Issue 6 | Volume 103

@TheColonnade

@TheColonnade

The Official Student Newspaper of Georgia College March 5, 2024

Single Copies Free

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NCAA changes volleyball rules

Does the allowance of double-contact diminish the setter position?

Samantha Birmingham Staff Writer

the net are now challengeable by

with any part of their body before

looking back at video reviews.

the third touch of the rally, mean-

On Tuesday, Feb. 20, the NCAA

If there are any problems and

ing the ball has to be played to a

protests against referees, then deci-

teammate and cannot be played

sions must be resolved during the

over the net. This new rule has

One of the biggest rule changes in-

match. They are also allowing small,

caused a lot of problems among

cludes that players can contact the

tight-fitting ear cuffs and nose

women’s

ball more than once with any part

rings to be worn during matches.

“A double contact in volley-

of their body in a single attempt on

The last two new rules have

ball essentially means touching

a team’s second contact when the

arguably caused the most debate

the ball at two different times

ball is played to a teammate. There

among players. For every volley-

within one motion when mak-

are a few smaller rule changes too.

ball team, they are now allowed

ing a play on the ball,” said Riese

According to the NCAA, ref-

to have two liberos for each set of

Johnson, a sophomore setter. “It

erees are now able to issue red

the match. During the game, only

is usually called when a play-

cards to the home team in in-

one libero would be allowed on

er is setting, and the set comes

stances where spectators get too

the court, and they would only be

out of their hands spinning

close to the playing area, and

allowed to serve in one position.

more than when it entered their

the home team does not resolve

Women’s volleyball players can

hands, which is not a ‘clean’ set.”

the issue. Interferences above

contact the ball more than once

See VOLLEYBALL | Page 5

introduced new rule changes for the 2024 women’s volleyball season.

volleyball

players.

Tokyo 2020 volleyball logo

MARCH 9: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY Rebecca Ocampo

stricted to just one coun-

rights and opportunities.

women’s labor union

Staff Writer

try or group of women.

“It’s important that

was created on March

Instead, it is a holiday

we all support and advo-

that is celebrated in many

cate for gender equality

different

countries

and women’s empower-

all around the world.

ment because they make

The holiday is not

up 50% of the world

wrongful working con-

just for reflecting on

population,” said Lau-

ditions and low pay.

past achievements and

ren Ernst-Fortin, a ju-

By 1908, the women

progress made for wom-

nior psychology major.

en; it is also a day for

Before there was an

of New York were still

Women all over the world will be celebrating International

Women’s

Day on March 9. This is a holiday where women from all throughout history are celebrated and recognized for all their hard work and their so-

advocating and rallying

International

cial, cultural and eco-

together to keep pro-

Day, there was a National

nomic

achievements.

gressing toward a world

Women’s Day. Accord-

This holiday is not re-

where women have equal

ing to Yes! magazine, the

Women’s

Courtesy of Axel Hawkins

NEW SGA PRESIDENT:

AXEL HAWKINS Shadimon Smith News Editor

“Green,

blue

and

Hawkins is a first-gen-

fighting for you!” is the

eration college student

slogan Axel Hawkins

from

used to win the 2024

Georgia. She is majoring

Student

Government

in history and minor-

Association, or SGA,

ing in political science.

election.

“Neither of my par-

8, 1857, as a result of

SGA serves the com-

ents had the opportunity

the women in New York

munity by looking into

to go to college,” Haw-

City protesting against

any student concerns

kins said. “Their family

and helping to garner

situation and personal

a stronger on-campus

situation did not allow

sense of community.

them to. I was raised

Students can join by en-

being told that I had to.

rolling in SGA, and offi-

As I got older, I realized

better

cials, such as the presi-

that to pursue the ca-

working conditions and

dent, are elected yearly.

reer I wanted, I would

fighting for their cause.

“My campaign slo-

have to go to college.”

gan was ‘green, blue and

Hawkins has spent

fighting for you,’ and

her time during college

that’s what I’m doing, all

working in roles such

the time,” Hawkins said.

as a community orga-

“I want people to know

nizer, where she worked

I represent all 7,200

to combat the hous-

students, and if any of

ing crisis in Atlanta.

marching

for

See WOMEN | Page 8

presidential

them have a concern Julia Jensen | Art Director

I’m obsessed with Time’s Person of the Year.

Kylie Rowe Asst. A&L Editor Every year in December, Time Magazine announces who they have declared the Person of the Year. According to Time, this title goes to the person or persons who most affected the news and our lives, for good or ill, and embodied what was important about the year. In light of this criteria, Time has had some controversial picks to say the least.

In 2023, Person of the Year was

Taylor Swift. As I am sure no one can forget, Swift started her iconic “Eras Tour,” released two albums and broke record after record. In my mind, she embodies Person of the Year in the most positive way.

She is an ultra-famous superstar followed by superfluous controversy and news outlets that are addicted to running stories about her.

Like I said, though, not all of the Person of the Year picks have been awesome, perfect blonde women who sing poetry. In fact, some of the most memorable

McDonough,

picks are people who I believe should not be celebrated at all.

The Person of the Year of 1938 was none other than Adolf Hitler.

The following year it was Joseph Stalin, who was named again in 1942, and even Vladimir Putin was named in 2007. These people are indisputably awful; why would they be named Person of the Year? But I admit, readers have to consider the criteria from an editorial point of view rather than an emotional one.

Hawkins

has

also

or anything they want

spent time as a chief of

done on campus, I can’t

staff intern for the City

guarantee I am always

of Atlanta and worked

going to agree with

to help ensure that Sen-

them or always be able

ator Raphael Warnock

to get everything done.

had a successful re-elec-

We are very reliant on

tion through phone calls

working with the ad-

and interacting with the

ministration to imple-

people of his community.

ment things. They are

She started her jour-

not always on our side,

ney with SGA as a

but I will always be on

student

the side of students and

senator, where she repre-

fighting for them, every

sented the class of 2025.

hour of the day. I want

She was then able to be-

them to know they can

come the chair of the Stu-

come to me at any time.”

dent Emergency Fund.

See OPINION | Page 10

government

See HAWKINS | Page 4

NEWS | PG. 4

SPORTS | PG. 5

ARTS & LIFE | PG. 8

OPINION & MISC. | PG. 10

The bus, called the “Pink Baby,” will offer 15-minute, on-site appointments to those 40 and over.

GC softball catcher and infielder Karlie Gutierrez takes home the Peach Belt Conference’s award.

It is that time of year. Students are scrambling to find internships for the summer.

But is the accompanying stress too much?

We all know growing up is hard. But when does it end?

GC’S MOBILE MAMMOGRAM BUS

KARLIE GUTIERREZ WINS FRESHMAN OF

INTERNSHIP SEASON

WHEN DO WE BECOME ADULTS?

2

SHADIMON SMITH, NEWS EDITOR EMMA ESLINGER, ASST. NEWS EDITOR

03.05.2024

NEWS

Alabama court rules IVF embryos as children Kylie Rowe Asst. A&L Editor

Alabama’s

Supreme

Court issued a ruling on Feb 16 that embryos created through in vitro fertilization, or IVF, should be considered children. This ruling has caused many of the state’s IVF clinics to pause their

pealed this decision to

tend to vote Republican.

repercussions that both

to couples or individuals

of their bodies in general.

the Alabama Supreme

After this ruling was

their staff and patients

seeking these services.”

