Remembering Laken Riley
How students are prioritizing running safety
Kate Briesemeister Staff Writer
Laken Riley was a 22-year-old woman who was murdered while she was on her daily run. She was enrolled in Augusta University, where she studied nursing. Riley was running on a trail near Lake Herrick, which is near UGA’s intramural fields in Athens, Ga. when José Ibarra attacked and killed her.
Ibarra was subsequently arrested and tried for Riley’s murder, and on Nov. 20, was found guilty on nine counts that make up his attack on Riley. Per his request, Ibarra was not tried by a jury, but his attorneys are already requesting a new trial, calling unspecified evidence into question.
Students from GCSU’s run club, GC Prowlers, shared their safety measures when they went on runs. Many runners, particularly females, feel impacted by Riley’s murder, and are now amplifying the safety measures that they now take.
“I always run with an alarm that will call 911 or emergency contacts and stuff like that, and I’m never in sketchy areas when it’s dark,” said Audrey Stipple, a junior exercise science major. “I would say mentally, it has made me a lot more aware that things can happen to you even when you are doing all the right things. It doesn’t mean you should stop running, but you just have to be a lot more alert.”
Kylie Rowe | A&L Editor
GCSU’s mascot history
Jaylen Mahayag Staff Writer
This year marks the 17th birthday of Thunder the Bobcat, GCSU’s beloved blue-green mascot. For nearly two decades, Thunder has been the face of school pride, energizing students and alumni in academics and athletics.
But GCSU’s mascot history spans much further back, with a legacy that reflects the evolution of the university itself.
GCSU’s journey in mascot identity
began when it was Georgia State College for Women in 1889. The school first adopted the “Colonials,” symbolizing the historical significance of Milledgeville as a former state capital. Rather than sporting today’s blue and green, the Colonials wore brown and gold, and remnants of these colors can be spotted throughout campus, such as in colored tile in some bathrooms that is inconspicuously reflecting the Colonial color palette to this day.
A Nonsense Christmas
Kylie Rowe A&L Editor
OPINION
In recent memory,
Sabrina Carpenter, the beautiful, hilarious pop princess that she is, now has a Netflix special, “A Nonsense Christmas With Sabrina Carpenter” released on Dec. 6. This special was the equivalent of a holiday, girly Saturday Night Live episode.
Carpenter spent this 49-minute show performing songs from her Christmas EP “fruitcake” in various beautiful costumes. While all of the costumes had a holiday flare, they were primarily focused on accenting Carpenter’s absolutely perfect features.
The special also featured many guest stars, musical and comedic.
The musical guests were all women, and mostly new to the industry. Honestly, I need every duet on Spotify immediately. I can’t even choose my favorite one.
Tyla appeared in a cute red bow outfit and sang “This Christmas” and Carpenter took the low harmony which I was so impressed with, and they both sounded absolutely lovely. In contrast, Carpenter sang “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” with Kali Uchis where she took the high note and showed off her gorgeous vocal range.
Musical guest appearances also included Chappell Roan and
Shaina Twain both appearing in festive costumes and singing “Last Christmas” and “Santa Baby”. Twain also appeared in a skit alongside Sean Astin, Santa Claus, Megan Stalter and Owen Thiele. In the skit, Stalter and Thiele played Carpenter’s concerned friends about a long-distance boyfriend that she was involved with. The boyfriend, Nick, was very obviously Santa Claus even though Carpenter’s character, Debbie, was very defensive about how he was not. Finally, it was revealed that Nick was in an open marriage with Shaina Twain herself… for over 400 years.
College football rivalry week
Brennen Schmitz Sports Editor
The 2024 college football rivalry week and conference championships are now in the books, with just the playoffs left to conclude the season.
Rivalry week saw the newest installments of some of the most storied and bitter rivalries in the sport, some of which had major playoff implications.
With their rivalry commonly referred to as “The Game,” the Ohio State University Buckeyes took on the University of Michigan Wolverines in a matchup that most predicted would be a blowout in favor of the Buckeyes.
After losing to the Wolverines in three straight years, OSU hoped to catch their rivals in an off-year, as the defending national champions suffered a major backslide this season and came into the matchup with a record of 6-5.
However, the Wolverines stunned the college football world, besting the Buckeyes in a defensive slugfest with a score of 13-10.
Although Ohio State will still get a shot at the national championship, Michigan retains bragging rights for at least another year.
The University of Miami Hurricanes had their playoff hopes crushed by the Syracuse University Orange.
The Orange mounted a come-from-behind victory, facing a deficit of 21-0, to eliminate the Hurricanes from an ACC Championship berth, which was necessary for a shot at the playoffs after dropping a game to unranked Georgia Tech earlier in the season. Despite the best efforts of their rivals, the other playoff-contending teams handled business in rivalry week to make the best possible impression to the playoff selection committee.
The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish looked to notch their 50th win over their nearly 100-year-old rival University of Southern California Trojans.
Sabrina Carpenter
See SABRINA | Page 9
RILEY
Continued from page 1
“Honestly, I feel like it’s a little different being a guy than a girl when it comes to taking precautions while running,” said Tate Hunter, a junior business management major. “I just choose to run in more populated areas, but besides that, it hasn’t really changed much for me. I could definitely do better at taking more precautions. Laken Riley did everything right and still
was killed which is scary and so sad. I think her death has taught a lot of people in general to take extra safety precautions.”
Riley made sure to notify her friends and family before she went on her run and when they could not get in touch with her, they were able to track where she had been and knew what time she had left. Her roommates went out to search for her and then decided to call the police from there. Many women runners felt defeated, noting that Riley took mea-
sures to ensure her safety - running in a public place in broad daylight with her location shared and friends aware of her run - and still found herself subject to attack.
“I have always made sure when I run that I run with at least one other person, but after Laken Riley’s case, I prefer running with a small group and in daylight,” said Laura Fudger, a sophomore elementary education major. “I keep pepper spray on me, too.”
Video footage captured Ibarra throwing
away clothes and Riley passing by his residence before she started her run that day. Riley reportedly fought her attacker for 17 minutes. Data on her apple watch provide this information, as the heart rate started to struggle, according to CNN. The police are stating Ibarra suffered minor injuries from her efforts.
“As someone who is a consistent runner, there are many precautions I have to take, especially because I am a young female,” said Rebecca Dunn, a sophomore mass
POTENTIAL GEORGIA NATIONAL PARK
Kate Walker Staff Writer
Last month, Georgia legislation that would redesignate Georgia’s Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park as a full national park and federal preserve passed out of the Georgia Senate committee and is now eligible to be heard on the Senate floor. Located just 30 miles away in Macon, Ga., the Ocmulgee Mounds were originally established in 1936 as part of the New Deal program.
In 2019, the park was expanded from 702 acres to more than 2,800 acres and was redesignated as a National Historic Park. Now, five years later, the same lawmakers are seeking to expand the park even further as Georgia’s first national park and preserve. The mounds themselves make up the largest archaeological exploration in North America, as scholars estimate humans have inhabited the area for 17,000 years. According to Jessica Wallace, an assistant professor of history at GCSU, millions of artifacts have
been uncovered and cataloged at the site.
“It’s a really great window into the types of cultures that lived in Middle Georgia over the last thousands of years,” Wallace said. “Most of the archeology that’s been done there focuses on cultures that were around what we would call the medieval time in Europe, people living in the Americas prior to Columbus.”
