LOCKERLY IN LIGHTS: MILLY’S HOLIDAY DISPLAY
Kate Walker Contributing Writer
As the Christmas season approaches, Lockerly in Lights has officially begun. The Lockerly in Lights event is held on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights Nov. 14 through Dec. 21, offering an opportunity for Milledgeville residents to support the arboretum while celebrating the holidays.
Lockerly Arboretum, founded in 1965 by E. J. Grassman, is a non-profit botanical garden that offers free access
to fifty acres of nature trails, greenhouses, gardens and tours of the property’s National Register Antebellum home, Rose Hill. The arboretum emphasizes horticulture and nature education with the on-site Woods Museum, where they host annual field trips for various students across Georgia.
A dazzling annual light show, the Lockerly Arboretum transforms itself every Christmas to celebrate the season and bring students and families from around Milledgeville together.
“Wicked” movie review
Delaney Derry Opinion Editor
OPINION
In recent memory, We’re off to see the witches! As of Friday, Nov. 22, what I consider the most highly anticipated movie of the year, “Wicked,” was finally released in theaters after what felt like a century of waiting. This movie is the first of two parts. “Wicked” is a dazzling prequel to “The Wizard of Oz” before Dorothy makes her appearance in Oz.
Bobcat athletes remain “excellent”
Players once again earn NCAA academic recognition
Chloe Sanders Staff Writer
It follows the story of two witches: Elphaba, played by Cynthia Erivo, and Glinda, played by Ariana Grande. This film is based on one of the biggest Broadway hits of the 21st century, which is an adaptation of the original novel by Gregory Maguire. I have never seen the Broadway musical, nor do I have any prior knowledge of the plot. But I’d heard and seen so many good things, so I went and saw the film on Friday. I went in with zero knowledge
and zero expectations. All I knew was this film was everything anyone was talking about.
After seeing the first part of this two-part movie, I have to say, it really is worth all the hype.
“I thought it was really good,” said Kaitlin Taylor, a sophomore management major. “It started out kind of fastpaced, and there was a lot of stuff that didn’t make any sense, but other than that, it was good and really funny.”
GCSU is also ranked No.1 among all NCAA Division II public schools in Academic Success Rates. This is a huge accomplishment for both GCSU and student-athletes.
Balancing a rigorous
GCSU, along with 44 other NCAA Division II teams, has received the NCAA Presidents Award in academic excellence. This is the fourth consecutive year that the Bobcats have received this award.
training schedule while excelling in your classes can be difficult, but student-athletes at GCSU have done it with ease.
“Balancing school and soccer can be difficult at times, especially with everything we do outside practice and games,
” said Chase Nelson, a junior business major.
“Managing practice and game time actually isn’t the hardest thing to manage; it’s mostly having to go to the gym consistently along with meal prepping healthy options so we can perform our best.”
Juggling the demands of both academics and athletics can be an exhausting, high-pressure experience. For many student-athletes, the reality of balancing these two worlds leads to physical, mental and emotional stress.
GCSU athletes have reached an academic success rate of 92% with the help of professors, friends, fam-
Georgia unemployment rate holds steady
Delaney Derry Opinion Editor
Amidst a fluctuating national economy, Georgia’s labor market has shown remarkable resilience, with the state’s unemployment rate holding steady in recent months.
Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson
announced that Georgia’s September unemployment rate was 3.6%, unchanged from August’s rate, which was five-tenths lower than the national unemployment rate, which sits at 4.1%. The rate has remained steady for October and November.
This means the number of employed people in Georgia
increased significantly. The number of people who entered the workforce was over 80,000, and those joining the workforce will be able to contribute to the economy by making money and then spending it.
The rate of 3.6% is not the lowest unemployment rate in the United States. South Dakota has 1.9% of its citizens un-
employed, while neighbor Alabama has 2.9% unemployed.
Georgia’s unemployment rate remaining relatively unchanged shows that there is a balance between job creation and labor force participation in the state. This consistency reflects the successful growth of multiple industries, from technology to manufacturing,
ily and, of course, the athletes themselves. When it comes to the day-to-day life of student-athletes, finding a balance between academics and athletics is vital to maintaining this title. These athletes must plan their days around training their bodies for their sport and their mind for school.
as well as the ongoing efforts in workforce training and job creation in Georgia. Jobs were up by 6,800 over the month and up by 66,900 over the year to 4,990,300. This means that Georgia has been able to create over 4,000 jobs in healthcare and social assistance and over 3,000 jobs in accommodation and food services.
Cynthia Erivo as “Elphaba” and Ariana Grande as “Glinda”
Courtesy of Ellen Patton
RATES
Continued from page 1
“Every job created represents another paycheck in the pocket of hardworking Georgians,” Thompson said.
“With record-breaking job growth, an expanding workforce, and rising key industries, we’re continuing to build better lives for families across our state. This is the foundation for lasting economic success that makes a difference in the lives of individuals and families every day.”
This trend is a testament to the strength of
Georgia’s economy and the state’s ability to foster job opportunities for its residents. This offers hope for many, both those currently unemployed and college students, as they embark into the world of full-time employment.
“After graduation, I do expect to find a steady job, as I plan to work in a specialized field,” said Caden Jones, a sophomore business major.
“The job market in the business field is definitely more cutthroat at the moment due to a kind of ‘saturation’ of the market, with hundreds of thousands of people
actively job hunting and companies wanting more and more experience.”
With the steady unemployment rate comes an ambition for a steady job for those currently seeking one, but when it comes to students, open jobs do not exactly get the newly graduated or even current college student that job.
“I was supposed to get a steady job last year but couldn’t find someone that was willing to work with my class hours,” said Danielle Cliburn, a junior exercise science major. “This year, I was hired but only because I had someone that had
worked there for years already recommend me, but I’m still not getting enough hours.”
Although previous work experience is generally needed or preferred for a specific position, it is not all that is important when seeking employment.
“Now, I’m looking for a new job with enough hours to support my basic life needs like gas, groceries and rent,” Cliburn said. “I’ve really struggled because I could find a job, but I still wouldn’t get enough hours. I’ve turned in lots of applications, but I either haven’t heard back or have
Professor Spotlight: Music therapy
Katie Whipple
Emma Eslinger Asst. News Editor
According to the American Music Therapy Association, music therapy is a clinical and evidence-based practice that uses music to address individuals’ physical, emotional, cognitive and social needs. It is a therapeutic approach conducted by certified music therapists who tailor interventions to a person’s specific needs, using techniques like singing, playing instruments, listening to music or composing.
This form of therapy has shown remarkable benefits in various settings, including hospitals, schools, rehabilitation centers and mental health facilities.
Katie Whipple is a lecturer and coordinator for the undergraduate music therapy program. She earned her bachelor’s in music therapy in 2006 at GCSU and then later pursued a master’s in music therapy in 2011 at GCSU.
Whipple teaches many different courses from undergraduate to graduate programs.
“Each class explores the effects music has on human health and well-being in some way,” Whipple said. “For example, we can use music to promote physical skills, develop and rehabilitate speech, exercise our cognitive abilities such as attention and memory, explore and express our emotions, connect with others and meet sensory needs. Each class focuses on different aspects or populations, but they all include a focus on the therapeutic aspects of music.”