“I think the Alabama

Court, who disagreed

announced, clinics that

could face. This also

With fertility clinics in

government is trying to

with the original ruling.

participate in the prac-

means that scheduled

Alabama shutting down

assert its power against

tice

became

treatments have been

indefinitely,

are

women by making un-

‘children’ ... without ex-

worried about the fu-

canceled at this time.

many questions about

fair laws [or in this case,

ception based on devel-

ture of fertility research.

liability

not only the recipients of

court rulings],” said Elyse

opmental stage, physical

“This ruling is stat-

comes from the actual

IVF treatment but those

Matheny, a junior man-

location, or any other

ing that a fertilized egg,

process of transferring

who administer it as well.

ancillary characteristics,”

which is a clump of cells,

embryos to the uterus.

“Without IVF in Al-

agement

said Justice Jay Mitchell

is now a person,” said

During the preparation

abama, several jobs in

“Unborn children are

of

IVF

The

main

there

The Alabama Supreme logical convictions when

concerns about the imthis

systems, or MIS, major.

Court justices used theo-

services and has raised plications

information

making this ruling, and

ruling

the chief justice even re-

will have on continued

ferred to God when an-

reproductive technology.

nouncing it. This could

This case was brought

make voters question

to court by a few cou-

whether the decision was

ples that had undergone

based on law and science

fertility treatment and

or strictly by the religious

given birth to healthy

convictions of the court.

children. The embryos

“Embryos

that were not used were

are

pre-

stored in a fertility clinic.

cious cells,” said Dr. Ai-

One day, a patient at the

mee Eyvazzadeh, a fer-

hospital entered the fer-

tility specialist, to PBS.

tility clinic and reached

“They’re very precious.

in to pick up the frozen embryos. Because they

Alabama Judicial Building

in the majority ruling.

Barbara Collura, CEO of

and transfer, there is a

the healthcare field will

The court is made up

RESOLVE: The National

possibility

some

cease to exist, causing

of all Republican jus-

Infertility

Association,

embryos could be de-

severe displacement and

tices, seven out of nine

to The Associated Press.

stroyed, and according

frustration,” Henderson

are male and all are

“It really puts into ques-

to the state’s supreme

said. “This fuels the fire

white. To get an accurate

tion the practice of IVF.”

court, that is now con-

that is the shortage of

The couples brought

reading on whether this

According to Johns

sidered wrongful death.

healthcare professionals

multiple lawsuits against

court is inclusive of the

Hopkins

the hospital and clinic,

people of Alabama, one

including the Wrong-

are stored at sub-freezing temperatures, the patient then was burned and dropped the embryos, destroying them.

Bloomberg

“The

that

Alabama

They have the potential to turn into a baby, the potential. But an embryo is not a child, is not a baby. They have a chance to become one. But anyone who knows even the smallest bit about IVF knows that an embryo

Su-

who leave the field due to

School of Public Health,

preme Court ruling re-

burnout and frustration.”

may want to look at the

two of eight fertility clin-

garding IVF brings into

This ruling has not

ful Death of a Minor

basic demographics of

ics in Alabama decided

question many health-

only concerned IVF clin-

feels this way about the

Act, which is an Ala-

the state. According to

to pause their IVF treat-

care practices,” said Sara

ics about their continued

science of IVF, Ala-

bama statute. The case

the U.S. Census Bureau,

ments, including one at

Henderson,

was originally dismissed

Alabama’s

population

the University of Ala-

more

by the trial judge, who

demographics are 64%

ruled that the embryos

is a chance for a baby.”

While

Eyvazzadeh

a

sopho-

jobs or freedoms but has

bama’s Supreme Court

nursing

major.

also worried some wom-

has set a precedent with

bama at Birmingham.

“This could lead to in-

en, specifically those who

this case that may af-

white and 51% female.

The decision was made

creased scrutiny of IVF

are left-leaning, about

fect

in vitro were not people.

According to the Pew

out of genuine fear of civ-

and other fertility treat-

their fertility choices in

in not only their state

However, the couples ap-

Research Center, 52%

il and possibly criminal

ments, limiting access

the future and the rights

but the whole country.

VOLUME 103 | NO. 6

@TheColonnade

fertility

research

@TheColonnade

Editorial Board

Kate Verity......................... Editor in Chief Cale Strickland................Managing Editor Julia Jensen....................... Art Director Shadimon Smith.............News Editor Emma Eslinger................ Asst. News Editor Brennan Schmitz........... Sports Editor Emily Henderson............Asst. Sports Editor Paige Blakemore............Arts & Life Editor Kylie Rowe.........................Asst. Arts & Life Editor Delaney Derry..................Opinion Editor Isabella McComis..........Digital Media Editor Avery Blair..........................PR Manager Kassie Arps.......................Ad Sales Manager William Burke...................Faculty Adviser

*All Opinion columns are the opinion of the columnist, not of The Colonnade.

The Colonnade is looking for contributing writers.

Contact thegcsucolonnade@gmail.com for more.

If you’re interested in writing for The Colonnade, email thegcsucolonnade@gmail.com.

Ad Disclaimer The Colonnade is not responsible for any false advertising. We are not liable for any error in advertising to a greater extent than the cost of the space in which the item occurs. The Colonnade reserves the right to edit or reject any advertising copy submitted for publication. There is no guaranteed placement of ads. The Colonnade does not accept advertising concerning firearms nor guarantee ads concerning alcoholic beverages.

Corrections

If you feel anything we’ve printed or posted online has been reported in error, please send an email to thegcsucolonnade@ gmail.com.

Copyrights

All stories and photographs appearing in this issue and previous issues, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted by The Colonnade.

Contact Us Office: Terrell 301 thegcsucolonnade@gmail. com bobcatmultimedia.com

3

SHADIMON SMITH, NEWS EDITOR EMMA ESLINGER, ASST. NEWS EDITOR

03.05.2024

NEWS

New school library bill is being approved by Senate Emma Eslinger Asst. News Editor

ting more guardrails on

The bill also contains

the Georgia Council of

what they learn. But I

a proposal that can make

Library Materials Stan-

A recent proposal will

think if students really

school librarians sub-

dards. Members of this

require school libraries

want to access literature

ject to criminal charges

council will be appoint-

to notify parents of every

that they cannot find

if they distribute ma-

ed by the governor, lieu-

book their child checks

in their school library,

terial to students that

tenant governor, speak-

out. This was recently

they sure can look it up

is considered obscene.

er of the House, House

advanced

by

Georgia

on their iPads at home.”

“I think it is important

senators

on

Tuesday,

The bill would give

for teachers to get par-

Senate minority leader.

choice

leader

and

Feb. 20. There is also a

parents

on

ent permission for class

This council will cre-

proposal for school li-

whether to receive a no-

readings at the beginning

ate a grading system

brarians to be criminal-

tification for the books

of the school year so that

that will decide which

ly charged for distrib-

their child obtains from

there is documentation

books will be banned.

uting certain materials.

their

library.

that parents are informed

The books have to fall

The bill mainly targets

“As a parent, you need

of what students are ex-

under the legal definition

and Earl and the Dying

a Mockingbird’ in my

sexual content that is

to be in a position to trust

pected to read,” said Allie

of “harmful to minors”

Girl” by Jesse Andrews.

freshman year of high

inside

books.

your children and trust

Wiernicki, a junior edu-

or

The bill has gained

what they’re reading,”

cation major. “If books

in order to be banned.

a lot of controversy so

said Nancy Mizelle, the

are within a classroom

This is not the first

far, and many are won-

chair of the Department

or library, and students

time that we have seen

dering if the bill will

of Professional Learning

aren’t required to read

school libraries ban cer-

work and shield students

and Innovation at GC.

them, it is not inherently

tain material that falls un-

from certain materials.

“I mean, they can bring

a teacher or librarian’s di-

der these requirements.

“We monitor what

one thing home and be

rect place to tell a student

In August 2023, Cobb

children learn anyway,

reading something else. I

what they can or cannot

County School District

like through Common

want to be in a position

read and therefore not

removed two books from

been banned from most

certain

a

minority

school

“sexually

explicit”

Julia Jensen | Art Director

“The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian”

by

Sherman

Alexie, “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee and “Of Mice and Men”

by John Steinbeck are other books that have

school,”

Caldas

said.

