Student predictions on 2026 Superbowl Halftime Show
Jane Carr Staff Writer
In 1967, the NFL presented its first Super Bowl, and the halftime show looked very different from what fans see today. Back then, student marching bands and local drill teams entertained the crowd during the game’s break. It was not until Michael Jackson’s iconic performance at Super Bowl 27 in 1993 that the halftime show became the cultural event we now
expect. Jackson’s set was watched by an estimated 133.4 million viewers in the United States and 1.3 billion worldwide, setting the standard for all halftime shows to follow.
Since then, the halftime spot has hosted
THE FALL OF JAKE PAUL
OPINION
In recent memory, Molly Groff Opinion Editor
Jake Paul. Cody Ko. David Dobrik. Colleen Ballinger. Trisha Paytas. What do all of these celebrity influencers have in common?
Yes. That’s right, the concept of cancellation to comeback pipeline. These influencers have had massive cancellations, from David Dobrik in a legal lawsuit to a weight loss journey that shocked the internet, all the way to people believing Trisha Paytas’ new baby
is the reincarnation of the late Ozzy Osbourne.
The question is how do these influencers make a comeback after a cancellation? Who do we think
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of when this happens?
“I think of Tana Mongeau and how she had a lot of drama surrounding her but was able to come back after taking ac-
countability,” said Clare Thoman, a junior psychology major. “I think influencers are able to come back because the internet loves to bandwagon and say the same thing the next person is.”
I agree with Thoman in that we really do feel something bigger even if it is for a negative situation rather than a positive. I think that people shouldn’t be canceled if they take accountability and apologize, as long as it is well intentioned and actions follow their words going forward.
some of music’s biggest names, including Diana Ross, Prince, The Black Eyed Peas, Katy Perry, Shakira and Jennifer Lopez. More recently, artists like Rihanna, Usher and Kendrick Lamar have kept the tra-
dition alive, each adding their own style and statement to one of the world’s biggest stages.
Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 halftime performance currently holds the record as the mostwatched halftime show
in Super Bowl history. His show opened with actor Samuel L. Jackson dressed as Uncle Sam, acting as an antagonistic figure warning Lamar of being “too loud, too reckless, and too ghetto.”
Buffalo Wild Wings
Benjamin Clark Sports Editor
This past week, a fatal altercation occurred at Milledgeville’s own Buffalo Wild Wings. A fight had broken out between two employees of the popular chain restaurant. The manager of the establishment was shot dead as the fight escalated. Originally beginning as an argument between Store Manager Nytavious Stone and Restaurant Employee Micha Shannon Brown, it progressed into a physical altercation. While reports are unclear, responding police assume that the incident began inside the restau-
How GCSU decorates their dorms
For students living on-campus, dorms can be a difficult space to decorate – cramped layouts, standard-issue furniture and a cream-colored, wood-veneer color palette can leave little room for personal expression. But this fall at GCSU students got creative, bringing some of their favorite craft projects and retail finds to transform residence halls into spaces that feel more like home.
LillyAnn Hancock, a freshman living on West Campus, used a cork board craft project to bring warmth
and familiarity to her new room.
“I have a big cork board that I decorated right before move-in that has a bunch of pictures of my friends from home and my family. I decorated it to be really aesthetic and match my room,” said Hancock. In addition to her cork board project, Hancock shopped at a variety of stores to round out her decorations. While residence hall room comes furnished with an extra-long twin size bed, desk and chair, dresser and bookshelf, all other furnishings are
left up to students to provide.
“I got some stuff at Walmart, Hobby Lobby, Target – especially Target, I love Target - and the At Home store,” said Hancock.
Bella Barksdale, a freshman nursing major, said her roommate used craft materials to make their dorm door personalized.
“My roommate made us little minion name-tag things to put on the outside of our dorm – so we have like, Bob and Stewart, on the outside of our door,” said Barksdale.
rant and progressed to the parking lot, where the police were then called by an onlooker.
During this time, Brown’s twin brother,
I mean, shootings just happen,
-Tamara Bean
William Shannon Brown, arrived at the restaurant during the fight and reportedly assisted in the initial physical assault of Stone. He was later arrested on charges of aggravated assault.
Responding officers were already en route
when the fight was upgraded to a shooting. There, they discovered Stone with a gunshot wound. He was later admitted to Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin in Milledgeville, where he was pronounced dead. Micha Shannon Brown was arrested under charges of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. According to CrimeGrade.org, Milledgeville, GA, is ranked in the 29th percentile for safety, meaning it is less safe than 71% of counties in the United States.
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Kendrick Lamar at the 2025 Superbowl
Shooting hoaxes shock the nation
Amelia McEwen News Editor
Universities across the United States have recently experienced shooting hoaxes, sparking uncertainty in students enrolled in college.
Even locally in Georgia, the University of Georgia (UGA), went through this exact situation in August. The university received an anonymous call indicating that there was an active shooter in the library, prompting an investigation. The incident was later confirmed to be a hoax after dozens of other hoaxes shocked the nation.
With GCSU students visiting UGA frequently, concerns have been present.
