a select few women’s players have become household

Perhaps the two biggest stars of the women’s game since Brittney Griner, Clark and Reese met in the national championship in the 2023 edition of the NCAA tournament.

currently has an estimated net worth of $3 million. However, the real amount is suspected to be higher due to her skyrocketing popularity. She currently sits 75 points behind Pete Maravich, who holds the No. 1 spot on the all-time NCAA basketball scoring list.

peting in big games like this is changing the sport and bringing more money in,” said Jackson Kiser, a junior marketing major.

This year’s tournament will feature these stars as well as an incredible University of Southern California team headlined by emerging

superstar JuJu Watkins.

Watkins scored 170 points in a five-game stretch this season. In doing so, she passed Clark, who scored 165 points in a five-game stretch, for the highest scoring five-game stretch by a freshman since the 1999-2000 season.

As long as stars like Clark and Reese can thrive in the sport, more and more players like Watkins will come along, and the game will continue to rise in popularity.

The 2024 women’s March Madness tournament will tip off next month, with the firstround games starting on March 20. The tournament will bring two weeks of exciting basketball, concluding with the Final Four and national championship game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.

Iowa guard Caitlin Clark

Courtesy of GC Athletics

Kirk Cousins, come to Atlanta

Cale Strickland Managing Editor

OPINION

Recently, I saw a TikTok in which Bijan Robinson, the Atlanta Falcons’ rookie running back, was asked where he thought Kirk Cousins, the Minnesota Vikings’ franchise quarterback, would end up this off-season. Seemingly joking, he said he hoped Cousins came to Atlanta.

I do not think he was joking, and I agree with him.

After last season, it is clear we need a new QB — a veteran QB.

Desmond Ridder is turnover-prone; Taylor Heinecke is serviceable, but at the end of the day, he is a backup QB, and watching him play entire games, it is clear he ought to remain a back-

up QB. He is good for a solid drive here and there, but he is not the kind of guy you want under center for a season.

The week-to-week gametime decisions of Arthur Smith, our former head coach, as to who is QB for the week — often switching between Ridder and Heinecke mid-game — is a bright, glowing red flag to me.

At this point, many of my fellow Falcons fans and I are waving the white flag.

When Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens’ QB and reigning NFL MVP, was struggling to reach a contract extension last summer, we missed out. And when it became clear we were not going to make a serious playoff run — if we were even going to make the playoffs — we did not tank,

so we missed out on the Caleb Williams, the University of Southern California’s QB, sweepstakes.

That is the best word for the situation we are in: “stuck.”

And Cousins, who is recovering from a season-ending injury, is exactly what we need.

He is not anything “special” per se. He does not have the arm of Patrick Mahomes, the Kansas City Chiefs’ QB and reigning Super Bowl MVP, or the legs of Jackson. But he is a very solid, down-the-middle QB, and he can move the ball down the field and put points on the board.

Remember the season before last? Sure, the Vikings got bounced in the first round, but during the regular season, they were electric. Was a lot of that because

Poole notches first career Athlete of the Week award

Samantha Birmingham Staff Writer

In an outstanding week of baseball, Mason Poole has emerged as the standout player of the week, earning the Zaxby’s Player of the Week award. This award recognizes his outstanding skill, teamwork and dedication to the team.

The Zaxby’s Player of the Week award goes to an athlete who has shown to, remarkably, be the best player for that week.

Last week, for the Bobcats, Poole had an incredible hitting week. He hit .533 through four games. Out of the 15 bats Mason had, he picked up eight hits, two of which were roundtrip shots, to bring his slugging percentage to .933. Poole also drove in five RBIs and was able to score four times.

Poole’s most notable performance was against the University of West Georgia. The Bobcats took the win, with the

final score being 14-5.

“Mason’s game against West Georgia was electric,” said Gabe Wuerth, a sophomore infielder. “He made a ton of great plays defensively, including the last out of the game, along with going 4/5 with a goahead home run, which really gave our team the momentum we needed to get back on top and finish the game strong.”

Poole went 4-for-5 with a moon shot over the left-field fence, three RBIs and two runs scored.

