Issue 5 | Volume 104

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The Official Student Newspaper of Georgia College & State University October 22, 2024

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DEEP ROOTS

our little town. The Milledgeville locals love it, but the college students go all out.

There are parties and events all weekend. I

Delaney Derry

had brunch at my friend’s house before we

Opinion Editor

all headed to the festival together, and the

OPINION

night before, we all had a bonfire together.

If the lead-up to Deep Roots isn’t hype

In

recent

memory,

Fall festivals filled with food and fun are what

I am all about. I personally love going to festivals.

They are so lively with the crowds and people passing from booth to booth in search of little treasures. Not to mention all the music, games and yummy treats from various food trucks.

Milledgeville’s favorite fall festival has returned once more! Deep Roots was this past Saturday, Oct. 19, and it had a wonderful turnout. This was my third Deep Roots, and every year it just gets better and better.

Kylie Rowe | A&L Editor

Grace Phenicie, Milledgeville oil painter stationed with Allied Arts

I love how invested GCSU students get

enough, the outfits will get you. People get all dressed up like it’s New York Fashion Week or something. I love wandering around downtown looking at everyone’s outfits they’ve had planned out for weeks.

I don’t just love the attire surrounding this event, but one of my favorite things about going to festivals is that talking with the vendors is just so interesting. They each have such unique and fascinating stories. I just love hearing them, and they love sharing them

into Deep Roots. It is such a big event for

See ROOTS | Page 9

ATL PRIDE RETURNS Kylie Rowe

stead of June, during

even speculate that the

A&L Editor

pride month. According

change is due to how ex-

This year, the Atlanta

to WSB-TV, the change

treme the June heat is for

was made in 2008 to

festivalgoers to endure.

Pride 2024 Festival was thrown by the Atlanta Pride Committee on Oct. 12 and 13. This year, the annual festival saw an attendance of approximately 300,000 people

coincide with National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11, providing more meaning to the celebration. Another reason for moving the festival is due to the numerous events

During Pride weekend in Atlanta, there are lots of different activities to take part in including

the

parade

that is held on Sunday, and the main concert is

including some GCSU

that Atlanta hosts during

students

alumni.

the summer, such as the

held on Saturday from

Unlike other Pride

Peachtree Road Race and

2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the

Atlanta Pride

the Atlanta Underground

Coca-Cola Roxy Stage.

is held in October in-

Film Festival, and some

See ATL PRIDE | Page 7

festivals,

and

Kylie Rowe | A&L Editor

MLB PLAYOFFS

CPR training available to faculty Shadimon Smith

my instructor certifica-

Oct. 10 from 10 until 11

and rescue breaths to

News Editor

tion. So I asked if I could

a.m. in the Pat Peter-

help circulate oxygen in

teach a couple of classes

son Museum Education

the blood to help keep

a year to keep my certifi-

Room in Russell Library.

them alive until EMS

cation. And then it’s just

“So if somebody’s

show up,” Puckett said.

GCSU has partnered with the American Red Cross to bring cardiopulmonary

Before

resuscita-

tion, or CPR, training to the faculty at GCSU.

hour-long

in-per-

son

faculty

session,

course

Marie Puckett, adminis-

through

the

American Red Cross.

trative manager for the

This course consists

wellness and recreation

of different modules to

center at GCSU. She has

teach the student about

been certified since 2015

CPR, first aid and auto-

in CPR and has taught

mated external defibril-

many the proper ways

lator, or AED. Then after

to give aid to people

the teaching module, it

during an emergency.

provides an interactive

“Well, I started do-

module for the student

ing CPR training when

Julia Jensen | Art Director

I worked in a safety role a

the

had to take an online

The course is taught by

for

taking

manufacturing

kind of blossomed into

heart isn’t beating or

company,” Puckett said.

providing it for campus.”

isn’t beating effective-

“And so when I started

The first in-person

ly, you can do a series

here, I didn’t want to lose

session was on Thursday,

of chest compressions

to practice it in a virtual setting. Participants are then required to take a test on each section.

See CPR | Page 3

Hudson Taylor

pected earlier in his ca-

Staff Writer

reer, batting .292. His

Teams

clinching a spot in the World Series with only four teams left in the MLB Playoffs. In the American League, the New York Yankees and

up MVP-caliber numbers with 39 home runs and 118 RBIs. Arguably, their best player was Clase, who put up impressive numbers with an ERA of 0.61 and 47 saves.

The

Yankees

spent

most of the regular sea-

ians are currently facing

son overpowering their

off for the first time in

opponents. Right fielder

the playoffs since 1997.

Aaron Judge had another

For most of the year,

amazing season and has

the Guardians had the

a good chance at winning

best record in baseball of

his second MVP trophy.

92-69 with great seasons

As a new addition to

from third baseman José Ramírez, center fielder Steven Kwan and pitcher

Emmanuel

Clase.

Kwan had the breakout year that was ex-

ARTS & LIFE | PG. 7

The Road to 270: Only three weeks remain as the presidential candidates rally for final votes.

Ali Amrozowicz delivers a standout soccer performance.

Every October, the University System of Georgia challenges students to stay fit while enjoying the fall weather.

USG WALKTOBER CHALLENGE

teammate, Ramírez, put

the Cleveland Guard-

SPORTS | PG. 6

AMROZOWICZ IS PBC PLAYER OF THE WEEK

getting

closer and closer to

NEWS | PG. 4

THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

are

the roster, former Padres star Juan Soto had a great first year with the Yankees, hitting .288 with 41 HR and 109 RBIs. See MLB | Page 5

OPINION & MISC. | PG. 9

FORMER ONE DIRECTION STAR DEAD AT 31 Liam Payne pronounced dead after falling out of a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

2

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

10.22.2024

NEWS

Major spotlight: Exercise Science Addison LaCotti Emma Eslinger

colleges, I specifically

“I love the hands-on

Asst. News Editor

looked for those with

aspect of exercise sci-

Exercise Science is a

degrees in exercise sci-

ence,” LaCotti said. “A

ence

kinesiology.”

lot of our classes place

the

major,

emphasis on us doing

gives

popular major at GCSU. Students of this major

or

Within

are prepared with skills

GCSU

LaCotti

things, not just reading

that will help them ex-

many experiences and

about them and taking

cel in a career of their

opportunities to grow

tests. Being able to tape

choice, such as strength

her career and serve the

ankles, run exercise tests

and conditioning, athlet-

community. These op-

and get experience with

ic training, nutrition and

portunities include The

medical equipment has

physical therapy. In their

Georgia College Ath-

helped me understand

classes,

letic Training Student

the content better and I

learn an understanding

Organization

(GCAT-

feel like it will help me

of science and the human

SO), The Public Health

be a better professional.”

body, as well as receive

Student

Organization

Exercise science offers

lab experience with state-

(PHSO) and The Ex-

students two concentra-

of-the-art

ercise

Club.

tion opportunities that

a graduate school pro-

advisors, as they have

and sets you up to suc-

“I am president of

pair with their major—

gram,” LaCotti said. “My

guided

ceed in graduate school

students

will

equipment.

Addison LaCotti is a

Science

Courtesy of Addison LaCotti

me

through

senior exercise science

the

Science

fitness and performance

plan is to go to school

my education here at

major and has been

Club,” LaCotti said. “I

and pre-professional and

for

training

Georgia College, and I

dedicated to the ma-

really enjoy my role and

sports medicine. These

and that is something I

am immensely grateful

jor for a long time. She

everything that comes

concentrations

localize

am very excited about.”

for them pouring into

believes that GCSU is

with it, even if it keeps

students’ learning and

Faculty is an import-

me and answering my

point them toward a cer-

ant part of any major

millions of questions.”

tain career path they want

at GCSU. They provide

Exercise science is a

to take after graduation.

students with connec-

difficult major, but La-

science

tions and insight into

Cotti doesn’t want un-

the best place for her to strive towards her future.

