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To contact G&B, email sagandbe@mailbox.sc.edu or visit www.gandbmagazine. com. Garnet & Black Magazine is printed twice a year by students of the University of South Carolina and is distributed for free to members of the university community. All editors can be reached via email on our website. The office is located in Russell House University Union Room 339.
DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MEDIA
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MEDIA
ART DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MEDIA
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
FACULTY ADVISOR
Sarah Scarborough
Sydney Cranmer
Krista Larson
John Burbage
Tara Mortensen
Looking for something to do? Here’s a preview of what’s happening in 2025…
A Western view of early 2000s Japanese fashion.
HENDRIX BUS COFFEE: A MOBILE CAFE WITH A HEART
A unique coffee experience on wheels. How National Fellowships opens doors around the world.
CAMPUS CLOUT
The balancing act of student influencers.
How a group of USC K-pop dancers are taking competitions by storm.
How a GroupMe on campus is changing the game.
The evolution of the dystopian genre over the years.
GLADIATORS, VAMPIRES, AND WITCHES, OH MY!
Student opinions on recent film and television releases. Is it weird or is it just camp?
No seriously, can you find him?
Insights on YA selections at TCoop.
The unseen struggle of nontraditional students in higher education.
How jazz students brought this Special Collections exhibit to life.
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
AUTHOR AND PHOTO KAYLEN PRITCHARD DESIGN CHLOE EHLERS
PPrint media is extremely important to me, and I’m sure many of our readers would agree. An online article just cannot replicate the joy of thumbing through glossy pages in between classes or on the drive home from a campus tour (which was my first introduction to G&B)! Not only is a hard copy of any reading material yours to hold and cherish forever, but it can’t be simply wiped from the internet with the click of a button. I know dozens of students who are printing or purchasing physical versions of important books and texts, from the United States Constitution to “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison. Highly necessary White House webpages are being scrubbed from existence, and critical theory is being banned from public schools. It has never been more important to protect our histories by giving words the security of paper and ink.
As the end of my final semester as Editor-in-Chief draws near, I cannot help but reflect on how much this experience has changed me. I continue to be blown away by the brilliance of my staff, the compassion within our student body, and the beauty of our beloved campus. When selecting stories for this edition for Garnet & Black, I wanted to prioritize the diversity of perspectives that a community of our size has to offer. In a world where so much as having the word “diversity” in a scientific research proposal can bar it from receiving funding, highlighting such perspectives is more important than ever.
So much has changed in our world over the past month, and sometimes it feels impossible to find any solid ground. Everything can feel so far out of our control, but the one thing we always have jurisdiction over is how well we love others around us. Knowledge is power. Approach every conversation with an open mind, seek to understand, read widely, ask questions, and fight for the safety and liberties of those in your circle.
The college experience is one that is both difficult and rewarding, and it can be so easy to take the privilege of an education for granted. It’s such an invaluable gift to have the space to learn and flourish in our chosen fields. Every little detail absorbed into your brain culminates in an extremely powerful tool to make waves of positive change in your community. Despite whatever the world may throw at us, no one can ever take away our education. Use what knowledge and influence you have for the good of others, and never lose sight of what is truly important. With all the gratitude in the world,
COLA HIGHLIGHTS
Looking for something to do? Here’s a preview of what’s happening in 2025…
AUTHOR JESSICA HALLMAN DESIGN CAROLINE SMITH
Carolina’s Got Talent
When: March 24, 7 to 10 p.m.
Where: Russell House Ballroom
Admission: Free!
Description: Come watch your fellow Gamecocks strut their stuff at USC’s premier talent competition.
Read Freely Fest
When: March 28-30, Friday 7 to 11 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Richland County Public Library, Assembly Street
Admission: Free!
Description: The first annual Read Freely Fest is where stories find good company! The festival features bestselling author talks, panels with emerging voices, performances and interactive activities. Visit readfreelyfest.com for more information on authors, vendors and activities.
Pridechella
When: April 11, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Greene Street, in front of Russell House
Admission: Free!
Description: Come celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride the way only a Gamecock can! The festival features music, performances, and art celebrating a rich history of community, hardships, progress and growth.
The Millennium Tour 2025
When: April 11, 8 p.m.
Where: Colonial Life Arena
Admission: Varies.
Description: Kick it old-school at this concert featuring Trey Songz, Omarion, Bow Wow, Ying Yang Twins and more! Doors open at 7 p.m. Purchase tickets at ticketmaster.com.
Whether you want to stay on campus or venture out into the surrounding areas, you’re sure to find an event or activity to enjoy. We’re spoiled for choice this year, with a wide variety of events and festivals happening in and around the Columbia area. Any one of these events could be the highlight of your semester!
Birdcage Drag Show
When: April 12, 8 to 10 p.m.
Where: Russell House Ballroom
Admission: Free!
Description: Come celebrate the 25th annual Birdcage Drag Show. The event features local drag performers in an exciting showcase, hosted by OMSA.
Cocky Trot 5k and One-Mile Fun Run
When: April 26, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Gamecock Park/Williams-Brice Stadium
Admission: Registration fee is $40 until April 19; on April 20, the fee increases to $45.
Description: Show your Gamecock spirit by participating in the Cocky Trot. The 5K route starts at Gamecock Park, winds through the practice fields and finishes on the field inside WilliamsBrice Stadium. A one-mile Fun Run/Walk is also available. The top three finishers in various categories will receive special prizes—including season or single-game tickets to Gamecock sporting events. Participants are required to register online prior to the event.
Heroes & Villains: The Art of the Disney Costume
When: May 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: South Carolina State Museum
Admission: $33
Description: Calling all Disney nerds: the South Carolina State Museum is hosting an exhibition created by the Walt Disney Archives, showcasing over 70 costumes from beloved characters. Want to know how they got the Maleficent horns on Angelina Jolie’s head? Or just how many crystals and sequins were in Cinderella’s dress? This is the event for you.
AUTHOR CALEB HARGROVE
Miami?’ We fell in love with the place.”
Within one night, they packed up their tiny house and moved to the capital city, embracing the beauty and hospitality of South Carolina.
Hendrix the Bus Coffee’s menu is a tribute to their Mexican heritage, offering flavors and ingredients that stand out in Columbia’s coffee scene.
“We’re bringing very traditional Mexican ingredients like mazápan, which is a Mexican candy, and horchata, which is a very traditional Mexican drink,” Levy Gomez expressed.
While their coffee is Italian-sourced, their approach is uniquely personal.
“You want to be different, you have to be different. And our ingredients are different,” Levy Gomez said.”
There are many different items on the menu, but a few stand out as favorites.
“Everybody’s favorite is the cinnamon-ice latte,” Gomez shared. “My personal favorite is the espresso and the Grandma Latte—because I love chocolate.”
Beyond the drinks and mobility, Levy Gomez sees Hendrix the Bus Coffee as part of something bigger: the Columbia community.
“Every time I talk to my customers, about
It’s a great community,” Levy Gomez expressed. “Columbia offers everything a big city has to offer with a country kind of living, a low pace, a higher education and people who are polite. That Southern warmth that you don’t get anywhere else.”
As Hendrix the Bus Coffee continues to roll through Columbia, Levy and Samara Gomez remain grateful for the city that welcomed them so warmly.
“More than anything, I would like everybody to know how blessed they are by having a city like this and how grateful we are to now be a part of it,” Levy Gomez said.
So next time you see the bright and inviting bus parked around town, stop by. Grab an espresso, sip on a Grandma Latte, and taste the blend of tradition, innovation, and community that makes Hendrix the Bus Coffee more than just
FREE MONEY FOR COOL THINGS
How National Fellowships Open Doors Around the World
AUTHORS SYDNEY LEWIS AND AUDREY MILLER DESIGN HANAA JATOI
College is a time period with opportunities for growth, and it’s hard to forget it. The amount of tabling, emails and LinkedIn notifications received—telling you exactly what you could be doing for yourself or your career—can sometimes even feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t have the resources to study abroad or explore that dream internship on your own.
