The Reveille 3-20-19

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We d ne s d ay, M a r c h 2 0, 2 019

SHUT UP AND DANCE

Amid controversy, LSU looks to make post season run for the first

time in a decade, page 2

PHOTOS BY MITCHELL SCAGLIONE

NEWS

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Gotcha to bring first bike share to Baton Rouge, with several mobility hubs on campus.

SPORTS

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Former five-star recruit Derek Stingley Jr. is already making splashes in LSU’s first spring practices.

ENTERTAINMENT

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Red Stick Social, a combination bowling alley, bar, venue and restaurant, brings entertainment to people of all ages

OPINION

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“White people continuously say that we, black and brown people, are taking their spots when, in actuality, they are paying to take ours.”

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

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L SU Re ve i l le.co m

COVER STORY

LSU basketball looks to make run in NCAA Tournament

BY BRANDON ADAM @badam___ Like most schools, LSU’s history in the NCAA tournament is a mixed bag. There’s been three Final Four appearances since 1979, but more often than not, LSU flamed out in the first round.

Luckily for the Tigers, their history as a top-four seed in the NCAA is generally positive. They had back-to-back years as a one seed in 1980 and 1981 — resulting in an Elite Eight and Final Four appearance, respectively. In 1979, LSU earned its lone three -seed until this year’s team, and was a four-seed in 1985, 2000 and 2006.

LSU hopes to channel some of the magic from the 2006 team, which was LSU’s most recent Final Four team. Like the 2006, team LSU has found itself in a bracket with Duke, which is led

by National Player of the Year candidates Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett — much like they were in 2006 when JJ Redick won the award.

The Tigers went into the Sweet Sixteen matchup as vast underdogs against Duke, the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament. A

strong defensive effort by Tyrus Thomas and Garrett Temple carried LSU to victory in a record-setting performance. LSU held Duke to 54 points, the lowest total any LSU team has held an opponent to in the NCAA tournament, and ended up winning 62-54 before beating Texas in the Elite Eight in overtime to advance to the Final Four.

LSU will avoid a matchup with Duke until the Elite Eight, but first LSU has to get there.

History says LSU is likely to get to at least the second weekend as a top-four seed. The 1985 team led by John Williams and Nikita Wilson was the only LSU team seeded as a four or higher to get eliminated in the first round and not make it to at the Sweet Sixteen.

LSU’s path to the Sweet Sixteen seems relatively easy – wins over 14-seeded Yale and another win over likely 6-seeded Maryland does the trick. But when it comes to March unpredictability reigns supreme, and with that in mind, many analysts and experts pick Yale as a potential upset pick over LSU. A loss to Yale means LSU’s

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LSU senior forward Kavell Bigby-Williams (11) grabs a rebound during the Tigers’ 66-55 victory over Texas A&M on Feb. 26 in the PMAC. winless streak in the NCAA tournament continues and the Tigers will have failed to reach the second weekend of the NCAA tournament in five of their last six tournament appearances dating back to 2003.

An exit on the first weekend of the tournament keeps with the theme of LSU basketball. As exciting as Final Four runs in the 1981, 1986 and 2006 were, the majority of LSU’s 20 NCAA appearances in the modern-era of college basketball ended with the Tigers getting bounced in the first two rounds.

Even teams led by LSU greats Shaquille O’Neal and Chris Jackson struggled in March and failed to make it out of the first two rounds, which has been the case for 12 of LSU’s 19 NCAA tournament appearances since 1979.

LSU stars Tremont Waters and Naz Reid look to do what O’Neal and Jackson did not do and make the second weekend of the tournament.

They’ll be helped by fully

healthy group of cohorts, but they have to do it without head coach Will Wade. Wade’s been suspended by the University indefinitely for not meeting with school officials following a report by Yahoo!

Sports detailing a conversation Wade had over the phone about a recruit.

Assistant coach Tony Benford has taken over in the interim for Wade, and Benford hopes to lead LSU out of the first round for the first time since 2009.

Benford’s history as a head coach in the NCAA tournament is empty – he’s never been. Neither has any on LSU’s roster with the exception of Kavell Bigby-Williams, who played in the 2017 Final Four with Oregon.

Without any experience to fall back on, it’s going to be time for a fresh group of LSU players to write a new history. One they hope ends with the Tigers cutting down nets in Minnesota and claiming their first-ever national championship.

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CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS The Reveille holds accuracy and objectivity at the highest priority and wants to reassure its readers the reporting and content of the paper meets these standards. This space is reserved to recognize and correct any mistakes that may have been printed in The Reveille. If you would like something corrected or clarified, please contact the editor at (225) 578-4811 or email editor@lsureveille.com.

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NEWS

page 3

FACILITIES

TAKE A BIKE

Tired of spending hours each day walking to and from classes? Starting this May, a new e-bike rental company has gotcha covered.

Gotcha, an app-based electric bicycle rental company, announced that they will be launching 500 GPS-enabled e-bikes and 50 mobility hubs within downtown Baton Rouge,

LSU and Southern University on May 8.

“We’re excited to provide a convenient and efficient form of micro-transit for the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University and Southern University,” said Sean Flood, CEO and founder of Gotcha. “We hope to replace the use of single-occupant cars with ebikes as a new mode of transportation that’s healthy and environmentally friendly.”

Gotcha bike rentals are available through the Gotcha - Ride On mobile app. Using the app, users can find the nearest Gotcha mobility hub, scan the QR code located behind the bike’s seat and ride the bike for as long as desired. Once finished, the user can return the bike to any Gotcha mobility hub and end the ride on the app.

The e-bike itself is uniquely designed by Gotcha bikes, featuring a basket to hold items,

BY RAYMOND CONSTANTINO @r_dog_3

a bright front headlight for nighttime riding and an electric motor for pedal assist with speed and inclines.

“We’re there to be a resource for the students,” said Gotcha Community Manager of Baton Rouge and LSU alumna Cokie Reed. “You’ll have access to the bikes 24 hours a day, 365 days out of the year. If you need to run across campus and you have a

University students now have multiple options for medical care on campus, with Baton Rouge General Express Care Urgent Care Clinic at Nicholson Gateway Apartments.

The clinic opened in February to provide University students and employees with fast, convenient medical care, said Joni Lemoine.

The care center specializes in treating serious, acute, non-lifethreatening conditions like the flu or limb sprains, Lemoine said.

The clinic accepts most insurance and Tiger Cash for payment. If students do not have insurance or struggle financially, private pays are discounted, and before any care is administered, the physician will inform the student of the cost. A private pay occurs when a patient pays the full price of their appointment out-of-pocket.

“We let them know what are we about to do, how much would it cost at the discounted rate,” Lemoine said. “So we make sure that the patient is fully aware of everything that they’re responsible for before the procedure is performed.”

see BIKES, page 7

see CLINIC, page 7

courtesy of CAROLINE PASSE

BY LARA NICHOLSON @laranicholson_

Urgent care provides on campus medical treatment

STUDENT LIFE

Ambassadors promote LSU, advise prospective students

BY BRITTNEY FORBES @itsbritforbes Incoming students receive their first impression of the University when they meet their orientation leaders, many of which are the LSU Ambassadors.