“I’ve

known

Exercise

me busy. I am also shadowing some at Putnam

athletic

and

the

workforce.”

GCSU has provided LaCotti with immense opportunities

to

fur-

ther her career in the exercise major. She has gained life-long experi-

since

County High School.”

about my sophomore

Exercise science stu-

year of high school that I

dents learn the basics of

also allows students to

future career opportu-

derclassmen to shy away

wanted to do something

resistance training, exer-

continue their educa-

nities and want their

from completing the ma-

within the field of sports

cise and sports nutrition

tion at graduate school,

students

succeed.

jor, despite its difficulty.

medicine,” LaCotti said.

and human movement.

where they can learn

“Our faculty is out-

“I would tell under-

“I took a sports medi-

Students

to be physical or oc-

standing,” LaCotti said.

classmen that this ma-

will set her apart from

cine class in high school

hands-on experience in

cupational

“I have made so many

jor is hard and it is a

others in a job setting

and fell in love with the

their classes that will pre-

“Most exercise sci-

personal

connections

lot of work,” LaCotti

when she graduates and

field. When looking for

pare them for the future.

ence majors will go into

with my professors and

said. “It is so rewarding

goes to graduate school.

will

receive

Exercise

VOLUME 104 | NO. 5

Editorial Board

Kate Verity......................... Editor in Chief Paige Blakemore............Managing Editor Julia Jensen....................... Art Director Shadimon Smith.............News Editor Emma Eslinger................ Asst. News Editor Brennan Schmitz........... Sports Editor Benjamin Clark............... Asst. Sports Editor Kylie Rowe.........................Arts & Life Editor Mary Ciucevich...............Asst. Arts & Life Editor Delaney Derry..................Opinion Editor Isabella McComis..........Digital Media Editor Matthew Malkowski..... Digital Media Editor Rebecca Ocampo..........PR Manager Kassie Arps.......................Ad Sales Manager Eva Galova........................ Faculty Adviser

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

therapists.

to

@TheColonnade

ences and connections, as well as been involved in leadership roles. All attributes of the exercise

science

major

@TheColonnade

Contributing writers are always welcome at The Colonnade. Contact thegcsucolonnade@gmail. com for more information.

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3

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

10.22.2024

NEWS CPR

Continued from page 1 After going through all the modules, people receive a certification of completion.

Faculty who signed

ister naloxone (Narcan)

get consent from the per-

cation. They can renew

the in-person event. So

need to know how to

in case of an overdose.

son before you can help

their certification at the

we’re trying to keep it

administer that, but you

“We get out the man-

them,” Puckett said. “We

end of the two years.

very reasonable for stu-

nequins, and we practice

talk about preventing dis-

doing chest compres-

ease transmission. If I’m

50

sions and CPR,” Puckett

doing a training for like

training

said. “We go through the

The

school

pays

dents to be able to do it.”

the

CPR is a life-saving

certificates.

measure that with proper

a specific department or

“And I think if you

application can save a life.

both

a specific area, the super-

look on the website,

children.”

visor might ask me to go

Puckett also ensured

dollars

for

could save a life that way.”

The next session is on Nov. 7 at 10 a.m. in the Pat Peterson Mu-

people

seum Education Room

like the Red Cross web-

who know how to per-

in Russell Library. It al-

through a couple of the

site, what other people

form it [CPR], the more

ready has a waitlist, but

under-

things that are specific

are

people

hands-on training. This

stood the online course

directly to what they may

of Georgia College,

it

when they see someone

hands-on

and allowed them to

come in contact with in

can range from like

who would require that

GCSU consisted of peo-

ask

about

their work on campus.”

$80 up to $120 for that

[CPR],” said Christine

ple being taught how to

the first aid section.

At the end of the

same

thing,”

Johary,

do CPR, how to use an

“I make sure that they

in-person session, facul-

said

“And then some

psychology major. “Like

session you have to com-

AED and how to admin-

know that you have to

ty get a two-year certifi-

of them don’t include

with Narcan, you might

plete the online training.

up for the online training have to attend an in-person class to do the

training

at

steps

adults that

for

and

everyone

questions

charging

outside

Puckett

“The

more

who

a

can

act

sophomore

Puckett plans on hosting a few sessions in the spring of 2025. Before you attend the in-person

Is change on the horizon for Georgia’s prisons?

Jaylen Mahayag Staff Writer An eight-year investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, or DOJ, has uncovered crisis-level conditions in Georgia’s state prisons.

The findings revealed shocking levels of understaffing,

inhumane

treatment and rampant violence.

From

2018

to 2023 alone, 142 homicides were reported in facilities run by the Georgia Department of Corrections. In response, the DOJ recommended 82 systemic changes

ee, noted that the DOJ’s

culture presents obsta-

years, resulting in super-

“Correctional officers

that certain public atti-

report

with

cles to protecting the in-

ficial compliance rath-

are often tasked with

tudes toward crime and

her experiences work-

carcerated,” Cook said.

er than substantial im-

overseeing more than 100

punishment may hinder

ing within the system.

In the current state,

provement in conditions.

inmates for 12 hours at a

these efforts, as some

officers

He pointed out that pris-

time, sometimes without

see incarceration as a

surprising to me,” Cook

must balance enforcing

on systems often comply

assistance,” Cook said.

form of retribution rath-

said. “Correctional em-

rules while managing

with federal mandates

These stressful work-

er than rehabilitation.

ployees are some of the

large populations with

on paper, but make lit-

ing conditions, coupled

lowest-paid

workers

minimal resources, of-

tle changes in practice.

Lamparello expressed

with low pay, contrib-

in the criminal justice

ten leading to high stress

Lamparello also not-

doubts about whether

ute to high turnover

system, making it dif-

and burnout among staff.

ed the challenges of ad-

the DOJ’s recommenda-

and

rates

DOJ’s

dressing violence with-

tion would lead to sub-

among staff. The in-

tain staff. This creates

recommended reforms,

in prisons, citing the

stantive reform, citing

mates, meanwhile, face

turnover,

leading

Adam Lamparello, an

recent deaths of inmates

the privatization of pris-

daily threats of vio-

frequent

cancellations

assistant

professor

of

Brandon Mincey and

criminal

justice,

ex-

Travon Walthour. Both

lence, inadequate med-

ons as a barrier to change.

incarcerated.”

pressed skepticism about

deaths resulted from stab

According to Cook,

meaningful change. He

wounds in Georgia pris-

even fully staffed facil-

emphasized the limita-

ons and are tragic exam-

ities face challenges in

tions of federal oversight.

ples of violence that the

aligned

“The report was not

ficult to recruit and re-

of

essential

for

the

to

services

Despite

DOJ report aims to curb.

to prison culture, which

of Justice can ask for

According to Lamparel-

safety,

fosters aggression rath-

these

reforms,

but

lo, years-long court bat-

and treatment protocols.

er than rehabilitation.

Georgia

prison

offi-

tles for prisoner safety

management, However,

“The

the

Department

to reform the prisons’

preventing violence due

correctional

questions

The DOJ’s findings

cials are likely to im-

are likely, but meaningful

remain about the fea-

reflect Cook’s observa-

plement them in name

change remains elusive.

sibility

enforce-

tions, highlighting phys-

only,” Lamparello said.

The

ment of these changes.

ical and sexual violence

He explained that the

tions

Carrie Cook, a crimi-

within Georgia’s prisons.

long litigation process

prisons not only en-

nal justice professor and

“Even if staffing levels

would allow state officials

danger inmates but also

former prison employ-

are at 100% the prison

to stall reform efforts for

take a toll on the staff.

and

harsh inside

condiGeorgia’s

burnout

ical care and, for many, mental

deterioration.