That’s where fellowships come into the picture, and Gamecocks across campus are taking full advantage of the unique experiences they make possible.
In the midst of distributing prescription glasses or teaching literacy lessons people in the Khwamba Village, Tristen Davis didn’t immediately realize everything he was learning.
Davis, a junior civil engineering major, was awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to fund a study abroad experience in the African nation of Malawi. Interacting with their host community and completing service each day, he learned to value the impact of servicelearning, even going so far as to start a blog cataloging his experiences.
“It wasn’t just sightseeing. We were in the community, volunteering in the villages, interacting with the natives and kids, understanding their society on a
deeper level than just going and visiting, you know, the important structures,” Davis said.
After diving deeper into the culture in Malawi and getting to know the villagers he was volunteering for, a sense of gratitude has followed Davis back to the States.
“I kind of have a better perspective,” Davis said. “I get to do this homework even though I don’t want to do it. Like I get to do this homework, I get to go to this meeting or I appreciate being busy and having things like that going on.”
The Gilman Scholarship—a federal scholarship for Pell Grant recipients seeking to study or intern abroad—was instrumental in facilitating Davis’ illuminating time in Malawi, but the application process proved rewarding in and of itself.
“You really have to search,” Davis said. “Why am I applying to this? Why do I want this opportunity? That is the biggest obstacle, but I think it’s also the biggest benefit.”
people’s lives and see the change,” Davis said.
It’s 5 p.m. in Homer, Alaska and the sun is already dipping into darkness outside Ainsley Cain’s window. Briefly back in the small town in January 2025 to present her research, the view is in stark contrast to the bright glare of summer, when Cain was last in Homer.
Cain, a junior marine science major, received the NOAA Hollings Scholarship in 2024 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, studying the diets of pacific halibut. The scholarship allowed Cain to gain valuable field experience.
This self-discovery aspect of Davis’ fellowship and service experiences has made his future even clearer—or, as he puts it, his “why”.
“Before that, it was more so that I wanted to graduate and I enjoyed civil engineering, but now I really want to impact
“I was cutting open fish stomachs all summer, and I absolutely loved it,” Cain said. “It kind of taught me how to build a research project from start to finish, and how to conduct that because I got do it independently, with help from an advisor.”
After throwing herself into her research in Alaska, Cain is taking that same enthusiasm for ichthyology—the study of fish—into her work this year at USC, where she will be presenting her research at the Discover USC conference.
“One thing that was really rewarding for me was that it helped solidify that this is what I want to do,” Cain said. “I took this experience studying fish and
Khwamba Village, Malawi
Ainsley Cain Homer, Alaska
found out that that’s absolutely what I love doing.”
While returning to Alaska to share her summer research, NOAA was rattled by a federal funding freeze announced by the Trump administration on Jan. 28, which has since been temporarily blocked by a federal judge.
While Cain will now be able to receive this semester’s scholarship installments, the pause in funding left her briefly shaken and uncertain about the future of NOAA.
“If that federal funding freeze had gone into effect, I wouldn’t have gotten that scholarship money until whenever the freeze [was] over, which I use that scholarship money to pay my rent,” Cain said. “People are having a harder time getting grants to conduct their research, so some offices maybe aren’t hiring right now, because they’re uncertain about what the future looks like.”
However daunting the future of federally funded research may seem, Cain is excited for the work ahead of her, now informed by her fellowship experience.
“You might as well put your hat in the ring. And so, I did, and it’s honestly been the best decision I’ve ever made,” Cain said..
As Cecilia Callozzo stepped off a
plane and into Kyrgyzstan, she saw not only the opportunities awaiting her, but also a familiar face—her high school classmate, Benazir.
Callozzo, long since inspired by her friend to major in Russian and dig deeper into Slavic culture, was finally experiencing a dream come true.
“I knew that I specifically wanted to be able to study Russian so that I could sort of follow in her footsteps, travel the world, get to see her homeland and reunite with her,” Callozzo said. “It was just such an exciting experience. I think I cried; I missed her so much.”
After receiving the Gilman Scholarship in 2022, Callozzo spent her fall 2023 semester studying in Kyrgyzstan, primarily staying in the country’s capital of Bishkek.
Though being in a new country felt out of her comfort zone, Callozzo appreciated the push— and the opportunity to practice her language skills.
“It was a lot of fun, and it was really special to me, because everyone that I met, whether they knew it or not, was helping me practice my Russian,” Callozzo said. “Just every day when
In addition to conversations on the street and with English-language students, Callozzo also kept a diary in a mixture of English and Russian to catalog her adventures abroad—an exercise which has imbued her with a new confidence.
“I’ve looked back on that diary and I realized I’ve grown so much, and I think that’s been the biggest thing I’ve been trying to take with me from the experience,” Callozzo said. “Remembering the experience of looking at that diary and feeling that dissonance between all those nights where I thought I’m not good enough, and then realizing I’ve made so much progress.”
The experience inspired her to become an ambassador for the National Fellowships Program, and aided her in applying for the Fulbright Scholarship this year.
“The process of applying for fellowships in itself is really rewarding,” Calozzo said. “Even if you don’t get the award, different things may work out, and those skills are totally transferable.”
To read additional experiences from NFSP students, check out
Cecilia Callozzo, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
There are 24 hours in a day. College students sleep an average of six hours. That leaves 18 hours, and we spend about seven to eight of them staring at a screen, consuming content made by others. However, we rarely consider the effort behind it: the hours of filming, refilming and editing just to create a 20-second clip we quickly scroll past.
With the rise of social media, which was accelerated by a post-COVID world that pushed all social interaction online, many students have started using these platforms as a creative outlet. While we often think of influencers as YouTubers or
TikTokers who move to LA and pursue content creation full-time, we rarely consider those cultivating an online presence right on our own campus. Hundreds and thousands of full-time students across the nation balance content creation with their studies, navigating a unique set of obstacles.
At USC, student influencers post a wide variety of content, from fashion inspiration and study tips to relatable campus life moments. However, common themes are evident when listening to these students discuss their struggles with finding a balance between the different aspects of their lives. While there are many success stories of student influencers creating communities that feel more connected to campus life and to one another, it requires an incredible amount of discipline to consistently put out content while pursuing a degree. This sparks the question, why do they do it?
For many student influencers, content creation is an avenue to express their individuality.
Hakeem Cain, a mass communication major known online
as @iamkeemerson, demonstrates this by customizing his own clothes and sharing fashion advice on social media. He believes social media provides a space for people to express themselves freely.
“I don’t really care what anyone has to say about me. It’s my life; I’ll wear what I wanna wear,” Cain said. “You can’t satisfy everybody.” Cain added that he wants his videos to inspire others to embrace their unique styles.
Similarly, Amir Diba and Aaron Jacobs, co-founders of the Instagram account @fitsusc, started their page to share their love of fashion and showcase student creativity. Jacobs, a sophomore film major, admitted he struggled to find like-minded people until he connected with Diba. Now, their page is a platform for celebrating diverse styles on campus, as well as an outlet for them to share anything they are passionate about.
“We’re like a production team,” Diba said. “Whoever needs us, we’ll be there. We all have different visions, but we all know how to help each other out.”
One recurring theme among USC’s student influencers is their desire to foster a sense of community. Madi Schnepfe, a junior tourism major known online as @madstheresaa, reflected on how her content brings her closer to fellow students. Through her TikToks, Schnepfe connects with
students who share similar experiences, creating a space where they feel seen and understood.