The park also includes exhibits on Civil War battles that took place in Macon, as well as showcasing trade between early Georgians and the Muscogee-Creek. However, most of the exhibits focus on a settlement before the Muscogee-Creek and the cultural significance of the mounds.
Many Native American cultures built mounds for a variety of uses, but especially for ceremonial purposes, such as burials, and as homes for the region’s political and religious elite. They were also used as markers of territory or social status amongst tribes. The park contains seven mounds.
The mounds are particularly import-
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ant to Muscogee-Creek. They were removed from Georgia in the early 19th century, but many descendants are still deeply connected to their ancestral homelands.
The National Park and Mounds Association prioritizes close contact with the Creek’s tribal leaders, also hosting an annual celebration of Native American culture.
“The current push to make it not just a historic park but also a national park includes a lot of input from tribal leaders, who will kind of co-lead the national park once it’s in place,” Wallace said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for Macon to learn about the past, learn about the Native American present and to hopefully bring more people to our region to learn about the Southeast.”
While historical parks tend to be smaller and focused on one historical place, such as a house or, in this case, a mounds complex, a national park would include more land, setting aside more of the Muscogee homeland as nationally protected and preserved. If the site becomes a national park, for the first time in histo-
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communication major.
“Running has always been a part of my daily routine, and after the murder of Laken Riley that took place last February, there were many things I had to change.”
This case did not just affect Riley’s community of female runners. Many runners were shaken up by the attack.
“I do a few things to be safe when I go on runs and think everybody should as well if they go on runs,” said Cab Cabiness, a sophomore finance major. “I do not
ry, a tribe that was once removed from the land will be able to help manage the land once again.
Eowyn Agullo, a junior history major, noted the importance of commemorating the past through monuments and parks.
“Often, American history is predominantly about white Americans, and so it’s great that we remember those who were here before us,” Agullo said. “By remembering our past, we’re able to move forward in a better light, towards a future that accepts all of us.”
Today, the site includes a main path that tours the Great Temple Mound, an Earth Lodge, a visitor’s center museum, a trading post site and several trails for visitors to explore.
The park is also home to over 170 bird species and 35 reptile species, such as alligators, turtles and snakes, as well as fish in the Ocmulgee River. With opportunities for wildlife viewing and recreation, the park not only holds historical and cultural significance but also has potential for environmental education.
“It’s going to provide some educational val-
run at night and only use one AirPod, so I can hear what is going on around me. I also tell people when I go on runs so they know what I am doing if I do not come back.” It is important for not only runners but everyone to always remain alert and take safety precautions. GCSU is equipt with blue emergency call posts across all campuses, and students looking to run in groups can look into the GCSU Run Club for a community to work out with.
ue for the natural and original environment and ecosystem of Georgia, really preserving the original state of Georgia,” said Arden Pantsari, a freshman environmental science major.
Every March, the park offers Lantern Light Tours led by local guides and history professors, who offer interpretative talks along an illuminated path from the visitor center to the Great Temple Mound.
Another annual favorite is the Ocmulgee Indigenous Celebration, which draws different tribes from across the Southeast to celebrate their culture and history.
Past gatherings have featured Native American storytelling, a Choctaw youth stickball demonstration and indigenous performances such as the Muscogee Creek Stomp Dancers and the Mvskoke Hymn Singers.
“We have an ancient past in the United States as well, it’s just not as well-known as ancient Rome or ancient Greece,” Wallace said. “But people have lived in the United States for a very long time too, and having one of those sites set aside as a national park can hopefully allow more people to experience what life was like before Americans.”
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Ocmulgee Mounds National Park
Update on the war in Ukraine
Reed Walters & Eero Cheatham Contributing Writers
The conflict in Ukraine began on Feb. 24, 2022, escalating from the 2014 Russian annexation of Crimea.
The annexation, widely regarded as a violation of international law, involved Russia’s claim over the island of Crimea following a disputed referendum. This was met with condemnation from the global community as Crimea was internationally recognized as part of Ukraine.
The war has since evolved into a broader proxy conflict involving significant global powers like the United States.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO, is a mutual defense treaty among nations that was first put in place to safeguard democracies from the Soviet Union after World War II. NATO experienced diminished prominence after the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991 but has seen renewed activity in the last decade as an international response to Russian aggression.
Notably, Finland and Sweden have joined NATO since the conflict began, driven by concerns over their own regional security and the perceived threat posed by Russia.
There is speculation that the conflict may be nearing its end. Howev-
er, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, has emphasized that no resolution will be possible as long as Western nations continue to support Ukraine.
Following the recent presidential election of Donald J. Trump, many
the border of a NATO ally,” said Enzo Biagi, a freshman business major. “Then, if Russia decides to attack our allies it could very well lead to a third world war.”
Despite support from much of his party, there is a mix of opinions on how
anticipate that U.S. foreign policy will undergo significant changes such as furthering isolationism, which entails lessening the amount of aid and overall assistance for allies and or other democracies around the globe. Trump and his supporters have pointed to both the Ukraine conflict and ongoing tensions in the Middle East as crises that began under current President Joe Biden’s administration.
“I personally think the U.S. getting involved is for a good reason; if Russia takes over Ukraine then they will be on
much Trump will really change the situation. Part of Trump’s election ticket was that his administration would stop the wars in both Ukraine and the Middle East, but candidates for decades have made unfulfilled promises on the campaign trail, and spurring action on Capitol Hill is not as easy as many voters might hope.”I think the U.S. is giving way too much money to Ukraine,” said an anonymous student.
“Putin says he’s ready for negotiations and if he sticks to his word then we should end it now.
However, the U.S. has al-
ways had an obligation of defense so if negotiations are not sought out then conflict will continue.”
Protests against the war are occurring worldwide, with calls for peace and diplomacy. In Russia, anti-war demonstrations have resulted in govern-
the needs of those affected in meaningful, long-lasting ways, rather they provide short term, immediate assistance but have little power to affect the conflict itself.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. has provided about $61.4 billion in military help to Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022, and anoth-
ment crackdowns, while protests in the West often focus on the humanitarian toll of the conflict, or in the case of the U.S., the financial weight as well.
The war has resulted in over 9,000 civilian deaths, according to the United Nations, plus an estimated 350,000 military casualties, according to The Defense Post and more than eight million Ukrainians having been displaced, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency, or UNHCR. Humanitarian organizations are working hard, but at times they struggle to address
Professor Spotlight: World Languages Hedwig Fraunhofer
GCSU offers multiple languages for students to learn from the Department of World Languages and Cultures, including French, German, Spanish and Italian.
Hedwig Fraunhofer, a professor of French and German, is from Germany and became a professor at GCSU in 1997. Before coming to GCSU, she knew she wanted to be a teacher.
“Both my parents were teachers, and my brother was a teacher,” Fraunhofer said. “When I was five years old, I sat in regularly in an English class that my father was teaching because Kindergar-
ten ended earlier for me than my dad’s teaching day. I could say the alphabet in English before I learned it in German.”
Fraunhofer graduated from the University of Oregon with her Master’s degree and doctorate in comparative literature.
Fraunhofer also went to Universität Regensburg in Germany, where she earned her First State Examination for Teachers at Secondary Schools, which is equivalent to a Master of Education in America.