Lamparello

shared

a personal story to illustrate the toll prison conditions take on vulnerable populations, recounting how his brother, a mentally ill inmate at Rikers Island, was both physically and sexually assaulted during his incarceration. Lamparello stressed that many inmates experience trauma that worsens their mental health, further increasing their risk of reoffending upon release.

Both Cook and Lamparello agree that reform is desperately needed, but their outlooks dif-

Incarcerated Inmates

“Private prisons create a marketplace for crime,” Lamparello said.

“The system is incentivized to keep prisons full,

which

prioritiz-

es profit over reform.”

Lamparello

stressed

the need for preventive measures, such as addressing the root causes of the crime, including poverty and mental illness, rather than relying solely on incarceration as a solution.

While the road ahead for Georgia’s prison system may seem complex, the DOJ’s investigation has sparked a renewed focus on the need for reform. From improving

fer on the likelihood of

staff conditions to en-

success. Cook highlight-

suring inmate safety, the

ed the need for a cul-

proposed changes aim to

tural shift within pris-

create a safer and more

ons, moving away from

humane

punitive measures and

for everyone involved.

toward more humane

Although the chal-

treatment of inmates.

lenges are significant, the

“We need to human-

push for reform offers a

ize people who have been

critical opportunity to

convicted of felonies and

improve conditions and

consider restorative jus-

address systemic issues

tice practices,” Cook said.

that have long plagued

Cook

also

warned

the

environment

state’s

prisons.

4

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

10.22.2024

NEWS

Presidential Election Preview Shadimon Smith News Editor The presidential election is three weeks away, with Election Day on Nov. 5, and each candidate has worked hard in recent months to gain Americans’ votes.

The Republican Former President Donald Trump and current Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris are the front runners in the 2024 election.

“I would, as a political science professor, encourage people to look at what it is that the president can actually do, and those things the president can’t,” said Benjamin Clark, a senior lecturer of political science at GCSU. Trump began his career working in real estate and business in New York with a loan from his father. He eventually took over his father’s company and renamed it “Trump Organization” in 1971. Building the company up, he started going into Manhattan property and spreading outside of New York, Las Vegas, India and Chicago. He built casinos, hotels and condominiums.

Trump worked his way into television and worked on the show “The Apprentice,” where he offered a management contract with his business to the winning contestant of the show.

The award consisted of a $250,000 dollar contract to manage one of the hosts’ projects and become their apprentice for a year. Trump participated in 14 seasons and has tried multiple business ventures, such as starting Trump University. At one point, Trump even owned the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants.

Trump University is a company founded in 2005 where people can learn the ins and outs of real estate. It offered seminars online and transitioned to in-person classes later on. After being hit with multiple lawsuits, it ended in 2010.

In 2015, Trump announced his run for president, running on the slogan “Make America Great Again” in hopes of securing a seat in the White House. He ran against the Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and won the 45th presidency. He remained president until 2020, when he ran for a second term and lost to current President Joseph Biden.

He claimed that the election was rigged and that he actually won, inciting extreme reactions among his supporters.

Trump has worked in preparation to run again for the 2024 elec-

tion in hopes of a second term and is the presidential candidate for the Republican party.

“I’m voting for Donald Trump because he aligns with several personal values I have about the economy, immigration and human rights,” said

agencies are exercising a delegated power by Congress,” Clark said.“I would imagine you would see all sorts of issues like that, where the Trump administration would take some very bold position to try and shape policy on their

Alongside Biden, she became Vice President of the United States in 2020.

Biden came into the 2024 campaign trail seeking re-election, but after wide concerns over his mental and physical fitness following a June debate performance that left even

Former President Donald Trump

Lincoln Jepson, a junior finance major. “I think he is fit for the job more than his opponent and that is why I am casting my vote for Trump this election.”

CBS News stated Trump wants to end income tax on social security, add tariffs to all imported goods and have the federal government cover the costs of In Vitro Fertilization, or IVF. He has promised to work on ensuring all Hispanics remain in Mexico while their asylum cases are reviewed and work towards ending birthright citizenship for the children of immigrants living in the country illegally.

“I think that under Trump, this economy is the path of division and unrest in Americans, I think that would definitely continue just because we’ve seen, even since 2016,” said Anna Hunger, a senior political science major.“How he’s handled himself and the things that he’s been saying and how they have been increasingly polarized.”

Trump has stated he wants to break up the Education Department, and something similar can be found in Project 2025. In Project 2025, it mentions putting all federal organizations directly under the president. Trump has worked to separate himself from Project 2025 by saying he has not read it and does not plan to.

“So it’s very difficult to imagine constitutionally that they would be able to because these

own, and it would get overturned by the courts or Congress wouldn’t go along with it. And they would be perpetually stymied by the fact that they weren’t able to accomplish all the things that they wanted to.”

Harris began her career in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, where she gained the reputation of being tough as she worked on cases involving gang violence and sexual abuse. This led to her election as the District Attorney of the City and County of San Francisco in 2003. She held this position until 2010, when she won the election for Attorney General of California.

This win made her the first woman and first African-American to hold this position. She spent her time working to overturn California Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage. Through her work, it was overturned in 2013. In 2015, Harris declared her candidacy for the U.S. Senate. On the campaign trail, she called for immigration and criminal justice reform and protection of women’s reproductive rights.

She won the election in 2016, making her the first Indian American and second Black American woman in the Senate. She later launched her campaign to become President of the United States in 2019, and President-Elect Biden picked her as his running mate.

up to $25,000 in down payment assistance.

To enact these policy proposals, Congress would have to approve them as they hold the power of the purse.

The power of the purse means that they have the right to raise and spend

Vice President Kamala Harris

longtime Biden supporters uncertain, Harris replaced him as the presidential candidate for the Democratic party.

“I think under Harris’s presidency, we would see an energetic America and one that is slowly working towards rebuilding all classes of the country, as well as a healthy balance of powers coming from all branches of government,” Hunger said.

According to CBS News, Harris wants to provide bigger tax cuts for families, a $6,000 child tax credit for parents of newborns in the first year and a $3,600 child tax credit for young children.

She plans to enact the first federal law against price gouging by food suppliers and grocery stores. She also mentioned that industry competition can help lower the costs of groceries for American citizens.

“I think that this will definitely help our perspectives in what we think the inflation crisis is right now,” Hunger said. “I think that a lot of it is just price gouging, and so I think that by her doing this, I think that it will definitely help us out more, and the big companies that are doing this can level out their prices and stop being greedy.”

Harris is vowing that during her first term, the Harris-Walz administration will provide working families who have paid rent on time for two years and are buying a home for the first time

government money as they see fit. This ensures that the executive branch does not make decisions that could endanger democracy.

“A lot of the time, presidential candidates will promise things that only Congress really is going to have to do,” Clark said.

“Those are all things that Congress is going to have to do. A good chunk of the rhetoric they use, the campaign promises they make are things that actually the president alone really doesn’t have the ability to do.”

The president can use executive orders to enact these policies if they so wish. An executive order is an official document that helps manage the government. It can enact the policies a president wants to use.

Congress can pass legislation that stops the executive order or another president can come and undo each order with his or her own orders.

Abortion is also a major point that each candidate has spoken on.

Harris has been known for her support of people’s right to choose and Trump has stated he wishes to leave it to the states to decide the laws around abortion.

“I think that as much as Trump claims to be pro-life and his campaign rides on being prolife, I think that he would still keep abortion to the states,” Hunger said. “I don’t think that he would impose federal regulations or make sure that

it is federally protected. I think that Harris would push to move that to be federally protected, as it was under Roe versus Wade. But I think, at least for Trump himself, I think that it would remain in the states, which as we’ve seen has become very dangerous.”