“It made me sad when I heard about it,” said Anna Schofill, ju-
nior Nursing major. “It causes unnecessary panic and misdirects the attention that should be on what we are here for: our education.”
Schofill’s feelings about the hoaxes reflect a broader conversation. Not only have schools had to halt instructional hours to shelter in place, the students and faculty also begin their days wondering if the next report will be real.
This shifts focus from investing time into a valuable education to worrying about one’s own safety. Luckily, GCSU has a variety of mental health outlets available to ease the effects of anxiety-inducing scenarios, such as shooting hoaxes.
The school has worked throughout the years to better its environment for the students by pro-
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viding readily available mental health resources.
There is a 24/7 mental health support line, free and confidential counseling, online counseling and consultation services. This wide array of options establishes a healthy outlet for students to utilize in times of need.
“Every time I’ve emailed the counseling services to schedule an appointment, they
tal health services at GCSU and highlights their quick responsiveness. This resource gives students the opportunity to relieve their anxiety symptoms during
ing exercises with the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice, ensuring the availability of up-to-date equipment and maintaining
get back to me with an eagerness to help,” said Sarah Waldron, junior Sociology major.
Waldron has an appreciation for the men-
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these fearful events.
On top of its mental health focus, GCSU has a multitude of safety precautions in place. Some of those include; various active shooter train-
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a full staff to have topnotch manpower in the event of an emergency.
Despite these available resources, public safety still depends on the people themselves to prevent situations, such as school shootings, from happening.
“We depend on our community to be our eyes and our ears in plac-
es where we’re not,” said Chief Hardin, Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police at GCSU. “We depend on proactive, not reactive patrol to be out in places, because sometimes it’s just a presence that is a deterrent.”
Chief Hardin says the community should report what they see as a way to efficiently deter crime. By doing so, the students at GCSU can preserve its educational atmosphere that the hoaxes aim to weaken.
Though the shooting hoaxes have begun to die down, the threat is still relevant. GCSU has created an environment that prioritizes students and their needs, but it is imperative that students continue to stay informed, report suspicious activity and make use of the resources at hand.
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Police surround a college campus impacted by the shooting hoaxes.
Lively college campus
BUFFALO
Continued from page 1
GCSU students speak to their personal sense of security on campus and within Baldwin County.
“I feel like Milledgeville has been like that for a while,” said Jane Walmsley, a junior English major. “Baldwin County is just incredibly impoverished and I’ve never felt super safe in Milledgeville.
On campus, I do (feel safe), I mean, we have the blue lights, everything is very well lit and dangerous people tend to stay off campus.”
Students seem to echo this perspective on the relative safety of campus compared to the insecurity felt in Milledgeville’s various establishments. The presumed safety on campus grounds stems from the students’ trust in local safety resources, such
as the emergency call boxes (blue lights) provided by the University.
Other students feel a growing sense of complacency surrounding gun violence and the growing prevalence of violence as a whole.
“I mean, shootings just happen,” said Tamara Bean, a senior Philosophy major. “You just pray it’s not your day, and that’s just the reality of the state of our country and our global time period. You can’t live in fear, I mean, shootings happen in schools, but you still have to go to school to get your education.”
This sense of desensitization reflects the growing fatigue surrounding gun violence, as many students believe it has become so routine that they feel it is best to accept it as a facet of daily life.
The shooting has
sparked conversations about off-campus safety, especially for students who work in local businesses. Many students rely on restaurants, retail and service jobs to support themselves financially, which can bring them into conflict with the risks of working in Milledgeville.
Campus officials have also addressed the incident. Director of Public Safety and Chief of GCSU Police, Wes Hardin, noted that while the shooting occurred off-campus, the university is taking precautions to reassure students and increase awareness.
“It’s a team, it’s a team effort,” said Chief Hardin. “We depend on the GC communication, whether it be the vice president, or Cavalier, or people like you with the Colonnade, we get the in-
formation, then you push the information out.”
Chief Hardin’s remarks display the importance of communication between university resources and highlight the necessary collaboration between law enforcement, university leadership and student media. For students, this sense of coordinated effort offers reassurance that while tragedies may occur off campus, the university and lo-
Loan changes for college students
Rylee Holland Managing Editor
On May 5, the Department of Education resumed collections on defaulted student loans, ending a fiveyear pause that began at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
tinued to recover from the pandemic and established new repayment programs to help student borrowers,” said the Economy Policy Institute.
This expired on January 1, 2025, so the Trump administration has now directed the Depart-
Administration Saving on Valuable Education (SAVE) plan is ending. The plan was an income-driven repayment plan for federal student loans that aimed to provide lower monthly payments and faster loan forgiveness.
Since March 2020, payments and interest on most federal student loans have been paused, providing a break to millions of borrowers.
“The Biden administration extended this pause as the U.S. con-
ments of Education and Treasury to resume collections from borrowers.
Following that, on July 4, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law, resulting in more changes to some federal student aid programs.
The Biden Harris
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Republican lawmakers argued that the plan was too generous and fell on tax payers too much.