“It shocks me that this book has been banned in schools because it is seen as a classic, but it does have certain aspects that could lead to it being banned from schools.”

The state Senate Education

and

Youth

Core,” said Sofia Caldas,

to say that I can trust my

something a teacher or

their school libraries that

schools as well. Most of

a sophomore nursing

children enough to know

librarian should be crim-

contained inappropriate

these books are what stu-

to advance the bill to

major. “That determines

that what they are bring-

inally charged for if a stu-

and sexual content. The

dents grew up reading in

the full Senate. It is

what they learn, and so

ing home is what they

dent picks it up to read.”

two books were “Flamer”

their literature classes.

now waiting for full ap-

this is kind of just put-

are

The bill will create

by Mike Curato and “Me

“I’ve read ‘To Kill

proval from the Senate.

actually

reading.”

Committee voted 5-4

Two men charged with murder after Super Bowl parade shooting Alexis Maddox

Lopez-Galvan

side his friend. Despite

threatened, and Miller

to change the way we

that big gatherings, like

was an innocent by-

being around many in-

stated that he only shot

celebrate these things

the parade, are the root

City

stander in the crowd. Lo-

nocent bystanders, in-

back because someone

because that is not where

of the problem when,

Chiefs held their victo-

pez-Galvan was hit by a

cluding children, Mays

was firing at him. Both

the problem is com-

in reality, it is the peo-

ry parade in downtown

bullet fired from Miller’s

fired

cases can be consid-

ing from,” said Jackson

ple who are causing that

Kansas City, Missouri,

gun, which resulted in

According to Miller,

ered

Brennan, a sophomore

harm and violent acts.”

to celebrate their Super

her death. According to

his group ran after hear-

to the state’s “stand-

mass

communication

The Chiefs have made

Bowl LVIII win on Feb.

The Seattle Times, 22 oth-

ing the gunshots, which

your-ground”

law.

major. “I think the is-

a $200,000 donation to

14. The parade soon

ers were injured due to

led to him getting shot

“Self-defense or not,

sue stems from a prob-

United Way, a charity or-

became the scene of a

the burst of gunfire, and

in the back, but after in-

someone still died, and

lem with gun control,

murder. Both 23-year-

of the 22 people, more

vestigators revealed that

many were injured,” said

which remains some-

old Lyndell Mays and

than half were children.

they had video of him

an anonymous source.

what out of our hands

A surveillance vid-

shooting, he altered his

“This parade was a time

despite previous efforts.”

story. The affidavit says

for celebration, and for

Despite the many gun

that Miller admitted to

it to end in such tragedy

violence-related

firing four to five shots.

is heartbreaking. I agree

dents in the Kansas City

Mays told authori-

with the charges the men

area, the Saint Patrick’s

ties that the first shot

were charged with, and

Day parade will still be

I feel for the families

held as planned. The

who are currently suf-

state is now taking this

fering the emotional and

time to rethink what the

physical pain that their

stand-your-ground law

actions

caused.”

really means and decide

This is not the first

what really falls into the

gun violence-related in-

category of self-defense.

Staff Writer The

Kansas

18-year-old

Domi-

nic Miller have been charged with second-degree murder and several weapons counts over an argument that resulted in shots being fired.

Liza

eo shows that both men were in separate friend groups enjoying the parade. In the video, Mays aggressively approached the other group along-

the

first

shot.

was fired because he felt

self-defense

have

due

cident that has occurred

think

Kansas

emergency fund for violence prevention organizations, first responders and victims of violent acts, just like the parade. Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback for the Chiefs, has also donated $50,000 to the fund.

A vigil was held at Skywalk Memorial Park in support of the shooting victims. The vigil was candlelit to promote unity and love for victims

celebratory

should continue with

of the violence. Many

events. After many in-

their Saint Patrick’s Day

members of the commu-

cidents, this incident in

parade, as it symbolizes

nity were in attendance.

particular has prompted

unity and taking pride

Police cleaning up the

many to believe that it

in cultural and religious

event left chairs out that

is time to rethink cham-

traditions,” said Carley

spelled

pionship

celebrations,

Perez, a junior business

which was a message

including Kansas City

management major. “If

of hope and strength

Mayor Quinton Lucas.

Kansas cancels the pa-

for the members of the

“I don’t think we need

rade, it promotes the idea

Kansas City community.

during

Kansas City Super Bowl Celebration

“I

inci-

ganization that creates an

“KC

Strong,”

4

SHADIMON SMITH, NEWS EDITOR EMMA ESLINGER, ASST. NEWS EDITOR

03.05.2024

NEWS

“Pink Baby” mobile mammogram bus comes to GC Isabelle Gonzales Staff Writer Breast cancer is one of

over to help in catching

cer, and it scares me a

early signs of the cancer.

lot to think about pos-

According to the Na-

sibly getting it,” said

the leading diseases that tional

Breast

Cancer

Bella Marino, a sopho-

Foundation, over 297,790

more marketing major.

women and 2,800 men

Breast cancer is a

will be diagnosed with

very real thing and can

an

become

affects women, as one in every eight women are diagnosed with it at some point in their life.

As a result of the se-

invasive

form

of

very

intense,

breast cancer annual-

very quickly. Early de-

ly. With these numbers,

tection is the best way to

it makes the diagnosis

be aware of your health

the most common form

and to get treatment as

of cancer in the world.

soon as possible. Even

While breast cancer

though this disease is so

may not impact young

common, many young

allowing for women to

students personally, it

women do not know

receive 15-minute mam-

may have a heavy im-

when to get their first

mogram

appointments

pact on their loved ones.

mammogram test done.

on-site.

The

appoint-

“I do know a family

“I believe it should be

ments are meant for

friend that was diag-

women 40 years old and

nosed with breast can-

riousness of this disease, GC is going to bring in a mammogram bus titled the “Pink Baby.”

The bus will be brought to campus on March 5,

Julia Jensen | Art Director

Charlotte Martin, a fresh-

possible

diag-

real diagnosis that im-

man pre-nursing major.

nosis. Having a test to

pacts many more peo-

The reality is that a

see if there are any un-

ple than assumed. Ac-

woman should get her

usual growths will give

cording to the Centers

first

at

answers to anyone who

for Disease Control and

just 40 years old, which

is struggling with the

Prevention,

is a lot younger than

worry of possibly being

breast cancer takes the

many people anticipate.

sick. Even if test results

lives of 42,000 women

around 50 or 55, but I’m

The Pink Baby mam-

come back inconclusive

and 500 men every year.

not entirely sure,” said

mogram bus that GC

or unusual, at least this

GC is providing an

is bringing to campus

test will allow for early

easy and highly acces-

is open to any woman

detection and treatment.

sible way for women

mammogram

of that age or higher.

CDC,

to begin the process of

Results for this test

young, I would be ly-

their health initiative,

will be made visible to

ing if I said the possi-

allowing for early di-

the patient’s main health-

bility of breast cancer

agnosis and treatment.

care provider and to

hasn’t crossed my mind

GC cares about its com-

themselves directly. This

more than once,” said

munity and staff and

test can help eliminate

Caroline

a

wants the best possible

the fear of not know-

senior nursing major.

outcome for everyone

Breast cancer awareness ribbon

ing what comes with a

Breast cancer is a

USG schools have a min-

president of SGA. She

money to every sin-

advocating

imum wage for student

has spent the last 10

gle club organization,”

for the student body of

employees ranging from

months presiding over

Hawkins said. “We also

time in the role of SGA

GC and helping them

about $9.50 to $15. There

the student senate and

allocate it to all types of

treasurer. This is where

get equal opportunities.

is maybe this idea that

representing

things around the uni-

she learned the ins and

“Something really im-

student workers have an

dent body of GC to

versity.

outs of how money is

portant to me is increas-

extra job on the side just

different

Den they just put up was

allocated to clubs and

ing

for

to pay to go out and buy

Many

how to help improve

people to not only have

student life on campus.