Before LSU Ambassadors was founded in 1991, professional staff led freshman orientation.

LSU Ambassadors adviser Connor Gonzales said the organization began because some felt the incoming students would benefit from being guided by current students.

Perry Prestholdt, the creator of the organization, worked with the junior division — currently known as UCFY — at the University to create LSU Ambassadors The organization has grown from about 60 members in 1991 to 200 current members.

Gonzales said he believes people have a passion for the organization because of the service aspect, helping not only the LSU community but, also the Baton Rouge community as a whole, demonstrating their commitment to recruit, orient, advise and service throughout the organization.

“The experiences [incoming students] have when they meet LSU Ambassadors at recruiting events or their orientation events, they definitely feel a connection,” Gonzales said. “It’s based on the positive experiences they have before getting to LSU that draws people into joining the organization.”

LSU Ambassador works with the Office of Admissions to create on-campus recruiting events, including Kickoff LSU and Destination LSU. These large events

require many volunteers to help guide prospective students when they are touring campus.

Gonzales said he is hopeful ambassador members maintain their high level of spirit and positivity. His main goal each semester is for those within the organization itself to keep their morale up.

Gonzales said the selection process is very selective and the organization tries to make members understand their jobs are a privilege. In the fall semester, prospective ambassadors go through two rounds of a selections process, which includes interviews with current ambassadors to see how they behave in large and small group dynamics.

Each year about 300 students ap-

see AMBASSADORS, page 7

courtesy of CONNOR GONZALES

LSU Ambassadors run the University’s Spring Invitational program for incoming freshmen.

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

page 4 FACULTY

LSU Director of Bands Emeritus to receive honorary doctorate ern Harmony” as a tribute to Wickes, since he had conducted the Wind Ensemble when they LSU Director of Bands Emeri- debuted the piece 20 years ago.

Wickes retired nearly a decade tus Frank Wickes was surprised when the LSU College of Music ago, but he had a notable career & Dramatic Arts and Department during his 30 years at the Univerof Bands announced he would re- sity, where he conducted the Wind ceive an honorary Doctor of Arts Ensemble, directed Tiger Band degree at the University’s spring and taught graduate courses. Tiger 2019 commencement ceremo- Band was unanimously voted as ny, considering he retired from the best marching band in the SEC his 30-year reign as Tiger Band by the band directors in the Southeastern Conference in 1997 under director in 2010.

“I was flabbergasted,” Wickes his direction.

Among his many other said. “I had no inkling. I didn’t expect to have any kind of accolade accolades, Wickes was inducted into the Louisiana Music Educators like that.”

Honorary degrees are a time- Hall of Fame in 2009. Wickes said conducting the honored tradition Ensemble, used to bestow “I was flabbergasted. Wind premier concert distinction upon I had no inkling. I aorganization perscholars who have made a particular didn’t expect to have forming in recital impact within their any kind of accolade halls, and directing the lively Tiger field. They are not like that.”

Band performing used to further caon football fields reers, and are usuFRANK WICKES were two unique ally given to those Director of Bands Emeritus experiences. Both already established groups have preswithin their fields.

Wickes said the audience hum- tige for different reasons. While bled him with a tremendous ova- the Wind Ensemble is sometimes tion at the College Band Directors overshadowed by the Tiger Band National Convention in Phoenix on a collegiate level, the Wind in February. The Wind Ensem- Ensemble garners national recble performed “Wondrous Love” ognition. A common misconcepfrom Donald Grantham’s “South- tion about Tiger Band is that they

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are only active during football season, but Wickes attested to the band’s dedication throughout the school year.

Most of Wickes’ finest memories conducting the band, however, do include the field shows at football games. Two particularly notable experiences were LSU’s victory in the 2003 and 2007 National Championships.

Both championships were played at the Superdome in New Orleans and had the majority of the fans supporting LSU. Wickes also fondly remembers taking the Wind Ensemble to many national performances and conventions. Most of these events were invitation-only, and the Wind Ensemble was chosen among hundreds of applicants based on the quality of their audition tapes. These trips were essential for the group’s team-building.

“Those were peak experiences and very emotional high points for our group during those years,” Wickes said.

Despite his retirement, Wickes still remains active in the music community, attending conferences and workshops and providing his mentoring services to band programs across the country. He also maintains close ties with the University and regularly attends programs on campus, such as a recent clinic for conductors that was held in the Tiger Band Hall.

In addition to receiving the honorary degree at the Spring Commencement ceremony

courtesy of LSU Department of Bands

Director of bands emeritus Frank Wickes will receive an honorary Doctor of Arts degree at the University’s spring 2019 commencement ceremony. on May 10 and 11, Wickes will also speak at the College of Music & Dramatic Arts commencement ceremony. Although he is not a speaker and is unsure of what he is planning to say, he is looking

forward to the event.

“Just the mere fact they would think enough of my career for this to occur is such an honor,” Wickes said. “This is the pinnacle of my career.”

LSU OPERA PRESENTS

MUSIC BY KEVIN PUTS | LIBRETTO BY MARK CAMPBELL

A Chamber Opera in One Act

MARCH 21 -24, 2019 CLAUDE L. SHAVER THEATRE lsu.edu/cmda/events • 225-578-3527

Commissioned by Opera Philadelphia. By arrangement with Aperto Press, publisher and Bill Holab Music: Sole Agent

The Turner-Fischer Center for Opera is pleased to present the collegiate premiere of Elizabeth Cree, based on Peter Ackroyd’s acclaimed murder-mystery thriller.

Amidst a series of brutal murders committed by a Jack the Ripper-style killer, the terrified citizens of Victorian London place Elizabeth Cree on trial for the poisoning of her husband. Deftly combining the factual with the fictive and the historical with the imaginary, this dark and thrilling tale will leave you on the edge of your seat!

UNSTOPPABLE LSU President F. King Alexander invites you to celebrate the launch of a historic campaign for the future of LSU. Our campuses are uniting to lead the largest campaign for higher education in Louisiana’s history, with outcomes that will improve lives in Louisiana, across our nation, and around the world.

COMMUNITY CELEBRATION 12:00 P.M. UNTIL 3:00 P.M. ON FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019 LSU PARADE GROUND

Highland Road at Dalrymple Drive in Baton Rouge, Louisiana To let us know you’re coming, visit lsufoundation.org/1LSU.

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

page 7 AMBASSADORS, from page 3

CLINIC, from page 3

ply, but only 80-90 people are selected.

“It’s a really great opportunity for folks who have a passion for LSU, have a passion to help others at any capacity,” Gonzales said.