Fraunhofer is the main German professor on campus, and though she is fluent in both German and English, she speaks other languages as well, allowing her to also
teach French courses.
Students are introduced to basic listening, speaking, reading and writing in language courses at GCSU. The classes also explore the history of the language and aspects of history that are crucial to the language.
“I think that we’re obviously a global society, and we need to be able to talk to other people even if they don’t speak English,” Fraunhofer said.“It gives us the opportunity to have experiences that we wouldn’t usually have. Yeah, so one of the abilities that we develop is the ability to work in multicultural teams. So these kinds of cultural communication
skills, languages are also good for your brain.”
According to the National Library of Medicine, learning a new language helps improve short and long term memory. It also helps with performance in multiple academic subjects and boosts students’ literacy by helping them be able to adapt to new knowledge quickly.
For French majors and minors, GCSU offers multiple different courses on grammar and speaking, but also about French literature and culture.
“We want people to be able to speak the language and to be able to communicate in the language,” Fraunhofer said.
er $64.1 billion since Russia first moved in 2014.
The U.S. has also used the emergency Presidential Drawdown Authority 55 times since August 2021, and that totals to $31.733 of Department of Defense resources.
Numerous people want the U.S. to halt foreign aid and focus the full attention of the government on domestic issues, mostly economically as these wars have been a cash and subsequent weaponry drain.
“If conflict continues, the ultimate goal of NATO will be to bring Ukraine in as a member, which is a scary thought,”
an anonymous student said. “That would mean immediate global conflict on a scale we haven’t seen. My wish is for the conflict to end completely, however that is achieved. The land Russia has taken from Ukraine has much Russian heritage and it would not feel as though Ukrainians are being occupied by Russia. At least, I hope. Settle it and stop sending all of our d***money.” Ukrainian officials are visiting the U.S. to strengthen their case for continued support as the conflict with Russia endures. This outreach includes efforts to engage with advisors from Trump, who has signaled potential policy changes regarding Ukraine should he return to office. Ukrainian representatives are emphasizing the critical importance of U.S. military aid to their furthered survival as well as the broader defense of democracy as a style of governance. While Ukraine remains at the forefront of international attention, global tensions are shifting. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict and concerns over China’s growing influence in the Asia-Pacific have drawn resources, eyes and focus away from Ukraine. These developments are reshaping geopolitical priorities, leaving Ukraine to make an urgent case for sustained Western support amid evolving socio-political sentiment.
“So when my students (come to class), they always kind of lobby for more English to be spoken in the class. And I say, what do you want to be able to do at the end of these classes? Do you want to be able to explain grammar in English, or do you want to be able to speak the language? They want to speak the language and so that’s
what we do in class.”
The classes cover the different aspects of everyday life, such as ordering food, navigation and household item names. Each class is built to be a continuation of the previous one in hopes of developing students in all areas of speech, writing, reading and oral expressions for all German-speaking countries.
Russian President Vladimir Putin
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Shadimon Smith News Editor
Matthew Malkowski | Digital Media Editor
RIVALRY
Continued from page 1
Coming into the game after a disappointing year with a record of 6-5, the Trojans’ only goal for the game was to eliminate the Irish from postseason consideration.
The game was neckand-neck at halftime, with a score of 14-14. Late in the fourth quarter, the Trojans drove down the field, looking to tie the game up at 35, but made the costly mistake of throwing an interception that was returned for a touchdown. They would repeat the same error on the following drive, and the Irish sealed a 49-35 victory.
In what was perhaps the game of the year, the University of Georgia Bulldogs took on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Athens, Georgia. The Yellow Jackets stunned the favored Bulldogs in the first half, heading into the break with a 17-0 lead.
UGA, typically showing strong second-half performances throughout the season, continued to fight despite the deficit, forcing overtime with a score of 27-27.
The new college football overtime rules have teams attempting twopoint conversions if the game needs to extend past two extra periods, with the team that gets into the endzone and forces a stop being declared the winner.
That proved to be incredibly difficult for the Georgia rivals, as the game went into eight overtimes until the Bulldogs finally found a way to win with a final score of 44-42.
“It was so exhausting to watch, but I’m just glad we managed to get the job done,” said Owen Faulk, a senior accounting major and Georgia football fan.
The rivalry week results set up the matchups for conference championships.
Somewhat surprisingly, the Mountain West Conference championship was a game with playoff implications.
The game saw a matchup between the 11-1 Boise State University Broncos, led by Heisman trophy-contending running back Ashton Jeanty and whose only loss of the season came against No. 1 University of Oregon Ducks, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Rebels.
As he has done all season, Jeanty blew the game wide open, rushing for 209 yards and a touchdown in a 21-7 win, all but guaranteeing a playoff berth and first-round bye for the Broncos.
In the Big Ten championship, the Ducks took on the Penn State Nittany Lions. While
many predicted that this game would be a blowout in favor of the Ducks, and that seemed to be the reality at first, the Nittany Lions managed to make it a close game, but the Ducks snagged an interception on PSU’s final drive to secure a 45-37 win.
The Southeastern Conference, or SEC, championship game was a rematch between UGA and the University of Texas Longhorns, whose first game ended in a 30-15 Bulldog victory.
The first half of the game was surprisingly low-scoring, as the Bulldogs could not keep possession of the ball long enough to score points, and the Longhorns could not capitalize on most of their long gains and good field position. They
headed into the break with 6-3 Longhorn lead.
The finale of the game would see UGA going into extra time in backto-back weeks, but the Bulldogs took care of business much faster this time, ending the game in one overtime with a score of 22-19.
In the Big-12 championship, the Arizona State University Sun Devils handled the Iowa State University Cyclones, confidently punching their ticket to the postseason to the tune of a 45-19 win.
The Atlantic Coast Conference, or ACC, championship game arguably had the most at stake. The Clemson University Tigers were looking to get into postseason consideration, while the Southern Methodist Uni-
versity Mustangs were simply looking not to fall out of consideration. It was looking like a convincing win for the Tigers, heading into the half with a 24-7 lead, but the Mustangs roared back to tie the game at 31-31 with little time left.
However, an impressive kick return and quick play to put the Tigers in field goal range allowed them to kick a game-winning field goal, presenting the playoff committee with a 34-31 ACC championship Tiger victory.
“I don’t think SMU should be in the playoff no matter what,” said Dylan Lewis, a senior marketing major. “They haven’t beat a ranked team all season.”
In the first round of the revamped college football playoff, No. 16 Clemson will play No. 3 Texas, No. 7 Tennessee will play No. 6 Ohio State, No. 10 SMU will play No. 4 Penn State and No. 8 Indiana will play No. 5 Notre Dame. The first-round byes were given to No. 12 Arizona State, No. 1 Oregon, No. 9 Boise State and No. 2 Georgia.
Greene impresses early for GCSU men’s basketball
Bryan Cohen Contributing Writer
Zyair Greene, the redshirt junior guard of GCSU’s men’s basketball team, was named Zaxbys Player of the Week for the week of Nov. 17.
Opening his season, Greene averaged 26.5 points and four rebounds in his first two games, continuing his dominance from the previous season and once again filling the role of leadership, which is helpful for the team’s youth. Greene, even with the dominance he has brought to the team so far in the season, needed to ensure that he could do one very important thing before he could become the team’s top scorer: be on the court.
A stress fracture earlier in the season sidelined the redshirt junior for a few weeks, preventing him from stepping onto the court.