Through these roles,

Hawkins is passion-

Continued from page 1 She has also spent

ate

about

stu-

committees.

The

drinks or shop a little bit.

of the different ways

all these little projects

a job on campus but also

And that’s not true. A

SGA has been work-

across the campus that

to make good pay,” Haw-

lot of our student work-

ing to improve student

just help us to improve

shown

kins said. “I’m really pas-

ers, including myself,

life at GC, and Hawkins

people’s lives. The last

an ability to help the

sionate about raising the

pay our bills off of that.”

wants to get more peo-

couple of years, we have

students

in

minimum wage at the

In May 2023, Haw-

ple involved with SGA.

not been quite as visible.

more ways than one.

campus level. Most other

kins was appointed vice

“We [SGA] allocate

I want us to get more vis-

of

GC

involved

on

campus.

ible, and I want people to realize that we’re not only here to sit in an office. We are here to do

Serenity

funded by SGA. We do

has

are

Johnson,

unaware

Hawkins

opportunities

the

though

or

I’m

HAWKINS

“Even

cancer

things for them, and we have a lot we could do.”

Hawkins

is

deter-

mined to always put the students first in her new SGA role and improve the GC campus altogether.

5

BRENNAN SCHMITZ, SPORTS EDITOR EMILY HENDERSON, ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

03.05.2024

SPORTS

Karlie Gutierrez named PBC Freshman of the Week Emily Kirkwood Staff Writer The Peach Belt Conference recognized GC softball

player

Karlie

Gutierrez as the Freshman Player of the Week for the week of Feb. 19.

Gutierrez, a catcher and infielder,

was

named

PBC Freshman of the

NCAA volleyball logo

VOLLEYBALL

“I personally do not think either

Continued from page 1

new rule will have a huge effect on

This rule mainly affects the setter’s

our team specifically,” Johnson said.

position. The setters have practiced

“For the double-contact rule, we

their whole career to set without dou-

have setters on our team that have

not have been more ex-

ble-contacting the ball, and now, it

been trained to have clean hands.”

cited to find out that I was

seems their work has been put to waste.

There also still seems to be con-

nominated and chosen.”

“I played all four years at GCSU

fidence in the upcoming seasons

as a setter, and selfishly, the double

and with recruiting next year’s team.

rule upsets me slightly,” said Emily

“Recruiting will most likely stay

Long, GC’s assistant volleyball coach.

the same,” Long said. “Again, there

“There is such an art to setting, and

are still fundamental skills of set-

I feel that taking away double-con-

ting that are very unique and differ-

tact calls demotes the position.”

ent from any other position on the

Long does not seem too wor-

court. Setters will still have to learn

ried about these changes, though.

footwork, angles, tempo, location and

Week after her impressive Courtesy of GC Athletics

recent play on the field.

“It is an absolute honor to be recognized as PBC Freshman of the Week,” Gutierrez said. “I could

This

is

Gutierrez’s

first PBC Softball Freshman of the Week award.

According to the PBC, after four games last

Courtesy of GC Athletics

a round-trip shot and

sphere of the team and

three-base knock, with

the athletics program

an additional three RBIs.

pushes me to want to

“She works hard on

work harder. My pre-

the field and encourages

vious teammates and

others to do the same,”

coaches played a huge

“The rule change will not change

playsets, all while analyzing defens-

addi-

said Sydney Lancaster, a

role in making me

the positions of our players,” Long

es and blockers on the opposing side.”

tionally added five RBI

sophomore utility play-

the player I am to-

said. “Even though doubles are now

Although there have been several

and scored two runs.

er. “She also puts in work

day and would like to

allowed, there is still an art to the set-

“Great time manage-

off the field, making time

thank them for that.”

changes made in the rules of NCAA

ter position not everyone can master.”

women’s volleyball, these rules are here

ment and help from my

for extra reps and help-

friends and family allow

ing other teammates.”

mates expressed their

For the upcoming season, there does

to ultimately elevate the quality of play

me to continue playing

GC Athletics stated

love for her and how

not seem to be much worry for the team.

and improve and challenge the players.

at this level of college

that Gutierrez got the

she plays a very im-

ball,” Gutierrez said. “I

start behind the plate for

portant role in keep-

definitely would not be

game one against Erskine

ing

able to do it without the

and Southern Wesleyan

“Karlie brings a lot

support I have from my

and also started as the

to the team,” Lancast-

teammates and coaches.”

designated player in the

er said. “She adds en-

The Bobcats played

second game at SWU.

thusiasm for the game

header

As just a freshman,

as well as a dedicated

games, with the first be-

Gutierrez is making a

work ethic. She is also

ing a home series against

big impact on GC soft-

a supportive teammate,

Erskine College. Guti-

ball and leaves fans, her

always ready to cheer

errez had a 1-for-3 per-

coaches and teammates

others on and cele-

formance and a walk-off

excited to see what she

brate their successes.”

single in the 10th in-

will bring to the table

ning of the first game,

in the upcoming years.

rez and the rest of

helping GC win 4-3. In

“I put in a lot of work

the Bobcats at home

the second series of the

before coming to college

on March 12 against

week, against Southern

and over the breaks to

Southern Wesleyan at

Wesleyan

maintain my skills and

2 p.m. and 4 p.m. for

Gutierrez had a 3-for-

athleticism,”

Gutierrez

their first Tailgate Tour

4 performance. She got

said. “Also, the atmo-

games of the season.

week, Gutierrez had a .600 batting average and a 1.100 slugging average.

She picked up a total of six hits, which included a triple and a home run.

two

Gutierrez

double

University,

Gutierrez’s

up

Watch

team

team-

spirit.

Gutier-

Courtesy of GC Athletics

6

BRENNAN SCHMITZ, SPORTS EDITOR EMILY HENDERSON, ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

03.05.2024

SPORTS

Parker Byrd becomes first D1 amputee baseball player Christian Castillo

He played high school

other boat’s propeller and

comeback. He has the

baseball at Scotland High

almost died. Although he

spirit of a champion.”

School and graduated in

survived, he suffered the

versity sophomore base-

2022. During his high

loss of his right leg. Over

would never play again,

ball player Parker Byrd

school career, Byrd was

a span of 45 days, he went

Byrd is now suiting up

made his first collegiate

a four-year varsity let-

through 22 surgeries.

for his real first season

appearance after having

terman for baseball and

According to Sport-

as a potential trailblazer

his right leg amputated

ranked a nine out of 10

ing News, the accident

for amputees in sports.

in 2022. Byrd had his leg

by Perfect Game, mean-

happened the summer

Former MLB pitcher

Staff Writer East Carolina Uni-

After

thinking

he

ECU logo

amputated after a near-

ing he was a potential

before

attended

for the New York Yan-

in front of a sold-out

olina. Byrd’s comeback

death boating accident

top-10 first-round draft

the university but after

kees Jim Abbott, who

crowd, where he got on

is expected to be con-

during the summer going

pick and a high-lev-

he was already com-

played 10 seasons in the

base by drawing a walk.

tinued, as he will make

into his freshman year

el

mitted, which resulted

big leagues despite hav-

“It is very impressive

fresh-

in him missing his en-

ing a deformed right

that Byrd was able to ac-

he made history in their

man year at ECU, his

tire freshman season.

arm, was just one of

complish this, especially

season opener against

life would be forever

“I knew Parker before

the many professional

only missing one sea-

News, ECU’s head coach,

Rider University by be-

changed in 2022 in Bath,

the injury,” said Alec Ma-

players to congratulate

son,” said Braeden Smith,

Cliff Godwin, stated that

coming the first Division

North Carolina, on July

karewicz, one of Byrd’s

Byrd after his return.

a freshman outfielder

moment was one of his

1 baseball player to play

23. Byrd was involved

former

In the Pirates’ season

for GC’s baseball team.

proudest moments as a

with a prosthetic leg.

in a serious boating ac-

ECU. “We met when he

opener

Rider,

While being replaced

coach. He went on to ex-

The Pirates’ infielder

cident while he and his

first came to ECU for

Byrd would finally make

by a pinch runner, Byrd

plain that this is just the

and right-handed pitcher

friends were tubing. Af-

initiation and to first join

his debut for ECU. He

received a standing ova-

start for Byrd, as he hopes

is originally from Lau-

ter falling off his tube,

the team. I was emotion-

recorded an emotion-

tion from the crowd in

to get him playing on the

rinburg, North Carolina.