According to the website, in order to be eligible to be an LSU Ambassador, students must attend one of the informational meetings during the fall, submit an application, participate in selections events and interview. Potential ambassadors must also have a minimum 2.0 GPA, be a full-time undergraduate student and cannot be on any academic or disciplinary probation with the University.

Although some students may be hesitant to join, Gonzales suggests students attend the informational meeting and pick up an application.

Mass Communication junior Sarah Laborde said she originally didn’t want to join the organization, but she has been a member for three years and is currently serving on the LSU Ambassadors executive council. She said she only went to one of the meetings because a friend of hers asked her to keep her company.

“I ended up loving everything that I learned about [LSU Ambassadors],” Laborde said. “I saw how involved the Ambassadors were across campus, and I knew I wanted to be a part of that great community of servant leaders.” “[Members] aren’t afraid to get

Urgent care clinics like the one at Nicholson Gateway have experienced a boom during the past decade. According to the Convenient Care Association, in 2010 there were 1,320 of these clinics. In the U.S. today, there are around 7,700.

Lemoine said doctor’s offices focus on speed and flexibility gained traction in the early 2000s once hospital administrators noticed the growing buildup of patients waiting in emergency rooms. Many of the patients did not have life-threatening issues, and so medical officials realized they could better serve these patients by cutting out unnecessary long waits.

“There was a lot of misutilization with emergency departments,” Lemoine said. “The primary care office closes at five on a Friday. You don’t have any access to healthcare unless you go to an emergency room.”

BRG worked with the LSU College of Engineering to optimize their urgent care clinics’ workflows, Lemoine said.

For example, rather than the usual paperwork that fills doctor’s offices, Express Care uses a tablet and special software to sign-in patients and update their information.

In addition to its quick signin process, the clinic also boasts a special treatment known as

BIKES, from page 3 flat tire, you’re able to access that system as a resource.”

Costs for Gotcha bike usage in the Baton Rouge area have not yet been finalized. However, users may purchase a daily, plan or annual plan. Gotcha will offer a discounted price for University students using the app. The bike rental service will add no additional cost to University students’ tuition.

Gotcha currently operates its’ mobile bike rental service in 25 states and over 50 cities and universities. University students using Gotcha can also rent ebikes at Auburn University, Florida State University, Morehouse College and more.

Not only will Gotcha bicycle rentals provide a convenient

THE REVEILLE ARCHIVES

An LSU Ambassador talks to students at Free Speech Alley on Sept. 1, 2017. their hands dirty and help those around them, and they have a great time doing it,” Laborde said.

“Seeing their joy and passion for service and for LSU was inspiring, and I hope I can be that kind of an inspiration to others.”

Ambassadors make an impact on the University through their service projects and recruit-

ing days as orientation leaders, according to Laborde.

“People don’t realize how much we’re involved in,” Gonzales said. “Even if you have a little bit of an interest, just go to the meeting.”

LSU Ambassadors have biweekly meetings every Wednesday in Howe Russell Hall.

mode of on-campus transportation, but it will hopefully lower the prevalence of bicycle theft on LSU’s campus. One hundred and five bicycles were reported stolen from campus in 2018, according to LSUPD. However, students opting to use Gotcha’s geo-tagged, uniquely designed bicycle locks could help fix the problem.

“These bikes are built [by Gotcha] from the ground up, and they have an ingrained lock on the back wheel that will lock the bike for you.” Reed said.

Gotcha will also have a fleet team in Baton Rouge that will check e-bikes for damages and take them in for repairs if necessary.

Following its May launch, Gotcha plans to add 300 more e-bikes and 30 hubs to Baton

Rouge by 2020. They also hope to include their e-scooters and e-tricycles in their expansions, but those additions are not finalized.

The presenting sponsor for the program is Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. Other sponsors include BR General, City of Baton Rouge, Department of Transportation and Development, Baton Rouge Area Foundation, BREC, Downtown Development District and the Charles Lamar Foundation.

“We’re excited to bring bike share to not only Baton Rouge but to LSU,” Reed said. “As a former student, I remember going around campus and trying to catch a bus at a certain time.

We are hoping to enrich the students’ experience while they are there.”

courtesy of COKIE REED

(Pictured left to right) BCBS Foundation President Michael Tipton, Gotcha CEO Sean Flood, BR General CEO Edgardo Tenreiro and BR Community Manager Cokie Reed show off one of the Gotcha bikes coming to Baton Rouge in May.

CHRISTA MORAN / The Reveille

The Baton Rouge General Express Care sits on Nicholson on Drive on March 19. hydration therapy.

Lemoine said hydration therapy involves administering fluids, vitamins and minerals through an IV in order to quickly rejuvenate a person’s mental and physical energy.

The hydration therapy room has mood lighting, a Playstation and a big-screen TV for patients to relax during the procedure.

Lemoine said University students receive a discount.

The Express Care Urgent Care Clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on the weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It takes walk-ins or advance appointments.

NOW OPEN Located at the New Nicolson Gateway, Across from Tiger Stadium.

On the Bus Route!

Shop Online- pick up in store!

Retail Parking Lot – No passes needed. Tigercash: Accepted

SPORTS SOARIN’ FLYIN’

page 8 OPINION

Softball, gym teams hold key to ending ‘Floridas curse’ CAL’D UP CHRIS CALDARERA @caldarera11

she averaged a 9.775 on floor with a lone 9.95 in LSU’s win over Missouri through the first nine meets of the season.

Then she turned a corner.

In LSU’s meets with Georgia, Oregon State and Arizona, Edney hit the double Arabian on the first pass of her floor routine each time for scores of 9.925, 10 and 9.95, respectively. Just one week after her first career perfect 10 on

Fans could feel the hum of the game’s final buzzer in the pit of their stomachs, and the jubilation Tiger fans experienced in the first half of the contest felt like a distant memory.

For the first time in almost a month, the LSU men’s basketball was left with the bitter taste of defeat after an early exit in the quarterfinal round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament. To make matters worse, the opponent that defeated the Tigers was none other than the Florida Gators.

When LSU fans think of rivalries, the Alabama Crimson Tide is probably the first program that comes to mind. It always seems that Alabama’s program is the one that has spoiled almost every LSU football season since 2011.

In the midst of the hatred for all things crimson and houndstooth, some fans have overlooked the impact the Florida Gators have had across many of LSU’s sports.

I’m not a superstitious person, but it certainly seems that the Gators

see EDNEY, page 10

see FLORIDA, page 10

MITCHELL SCAGLIONE / The Reveille

Kennedi Edney’s changed mindset propels her to new heights

BY KENNEDI LANDRY @landryyy14 Kennedi Edney scored a 9.95 in her first career vault, scored a 9.9875 to win the individual national championship at the end of her freshman season — and the rest is history.

But not so much.