“It’s actually kind of fun knowing some people relate to my awkward and crazy stories,” Schnepfe said, recalling the positive reactions she’s received from classmates.
Once Schnepfe partnered with the academic services company Chegg, her presence expanded beyond social media.
“It was kind of weird being known as ‘Chegg Girl,’” Schnepfe admitted. “I’d go out on weekends and be recognized, but I just embraced it because if you can’t beat them, join them.” She even dressed up as Chegg for Halloween, leaning into the role.
While many may dismiss TikTok videos as quick and easy, Schnepfe emphasized the effort involved. “It’s not just a fun TikTok that takes 15 seconds,” she explained. “It takes me a long time to edit, and you have to set aside time. But I love the process.”
Schnepfe’s journey has also sparked a newfound appreciation for marketing, a career path she’s now considering. “Your comfort zone will kill you,” she advised. “It’s never super serious unless you want it to be. Just go for it and have fun while you’re doing it.”
While the rewards of being a student influencer are evident, the challenges cannot be ignored. Many influencers struggle to juggle academic responsibilities and content creation. Cain admitted that balancing school, two jobs and recording videos daily can be overwhelming. “It’s a lot, but I like it because I like fashion, but I want to have good grades too,” he said.
Schnepfe’s experience highlights the pressure of maintaining an online presence while handling brand collaborations. She recalls how taking on too many social media collaborations caused her to burn out. “My screen time was double my friends’,” she admitted, a realization that forced her to reprioritize her studies and focus on fewer, more meaningful projects.
For Diba, the lack of structure in his creative process can make it difficult to maintain balance. “There is no balance. Right now, it’s all art,” he admitted, noting that he trusts his instincts when it comes to managing his time.
Another defining characteristic of USC’s student influencers is their commitment to authenticity. Whether they’re sharing fashion inspiration, campus moments or personal stories, they’re driven by a desire to create genuine connections rather than chase viral fame. Diba explained this approach succinctly.
“You could go on the account right now, and there’s probably a zoomed-in picture of some song that
was released 14 years ago,” Diba said. “The post has no likes, but I don’t care. That’s just actually who we are.”
Cain echoed this sentiment. “Don’t do it for the numbers. I do it because it’s my passion,” he said. The joy of creating content outweighs the pressure to meet engagement metrics, making their work more meaningful.
Ultimately, the motivation behind these student influencers’ efforts comes down to their love for the craft and the impact it has on others. “Do something. I don’t know what it’s going to be, but everyone has ideas,” Jacobs said. “Get those ideas out of your journals and execute them,” Diba stated.
For these students, social media influencing isn’t just a hobby or side hustle. It’s a way to express their creativity and influence others while staying unapologetically authentic. For every student with a hidden passion or creative itch, these influencers offer a reminder: Your voice has value. Take the risk, embrace your individuality and, most importantly, have fun while doing it. ■
The energetic 803 CREW grew from six to 17 members in just two years and earned first place at the Atlanta Korean Festival Fall 2024.
Before 803 CREW entered the USC scene as a six-person team, and certainly before the dance troupe pulled off a breathtaking first place win at Atlanta’s Original Korean Festival, there was just a girl dancing in her room.
The passion which would lead to 803 CREW’s creation began when co-founder Noly Tran was young, falling in love with K-pop after being introduced to the genre by a cousin. Growing up she learned complicated choreography to record “mini-covers,”
pop songs and remixes, on her personal Instagram, though she felt self-conscious enough to block high school friends before posting.
When Tran transferred to USC in her sophomore year, she barely knew anyone but used her love of K-pop dance to forge connections, starting 803 CREW with a friend in October 2022.
“I made 803 to find my people. I wanted 803 for others to find a place where they can be comfortable and also do what they love.”
core of support and community has helped 803 CREW grow just as Tran hoped, expanding from just six founding members to a troupe of seventeen dancers. With the support of her growing team, the embarrassment she felt in earlier years is nowhere to be seen, and Tran is now captain of a dance troupe which shares its performances with hundreds over social media.
“It just makes me happy for my younger self, because I did it by myself, but now I’m doing it with other people,”
AUTHOR SYDNEY LEWIS PHOTO CHRISTINA DAO AND MADISON CHIANG DESIGN CHLOE EHLERS
competition or performance, we would have more supporters coming up to us and following us and messaging us, and it’s very motivational.”
Their polished social media feed and engaging competition performances draw in these supporters, but just as charming is the grit and meticulous care behind 803’s success. In the past year, 803 has added an official videography position and cemented their posting schedule on platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. From editing their own mixes to perfecting choreography and practice schedules, the road has not been simple.
Veteran member and sub-captain Sophia Cong has seen the team’s rapid growth in the last few years, as well as the dedication it took to get there.
“Just the whole structure of us has changed,” Cong said. “We know when our dance practices are, we are being reached out to for dance competitions. It’s a really big change for just two years, but it’s really good to have a solid base for us.”
Though the group only had about a month to learn the choreography for the Atlanta routine, Cong was impressed by members’ dedication at every level. For two hours twice a week, captains enthusiastically taught choreography while sub-captains, including Cong, tweaked and added to polish the routine.
“I was super, super proud of all of us for putting our all,” Cong said. “I was
shocked that we actually did it in just a short period of time.”
On top of the competition win, however, co-founder Tran considered another kind of victory—a realization of her original goal for the organization.
To her, the win in Atlanta meant she had succeeded in building and sharing the community she herself had needed when she arrived at USC.
“I didn’t really care about the win,” Tran said. “I really cared about like, my members and like, this is what I wanted 803 to be originally. I wanted it to be a family.”
Ally Childress, a freshman who competed in Atlanta, has experienced this sense of community firsthand.
“803 has probably been my biggest opportunity to make friends and kind of push me out of my comfort zone a little bit, because I’m a pretty shy person, but I’ve become genuine friends with so many of the people,” Childress said.
Looking to the future, Tran is trusting members like Childress to continue 803 CREW’s culture of friendship and hard work after the graduation of its earliest dancers.
“When I graduate, it is out of my hands, but just by their emotions and just looking at them, I feel like they’ll be able to continue it,” Tran shared.■
THE SEARCH FOR
Sir Big Spur is hidden somewhere on campus-can you find him? Don’t forget to look out for the rest of his friends!
DESIGN ALEXANDRA ADLER
ALTERNATIVE TESTING TEMPORARY CONDITIONS & INJURIES
MEAL PLAN MODIFICATIONS
HOUSING ACCOMMODATIONS
REGISTER WITH US
THE SDRC UNDERSTANDS THAT SOME STUDENTS MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTIES DURING EXAMS DUE TO DISABILITIES OR INJURIES.
THAT’S WHY WE’VE ESTABLISHED OUR ALTERNATIVE TESTING SERVICES FOR REGISTERED STUDENTS.
Every student deserves equal access to all aspects of the USC experience. Our team empowers students with disabilities and collaborates, coordinates efforts, and consults with faculty, staff, students, and campus partners to ensure equal access to education and university life.
Sir Big Spur
Squeaky todd figgy
robbie
The unseen struggle of nontraditional students in higher education
YYou’re 27 years old. The capitalist hellscape known as the retail job has, by this point, chewed you up and spit you out not once, but three times. You decide it’s time to go for a degree. Because, quite frankly, you’re tired. Tired of breaking your back every day only to make a dollar while the boss makes a million, tired of being spoken down to and tired of being taken advantage of. Society has promised you that a $50,000 piece of paper is
what will somehow miraculously make your life better.
You, and students like you, are what’s called “nontraditional,” meaning you fit at least one of the following criteria: low-income, first generation, above the age of 23, financially independent, living off campus and/ or are attending part-time. According to the most recent complete study performed by the National Center for Educational Statistics, nontraditional
students make up almost 34 percent of overall college and university enrollment. Unfortunately for you, being part of that particular 34 percent all but guarantees that you won’t fit in anywhere else, no matter which campus you’re on. Though, you don’t find that out until later.