Byrd was struck by an-

al seeing him make his

al and historic at-bat

Greenville, North Car-

field in future games.

of college. On Feb. 16,

college After

prospect.

Byrd’s

Byrd

teammates

at

against

appearances

regular-

ly in the batting order.

According

to

AP

College basketball rounds out the regular season Ty Karraker Staff Writer The 2023-2024 college basketball

season

has

been filled with unpredictable wins and new potential contenders, as it is every year, with top teams dropping like flies

seed and no matter the

from losing to unranked

see’s Dalton Knecht and

University Tigers fan.

ing to bracketology, the

record, anyone can fall

programs

throughout

plenty of other play-

All the true contenders

top-seeded teams would

in the tournament. Six-

the year. Their success

ers have been stand-

for the title have a play-

be the University of

teen seeds have beat-

as a team is a big thanks

outs that have taken

er with the same impact

Arizona, UConn, Pur-

en one seeds, which

to 7’4” center Zach Edey,

over games at times and

Davis has on UNC, but

due and the University

shows

the

unpredict-

who is the reigning Na-

have helped push their

in recent years, it appears

of Houston. However,

ability

of

the

sport.

ismith College Player of

team to numerous wins.

that a team filled with

there are a few teams that

More major headlines

the Year and looks to add

good players can pay bet-

are ranked lower that

“We

aren’t

ranked

can take anyone down

to unranked and new powerhouses

if they get hot enough.

surpass-

“The Tide has proven

ing the “blue bloods”

we can win in any way,”

of college basketball at

said JD Caulley, a soph-

the top of the rankings.

omore

This year has had so many

storylines

standout

players

English

major

and University of Al-

and

abama basketball fan.

that

“Sure, we have lost to

make March Madness a

some of the top teams,

complete toss-up. How-

but I know they don’t

ever, one of the most

want to see us down the

interesting stories is the

road. We’re talented, and

defending champs, the University of Connecti-

NCAA basketball

our current ranking just

this season have been

another to his resume.

that high because they

ter rewards than a one-

shows it. Nobody wants

Purdue University’s at-

Edey is not the only

have been lacking defen-

man show every night.

to play us in March.”

ing to be the first time

tempt to redeem them-

standout player that is

sively, but our starting

If the season was to

As the season ends,

since the ‘07 and ‘08 Uni-

selves after their tourna-

hoping to take home

core is great, and they

conclude today, there

it is evident that March

versity of Florida Gators

ment woes last year, and

the

Universi-

complement each oth-

are obvious favorites to

Madness will be as crazy

to repeat as champions.

they have looked incred-

ty of North Carolina

er well,” said Madeline

take the title due to the

as ever, and fans will get

Years past have prov-

ibly strong at times, but

star guard RJ Davis, the

Castor, a junior biolo-

depth and strength of

to see how these stand-

en that no matter the

that has not stopped them

University of Tennes-

gy major and Auburn

their team, and accord-

out

cut Huskies, looking as strong as ever and hop-

award.

players

perform.

7

PAIGE BLAKEMORE, A&L EDITOR KYLIE ROWE, ASST. A&L EDITOR

03.05.2024

ARTS & LIFE

CALE’S CINEMA CORNER: OSCAR PREDICTIONS Cale Strickland

Managing Editor

OPINION The end of awards season is upon us, as the biggest night in Hollywood is right around the corner; the 96th Academy Awards will air at 7 p.m. on Sunday, March 10.

I know that the Oscars do not mean anything, necessarily, but I enjoy keeping up with them — to a degree.

And I love trying to predict the winners.

Now, the show includes 24 categories. That is a lot, to say the least, so here is who I think will take home each of the “major awards”: Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Director and Best Picture.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR Nominees: Sterling K. Brown (“American Fiction”), Robert de Niro (“Killers of the Flower Moon”), Robert Downey Jr. (“Oppenheimer”), Ryan Gosling (“Barbie”), Mark Ruffalo (“Poor Things”) Since critics got the chance to see “Oppenheimer,” this has felt like Robert Downey Jr.’s Oscar to lose, and it still does. Do not get me wrong, I loved Ryan Gosling and Mark Ruffalo’s performances in “Barbie” and “Poor Things,” but I think Downey Jr.’s is — just a little bit — better, and I think this will be the first domino to fall in the night’s “Oppenheimer” wave.

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS Nominees: Emily Blunt (“Oppenheimer”), Danielle Brooks (“The Color Purple”), America Ferrera (“Barbie”), Jodie Foster (“Nyad”), Da’Vine Joy Randolph (“The Color Purple”) I will admit, I have not seen “The Holdovers” yet, but Da’Vine Joy Randolph is the odds-on favorite here.

According to GoldDerby, Emily Blunt is running in second, and the buzz around her Oscar campaign has been muted — at best. I am going to err on the side of caution and take Randolph.

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Nominees: “Anatomy of a Fall,” “The Hold-

Canva AI Generated Cale Strickland

overs,” “Maestro,” “May December,” “Past Lives” “Anatomy of a Fall” is another one of those movies that I never got the chance to see, but it has been winning at precursor awards shows left and right. I would love to see “May December” or “Past Lives,” two of my favorite movies of last year, win here, but I do not think either is going to happen.

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY Nominees: “American Fiction,” “Barbie,” “Oppenheimer,” “Poor Things,” “The Zone of Interest” Christopher Nolan adapted “American Prometheus,” an 800-page biography, into a threehour movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat for its entire runtime; he will win Best Adapted Screenplay.

BEST DIRECTOR Nominees: “Anatomy of a Fall” (Justine Triet), “Killers of the Flower Moon” (Martin Scorsese), “Oppenheimer” (Christopher Nolan), “Poor Things” (Yorgos Lanthimos), “The Zone of Interest” (Jonathan Glazer) Even with all of the big names here, it feels like everybody is on the same page: “Oppenheimer” is Christopher Nolan’s crowning achievement. If he wins here, it will be a big deal, as “Killers of the Flower Moon” might be one of the last major Scorsese movies — if not, God forbid, the last Scorsese movie — we ever get.

BEST ACTOR Nominees: Bradley Cooper (“Maestro”), Colman Domingo (“Rustin”), Paul Giamatti (“The Holdovers”), Cillian Murphy (“Oppenheimer”), Jeffrey Wright (“American Fiction”) At this point, this feels like a two-horse race between Cillian Murphy and Paul Giamatti. Murphy is the favorite, and as I said, I think “Op-

Kylie Rowe | Asst. A&L Editor

penheimer” is going to have a huge night, so I will take him. However, if Giamatti wins here, look out, as it might be a sign that there could — again, could — be an upset in Best Picture.