“Coming off of [the national championship] and going into my sophomore season, when I got to nationals, I guess you could say

that’s what I was hyper focused on and that didn’t go very well,” Edney said. “At this point, I’m a different person than what I was my freshman year. My mom always tells me all the time that you’re a different person each year. You don’t need to replicate who you were last year because that’s not you anymore. You need to be better than what you were.

That’s what I think about.”

Edney admits that it hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing since

that national championship and she’s run into some bumps along the way.

Her sophomore season wasn’t bad by any stretch of the imagination. She averaged a 9.80 or higher on all events her sophomore season, with a 39.385 all-around average. The struggles appeared at the start of the 2019 season, when Edney struggled to stick the first pass of her explosive floor routine. Though Edney continued to hit routines on three events,

FOOTBALL

Freshman Derek Stingley Jr. makes immediate impact in secondary

BY JACOB BECK @Jacob_Beck25 Patrick Peterson, Tre’Davious White, Greedy Williams, Tyrann Mathieu, Morris Claiborne, Donte Jackson.

Those are just a few names on the long list of great cornerbacks to play for the LSU Tigers, and from some of the comments made by current Tigers, freshman Derek Stingley Jr. could very well be the next name added to that list.

“He’s better than I was when I got here,” junior safety Grant Delpit said. “He’s out there locking up receivers already. He’s got the talent of Greedy (Williams), and he’s as strong as an ox.”

“He’s a once in a lifetime kind of player,” junior cornerback Kary Vincent Jr. said.

And this high praise comes

after only a few spring practices. Stingley Jr. was able to enroll early and practice with the team during their Fiesta Bowl preparations, and LSU coach Ed Orgeron noticed right away that Stingley Jr. was special.

“Derek Stingley would have started for us in the bowl and probably would have been one of the best players on the field,” Orgeron said. “I would expect him to push for a starting position. That may be solidified by the end of the spring.”

While the competition Stingley Jr. faced in high school can be viewed as below average, he competed in some of the biggest high school football camps like The Opening and held his own with other top prospects.

In fact, his measurables were on par with the aforementioned Peterson.

In a position recap at The Opening done by 247Sports, for the defensive backs category, Stingley Jr. was labeled the “Alpha Dog,” and their description of him raved of his potential.

“He has a rare combination of physical tools and football IQ. He has explosive speed and can turn and run with anyone, but shows patience, doesn’t get to grabby on a route and shows next level poise. You can tell he’s a very confident player and the game just looks easy for him.”

And with all of the hype surrounding Stingley Jr., he will need to prove right away that he can be a contributor considering the departure of Williams.

While senior cornerback Kristian Fulton should be recovered from a foot injury he

see STINGLEY, page 10

MITCHELL SCAGLIONE / The Reveille

LSU freshman cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) participates in spring practice in the LSU Football Facility on March 7.

page 9

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

MEN’S TENNIS

Tough conference play forces LSU tennis out of top-25 ranking

BY BRENNEN NORMAND @BrennenNormand_ Conference play has been difficult for LSU (13-5) as the Tigers dropped to 1-4 in the Southeastern Conference and dropped all the way out of the top 25 after a loss to Texas A&M. LSU crept its way up to No. 18 in at the end of February before falling to then-No. 20 Alabama.

The Tigers then fell to No. 24 in early March and eventually out of the top 25.

LSU has faced a difficult schedule against three top 25 teams in the same month — all three in conference play. The Tigers dropped each match putting them in a difficult position when arguing for a strong SEC seed. Conference play isn’t over until April 14, and LSU has a lot of ground to make up.

With a tough schedule remaining, the Tigers have a long way to go with nine games left to play before the SEC tournament begins. The road back to the top 25 won’t be easy, but LSU has a chance to move up the rankings with key matchups on the road against No. 8 Florida (12-2) and No. 10 Mississippi State (13-3).

Florida has six wins against top 25 teams, including No. 2

release. “That’s probably one of the best teams in the SEC and the country, and we were right there at the end.

“We’ve now played three of the top four teams in the SEC and it came down to the end in them, and those are the kind of matches we want to be in. We need to take it up a notch, but we’re knocking on the door and competing and think this group will make it happen.”

The loss slid LSU back to No. 38 in the polls. The Tigers still have time to make a push to return to the top 25. LSU showed throughout the season that it has the ability to win close matches that make a statement with an important victory against No. 17 Tulane, 4-3, and an emotional win against Old Dominion, 4-3.

Winning close matches, or coming from behind, gives any team confidence whenever things seem dim. LSU showed this when it suffered back-to-back losses for the first time this season when it faced No. 25 Tennessee at home and Georgia on the road.

The Tigers bounced back with a close victory over Old Dominion. The match came down to a young Tiger, freshman Boris Kozlov. Kozlov sealed the match after his serve was returned too

Wake Forest and No. 10 Mississippi State. The Gators handled both teams with a 5-2 victory, flexing their muscle in the statement wins. If LSU could add a win like Florida on its resume, there is a strong chance the Tigers could move up the rankings.

Mississippi State has impressive wins over No. 11 Notre Dame, No. 18 Alabama and No. 21 Oklahoma. The Bulldogs have shown that they are just as capable as any other team in the country with multiple statement wins.

A victory over either Florida or Mississippi State could put LSU in a position for a strong seed in the conference tournament and national ranking. The Tigers need to get back on track after struggling against Old Dominion and losing to No. 19 Texas A&M (14-3).

LSU faced No. 19 Texas A&M in a weekend match but fell 2-5 after being overmatched in singles. The Tigers won the doubles point, but the Aggies proved too much for LSU as they dominated, winning five of six singles matches.

“We feel like we maybe left one out there,” co-head coach Chris Brandi said in a news

THE REVEILLE ARCHIVES

LSU freshman Rafael Wagner prepares for a play during the Tigers’ 3-4 loss to Santa Clara at LSU Tennis Complex on Friday, Feb. 3, 2017. far. His teammates tackled him in a show of emotion that can only been seen in a team that needed a victory, and knows its potential.

If LSU hopes to return to the

top-25, make a run in the SEC tournament and make the NCAA Championships, it needs to play with that emotion and find ways to win big games the rest of conference play.

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Wednesday, March 20, 2019 EDNEY, from page 8 floor against Oregon State, Edney hit her second career perfect 10 on vault at Arizona.

“I was in shock,” Edney said.

“It was just unreal to even see that. Not that I don’t ever see me ever getting a 10, but it was just even more shocking that it happened this year. I just go up there and do the best routine that I can at any point.”

Edney said she changed both the physical buildup and training as well as her mentality coming into this season. Those things have allowed her to succeed on a whole different level.

Senior all-arounder McKenna Kelley agreed, saying that she’s seen Edney mature in ways she never thought she would, both in and out of the gym.

“She just does the job,” Kelley said. “She’s really good at taking

FLORIDA, from page 8 have put a curse on the Tigers for quite a while. It appears Florida has had LSU’s number consistently since the 2015 LSU gymnastics team finished second to Florida at the NCAA championships. A little more than a month later, Florida’s softball team handed the LSU softball team their first loss in the Women’s College World Series before the Gators went on to claim the national championship.