“Yeah I think that plan just affected the taxes a lot, there are better ways to make college more affordable,” said Graham Simmons,
a junior finance major.
This change does not currently affect borrowers already in the SAVE plan, but they have until 2028 to change plans. The plan is no longer available to any potential newcomers.
An additional major change was made to federal student aid regarding loan borrowing limits. Beginning July 1, 2026, borrowing limits will be lowered for graduate students.
The current PLUS Loan allows students to borrow up to the cost of their graduate program, but it is being shut down this time next year.
“After that, grad students’ borrowing will be capped at $20,500 a year with a lifetime graduate school loan limit of $100,000, a big
cal law enforcement remain united in prioritizing student safety.
“As we walk across campus… I have not heard anybody say, ‘Hey, I don’t feel safe,’ or, ‘Hey, this incident at Buffalo Wild Wings has me concerned.’... I haven’t noticed anybody asking questions about that,” said Chief Hardin.
Chief Hardin’s perspective reflects both confidence in campus security measures and trust
drop from the previous cap of $138,500,” according to NPR.
Lilia Anderson, a sophomore finance major expressed thatshe can see how hard this change may be for some people.
“The no interest and the loan forgiveness have helped so many people be able to get through school,” Anderson said.
“And for people who need grad school for their career, they had the opportunity to get a loan large enough to help them, but not anymore.”
There are other changes to student aid that are being put in place to help with the end of the SAVE plan.
The repayment options for borrowers are changing dramatically with an option for a standard plan or a Repayment
in the systems and networks already in place.
The tragic escalation of violence at Buffalo Wild Wings has reignited difficult conversations about gun violence in Milledgeville and its impact on the local community.
While crime statistics paint a troubling picture for Baldwin County, the university’s emphasis on communication, vigilance and collaboration offers reassurance for the campus community.
Assistant Plan (RAP). While RAP is not as generous as SAVE, monthly payments may be lower than with a standard plan.
“As collections begin, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York estimates that more than nine million student loan borrowers will face significant drops in credit score once delinquencies appear on credit reports in the first half of 2025 with some borrowers seeing a reduction in credit scores by more than 150 points associated with new student loan delinquency,” the Economy Policy Institute said. To find out if these changes impact you, contact the GCSU Financial Aid Office for any questions you may have. 478-445-5149
Isabella McComis | Digital Media Editor
Fantasy football
Emma Jow Contributing Writer
Fantasy Football is a decades-old tradition, starting in 1962 and quickly garnering millions of fans. Often lauded as one of the most thrilling activities for die-hard sports fans, NFL viewers create their own ideal draft of players from a variety of teams.
Each week, players face off against someone else in their league and play for points. The player with the most points wins and this process is repeated weekly for the duration of the season.
According to the Fantasy Sports and Gaming Association, the number of Fantasy players has grown from just 500,000 in 1988 to 62.5 million in 2022. Fantasy football is by far the most popular of all fantasy sports, with 79% of those 62.5 million players playing fantasy football. Among these millions of players, 65% are men, and 48% are between the ages of 18 and 34.
Although the rules are standard and simple, fantasy football fans
can always look forward to a unique experience, with new players and strategies in every draft. Every individual has their own drafting method, often based on their level of knowledge and interest in the NFL.
Whether it be detailed data collection, random selection or baseless aesthetic appeal, there is enjoyment to be found for every kind of viewer. This diverse range of Fantasy Football fans is extremely prevalent at GCSU.
To help understand
-Jack Roach when I draft, I pick my friends’ favorite players to mess with them
the broad range of Fantasy Football enjoyers, GCSU students shared their unique experiences with their drafts.
“I honestly don’t know much about football,” said Jack Roach, a senior psychology major,
“so when I draft, I pick my friends’ favorite players to mess with them. I’m more interested in fantasy football to have a shared experience with friends, so seeing my roommate get mad that I drafted Lamar Jackson before him yet again is more enjoyable than winning. For the rest of the roster, I tend to just put my faith in the projected points and hope for the best,”
Jack, however, does have one strategic fallback, explaining that he favors drafting receivers, as they’re the most versatile players. Beyond comedic enjoyment, there are a variety of different strategies a player can employ while drafting.
“In drafting, I’ll look online to see what other people have done in my draft position,” said Max Gohn, a senior Finance major. “I have a few players in my head to choose if they’re still available after a few rounds, but going with the highest available-ranked player is often a safe bet.”
While following a more strategic drafting route, Max also values
the community aspect.
“We chose a traditional league rather than a dynasty league- we like to start fresh every year,” said Gohn. “ The draft is a really fun way to switch things up. Oftentimes if certain players do better than expected one year, they’ll be drafted by a different person the next.”
Max and his friends to have more fun by choosing a traditional league, allowing them to embrace the spontaneity of Fantasy sports.
In a traditional league, players create an entirely new draft every season, whereas a dynasty league requires players to keep their roster from season to season, setting them up for long term game play.