Not only did Poole play a great game against West Georgia, but he also had a solid outing against Erskine College. He kept up his rhythm with a 2-for-3 day, including two walks and a run scored. The second home run for Poole came in the second game of the double-header with EC. In the past two games, Poole has shown out and has left a mark for his team.

“I stayed within myself and just played the

of Justin Jefferson, who is seen, almost unanimously, as the best wide receiver in the league?

Yes, but Cousins played well — very well — too.

Additionally, Cousins has been around the block a couple of times. We are a young team, and we have a lot of talent. Of course, we have Robinson, but we also have Kyle Pitts and Drake London,

two cornerstones of our receiving core, and Tyler Allgeier, who is a solid second option in the run game. They are the guys we need to pour our energy into developing, not Ridder and Heinecke, and bringing in an experienced, veteran QB would allow Raheem Morris, our — thank God — new head coach, and the rest of the coach-

ing staff to do just that. We do not have to be a serious Super Bowl contender yet. That is ambitious and, if I am being honest, unrealistic. But we can — and should — win the NFC South. Hey, if we could win a playoff game — one playoff game — I would be over the moon. We just have to be a decent, respectable team again.

BRAVES

Continued from page 1

game,” Poole said. “I sometimes get too caught up in the moment, and when I relax and just play the game, good things happen. All glory to my savior, Jesus Christ. I wouldn’t be anywhere without him.”

Poole’s teammates are grateful for his role on the team and what he brings to the group.

“Mason is a great player and an even greater person,” said Lex Kenny, a sophomore pitcher. “He brings a positive vibe with him and excels in his position.”

This recognition not only celebrates Poole’s individual performance but also brings attention to the team and the talent and skill it has. Fans can look forward to watching the team and Poole’s continued success. The Zaxby’s Player of the Week award continues to be given out to athletes who embody dedication and skill.

Left field is far from the only position that needs to be figured out before the new season begins. Sale, Strider, Fried and Morton currently sit as the Braves top four pitchers. There is a battle currently between a variety of young AAA pitchers and even veterans. As fans watch the Braves play these first few spring training games, they need to watch, especially when Elder or Lopez are on the mound, to see who is going to grab that fifth spot.

Braves fans all over GC seem to be split on who they believe will be the biggest impact player on the team during spring training.

Gabe Wade, a mass communication major, stated that Kelenic will not just fill a

defensive hole but help our offense as well.

“If Kelenic can be at least an average player in spring training, he will take left field from Ozuna,” Wade said. “And then we can just keep Ozuna at DH and not worry about his defense at all and just get his powerful offensive game.”

As the designated hitter last year, Ozuna was incredible, with 40 homers and 100 RBIs. So, if the team can have the same offensive spark that they had last season, the sky is the limit for this offense.

The Braves offense and core defense were not the only struggles last year. The Braves had over 16 pitchers start at least one game for them, and despite them being a 100-pluswin team, the inexperience of certain players definitely tarnished what could have been a great postseason run.

“When we leave here, we want to have a pretty good idea,” said Brian Snitker, the Braves’ manager. “We have a cache of [starters] here and in Triple-A. We’re going to need them, and you want to feel good about all of them when we break for the season.”

It is fair to say the Braves want to make the right moves to ensure they do not have another early postseason departure. So, the most impactful players will need to be the entire pitcher staff and the new acquisitions in the field.

The Braves should not be looking for one player to stand out if they want to have a great spring training. All of their veterans and youngsters need to play as one and gain experience in case they get the call that they are needed in the big leagues.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins

Beyoncé goes country

Kylie Rowe Asst. A&L Editor

“This ain’t Texas,” but luckily, you do not have to be in Texas to hear Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s new country hits, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages,” or to be excited about her upcoming country album, “Act II.” Beyoncé announced her country album with the release of her two singles on Feb. 11 during Super Bowl LVIII, and the album is set to be released on March 29.

Her country single “Texas Hold ‘Em” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. Beyoncé is currently the only black woman to have a country song reach No. 1. “Texas Hold ‘Em” has also reached No. 2 on the all-genre Hot 100, as fans are loving the new sound.