According to Whipple, some classes focus on the clinical side through experiential learning. One of these classes is “Music Therapy Practicum with Children.” This class offers students ways to plan and lead music therapy sessions with children and adolescents at various facilities.
“One of my favorite classes to teach is an up-
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per-level course called Psychology of Music,” Whipple said. “We explore theories on the evolutionary origins of music, factors that influence our music perception, the connections between music and emotion, and our neurological responses to music and other topics. It is an exciting class, and now that I have finished with my dissertation research, I’d like to develop a research project involving students investigating some of these topics together.”
Through the years of Whipple’s teaching, she has learned many different things from her students.
“I always need to be aware of changes in our field,” Whipple said. “Not just changes to clinical practice but also changes in our clients’ needs. While we train students on 116 professional competencies set forth by the American Music Therapy Association, we still have to tailor and update our teaching so that students’ education and
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training prepare them for the current and future professional world.”
Passionate about fostering both enthusiasm and resilience among her students, Whipple shares how she keeps her classroom energized and motivated despite the demands of a rigorous program.
“I want to get students excited about the material,” Whipple said. “I teach mostly music therapy majors, so this isn’t very difficult, but our program is very rigorous and includes high credit loads for most semesters. Helping students stay excited and engaged with the course material can go a long way to preventing burnout and helping them achieve their goal to become a music therapist.”
Whipple highlights the value of hands-on experience and preparation for those interested in pursuing music therapy, as well as advice for students who are thinking about the major.
“We love to have pro-
been told I would need two years of experience being a server already.”
The job market may not be an easy one to navigate, but the unemployment rate remains steady, offering some assurance to current and future job-seekers as more job openings are being made.
“I feel confident as I have gotten the chance to meet and network with multiple companies and gain advice from multiple older students and professors about how to navigate the business world post-graduation,” Jones said. “While unemployment can be worrying, there are still lots of job
opportunities available, and with opportunities like internships to gain experience, it doesn’t have me very worried.” Although unemployment is relatively high now, Georgia is at work on getting new jobs on the market in order to lower its current rate.
According to the Georgia Department of Labor, the labor force is currently at an “all-time high” as it was up by 18,768 to 5,375,888 and was up by 74,803 over the past 12 months.
spective students observe our music therapy classes, music classes and major ensembles,” Whipple said. “It also gives them a chance to meet professors and students to better learn what life is like as a music therapy major and the profession as a whole. I also recommend prospective students start learning some piano and guitar skills in addition to a primary instrument and music theory. Music is our toolkit, so anything they can do now to start developing those skills, the better.” Whipple’s dedication to her students and the field of music therapy is evident in her approach to education and mentorship. Through rigorous yet engaging programs, hands-on experiences and an emphasis on foundational skills, she ensures her students are well-prepared for the challenges and rewards of this meaningful profession.
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President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks
Bryan Cohen Contributing Writer
For the second time in the past eight years, Donald Trump has been elected President of the United States; weeks after his win, he has worked toward selecting his cabinet members for his next four-year run.
In terms of the more prominent positions, Trump has appointed Marco Rubio as his Secretary of State, Pete Hegseth as the Defense Secretary, Matt Gaetz as the Attorney General, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, and easily the most well-known name by the public, Elon Musk as the Department of Government Efficiency Secretary.
“The nomination process can be characterized as fast and furious,” said Steven Elliot-Gower, a political science professor.“It’s being fast in the sense it’s been pretty efficient compared to 2016… and they’ve really worked hard on getting their nominations out of the door in very rapid succession.”
Donald Trump almost immediately an-
nounced his cabinet, electing Marco Rubio as Secretary of State eight days after election day.
“They’re internationalists, both of them, Waltz and Rubio, have a ton of foreign policy experience,” Elliot-Gower said.
Trump calling Rubio “Little Marco” during the election of 2016.
“Whether or not some of them will get confirmed at the end because they have to be confirmed by the Senate,” said Scott Buchanan, a po-
Michael Waltz, who was appointed National Security Advisor, and Marco Rubio, as mentioned earlier, were expected to be chosen by Trump for a cabinet position. Even though they were expectedly chosen, it does not make at least one of them a surprise, with Trump and Rubio having long-lasting drama stringing from years prior with
litical science professor.
While President-elect Donald Trump can appoint whoever he wants to a cabinet position, his choices will need to go through an approval process through the Senate, which allows them to either approve or deny the cabinet appointees.
According to the US Constitution, Article II, Section 2, the President shall nominate individ-
uals to cabinet positions. The process then goes through a Committee review, which could lead to several hearings, finally finishing with a vote. It typically requires a simple majority, and depending on the outcome, the
two most controversial choices, in that order in Gaetz then Kennedy,” Buchanan said.
With Gaetz dealing with investigations on matters tied to sex trafficking involving minors—to which he has
nominee will either be confirmed and may take office or be rejected, and the President must nominate a new candidate.
With the controversy stemming from the election, more now than in the past, almost every political decision made will be praised or gain backlash from the community.
“Gaetz and Kennedy are probably the
now announced his self-removal of the position—and Kennedy having a long-stemmed public opinion on anti-vaccination policies, controversial decisions like this will be discussed for a while following this election.
While it is prevalent for presidents to choose people of their running party to have in their cabinet, and other parties are almost rarely seen in their cabinet, it is even rarer to see appointees with little to no experience in their specific field appointed to high government positions.
“There’s a lot of diversity within the cabinet,” Elliot-Gower said.
This is the main thing to look at without controversial topics glazing over the truth. While Donald Trump’s decisions have been different from those of prior presidents, the cabinet’s diversity can be seen as a new perspective on presidential cabinet selections.
With the first few weeks following the election completed, there will be a wait to see how the Senate views Trump’s appointees in approving the cabinet members.
“I would say that the defining criteria for all of these nominations has been loyalty to Trump,” Elliot-Gower said. “In a normal presidency, loyalty would be important, but it would also be accompanied by considerations about expertise, experience, and ethics. Trump, with the exception of Rubio and Waltz and maybe a couple of others, has really thrown experience, expertise, and ethics under the bus.”
Marietta City Schools consider AI weapon detectors
Shadimon Smith News Editor
Marietta City Schools Superintendent Grant Rivera announced the possible installation of weapon detectors in some Marietta schools.
The virtual town hall meeting included Marietta Police Chief David Beam, Deputy Chief Justin Rutland, School Safety Specialist Brian Wallace, Chief Operations Officer Michael Santoro and Sgt. Jared Rakestraw.
Metal detectors would theoretically be spread across four proposed campuses: Marietta Sixth Grade Academy, Marietta Middle School, Marietta High School and Marietta High School’s Woods-Wilkins campus.
Marietta City Schools are looking into adding artificial intelligence equipment to the school cameras that are tailored to distinguish between weapons and regular school materials.
“Artificial intelligence weapons detection can take a lot of different forms,” Rivera said. “The technology is evolving rapidly, but from our perspective, it allows us to integrate seamlessly into the existing cameras we have across all of our school campuses.”
Marietta is not the first Georgia school to consider implementing this type of technology.
Gwinnett Public Schools
added a similar technology across 20 campuses to protect their football stadiums. The name of the GPS system used is the Evolv Weapons Detection System, and it has advanced sensors that can detect concealed weapons. That includes firearms, knives and explosive devices.