While both were extremely unfortunate events, many fans probably chalked up these backto-back disappointments as bad luck.

However, suspicions should’ve

page 10 criticism and not taking it personally and applying it and doing something about. That’s what we’ve done as we’ve challenged her to step up and be the Kennedi we know. She’s done that and more. We couldn’t have asked her to do a better job.

“I’ve seen her step up to the plate, obviously as an athlete, but as an encourager and a leader for this team. It’s been really cool to see her grow in that aspect.”

Edney said that her overall mindset has just naturally changed this season as she has become more focused in the gym. She even matured in her physical training, as she attempted to be more consistent in preseason to take the strain off her body and be ready once competition started.

“I have definitely seen myself grow,” Edney said. “Coming

into the preseason this past year, I changed my mentality all the way. I realized that in order for my sake and my body to be OK, I need to be efficient and get done as quickly as possible, and that’s what I did this preseason. Past preseasons I was usually the last one to finish because I was inconsistent or not focused at all. It was time to change.”

That consistency carries over to the arena.

Specifically for vault, she has focused more on the technique going into the Yurchenko 1 1/2 vault. Vault coach Bob Moore tells all the gymnasts that the landing comes naturally if you do the first half correctly, so Edney focuses on the roundoff and getting her hands on the table cleanly so that she doesn’t have to worry about the landing. She goes through that same process for her double Arabian on floor.

Her teammates said they’ve seen these type of performances and scores from Edney all season and in the preseason, and it doesn’t surprise them at all to see it in competition.

“It’s not just what we’ve seen Kennedi do through the season, it’s the maturity and what she has done throughout this year,” said LSU coach D-D Breaux. “The preseason is so important to what we do now and her focus has been on her readiness and on making herself better and being coachable and making changes.

“I think we’re seeing a real finely tuned athlete. She’s a gamer, and we’re seeing that and she’s performing at a really high level.”

When it comes to competition, the key to her success is simple, she said — just don’t think about anything.

“I’m the person that if I think too much, then it’s going to go all

wrong,” Edney said. “So I’m really just going out there free-minded and just doing what I know how to do.”

As the Tigers enter the final stretch of the season, Edney and her teammates have said that they’re mostly functioning on auto-pilot.

It’s all a mental game at this point, and Edney is just trying to let her body do what it knows how to do and help her team win.

And if that ends up with another national championship, it’s just that much better.

“If you know Kennedi, she’s such a laid back, such a fun, outgoing person,” Kelley said.

“Her gymnastics matters, but she doesn’t wear it as a burden. She knows that she’s such a vital aspect to this team, but she wears it with like a calmness to it. She doesn’t overanalyze things. She just gets up and does her job.”

risen in 2016 with the great Hurricane Matthew debacle. When LSU’s football game with Florida was relocated from Gainesville to Baton Rouge due to the storm, the contest ended when the Tigers were stuffed on the Gators’ oneyard line giving Florida a 16-10 victory. The following year, the Gators bested the Tigers in the 2017 College World Series National Championship.

It was at this point that being a Florida Gator definitely started to sound pretty great. I understand that Florida doesn’t hold a daunting grip on LSU’s sports like Alabama does in football, but is Alabama as relevant to LSU across several major sports?

It sure looks like Florida is, especially since the Gators have shown to be such a thorn in the Tigers’ side in this most recent men’s basketball season winning two of three matchups.

Like I said, I’m not one to believe in curses, but if curses did exist, it would look a lot like Florida. The good news is, it appears that this year’s LSU gymnastics and softball teams could take the first steps in removing the Gator-sized thorn from everyone’s backs.

The softball team took the first steps this weekend when they took two of three games from Florida, including a thrilling walk-off delivered by senior

infielder Amanda Sanchez that scored junior outfielder Aliyah Andrews from first base.

The LSU gymnastics team has a chance to follow softball’s early success in the upcoming SEC gymnastics championships where the Tigers are the No. 1 seed to the Gators’ No. 2 seed.

Again, I’m not saying there is a curse. However, it would make sense that the sports that Florida first began to terrorize LSU in would also lead the charge to changing the Tigers’ luck.

The LSU softball team has been quite the wrecking crew with the opponents on their schedule, and if the gymnastics team succeeds in the SEC

championships this weekend, the trophy will represent LSU’s thirdstraight conference title.

LSU’s softball and gymnastics teams are premier programs that are both ranked in the top 10 this year. Both programs are respectively led by Beth Torina and D-D Breaux, two of the most successful coaches in Tiger athletic history.

I’m confident that the state of LSU sports is in good hands, and I’m hopeful the rest of the Tigers’ athletic programs follow the examples set by LSU’s softball and gymnastics teams.

Hopefully, being a Florida Gator won’t sound so great coming soon.

STINGLEY, from page 8

in the Southeastern Conference.

Claiborne only played in seven games his freshman year and accounted for seven tackles. Williams did not play his freshman year and took a redshirt.

But players like Mathieu and White came in and started right away. Mills was on the Freshman All-American Team, and started all 13 games. White was named to the All-SEC Freshman team and started 11 of the 13 games.

It seems like Stingley Jr. will fit into the latter group, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see him making plays in the regular season like in the first scrimmage of the spring.

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suffered at the end of the 2018 season, it’s still anybody’s game for the starting position opposite Fulton. But seeing Stingley Jr. work with the first team at practices and from the comments of his teammates, it seems like he may have already locked up a starting position.

When looking back on some of the cornerbacks mentioned like Peterson, Claiborne and Williams, that’s pretty astounding.

Peterson was a top recruit coming out of high school, but it still took him a year to get used to the speed and level of play

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LSU freshman cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) participates in spring practice in the LSU Football Facility on March 7.

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

page 11

Announcements

Employment

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ENTERTAINMENT

page 12 BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY

DOWN THE LANE

Local plant society seeks new growth

BY RACHEL MIPRO @remroc15 At the Baton Rouge Cactus and Succulent Society, plants are treated like babies, dirt is fascinating and hobbyists get intense.

Since the society’s founding around 1994, those passionate about cacti and succulents have found a place to gather. Cindy Miguez, the newly elected president, says she wants to advertise the society and get more people interested.

“I really hope to help promote the society. It’s really just a fun group of people that all have the same interest, and we can talk about things that other people may not find interesting,” Miguez said. “And we help each other, educate each other.”

At the monthly meetings, the 30 members discuss their own plants, have a program based on various gardening aspects, most recently one on soil mixtures, and do a raffle. Members often bring in the plants that they’re proudest of.

“We’ll have a show and tell, people bring their plants in and we give our advice, what’s wrong

Red Stick Social brings entertainment for all ages to BR

BY MASIE O’TOOLE @masieotoole Within the shell of what once was the historic Entergy power plant, a new entertainment attraction is taking the spotlight.