“Beyoncé’s new song is so fun and catchy,” said Lindsey Everidge, a junior mass communication major. “I think

it’s amazing that she is the first black woman to reach No. 1 on Billboard for a country song. It’s something I didn’t expect, but I’m here for it!”

While a country album from Beyoncé may not have been on many people’s 2024 bingo card, TikTok has welcomed the singles, specifically “Texas Hold ‘Em,” with open arms. CBS wrote that many people were not as open to Beyoncé joining the country genre and noted that a radio station in Oklahoma, KYKC, originally decided not to play the new songs. However, the station manager told CBS that he was not aware of the new singles and quickly added them to the playlist when interviewed.

According to CBS News, “Act II” is the second part of a threeact project that started when Beyoncé released “Renaissance” in 2022. Fans are ecstatic to hear what Beyoncé’s new mu-

GC self-care tips

Isabelle Gonzales Staff Writer

Midterm season for GC is here, leaving many students in need of some self-care time. Self-care is meant for moments when mental health may not be at its peak, and the body and mind need refreshers.

Many methods of self-care include taking a warm bath, reading a good book, seeing friends and going on walks outdoors. Each person is different, so the preference in selfcare techniques varies from person to person.

There are also healthy ways and unhealthy ways to unwind after a long

sic will sound like as well as what she will do next.

One very special fan, Dolly Parton, took to Instagram to congratulate Beyoncé on her No. 1 chart spot as well as share her excitement for her joining the country music family. In her post and story, one of the queens of country music gave Beyoncé her stamp of approval.

“I’m a big fan of Beyoncé and very excited that she’s done a country album,” Parton said via Instagram. “Can’t wait to hear the full album!”

With the banjo playing, Beyoncé’s smooth vocals and fun lyrics, “Texas Hold ‘Em” is quickly becoming a fan and critic favorite.

“Texas Hold ‘Em” is a strong single with a two-step-worthy rhythm,” said Chris Molanphy, a feature writer and critic at Slate.

At GC, fans of Beyoncé seem to feel similar to Molanphy about the sin-

gle and the potential that the new album has as well.

“I thought it was weird but also kinda hit really hard,” said Hannah Ferrar, a sophomore exercise science major. “I’m here for it and very interested to hear more of the songs.”

Beyoncé switching genres proves once again the lifelong truth that women in the entertainment industry have to continue to reinvent themselves in order to stay relevant. In episode 37 of Brittany Broski’s podcast, “The Broski Report,” Broski speaks on this topic. She talks about

how, in the industry, women are expected to produce something completely new every time they release new things.

“She doesn’t let the rules of genre define her or get in her way or impede the creative process in any sense,” Broski said on her podcast.

Another artist that has been criticized for switching genres is Taylor Swift, and in her Netflix Documentary, “Miss Americana”, Swift talks about the expectations of female artists in the music industry.

“Be new to us, be young to us, but only in

a new way and only in the way we want,” said Taylor Swift in “Miss Americana.” “And reinvent yourself, but only in a way that we find to be equally comforting but also a challenge for you.”

Women in the music industry are constantly criticized for how they perform, what they perform and everything else. Beyoncé, however, using the knowledge and experience she has gained from over 20 years in the music industry, has once again been able to prove that even when it is harder for women, they can still do it better.

day. Older students may enjoy a glass of wine or the effects of another alcoholic beverage, but in certain settings and long-term, this can do more harm than good for a person’s mental and physical health.

Social situations can be relaxing for some, depending on the situation and company, but for other students, it can cause more anxiety.

More extroverted people see hanging out with others as a way to relax, whereas others who are more introverted become even more tired after spending time in public.

“I love to hang out with

my friends and roommates after a long day,” said Emma Woodall, a senior English major. “It helps for me to remember that I’m not alone.”

In moments of stress, it is easy to get overwhelmed with all of the

helpful for maintaining an organized life and expressing emotions in a healthy manner.

“Journaling really helps me to collect my thoughts and understand my emotions after a long day,” said Allie Wiernicki,

activities and thoughts on one’s mind, which is why some students turn to journaling. Journaling and writing your thoughts down can be

a junior education major. While scrolling through social media may seem relaxing, it can actually create a dopamine dependency in

the human brain. According to The Guardian, the act of using social media triggers the dopamine receptors in the brain inorganically, causing addiction in some cases. This is why some people prefer to be completely unplugged as a form of self-care.