“You’ll just see him going through a lot of ups and downs in his career to finally see some more of those ups, and his hard work and perseverance really paying off,” said Ryan Aquino,
“You know, he came in as a shooter, and he’s really developed other parts of his game being able to get to the hoop,” Aquino said.
When looking deeper into the numbers, Aqui-
good start to the season,” Greene said. “There’s always room to improve, a lot to work on, you know. I watch a lot of film. I try to go back after every game and try to see what I can do to be better.”
point line lead the team.
“I think he’s developed, you know, maturity as well,” Aquino said.
“It’s been fun to see and get to know him on and off the court. I’ve enjoyed working with that.”
the men’s basketball head coach. “You’re just happy for a kid like that.”
Greene began his collegiate career with GCSU and has continued to develop into the dominant force on the court he is with each passing year.
no is proven correct. At the same time, Greene has put up impressive shooting performances, as he has improved even more in that department throughout his GCSU career.
“I feel like I had a pretty
Greene has also improved in other areas, such as rebounds, which have increased from his career average of 1.3 to a whopping 3.7 this season. His 19.8 points per game and .429 shooting percentage behind the three-
As his career continues at GCSU, Greene does not look like he will be slowing down on the court. However, some believe that mental skills in basketball are better than physical ones. Nevertheless, Greene’s mindset may be one of the best.
“I just try to play hard ‘cause you know, when you play hard, everything else comes,” Greene said. “The ball will find you.” In the team’s most recent game against Southern Wesleyan, a 91-80 Bobcat win, the ball did find Greene as he pushed past his game average in points, shooting for 23 and knocking down four three-pointers in turn. Even more impressive, Greene put up these numbers coming off the bench, leading the team in points. While it was not a spotless game for the Bobcats, fouling 28 times, Greene was a bright spot throughout the entirety of the contest. Only time will tell if Greene’s dominance will maintain consistency, but it will be hard to find somebody betting against him based on his season so far.
Courtesy of GCSU Athletics
Michigan Football Team
NFL Thanksgiving game recap
Benjamin Clark Asst. Sports Editor
The 2024 NFL Thanksgiving games offered a mix of traditional rivalries and exciting matchups, continuing the league’s long-standing tradition of Thanksgiving Day football.
The first game of the day was the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears. The Lions, who have played on Thanksgiving since 1934 (according to sports news site Marca) faced their NFC North rivals, the Chicago Bears.
This game showcased the Lion’s comeback as a competitive team and gave fans an early dose of divisional rivalry. The Bears and Lions have played 20 times on Thanksgiving day, kicking off this year at 12:30 p.m.
“The Lions are one
of the best teams this year, and they will go far,” said Derek Kim, a junior political science and philosophy major.
“The Bears are turning a lot of heads, but they are losing a lot. It’s clear the team has changed for the better, and they have Caleb Williams who’s great and I think he will take them very far away.”
The Lions pulled out a very close win on the holiday with a score of 23-20.
At 4:30 p.m., the Cowboys, a Thanksgiving staple since 1966, hosted the Giants in what promised to be a classic NFC East showdown. Typically, the Cowboys play the Washington Commanders on Thanksgiving Day in a historic matchup. Due to public pressure surrounding the sanctity of Native American culture, the team
changed its mascot to Commanders in 2022, as they had previously been known as the “Redskins.”
“I think the intentions were good at the start,” said Ellison Townsend, a freshman Spanish and psychology major.
“But the fact that the game now is glorified and viewed like a spectacle, it washes away the history of the Native American suffrage.”
At 8:30 p.m., the final game of the night was the Miami Dolphins vs. The Green Bay Packers.
This primetime game paired two extremely competitive teams, featuring the Dolphins’ explosive offense and the Packers’ strong legacy. It provided a matchup to cap off the day.
The matchup between the Miami Dolphins and the Green Bay Packers
was a very notable game between two NFL powerhouses the Packers dominated the Dolphins, securing a 30-17 victory.
“I think Miami had a struggle with the cold weather,” said Cade Steel, a junior philosophy major. “Tagovailoa put up impressive stats and fought hard, but because of the conditions and Green Bay’s defense, the Dolphins were very clearly put on the back foot. It sucks to see a
talented team like Miami drop a crucial game in their playoff chase, but Green Bay deserved the win—they played smarter and harder.”
Thanksgiving Day games have been a hallmark of NFL culture for decades, blending American traditions with football. The Lions and Cowboys games, in particular, serve as a bridge between generations of fans. The primetime game, introduced
more recently, provides an opportunity for the league to showcase highstakes matchups, without putting overpowered rivalry teams against underpowered ones.
Overall, the three Thanksgiving Day games serve to be very welcome entertainment for many families, and despite the controversy surrounding rivalries, create a warm traditional experience for many to enjoy with their loved ones.
The NBA Cup makes its return for the 2024 season
Hudson Taylor Staff Writer
The NBA Cup is back in action for the 2024 season. The tournament was introduced last year, where it functions as a midseason competition, running alongside the NBA regular season.
It is a bracket-style format with teams from both conferences competing.
The Cup games are played in the regular season, with certain matchups counting toward both the tournament and the regular season standings. It was designed to add more excitement to the NBA regular season and gives players and fans something to look forward to outside of the playoffs.
Each conference has three groups of five teams that compete.
West Group A consists of the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Los Angeles Clippers, the Sacramento Kings, the Houston Rockets and the Portland Trail Blazers.
West Group B consists of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Phoe-
nix Suns, the LA Lakers, the Utah Jazz and the San Antonio Spurs.
West Group C consists of the Denver Nuggets, the Dallas Mavericks, the New Orleans Pelicans, the Golden State Warriors and the Memphis Grizzlies.
On the west side of the bracket, the Thunder clinched the No. 1 seed with a 3-1 record in their group, outscoring opponents by 45 points. Their only loss was in game two, dropping to the Spurs 110-104, and that was a game where Spurs phenom forward-center Victor Wembenyama was not even available.
The two and three
seeds in the west are the Warriors and Rockets, who will face off on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Both teams lost game four of the tournament, dropping their records to 3-1, but they still managed to get out of their groups on top.
The fourth seed was given to the Mavericks, who had a higher point differential than the Suns, which ultimately led them to the wild card spot.
East Group A consists of the New York Knicks, the Orlando Magic, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Brooklyn Nets and the Charlotte Hornets.
East Group B con-
sists of the Milwaukee Bucks, the Detroit Pistons, the Miami Heat, the Toronto Raptors and the Indiana Pacers.
East Group C consists of the Atlanta Hawks, the Boston Celtics, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards.
The Bucks, who had struggled a bit to find their identity in the regular season, found their stride, going 4-0 and clinching the No. 1 seed on the east side of the bracket.
The Knicks also went 4-0, beating every team in their group.
Shockingly, the Hawks defeated the Celt-
ics and the Cavaliers, giving them a 3-1 record in their group and clinching the No. 3 seed.
The Celtics also went 3-1, but the Hawks had the tiebreaker over them due to head-to-head play.
“I may be biased, but I think Jalen Johnson should be the MVP,” said Tyler Gardner, a senior finance major and Hawks fan. “He’s averaging a double-double in this tournament.”
The wild card team out of the Eastern conference will be the Magic.
There is a lot of talk about who will be the MVP of the cup and many predictions point towards Magic small forward Franz Wagner. He averages 30.5 points per game alongside seven and a half boards and six assists.