Where traditional leagues value the exciting, ever-changing
GCSU’s new generation of athletes
Bryan Cade Asst. Sports Editor
With every new season comes a new firstyear class of college athletes, and this year, Georgia College & State University has brought in a lot of new-generation first-year athletes.
The men’s and women’s cross country teams have brought in a combined 15 first-year athletes to begin the season, which to some coaches may be seen as a negative for their teams, as freshmen are less experienced in comparison to their upperclassmen; however, cross country head coach Alexander Bruno is ready to approach this season with a positive mindset towards his large first-year class.
“They’re very moldable and very responsive to everything that we’re doing. We rely a lot on the upperclassmen, and we’ve got a really good group of sophomores that have just gone through it, and so they know exactly what we want,” said Alexander Bruno, the head coach of the men’s and women’s cross country teams.
The cross country team brought back many returning upperclassmen, and they’re showing a lot of responsibility when helping along the first-year students.
“Some of the kids who stepped up really, really well on the freshman side. Carl Ritzler was, I think, our 2nd runner as a freshman. I don’t want to say he came out
of nowhere, but it was really impressive to see how well he ran in his 1st college race. Nolan Lane is somebody who in workouts has looked really good and really
Aside from cross country, which brought in the most freshmen out of the GCSU sports, women’s basketball also brought in quite a few new first-year students,
strong and we kind of expected that.” said Bruno. Bruno and the GCSU cross country teams have a group of firstyear students that they are determined to develop, and they have already shown signs of success on the track.
but also brought in a new coach in interim coach Catrina Green.
“We have a pretty new team, a lot of transfers and freshmen, and a new coach. So it’s definitely different from what I saw before, but I like it a lot and I’m enjoying it
nature of football, dynasty leagues encourage strategy and deliberate foresight. Senior history and philosophy major Cade Steel shared his opposing experience with dynasty drafting.
“I did multiple dynasty leagues and I pretty much only do them exclusively for a couple of reasons,” said Steel.
“The first being that dynasty has a higher skill ceiling then traditional redraft leagues as the good and bad decisions essentially compound across seasons (like a real team lol) so in redraft if you’re terrible at fantasy you could just get lucky in the draft one year because you get to draft an entire new team.”
In response to a question about aging talent in the NFL, Max Gohn
so far,” said Sloane Vick, a freshman guard for the women’s basketball team.
As a first-year student, many athletes have their four years of eligibility, allowing them to focus not only on their current season, but also on the following seasons as well and focus on their future endeavors as a collegiate athlete.
“I’m hoping to do really well in conference play. Last year, we finished fourth, which was really good for Georgia College.
So, hopefully, we can repeat that, or do even better sometime when I’m here,” said Vick.
On the other side is women’s soccer, which brought in nine new firstyear athletes this season—athletes who have never had the oppor-
was unconcerned, saying, “I think the aging talent pool is a natural part of the NFL nfl cycle- rookies turn to solid players, players turn to legends, and legends eventually get worse.”
In stark contrast, however, Cade Steel shared that he is very interested in aging talent.
“On the one hand you have a guy that could be performing still near elite top 5-15 at his position but he’s also like 34 and about to croak, so a lot of them end up falling in dynasty league drafts but end up being great value if they aren’t completely cooked.”
With every Fantasy Football fan experiencing a unique journey this season, 2025 is set to be a thrilling year for all football fans.
tunity to enjoy a collegiate athletic experience.
“I think the facilities are great and the community is really supportive. The other girls, especially Bridget Johnson, have been extremely supportive and helpful. They have helped me through this transition and made me feel really welcomed in our team,” said Kaisa Fagerström, a freshman defender for the women’s soccer team.
First-year athletes will be a significant contributor to the success of the GCSU athletic programs this year, and not only the coaches but also the athletes themselves are determined to excel on the court and field this season.
Courtesy of Alexus Duncan
Fantasy Football Logo
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The rapper pushed back, declaring, “The revolution’s about to be televised. You picked the right time but the wrong guy.” His set included a surprise appearance from Grammy-winning R&B artist SZA and nods to his public feud with rapper Drake, sparking online debate for weeks after the game. With such a long history of iconic performances, students at GCSU were eager to share who they would like to see next.
“I would love to see Taylor Swift perform, especially following her amazing run during the Eras Tour,” said Sarah Barnhart, a junior mass communications major. Swift, who is currently the highest-grossing live music artist, re-
cently announced her engagement to NFL star Travis Kelce. “I know there are some rumors that she would, which would be awesome!” Barnhart added.
Carly Walker, a senior psychology major, said she would love to see Kesha take the stage. “Her tour has been so awesome, and I think everyone would get really excited about it,” Walker said.
Students also shared which past halftime shows left the biggest impression on them. Many pointed to Lamar’s 2025 performance as the most memorable.
“I really enjoyed Kendrick Lamar’s performance, which is strange for me since I don’t love rap,” Barnhart said.
“I thought his performance was a great take on the cultural happenings in the
world at the time, and it was groundbreaking, especially with the guest stars.”