BEST ACTRESS Nominees: Annette Bening (“Nyad”), Lily Gladstone (“Killers of the Flower Moon”), Sandra Hüller, Carey Mulligan (“Maestro”), Emma Stone (“Poor Things”) I do not think “Killers of the Flower Moon” will have a big night, as it has not received a lot of awards buzz, and Martin Scorsese’s previous movie, “The Irishman,” did not do all that well at the Oscars. However, I think Lily Gladstone will win Best Actress. This feels like another two-horse race, here, between Gladstone and Emma Stone.

Stone’s work in “Poor Things” is my favorite performance of last year in my favorite movie of last year, but Gladstone taking this home just feels right to me. If she does, it will be well-deserved, as she is incredible in — and by far the best part of — “Killers of the Flower Moon,” in my opinion. Part of me wishes “Poor Things,” not “La La Land,” was the movie Stone won her first Oscar for, though.

BEST PICTURE Nominees: “American Fiction,” “Anatomy of a Fall,” “Barbie,” “The Holdovers,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “Maestro,” “Oppenheimer,” “Past Lives,” “Poor Things,” “The Zone of Interest” Again, it feels like it is going to be Nolan’s night, and “Oppenheimer” winning Best Picture would be the perfect way to cap that off. Do I want “Poor Things” to take this home? Yes. Will I be upset if it does not? No. I think “Oppenheimer” is — “Memento” notwithstanding — Nolan’s best movie.

8

PAIGE BLAKEMORE, A&L EDITOR KYLIE ROWE, ASST. A&L EDITOR

03.05.2024

ARTS & LIFE WOMEN

Continued from page 1 It was not until May of 1908 that the Socialist Party officially declared the last Sunday of February as National Women’s Day, which was celebrated in the United States the following year. It was at the International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen, Denmark, that the term International Women’s Day was first coined.

It was proposed by Clara Zetkin, a German socialist, who recommended an international holiday to commemorate all the female workers who had fought for this

movement. Of the 100 women representing 17 countries attending the conference, the vote was unanimously approved.

This is an important holiday to acknowledge and celebrate because it is a chance for women all over the world to unite in their pursuit for gender equality and create lasting change in the world.

“For so long, the world has been dominated by men, but things have changed and become more progressive,” said Ainslin Steiner, a freshman English major. “It used to be that men hated women, and women hated women, but now, we have a

Julia Jensen | Art Director

day to recognize all that women have to offer.”

International Women’s Day is also a holiday in which we shed light on all the women throughout history who have helped make advancements toward gender equality.

Mia Davis is a junior public health major. She

said that a female figure who has inspired her was Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

“She has made so many changes to the world of gender equality and is a role model for women everywhere,” Davis said.

During the 1970s, Ginsburg oversaw the Women’s Rights Project of the American Civil

Liberties Union. Until her passing, she fought passionately against gender discrimination.

One of the events hosted by the Women’s Center at GC to honor International Women’s Day is their annual Women’s Leadership Conference on March 29. This conference, which takes place during Women’s History Month, aims to provide attendees with the chance to delve further into their leadership interests.

This year’s conference theme is “Flourish Forward.” The inspiration behind the theme aims to motivate women from all walks of life to flour-

ish in their own leadership as well as to celebrate individuals who already serve as leaders in their everyday lives.

The conference allows for the attendees to create and build a diverse network of empowering women who have experience with creating positive changes in their communities.

Coinciding with Women’s History Month, the event empowers women to support fellow female leaders.

Women’s history has come a long way, and the month of March is a time for everybody to recognize and celebrate female achievements.

Internship Season Olivia DeRosa Staff Writer Internship season is in full swing, with many college students vying for limited and competitive positions at some of the biggest companies.

Many students are required to have completed an internship in order to graduate, and most companies look for internship experience when hiring recent graduates. With the market getting more competitive every year, college students are becoming even more desperate to secure the perfect internship for their resumes.

Internships can be a great way to network with professionals in your field and make important connections to help further your career.

They can aid in sharpening the skills you already possess. Not only do companies look for the experience when ap-

plying for postgraduate positions, but it can also help to flush out real interests within the field.

For some, internship season can be quite stressful. It can be very overwhelming, without guidance. Students are looking for the best internships, but so are their classmates. Internships are competitive and become even more so at big corporations, who usually offer only a handful of internships per season.

“When I sit in my classes, I look around me, and I think, “Oh my gosh, these people are going to steal my jobs,’ or, “These people are going for the same things I am,’” said Simran Puri, a freshman mass communication major.

As the competitiveness increases, so do the anxiety levels. Some students can apply to 10 internships or to hundreds and still only hear back from very few.

“It just frustrates me.

I think I have applied to like 62 or 67 internships now, and I’ve gotten maybe, like, four interviews out of all of those and no offers yet,” said Peyton Cusick, a junior computer science major.

This is a common issue among college students due to the volume of students applying and the lack of internships.

Students have started to apply for as many internships as they can, even if the position does not interest them. Any internship is better than no internship in the eyes of employers and students.

“It definitely depends on what kind of internship you’re applying for,” said Siddhartha Narker, a senior math major. “In tech, it’s hard to get one because you have to have a lot of experience and a lot of technical ability. Generally, they do get pretty competitive, especially for the big companies.”

Narker’s summer in-

iPad Kids Take Over Addison White

Contributing Writer So-called “iPad kids” are a popular subject with this generation. An iPad Kid is a child that is seemingly glued to their iPad or tablet. Since technology is a permanent fixture and only evolving, it has raised the question, how much is too much?

Having a child can be difficult, especially when going into public. A lot of parents have decided to give an iPad to their children to distract or entertain them but now are feeling like children are relying on them.

“My 7-year-old brother is an iPad kid, which makes me sad sometimes.” said Jacob Lewis, a history and geography major. “Jackson experiences ticks whenever he’s not around his iPad, which is concerning to

me. However, many other kids experience the same thing that Jackson does.

I feel strongly that children should not be dependent on their iPads.”

“With a 2017 study from Common Sense Media finding that nearly 80 percent of children have access to an iPad or other type of tablet, these days it’s stranger for a kid to be offline than extremely online,” said Eloise Hendy, a writer at VICE magazine. “Gen Alpha – meaning anyone born between 2010 and 2024 – are defined and utterly subsumed by the digital world.”

Children have access to technology at a very young, impressionable age, and since technology is evolving, the long-term effects could continue to develop.

“My daughter is 12 now, and she’s had her

own iPhone for a little over one year, and she received a MacBook for Christmas,” said Amanda Respess, a mass communication professor

Isabella McComis | Digital Media Editor

ternship aided him in landing a post-graduate position with the company starting in May. Internships are meant to be a positive thing that companies can use to narrow down their hiring pool while also giving young people who are entering the professional workforce a taste of what their future holds. It is meant to be mutually beneficial. However, it seems it causes added anxiety for many students.

Some have learned to play the system to ensure they get interviews

from their top choices.

“Most internship application softwares that they use is just, like, a literal robot scanning your resume for buzz words,” Cusick said. “It’s not even a real person looking at the resume or applications, which is also annoying because I can’t even talk to a real person to give me a chance.”

Others suggest oneon-one networking is the way to secure the dream internship.

“The internship market is super competitive right now,” said Brenna McGloin, a se-

nior business major.

“It really all depends on how you network.

You have to have really good networking skills.”

Regardless of how one lands an internship, the process is still quite the roller coaster. In the end, internships should be an opportunity to widen networks, sharpen skills and learn about a specific position within a field.

“Instead of competing, think about working with your classmates,” Puri said. “That’s the one thing they look for is cooperation. Cooperation, not competition.”

the MacBook is a huge help for school because they do so much work on Microsoft Teams.”

Since COVID, a lot of schools use online platforms for their students in class. So, children ultimately need devices at

experience is mediated through technology.