You do the whole community college song and dance because, as it turns out, it’s cheaper to go to Tech first than it is to go straight to USC. And
AUTHOR JESSICA HALLMAN DESIGN CHLOE EHLERS
where was that information when they were recruiting in high schools? So you fill out the FAFSA—nightmare—and fill out the application—they waive the $35 application fee—and shell out twelve bucks plus postage to get your high school transcripts sent off.
Your freshman year is almost entirely online because of the pandemic. Any and all communication from Tech is solely through email, so at first, you don’t really notice that none of the administrative offices are open past 5 p.m. Not until you go to set up an in-person advising appointment for your first sophomore semester and you have to take half a day off from work to meet with your assigned advisor.
When you call during your 15 minute break and ask if there’s another advisor available to meet with you after your shift, you’re told that the advising office closes at 4:30 p.m. and no advisors are available after that time.
Later that semester, when you have a technical issue with the integrated learning platform at 7 p.m. and an assignment due by midnight, you call the number for technical support. An automated message informs you that the help desk closes at 5 p.m. and will reopen tomorrow at 8 a.m. You get a zero on the assignment because technical issues aren’t considered a valid excuse for late submission, as stipulated in the syllabus.
You write these—and several other similar instances—off as just an isolated incident. It was just a Tech issue, not a systemic thing. You find it a little odd, though, that a school that markets itself so heavily for your demographic would
not have more flexible hours for the population they claim to serve.
You’re almost 31 years old when you submit the transfer application to USC. Working and going to school has slowed your academic progress, but you’re determined to see it through. You’ve come this far, after all.
You pay the $65 application fee and pay the $12 to send off your transcripts again. Not that you’re counting. Not that you need to count. It’s not like you’re broke or anything. It’s not like it’s taking everything you have just to keep your bills paid and keep up with all the fees and expenses of college not covered by financial aid.
Your application is accepted. “Congratulations!” the email reads. You get another email shortly after telling you that you have to schedule your mandatory transfer orientation. They give you only two dates, both of which are during the week, and both of which occur during a work shift. Orientation also costs $130 and is not covered by financial aid. You put it on a credit card and resolve to worry about it later.
When you get to orientation that early May morning, you realize something kind of startling. You’re… old. Well, older. You’d wager that you’re one of the oldest students at the event, older than almost all of the others here. It’s hard to tell at first, because there are so many parents attending, but in August, when classes actually start, it becomes more obvious that you’re something of a unicorn by USC standards—not quite unique, as there are maybe a handful of others like you, but definitely rare.
You learn very, very quickly that you should probably keep your age to yourself. The one—and only—time you volunteer the information, it clearly makes some of your younger classmates uncomfortable. Some of them stop talking to you like you’re one of them, and start talking to you as if you’re an authority figure, strangely deferential. Others stop talking to you at all. After, when you slip up and say something that hints at being older, or in situations where you’re asked your age outright and don’t want to lie, the response is, invariably, the same:
“Wow, I never would have guessed you’re so old!”
The first time, it feels almost like a compliment—if you squint and don’t read into it too hard. But as time wears on, it starts feeling less like a compliment, and more like an indictment. An almost imperceptible air of “What are you doing here?”
Which makes sense. You’ve been wondering what you’re doing here since the day you stepped onto campus. All these people are younger than you, better looking than you, more in shape than you, and, most frustratingly, seem to be having an easier time being a student than you.
You also are beginning to realize that your experience at Tech wasn’t an aberration. It starts to become clear to you that higher education was not made with someone like you in mind, despite the fact that, in recent years, the average age of the college student has increased. Almost 74 percent of undergraduates fit at least one of the characteristics of a nontraditional
student, according to NPR. College infrastructure just hasn’t caught up with folks like you—at least, not yet.
This is driven home when, in your second semester at USC, something goes wrong with your financial aid— you think it’s a FAFSA issue, but your fault or not, the funds are being held up anyway. You don’t have the money to pay even a fraction of your tuition out of pocket, and if you don’t make a payment before the deadline, you’ll be dropped from your classes. You need to talk to someone in student financial services as soon as possible to help fix the issue. The problem becomes even more frustrating, however, when you go to their website to get the phone number and see that their office is only staffed from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. When you call after hours, there’s no option to leave a message.
Now you have a choice: you could email them, and maybe you’d get a response back before it’s too late. Or, you could try to go to the office in person. Except now, you’ve got another problem—the same problem you always have. Your schedule.
Your schedules—school and work— are pretty tight. You don’t have a lot of wiggle room. You’re in classes from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You get more financial aid if you have a full-time class schedule. You
have a lab early Wednesday. And you work the other three days of the week. The financial aid office is, of course, not open on weekends when you actually have time to spare. This means you can either miss a class, which you don’t want to do, to go down to the office while you’re already on campus, or you can miss work, which you can’t afford, to come up to campus on a non-class day. In the end, you take the L and miss class.
It’s your second unexcused absence, the limit for that class. You briefly consider filling out the class absence form. You’re tempted to get in writing that school-related issues don’t qualify as an excuse just so the person in the Student Advocacy office whose job it is to write the email can appreciate the irony.
For your entire tenure at USC, you’ve heard nothing but boasting about its “stellar” student experience, about its various top rankings, its leadership opportunities, ad infinitum. The announcements, the emails, the posters are everywhere. Sure, you’re already barely keeping your head above water, but you also don’t want to miss out on the “traditional” college experience. At least not the parts that are accessible to you. You
want to diversify your experience, take advantage of and enjoy some of the multitude of university-sponsored events. “There’s so much to choose from!” the university tells you.
How about a guest lecture? It’s $25 for a student ticket.
A literary event? This one’s free, but it’s not anywhere on campus with decent parking.
Maybe the back-to-school bash? Every single event occurs during, you guessed it, your work or class hours.
It’s not as if you don’t know these folks—all the administrative staff, professors, event organizers—have lives outside of the university. But… so do you. Why is their time worth more than yours?
According to one study published in 2019 by the NCES, only 61 percent of full-time and 32 percent of part-time nontraditional students finish their degrees because of various institutional barriers to success.
You wonder if that’s your future. You don’t want it to be. But if universities and colleges refuse to adapt to or accommodate the needs of this growing population of students— students like you—where does that leave you? Where does that leave any of us? ■
AUTHOR ZARRIA WALLACE PHOTO TARA O’TOOLE & SARAH ROMERO
DESIGN
KATHY DO STYLIST ZARRIA WALLACE
MOD2K is inspired by the early 2000s Japanese magazine style that highlights interesting angles, a fun style and repetition. The first black, red and white outfits specifically focus on that quirky aesthetic. They show off the styles of early 2000s animes, such as “Paradise Kiss” and “Nana.” The second set of looks take on a Western view of early 2000s fashion through low-rise jeans, bedazzled tops and more. Both sets show a modernized Y2K—a MOD2K—that bring out the past and present. Additionally, MOD2K hopes to highlight girlhood and fashion intertwining. Those themes permeate stories like “Nana” and “Paradise Kiss.”
The models have separate outfits that interlock when looking at the details. The charms on Mariah Clark’s bag and top link to the charms on Grace Smith’s shorts; the golden cross and hoop earrings Clark wears mirror Smith’s hoop earrings and dainty silver cross. Those subtle connections emphasize their bond, reflecting how fashion can serve as a visual language of friendship and self-expression.
These styles were achieved by sourcing from thrift sellers, such as @GyalGala and Goodwill, and upcycling clothes by the stylist.