Ella Bowen, a junior mass commu-
nications major, agreed. “...just the social discourse around everything going on with his beef with Drake. He also had a lot of symbolism with the racism
issue in the United States in his lyrics.” With students’ top picks ranging from pop superstars to alternative icons, one thing is clear: GCSU students are ready for another show-stopping performance when the Super Bowl rolls around this year.
GCSU volleyball & soccer open their seasons
Bryan Cade Asst. Sports Editor
The Georgia College & State University women’s soccer and women’s volleyball seasons have gotten underway. The women’s soccer team looks to improve upon its semifinal appearance in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament from the previous season, and the volleyball team looks to skip the play-in tournament altogether.
The women’s soccer team finished 9-7-3 overall in the previous year, with a 4-3-2 record in conference play, hosting and defeating Clayton State 2-1 in the quarterfinals, but fell 0-2 to Columbus State in the following round.
“We had our best season in nine years last year, finishing fourth, and that’s the goal again this year, being in that top four, being in the conver-
sation, and we want to be hosting a postseason game again,” said Jack Marchant, the GCSU women’s soccer coach.
The women’s soccer team graduated 14 se-
ing to see those juniors step up,” said Marchant.
The women’s volleyball team finished 8-21 overall and 0-8 in the previous season losing its final seven contest, and
niors in 2024, leaving a significant gap in experience for the players. The women’s soccer team brought in a new first-year class of eight.
“I’ve been really impressed with the upperclassman. They’re starting to lead the way, and teach the younger ones and allow the young ones to be who they are and go perform on the field. It’s been really pleas-
falling to Augusta in the first round of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament; however, with every new season comes the ability to make some noise, and it seems that the women’s volleyball team is ready to shake things up this season.
“I feel good about the new season. I think the mentality in the gym has made a very big shift. So that’s what I’m very ex-
cited about, and I think all the girls feel that, too. There’s an environment where everybody wants to work hard and work hard for each other,” said Abigail King, the GCSU women’s volleyball coach.
son, a sophomore setter for the volleyball team.
nation to shake up the conference this year.
“We’re disciplined, and we’re ready to fight against these bigger teams,” said Parkerson.
The women’s volleyball team also brought in many new players, including first-year students and transfers.
While the previous season may have been a struggle for the Bobcat volleyball team, King brings a mindset that could help alleviate the team’s woes from the prior season.
“When we leave the court, win or lose, we
“We’ve started very, very hopeful for the season. We have a great, brand-new team. We brought in a bunch of new freshmen and transfers that all bring new strengths to the team that we hadn’t had before,” said Sadie Parker-
make sure that the team on the other side of us had to play the best that they possibly could to beat us,” said King.
The mindsets of the players have changed, seeing the struggles of the previous year, and turning them into a fierce new determi-
To begin the year, the women’s soccer team has opened up to a 1-2-1 record. However, its first win was a big one, with a 4-0 victory over the Blazers of Valdosta State University, and the women’s volleyball team sits at 5-3, winning three of its four contests at the Bobcat Classic and splitting the four games at the Valdosta State Tournament.
The women’s soccer team’s next home game will be its first conference contest, on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 1 p.m. against Clayton State. The women’s volleyball team’s next home game will be its first conference contest, with a Friday night 6 p.m. match-up against Lander on Sept. 26.
Courtesy of Alexus Duncan
Courtesy of Austin Zschachv
Taylor Swift at the Eras Tour
ARTS & LIFE
DORMS
Continued from page 1
When it came to hanging decorations, Barksdale had to navigate the same housing policies that apply to all students. “We used a lot of command hooks – or we tried to, and only some stayed up, and we used really tiny nails,” she said. As students decorate their rooms, they also have to keep in mind university housing policies and restrictions designed to prevent damage charges and ensure safety. While students are encouraged to personalize their rooms
“The
or apartments, University Housing outlines clear guidelines about what materials can and cannot be used.
According to the Georgia College University Housing and Residence Life Policy Handbook, “Wall hangings, large nails, screws, bolts, wall anchors, and double-sided tape on the walls, furniture or fixtures are prohibited. 3M hooks/Command strips or similar products may be used to affix things to the walls.”
Students are also permitted to use small tacks
to hang lightweight decorations and over-thedoor hangers provide another safe option without risking paint damage.
“My roommate has these sticky hooks that you can put up on the wall, and I think those work really well,” Hancock shared.
This year’s handbook also encourages students to check in with their Community Advisor (CA) or Community Director (CD) if they have any questions or concerns about their decorations. It cautions against do-it-yourself
repairs, such as patching or painting over damage, as these can result in additional charges if staff determine that attempts were made to conceal wall or furniture issues. Even with restrictions in place, there are plenty of creative ways for students to make their dorms feel welcome while adhering to housing guidelines. Beyond brightening up the space, decorations can also help ease the transition from home to campus life.
For many students, the simple act of hanging photos, stringing lights
or setting up a favorite blanket or rug provides the comfort of home in a new environment.
“I brought my baby blanket from home, so just having that little piece of comfort in my bed,” said Barksdale.
Students often bring both practical items for community living, such as microwaves, mini
Summer I Turned Pretty” : series finale
Who do GCSU students think Belly will end up with?