It makes total sense to use technology at home to continue that learning environment, but it’s every parent or adult family member’s responsibility to set limits, pay attention and, above all, talk to their kids about using technology and being online.”

The world of media has undergone significant changes in recent times. Parents tend to share pictures and videos of their children right from the time they are born. According to the Pew Research Center, this has made the kids more aware of their appearance and actions, as they are continually exposed to images of themselves.

“Today’s 13-yearolds are basically a different species,” Hendy said. “Their parents have shared photos and embarrassing videos of them online since day

dot. They graduated from iPads to smart phones when they were eight.

They knew how to contour before you did. They probably know their way around the dark web.”

Recently, TikToks have been raving about this issue. People are concerned for the children of this generation.

Gen-Z parents are worried they will raise iPad kids, which has spawned an entire subset of videos online. These videos poke fun at iPad kids and their parents that allow it.

“I feel that parents spend too much time on their phones, while their children look at them,” Lewis said. “They see this as a way to live. With iPad kids in the world, it tends to scare me as to how an entire generation will grow up differently.”

Since “iPad kids” are growing more attached to staying stimulated with screens, this issue will likely continue.

Isabella McComis | Digital Media Editor

and director of public affairs at GC. “The phone became a necessity in middle school because of after-school activities and being at friends’ houses, etc., and

young ages in order to access their schoolwork.

“I think, overall, having access to device technology is unavoidable,” Respess said. “So much of my children’s school

9

PAIGE BLAKEMORE, A&L EDITOR KYLIE ROWE, ASST. A&L EDITOR

03.05.2024

ARTS & LIFE

What is Academic Freedom?

And GC’s takes on the importance of it Jack McKinney

when interpreting texts

rhetoric surrounding the

ing, if students were to

Contributing Writer

and systemic problems.

Israel-Hamas

conflict.

write something actively

“Do we think about

racist, for instance, that

Academic freedom is defined as the right to teach, study and pursue knowledge without unreasonable interference or restriction. It has led to many positive developments in education and research around the world. However, because education is often subjugated to politics in the United States, academic freedom in national public schools often becomes divisive and contentious.

Florida, a state that remains infamous for regular political controversy, has recently posed notable restrictions against academic freedoms in their

public

schools.

High

school

courses

such as AP Psychology,

“If you restrict discussion on certain topics,

academic

as

could be a problem,”

classrooms would never

something that protects

Creekmore said. “But if

be able to fully under-

everyone, regardless of

stand certain texts,” said

you don’t at least discuss

content

Tommy Creekmore, a

and politics?” said Jean-

problems such as racism,

junior

major.

nie Suk Gersen, a pro-

“Even beyond LGBTQ+

fessor at Harvard Law

inclusion, discussions of

School and a leader of

race and gender iden-

the Council on Academ-

tity can be critical to

ic Freedom at Harvard.

English

freedom

and

ideology

students may encounter these issues later in life without the proper education and knowledge.”

Following

this

be-

important for academ-

fessor at GC. “Expos-

ic freedom to be pre-

ing students to multiple

served. Alongside many

perspectives means that

of the world’s impending

tions arise when inter-

they have more grist for

feats of disaster, such as

preting academic free-

an ever-changing glob-

the intellectual mill. They

dom

al climate, it is arguable

developing

significant

evaluations

of

However,

texts.”

In its intrinsic state, some argue yes, that ac-

complica-

across

lief, students affected by limitations on their academic freedoms could

partisan

politics. While Florida administers fundamentalist-based education in its public schools, some progressive-identif y-

If you restrict discussion on certain topics, classrooms would never be able to fully understand certain texts

that

ing a healthy society.

“Free, open, critical discussion of even the

proach blurry consensus

most

in academic freedom.

social issues can only en-

Harvard

University

exemplifies the struggle

ademic freedom does

be impeded in the future

Studies, and Shakespear-

to find this consensus. It

indeed protect every-

and not only through

ean Literature, have been

was recently under con-

one, even under political

understanding

banned due to the in-

troversy, as several Jew-

ideologies, that ideally,

topics. Holistically, by

clusion of LGBTQ+ and

ish students filed a feder-

the freedom to pursue

having a narrow range

race-related

education.

al discrimination lawsuit

academics remains sep-

Critics of these policies

against Harvard, claim-

are often keen to point

ing that the university

out

the

has failed to protect them

of

academic

freedom

thinking

than ever for sustain-

-Tommy Creekmore

ing school systems ap-

critical

skills are more necessary

AP African American

importance

Julia Jensen | Art Director

from rising antisemitic

certain

controversial

of

hance students’ critical thinking skills as long as students are given the opportunity to fully engage with and interrogate, in a

have more cud to chew on, more to stimulate the gray matter, more to think about and analyze.”

The future of academic freedom is a toss-up, nonetheless, as the intertwinement of partisan politics fosters a difficult environment for critical academic

engagement.

What is known, however, is that the battle for academic freedom

civil fashion, those who

is often fought in uni-

of solutions for complex

hold even what most of

versities across the U.S.,

arated from the inter-

problems, students may

us would consider to be

making GC and other

pretation of academics.

be pressed to think less

odious views,” said Dr.

colleges a battleground

regard-

critically about issues.

Steven Elliot-Gower, a

for the heart and soul

ing inappropriate writ-

This can make it more

political

of

“Obviously,

CELEBRITY CASTINGS ON BROADWAY

science

pro-

critical

education.

to see their favorite actor

matics

perform in person. As

Colleen Ballinger was in

of February 2024, there

Ellie Smith

‘Waitress,’ the girl could

are 15 different celebrity

Staff Writer

not separate her Broad-

castings on Broadway.

way singing voice from

These castings range

the Miranda Sings voice,

from reality TV star Ar-

and it kills me every

iana Madix, currently

time I watch the videos.”

When thinking of New York City, one of the first things associated with it

starring in “Chicago,” to

is live theater. Acting on

“The Summer I Turned

a stage tends to be how

Pretty” actress Lola Tung

many famous movie and

in

TV stars get their begin-

“Hadestown,”

two

current and well-known

nings and grow their love

stars with two differ-

for acting, but not many

ent types of fan bases.

of them get to go on the

Madix brings in a more

Broadway stage to perform in their careers. It would often be a rare oc-

middle-aged

crowd,

while

Tung

attracts

younger

audience.

a

currence to see the stars

Theater fans can have

go from screen to stage,

a mixed reaction to these

but now it tends to be a

castings, feeling unsure

tactic used more often by

Julia Jensen | Art Director

Broadway theater com-

its opening performance

and movies. In 2007,

panies to secure longer

in 1988 and closed its cur-

“Legally

The

One tactic that tends

runtimes for their shows.

tains on April 16, 2023.

Musical” did a TV spe-

to be the most popular

Today, if you were to

In the digital age,

cial with MTV, drawing

for bringing in new fans

go on Broadway, there

where fans can watch

12.5 million views and

is celebrity casting. When

are over 41 theaters with

their favorite TV shows

increasing ticket sales.

looking for someone new

different music, musi-

and movies online, the

cals, plays and Broadway

increase

need to be trained for Broadway, as acting on TV and movies translates differently on the stage.

“I am not a huge fan of it unless they’re al-

“When

In some cases, celebrity casting goes well.

Many TV or movie stars are classically trained in musical theater, which means when it comes to trading out the “theater pro” for the celebrity, it can go really well.