Steve Madden, black thigh-high boots, $129.95 NY & Company, charms and chains handbag, $65
Lovisa, black and silver cross earrings, $7.99
Forever21, black biker hat, $14.99
Target, black sheer thigh-high tights, $10
From the stylist‘s personal collection, black and silver star necklace
GRACE SMITH (OUTFIT #1)
Muzzangbee, black and white blouse with vest from GyalGala, $19.50
American Eagle, light wash shorts with charms from GyalGala, $25
Forever 21, black knee-high chunky heel boots, $44.99
Forever 21, silver teardrop earrings, $3.99
GyalGala, silver purse, $18
From the stylist‘s personal collection, red tie choker
, tan and black cheetah print blouse from GyalGala, $13
, medium wash low-rise jeans, $79.50 , white sneakers, $205
, silver cross necklace, $13.99
, silver chunky hoop earrings, $7.99 , red purse, $39.99
, white and gold jacket from GyalGala, $25 , low-rise jeans from GyalGala,
, white sneakers, $114.99
, golden hoop earrings, $5.99
Ecru Beverly Hills Polo Club , purse from
From the stylist‘s personal collection , embellished golden cross necklace
(OUTFIT #2)
MARIAH CLARK (OUTFIT #2)
SAY MY NAME
How a GroupMe on campus is changing the game
AUTHOR OLIVIA CYR DESIGN CAROLINE SMITH
On campus, young women go through unique and distinct challenges regarding safety. Doing simple tasks such as going for a walk, getting an Uber or exploring a new area all pose risks for women, especially young women. Far too often the news is inundated with stories of women being put in dangerous situations by their rideshare drivers. This apprehension can make it difficult for women to go out, have a social life and even do basic, everyday tasks such as running to the store. A GroupMe called “Safe Rides” has become popular among female students on campus, especially freshmen, and is looking to change this struggle.
The Safe Rides initiative works to create a safer environment for the campus’s female population. Cailyn Scharneck, a current senior at USC and the administrator and owner of the original Safe Rides group chat on GroupMe, explained the initiative.
“Safe Rides is an all girls group chat on GroupMe for USC students. Essentially, there’s people that need a ride and they send where they are
and where they need to go in the group chat, and then girls at USC will go and pick them up and drop them off where they have to go,” Scharneck said. “I think Safe Rides is a great resource for students and I think that it is awesome it was founded. I’m happy to have the privilege to own the group chat.”
Although the service is comparable to an Uber or Lyft ride, Safe Rides is committed to providing options for women that center around their safety and building a community of trust and works to benefit both the drivers and participants. Scharneck says that Safe Rides is committed to providing services that are generally cheaper than Uber or Lyft, making it a convenient option for girls in college.
Occasionally, some drivers attempt to charge higher prices, which is swiftly remedied by the administrators in the group chat:
“We do get a lot of DMs or like private messages on GroupMe saying, ‘This person charged too much,’
or, ‘This person said they’d be there and they didn’t show up,’ so then if that happens we just automatically remove them,” Scharneck said. “We have 5,000 girls in the GroupMe and more people want to get in daily, so if you do something that should not be done, you get removed from the group chat.”
Scharneck believes that Safe Rides is a valuable resource for girls on campus, especially for freshmen students who are still getting their bearings, and offers other safety tips for women when they are going out.
“Always go in a group; never be walking alone. If something feels uncomfortable or unsafe then trust your gut instincts and don’t be there. If you are getting into any ride, but especially an Uber or something, make them say who they’re picking up. Don’t just be like, ‘Is this so and so?’ They should be the one saying that to you,” Scharneck said.
A current freshman and driver for the Safe Rides GroupMe, Tara Howard, says that there are many benefits to using the Safe Rides GroupMe initiative over a traditional service such as Uber.
“Safe Rides is a cheaper and comfortable alternative to Uber, essentially. Its primary-marketed group is girls, due to the stigmas around Ubering involving feeling uncomfortable or sketchy drivers. There are multiple different GroupMes that girls can ask for rides in and the response time is relatively quick,” Howard said. “There are also GroupMes that include guys as well to give and get rides—they just ask that you let your driver or passengers know that you are a guy. It is way cheaper and the overall travel time is much shorter than waiting to connect with a driver, waiting for a driver, etc.”
Howard has been driving for Safe Rides since the beginning of the Fall semester and enjoys the process, as well as having the opportunity to make money on her own time. She has heard of similar initiatives being implemented around the U.S. and recommends the program to students. Howard suggests several ways in order to stay safe on campus:
“Always be in groups or have a
buddy or two with you. I have heard so many stories just in the last couple of weeks of people getting harassed in the more populated areas of campus late at night walking back to their dorm. Anything can happen anywhere and it can be from the people you least expect as well,” Howard said.
Finally, as a driver, Howard feels like it is her job to make her passengers feel comfortable and safe. She puts several practices in place in order to ensure that everyone she picks up has an enjoyable experience.
“I always start a conversation with the people I pick up and ask questions like what their dorm is, major, etc and those always lead to good conversations. I also offer phone chargers for them because I know I always find myself running low when I’m about to go out,” Howard says.
Ultimately, the introduction of the Safe Rides initiative on USC’s campus is working to create a more secure and positive environment for everyone involved—for both the student drivers and the people requesting the rides.
Howard is just one example of a student driver on campus who looks to make these experiences as safe and stress-free as possible.
“I also do it with a friend most times—she always helps with sending
THE FALL OF
The Evolution of the Dystopian Genre Over the Years
“Movies that are dystopian-themed aren’t as good as they used to be,” stated Emily Marlow, a sophomore at USC.
The 2010s marked the golden age of the young adult dystopian genre with the releases of “The Hunger Games,” “Catching Fire,” and “Mockingjay.” These books captivated audiences in a
way that was reminiscent of “Twilight,” which had revolutionized the romance genre earlier in the 2000s. “The Hunger Games” and “The Maze Runner” series arrived at the perfect time for Gen Z, during a cultural shift that embraced novel-adapted franchises.
During an era when book-tomovie adaptations dominated pop culture, “The Hunger Games” followed the success of “Harry Potter” and “Twilight” to become the next obsession for readers and moviegoers alike. Despite starting as a smallbudget indie film, the first “Hunger Games” movie shattered box office records and set high standards for the genre.
genre’s real-world parallels. “Everything I love about dystopian stories comes life events,” she stated. “(Yarborough 5:50) The genre peaked in the 2010s because its themes of rebellion against oppressive governments gave people hope.”
But why did “The Hunger Games” strike such a deep chord with audiences at that specific time?
According to the Los Angeles Times, the 2010s weren’t just a golden age for dystopian novels—they were also a decade of massive protests.
Kirsten Yarborough, a junior at USC, pointed out the
“The people of District 12 riot against the Capitol and the Peacekeepers attack them—you can see similar clips on Twitter from protests and riots around the world,” Yarborough said, referencing a particularly poignant scene.
If dystopian media once resonated so strongly, why hasn’t the genre maintained its momentum? Why aren’t there more hits on the level of “The Hunger Games” today?
The answer lies in the industry’s failure to innovate. Writers and studios attempted to replicate “The Hunger Games” formula without understanding that its success came from its originality. Suddenly, every new dystopian story featured the same tired tropes: oppressive governments, love triangles, a reluctant “chosen one” and a climactic rebellion.
“It’s a very unique genre that is hard to replicate,” Marlow said.
“The Maze Runner” offered a somewhat fresh take, with a unique and thrilling rebellion and a new combination of characters straying away from the tropes popularized by “The Hunger Games.” However, the “Divergent” series marked the beginning of the genre’s decline.
romance dominated the story, diluting the impact of the dystopian themes.
“[They] just jumped from topic to topic,” Marlow stated. The film barely scratched the surface of its most compelling idea—why a society would obsess over beauty and perfection. Instead, it offered a shallow exploration of the topic, resulting in a movie with the emotional depth of sand.