Margaret Scarbrough Contributing Writer
Amazon Prime’s top hit television series, “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” has taken social media and college culture by storm. Each episode showcasing Isabel “Belly” Conklin and her two love interests, brothers Jeremiah and Conrad Fisher, leaves fans wondering what will happen next. One question, however, divides fans into two categories: Team Jeremiah or Team Conrad?
For college students nationwide, the show isn’t just bingeworthy TV to watch with friends on a Saturday night, but also explores the ups and downs of growing up through relatable characters. Throughout the three
seasons, the characters undergo physical, emotional and spiritual changes that help them grow. Similarly, many college students experience the same changes throughout their young adult life.
This week, GCSU students had a lot to say about the love triangle that has college students hooked. When asked their opinion, many students chose Conrad over Jeremiah.
“I’m Team Conrad because he is the better brother and he actually took time to better himself,” said Hailey Paige, a freshman psychology major. “I wouldn’t date either of the brothers because they both have stuff they need to work on, but Conrad is put-
ting in the effort to better himself and Jeremiah is not,” she admitted.
However, some have not always stayed loyal to one team. “I’m definitely
Looking at their responses, Paige and Williams value characteristics such as maturity and accountability in a partner, which they think are
Team Conrad. As a lover of “The Summer I turned Pretty,” I’ve kind of progressed. I used to be team Jeremiah, but then slowly I realized that Conrad was the better option after seeing how mature he was,” said Sydney Williams, a freshman marketing major.
essential for a healthy, long-term relationship.
Paige also mentioned how neither is perfect, but a person who learns from their mistakes is better than one who has no desire to change.
“I’m Team Conrad, but I don’t really want her (Belly) to end up with ei-
fridges and cleaning supplies, as well as decorative furnishings like wall art, curtains, rugs and extra seating such as chairs or futons. Together, these pieces help transform bare residence hall dorms into personalized spaces that reflect the personalities and needs of the students who call them home.
ther of them. I think it’s too messy and she should just walk away,” said Bridget Mainor, a junior psychology and philosophy major.
Choosing yourself when having to decide between two people can be difficult, but as Mainor said, it can be an escape from drama and mental health struggles down the road.
The common theme among the students who chose team Conrad is a desire for more complex relationships during a transition into adulthood. In the dating world, college students like Belly find comfort in the predictable and stable.
In the show, Belly’s situation with both boys is similar to the “talking stage,” the commonly known term where friendship and romance blur together, and it can be difficult to determine which is which. While Belly’s indecisiveness can be tied to her emotional immaturity, it also serves as a reminder of the ups and downs of dating in college.
Among GCSU students, which team wins? While all three interviewees chose team Conrad, they noted that both brothers have their strengths and weaknesses that make them complex and relatable characters. In the end, it depends on the viewer’s values and dating history. For now, however, the show continues to spark late-night watch parties and campus debates.
Julia Jensen | Art Director
Bella McComis | Digital Media Director
MORNING GRIND’S GRAND REOPENING
Lucy Nunez Staff Writer
Morning Grind, a local coffee shop favored by GCSU students and families in Milledgeville, Georgia, had a grand reopening for its expansion on Aug. 14. Within minutes of opening, the coffee shop had a line out the door of excited students.
Morning Grind announced on Instagram July 24 that they would reopen their coffee shop on Aug. 14, 2025. Fans liked and shared the post and were eager to see Morning Grind’s new layout. Aug. 14 came, and Morning Grind had plenty to share with everyone. Fresh sourdough, flowers, clothing, plants, giveaways, live music and ribbon cutting were activities enjoyed by GCSU students and locals.
Before the expansion, Morning Grind
had limited seating inside and outside.
Therefore, the expansion was huge for the business and has
er at Morning Grind. “It can be stressful during busy times, but it makes my day seeing smiling faces walking in and out.”
increased the number of patrons interested in the coffee shop. Over the last few weeks, Morning Grind’s staff has enjoyed welcoming familiar and new faces back to their shop.
“I have loved working at Morning Grind,” said Alyssa Marie, a manag-
Reaghan Sehee | Digital Media Editor
Morning Grind’s expansion has continued to sell artisan baked breads, plants and merchandise. Introducing these additions has opened better revenue for the Morning Grind staff and business as well.
Customers have been enjoying these new ad-
ditions ever since the reopening. Morning Grind’s Instagram and Facebook have featured announcements of baked goods and merchandise restocks.
A few days after the expansion, Morning Grind announced an expansion menu via Instagram and Facebook. This menu is still available and features some new coffee, tea and refresher creations.
“I am so proud of Morning Grind’s expansion. I am currently drinking the Oh Honey drink, featured on their expansion menu. It is a honey, vanilla and cinnamon shaken espresso with oat milk,” said Arianna Basille, a sophomore philosophy major. Customers of Morning Grind also recognize the staff’s hard work. Morning Grind’s Facebook and Instagram
How to be a good roommate
Jane Carr Staff Writer
Whether you grew up as an only child or spent your childhood fighting for space with siblings, living with a college roommate can be a shock. Beds a few feet apart, shared microwaves, piles of dishes and early-morning “hey guys” reminder texts are just a few of the realities of having a roommate.