“Even though Sabrina [Carpenter] was only on ‘Mean Girls’ for a few days before it got shut down due to COVID, her run was absolutely amazing, and I feel as though that comes from background

training

that she had,” said Eliza Rainy, a senior theater and English major.

tick-

to fill in a role, directors

theater world offers the

et buyers, there have

sometimes decide to cast

sort of music because

With all of these ce-

stars in each one of them.

rare experience of wit-

also been reality shows

somebody that already

otherwise, celebrity cast-

lebrity runs on Broadway

Some shows only have

nessing stories in person.

where they cast the next

has a large fan base at-

ing like that takes away

bringing in new fans,

performances for a few

Over the years, theater

big leads on Broadway,

tached to them. Casting

opportunities from oth-

these shows’ runs can be

months, and some run

companies

used

yearly performances in

someone’s favorite TV or

er people trying to break

extended and can help

for years. Phantom of the

different tactics to pro-

the Macy’s Thanksgiv-

movie star could bring

out into the Broadway

more people grow a love

Opera, the longest show

mote their shows with

ing Day Parade and even

a sense of familiarity to

scene,”

and admiration for live

in Broadway history, had

the power of television

performances on Amer-

the show and excitement

Jones, a junior mathe-

have

To

Blonde:

ica’s top news networks.

about stars who may

major.

ready trained in some

said

Rebecca

theater

performances.

10

DELANEY DERRY, OPINION EDITOR

03.05.2024

OPINION OPINION

thing I think about a lot

ident to open a dialogue

American politicians to

Continued from page 1

— specifically the con-

with China. His bestie

ever exist; he continues

All of these men are

troversial picks, like Hit-

(national security assis-

to push the limits of free

big names in classic re-

ler and Stalin. Time also

tant) Kissinger was also

speech, and I believe that

al-world

loves to nominate former

involved in his foreign

public opinion of him is

or

presidents

policy; however, Nixon

more divided than that

for Person of the Year.

is best known for his in-

of any other president.

Richard Nixon was

volvement in Watergate.

2016 was the year

named twice, first in

OK, history lesson

that I started investi-

1971 and then again in

over. One of the more re-

gating the history of

1972 alongside Henry

cent Presidential Person

Time’s Person of the

Kissinger. Nixon had a

of the Year recipients was

Year. Starting in 1927,

famously crazy run as

Donald Trump in 2016.

Time had a “Man of the

president. In 1971 he was

Editorially, this makes

Year” award, and it was

trying to combat increas-

so much sense. In 2016,

not until 1998 that they

My personal favorite

ing inflation, as Repub-

Trump was making the

made the official switch

Person of the Year has

point format, it filled two

licans do, and he ended

transition from business-

to Person of the Year.

got to be Swift. Not only

pages. Swift is so spectac-

like Swift was in 2023.

up freezing wages and

man to presidential can-

However, within those

is she an amazing artist,

ular, and if you have not

I have been known to

prices and ended dollar

didate and then shock-

70 years, they had mul-

but she is, notably, the

yet read the 2023 Time

call the Time’s Person of

convertibility. This was

ingly to president-elect.

tiple Women of the Year,

only entertainer to be

Person of the Year profile

the Year “my Roman Em-

called the Nixon Shock.

Trump is probably one

a Machine of the Year

given this title. When

on her, I would highly

pire,” because it is some-

He was also the first pres-

of the most controversial

and a Planet of the Year.

Time listed her accom-

encourage you to do so.

“bad

guys.”

Hitler, Stalin and Putin, should not be celebrated for anything they did to earn their place as Person of the Year, but they objectively were the biggest names in news those years. They were constantly

being

re-

ported on for the things they were doing, not un-

current

Dear students, are we adults?

Donald Trump’s Time Person of the Year Cover

plishments

in

bullet

Delaney Derry

than a staging ground for

hood yet! We are just in

college and no longer

older than 35 becom-

Even into adulthood,

Opinion Editor

the transition to adult-

the first phase. Is that

considered

ing first-time mothers,

we still learn new things.

A part of growing up

hood; it is a new phase of

supposed to be encour-

then we are adults. We

and

Learning is a natural

is learning when to take

development referred to

aging somehow? I do

have entered the real

are saying that young

human

responsibility and be-

as emerging adulthood,”

not know about you, but

world. However, I feel

adulthood has under-

There is so much pres-

come independent. It is

said Dr. Dalal Katsiafi-

that is a huge bummer. I

as though even the years

gone a profound shift.

sure on people to be su-

just what it means to be

cas in Psychology Today.

thought I was over here

post-college are meant

Traditionally, people

an adult. However, there are

many

back-and-

students,

social

scientists

Well, if we see that

adulting, and it turns out

for a lot of learning and

often get out on their

18-29 is out of the ques-

I have not even reached

growth. If we are con-

own very young and start

characteristic.

per successful at a very young age when, in reality, we are always grow-

tion for being an adult,

families pretty young.

then I guess we college

Now, people are still sup-

students are safe from

ported by their parents

the burden of being

even at 26, and some do

considered an “adult.”

not even have kids until

This is good because

35. I think there is wis-

I myself was thinking

dom that comes with

of stepping down from

experience, and experi-

when we need to have

the position of adult. I

ence comes with age, so

our lives figured out; it

just am not in the right

I would say that around

is about the journey, the

headspace for it now,

30 is truly when we en-

things we experience and

but I appreciate the op-

ter adulthood. Every-

the memories we make.

portunity! I am current-

thing else is just the pro-

Enjoy the process. Life is

ly looking into other

cess and life experiences

about what we make for

options and will, until

leading up to it. Then,

ourselves and not about

further notice, be con-

once we reach adult-

going along with where

Julia Jensen | Art Director

hood, we still learn new

yet.

sidered adults as soon

society says we are sup-

things and are always

seriousness,

Although it is some-

as we leave college, then

changing and growing as

right now, we are in col-

what disappointing that

we are only given four

people. Just because we

of what adulthood looks

lege. We often put copi-

there is all this pressure

years to get the next 65-

are now adults does not

like, so how are we sup-

ous amounts of pressure

on us 18-29-year-olds to

70 years of our lives fig-

mean we have everything

posed to know which

on ourselves to have it

act like adults, I think it

ured out. That seems un-

figured out and have

one is right? When do

all together because we

could be a little bit en-

fair, especially since, in

reached full maturity.

we know when we have

are considered “adults.”

couraging to think we

my opinion, I think we

“These are examples

truly entered adulthood?

We are supposed to take

have not fully reached

never truly stop learning.

of the everyday life-

have

responsibility and learn

adulthood yet. It gives us

According to Patricia

long learning we engage

left many psychologists,

to be independent be-

time to continue to grow

Cohen with The New

in on a daily basis, ei-

venture and will be what

most notably Jeffrey Jen-

cause now, we are on

and figure out who we are

York Times, people up to

ther through socializa-

you make it. So, make

sen Arnett [a psychology

our own, navigating life.

and what we want the rest

the age of 26 are allowed

tion, trial and error, or

the journey a good one

professor at Clark Uni-

But then some psychol-

of our lives to look like.

to stay on their parents’

self-initiated study,” said

and enjoy being where

versity], to suggest that

ogists might say that we

People might say that

health insurance. Also,

Ivan Andreev in his ar-

you are now, whatev-

18-29 years of age is more

are not even into adult-

as soon as we are out of

there are many women

ticle “Lifelong Learning.”

er the stage may be.

forth debates on when that time is. When is it that we become adults?

Many people will say we are adults as soon as we turn 18 and graduate high school and enter into the “real world.”

Others may disagree and say that once you have a full-time job, you are an adult. Many more would disagree, saying that it is once you have settled down in a nice house with a partner and a few kids that you are truly an adult. There are so many different ideas

“These

shifts

stantly researching how to get paid to sleep in.

In

all

the

real

thing

ing and changing. We shift in perspective, get promotions and make new discoveries every day. It is not about when we become “adults” and

posed to be at certain times.

Everyone

goes

through different walks of life, and no one’s journey looks the same. Let us put less pressure on ourselves to have it all figured out because life is a never-ending ad-