As students or staff walk through, if they are carrying a weapon, the detector will place a red box around the location of the weapon and alert those running the device. This will allow officers to respond quickly to any potential threats.
In Gwinnett, there are additional guidelines for attendees, including requirements to carry a clear bag, with certain exceptions, such as diaper bags being allowed but subject to searches.
“AI should be used as a tool; it’s never going to be a standalone system or something that we do away with the human element or the human eye,” said Wesley Hardin, GCSU chief of police. “We set up metal detectors, and even though the metal detectors do all the work, there’s two or three officers or two or three people standing there monitoring the metal detectors. It would be the same thing with AI, but as a tool and as another resource, absolutely, I think it’s a good thing that we need to leverage
to the best of our ability.”
The proposal for these extra protection measures is due to there being a mass amount of school shootings happening in recent years. In 2023, there were a total of 346 shootings, while in 2024, there have been 76 shootings so far, with 52 occurring on K-12 school grounds and 24 on college campuses. Georgia itself has had 83 school shootings this year, including the Apalachee High School shooting in Winder, Ga., in September that left four deceased and many parents across Georgia concerned.
Rivera also wants to add more school resource officers to each campus.
“[School Resource Officers] are the first line of defense because no matter what technology we have and no matter what we put in their place, nothing will take the place of what I like to refer to as boots on the ground,” Hardin said. “Even if the AI detects the weapon or an intruder or anything else, you’ve got to send somebody to deal with the problem.”
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Dekalb County Schools signed a 4-year lease for the use of Evolv technology for $8 million in 2023. Marietta has not found the exact system the schools will use but believes they will find a
vendor that works for the Marietta City Schools in the next 90 days.
“As a concept, I feel like it’s a good idea to be able to recognize weapons as soon as they’re set up on a campus,” said Christine Johary, a sophomore psychology major. “Whether or not it’s for a football field versus classrooms, I feel like it would actually be more useful in the classrooms.”
School resource officers, or SROs, are police academy-trained, and then they take a 40hour course to be fully equipped with knowledge on how to work with students and staff, protecting school grounds.
“So adding more SROs is always the first thing,” Hardin said. “But
our camera systems, facial recognition, AI, anything that we can do to, because a school system or a school itself is considered a soft target, so anything that we can do to make ourselves a harder target, locking mechanisms, intruder alerts, point of access, entry control, visitor management systems, camera systems, anything like that, anything that we can do to just add an extra layer of protection.”
The Marietta City Schools Board of Education still has to approve these suggestions, and according to Hardin, that would likely depend on the cost of this technology across the campuses.
Some students hope the technology will not
remain so expensive because of the potential for it to save so many lives.
“Metal detectors already exist at stadiums and stuff, and I’m assuming this is a really expensive technology,” Johary said. “I understand protecting your intellectual property and profiting off the work you did. But this has the potential to do so much good.”
Rivera hopes to implement the AI detection for the cameras in the next 60 to 90 days and the additional SROs in the next couple of weeks. The pass-through weapon detection systems will take a few months to make final decisions and get approval.
Metal Detectors
Matt Gaetz, formerly nominated as Attorney General
Elon Musk, nominated to lead new Department of Government Efficiency
HONORS
Continued from page 1
“To prepare both my mind and body for the demands of school and soccer, I prioritize getting adequate rest and maintaining proper nutrition to support my physical and mental health,” said Aralyn Everett, a senior criminal justice major. “Staying healthy is essential, and I’ve found that I perform at my best when I’m well-rested and properly hydrated—this balance nurtures both my body and mind.”
“In addition, I take full advantage of the athletic training room and recovery resources available to keep my body in peak condition,” Everett said. “I also make a conscious effort to connect with family and friends and carve out time for myself, which
helps maintain my mental stability.”
The most obvious and perhaps most overwhelming hardship for a student-athlete is managing their time. Academic schedules, practices, games and travel can leave little room for personal time, sleep or relaxation. A typical day for a student-athlete can start early and end late, often leaving only a few hours each day to complete homework, study for exams or engage in any social activities.
GCSU holds all students to a high standard, both academically and athletically. With these demands, student-athletes have risen to the occasion, but it does come with its challenges when trying to find the perfect medium.
“The hardest challenge when finding the balance between soccer and school is managing the time demands
of both academics and sports, especially when training or game schedules overlap with class,” said Savannah Sause, a freshman nursing major.
“Early on in my freshman year, I found how easy it was to communicate with my professors and coaches to figure out solutions and happy mediums between the two. It is apparent how much they want us to succeed.”
The remarkable achievements of GCSU’s student-athletes reflect the dedication and perseverance of these individuals.
While balancing the demands of academics and athletics is no easy task, GCSU athletes have consistently risen to the challenge, demonstrating not only athletic prowess but also academic excellence.
Women’s pro baseball College Football Playoffs: Anticipation,
Bryan Cohan
Contributing Writer
Last month, the Women’s Professional Baseball League (WPBL) announced the launch of a six-team circuit for female athletes in 2026.
Co-founders Justine Siegal and Keith Stein announced that six northeastern teams would participate in the inaugural season.
Siegal was previously known in baseball, becoming the first female coach of a professional men’s baseball team, working for the Brockton Rox, an independent Canadian squad.
Later, Siegal entered the Major League Baseball side of the sport, becoming the first female coach employed by a team, the Oakland Athletics.
Before becoming a co-founder of the WPBL, Siegal created the nonprofit Baseball for All, providing opportunities for female athletes to play and coach baseball.
Former player Ayami Sato, who pitched for the Japanese Women’s Baseball League, and former MLB manager Cito Gaston, who led the Toronto Blue Jays to back-to-back World Series in 1992 and 1993, have also joined the WPBL as special advisors.
This would not be the first time a professional baseball league for women has been formed. Between 1943 and 1954, partly due to World War II, the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) was created and quickly became an extremely well-known organization for women in sports.
The Women’s Professional Baseball League is currently holding sign-ups on its website and looking to contact female athletes who may be interested in becoming a professional baseball player.
“It would be very enjoyable for girls to have the option to be able to play baseball and softball,” said Blake Bellflower, a freshman infielder for the GCSU baseball team.
With there already being a professional women’s softball league, Women’s Professional Fastpitch (WPF),
giving women another outlet via the WPBL would allow for another way to enter the world of athletics.
“I feel like women could just show off their talent and everything, so I think it’s a great idea,” said Jacy Singleton, a freshman pitcher for the GCSU softball team.
Since women have not been able to have their own baseball league for over eighty years, the WPBL will help provide them with an outlet to develop their own clubs and grow the sport in its contemporary popularity.
“A lot of women can play baseball, so I think it’s a great idea,” Singleton said.
There are many differences between baseball and softball, so it may take players time to switch from one to the other.
“I think the pitching style is very different, like the overhand versus underhand motion,” Singleton said.
Pitching changes between the two sports. Softball plays on smaller fields; the distance between the home plate and the mound is much closer, and the ball is almost double the size of a softball.
While these differences may not stand out too much, the way the sport is played pitching-wise is entirely different; with baseball players throwing mostly overhand, some variations calling for a submarine or sidearm motion are allowed, while softball calls for a fully underarm windmill-like motion, generating high velocity on release.