“After a long day I really enjoy just sitting in my room and being completely turned off from everything,” said Hazel Fairbairn, a junior marketing major. “I don’t have the TV on or anything.”

There are a lot of free ways to unwind, but one of the most fun parts of having a self-care night is splurging on a treat or ac-

tivity. Some students love to bake, while others like to rent a movie, go shopping, get takeout or color in adult coloring books.

“Baking a sweet treat and coloring are super fun ways for me to just relax and calm down,” Wiernicki said.

Midterms are a stressful time, but it is important to make mental health a priority. While grades are very important, both physical and mental health need to be focused on as well. Good mental health can allow a person to strive and do their best, and setting self-care times can help reset the mind when in a stressful environment.

Beyoncé Knowles-Carter

Julia Jensen | Art Director

ARTS & LIFE

HOMECOMING

Continued from page 1

"We’ve got all kinds of alums here from all different decades, old friends and a lot of people from out of state that have come back for the weekend,” Cox said. “So, it’s really good to meet those people and hear their stories. It helps me to know more about why they love this campus.

For a president, it’s real-

ly a great day. It’s a great place to stay connected.”

Students seem to love it just as much.

“I think students look forward to it because it’s such a great energy that is brought to our institution, and everyone is so excited and proud to support their organization and cheer on all of the student organizations as well,” Peña said. “Definitely Tent City and the game. It’s so high-en-

ergy, and you really get to see the Bobcat pride all around in the students that are rooting for our team to win.”

Student organizations at Tent City take the opportunity to recruit, give out food and provide a fun environment.

“I love the tabling leading up to Homecoming and hearing everyone advertise themselves,” Whitehead said. “I also love spending

time and having fun with my friends. It’s genuinely a good vibe and a great opportunity to meet new people and have fun.”

After Tent City, students gather at Centennial Center, not just for the big game but also to find out the Homecoming king and queen winners.

This year, the winners were Queen Emma Whitener from Delta Zeta and King Aidan Shuster from Alpha Tau Omega.

Students in the stands cheered as the king and queen walked across the court to be crowned.

“It’s really cool, and I’m very honored,” Shuster said. “It feels awesome to get to represent a school that I love so much.”

The queen was just as excited when winning her crown.

“It’s awesome, I’m so excited and I love Georgia College!” Whitener said. “I think Delta Zeta

has done so much for this school. They definitely deserve to be recognized.” With another successful Homecoming weekend at GC, students are already looking forward to the rest of the festivities to come, including the homecoming concert featuring Quavo on March 5, tickets are being sold at the Office of Student Life.

The 1975 should be the soundtrack of Atlanta

Paige Blakemore A&L Editor

OPINION

English band The 1975 rose to popularity amongst the infamous 2013-2014 Tumblr era, the period when it was socially acceptable to wear sweatshirts with pleated, skater skirts and ripped fishnets, and cigarettes were heavily romanticized. As repeated in every generation, teenagers were fixated on the idea of rebelling against their suburban lives through self-expression and, of course, angsty, alternative music that their parents could not sufficiently comprehend.

The 1975, composed of lead man Matty Healy, drummer George Daniels, guitarist Adam Hann and bassist Ross

MacDonald, was foundational to this era with their bawdy lyrics and drug-related undertones. Healy sang of longing, displacement and complicated love over eclectic guitar riffs and synth-pop influences. The image of a single, blank rectangle and black-and-white photographs became synonymous with their brand.

While I was too young to experience the iconic Tumblr era myself, echoes of it still lingered in media and music during my middle school years. Consequently, The 1975 became integral to my daily playlists at the frustrating age of 13.

Since then, I have had the experience of seeing the band twice, in Atlanta on both occasions. The first time was during my freshman year of high school

and the second during my freshman year of college — an interesting paradox, to say the least.

Over the years, The 1975 has become more and more associated with the New York of the South in my head. This can most likely be attributed to the location of my concerts and how often I listen to their moody ballads on my drives home. However, there is a deeper, underlying connection to unveil.