Roommate horror stories are practically a rite of passage. Scroll through social media or ask around campus, and you’ll quickly hear about passive-aggressive sticky notes, blaring alarms that go unanswered and debates over whose turn it is to take out the trash.
But while conflict is common, it doesn’t have to define your experience. The goal isn’t to avoid every disagreement but to make sure you’re doing your part to be a good roommate.
That starts with respect and responsibil-
ity. Simple habits such as cleaning up after yourself, communicating clearly and being mindful of shared space go a long way toward keeping the space.
“Through experience, I found setting boundaries early on benefits roommates long-term,” said Joshua Jones, a Community Advisor for GCSU.
-Joshua Jones ...setting boundaries early on benefits roommates longterm
“Through setting boundaries, you can avoid situations that would’ve originally caused issues in the relationship.”
Honest communication can prevent small annoyances from growing into major arguments. Setting expectations early, especially around cleaning, noise
and guests, can save a lot of stress later on.
“Going in with clear expectations of how household expectations will be split was a true lifesaver,” said Ella Bowen, a junior mass communications major. “Since we are already friends and share a friend group, having guests hasn’t been a problem.”
But even the bestlaid plans require flexibility. Sharing a space means adjusting your routines, compromising on preferences and sometimes letting go of minor frustrations.
“Compromise! You’re sharing a space with someone, so it’s important to come to decisions together!” said Scarlett Cueto, a junior English and mass communications major.
Compromise can look like agreeing on quiet hours, alternating who cleans common areas or meeting in the middle when decorating your shared space. It’s not
accounts captured the painting and organizing behind the scenes for customers to keep up with the expansion process.
“A benefit of the expansion is that it offers plenty more tables for students and families to dine and chat,” said Dorie McKown, a junior management major.
Morning Grind’s staff has seen how the expansion has brought more of the Milledgeville community together. They are incredibly excited to see how Morning Grind continues to thrive in the near future.
“I come to Morning Grind many times during the week, and I always run into someone I know. Yesterday I ran into my friend Paige, and we had an amazing time catching up together,” said Delaney Derry, a senior English major.
about keeping score; it’s about building a living environment where both people feel comfortable.
Another often-overlooked element of being a good roommate is empathy. Everyone has bad days, busy weeks or moments when they slip up. Giving your roommate grace when they make mistakes and asking for it when you do can help preserve the relationship.
At the same time, respecting personal space is crucial. Not every shared living situation turns into a built-in best friendship, and that’s okay. You don’t have to be joined at the hip to coexist peacefully. Sometimes, being a good roommate simply means knowing when to give each other privacy.
Finally, take care of yourself. It’s easier to show up as a considerate roommate when you’re managing your own stress, staying organized and advocating for your needs. If problems become too overwhelming
Morning Grind’s owners, Bridgette and Jared Smith, have been very involved throughout the expansion process. Both are normally at Milledgeville’s location once a week and made a special appearance at the grand reopening. Bridgette has also shared individual Instagram posts with her followers about her excitement over how far Morning Grind has come since the beginning. Her posts are filled with smiles, regular customers and her employees at Morning Grind.
Overall, Morning Grind has been a Milledgeville favorite since its opening in Oct. 2022. Its expansion marks another chapter in a journey defined by loyal customers and a growing community presence.
to handle on your own, most universities have resident assistants, community advisors or conflict-resolution resources that can help mediate.
Jones, who helps mediate student conflicts on campus, also encourages students to approach disagreements thoughtfully.
“One way to navigate roommate conflicts is to use ‘I feel’ statements,” Jones said. “For example, instead of saying, ‘You always leave your clothes on the floor.
It’s disgusting,’ you can say, ‘I feel uncomfort-
able when clothes are left on the floor.’ It is a lot more approachable and doesn’t make your roommate feel targeted. It creates better ground for understanding.”
Living with a roommate can be one of the most challenging and rewarding parts of the college experience. With a mix of respect, communication and compromise, you can avoid becoming someone else’s horror story and maybe even create a friendship that lasts beyond move-out day.
Julia Jensen | Art Director
JAKE PAUL
Continued from page 1
Molly Groff Opinion Editor
“We cancel people because the internet has become our whole space. It takes up all of our mental space and leaves no room for anything else. We begin to think that any small mistake is who that person truly is. It may also be a way to feel a part of something bigger, to gang up on one person,” said Thoman.
It’s this very desire to be part of a collective that drives the widespread adoption of “cancellation,” transforming it from a solitary judgment into a community-driven action. This collective effort is often framed as a way to demand accountability, leveraging a group’s collective power to influence a celebrity’s public standing and career.
“We cancel influencers to hold them accountable for actions and behavior,” said Olivia Langston, a senior English major. “It functions similar to a boycott, where we withhold our payment (views) because of poor business practices
(bad behaviors being made public).”