While the average college baseball pitch is thrown around 89 miles per hour and the average softball pitch thrown is around 60 miles per hour, the distance to the plate plays a significant role, making the average softball pitch look faster than a 100-mile-per-hour pitch in baseball.
“I don’t know if I would play baseball, but I definitely would watch women’s baseball,” Singleton said. “I think it’s an amazing thing for women to do.”
With the popularity of women’s baseball in Japan, it will be interesting to see how the WPBL pans out beginning with their first season.
Kate Briesemeister Staff Writer
College football has seen an undeniably interesting year, with rewritten conferences and shocking underdog victories shaking up the season. Playoffs start in a month, and though the final playoff rankings are not set, the weekly College Football Playoff rankings have started coming out, and fans seem to have a lot to say about them.
Oregon comes in as one, Ohio State follows behind as the second-ranked team and Texas comes in third. Those are just the top three teams, as annual SEC powerhouses Alabama and Georgia fall at No. 7 and 10, respectively
“As a proud Georgia fan, I’m incredibly frustrated with the College Football Playoff rankings,” said Luke Strickland, a sophomore finance major. “It seems like the committee isn’t placing enough emphasis on the strength of schedule, which I believe should be a crucial factor when ranking teams. Sure, teams like Indiana, Penn State and Notre Dame may have better records than Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss and Tennessee, but if those teams played Georgia tomorrow, the result would be far from competitive.”
Rankings are determined by the CFP Selection Committee, which evaluates a variety of factors, including strength of schedule, head-to-head results and performance against ranked opponents.
Many Georgia fans are frustrated with the CFP rankings. Georgia
controversy and suspense
has lost two games so far, so fans are anxiously waiting to see if the team will for sure make the playoffs. Last year, Florida State had an undefeated season, but the CFP denied them a shot for the national championship, bringing schedule difficulty to the spotlight as a factor for this year’s anticipated ranking.
“Georgia has consistently proven that they can compete at the highest level, and I’m confident they’ll show why they deserve to be at the top,” said Strickland. “I strongly believe that Georgia will go on to win the national championship, silencing the critics and proving the rankings wrong. In the end, it’s not just about records but about who can perform when it counts. I know Georgia is ready to do just that.”
Georgia has lost to Alabama and Ole Miss this season and still faces one regular season challenge against neighbor Georgia Tech. Though the Jackets are unranked, they did beat No. 8 Miami, garnering some attention this season.
“It’s a hard one because I do not know what [the CFP committee] are looking for,” said Kirby Smart, the head football coach at Georgia. “They can not define that. It is not simple either. I mean, anyone can be on the committee and say this is what we are looking for. This is our criteria, and there is so much that it overlaps things, and everybody debates it, and I do not have time to really waste on it.”
Many fans have strong opinions on the CFP rankings, with some outright rejecting the system in favor of other ranking systems like the Associ-
ated Press weekly ranking that holds Georgia at No. 6. However, only the CFP can determine who enters the playoffs and gets a shot at winning the national championship.
“I don’t think the [CFP] rankings are good,” said Eli Gaddy, a junior majoring in management information systems. “I think Oregon or Ohio State is going to win it all. Texas hasn’t played anyone, and neither has Penn State or Indiana, so I think there are some frauds in the ranking right now. I also think Georgia should be ranked higher than Texas since they beat them.”
“I believe the CFP rankings this week are somewhat well-rounded; however, I think some teams are going to make it unjustly because of the strength of their schedule,” said Chandler Chung, a senior nursing major.
Many football fans agree that the CFP has too many unknown conditions when establishing their ranking, which makes it hard to agree with or understand some of their decisions.
“The rankings are always a touchy subject because some fans will always be upset, and you can’t make everyone happy,” Chung said. “However, I predict teams like Indiana with a low strength of schedule and a one-loss record will, unfortunately, make it over two-loss SEC teams with a harder schedule.”
There are many speculations over the CFP. Disgruntled fans are always out there ready to prove the rankings wrong, just as the teams are ready to show everyone and the CFP who the real top team is in the league.
Courtesy of GCSU Athletics
Tyson and Paul face off in unlikely matchup
Benjamin Clark Asst. Sports Editor
Jake Paul, a popular YouTube content creator and professional boxer, faced boxing legend Mike Tyson on Nov. 15, 2024, in a highly anticipated boxing match at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Paul won the fight by unanimous decision after eight two-minute rounds.
Paul’s boxing career began in 2018, evolving from a YouTuber and influencer into a controversial yet relatively successful fighter. Known for his personal marketing and influential status, Paul has built a reputation for his dedication to training and ability to sell fights, drawing huge audiences.
Mike Tyson, or “Iron Mike,” is one of the most iconic figures in boxing. Born in 1966, he became the youngest heavyweight champion in history at the age of 20 in 1986. Known for his ferocious style and knockout power, Tyson dominated the heavyweight division, unifying the titles and becoming an undisputed champion.
Despite being 58 years
old, Tyson demonstrated resilience, competing in his first professional fight since 2005. Tyson’s age also played a major
authenticity and the participants’ motivations.
“Boring,” said Andrew Harrison, a junior accounting major. “I
or not. Elija Brush, a junior management information systems major, is one of the people suspecting Tyson and
These matches typically feature influencers, actors or other entertainment figures stepping into the ring, but these
role in the controversy surrounding the fight, as Jake Paul and Mike Tyson have a 19-year age gap.
Many students have intense opinions about the fight, while some view the fight as a spectacle with entertainment value and others question its
mean, the fight before was what the people actually wanted, and the Tyson and Paul fight was probably the most boring thing I’ve ever watched.”
One of the main speculations is on the legitimacy of the fight and whether it was staged
Paul staged the match. “It felt like there were several moments when Mike Tyson could have gotten punches in, but he just didn’t,” Brush said.
Recently, celebrity fights have gained popularity, blending sports and entertainment.
are often not the same as regular boxing matches, as participants can adjust rules and regulations to their liking, with changes ranging from acceptable attacks to time adjustments.
“I think more celebrity fights could be interest-
The 2024 NFL season reaches a critical point
Hudson Taylor Staff Writer
As December nears, the 2024 NFL season begins to reach a critical point for teams fighting for a spot in the playoffs. The competition is very close in every division, and the MVP race is also ramping up with quarterbacks like Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen, Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson and Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow playing great football.
Jackson and Allen are currently leading the charge for MVP. Both players are having arguably the best seasons of their careers.
Allen has a quarterback rating, or QBR, of 72.7 with 22 total touchdowns and five interceptions. He has also led his team to a 9-2 record, leading the AFC East handily.
On Sunday, Nov. 11, the Bills won their sixth straight game, beating the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. Allen is playing like one of the best QBs in the league, and fans can expect to see his team make the playoffs.
Jackson’s game in the air has been unlike any
other season in his career, throwing for 2,876 passing yards and 25 passing touchdowns with just three interceptions. He has led his team to a 7-4 record and second-place spot in the AFC North.
The addition of running back Derrick Henry has added to Jackson’s success because teams have to be ready for them to hand the ball off.
Burrow has been on an absolute tear this year, leading the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns. He also has the league’s highest QBR at 76.1. The only flaw in Burrow’s MVP case is that the Cincinnati Bengals have a record of 4-7, which is third in the AFC North.