“I didn’t even know who Franz Wagner was until the tournament,” said Luke Parris, a senior exercise science major. “If he keeps balling like this, the Magic may win the whole thing.”
He is doing all of this without star teammate Paolo Banche-
ro, a power forward. OKC Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is playing amazing basketball as usual, averaging 30 points per game and seven assists. He has been feasting in the paint, shooting 75% in the restricted area. Point guard Jalen Brunson has played great as well, leading his Knicks to an undefeated 4-0 record in group play. He is averaging 27 points per game and was a huge reason for the Knicks’ one-point win against the Hornets. He scored 11 points over the last five minutes without committing a turnover.
On Tuesday, Dec. 10, the Thunder and Mavericks as well as the Bucks and Magic will square off in the knockout rounds. The winner of the game will play on Dec. 14 in the semifinals.
On Wednesday, the Rockets and Warriors as well as the Knicks and Hawks will play each other. The same applies, as the winner of those games will also play in the semifinals.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic
Dak Prescott
ARTS & LIFE
THE END OF AN ERA: TAYLOR SWIFT’S ERA’S TOUR
Mary Ciucevich Asst. A&L Editor
Taylor Swift’s highly acclaimed “The Eras Tour” has officially come to an end. The tour kicked off in Glendale, Arizona, on March 17 and concluded on Dec. 8 in Vancouver, BC.
The tour encapsulated all of Swift’s musical eras from her self-titled debut album “Taylor Swift” to her most recent 2024 release “The Tortured Poets Department.” The tour consisted of multiple legs: the U.S. leg, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Canada and the final North American leg.
Each show stop is over three and a half hours long, with thirty minutes of openers and Swift performing for the other three hours. The set list included 44 songs that were divided between the 10 acts, representing her albums.
The show is full of outfit changes, large moving sets, detailed introduction videos and theatrical performances by Swift and her dancers. When Swift first kicked off her tour back in 2023, she garnered many new fans, due to the drop of her 2022 “Midnights” album a month previous and also due to curiosity about the performance of the concert itself.
“I think that level of production drew outsiders in and made them
MASCOT
Continued from page 1
This mascot highlighted the area’s ties to Georgia’s Colonial Era. The Colonials reflected the university’s deep connection to the region’s early American history, as the state was an origianl American colony and carries a lengthy history.
As the school grew and rebranded, it adopted the “Governors,” an homage to Milledgeville’s history as the state’s seat of government from 1804 to 1868. This mascot resonated with the university for years, reflecting the political heritage of the city.
fans,” said Lauren Colby, a sophomore mass communication major. “I also think that since most of the songs played are the classic Taylor songs pretty much everyone knows, fan or not, the show felt accessible. You don’t need to know every single song on every single album to have a good time and sing along.”
The hype and excitement around each
Swift’s song “You’re on Your Own Kid” from her “Midnights” album. Since then, the friendship bracelet has become a marker of a “Swiftie” or of Swift herself.
Along with exchanging friendship bracelets and the countless fans dressed up as different versions of Swift and her references, the popstar re-created memorable fan moments like the
“Willow” or “Karma.”
The tour has presented fans across many generations to experience albums they love and may not have been able to see when they were growing up. It has opened up interest in those who would not consider themselves die-hard fans in their teens but maybe where their younger self was.
“I think a lot of people associate Taylor Swift with their childhood, which makes them reminisce on childhood memories,” said Milly Peta, a sophomore economics major. “Also, perhaps
show brought about new trends that continued for the entirety of the tour, like fans dressing up as something or someone related to an era of their choosing. One of the most well-known trends, the friendship bracelet, brought about by the tour came from
Later, GCSU leaned into Georgia’s natural wildlife, introducing the “Rattlesnakes” as its new mascot. The fierce rattler served as the school’s symbol for several decades before the Bobcat was chosen to reflect agility, strength and adaptability. By the 2000s, although the Bobcat was the official mascot, GCSU lacked any physical representation of a campus cat. This changed thanks to Jason Hendrix, Class of 2009, who noticed the void while attending basketball games. Hendrix, inspired by mascots he encountered while photographing national sporting events, rallied his friends to form the Thundercats, a rowdy student fan base. He was determined to bring a mascot to life that could embody the spirit and pride of GCSU.
“Fearless” heart hand and the passing of the “22” hat to a fan. New moments like the specific surprise songs segment, which consisted of an acoustic set of two full songs or mashups of songs, and the outstanding dance choreography to songs like “Bejeweled,”
After rallying support from fellow students, he approached Stan Aldridge, former director of the Athletic Department, with an idea. Aldridge encouraged Hendrix to take ownership of the project, and thus began the creation of Thunder.
Determined to make the mascot a reality, Hendrix led efforts to raise funds, reaching out to alumni, students and local businesses for donations. But the funds raised were not enough to secure a mascot costume, so Hendrix began networking with other universities’ mascot coordinators.
Through conversations with schools like the University of Florida and Michigan State University, he learned
dobee, Paramore, Benson Boone, Griff, etc. The tour has helped many artists, both new and old, gain either new fan attraction or expand their already large fanbases.
Artists like Carpenter and Abrams have become much more mainstream artists since their opening legs for The Eras Tour. Since being openers they have both been nominated for a Grammy.
Since The Eras Tour began, Swift has released two re-recorded albums, “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” and “1989 (Taylor’s Version).” Additionally, in 2024 Swift announced and released her eleventh studio album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” which mixed up her setlist adding songs like “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” and “So, High School.”
On top of the tour, Swift also released “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour”, which is an immersive recording of the concert that premiered in theatres on Oct. 13, 2023. Swift also came out with “The Official Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour Book”, which released Nov. 30 as a Target exclusive and provides a detailed description of the tour and provided pictures.
some people went because of the sheer size of the concert and FOMO (fear of missing out).”
The Eras Tour included many different openers for each of the legs including artists like Phoebe Bridgers, Sabrina Carpenter, Gracie Abrams, Muna, Beaba-
the ropes of mascot creation and financing.
Hendrix’s persistence led him to Tom Sapp of Real Characters Inc., who was known for designing iconic mascots like UGA’s Hairy Dawg and UF’s Albert and Alberta. Hendrix’s detailed vision for Thunder was shared with Sapp, and the design process began.
With a $25,000 donation from then-President Dorothy Leland, Thunder’s creation was officially funded.
“It was one of the most rewarding moments in my life,” Hendrix said. “It felt like everything came together. It wasn’t just about creating a costume; it was about creating something that would represent our school for generations.”
herself a Swiftie, shows an appreciation for Swift and the tour but feels glad that the tour is ending and believes that Swift deserves a break. The tour positively impacted each city it came to, it boosted local economies around the world and concluded its run making a little more than two billion dollars total in ticket sales, according to The New York Times.
With the unmatched success of The Eras Tour and Swift’s number of releases within a short span, the way the music industry functions is sure to change. Swift’s re-recorded albums have changed the way musicians have thought about owning their music.
Despite the positive impacts, the production value and quantity of music Swift has released has affected the idea fans have when it comes to how long the time between album releases.
Over the length of the tour, Swift has received both praise and backlash for the amount of exposure she receives. Swift’s booked and busy schedule has caused many music fans and fandoms to express a feeling of oversaturation within the media.