The 1975 is known for being chaotic and, at times, controversial — just like Atlanta.

Frontman Healy is no stranger to a good controversy, and his bandmates seem to stand by and hope for the best. The “Robbers” singer has been tied to untactful statements and opinions that often come off as misleading and

American Heart Month

sometimes worse. From kissing fans to making fun of rapper Ice Spice to eating raw meat on stage, Healy is a hot topic in the same way “Hotlanta” is a dumpster fire.

“It’s very well for me to say, I don’t understand how famous I am,” Healy said during a show in April of 2023. “I don’t like being famous. But reality is reality. And I think that I’ve said some things or kind of, I make a joke out of everything. That’s my thing. And I can take it too far sometimes in front of too many people. And I feel a bit embarrassed. So, that’s the truth.”

Atlanta is often closely associated with its crime activity and rampant racism that lingers decades after segregation has been outlawed. However, younger generations and millennials

GC students’ experiences and heart healthy habits.

Alexis Maddox

Staff Writer

February is American Heart Month, a time to focus on showing love for hearts and spreading awareness about cardiovascular health.

Heart disease refers to several types of heart conditions and is the leading cause of death in the United States for both men and women in most racial and ethnic groups. It is vital to understand the risk of cardiac events, as one in 20 adults age 20 and older have coronary artery disease, the most common type of heart disease.

“People talk about it, but they don’t really know what it is,” said Blakely Queen, a senior public health major.

“They think heart disease is just suffering a

heart attack, but it’s so much more. Heart health is very important to me because cardiovascular disease runs in my family. I didn’t really grow up knowing that I was at risk until I was like 18 or 19.”

Understanding the risk for cardiac events, making healthy choices and taking steps to reduce the chance of getting heart disease is the way to live a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Throughout the month, people are encouraged to wear red, especially on Feb. 2, National Wear Red Day. The day is designed to raise awareness for cardiovascular health, specifically in women.

“One in 110 kids are born with a congenital heart defect, and I am one of them,” said Emma Vann, a senior public health major and vice

president of GC’s Public Health Student Organization. “I grew up going to the cardiologist and aware of heart disease.

I know that being at an increased risk of heart disease has increased my passion for informing and educating others about heart disease and congenital heart defects.”

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, yet it is not talked about enough. Generally, heart disease occurs in women about 10 years later than men, which shows the importance of women being proactive in their heart health.

Menopause puts women at a high risk of heart disease due to the estrogen levels in the body dropping. Women who experience early menopause are at an even higher risk of developing

heart disease. Practicing heart-healthy habits and expanding knowledge of heart disease symptoms and conditions will help women take charge of their health.

“I used to work at the Center for Health and Social Issues, and I would help with screening people in the community for high blood pressure,” said Maddy Meiser, a senior public health major and president of GC’s Public Health Student Organization. “It’s shocking how many people had absolutely no idea that they were in extreme hypertension. It’s so dangerous, and they have absolutely no idea, which is why it’s so important to share that information and make people aware.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some-

still flock to “The City” demanding that there is something special and that it is a wonderful place to “Settle Down.”

No one really loves Atlanta as a whole, but it does have its good moments — just like The 1975. Sometimes, “Loving Someone,” or even something, means loving all of their flaws as well.

Any native will tell you that there are more than a few places that you do not visit after dark and to keep your doors locked at all times. Honestly, there are several The 1975 songs that you simply cannot visit after dark or, better yet, never touch at all. For example, the entire album

“Notes On A Conditional Form” is unknown and not a fan favorite, but listeners recognize that one great hit, probably “If You’re Too Shy (Let Me

Know),” like some would say of Centennial Olympic Park. Amid chaos and contention, at least there is a Ferris wheel.

No one could mention Atlanta without speaking about the horrendous traffic. It is all stop-andgo throughout its entire 136 square miles, similar to The 1975’s diverse and questionable discography. There is always “Roadkill.” There is always a delay. Right when I am beginning to like Atlanta, I find myself having “A Change Of Heart.”