The Cincinnati de-
fense has been below average, and they cannot seem to get things back on track. If the Bengals can get their defense on track and Burrow continues to light up NFL defenses, they could still make a run for the playoffs.
The AFC West has gotten much closer over the last couple of weeks, with the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Chargers both playing well. The Chiefs just recently lost to the Bills and are no longer undefeated.
The Chiefs still have an impressive record of 9-1 but have not played their best football all season. The Chargers are now only two games behind the Chiefs, so it will likely be a close fin-
ish for the AFC West.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are now two games up on the Baltimore Ravens after beating them two weeks ago at home. The Steelers’ defense is arguably the best in football, and with Russell Wilson at quarterback, they are going to be a tough team to beat.
The Bengals and the Browns are having very underwhelming seasons and are going to have to fight and claw to get their seasons back on track.
“The Steelers are the best team in the league,” said Aidan Smith, a senior finance major and Steelers fan. “We have the best defense in the league. What team has won two games in the regular season without even
ing,” Harrison said. “But I think Jake Paul brought Tyson out of retirement to boost his ego. I think celebrity fights are fine, but Jake doesn’t even fight real boxers, and if he does, they have to be at least 20 years older.” Streaming platform Netflix hosted the fight and is part of a culmination of a greater argument in the sports world. Many in the greater sports community argue that streaming platforms should not be able to stream sports. But others consider it more organized and accessible to a wider range of viewers, according to the stock exchange NASDAQ.
“Honestly, it’s becoming really annoying,” Brush said. “I just want everything to be on ESPN+ or something to make it easier.”
Streaming platforms’ venture into live sports broadcasting has transformed how audiences access sports, but not without controversy. Fans face rising costs as major platforms like Netflix secure exclusive rights, which fragments coverage across multiple subscriptions.
scoring a touchdown?”
The NFC North has been extremely close all year, with three of its four teams having winning records.
The Detroit Lions have been playing lightsout football, blowing teams out of the water.
Jared Goff has played like an MVP-caliber player alongside their RB duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery.
They are currently 9-1 and have not lost a game since week two of the regular season.
The Minnesota Vikings have an 8-2 record but have not been playing like it the last couple of weeks. QB Sam Darnold is turning the ball over too much, and it is only a matter of time before his poor play catches up with him and his team.
The Green Bay Packers have been playing similarly to the Vikings, doing just enough to get through games.
Even though all three teams have winning records, this division is the Lions’ to lose.
The NFC South is a division to keep a close eye on.
As of right now, the
Atlanta Falcons lead with a division record of 4-1. They have played their best games of the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where Kirk Cousins has thrown eight touchdowns and almost 900 yards in those games. With no more games against the New Orleans Saints or the Buccaneers, they will look to beat the Carolina Panthers to go almost perfect in the division.
The Bucs have dealt with major injuries, including wide receivers Chris Godwin, who is out for the remainder of the year, and Mike Evans, who has been out for the last couple of weeks. QB Baker Mayfield has done all he can do to try and will his team to victory.
“We just can’t catch a break,” said Hank Koehler, a junior marketing major and Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan. “It’s hard to win games when your entire receiving core is hurt.”
Despite any bad luck or injury, every team in the league will need to play their best football to close out the season to make the postseason.
Jake Paul and Mike Tyson
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen gets ready to pass the ball
AN ATTEMPT TO SAVE THE EARTH GCSU’S RECYCLING CRISIS
Jaylen Mahayag Staff Writer
GCSU’s Office of Sustainability conducted a waste audit on Nov. 8 at the West Campus recycling center, revealing a significant recycling crisis. The audit, performed in partnership with Keep Milledgeville Baldwin Beautiful as part of the America Recycles Day initiative, highlighted major contamination issues that undermine the university’s recycling efforts.
“The Office of Sustainability conducts one waste audit per semester, usually in conjunction with America Recycles Day in the fall and Earth Day in the spring,” said Lori Hamilton, Chief Sustainability Officer.
“This year, a group of students suggested the West Campus recycling center as the location.”
During the audit, bins labeled for recy-
cling and trash were emptied and sorted into separate piles by hand.
“In the past, West Campus performed better at keeping contamination levels low,” Hamilton said. “However, this time, there was as much trash as recyclables in the bins.”
Piper Zegers, a junior mass communication major, expressed an upset about the trash that would end up in the wrong place and its negative impacts on the environment. For the firsttime participants, the results were shocking.
The contamination did not stop at misplaced items; it also included food waste, which poses additional challenges.
“The more that we educate people about what can be recycled vs. what is trash and designated areas for recycling, the less problems like this will happen,” said Meghan Mainor, a junior envi-
LOCKERLY
Continued from page 1
“Lockerly in Lights is a big holiday lights show; it stretches through a one-mile loop of super cool lights, very festive,” said Kylie Totten, a junior education major and an event worker for Lockerly in Lights. “It’s really a fun event for the community to get into the holiday spirit.”
Thursday nights are drive-through only, offering a view of lights from the comfort of a car. Friday and Saturday nights, guests are invited to walk through the lights display and enjoy a variety of food, beverages and merchandise available for purchase.
Ellen Patton, a senior art major, event worker and education assistant at Lockerly Arboretum, noted that the event is an opportunity for the locals to see the arboretum in a different light.
“We have been prepping since August,” Patton said. “We have lights everywhere, and everything is decorated for Christmas. It’s really just a way for the community to get out, get involved, see the arboretum and celebrate Christmas,”
During walk-through nights,
ronmental science major.
The consequences extend beyond wasted recyclables. Contaminated bins attract pests like flies and raccoons, create unpleasant odors and ultimately increase the campus’s trash output, all of which conflict with GCSU’s sustainability goals.
To tackle the issue, the Office of Sustainability is intensifying its educational outreach.
The team is focused on raising awareness about proper recycling practices through presentations, partnerships with student organizations and enhanced signage at waste stations around campus.
“It is a way to reduce the amount of waste that is going to our landfills. Recycling also reduces the need for extracting new raw materials. If we reuse and recycle materials that have already been created, the demand for new materials
will lessen,” Mainor said.
The office also collaborates with students to spread awareness and promote responsible recycling habits.
“I recycle when I am on campus,” Mainor said, “Being conscious about where the items you use every day and where they will end up is extremely important. The more people consciously consume goods, the less waste we will have. Recycling when you can is always a great thing to do.”
GCSU’s Sustainability Council is revising the university’s Recycling Plan with the help of facilities management. The plan aims to streamline waste management and improve campus-wide recycling outcomes.
“I’ve been recycling since I was a little kid,” Zegers said. “We even had a compost farm in the backyard of the house I grew up in.”
Recycling is only one
facet of GCSU’s broader commitment to sustainability, Hamilton highlighted several other initiatives, including a composting program and a unique glass collection system. The composting program partners with Sodexo and Dining Services to process both pre- and post-consumer food waste.
The glass collection system reduces discarded glass to a sandlike substance used on campus in gardens and recreational spaces.
“We’re fortunate to have a ‘green fee,’ a Sustainability Fee Program that provides financial support for research projects and
said.
For recycling efforts to succeed, Hamilton urges students and staff to adopt more mindful waste disposal habits. She also encourages the campus community to engage with the Office of Sustainability by inviting presentations, asking questions and contributing ideas.