Harris picked Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate and Trump chose Ohio Senator J.D. Vance as his running mate.

A few of Trump’s former military leaders have shown reproach to him winning a second term, one even going so far as to call Trump a fascist in an interview with MSNBC. “He is the most dangerous person ever,” said Mark Mille, military general and former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff.

“I had suspicions when I talked to you about his mental decline and so forth, but now I realize he’s a total fascist. He is the most dangerous person to this country…A fascist to the core!”

Trump has held many rallies to garner support from the people of America. One that stood out was the assassination attempt on his life on July 13 in Butler, Pa. where his ear was skimmed by the fired bullet. Two other people were injured, James Copenhaver and David Dutch and one was killed, Corey Comperatore. The shooter was 20 year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks and he was killed by secret service.

Each candidate is working to secure votes across America. Walz and former President Obama will be attending a rally in Wisconsin and Doug Emhoff will go to North Carolina to help with hurricane relief efforts. Vice President Harris participated in moderated talks with the U.S. Representative Liz Cheney in Chester County on Monday, Oct. 21.

She also plans on stopping in Wisconsin and Michigan. Then, she will head to Pennsylvania for a CNN town hall event, where she will speak to the people of Delaware County in a public forum to address any concerns they may have.

Trump has even decided to work a few hours at McDonald’s in alignment with his argument that Harris has never worked there, though she claims she did. Trump plans on being in North Carolina, while his running mate will head to Arizona. This comes after he visited Pennsylvania for a rally.

The presidential candidates are working hard to secure votes as early voting opens up across the U.S. and many are unsure who will win.

5

BRENNAN SCHMITZ, SPORTS EDITOR BENJAMIN CLARK, ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

10.22.2024

SPORTS MLB

ond baseman, Jose Iglesias, who they brought up from Triple-A early

Continued from page 1 With both teams having great seasons,

predicting

who

could

win the pennant and go to the World

Series

has

been

difficult.

“The Yankees have been the best team in baseball this year,” said Tyler Gardner, a senior finance major. “When you have a guy on your team like Aaron Judge, it makes things much easier.”

On the other side of the playoffs, the Los Angeles Dodgers faced off against the unexpected New York Mets in a seven-game series.

At the beginning of the year, the Mets were off to a slow start, go-

on in the second half of the season.

Iglesias answered the call, batting upwards of .300. Even then, it took the Mets through the last day of the season to clinch their playoff spot.

The Dodgers did what they were expected to and barreled through their regular season, winning their division for the third straight year.

“Honestly, this is the Dodgers’ year,” said Luke Parris, a senior exercise science major. “The fact that they have [Shohei] Ohtani now makes them even better than they were before.”

The Yankees were off to a scorch-

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani

ing hot start in their series, win-

home, ultimately losing the series.

second inning. Game three would end

ning games one and two at home.

The Yankees did what most ex-

in another pitching masterpiece for

Game three was back-and-forth,

pected and flexed their offensive

the Dodgers, as they would shut out

going all the way into the 10th in-

muscles. Designated hitter Giancarlo

the Mets once more, with a score of

ning. The Guardians were down five

Stanton won the ALCS MVP, boast-

8-0. This is the first time in franchise

Their best player, shortstop Francis-

to three going into the ninth inning.

ing four home runs in five games.

history that the Mets have been shut

co Lindor, who signed a $363 million

With two outs in the ninth, right fielder

The series between the Dodgers and

out twice in a single playoff series.

deal in 2021, struggled throughout

Jhonkensy Noel hit a game-tying two-

the Mets has been much more balanced,

much of the first half of the season.

run HR, igniting the Cleveland crowd.

as the Dodgers lead the series 3-2.

bats exploded again, scoring ten

In the second half, however, the Mets

Catcher David Fry would lat-

Going into this series, the Dodgers’

runs. The Mets answered in a big

started batting like they expected to.

er hit a walk-off two-run homer,

pitching staff had not allowed a run in 24

way, scoring 12 runs in game five,

Other players like third base-

leading the Guardians to victory.

straight innings, which is especially im-

keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Guard-

pressive for the playoffs. They continued

However, the Dodgers’ were ul-

er Starling Marte were also hitting

ians, that was their only bright

to dominate, shutting out the Mets 9-0.

timately able to fend off the Mets’

the cover off the ball. Their most un-

moment

they

The Mets would answer back, win-

efforts, clinching the series with

expected contributor was their sec-

would lose the next two games at

ning game two thanks to a five-run

a 10-5 win on Sunday, Oct. 20.

ing 0-5 and getting booed at home games. Their fans felt that the season was over before it even started, and it was a bad look for the team.

man Mark Vientos and center field-

Unfortunately of

the

for

the

series,

as

In

game

four,

the

Dodgers’

A look into the long-awaited 2024 NBA season Benjamin Clark

Tread-

Steel said. “Now the east

Asst. Sports Editor

away gave his opinions

is much more healthy

The NBA 2024-2025

on the Hawks’ trade

heading into the season,

season is expected to kick

this season, which play-

with the Celtics, Knicks

off next week, and with

ers he thought might

and Sixers. The Six-

both conferences look-

excel in their roles and

ers signed Paul George

ing very strong, the play-

how they would do that.

so they’re looking very

offs are expected to be

“Oh definitely Jaylen

competitive this season.”

competitive.

Johnson for the Hawks, I

Even though the East is

Among the top con-

mean he was a rookie last

looking especially strong

cerns going into the new

year and scored a ton of

this season, the West is

points,” Treadaway said.

also dominating as usu-

“The only thing he needs

al, with Treadaway of-

to excel is for Trae Young

fering his opinion on the

not to be traded, I think.”

state of the West’s game.

The Eastern Confer-

“The West is definite-

ence is expected to be

ly at its strongest point

much stronger this year

ever this century,” Tread-

due to these trades, with

away said. “I mean it’s

the West also expected

going to be an extreme-

to have a great season.

ly competitive season

extremely

Additionally,

seasons are the team dynamics, the impact of trades and the fans’ engagement. Many teams have made significant roster changes during the offseason, which drastically impacts the competitiveness of the teams.

Cade Steel, a junior history

and

philoso-

phy major, has opinions about the roster changes and which teams had the

San Antonio Spurs power forward/center Victor Wembanyama

Dante

Devenchenzo

other

great

players.

out on top in this trade.

for Carl Anthony,” Steel

“I mean, the first one

said. “I think the Tim-

is pretty easy, Victor

a junior business ad-

berwolves lose a lot of

Wembanyama on the

ministration

3-point

shooting

but

they gain depth. I think the Knicks will be the best they have ever been since

Patrick

Ewing.”

Steel also gives his opinions on the player most likely to break out

Spurs,” Steel said. “All he needs to succeed is for his teammates to give him the - ball, no one wants to give him the ball, and all his teammates are shot chuckers.”

Opinions

on

the

trades in the Eastern

Cooper

Treadaway,

major,

also explores his opinions on the recent roster changes, and which team he believed had the most significant trade.

his

for them, pretty much

opinion on how fan en-

every team has a shot

gagement has evolved

at making the playoffs.”

throughout the season.

With a lot of emerg-

Treadaway said. “I think

“I’d say right before

ing talent, interesting

“I think the Orlando Magic will definitely be a dark horse this year,”

Steel

explores

most significant trades

this season. A breakout

during

player is an already very

circulating

most

the trading of Jonathan

the season started people

trades and new trends in

tempered

professional

among the NBA fan-

Issac for Boston’s Rob-

expected a really weak

team strategies, this sea-

was the Knicks and the

player who is likely to

base, with many fans like

ert Williams III was a

eastern conference, al-

son of the NBA is shap-

Timberwolves

trad-

perform well and enter

Steel

differing

great move for the team’s

though the Celtics totally

ing up to be very com-

ing Julius Randal and

the spotlight amongst

opinions on who came

overall defensive game.”

dominated last season,”

petitive and engaging.