Truly, The 1975 is one of my favorite bands and remains quintessential of my teenage years. Nonetheless, there is an amusing parallel to draw between the band and one of my most frequented cities. Perhaps it is personal, or maybe “Somebody Else” also feels the same.

one has a heart attack every 40 seconds in the United States. Individuals with diabetes or people struggling with obesity are at a higher risk for heart disease. Similarly, people who follow an unhealthy diet, refrain from a regular amount of physical activity or partake in excessive alcohol use are also at a high risk for heart disease.

A heart-healthy diet includes greens, fruits, lean meats and soy products. The best way to modify one’s diet is to

Julia Jensen | Art Director

avoid or limit alcoholic beverages, sodium, fatty meats and items high in added sugar.

Maintaining a healthy weight is important because being overweight adds extra stress on the heart and blood vessels. Two and a half hours of moderate-intensity exercise per week can strengthen the heart muscles and lower blood pressure. Making little changes, such as choosing to take the stairs instead of the elevator, can contribute to a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Paige

OPINION

MINDFUL

Continued from page 1

Having a healthy body does not mean that our body has to look a specific way. It means that we are nourishing ourselves properly and giving our body what it needs. It may look like food choices, hydration, physical activity or whatever makes your body feel good and sustainable. With a more nourished and cared for body, we develop a healthier lifestyle and have a much richer life.

Being more aware of our thoughts and body are just the first steps.

Once we do this, we can

become more mindful of the ways in which we act. Our behavior begins to change because we are more at peace with ourselves, so we are more at peace with the outside world. When we are mindful of our actions and their effect on other people, we strengthen our overall attitude which strengthens our relationships with others. Our actions have a lot to do with who we are and how people view us. If we act more peacefully and are more joyful people, then those kinds of people gravitate towards us and our circle grows.

When we are mind-

ful of the people around us, we begin to behave differently. The people around us play a big role in who we are. They are a big influence in our lives, and we have a choice of who we dedicate our time to. When we are aware of what and who we surround ourselves with, we can generate a more positive environment. Our circle matters. Becoming a more mindful person looks like filling your circle with people who have a positive impact on you. Stop and ask yourself: do the people and environments you surround yourself in impact your life, ac-

tions and attitude in a positive or negative way?

All these different ways of being mindful are interconnected. When we become mindful of everything we do, everything revolving around us changes.

According to the American Psychological Association, the benefits of mindfulness include reduced rumination, stress reduction, boost in working memory, better ability to focus, less emotional reactivity, more cognitive flexibility and relationship satisfaction.

Mindfulness can flip our entire lives around. In all honesty, as col-

Will you accept this reality?

Delaney Derry Opinion Editor

It is no wonder why reality TV lovers enjoy reality shows so much. They are generally action-packed, drama-filled, and loaded with romance that is just too compelling not to watch. They are filled with real people in real-time. Reality TV seems so much more affiliated with real life than other shows that just give us a fantasy of a relationship. They are so relatable. Right?

Long story short, I do not think it is very relatable. I think reality TV is insane and should not be considered good-quality television. This may be controversial, but “The Bachelor,” especially, gets on my nerves.

The idea behind this popular romantic reality series may seem sweet, but I think it is actually just downright creepy. It is a show about some guy dating several women all at once, and everyone is just OK with it. Yet, if it was right in front of us and not on television, we would think it was crazy, or at least I would. So, why is it OK to do it on TV? Is it the pretty dresses, romantic setting or all the ruby red roses that distract us from the fact that there is no way this is all real?

At first glance, “The Bachelor” seems like a modern experiment of matchmaking and finding true love. However, is it actually effec-

tive? Do couples that come out of this show actually stay together?

“The reality TV franchise has captivated millions of viewers for 20 years, but less than 10 couples are still together,” said Ruth Etiesit Samuel, a culture reporter at HuffPost.

There have been 28 seasons of “The Bachelor” and that means there should be 28 couples. If the whole point of “The Bachelor” is for two people to ultimately find forever love, then why have less than half of the couples actually stuck together? I think that this is not a very effective way to find love. Dating should be because you genuinely care for that person and think of only them. If a person is actively dating someone, their intentions should only be for that one person.