Red Stick Social, a combination bowling alley, bar, venue and restaurant, is making its way into all five floors of the unique space.

Without a doubt, Red Stick Social has something for everyone.

As you enter the building, you are immediately taken aback by its size. Exposed brick walls combine

to form the structure of the new development, and a stage, bar and restaurant area sit immediately before you. The history structure is juxtaposed by the modern furniture and decor, but it all comes together to form a delicate balance.

It’s a nod to the past, with a look to the future.

After passing through restaurant area for some upscale bar food or a gourmet cocktail, you can head upstairs to the bowling alley. Six lanes stretch before you, creating a uniquely homey vibe. It doesn’t feel commercial, instead,

it’s relaxed.

As you snake up through the remaining floors, you’re greeted with a VIP bowling lounge (four lanes in total, complete with soundproof glass for a more private feel) as well as a private events room and a rooftop patio. Each feels unique, but still cohesive.

Headed up to bowl but you need another drink? No worries.

A large factor in the venue’s cohesion is the ability to order food or drinks and have them delivered

see RED STICK, page 16

courtesy of QUINN MILLER OF SASSO AGENCY

see SUCCULENTS, page 16

BUSINESS

LSU graduate helps others tell stories with Pass It Down app

BY LIA SALIME @liasalime It’s not always easy to get to know your community. Some stories, like Raising Cane’s, are widely known. Most of them remain a mystery. You’ve gone to the same local establishment all your life. Do you know how it was founded? LSU political science and international relations graduate Chris Cummings is using technology to bridge that gap with the Pass It Down app.

Inspired by his mother Barbara, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1980 and who later developed early onset dementia, Cummings founded Pass It Down in 2015 as a platform for families to safeguard and tell their stories.

“The original vision was to be able to help families preserve family stories and memories with a digital biographer and then that

vision expanded to helping communities and museums and other organizations that had stories, too,” Cummings said.

Cummings, who also graduated from the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center in 2013, first started in tech development in 2007 when he co-founded an e-learning company with his dad called “Woople.” With Pass It Down, Cummings is meeting a universal need in the market that can help businesses and organizations connect with their patrons in simple and affordable way.

Pass It Down expanded from b-to-b, from business to business, to start licensing their platform to other organizations in the Spring of 2018. They launched their first platform for a city in February of 2018. Recently, Pass It Down was one of only 10 companies selected to be part of the Techstars Austin Accelerator Program, which accepted less than 1 percent of all

companies that applied.

“We really believe communities stories matter and we believe that technology should bring people together, and that there’s this great opportunity that exists to get people to see the things that make our homes and our neighborhoods and our cities unique,” Cummings said.

The software could function in a touchscreen on the wall of a business lobby helping patrons explore the entire brand’s story and impact and be able to interact with a story map that does that. Moreover, cultural institutions around the world can utilize the technology to help them collect, organize and showcase their stories in an interactive and immersive form.

“Storytelling and the value of storytelling is a global need,” Cummings said. “We have a

see PASS IT DOWN, page 16

courtesy of CHRIS CUMMINGS

Recently selected for the Techstars Austin Accelerator Program, Pass It Down is a company working to bringing communities together.

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

page 13

MARCH EVENTS

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Wednesday, March 20, 2019

page 14

FASHION

LSU alumna finds success with fashion blog after graduation

BY ENJANAE’ TAYLOR @_queenet_ One LSU alumna and New Orleans resident has more than 15,000 people Following Sunshine.

Savannah Brown graduated only two years ago and has already traveled all around the world, has thousands of followers on Instagram and has started the successful blog “Following Sunshine.”

Brown took her middle name, Sunshine, and created the name of her blog. The young blogger is using her name and making it known.

The blogger recently began including content of her adventures traveling to add to the variety of her posts on her blog and Instagram account. Brown has made sure to take full advantage of everything traveling has to offer.

“I think traveling and blogging just go hand in hand,” Brown said, “I have always loved to travel and so now with my blog every trip I go on just makes my content that much better. Although, New Orleans has so many great backdrops, being able to travel is a huge advantage for a blogger.”

Looking back on her college days, Brown found that her style is still similar to what it was before because she’s always tried to be unique and has always been interested in fashion. Like many current students, she’d get a little dressed up for game days but kept it comfy for going to class.

Her fashion sense isn’t the only thing she learned and developed here at the University.

“I think LSU taught me a lot about how to be successful,” Brown said. “All of the challenging classes I took just helped me better prepare for my future. I

majored in communications and I’m now doing marketing. LSU is an amazing school and community of people. Most of my teachers and the people I met helped shape the person I am today.”

With blogging becoming a more popular profession, many people are always looking for tips on how to use their passion to create successful content people enjoy. When it comes to her followers, Brown wants to be as connected as possible.

She also recommends learning what they seem to like the most to know what content to post.

The relationship she builds with her audience is important to help fuel her success, so she wants it to be as strong as possible.

For example, the blogger will take polls or ask questions to keep up with her followers and make sure she’s giving them what they want.

“The best tip I have for social media and blogging is to be consistent and to know your readers,” Brown said. “If you don’t get to know your readers, then it’s harder to form relationships and to get a feel for what they are interested in seeing.”

Many bloggers come up with a schedule to post at a certain time of day or find out when their followers are mostly active, but Brown likes to keep it natural.

She shared that some days she might check her Instagram insights, but for the most part, she just posts content when she can and hopes her followers will like what she has to share.

Brown also works with multiple companies, which comes with sponsored posts. Sponsored posts are critical for influencers to help grow their business and following. Even though she has no control over what day and

courtesy of FOLLOWINGSUNSHINE.COM

LSU alumna Savannah Sunshine Brown has accumulated an Instagram of over 15,000 followers. time she posts the sponsored content, she still works hard to post things her followers will enjoy.

“I try to post on my Instagram at least once a day,” Brown said.

“I also try to write a few blog posts a month. On top of posting on my IG, I am constantly posting IG stories showing new gifts I received and showing my favorites trends. I think just by being active I can please my followers.”

The perfect photo doesn’t always come fast. Brown shared

Courtesy of FOLLOWINGSUNSHINE.COM

LSU alumna Savannah Sunshine Brown combiner her love of traveling with her love of fashion in her Instagram posts.

that she probably takes 50-100 phase me because I’m doing what images per shoot to get her shots I love and if that’s what it takes to for her Instagram and blog. get the perfect picture, then that’s Possibly the most popular what I have to do,” Brown said. question a blogger gets asked is It’s important for Brown to how to take the best photos. Most remain true to herself and showpeople believe you need to have case her own personal style. Even a fancy camera and a profession- if others don’t like her style, she’s al photographer to get good pic- not going to change it for anyone. tures, but Brown shares that it’s As time has passed, she’s all about getting creative. learned to accept herself and conHer first photo shoot for her tinue to appreciate what’s unique blog was taken by her aunt, and about herself. the rest of her photos have been “There are so many bloggers taken by her boyfriend, her mom out there that if you conform to a and her friends. certain style or personality type, “I find I get the best pic- you will blend in when the whole tures when I like point is to stand my outfit, there’s out,” Brown said. good lighting and “The best tip I have “ My favorite thing I have some sort blogging is for social media and about of prop,” Brown creating content blogging is to be and I will always said.