“The

the

offseason.

biggest

trade

Conference seem to be the

having

6

BRENNAN SCHMITZ, SPORTS EDITOR BENJAMIN CLARK, ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

10.22.2024

SPORTS

Women’s tennis takes on Macon Ryan Grant Staff Writer GCSU Women’s Tennis concluded its fall season over the first weekend of October. At the Mercer Gridiron Classic, the Bobcats battled teams from across the southeast, including Kennesaw State University, Georgia State University, Middle Georgia State University, Mercer University, Florida Southern College, Georgia Southern University, The University of South Alabama and Alabama State University.

During the tournament, 10 of GCSU’s players competed in multiple singles and doubles matches. The team completed 26 wins with at least one win against every school except Kennesaw State and South Alabama.

Chiaro Santoro, a se-

nior exercise science major, played eight singles matches and a tiebreaker match at the tournament and pulled two wins against Mercer University and one win against Georgia State.

Santoro lost against Georgia State and Middle Georgia overall.

Santoro played four doubles matches versus Middle Georgia, Alabama State, South Alabama, and Florida Southern, with her partner Jada Young, a senior nursing major. The pair played against Middle Georgia, Alabama State, South Alabama, and Florida Southern, pulling a win against Middle Georgia.

Young, played eight matches against KSU, Mercer, Florida Southern, and Middle Georgia. Out of the 8 Games, Young won about half.

Young also played

two tie-breaker rounds against Mercer and Florida Southern, with both rounds coming out as huge wins for GCSU. Ashley Bentz, a sophomore biology major, won against two schools out of four overall. After losing her first tie-breaker round, Bentz pulled two wins for GCSU against Georgia Southern and Georgia State.

Bentz also played four doubles matches against Florida Southern, Georgia Southern and Alabama State. Alongside teammate Shrada Chhabra, the pair won two doubles matches against Florida Southern.

Chhabra, a senior criminal justice major, and Victoria Conde Vendrell, a junior psychology major, were both victorious in at least one of their singles matches.

Conde Vendrell pulled

through a tie-breaker against Mercer and Chhabra won a match against Florida Southern.

Rachel Black, a freshman business administration major, won two of the four of her rounds along with four matches. Black won against her opponents from Georgia State and Florida Southern.

“We played some really good teams,” said Black. “We played some division one and division two teams. It was a higher level than what we’re used to, but that prepares us for the spring season.”

Natalie Kirka, a freshman mathematics major, won against three of her four competitors. Two of them were from Middle Georgia and Florida Southern, and the other was from GCSU, Alisa Chiang.

Chiang, a sopho-

Courtesy of GCSU Athletics

Ashley Bentz

more mass communication major, won two of the three matches she played against opposing schools. She also beat Middle Georgia and Florida Southern players.

During four doubles matches, two GCSU pairs faced off. Laura Almagro, a junior exercise science major, and Conde Vendrell beat Lucy Kim, a sophomore elementary education major who was paired with Chiang.

Later on in the tournament, Kim’s pair pulled another doubles win against Florida Southern.

Though tennis consists of doubles and singles matches, team morale is still very important. With bigger and stronger teams, the players who are not in a match are always cheering on their teammates.

“If I’m playing and my teammate is not, she needs to be cheering on for me,” Almagro said.

Almagro and her coach Emma Flemming both agree that with solid team support during someone’s match, a player’s performance can be significantly better.

NBA Viewership Declines

Is the NBA facing a crisis?

Kate Brisemeister

a good bit of the games are on

Typically, if someone is watch-

Staff Writer

NBA TV or exclusive stream-

ing it on a platform like this,

ing platforms, where people

they would have to pay an

have to pay extra to watch

additional cost to their sub-

the games compared to when

scription to watch live sports.

people could just be able to

“The views have gone down

hop on regular TV to watch

due to how political it has got-

the games,” said Elijah Gaddy,

ten and how many foul calls

a junior management infor-

have been made,” said Luke

mation systems major. “I still

Strickland, a sophomore fi-

watch the league but it some-

nance major. “I also think

times turns into an impossible

it has gone down due to the

feeling task to find the games

coronavirus because the league

that I want to watch. It is disap-

had to stop playing. The newer

packed into one season, I feel

pointing that views are going

streaming services seem to be

like people cannot keep up

down but hopefully, with all

a factor in the views as well.”

it is due to new streaming ser-

with them and just stop watch-

of the sports betting happen-

The upcoming 2024

vices causing people to not

ing the league,” said Laney

ing, it will boost its views back

presidential election seems

buy the channels the games

Foust, a junior exercise science

up to what they used to be.”

to have a big impact on all

major. “I also believe people

are provided on because of the

Common streaming ser-

platforms and channels. Rea-

have become more interested

price of the streaming services.

vices where people go to watch

sonably, many viewers want

in football and started to care

on how to get back view-

“I believe viewership has

sporting events include Hulu,

to watch the games without

less about the NBA. I think

ers or at least maintain the

declined for the NBA because

YouTube TV and ESPN+.

any

there could be a whole lot

views that they have now.

NBA viewership has been in significant decline over the past few years. In the past few years, the number of fans who loyal y follow the season has declined for a multitude of reasons.

In 2009, the number of people watching the NBA was at an all-time high, but it has now reached some of its lowest numbers. Some people blame the drop in viewership on COVID-19 and others say

political

commercials

Jason Tatum at the 2023 NBA Finals

or influences. Many people,

more factors that play into it

like Strickland, believe the

but those seem to be the most

two should remain separate.

prominent factors in my eyes.

“There are so many games

Ali Amrozowicz earns player of the week after stellar performance Chloe Sanders

team to a 4-1 victory.

member forever,” Amro-

of the Week, reflecting

hat

zowicz said. “No player

her impact on the field.

trick marked the first for

ever really goes into a

the Bobcat Soccer team

game thinking they will

zowicz,

since October 2019 and

get a hat trick. It’s just one

is also on the team.

is one of only nine re-

of those things where ev-

“I attribute a lot of my

corded in the PBC this

erything just seemed to

success to my sister,” Ali

season. Currently, Am-

click and go the right way.

Amrozowicz said. “She is

rozowicz ranks second

We work so hard towards

one of the main reasons

in the PBC for shots

creating opportunities to

I decided to come back

on goal per match, and

go to goal, and I wouldn’t

and play again, and the

she is tied for seventh

have been able to do it

fact I get to play along-

in

solidifying

without my teammates

side her as we both finish

her status as one of the

doing their jobs also.”

our soccer careers is one

conference’s top players.

In addition to her PBC recognition, Am-

Amrozowicz’s

Staff Writer Ali Amrozowicz, a junior forward for the GCSU women’s soccer team, was honored as the Peach Belt Conference’s Player of the Week for women’s soccer the week of Oct. 6. Originally from Dacula, Ga., Amrozowicz’s standout performance came during a match against Christian Brothers University, where she scored three goals in just 21 minutes, leading her

assists,

“My

performance

against Christian Broth-

rozowicz

was

also

ers was one I will re-

named Zaxby’s Player

Morgan

Amroher

sister,

I would hope that the league would find some way of getting more people into it or finding a way to get all the games on the same streaming platform.”