Another reason for the genre’s decline is shifting public sentiment. In the 2010s, dystopian narratives provided a lens for societal fears and injustices, offering a form of catharsis. However, in today’s world—where real crises dominate daily life—audiences may feel exhausted rather than entertained by fictionalized oppression.
At first, “Divergent” rode the dystopian wave successfully. Despite controversies surrounding its plot, with sources such as Vox going as far as quoting the protagonist as a “poor copy of ‘The Hunger Games’ Katniss,” it developed a dedicated fan base. the final book’s ending angered readers—its protagonist dying in a way that felt unsatisfying— the franchise crumbled. The planned fourth film was scrapped, and the genre’s mainstream appeal began to fade.
In the aftermath, numerous dystopian films attempted to recapture the genre’s former glory, but none succeeded.
A recent example is Netflix’s adaptation of “The Uglies.” Instead of reinvigorating the genre, it joined the growing list of dystopian disappointments. Writers refused to break away from “The Hunger Games” blueprint: oppressive regimes, rebellion and romance. But in “The Uglies,” the
Yarborough reaffirmed public sentiment towards the dystopian genre in the current world. “A lot of people use literature as an escape,” she said. “So the fall of dystopian novels really came from the fact that we started living something much more similar and that the content of books is geared towards a more escapism route.”
Still, there is hope for dystopian media. Suzanne Collins, the genre’s reigning queen, made a triumphant return in 2020 with “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” a prequel of “The Hunger Games” exploring President Snow’s origins. Its 2023 film adaptation was profitable at the box office even though it didn’t garner the success of its predecessors, proving that audiences still crave wellcrafted dystopian stories—as long as they bring something new to the table.
Marlow believes that the next wave of dystopian media will need to evolve. “There will be a new wave of dystopian novels more focused
mention the novel “Never Let Me Go,” written by Japanese author Kazuo Ishiguro. The novel featured a deeply chilling society in which people are cloned only to harvest their lungs. Novels such as these, focusing on relevant themes and featuring diverse perspectives, may be the next step.
Rather than feature films, dystopian storytelling may also find a new home on television. Shows like “Squid Game” and “Black Mirror” have introduced fresh, thought-provoking takes on dystopian themes, proving that innovation is still possible. The real challenge for future writers and filmmakers is to break free from
Student Opinions on Recent Film and Television Releases
AUTHOR ROBIN ADAMS DESIGN ALEXANDRA ADLER
From historical epics to gothic horror, to everything in between, Hollywood has had a lot to offer recently. This past year, many USC students saw some of the most widely-watched and highly praised— or critiqued—pictures. Out of all of the new releases, what was actually worth the watch?
We gathered general student opinions on many of these popular releases from social media and an online survey to testimonies directly from students.
“Wicked”
When “Wicked” made its way from Broadway to the silver screen, both longtime devotees of the original musical and new fans took to social media to express their excitement. The first part of “Wicked” opened in theaters on Nov. 22, 2024, sharing the untold stories of the witches Elphaba and Glinda—played by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, respectively—long before Dorothy set foot in the land of Oz.
The digital audience had slightly mixed, yet largely positive, reviews. On sites like Metacritic, 87 percent of reviews were holistically positive and only 10 percent were negative, with 3 percent falling in between. Of the negative, many cited the disorganized plot, with one reviewer calling it “incoherent.” For every negative review, however, there were ten positive. One rating described Erivo and Grande’s performances as “tearjerking.”
What did USC students think? On @garnetandblack’s Instagram page, the average rating from 46 responders was four out of five stars. The survey
Sophomore Maarya Khan thoroughly enjoyed Erivo’s performance and how she brought Elphaba to life.
“She showcased Elphaba perfectly and gave her a heroine side that I hadn’t seen before,” Khan said.
Khan’s only criticism lay in certain plotlines—specifically, a lack thereof.
“I do wish they added more of a plot surrounding the animals; I thought that was really interesting,” Khan said. But ultimately, she loved the film and would watch it again.
Another student had a similar perspective on “Wicked.” Sophomore Jordan Gentemann came in with low expectations, unsure of how it would compare to other films.
“I actually went into it expecting nothing because I thought it was overhyped,” she explained. “I was proven wrong.”
As a musical enthusiast, Gentemann recommends the film to other students, particularly those who also appreciate the genre.
“It’s a really good feel-good movie, but also has a lot of drama,” Gentemann said.
“Gladiator II”
“Gladiator II,” the sequel to the 2001 Oscar-winning film, released in theaters Nov. 22, 2024. It picks up around two decades past the original timeline, focusing on gladiator Lucius Verus Aurelius. Online fans expressed both their eagerness and doubts for the movie, as not only did it have a star-studded cast, it also had big shoes to fill.
Upon the film’s release, many critics couldn’t ignore some of the film’s historical inaccuracies and its
reviews, the sequel did not live up to the original.
USC students also seem conflicted. The average poll response was three stars, with most stating that the storyline was engaging but they would not rewatch it.
Yiana Hilyer, a sophomore, had much to say about what “Gladiator II” did well and what it lacked. For one, she enjoyed the casting.
“Choosing Paul Mescal to play Lucius was a really good decision,” Hilyer said. “I think he portrayed that character really well, especially in many of the fight scenes.” She added that his subtle references to the original film made his performance all the more special.
Hilyer also enjoyed its momentum, remarking that many films today tend to struggle with holding viewers’ attention.
“I would definitely recommend this to other students, especially students who like action and combat movies,” she said. “I was pulled in the entire time.”
At the same time, Hilyer acknowledged that the film was far from perfect. She indicated moments where character development fell flat, particularly with Aurelius’ mother.
“Her character didn’t really develop and she wasn’t as strong of a character,” Hilyer noted.
Hilyer mentioned an awkward gap between where the original’s storyline left off and where the sequel picked up. Although she enjoyed the plot of the film, she felt there could have been more context behind it.
“We just don’t know anything that
Generally, USC students thought “Gladiator II” could have been more developed, but for the most part, they appreciated the cast’s performances and said the film had an interesting plot. Most maintained that it was worth the watch.
“Nosferatu”
Arguably the most highly-anticipated horror release of 2024, “Nosferatu” also amassed a lot of media attention before and after its arrival in theaters on Dec. 25, 2024. Like “Wicked” and “Gladiator II,” “Nosferatu” was a reference to a production preceding it, namely the 1922 silent film “Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror.” Both “Nosferatu” movies were inspired by Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel “Dracula.” Expectations of the film before its release were filled with lore, hoping that it would do its predecessors justice.
And do justice it did, according to glowing reviews published by acclaimed critics. USC students reflected similar appreciation—the film received an average of four stars in poll ratings. Two students who had seen the film argued in its favor but acknowledged it was not flawless.
Sophomore Lily Gillam is a fan of the gothic horror genre. She highlighted many promising aspects of the film and noted a few missing details that could’ve improved it.
“The establishing of the characters
were not.
“I remember some of my other friends who watched it who hadn’t seen the original movie,” Gillam said. “They kind of struggled with picking up on some of the themes.” According to her, the film could have included more contextualization instead of assuming viewers had seen the original.
Nevertheless, for Gillam, there was a lot to like about “Nosferatu.” She particularly enjoyed Robert Eggers’ attention to detail as director and Lily-Rose Depp’s performance as the possessed, melancholic main character, Ellen.
“She managed to capture the plight that her character was in in a very in-depth manner,” Gillam said. “It felt like I was watching the character go through it as opposed to someone just playing the character going through it.”
Gillam also mentioned that she understands why the film could have been misunderstood by those unfamiliar with the genre—it was not fully marketed as a gothic horror movie, which could lead people to have different expectations.
“If you’re going in with the hype that it’s a horror movie and just a slasher type of horror movie, you’re not going to be happy with it,” she explained.