“When I don’t have a prop, consistent and know stay true to that.”

I can sometimes When it comes your readers.” get awkward. It to the future of helps to constantly her blog and soSAVANNAH BROWN be moving so that cial media, Brown Fashion blogger hopefully you can has big plans. capture the perShe hopes to fect photo.” work with bigBlogging may be popular to- ger brands while growing her day, but it’s not always as easy as own brand in the process. She people assume. It requires you to also wants to branch out into the always put yourself out there and blogging world outside of New have the confidence to show who Orleans, but she won’t stop there. you are daily.

Brown wants to continue to “The confidence part is still a pursue her passion through many continuing growing process for different outlets. me,” Brown said. “I’m not a very “I would love to eventually confident person, but I feel like have my own clothing line, but when I post a picture, I am kind that is in the far future,” Brown of hiding behind the picture.” said. “I would also like to have Regardless of how she looks my own podcast so hopefully to others, Brown is going to do that works out. All in all, I rewhat she loves and have fun do- ally just want to grow and spread ing it. my love for fashion and travel to “I will do the craziest poses more people and inspire as many in front of people, and it doesn’t people as I can.”

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

REV R ANKS FIVE FEET APART

CBS Films

Overall, the film didn’t tug at my heartstrings — I’m beginning to question if I have any — but it made me feel really appreciative of my working lungs and of the struggles CF patients have to go through. If you’re able to get past the corniness — and there is a lot of it — it’s worth a watch.

Lia Salime @liasalime

GIRL

Maren Morris

Morris has definitely begun to make a name for herself, and this album sets the tone for the rest of her journey as an artist willing to break boundaries in the country music industry. If she stays on the right track, I can only see her getting bigger and becoming more successful from here.

EnJanae’ Taylor @_queenet_

THE BACHELOR

NZK Productions Inc.

This season of The Bachelor was pretty similar to seasons past. The bachelor makes dumb decisions, the women drink and get in fights and there’s always a villian that the audience roots against.

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LUX PRIMA

Karen O + Danger Mouse The album is 40 minutes of bliss, a savory experience laced with the stuff of dreams. The mixture of Danger Mouse’s restrained drums and synths with Karen O’s emphatic blue-eyed soul is almost uncanny in the notion that it sticks from the very first song.

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Read the full reviews online at lsurevellie.com/entertainment

page 15

‘Queer Eye’s’ Fab Five are back and better than ever

BY WHITNEY HICKS @whitchicks Things just keep getting better for the Fab Five and the third season of “Queer Eye.” Tan, Bobby, Karamo, Antoni and Jonathan are back and more caring, compassionate and fabulous than ever. This season of “Queer Eye” reached out much farther than past seasons have.

While the original show from the mid 2000s was tailored to straight men, the Fab Five of the reboot experimented in helping other gay men and even a transgender man in the first two seasons of the show.

The third season featured many firsts for the show. They decided to do an even number of men and women in season three.

The show had its first woman in episode one, first duo in episode three, and their first lesbian in episode five.

“Queer Eye” has been a tearjerking, heart-wrenching show from the beginning, but season three somehow seems to top anything they’ve ever done. The stories are profoundly touching from a husband who lost his wife to cancer to a young, lesbian black woman who was kicked out of her adoptive parents’ home for coming out.

The show starts off very strong with Jody Castellucci, the show’s first woman. She is passionate about hunting, and much to the horror of the Fab Five, most articles in her home and closet are camouflage or taxidermy.

Instead of trying to force Jody into a more feminine lifestyle, they let her take the lead.

She tells them that she wants to be more feminine and they help her achieve that without leaving behind other sides of her personality. In the end, they help her achieve a look and a space that leaves her feeling feminine and beautiful without sacrificing her love of being outdoors and hunting.

Karamo does something in this episode that almost made me like Karamo as much as the other four guys. He acknowledged the fact that it’s ridiculous that five men were trying to teach her about femininity and what it means to be a woman. He assembled a group of diverse women to talk with Jody about what being a

SCOUT PRODUCTIONS / The Reveille

woman means to them.

What I found so touching about this season is the Fab Five’s commitment to not change who these people are. So many of the people on season three have huge personalities accompanied by particular tastes. The Fab Five makes sure to help them create a version of themselves that is the best that they can be.

Episode three features the show’s very first duo, sisters Deborah “Little” and Mary “Shorty” Jones. These two women run their father’s business, Jones Bar-B-Q. The Fab Five truly went above and beyond for these ladies.

In addition to doing their hair and buying them new clothes, the Fab Five completely renovated the restaurant and assisted the ladies in finding a company to bottle their famous Bar-B-Q sauces to sell to wider audiences.

The most emotional scene of this episode — and maybe even the entire season — was when the Fab Five decided to give Mary a trip to the dentist to fix her teeth.

From the beginning of the episode, it was apparent that whenever Mary would laugh or talk, she would cover her mouth with her hand. After she received her new smile, she cried tears of joy and smiled for the rest of the episode — no hand involved.

Episode five features the show’s first lesbian, a woman named Jess. Jess was kicked out of her adoptive family’s home at the age of 16 because she was outed to her parents. Ever since then, Jess had struggled with not only discovering who she was and her identify, but also where she belonged and her sense of family.

Seeing Jess connect with the Fab Five was an emotional experience for anyone watching.

She connected with Bobby be-

cause they share similar stories of being forced to go to church as children and being kicked out of their homes for being gay.

She connected with Karamo as someone who was often told that she was not black enough or not gay enough.

With the help of the Fab Five, Jess was able to accept and love the fact that she is a black, l esbian woman.

This season of “Queer Eye” demonstrated just how above and beyond the Fab Five are willing to go to help these people. Bobby often renovated entire houses.

Karamo took a few people to a local gym to talk about mental health while showing them that working on their physical health can be just as important to someone’s mental health.

By far the most exciting addition to the show, however, is the presence of a small French Bulldog named Bruley, whose owner lives down the hall from the Fab Five loft and and allows him to come visit whenever he pleases.

Season three had many silly little additions to the show like Bruley. Antoni had a dramatic PSA about not keeping to-MAHtos in the fridge. In episode four, they inserted interview clips with married couples to fit the theme of a wedding episode. In the end of episode seven, the Fab Five tells us what their spirit animals are, and tensions get high when Bobby and Antoni both want to be a corgi.

Every season of “Queer Eye” has thousands of small life lessons that viewers can take away, but I believe season three focused on three main themes: It’s okay to ask for help, family is who loves you and supports you no matter who you are, and it’s important to love yourself at any stage of your journey.