Colby, who considers
Thunder made his debut in November 2007 during a home basketball game, accompanied by a dramatic unveiling. Cheerleaders placed Thunder’s head at center court while Hendrix, hiding in a blue duffel bag, was zipped into the full costume.
As AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” blared, Thunder sprang to life, electrifying the crowd.
From his first public appearance at the Hanging of the Greens that Christmas to his continued presence at events across campus, Thunder became an emblem of GCSU pride. Students, faculty and alumni alike embraced him as the face of school spirit.
“I love when I get to see Thunder around
“This may be a hot take but I think that The Eras Tour has a negative impact on what fans expected from artists,” Colby said. “I think fans have come to expect that they’ll get two or more albums per year, and I think other artists are beginning to feel pressure to put out music more frequently.”
Swift’s discography and commitment to her fans have contributed to her ability to produce the immense production that is The Eras Tour. Swifties and non-Swifties alike cannot deny the tour’s domination.
campus,” said Denise Fajardo, a senior exercise science major.
“I always say hey and sometimes even take a picture with him,” said Denise Fajardo, a senior exercise science major. Each iteration of GCSU mascots tells a story of the university’s growth. Thunder’s story is a testament to how collective efforts and a commitment to school pride can create lasting traditions. The evolution from the Colonials to the Bobcats was marked by changes in GCSU’s identity, mirroring its transition into a larger, more diverse institution. As Thunder celebrated his 17th year, he reminds GCSU of its rich history and the resilience of its spirit.
Julia Jensen | Art Director
GCSU’s Christmas Music Classics
Molly Goff Staff Writer
As the festive season approaches, the air fills with familiar sounds of Christmas music, creating a soundtrack for holiday gatherings and celebrations. From timeless classics to modern hits, this year’s musical landscape is rich and varied, displaying diversity in what resonates with GCSU students as they curate their holiday playlists.
The infectious cheer of Christmas music is often reflected in the Billboard charts, making room for classic tunes and contemporary releases alike to dominate the airwaves and sales, reshaping the musical landscape every December.
“There’s a reason that listeners seem to get more impatient every year for the Christmas music season to start: Nothing else feels quite
like it,” Billboard said in an article. “The things that make Christmas songs great — whether carols, old pop standards or newer enduring hits—are most of the same things that make pop great in general: emotional connection, universal relatability,
unshakable catchiness.”
Taking a look into the intersection of music and holiday spirit, it becomes essential to examine how these melodies not only evoke nostalgia but also foster connections among friends and family during this special time of year.
17th annual holiday concert
Chloe Sanders Staff Writer
GCSU hosted its 17th annual holiday concert on Friday, Dec. 6, where the music department transformed Russell Auditorium into a vibrant hub of festive cheer and musical brilliance.
The performance was also live streamed on the music department’s Facebook page where friends and family alike could enjoy the performance from afar.
“I wasn’t able to attend the concert in person because I was sick so I watched it virtually,” said Julia Whalen, a junior marketing major. “So it was nice to be able to support my friends who were performing.”
The holiday concert was nothing short of spectacular, as the entire music department delivered a performance that
awed the audience and ushered in the holiday spirit. From the moment the audience walked into the auditorium, the soft murmur of excited voices filled the air with anticipation for the upcoming performances.
“You could tell that the performance was going to be great as soon as you walked in,” said Ethan Sanders, a freshman finance major. “Everyone who performed is so talented and I am so glad I attended.”
The concert began with an orchestral piece performed by GCSU’s orchestra. The arrangement, a medley of timeless holiday classics, set the tone for the evening. Strings, winds and percussion filled the auditorium with beautiful music that captured the audience’s attention.
Outside of the auditorium, an accordion en-
semble directed by Susan Craig, lured in the audience and set the stage for a night of music, laughter and applause.
One of the unique aspects of GCSU’s holiday concert is its impressive variety of music. Some of the performances included the low brass ensemble, jazz combo, flute choir, Max Noah Singers (MNS) bass quartet and the jazz band.
The university chorus, directed by Jennifer Flory, also blew the audience away with their performance of “Ding Dong Merrily on High”, as well as other childhood Christmas classics.
“Hearing a lot of these songs were really nostalgic to me,” said Charis Philo, a junior mass communication major. “It brought me back to Christmas during my childhood.”
Following the perfor-
The nostalgic feel of a song around the holidays can capture the essence of the holiday cheer - a mood we all want to be in when studying for exams and the exams themselves are around the corner. Holiday classics are special for keeping traditions during this time.
“I think the traditional music from the 50s-60s really reminds me of a classic Christmas,” said Callie Paulk, a freshman psychology major. “Like Bing Crosby is a staple of Christmas to me. My go-to Christmas song is probably ‘Have Yourself
A Merry Little Christmas’ by Judy Garland from the movie ‘Meet Me
“I feel like classic Christmas music includes the older songs, like Michael Buble, Frank Sinatra and songs sung in old Christmas movies,” said Karsyn Jewell, a senior mass communication major. “They are nostalgic and make a person feel cozy.”
In St. Louis.’ I know this is a hot take, however, my least favorite Christmas song that is overplayed is Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You.’ It’s a fantastic song, but I hear it too often.”
The downfall of a holiday classic becomes the overplayed nature of a song. Social media
helps the spread of old and new holiday music with the latest trends, videos and influences.
“I definitely feel that social media has an influence on what Christmas songs are trending because it’s through media that songs gain popularity, especially for a lot of current-age artists who are making Christmas singles,” said Rayna Schneider, a freshman MIS major.
Whether you excitedly anticipate holiday music around Christmas time or secretly dread a song on constant repeat, it becomes clear that music serves as a powerful connector, uniting individuals through shared experiences and cherished memories. Thus, whether one prefers timeless classics or the latest holiday hits, there is no denying that these melodies create an ambiance that enhances celebrations and brings people closer together during this magical season.
mance by the university chorus, Sara Carr performed a beautiful rendition of “Carol of the Bells” in the tradition of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. She performed the piece as a solo played on an electric violin.
The jazz band brought a playful, upbeat energy to the program, performing a lively rendition of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” arranged by Preston Raburn and directed by Cliff Towner. It was clear that this production was the result
of months of preparation and careful coordination by the music department. The department’s professors and students worked tirelessly to perfect each element. From selecting the music to fine-tuning the acoustics of Russell Auditorium, every detail contributed to the seamless execution of the evening.
The event was made possible thanks to the tireless efforts of producers Jenifer Flory, Bradley Sowell and Cliff Towner. Keith Bergeron, the
Director of production services, also played a major role in making this event such a success.
Stagehands and volunteers also played a critical role, ensuring smooth transitions between acts and adding a touch of theatricality with their lightingandsetadjustments.
The night was a success, filled with applause and warm congratulations for the performers, and was a perfect way to kick off this holiday season.
Julia Jenson | Art Director
Matthew Malkowski | Digital Media Editor
CHRISTMAS DECOR AT GCSU
Ryan Grant Staff Writer
Every year, GCSU decorates its spectacular campus with Christmas lights, evergreens and colorful banners.
On Saturday, Nov. 30, the decorations began going up with the help of maintenance staff and student volunteers, just in time for students returning to classes after Thanksgiving break.