In general, Gillam said that while
fundamentally well-made.
Sophomore Noelle Andrews also enjoyed the film, particularly its flow and quality acting.
“I know a lot of people were nervous about Lily-Rose Depp,” said Andrews. “Her performance stood out to me; I was impressed.”
When asked about the plot development, Andrews had high praises.
“It wasn’t too slow or too fast at any point. It was engaging the entire time,” she added. “Even in the opening scene you were really hooked and interested, which is hard to do sometimes.”
Conversely, her major criticisms of the film lay in the lighting and underwhelming soundtrack, two crucial yet often underappreciated details.
“I was kind of struggling to follow in some parts just because of the lighting, and also I wish the soundtrack stood out a little more.”
While Gillam and Andrews both had minor complaints, they indicated overall respect for the movie and its formation.
“Severance”
A sci-fi-meets-”The Office” series whose second season dropped Jan. 17, “Severance” follows the fictional Lumon company’s procedure that separates workers’ personal and
outside world. The work is “mysterious and important,” which is pretty much all that viewers—and characters—know going into it. After a long wait and an extensive marketing campaign, both die-hard fans and first-timers went online to express their theories, praises and concerns for the series.
A Metacritic “must-watch,” “Severance” recieved universal acclaim, with multiple reviews raving about both seasons. While the series originally was not met with overwhelming attention, many USC students watched it and had predominantly positive opinions.
An Instagram survey yielded an average four-star rating, with 100 percent of surveyed students indicating they would both rewatch and recommend the show. We interviewed one sophomore, Max Romines, on his thoughts, what he enjoyed and what could have been done better.
In his eyes, there was little that could be improved upon. However, he expressed that there could have been more context on the setting of the show and the characters’ backstories.
“I would like more scenes of their outside lives so you get more of an understanding of what they’re really doing down there,” he said.
Romines emphasized that Adam Scott’s performance as Mark Scout was phenomenal.
scenes. It was with him, the contrast from the pain he feels on the outside and how he’s loving towards his coworkers on the inside,” Romines said.
Overall, students enjoyed the series and are excited to see the rest of Season 2 and get answers to the many questions raised throughout.
“Abbott Elementary”
“Abbott Elementary,” first released in 2021, is a four season “mockumentary” comedy series that features the lives and struggles of a teaching faculty at a Philadelphia elementary school. It is centered around the teachers’ dedication to helping their students despite many trials.
Like “Severance”, “Abbott Elementary” is a highly-regarded show for many, both online fans and USC students. According to Metacritic, the show has generally favorable reviews by fans and critics.
Receiving the highest average score from the Instagram poll, “Abbott Elementary” garnered 4.8 stars and had a universally positive response on the survey. Sophomore Alec Early had many praises for it, such as the character design.
“They all have their own very distinct personality,” Early said.
Another aspect he enjoyed of the show was the recent season.
added. “It definitely didn’t fall short at all; it was a very good show, and I still look forward to the episodes every Wednesday.”
His only judgement of the show lies in its sitcom structure. He wishes that rather than having every episode restart a new plot, one would continue throughout the course of several episodes.
“Maybe a more developing plot throughout the whole series may have made it better and made me more hopeful to see what would happen in the future rather than just laughing at it,” Early said.
Early confirmed that like many other students, he would both rewatch and recommend “Abbott Elementary” to others despite his minor qualms, implying that it was a show worthy of binge-watching.
After gathering USC students’ perspectives on these recent films and series, one thing can be said for certain: despite the criticisms students may have had about each release, all were worth a watch. With detailed reviews and ratings, it’s evident that USC students are budding cinephiles, looking forward to what Hollywood has in store for the rest of 2025.
Style doesn’t have to fit into a box, it can explode, shimmer and sparkle in any direction. For students at USC, where the style scene is often more subdued, this is a reminder that fashion can be an act of self-liberation. It’s about stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing the quirky, the bold and the downright fun side of dressing. From stripes on stripes to bright red ponchos, we’re channeling the campy spirit of embracing everything extra, because why should fashion be anything less than a celebration of you? Don’t be afraid to take risks, to wear that wild color or to layer on those accessories that make you smile. This isn’t just about clothes, it’s about showing the world that fashion can be playful. So let’s make bold a little more normal and inject some much-needed whimsy into our everyday wardrobes. This is a love letter to the art of excess and the joy of self-expression. It’s about embracing the campy side of life, where nothing’s too bold, too big or too brash. Let fashion be a celebration of every quirk, color and kitschy detail you’ve ever
Pannerpete Vintage, striped long sleeve shirt, $20
From the stylist’s personal collection, purple lace maxi skirt, $0
Pannerpete Vintage, purple belt, $20
Bare Traps, brown fur boots, $59
Pannerpete Vintage, striped scarf, $10
From the stylist’s personal collection, accessories
, kimchi blue vicki strapless mini dress, $99 , white lace tie front bed
Terrace Oaks Antique Mall, white linen pants,
, black faldo foldover boot, $109
From the stylist’s personal collection,
Pannerpete Vintage, red knit
Pannerpete Vintage, 60s geometric
Urban Outfitters, red tights, $15 , cherish red patent women’s heels, $50 From the stylist’s personal accessories
IS THOMAS COOPER SUPPORTING YA LITERATURE NEEDS?
Students and faculty share insights on Young Adult selection on the campus library.
Thomas Cooper Library on USC’s historic campus is a sprawling, impressive piece of architecture built in 1959 that features five floors, as well as a main floor and a mezzanine. The library boasts an extensive collection of books and creative works across many genres, serving as a hub for students seeking materials for both their coursework and personal enjoyment. However, some students are not fully satisfied with the library’s selection.
A junior in USC’s Young Adult Literature class appreciates the variety
of literature that Thomas Cooper Library carries but wishes there were more options aligned with what she is learning about in class.
“We always have an assigned reading to do about a book or a media in our syllabus. We’ve done graphic novels, we’ve done short YA novels. Right now, we’re doing ‘Never Have I Ever,’ the Netflix show, so it’s really just young adult media.”
The students in the Young Adult Literature class engage with a wide range of material, including “American Born Chinese” by Gene Luen Yang, “Children of Blood and Bone” by Tomi Adeyemi, “Felix Ever After” by Kacen Callender and more.
The student says when she frequents the campus library, it’s primarily to find books for her own pleasure, not for class. She concedes that while the library’s selection is well-suited to fit her personal interests, she has trouble finding obscure novels useful for her major.
“The selection [at the library] is very few to many, but I’ve gotten pretty lucky that the leisure books that I want to read are at the bottom floor in a corner somewhere,” she said.
“I can get a copy of Henry Miller [at Thomas Cooper], I can get ‘Tropic of Cancer’, I can get ‘Lolita’, but I know that in some of my other classes, like my education classes, where I need a short YA novel or something like that, I know I’m not going to find it here, so I have to go to the public library for those,” she added.
Being an education major, this student wishes there were more works of literature in the library that catered to her specific concentration. She feels as though the library is dominated by classics and books centered around majors such as business or STEM.
“For me, specifically, I would love to see more children’s books. Even if it’s just a small section. Art education, education students, child psychology, things like that, there are so many other majors and colleges that can implement children’s literature. Even if there was just a small pool to choose from, it would be super beneficial.”
Dr. Tharini Viswanath is an assistant professor of children’s and young adult literature at USC and currently teaches USC’s Young Adult Literature course. While society may generally place more value on perennial literature, such as older classics, Viswanath believes that children’s and young adult fiction are equally as essential.
“I think [young adult literature] is extremely important to who we become,” Viswanath said. “I think that young adult literature is extremely,
extremely important because it shapes people, especially in their formative years. Literature is a reflection of the society where we are living.”