“Our programs are driven by a shared commitment to environmental stewardship,” Hamilton said. “By working together, we can ensure that sustainability remains at the forefront of campus life.”
the Arboretum additionally offers a s’mores station, popcorn and souvenirs. The event also includes a special display to celebrate GCSU, known as Bobcat Lane, which is decorated with green and blue lights.
Even though the lights are impressive, according to Totten, it’s the community that really makes Lockerly in Lights special, as the event brings so many people together to celebrate the Christmas season.
The preparation process for the season takes months, with workers and volunteers from the Milledgeville community working hard to
make the display truly spectacular.
“Lockerly in Lights ends, and then the process for the next Lockerly in Lights begins, just because of the amount of work that goes into it and the preparation, getting everyone to volunteer and work, it’s really a yearlong process,” Totten said.
The light show is one of the Arboretum’s largest fundraisers of the year, providing funds for the Arboretum to maintain and expand its public botanical garden as well as nature education opportunities.
“It’s a way to get money for the Arboretum, but it’s also a way to get
people that don’t usually come out to the Arboretum to get out there,” Patton said. “We get people coming from different countries, surrounding counties, and really all over Georgia.”
The Arboretum offers several other events as a part of the Lockerly in Lights December season, including the Jingle Jog. The run takes place on Dec. 15 and encourages non-perishable donations to the Chard Wray Food Pantry. The Arboretum also hosts a date night on Dec. 18, providing food, wine and blankets to any attendees.
internship opportunities,” Hamilton
Julia Jensen | Art Director
Courtesy of Ellen Patton
Nostalgia in your Twenties
Kylie Rowe A&L Editor
When students get into their later years of college, nostalgia for having fewer worries and being a kid can start to set in. During this time, students may find themselves coping with stress by turning back to childhood activities and comforts.
Things like TV shows, movies and even clothes can provide comfort, and as a kind-of-adult, money is now available to bolster these childhood comforts.
Squishmallows and Hello Kitty stuffed animals are known to be popular with college students on TikTok, and these infatuations can be attributed to the comfort of nostalgia.
“After I have to spend a long time studying, nothing makes me feel more comforted than to lay down and watch my comfort show, iCarly, so that I can have a little piece of home with me,” said Kate Moore, senior biology major.
Even though the early twenties are still so young, it is easy to feel nostalgia from watching old shows or cuddling with old stuffed animals. The transition into adulthood brings excitement and new opportunities, but the longing for familiar comforts can add a bittersweet undertone to the experience.
Groups like The Nintendo Club profit off of childhood nostalgia by playing games that were important to students as kids. This club is not only a great escape for students stressed by exams but also provides them with a community of people who enjoy the same comforts.
“Being in your 20s is just going back to liking everything you liked when you were 13 but without being ashamed,” said @nanastudioz on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Nostalgia is not always about finding comfort in things from the past but can also be rediscovering things that were abandoned at some point. The color pink, bows and other things associated with being a young girl are coming back into style for women in their twenties.
On social media, there is a guess that this is because the trend of shaming young girls for being a “girly girl” is an experience many remember, with young girls dismissing traditionally feminine aesthetics in favor of seeming cool or mature. Others believe that this is the Gen X women returning to the comforts of their childhood.
No matter what it is, brands are picking up on the memo of nostalgia. For instance, Owala released a pink bow water bottle, and while this could be dismissed as a fashion trend instead of a nostalgic collaboration, Airbnb’s life-sized Polly Pocket house certainly had a generation in mind.
Playing an intramural could also be a source of nostalgia while in college, reminiscing on playing a sport with friends from high school or even younger. GCSU’s Wellness and Recreation Center offers many sports to provide this reminiscent escape from reality.
Companies often capitalize on nostalgia by making remakes and sequels to movies from years ago. Recent examples of this include the upcom-
Native American Heritage Month:
A Spotlight on the Chickasaw Nation
Isabella Young Contributing Writer
Native American Heritage Month lasts throughout the month of November. It celebrates the heritage, history, culture and traditions of hundreds of different tribes across the United States. Each tribe had different languages, ways of hunting, living situations and family dynamics.
This month is important to celebrate in order to remember who originally inhabited America. These tribes were brutally attacked and forcibly removed from their lands by the white settlers who came to conquer what they thought was “the New World.”
Native culture influences many modern things in America today, including rivers, streets, statues, and core values that are part of America’s constitution.
“Because they were here, they are the true American,” said Michael T. Snowden, executive director of the Office of Inclusion and Belonging. “You can’t tell a story about Amer-
ica without talking about their contributions and then their sacrifices.
You have to tell the full story of our country.”
Respecting the original occupants of the U.S. is why the month of November is used to spotlight Indigenous persons, even though respect should last all year long.
“An appreciation month is good as an emphasis,” Snowden said. “It allows us to take time to celebrate that particular culture. One month is not a long time to capture the rich contributions they’ve made.”
GCSU has several classes that highlight Native American history, culture and literature. One course is Native American Women Writers. This class explores poetry, novels and memoirs written by Indigenous women and explores themes of bravery, love, unity and tribes that cannot be conquered.
“I love studying and teaching Native American literature because it’s some of the most beautifully written, powerfully moving literature being written today,” said Mary
Magoulick, an English professor. “The themes and worldviews of writers like Louise Erdrich, Leslie Silko, Joy Harjo and more are inspired by traditional cultures, the nature of this continent and yet are also current and relevant to today’s world, helping us all understand better what it means to be human, how to live ethically, how to respect each other and the planet and how to build and honor communities that are complex, emergent and hopeful.”
The Chickasaw Nation was established in 1856 when they split from the Choctaw Nation. They lived in Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky and Tennessee before the U.S. Congress passed the Indian Removal Act in 1830. They were removed from their lands from 1837-1851 to where they reside now in Ada, Oklahoma. During Indian removal, around 500 Chickasaw died during the journey. In total, over 100,000 Native Americans were forcibly removed from their lands, and around
ing live-action version of “How to Train Your Dragon” and the Disney+ “Percy Jackson” show.
Each of these original products had huge fanbases, largely with people now in their twenties and have seen support for the homages being produced. This support can be attributed to the search for old comforts and memories people in their twenties look for.
“From a young age, my dad would always tell me, ‘These are some of the best years, and they’ll be gone before you know it,’ and this is something I think about quite often,” said Logan Hall, a senior biology major.
It is often said that college is some of the best years of a person’s life, but during the stress of college, reminders of the calm before all of the responsibilities can be comforting.
“I go back to my years at camp, running around the neighborhood as a child and kind of just this depiction of all of the memories of things I did as a kid that have slipped away over time,” Hall said.
15,000 died. This included women, men, children and the elderly. Their official language is Chikashshanompa’ which is a Muskogean language that is currently endangered. “Chikasha Poya” is how the tribe says, “We are Chickasaw.” Although an endangered language, the Chickasaw Nation has flashcards, a language course and lessons to help its people relearn the language. Their culture has long relied on farming and agriculture. In ancient times, they focused on growing corn as their main crop. Now, some of their recipes include pashofa, fry bread and three sisters stew.
Stories are also an integral part of many Native American cultures, including Chickasaw. In
most of their cookbooks, they combine recipes with stories from growing up and learning how to make food, all while bonding with family.
The Chickasaw Nation provides many services for their members who live in Oklahoma and some for those who do not. Some of these services include scholarships, various types of grants, workshops and healthcare.