The league is now having

to

brainstorm

ideas

where she developed her

deciding to play because

skills through years of

she has been a great

practice in competitive

addition to our team.”

leagues. At GCSU, she

Morgan Amrozowicz

has refined her game with

was glad to see her sis-

the support of her coach-

ter make a comeback in

es and teammates, lead-

such an explosive way

ing to her impressive per-

“As soon as she scored

formances this season.

that first goal, I saw the

“Ali’s

soccer

jour-

old Ali that I knew from

ney is different from

day one of playing soccer

most people’s,” Morgan

with her,” Morgan Amro-

Amrozowicz said. “She

zowicz said. “Then after

played club up until col-

her first goal came a sec-

lege and committed to

ond and after that came a

play soccer at Mercer.

third. It was amazing see-

She then tore her ACL

ing her produce goals just

in a scrimmage while

like she did back then.”

in high school which

Ali

Amrozowicz

set her back, especially

and the GCSU wom-

of the most wholesome

with COVID hitting [...]

en’s soccer team will

parts of this season.”

I was beyond excited to

be back in action on

Amrozowicz’s

play with her again but

Wednesday, Oct. 23 at

journey began at home,

also so proud of her for

Albany State University.

Ali

7

KYLIE ROWE, A&L EDITOR MARY CIUCEVICH, ASST. A&L EDITOR

10.22.2024

ARTS & LIFE

USG Walktober Challenge

A well-being challenge for students in the month of October.

Kate Walker Contributing Writer As the heat of summer gives way to the cool of fall, October is the perfect time to go for a walk and enjoy the beauty of the changing seasons.

This year, the University System of Georgia (USG)’s Walktober Well-Being Challenge invites students across the state to fall into fitness.

The program is designed to be appealing to students, with tracking tools, social features and the opportunity to participate on a team.

“Walking is especially helpful after long stressful days of classes–you can kind of just calm down, wind down, and get in a different mindset,” said Rebecca Whitten, a freshman elementary education major.

“It’s peaceful, and it helps you focus.”

Participating students fill their virtual Walktober Tree with different colored leaves depending on the number of steps they reach each day. 6,000 steps are rewarded with a red leaf, recommended for beginners, 8,000 steps earn an orange leaf, ideal for those already active and 10,000 steps result in a gold leaf, for those who seek a real challenge.

When students reach milestones, their accounts will reveal beautiful autumn

Mary Ciucevich | Asst. A&L Editor

landscapes from around the world.

Students have the opportunity to compete on teams of four to five people, with a goal of consistency over athleticism. Data from USG suggests that students competing in teams are twice as likely to achieve their step goals compared to students acting alone.

“Walking is a good way to relieve stress and just get your mind off of school sometimes,” said Alexis Walker, a sophomore exercise science major. “Being outside is going to give you vitamin D and get those endorphins moving, and you’re going to have a bunch of serotonins so you can be happier overall.”

Homeward bound:

bustling college life full

ford, while for others,

so I’ll say on average 5-6

of activities, some stu-

it’s a choice to main-

times a year,” says Audrey

dents find that staying

tain a steady routine.

Sercer, freshman mar-

in Milledgeville’s charm-

“The best part [about

keting major. “The best

gives

living at home] for me

thing about being home

them time to unwind.

is that I’m so close to my

is sleeping in my bed

boyfriend/best

friend,”

and eating home-cooked

ing here on campus is

said Simmons. “I get

meals. The best thing

that I feel pretty much

so easily stressed out,

about being at school is

like I’m home here,” said

and he’s one of the only

having things to do and

Celia Hastings, fresh-

people who can help

seeing my friends. I try to

man

science

with that. So it makes

stay as much as I can be-

major. “I have creat-

my life easier for him to

cause I feel left out from

ed a routine and made

be right there with me.”

college social life when

some great friends who

In addition to balanc-

I go home, and I get

have made being home-

ing work and academics,

bored when I’m home.”

sick not so frequent.”

students often find that

As students navigate

“I like having a rou-

staying on campus helps

their college years, the

tine and being inde-

them stay connected to

decision to go home

pendent when staying

the social and extracur-

or stay on campus re-

in Milledgeville, it gives

ricular aspects of college

mains deeply personal,

me a sense of free-

life. Milledgeville offers

shaped by their individ-

dom,” said Emma Greg-

a close-knit community

ual needs, circumstances

ory, junior art major.

where students can en-

and preferences. Wheth-

The decision to stay

gage in campus activi-

er home is a place of

on campus is often in-

ties, participate in clubs

comfort or an occasional

with my cat and my boy-

fluenced by internships,

or simply enjoy the local

retreat, each student’s ap-

friend and friends are

research

opportunities

atmosphere without the

proach reflects a differ-

all just down the road.”

or part-time jobs that

pull of home disrupting

ent facet of the college

In contrast to how

require students’ atten-

their college experience.

experience—one

students use going home

tion. For some, trav-

“I haven’t even been

balances independence,

as a reset point or time

eling home is a luxury

here a full semester and

support and the pur-

to unwind from the

they simply cannot af-

I’ve gone home twice,

suit of personal growth.

When and why students visit home.

Molly Goff

obligations or a desire

ing major. “I go home

Staff Writer

to embrace campus life.

every few weekends to

The frequency with

spend time with fami-

For some GCSU stu-

make

ly and friends. It’s also a

re-

mental break/reset point

flects personal reasons

that I enjoy at times.”

that range from seek-

For many students,

ing comfort to prior-

visiting home provides

itizing

independence.

both emotional comfort

“Being home is nice

and a chance to recharge.

others, however, home is

because I get to spend

For others, going home is

a distant thought, as they

quality time with people

simply part of a routine

choose to stay in Milled-

I miss,” said Emily Ben-

on their college journey.

geville, driven by work

yak, sophomore nurs-

“I live at home and

dents,

the

weekend

means packing up and heading home. As they are eager to reunite with family, pets or just in need of a change of pace. For

which the

students trip

home

commute for school,” said Juliana Simmons, sophomore mass communication

major.

“I

honestly

decided

to

live at home because it was way less stressful for me. I get to sleep in my own bed, I get to be

Julia Jensen | Art Director

ATL PRIDE

Continued from page 1 “ATL Pride was one of the first Pride events I had ever gone to,” said Ellen Patton, a senior museum studies major. “Walking into a space that was so diverse and welcoming was an experience that I’ll never forget.”

At Atlanta Pride, many are able to find a community of people who have shared similar experiences and end up making friends who last long after the event.

“I remember my first ATL Pride when I was 16, and I felt so welcomed

Walker thought that the Walktober Challenge was a great opportunity for students to exercise and spend time outdoors.

“It’s good to have small goals for yourself and not say ‘I’m going to walk every single day for the rest of the year’ because you can’t expect yourself to do that, but if you take little steps and say just this month I’m going to do it, then it’s a small goal for you to keep yourself,” said Mary Smith, a sophomore psychology major.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one of the most important things you can do for your

health is regular physical activity.

The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week for healthy adults and notes that activities such as brisk walking, dancing, swimming, jogging or biking are ideal for exercise. There are numerous benefits to regular activity including improved sleep, reduced stress and a lowered risk of heart disease, stroke, some cancer and type two diabetes.

“There are a lot of different benefits to walking, mentally it releases stress–if you’re ever stressed about an exam just even going to touch grass or take a walk outside reduces stress so much, and physically if you just take a couple thousand steps a day it will benefit you so much,” Smith said.

GCSU’s Wellness and Recreation Center has a wealth of opportunities for student fitness and health, including counseling services and options for group fitness, aquatics, organized and free-play sports and outdoor activities.

The center offers group fitness classes for cardio, Pilates, dance cardio, spinning, yoga and aquatics, as well as adventure programs with opportunities such as kayaking and obstacle courses in addition to the center’s climbing wall. There are also a variety of club sports including pickleball, bass fishing, golf, men’s and women’s soccer and men’s and women’s lacrosse, plus intramural league opportunities for a wide variety of sports including badminton, basketball, volleyball and softball.

by the older girls that I met there, and I hope I did that for someone this year,” said GCSU alumni Chloe Hooper.