In the attention economy of social media, consumption is power, and we have the power to choose where we invest our viewership time. I think cancellation is the power of consciously using that power. Our voices need to be heard, and sometimes that is from making sure
People will sometimes do or say things that I may not agree with but that’s ok
-Emily Benyak
someone who has a large platform knows what they have done is right or wrong. That being said, online communities can become toxic where we get what is right and wrong skewed. It is important to know when it is appropriate to spread awareness, create merchandising and film certain content with intention and humility.
Beauty in balance
Molly Goff Opinion Editor
Whenever I go to a family event, the common questions I get asked are “How’s college?” and “Are you staying balanced in college?” I never was sure why those questions were the ones commonly asked, until I dove deeper into my schedule.
Balance seems like a simple concept, until we apply it into our day-to-day lives. We are juggling so many things at once: academically, socially, mentally, physically, emotionally and even spiritually.
When I think about balance, I personally have a combination of taking a mid-day nap, working on a craft project in my apartment, or even doomscrolling on my phone. Here are some of the other things I do to stay balanced:
1. Get ahead of schoolwork.
I currently have two
majors and two jobs, and sometimes it can get hectic. When I stay ahead in class, I feel like
I understand the lessons more and have a little less stress off of me.
2. Plan time for reading or meditation. Sometimes all we need to stay calm is to breathe. Normally an hour before bed, I try to read a few chapters of a book I am reading for pleasure or take some deep breaths and have time to reflect. Reflection helps me stay on top of things and regulate my mind.
3. Start a creative project I enjoy.
Creativity is key for my balanced schedule. It is a way I turn off my mind, and I can do that while painting, writing or doing a puzzle with my roommate.
4. Catch up on a show. There are so many streaming platforms and services to catch up on in 2025. Find a
The biggest issue I see with influencers who have been cancelled and make a comeback has to be the lack of empathy, business-minded attitudes and no self-awareness. There’s a saying that bad press is still good press because it is press, but I don’t believe that is the case here to foster a loyal fanbase.
“For me, when I think of a “cancelled celebrity,” I think of Jason Aldean,” said Emily Benyak, a junior environmental science major. “He’s probably my favorite music artist. In 2023 he released a song called “Try that in a small town”.
The rest of the quote explains that the song was intended to be about community strength and mutual protection in small towns, but it was misinterpreted as promoting racism and violence. This misunderstanding led to him being “canceled” by many people. However, the controversy made the song incredibly popular, ultimately resulting in a significant comeback for him. Benyak believes that these comebacks often occur when a celebrity’s original intent was not to cause harm and a misunder-
TV show to unwind your mind, and enjoy.
5. Spend time with friends in comfortable silence.
Comfortable silence is so valuable because it determines which friends are the “all around” ones versus friends that are casual! Spending time with friends by just being with them really energizes my soul.
When we dive deeper into the concept, there is so much beauty in balance. Our minds are at ease and our bodies can finally relax.
Now, what do we do to find balance? Some rest, keep up with hobbies or just simply meditate.
“The best way I relax is wallowing in bed.” said Andrea Barnett, a senior management information systems major. “Actually, it’s cooking. It keeps my mind at ease,”
While peace can be found in solo activities like rotting and cook-
standing was the cause of the backlash. This is another factor that comes into play. Celebrities will have good intentions in their work, while the audience interprets it otherwise.
“I personally don’t really “cancel” others,” Benyak said. “People will sometimes do or say things that I may not agree with but that’s ok. I also do think that it’s our job to use our words wisely and to build each other up rather than break others down with what we say or do.”
Ultimately, the “cancellation to comeback pipeline” is a testament to the fluid and often unpredictable nature of online culture. It shows that while public opinion can be swift and unforgiving, it is also capable of change.
The most successful comebacks are not just about weathering the storm but about demonstrating a willingness to learn and adapt. For the public, it raises a question about the purpose of cancellation itself, is it a tool for permanent removal or a temporary lesson designed to elicit growth?
ing, there can be peace as well as balance in spending time with friends.
“It honestly depends on how I feel at the time,” said Sonni Stephens, a junior world languages and cultures major. “I personally love spending relaxation time with friends, and I try to spend downtime with the people I’m close with. It helps me to relax by either hanging out and talking with them or to just be in the same room as them doing something individual, at least for me personally.”
Some people find
peace by themselves, while others find solace in the company of others. Finding balance isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution; it’s a personal journey that looks different for everyone.
“I try to stay balanced by setting aside time in my day for myself and making an effort to keep up with my friends,” said Amanda Feeney, a junior exercise science major.
“Sometimes school can be overwhelming and it’s hard not to let school and work take over. When I feel overwhelmed I always call a friend to go
for a walk with me or go to the gym. In my free time I love going to the gym, playing pickle ball or watching movies with my friends. I’m also teaching myself guitar and I love playing with the shelter dogs here.” There is something so valuable in college and in life about really figuring out who you are, whether that is through hobbies, clubs or life experiences. The key is how you balance it all because at the end of the day, we are human and need time to rest and recharge.
Julia Jensen | Art Director