They have a full government, which includes a governor, lieutenant governor, tribal supreme court justices and tribal legislatures. They also have a constitution and bylaws that all citizens are supposed to follow.
Native people still experience discrimination and harassment today on a wide scale.
“Ignorance is not bliss,” writes an author for the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe in an article about prejudice. Learning more and sharing the beautiful culture of Indigenous people during the month of November and beyond prevents horrifying acts of discrimination and educates people on who was here first.
“We, as Chickasaws, are part of our great nation no matter where we live. At the heart of our nation is our people - the Chickasaw people - a people who share a common heritage, a culture and traditions,” said Bill Anoatubby, the governor of the Chickasaw Nation. Keeping the cultures and traditions alive is what keeps the people alive.
Art Director | Julia Jensen
November is Native American Heritage Month
for future tournaments.
The Protagoran
The Forensics Team showcase
Ryan Grant Staff Writer
GCSU’s Forensics Team, also known as the Speech and Debate Team, came together on Monday, Nov. 18 for their annual fall showcase. Five students presented their own speeches during parts of the event.
A special portion of the showcase was to debate whether or not the Grinch was right, covering the original iteration of “How The Grinch Stole Christmas.” This topic spurred from the success of last year’s themed debate for the true existence of Santa Claus.
might not otherwise be interested in the content.”
she was a freshman.
The “Yuletide Debate” was held in the International Public Debate Association, or IPDA, format in which one debater took the side of the Grinch and the other debater took the side against. At this event, Mason Nixon was pro-Grinch and Ben Okoro was anti-Grinch.
“The speakers that have been competing with these events, we practice twice a week, and so it’s a lot of work,” Bedsole said. “We research, compose and organize them in a way that makes sense and is pleasing through language, style and delivery.”
Starting at 5 p.m., Nathan Bedsole, assistant professor of rhetoric and the director of the Forensics Team, introduced the event along with the five students who had spoken at the event. The speeches that were presented have been refined by the students in the Forensics Team throughout the semester and could be used
During the event, the Forensics Team gets the chance to showcase what they have been working on with Bedsole.
“The longitudinal approach requires a lot of fine-tuning, working on the same project for weeks and weeks,” Bedsole said. “We work on fire points and gestures that emphasize main points to stay engaging with an audience who
To the Forensics Team, this is a great way for them to showcase their hard work throughout the semester to their fellow students at GCSU. Over 25 people attended the event and were able to witness the team’s dedication.
The first speaker, after Bedsole, Joshua Jones, a sophomore rhetoric major, gave an informative speech that he had been working on since the semester started. The piece was named “Queer Ballroom and House Culture, The Conditions of Their Emergence, and How They Fought and Continue to Fight Against Inequality and HIV.”
“It is a piece of love,”
WHAT ARE WE EVEN SAYING? GCSU’S LANGUAGE LANDSCAPE
Writer
In the ever-evolving landscape of language, slang serves as a fascinating reflection of cultural shifts and generational divides. Today, terms like “lit,” “fire” and “sick” have seeped into everyday conversations, largely driven by youth culture and social media trends.
“Slang largely comes from youth culture because, as a young person, you have little socioeconomic power,” said Jeffrey MacLachlan, an English professor. “ Informal conversations with peers are the currency of the realm. Since language requires decades of discipline to master, slang allows young people to feel ownership of vocabulary, and when peers respond positively to an invented term, bonding events can occur.”
This phenomenon highlights the dual nature of slang; while it fosters intimacy and understanding within specific groups, it simultaneously creates barriers that can alienate those who are not part of the in-group.
“Slang is present wherever there is language,” said Randall Bonser, an English professor. “People bend and shape words to fit their needs, especially as they experience change.”
Slang can also be considered exclusionary in certain instances, but because of the internet, that is less often the case.
“It seems to me that slang is socially
useful because it is a type of shorthand that an affinity group or ‘tribe’ uses to communicate quickly without lengthy explanations: ‘That fit is fire,’ said Bonser. “But it also puts walls around the group in that the unconventional words leave those outside the group wondering what they mean. Slang acts as an iden-
Jones said.“It shines a light on and honors an overlooked, but very important of LGBTQIA+ History.”
Jones competed at the Autumn in the Mountains Tournament in Mount Berry, Georgia, and placed fourth out of 12. The speech was not part of a larger piece and will not be developed into anything larger, but it could potentially be used for Jones in the spring semester.
Halle Bergstrom, junior management and rhetoric major, hosted the Protagoran, introduced each speech in the debate and talked about how big of an impact they had on the club. She joined the Speech and Debate Team when
Stick to your lane,’” Bonser said. Today, as slang continues to evolve in response to cultural shifts and technological advancements, students express a range of opinions about its impact on communication and society. Many view it as a vibrant reflection of contemporary culture, while
tifier or a code to keep outsiders out.”
However, most instances where slang could be exclusive are when you look at generational gaps and the way communication has changed throughout the decades.
“For instance, if I am talking to an 18-year-old student and say, ‘Those kicks are on fleek,’ they will look at me like, ‘Bro, you’re trying too hard.
others are concerned about its potential to dilute standard language skills.
“My favorite slang word is ‘ate,’ and my least favorite is ‘sus,’” said Alison Fagerholm, a freshman psychology major. “I prefer slang personally because it can really show how you are feeling without having to use many words. I do think slang is a big trend right now due to social media.”
“As a small communications club, we don’t have a lot of members, and we don’t have a lot of opportunities to go out on campus and show off all of the great things we’re doing,” Bergstrom said. “Having this one annual event and having a really great turnout allowed us to show off the really great things we were doing and allowed us to demonstrate their hard work.”
The members of the Speech and Debate Team enjoy branching out to new audiences. They also hope for future opportunities to showcase the members’ work outside of the tournaments they compete in and to the students at GCSU.
There is an ease to using slang, especially in texting culture. While proper English is accurate, slang can be just as, if not more effective.
“My personal favorite slang word is ‘dawg,’ but my least favorite is actually ‘lol,’” said Lauren Ernst-Fortin, a senior psychology major. “Slang helps with fast and easy communication. I believe it does more good than harm. It’s cultural and specific to groups of people.”
As the debate over the implications of slang continues, it is clear that perspectives on its usage vary widely among students, highlighting the delicate balance between effective communication and the risk of cultural fatigue.
“I like slang to an extent because I think it helps get my point across easier than regular words, but when it’s overused, it’s just cringy and pick-me,” said Rebekah Mitchell, a sophomore exercise science major. “I feel like it is kind of a trend because different words go in and out of style, but at the same time, slang never really goes away, so it’s kind of a two-way street.”
As slang continues to evolve, its influence on language and interpersonal communication remains significant, shaping the ways individuals connect. Balancing the vibrancy of informal expression with the need for clarity may be the key to navigating the future landscape of language in an increasingly diverse society, including the social landscape at GCSU.
Molly Goff Staff
Julia Jensen | Art Director
OPINION
Continued from page 1
They had me in the first half, though, I’m not going to lie. I was unsure if I really even liked it. I thought it was fun, and the setting and costumes were beautiful, but I was unimpressed with the plot. Yes, they hated each other, then got to know each other, then became best friends, but that’s a classic trope I’ve seen plenty of times.