There is casual dating, and there is dating to marry. Most people would say that, when dating to marry, they prefer the other person not be dating other people. In “The Bachelor”, the guy is dating many women at one time to find love and someone that he wants to spend the rest of his life with. Do not get me wrong, casual dating is totally fine because not everyone is looking for a permanent partner or interested in marriage, but that still tends to be a two-sided, exclusive understanding. Casual dating is one thing, but on “The Bachelor”, they

are not even casual dating. They are trying to make a deep connection and find their perfect match. How can you make that deep connection when you are doing the same thing with several other people?

“And by dating just one person at a time, you are more likely to be emotionally available, build genuine connections and be your authentic self when out on dates,” said an Ignite Dating blog post.

How can someone be

sit there wondering, “Why are they behaving like that?” or “I would not have acted like that. I would have acted in a different way.” The truth of it all is that bringing various women together to basically compete for one man is just a recipe for disaster and not comparable to real life.

It is the same for “The Bachelorette” just that the roles are reversed. It is a show about one woman dating various different men, and they are all competing for her at-

their authentic self on a date while thinking about other women and having to open up to them too?

How is pitting women against each other going to bring about authentic love? How does this show display that they truly care about this guy who is the “ideal guy” and not show that they are just trying to win him over?

The reality of reality television is that it is not reality. It is not relatable at all. It all feels so staged, and we often

lege students, we have a lot of problems. Our friendships are messy, romance is complicated and our ability to focus is just non-existent. Instead of rushing life from one thing to the next, we should be mindful of how we are using our time in college. Are we really taking advantage of this freedom before we head into the real world? If we switch our mindset and pour our time into things that are worthwhile then it results in stability in our life. A life of stable relationships, mindsets and our all around future.

According to the Na-

that any of that could have a positive outcome. They have pitted these women against each other to basically all compete for the same guy.

“At its core, the show seems to be reinforcing the unhealthy idea that women should view other women as adversaries and that romantic relationships should always take precedence over friendships,” said Sophia Mitrokostas, a contributing writer for Business Insider.

I thought women were supposed to support women. This show is not only destroying the image of romance but also destroying the image of female friendships. It is so strange to go out with multiple women and then choose one to leave just because they were not compatible enough. That must be terrible for the women who have to go home. The other women are left feeling enlightened and hopeful, but then the next week they are the ones left without a rose.

tional Library of Medicine in an article on the Effects of Mindfulness on Psychological Health, mindfulness has been connected with helping to raise levels of life satisfaction. People who are mindful are often more agreeable, have higher self esteem, are more optimistic and have higher empathy.

Instead of just making it through college, use this time to create a more mindful mindset. Be wary and intentional of the things you do, so you can really make college the best years of your life because you will never get this time back.

ship and walk away more heartbroken than before.

It is also not to mention all their personal life is out in the open. Getting to know someone should be something between you and the other person. It is healthy to have some privacy in a relationship. There are some things that should be held between you and the other person only and not on display for all the world to see.

“What makes a great scene in a movie relationship (i.e., man running through the rain to try to get his lover back after he wronged her) makes for an uncomfortable scene in a marriage,” said Andrea Syrtash, a dating and relationship writer, in Glamour magazine. “A healthy marriage requires consistency, not drama.”

tention. The whole franchise revolves around this idea of seeking out true love when it is basically a dating competition and not really and genuinely authentic. .

The drama that ensues from multiple women living together and all dating the same guy is just mind-blowing. It actually astonishes me that someone thought this was a good idea and then decided to go ahead and film it to put on television. There is no way

It seems like the women are more interested in receiving that flower rather than actually authentically making a connection and getting the guy. Imagine feeling like you really connect with someone and think you are really getting to know them and see a future with them, and then are left roseless and single for all of America to witness. Now, you are left with contempt for these women instead of friend-

The spotlight that “The Bachelor” directs onto couples is brought about by all the drama of this show. Drama is not what drives a relationship; it is what breaks it. All the drama that is brought from this show is not what will bring about a healthy relationship for these people.

The reality of finding love is that the goal should be not to find a perfect love that looks glamorous but is actually just all looks and no substance. Instead, the reality of love is to find a love that lasts, is exclusive and personal and is worth fighting for.

Kylie Rowe | Asst. A&L Editor