Hanging the holiday decorations over Thanksgiving weekend prepared GCSU for its official lighting ceremony. On Thursday, Dec. 5, at 7 p.m., the decorations were lit for the first time this year on front campus. The event was organized in part by the Offices of the President, Student Life, Facilities, Student Engagement, the Student Government Association and Pi Kappa Alpha.
For many years, GCSU has planned and managed all of its Christmas season decorations. This year marked the
18th annual lighting of the trees, an event featuring games, candles, cookies, hot chocolate, wreaths and garlands across front campus.
Before 2023, the event was smaller in scale.
GCSU PresidnrCathy Cox introduced several suggestions for the lighting ceremony during her first year as GCSU’s president. This is her second year hosting the annual Hanging of the Greens.
Since 2023, the archways along the sidewalk, the large tree behind the Bobcat head and the ceremonial lever Cox pulls have become traditions, making the Hanging of the Greens even more special. This year, there were additional changes.
On the night of the event, students saw newly added spotlights in front of the front campus halls in full use. Facilities staff had been working on these enhancements for two years.
“We changed last year, and continue this year to
make the archways shorter,” said University Event Coordinator, Blair Simpson. “It looked really cool, but it was too long of a tunnel and the lights were a whole situation.”
“I always try and add an element to where it’s not the same every year,” Simpson said. “This year, we are going to do lighted bracelets and necklaces.”
During the planning stage, all office heads discussed what worked last year and what didn’t, which is why the arches
are shorter. This year, the Coca-Cola bear made an appearance alongside GCSU’s mascot, Thunder and Santa Claus. All were present to take pictures with guests Thursday night.
Every year, as the event grows, there are minimal changes to decorations, which makes planning easier for everyone involved.
“This is my third year working for the office, but this is my first time replacing Christmas
Do students care about SNL?
Emma Eslinger
Asst. News Editor
Since its debut on Oct. 11, 1975, Saturday Night Live, or SNL, has been a cornerstone of American television, shaping the landscape of comedy and popular culture for nearly five decades. Created by Lorne Michaels and originally broadcast live from Studio 8H in New York City’s Rockefeller Center, the show blends topical humor, sketch comedy, and live performances into an engaging format. The show is now on its 50th season, and many people still watch loyally.
SNL’s structure is consistent. A cold open often discusses current events or even political satire. This is followed by a monologue from the week’s host, who is usually a celebrity from film, television, sports or politics. Some recent hosts have been Charli XCX, Michael Keaton and Ar-
iana Grande. The show then puts together a series of sketches, recurring characters and satirical segments, interspersed with performances by a musical guest.
“I enjoy that it’s something completely new each episode,” said Keeley Casalou, a junior economics major. “I ap-
watching it. You get to know the cast a lot better, and it makes the sketches so much more enjoyable when you love the people you’re watching.”
Weekend Update, a parody news segment introduced in the first season, has become a central commentary feature for cast members such
that often features satirical takes on political issues, pop culture and social trends. Cast members and hosts will often take on recurring roles or report in character, adding a distinct, sometimes absurd, spin to the news.
“My favorite sketch is probably the supermodel showcase with Kristin
preciate how quick their turnarounds are to produce something so good in such a short period of time. It also has just become a comfort to me over the years I have been
as Marcello Hernandez, Kenan Thompson and Colin Jost. The segment parodies a traditional news broadcast and mixes current events with comedic commentary
light bulbs,” said Claudia Dick, senior mass communications major and a student worker for the Office of Student Engagement. “I think this really connects everyone to just see it light up, and it’s something everyone can enjoy.”
Claudia worked on the lights and garlands at the ends of the archways. It is a tedious job, but she believes it has a deserving benefit.
Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Vanessa Bayer, and Bill Hader,” said Casalou. “I also love the ‘Debbie Downer at Disney World one.’ The whole cast breaks in both of those sketch-
“Right at the end of the semester, when finals week is coming, you have these really pretty decorations that represent many holidays,” said Director of Public Affairs, Amanda Respess. “It’s a really cool and uplifting event.” Staff and students are not the only ones who visit front campus to embrace the holiday spirit. Many community members and families of students and staff also come to GCSU to see the lights and attend the lighting ceremony.
es, and it’s so funny.”
Beyond the comedy sketches, SNL is also known for its musical performances. Many artists, such as Nirvana, Harry Styles, Stevie Nicks and Noah Kahan. The combination of live comedy and music gives the show a unique edge, appealing to a broad audience.
“My favorite performance and host has been Taylor Swift,” said Sofia Caldas, a junior nursing major. “I thought her monologue was funny, and I still watch it to this day.”
“My roommates and I always quote the ‘Domingo’ sketch,” said Jessica Douglas, a junior nursing major. “We love watching the popular sketches and quoting them frequently.”
SNL’s impact extends beyond the show. Social media has made a huge impact on the show’s popularity in recent years as they work to remain appealing to younger audiences who consume
During the Hanging of the Greens, Cox was joined by Thunder, special guests, speakers and choir members in hosting the celebration. Cox started the countdown for the official lighting of the decorations, making this holiday season—and finals week—a bit brighter.
content on social media, not live television. The ‘Domingo’ skit, a parody of Sabrina Carpenter’s hit summer song “Espresso,” featured Ariana Grande and got 13 million views on YouTube. ‘Rap Roundtable’ is another popular skit featuring Timothée Chalamet and Pete Davidson, reaching 31 million views on YouTube. SNL’s TikTok page boasts 9.8 million followers and videos regularly receive millions of views.
“I do think social media is helping the show because it’s creating a lot of viral moments as well as promoting the different hosts better,” Casalou said. “I feel like people who don’t regularly watch the show watch it when they see a celebrity they love hosting it.”
For nearly 50 years now, SNL has remained a popular show. Its ability to evolve with the times while preserving its core appeal ensures it remains a beloved staple of America’s latenight entertainment.
Isabella McComis | Digital Media Editor
Kylie Rowe | A&L Editor
Isabella McComis | Digital Media Editor
OPINION
SABRINA
Continued from page 1
That was not the only skit in the show. There was also this really funny autotuned family gathering where Carpenter sang and spoke about how she had no idea what to get her brother-in-law, played by Kyle Mooney, and it had a hilarious, awkward family gathering feel that Carpenter was undoubtedly going for.
I think the most surprising guest to me was Cara Delevingne, who appeared in another skit based on “A Christmas Carol” where Delevingne was the ghost of “ghosted” future. This performance featured Nico Hiraga as a modern Scrooge. He was the classic tech-bro influencer wanna-be with a complete disregard for women’s feelings.
Carpenter played “Ghosted Past,” Quinta Brunson was “Ghosted” Pres-
ent” and of course, Delevinge was Future. Basically, the three women were all love interests of this “Ebby,” derived from Ebenezer Scrooge, and visited him to insist he change his ways and start having honest conversations about whether or not he wants to continue relationships. The skit ended with a very lovely message, “To the ghosters on the naughty list, learn from this.”
There was also this continuous bit where some of Carpenter’s guest stars would sing Nonsense outro suggestions to her. Delevinge, Mooney and Thiele had these little moments, and Carpenter nailed the comedic disgust each time.
Aside from the skits and musical guests, Carpenter is a comedic genius and beautiful artist on her own performace other songs “cindy lou who,” “santa doesn’t know you like i do” and “buy me presents.” Again, in beautiful costumes and with lovely set design.