During the parade, viewers can see the plethora of companies that support the LGBTQIA+ community. Companies that are integral to Atlanta, such as Coca-Cola and Delta, had representatives marching and on floats in the parade wearing shirts with their company’s Pride logo.

Other floats in the parade were made by those hoping to encourage those present at the parade to vote. While the parade was very diverse, most of the signs were in sup-

ing

atmosphere

“The best part of be-

political

port of the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Kamala Harris.

While some parade participants took the opportunity to support their candidate of choice, others simply had fun with cutouts of pets, memes and celebrities such as drag queen Trixie Mattel. Many floats played music or threw candy, and the Atlanta Pride Committee had approximately 20 people carrying a giant Pride flag during the march.

The environment of Pride was energetic and supportive, and the goal of everyone in attendance was to celebrate themselves and their loved ones for living the way they were made to.

that

“The energy that radiated from everyone, the smiles, the outfits, couldn’t be replicated if you tried,” said Patton. “Seeing a city come together to show support for a community I love so dearly was heartwarming and a huge reminder that we are not alone in our experiences.”

Pride is meant to be a time of support and love, and that is exactly what was perpetuated at the 2024 Atlanta Pride. The hope of most in attendance is that legislation supports the LGBTQIA+ community and does not endanger them.

8

KYLIE ROWE, A&L EDITOR MARY CIUCEVICH, ASST. A&L EDITOR

10.22.2024

ARTS & LIFE

October: A Month of Awareness Mary Ciucevich Asst. A&L Editor The month of October is dedicated to the awareness of Breast Cancer and Domestic and Interpersonal Violence.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual international health campaign that spreads awareness of the disease and promotes its education and preventative methods.

The month is best represented by the pink ribbon, which is seen throughout the month at events and organizational gatherings that aim to support awareness of the disease.

The Breast Cancer Awareness campaign also raises awareness for specific groups of breast cancer, with specifically dedicated days. For instance, Oct. 13 is Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day and Oct. 17 to 23 is Men’s Breast Cancer Awareness Week.

“One in eight women in the United States will be diagnosed with Breast Cancer in her lifetime. It is predicted that in 2024, an estimated 310,720 women and 2,800 men will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer,” said the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

It is important for people to understand that breast cancer can affect both men and women, but it is more likely to occur in women. With this likely occurrence, women receive annual screenings for breast cancer through the form of mammograms.

“It’s usually something that older people and women struggle with, but I think it’s important to be able to catch it and take preventative actions before because there’s a lot of stuff you can do and be knowledgeable about before it happens to you,” said Bridget Mainor, a sophomore English

and philosophy double major.

The campaign works to raise money, support and awareness of the disease throughout the month, as well as the year, and is open to different events. In Georgia specifically, Atlanta hosts events like The Pink Ribbon 5K Run/Walk and the Georgia 2-Day Walk For Breast Cancer to raise money for clinics and grants that will benefit breast cancer services.

At GCSU, the Center for Health and Social Issues is hosting its annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk on Oct. 23 from 12 to 2 p.m. by the Arts and Sciences Fountain. The walk will take place at 1 p.m., and the event will include games, snacks and t-shirts.

The HUB at GCSU has also posted fliers regarding Breast Cancer Awareness, which include a QR code that takes students to an informational website regarding the signs of breast cancer. In the past, the HUB has hosted informational sessions about women’s health regarding both breast cancer as well as women-related topics like menstrual cycles and going to your first gynecologist appointment.

“I think it is really important to the community because it’s important to be aware of these things and to know how to deal with them in the best ways possible, and these gatherings seem like a good step to learning about more,” said Isabella Guidera, a junior mass communication major.

Although it is considered rare for women and men in their 20s to get diagnosed with breast cancer, it is still possible.

Women who are diagnosed younger can suffer from more invasive types of breast cancer, according to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

“A lot of people in their 20s

have loved ones who might experience it or go through it, so I think it’s a good time for individuals because it’s preventative but there to help them with family members who might be at the age where they’re going through it too,” Mainor said.

Other than Breast Cancer Awareness, October is also Domestic and Interpersonal Violence Awareness Month.

Domestic Violence Awareness Month, or DVAM, is a national campaign that specializes in raising awareness about domestic violence and the support of people affected by it.

The DVAM campaign is dedicated to voicing the survivors of domestic violence, both past and present. The purple ribbon represents the campaign’s awareness, and similarly to the breast cancer awareness ribbon, it can be seen in the events and gatherings for domestic violence awareness, like the Domestic Violence Awareness 5K Walk/Run hosted by the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

In 2023, the DVAM campaign launched the Domestic Violence Awareness Project with the themes of “Heal, Hold, and Center.” The project aims to provide ways to heal from oppression and violence, commit to holding space for survivors and center those marginalized in efforts to end domestic violence.

Domestic violence is an issue that impacts relationships, both young and old.

According to the Break the Cycle website, every minute, 32 people experience intimate partner violence in the U.S. Domestic violence, while mostly physical, can include verbal abuse, like coercion, yelling, humiliation, manipulation, stalking, threats and isolation. Although domestic

Julia Jensen | Digital Art Director

and interpersonal violence mostly affects women in a relationship, it is important to note that men can also experience domestic violence.

“There can be red flags on both sides, so although we have traditionally worked with women and with women’s gender identity spaces, those activities can still happen on the other side,” said Micheal Snowden, Executive Director of Inclusion and Belonging at the Office of Inclusion and Belonging at GCSU. “There should be some coping mechanisms on the other side in terms of how to spot those red flags so that they can if, it’s a male, can get out of a relationship that’s not conducive to positive aspects of dating.”

At GCSU, there are opportunities that lend to support and awareness of domestic and interpersonal violence. In the past, the Women’s Center hosted its Clothesline Project, which raised awareness for those who experienced any power-based interpersonal violence through the display of decorated t-shirts. This year, the Clothesline Project has been pushed to the spring semester rather than the fall.

‘Tis the Season for Midterms Molly Groff Staff Writer As GCSU reaches its midpoint in the semester, the college core memories of study sessions, late-night cramming and coffee-fueled marathons begin to fill the air. For many students, the midterms are a high-stakes checkpoint, a defining moment that can shape the rest of their academic journey.

Whether you’re a seasoned senior or a wideeyed freshman, navigating midterms can feel like running a marathon with hurdles at every turn.

“Since I only have one midterm, I am feeling good about it because I’ve been able to focus all my attention on studying for that one class,” said Madison Heyman, sophomore marketing major. “Although it feels like midterms have crept up on us, I feel prepared and ready to take them.”

Some students breeze through midterms with only a few exams on which they focus all their energy. As for others, there is a heavy workload filled with

studying and sometimes stress with their studies.

A common occurrence is that one midterm ends up being the hardest compared to others in a student’s course load. While midterms at GCSU are often composed of multiple-choice questions, there are times when it is writing or project-based. The medium of a midterm can vary by class, as some classes are not cohesive with the typical pencil-and-paper exam format.

“I mainly was nervous for my anatomy and physiology midterm,” said Allie-Rose Caro, a sophomore exercise science major. “It was 50 questions, and I had to look at something and write what it was. No word bank or multiple choice, our spelling counts, which was scary for me.”

Students of all years are tackling midterms with a mix of preparation and nerves, though their preparation strategies differ depending on the subject.

“I’m feeling pretty good about midterms so far,” said Macy Collins, a

sophomore psychology major. “I have made Quizlets and studied them religiously. I’m really nervous about my psych stats midterm. I think it is multiple choice.”

With the right strategies, a balance of study

anticipate grades with the hope that all the hard work has paid off.

“Overall, I feel good about my midterms,” said Riley Diaz, a sophomore nursing major.