I was thoroughly unimpressed because I felt like I could anticipate everything before it would happen. I am someone who can often predict the outcome of movies just based on common themes and tropes and the predictability of plotlines, so it is very difficult for me to find a movie that interests me all the way until the end that truly presents unexpected twists and turns.
Although I had my
doubts in the beginning, once the main characters, Glinda and Elphaba, became friends, I was captivated. It was just unfortunate that it took an hour into the movie for that to happen, but I guess I understand that you really need to set up the scene in order to fully understand the entire picture.
Erivo and Grande did an amazing job of making me fall in love with their individual characters as well as the friendship that the two of them shared. It was utterly enchanting.
Plus, it was also hilarious. The witty humor of Elphaba intertwined with the silly yet charming humor of Glinda made for a really fun mix.
I was also very impressed with the vocals as well as the choreography. Each scene really had me feeling like I was a part of the cast and really there dancing with them.
“My favorite part, I
think, was just that they did a really good job with the CGI and the scenery,” Taylor said. “Especially in the end, it really felt like you were part of the movie with the sunset and everything. It was really pretty the whole time, so it looked like they had a high budget.”
According to Nathan Crowley, a production designer for “Wicked,” there was actually very little CGI when it came to set design. The team went out and found real scenery and filmed in those locations or made it themselves in order for a better effect.
“Let’s talk about Munchkinland,” Crowley said. “The first thing for me is like, okay, who are they? How can that influence the design? If they’re farmers, what do they farm? And I proposed that we grow 9 million tulips in Eastern England. And when you see a person run
through them across a diagonal, and you’ve got a camera up here, it’s all real, it’s all in camera.”
They literally planted thousands of real tulips for this movie… that’s dedication to beautiful cinematography.
They built real boats and a train. They visited historic sights, landscaped and filmed with real architecture from all over Europe. There was no way these production designers were going to have anything unauthentic in this movie, except for the talking animals, of course.
I can promise that this movie will have you dreaming of running through a field of tulips, wanting to rock some silver slippers and wishing you could defy gravity. It may not become everyone’s favorite movie of all time, but I am sure of one thing, and that is that this movie is truly going to be “popular.”
Dr Pepper: The fuel of my life
Mary Ciucevich
Asst. A&L Editor
What’s a drink that people live by? Is it coffee? Tea? Well, for me, and I am sure many others, the drink I live by is the holy grail of drinks: Dr Pepper.
What makes Dr Pepper the superior soda or even the best beverage?
According to Waco History, on Dec. 1 of the glorious year 1885, Charles Aderton, a pharmacist in Texas, invented the soda. Originally known as a Waco, but now, as we know it, as Dr Pepper. The soft drink is said to be one of the oldest sodas invented in the United States.
I’d say that most people gravitate towards Coca-Cola as the best soda because it holds the outdated status of “American Classic,” I would argue that Dr Pepper, having been invented one year earlier than Coke and is better in taste, should be deemed the best.
Compared to Coke, Dr Pepper offers a better flavor palate with hints of vanilla, citrus and nutty pungency. Whereas Coke, in my opinion, offers a more harsh and aggressive taste, overwhelmed with bubbled fizz.
“I would much rather drink Dr Pepper,” said Bridget Mainor, a sophomore philosophy and psychology double major. “Mainly because I think Coke tastes worse and does that bizarre
thing where it coats your teeth until they squeak together all weird.”
Dr Pepper’s taste is undeniable, with its unique 23 flavors that combine to make one distinct formula. The secret to this delicious combination that rattles your tastebuds has not been revealed, but it is speculated online that
po.” The name sparked a trademark lawsuit, where Dr Pepper sued Coke for their soda’s name, and in response to the lawsuit, the name was changed to Mr. Pibb and later Pibb-Xtra. It’s strange that, even in the 70s, Coke knew of Dr Pepper’s superiority, so it’s hard to deny their unwavering taste.
per offers a good boost of energy mixed with an undeniable flavor.
Most college students I know would turn to coffee or energy drinks, like Red Bull, as a fuel source to get them through late nights or even through the day. Despite the caffeine that these drinks have, I find that coffee brings stomach issues
surpassing Pepsi. The decline of Pepsi has contributed to this boost, but the rise of social media and the marketing of the Dr Pepper brand also play a role in the drink’s immense popularity today.
Collaborations with other brands like Krispy Kreme, Ikea and Aflac, as well as the sponsorship of the College Football
the 23 flavors that make Dr Pepper so distinct are cola, cherry, licorice, amaretto, almond, vanilla, blackberry, apricot, caramel, pepper, anise, sarsaparilla, ginger, molasses, lemon, plum, orange, nutmeg, cardamom, allspice, coriander juniper, birch and prickly ash.
This soda is so unmatched that even Coke tried to recreate it. According to the New York Times, in the 1970s, Coke came out with a drink that tasted strangely similar to Dr Pepper, which they named “Pep-
Why is Dr Pepper so special to me?
Dr Pepper offers me a glimpse back into my childhood. It takes me back to special occasions of going out to dinner as a family and my parents letting my sister and I order a nice cold glass of it.
It’s a reminder of the trips to Sam’s Club with my dad, where we would get a slice of pizza and Dr Pepper as a special treat for being good.
Now, as a 20-yearold college student, a little caffeine is a must, and for me, Dr Pep-
and energy drinks leave lethargic feelings that make me even more tired.
One of the things I love the most about Dr Pepper is the accessibility of the drink. I can find it in any store and around GCSU’s campus, where both vending machines and new “Micro Marts” sell the soda.
The popularity of the drink has always been strong, but 2024 has seen tremendous growth, so much so that, as of July, Dr Pepper became the second most popular soft drink in the U.S.,
| Digital Media Editor
season through their Fansville commercials, have increased the soda’s loyalty with new fans and solidified their brand with old fans. The Fansville commercials continue to be fan favorites, with features of multiple seasoned football players.
The cult of Dr Pepper is one that follows lovers of soda. Across several social media platforms like YikYak, TikTok and X, formerly known as Twitter, accounts have popped up in love or dedication to the soft drink. Dr Pepper’s own
social media accounts have generated memes and perpetuated trends like the TikTok trend of Dr Pepper and pickles or “Pickled Dr Pepper.” YikYak has several groups dedicated to a daily appreciation post of the soft drink, some of which gain multiple upvotes. At GCSU, students have their own YikYak account, respectfully named “drpepperaddiction,” where they share their love for Dr Pepper and give updates on how stocked GCSU’s campus is with it. There is one person I always think of when I drink a soft drink, and that is the old lady who credits the longevity of her life to Dr Pepper. Back in 2015, a Texas woman named Elizabeth Sullivan did an interview with CBS discussing the celebration of her 104th birthday, where she expressed that her doctors warned her against her regular drinking of the soda. She slyly remarked that she never listened, and she outlived them. Sullivan’s remarks and livelihood are enough to show Dr Pepper’s superiority, especially if it does produce longevity of life. Some say that favoritism only lasts so long, but I aspire to be like Sullivan, who extended her life by three Dr Peppers a day. Whether this be true or not, all I know is Dr Pepper fuels my day, and a nice cold glass could fill up yours too.
Isabella McComis
“Glinda,” played by Ariana Grande
“Elphaba,” played by Cynthia Erivo