Part of the stage was a lit stair-
THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS
Delaney Derry Opinion Editor
December is upon us, and it is officially the most wonderful time of the year. Whip out the eggnog and light up the tree because the holiday season has finally arrived.
It is no secret that people’s spirits rise as soon as Christmas comes around, but let’s be honest, things are not the same as when we were kids. I am sure we all remember well what it was like when we were younger and the feeling we had when Christmas came around. The halls of the schools were all decked out, and we drank hot chocolate and sent letters to Santa. This magic is indescribable, and I know, for myself and I am sure others, that we long to feel the joy we did as a kid at Christmas time again.
However, there are still ways in which adults can feel the magic of the holiday season.
As we get older, there are new ways in which we get into the holiday spirit, but there may
be some holiday traditions that never change.
“The way I get into the holiday spirit is by watching Christmas movies,” said Cat Wall, a junior English major. “While I am going about my day and I see a holiday movie on TV, I’ll just stop what I am doing and watch it because I would watch those movies when I was a kid with my family. It’s very nostalgic for me, and it really gets me into a Christmas-y mood.”
Whether it is listening to holiday tunes or watching classic Christmas films, there are still things that we all do that make us feel warm inside around Christmas time. Just because we are older does not mean that all of our holiday traditions have to change, and with holding onto those wonderful holiday memories comes a feeling that is so much sweeter as an adult.
Something that always gets me into the Christmas spirit is decorations. One thing I love about living in Milledgeville and being a student at GCSU during the holiday season is how beautiful the town and
campus look during the month of December. I love how all the small businesses decorate their storefronts and the town just comes alive at night with Christmas lights.
case much like the one featured in many old, iconic performances like Marilyn Monroe’s “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” which was fitting since Carpenter also donned a replica of the costume for her first song.
Carpenter also had a little house set up where many of the skits took place. There was a small kitchen and living room decorated with lots of beautiful Christmas cheer, and did I mention, it was all pink? It was absolutely amazing and is now the inspiration I will use for my future home.
The home also had the classic vintage feel that Carpenter’s brand has really started working with, which I absolutely love. To add to the ambiance, much of the font used, kitchen appliances and even the way they shot the special was inspired by vintage aesthetics.
There was even a little segment of Carpenter at a backstage vanity where she told a story about how on Christ-
tions always remind me of my sister and me decorating the tree for Christmas with all of the ornaments that we collected from family vacations and ones we hand-made as kids. It always came out a little tacky, but it seemed perfect to me. Personally, something
I especially love the decoration on GCSU’s front campus and how we make lighting up the campus into an event every year. With Hanging of the Greens this past Thursday, it is really beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
Christmas decora-
Thank you, Kate & Kylie
Paige Blakemore Managing Editor
My time on “The Colonnade” editorial board would not have been nearly as joyous or complete without the wildly intelligent Kate Verity and inimitable Kylie Rowe. Stepping into this position, I’ll admit I was more than nervous and not sure what to expect. I didn’t know most of the people on the board. But it was Kylie who marched up to me, introduced herself and assured me we would tackle the Arts & Life desk together. Instantly, I knew Kylie and I were going to be friends.
That’s the thing about Kylie—she has this way of making people instantly feel like you are her best friend and fully understood all at the time. It is truly a gift. It wasn’t long before I met her roommate, Kate, the soon-to-be Editor in Chief. With her undeniable attention to detail and unparalleled work ethic, it was obvious from the moment we first interacted that she was going to take on the world. Soon enough, these two girls would be the ones I would call in the middle of a boy crisis, or to cry about Taylor Swift with. They listened
with intention and always managed to put a smile on my face. For all the times you two have given me a ride home or gone on a spontaneous endeavor with me, thank you. You will never understand how much your consistent friendship has meant to me.
Both Kylie and Kate are the very definition of twin flame best friends, even more like sisters at times. They love deeply, and they’re never afraid to show their passions. They share the kind of unspeakable kinship everyone dreams of finding during their college years.
The (sometimes ex-
mas as a child she did not really care about the presents but was mainly focused on having chocolate cake. They also included adorable camcorder footage of Carpenter when she was little showing the validity of the story.
As per Carpenter’s brand of being hot and horny, there were many innuendos and jokes made that were of course funny, but like Carpenter said in her parody “The Most Nonsense Time of the Year” it is rated TV-14, so it is okay… but I would not recommend this for family movie night.
From making some espresso martinis in her little pink kitchen to receiving a vibrating “massager” during her last performance of “A Nonsense Christmas” I am completely, indescribably jealous of the live studio audience that got to see Sabrina Claus in full action, and I would have sold my soul to be one of them.
walk around the deckedout downtown and go from class to class with a peppermint latte in hand while dressed in a cute, cozy winter outfit.
Another thing I do to boost my holiday cheer is by enjoying various Christmas activities with friends. Something I always did as a kid was go for drives with my family during Christmas, and we would drink hot chocolate, listen to holiday music and look at all the Christmas lights people decorated on their houses. It is one of my favorite childhood memories that I will cherish forever. Now, I do it with my friends while I am away from home, and it is so sweet to continue with that tradition while sharing that experience with new people.
I do now to make my spirits bright is to dress up in December attire. I love wearing winter clothes and dressing up in warm knit sweaters, boots and winter coats because, let’s face it… baby, it’s cold outside. It really makes me feel all warm and joyful as I
tremely) late nights putting together the student newspaper were always filled with the most joyous laughter and secret sharing that I would not trade for anything in the world. I know for myself, “The Colonnade” will never be the same without these two beautiful people to work alongside. I learned valuable experiences and lessons from the pair that I will always carry with me.
Kate and Kylie, I am endlessly proud of you. You both inspire me every day to be a better leader, thinker, listener and friend. To know you both is an honor within itself. I cannot wait to see all of the monumental moments you will accom-
“I bring Christmas decorations from home and I decorate with things that make me happy, and the classic Christmas songs always put me in a cheery mood,” said Madeline Marx, a junior mass communications major. “My family and I always watch Christmas movies together every year, and Christmas Vacation is a movie that I love to play. It makes me feel like I’m
plish in your careers and lives. Along with so many others, I will be cheering you on every step of the way, whether virtually or in person. Please, always remember the essence of your sparkle and the little people in Milledgeville who love you so.
As you walk across the stage on Saturday, Dec. 14, I hope you
home with my family.”
Something I think we all need to understand is that the magic of Christmas we experienced as kids never came from the decorations, the movies, or Santa Claus coming into town. It was our family. They were the magic. They made it nostalgic. They made it special. It was never about the red and green cookies or the presents or the mystical reindeer flying in the air. This season is about the people you share it with and the memories you make together. That is what makes Christmas feel like Christmas, even when you are apart from those people. Christmastime may not be as it once was, but the stockings still get hung, the music still sounds the same and the memories you have never fade. It’ll still be a holly jolly Christmas, and we’ll all still be rocking around the Christmas tree, same as the year before and for all the years to come. So, no matter what you do this holiday season, it certainly won’t be a blue Christmas if you make a little magic for yourself and maybe make a little magic for others, too, as our families have done for us.
soak in every moment and feel an immense amount of pride for the past four(ish) years. You both deserve every good thing this world has to offer. When Swift does another greatest hits tour in forty years, we better all be going together. Thank you for everything. I love you both, always.
Kate Verity | Editor in Chief Paige Blakemore, Kylie Rowe and Kate Verity
Julia Jensen | Art Director