“To prepare for my midterms, I studied at least a

Isabella McComis | Digital Media Editor

and self-care and the support of peers and professors, GCSU students are well-equipped to tackle midterms and

week in advance for each of them. I utilized study tools such as flashcards and Quizlet and even had my roommate quiz

The HUB at GCSU continues to be a resource for those who wish to learn the signs of domestic violence. Posters have been displayed that show the red flags that can occur within a relationship relating to domestic violence.

“For our office, and in particular for this area, what it [the HUB] stood for and continues to stand for, in terms of women empowerment, it’s also a safety issue, you want to be aware of your surroundings, this is a place where you can learn those skills,” Snowden said.

Mae Daniels, a student intern at the Office of Inclusion and Belonging, gave insight into the resources offered outside of the GCSU for students or locals affected by domestic violence. These resources include The Middle Georgia Crisis Center, located in both Macon and Warner Robins, Victim advocacy networks and counseling services/outreaches.

Breast Cancer and Domestic and Interpersonal Violence Awareness Month at GCSU is important because it helps college students gain knowledge about topics and experiences that can occur to them or people they know.

me when I was free.”

The access to campus resources throughout the semester is key to success. Some of GCSU’s best campus resources to help with preparation include the Learning Center, Writing Center and class SI sessions.

“No matter how tough things get during a semester, we always remind ourselves we are a student resource; we are here to help the student with their writing needs,” said Benjamin Circle, a Writing Center graduate assistant.

“We want to support the system of Georgia College and State University and its Bobcats, whatever that might be.”

Campus support centers are stepping up to help students navigate midterms, emphasizing the importance of early preparation and seeking assistance.

“The Learning Center experiences student anxiety during test periods all year long and midterm exams are not much different,” said Kensie Poor, assistant director of the Learning Center.

“What we teach is the

importance of asking for assistance, coming to the center early and often, visiting professors during hours, and staying organized to best combat test anxiety. We also offer generalized Practice Tests for most STEM and economic core classes.”

Another resource that an influx of students use is professors’ office hours to better understand how the class operates and what each instructor is looking for personally.

“My midterm that is going to be the hardest is for Intro to Shakespeare, as we have to write 1000 words of our paper and turn that in for class comments, so I am very nervous for that,” said Lily Harris, a sophomore English major. “I am preparing for midterms by working on my outlines and going over them with professors.”

The experience of midterms can be a test of resilience and adaptation. With the semester’s second half ahead, students are poised to carry the lessons learned from midterms forward and be prepared for what lies ahead.

9

DELANEY DERRY, OPINION EDITOR

10.22.2024

OPINION ROOTS

goats and various other

everyone share their own

all-natural

ingredients.

journeys. I saw jewelry,

“I enjoy making stuff

It was important to her

art, food, and personally

with my hands, and it was

to make sure there was

my favorite -homemade

a stress-relieving hobby

nothing harmful in her

and all-natural lemon-

for me because of work,”

soaps and scrubs since

ade. The two men run-

said Carmen Dabey, a

she works in the med-

ning the tent were so

vendor at Deep Roots.

ical field and under-

kind and fun, and I tried

“I like to play around

stands the importance

their all-natural straw-

with food-grade ingre-

of taking care of your

berry lemonade. It was

dients and create things

body. She told me in our

just amazing and so re-

that are all natural.”

conversation she does

freshing. It is so charm-

her

festivals like this very

ing how people care so

brand, A Girl and A

often, and that this was

much

Goat, ten years ago. She

her third Deep Roots.

things unique or straying

Continued from page 1

Dabey

started

Like

making Delaney Derry | Opinion Editor

many

away from the artificial.

stress from her job, she

other vendors have sim-

Though I did not stay

needed something cre-

ilar stories. I went from

for the live music, that

ative to decompress and

booth to booth just

is also one of my favor-

release tension and anx-

gushing at all the hand-

ite things about festi-

iety. Dabey makes soaps

made and intricate cre-

vals. I am sure that it was

the

from the milk of her own

ations and listening to

spectacular, but I did

was a nurse, and with the

Dabey,

about

see when they brought

There is nothing better

er than how I am going

out a huge screen to

than spending an entire

to carry all the trinkets

Saturday in a cute outfit,

I’ve bought back to my

walking around an en-

car and where we’re go-

chanting little downtown

ing to get dinner togeth-

cheering

area with friends, and no

er to end out our fun,

and laughing together.

worries in the world oth-

fall

watch the football game everyone

gathered

street

in

Liam Payne: a voice to be remembered Delaney Derry

festival-filled

day.

them very distinctly and knows what

into their personal careers. Payne was

for life that was infectious,” said Styles

I mean when I say that this band

an honored member of the band, and

on his Instagram. “He was warm,

was a huge part of our childhood.

I know that each of his former band-

supportive, and incredibly loving.”

I remember very distinctly when I

mates will long miss their good friend.

The other members have left similar

to every song like it was the best

first heard about One Direction. I was a

“After five chart-topping studio al-

sweet messages as well that can bring

song ever? Where did all that time

little late to the fan club because I actu-

bums and four world tours, One Di-

tears to anyone’s eyes. The incredible

go? Doesn’t it just drive you cra-

ally did not know who they were until

rection announced an indefinite hi-

support after losing a beloved friend is

zy with how fast the night changes?

one of my good friends told me about

atus to pursue solo projects in 2016,”

overwhelming, and anyone can see just

Many things continue to change

them. I remember asking her why she

said Lauryn Overhultz, a writer for

how Payne meant to these four guys.

as we grow up, and in recent news,

had posters on her wall of these five

Fox News. “Payne had embarked on

All I can think of is Payne’s son,

a very memorable person from our

guys, and she said, “You don’t know One

his own journey, releasing one solo

Opinion Editor Students, do you remember when we were just kids and we danced

Bear, and how sad I am for him with-

childhood passed. Fans worldwide

out his dad, but Bear will have lots of

have come together to mourn the

support from many loved ones over

death of former One Direction mem-

his life. What we can learn about

ber Liam Payne. His death was ex-

Payne from all of this is just how im-

tremely sudden and immensely tragic.

portant he was to his friends. We learn

I don’t know about other fans, but

who he was as a person and what

I was in utter shock when I heard the

this band meant to each other. They

news of his passing this past week. On

were not just bandmates or even just

Oct. 16, his body was found outside a

friends, they were brothers. They cre-

hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina after he fell out of a third-story balcony.

Payne and his One Direction bandmates

ated a family that would hold each other up and take care of each other.

Direction?” Long story short, I felt very

studio album, two extended plays

silly. However, I did know who they

and 14 singles before his death.”

were because “What Makes You Beauti-

Those who knew Payne only had

ever needs me I will be the Uncle

ful” was one of my favorite songs at the

nice things to say after learning of his

he needs in his life and tell him sto-

time, and honestly, it probably still is…

passing. It truly shows the impact one

ries of how amazing his dad was,”

will be greatly missed by so many.

I think we all very vividly remem-

can make on people and the positive

said

In the story of his life, Payne was

ber when One Direction broke up

impression that Payne has left. Each

I don’t know about you, but I

a member of the monumental boy

too. It was quite a shock, but each

member of the former band has said

am going to be listening to “Live

band One Direction alongside Har-

member went on to work on their

something in grievance and compas-

While We’re Young” on repeat for

ry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Ma-

own solo careers without any bit-

sion for Payne and his family and fans.

a while as we celebrate the life of

lik and Louis Tomlinson. Everyone

terness. It was just time for them to

“Liam lived wide open, with his

one of our adored childhood he-

born in the early 2000s remembers

move on from their boy band era and

heart on his sleeve, he had an energy

roes and a voice to be remembered.

Many reports claim that the potential use of hallucinogenic drugs may have caused this horrible accident. Whatever the case, this 31-year-old star

“I want you to know that if Bear

Tomlinson

via

Instagram.