Viswanath’s young adult literature class engages with different kinds of material, including traditional novels, graphic novels and even a TV show— all of which prompt meaningful discussions about social justice issues and societal roles. Viswanath recommends both Thomas Cooper Library and the Richland County Library to her students to find material that expands on in-class learning.
“Thomas Cooper is where I send them for material like books, other stuff we’re reading, and so on. The novels, I usually send my students to the Richland County Public Library which has a huge selection. The other thing I must add is that the librarians at Thomas Cooper Library are very helpful. If you need something, and they don’t have access to it, they will find ways of getting you access to it.”
Brent Appling is the head of collection strategy and management at Thomas Cooper Library, and he is in charge of what comes in and goes
out of the library’s physical reading material collection, as well as the library’s online resources. He echoes Viswanath’s sentiment that the library staff helps students procure reading material in whatever way they can. When choosing what books are going to be offered at the library, Appling says that Thomas Cooper takes a “holistic” approach to sift through material and decide what will ultimately be both valuable and pertinent in their collection.
“We are very patron-driven,” Appling said. “So that means when faculty members need stuff for research, they let us know, we get it in. Though requests are often rare from students, we obviously will get those, but we also have what are called approval plans, where things will come in automatically. So, for example, the browsing collection is a big part of that, so we’ll have New York Times bestsellers come in, we’ll have somewhat YA, but mostly things we’re pretty confident are going to be popular will come in through approval.”
Appling estimates that the total amount of materials that circulate through USC’s Thomas Cooper Library is roughly 2.5 million, meaning that choosing what books come in and out is not an easy task. Sharon Verba is the head of research and instruction within Thomas Cooper Library and acts as a liaison in certain subject areas,
including English and languages, literatures and cultures, popular reading and children’s reading. She detailed the criteria she looks for when deciding what books to add to the collection that will aid both students and professors in both their research and pleasure.
“If we’re talking about popular books and young adult fiction and children’s books, there are a couple things. One thing is we look for award winners. One of our approval plans is to get us the award winners and the things that were nominated for awards, so we make sure we get those,” Verba explained. “Sometimes we get recommendations. We ask our students, we ask our student library ambassadors, we ask other students, and if anybody wants to recommend a book, we are always happy to say, ‘Great, let’s see if we can’t get it in.”
Verba estimates that around half of the students who come into Thomas Cooper are looking for texts related to their studies, while the other half are seeking out books for their own personal enjoyment. With such a wide array of needs to be met for both students and faculty, managing the
collection can be difficult, but the library has several measures in place to aid this.
“We have a link on our website called ‘Suggest a Purchase’, and that’s basically a request form,” Appling said. “You put it in, my team looks at it. Very rarely are we like, ‘No, you can’t have this book.’ It has to be a pretty extreme example. If you just want a novel, we get it.”
Appling and Verba recognize that some genres may be more difficult to access than others, specifically the young adult collection, and they are looking for ways to address this.
“I think some signage that might have a QR code to it might help, I mean there are some things that we could do proactively, but our YA collection is kind of buried and it’s scattered,” Appling said. “We are trying to get things highlighted up here on the floor as much as possible, so we’ve got a little YA collection that I’m hoping to grow out.”
Overall, both Verba and Appling are working hard to make sure everyone’s interests are represented in the collection of materials that circulate through the library.
“We are open to suggestions,” Verba said. “We are very happy to get them. You know, it’s the kind of thing that we just are very happy to have people say, ‘Yes, I’m interested in more of this.’”
Ultimately, although Thomas Cooper Library’s selection of young adult literature may leave something to be desired, the staff is more than willing to take suggestions from both students and teachers alike. ■
LIVE JAZZ AND THE GREAT GATSBY: AN EVENING TO REMEMBER
How a collaboration with the USC School of Music brought this Special Collections exhibit to life
AUTHOR RIDHA FATIMA PHOTO EVELYN ESQUIVEL DESIGN SOFIA MILLINER
As students and community members walked into Hollings Library, they were met with a calming yet lively melody. Jazz notes floated through the air as individuals gathered around the live jazz band playing music from the Jazz Age. People danced in time to the music. In the midst of it all, students perused the display cases holding artifacts from the life of F. Scott Fitzgerald–and so much more.
The USC Irvin Department of Rare Books and Special Collections partnered with the USC School of Music to hold a live jazz event in honor of the Special Collections’ Spring 2025 exhibit, “‘Something significant, elemental and profound:’ Celebrating 100 Years of ‘The Great Gatsby.’”
Fitzgerald, to international editions of the novel and several magazines featuring Fitzgerald’s work, to local treasures such as a copy of the first edition of “The Great Gatsby” owned by an individual in Sumter, SC.
There is no doubt that “The Great Gatsby” continues to hold significance to this day.
“It has left an indelible mark on American identity,” Weisenburg said. “Not just among Americans, but among people all over the world. When they think of America, one of the things they think about is Gatsby.”
The live jazz event strove to not only highlight the Special Collections exhibit, but to showcase USC talent.
“We’re sitting in this room right now listening to those songs being performed by students here who have been trained in how to do historical jazz,” Weisenburg said. “So we’re actually getting to hear the novel in a way that you don’t experience when you read the book. So we’re immersing ourselves in the world of the novel in a way that’s material, that’s bodily.”
One of the USC student musicians, Christian Moreno Cova, explained the significance of this event to him, especially as his musical experience is primarily in contemporary jazz as opposed to the older jazz music he was playing during this event.
“Opportunities like this, to partner with different groups at the school to not only explore different things as a student but then provide a different experience that melds what people are doing in the libraries, in the English department–it’s a really cool way to express this in a different way,” Moreno Cova said.
Cova, a second year master’s student in Jazz Composition, also explained that he grew up in St. Paul, MO, the birthplace of Fitzgerald. Throughout his childhood and adolescence, Moreno Cova was surrounded by landmarks of Fitzgerald’s life, including his home, a replica of which was displayed in the Special Collections exhibit.
“Being able to bring that and celebrate ‘The Great Gatsby,’ which is something I grew up knowing about and being aware of its history and the connection that this music had to it–being able to bring it to life is super cool,” he said.
One of the individuals dancing to the music, ballroom dancer Dr. Wanda Gale Breedlove, explained that she often attends Special Collections
events. In fact, she had attended the opening event to the exhibit, where she and her dance partner performed the Charleston, a popular dance during the Jazz Age, with USC dance students.
Breedlove also explained the significance of “The Great Gatsby” and why individuals should continue reading it. “It identifies an era and it’s kind of a signature. It’s just as part of our heritage,” she said.
Weisenburg explained that exhibitions such as these can serve to educate not just students, but the local community.
“It’s important to do these types of exhibitions to make sure we’re sharing our history, our cultural history, and we’re making sure the general public and the student body know that this is for them,” he said. “This is part of their
Rachel Loging, an undergraduate assistant of the Special Collections who curated two of the displays, emphasized the importance of outreach with these events. “I think it really just helps with engagement and people understanding what is being brought about, what we have too,” Loging said.
USC students also believed that holding collaborative events are essential to increasing awareness about the range of talent and scholarship we have at USC.
“I think events like this, especially around writers and books that have a lot of popular appeal, can do a lot to increase publicity, not only about the Collections, but also about the academic environment at USC,” said Jack Dedmondt, a graduate student at USC.
Gabrielle Proulx, an undergraduate USC student, shared similar sentiments. “I think it’s a great way for people to be immersed in different cultures, but also–this is history,”
The exhibit is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the spring 2025 semester. Special Collections will also continue to hold collaborative events with other USC departments, such as 5-minute Lightning Talks starting March 25. At this event, USC faculty from several departments, including the Darla Moore Business School, College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sports Management, and more will share how “The Great Gatsby” holds relevance in
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