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

page 16 RED STICK, from page 12 directly to you, from the ground floor to the rooftop.

Owner and LSU alumnus Robert Lay says the idea for Red Stick Social came to him after he noticed a gap in what there was available to do around Baton Rouge. The choices mainly fall into two categories: college bars or restaurants.

“You didn’t have anything that was like, ‘Hey, where can I go spend a couple hours and really be comfortable?’” he said.

Lay wants to cultivate that comfortable feeling while also keeping Red Stick Social upscale,

SUCCULENTS, from page 12 with it, why is it dying or they just bring it to show it off because it’s pretty and we’re all so jealous and envious,” Miguez said.

“We strive for perfection and we definitely do have a few members that get there.”

The society takes succulents and cacti very seriously. Although the members are hobbyists, most have at least one greenhouse filled with these types of plants.

Miguez said she first got into the hobby a few years ago, thinking they were pretty.

She says it’s very easy to get into, since succulents and cacti require little maintenance

and everything in the building reflects that, from the design to the menu.

Chef George Sittig is bringing the comfort food of South Louisiana to the table — with a modern twist.

The Lafayette native’s menu features a wide range of options, from Korean barbeque sliders to crawfish mac n’ cheese. Sittig draws from other cultures and experiments with flavors while also staying true to his roots, creating a menu of homestyle favorites with an unexpected punch.

His culinary creations are a perfect reflection of what Red Stick Social is all about —

togetherness.

“It’s a little cliche,” owner Robert Lay said, “but Baton Rouge is supposed to be the melting pot of Louisiana, and what we’re trying to curate here is that kind of sense of community.”

Lay makes it clear that, at Red Stick Social, everyone is welcome.

From a kid’s birthday to a 50th anniversary party, anyone can feel like they belong.

Red Stick Social is located at 1509 Government Street, and is set to open to the public on April 15. For more updates, follow @redsticksocial on Instagram, or visit their website at www.redsticksocial.com.

located at 1509 Government Street and will open on April 15.

and watering. While the recent succulent trend hasn’t resulted in more society members, Miguez said they got a lot of interest at the recent plant sale. She thinks it’s the perfect starter plant.

“It’s so fun, it’s so rewarding.

First, it lives for a certain length of time and when it blooms, it’s that much more rewarding,” Miguez said. “It’s just fun, just something to do and it definitely is just really soothing.”

Part of the appeal is how stress-free and undemanding the plants are. While some of the more specialized plants need tailored soil mixtures and greenhouses, most varieties of

succulents and cacti can be forgotten for long periods of time without any issues.

“They thrive on neglect so most of them do not require a lot of care, so they are easy for most people,” Miguez said. “Some of your smaller varieties that aren’t so picky, some can get very very picky, but for the most part they’re stand alone and take care of themselves.”

But she encourages people to come to the meetings anyway, to pick up plant care tips and experience the community.

“These meetings are open to the public and we’d love to share education and our knowledge with everyone,” Miguez said.

The Baton Rouge Succulent and Cactus Society share their passion for succulents and cacti, offering a variety of plant care tips.

PASS IT DOWN, from page 12

The best lawyers are good communicators.

Learn about the Manship School’s pre-law options at www.lsu.edu/manship.

solution that’s needed not in the U.S., not in Canada, not in Mexico, but really in every country around the world. And we want to be a global company that’s helping bring stories to life in every country in the world.”

The Pass It Down app is not only satisfying a demand in the market but also helping cities close cultural gaps and bringing representation to minorities. The technology allows anyone in the community to submit their own story or their own

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perspective, which is important because, according to Cummings, they found there’s a gigantic need for more diverse stories.

“One of the cities that we’ve worked with and have been in talks with for a while, the city’s archives were 99.2 percent Caucasian despite the city being 33 percent African American, so there’s this gigantic gap in terms of the demographic makeup of the city and the stories that the city has about the city and the people of the city,” Cummings said. “We can’t fix it overnight, but we can start to chip away at it through our platform.”

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OPINION

page 17

Head

to

No tattoo is worth unemployment ACCORDING TO ASHLON ASHLON LUSK @ashlonrose A tattoo shouldn’t be more important to you than receiving a job.

A friend recently came to me and asked me if he should get a neck tattoo. My first response was, “Well, do you want to be employed?” I know this is an old-fashioned way of thinking, but the majority of today’s employers are a part of an older generation.

Being hired should solely be based on your skills and qualifications for that specific job, not on your appearance or background. It’s not that body modifications don’t belong in the workplace, it’s that they’re not yet widely accepted in the workplace. Frankly, I’d rather have a job than a neck tattoo.

Workplace discrimination is a real and unjust thing, and I completely disagree with it. Not hiring someone because of their race, sexual orientation, religion, disability or gender is illegal and anyone who shows prejudice while hiring someone should be held responsible for their actions.

I don’t think body modifications count as workplace discrimination because unlike race, sexual orientation or gender, body modifications are a choice you make. It’s fair, at least under the law, to not hire someone because of his or her body modifications.

Getting a visible tattoo, dying your hair an unconventional color or piercing your eyebrow are signs that you care more about your aesthetic than employment. That will show in an interview and may keep you from receiving the job.

I don’t think it’s fair that this is the world that we live in, but we have bigger fights to fight than standing up for purple hair. It’s not that body modifications are inherently evil. In fact, I would love tattoos all over me, but I know other people would view this as unprofessional.

People with body modifications are just like

everyone else. Some people express themselves with clothes, makeup or different hair styles.

Others express themselves with tattoos, colored hair and piercings. There is nothing wrong with how people express themselves, unless it interferes with their future.

Tattoos are beautiful and wonderful pieces of art people choose to put on their skin. However, keeping your tattoos below your neck and between your knees and elbows is safer than being unemployed. Body modifications are an expression of who a person is, and anyone with them deserves to be seen for who they are.

Most people’s issue with visible body modifications isn’t who the person actually is, it’s the stereotype behind them. The stereotype of people, although unfair, is that they are rebellious or irresponsible.

Many see tattoos as taboo, or a sign that the person with them is rebelling against something. Although this often isn’t the case, this assumption is one that many people in positions of power still hold.

Tattoos or other drastic body modifications are generally not seen as a problem within the creative community, including musicians, photographers and artists. More creative jobs are more accepting of tattoos because people in that field are generally more progressive. More traditional careers in medicine, education, law and most others do not as easily accept those with body modifications, regardless of their qualifications.

Tattoos and other visible body modifications are much more accepted today than they were 10 years or 20 years ago. However, more accepted does not equal completely accepted.

I hope that one day, every workplace allows its employees to look any way they please, but today is not that day. Today we have to worry about sexism, racism and sexual harassment in the workplace first and foremost. Maybe tomorrow we’ll worry about your neck tattoo.

Ashlon Lusk is a 20-year-old mass communication sophomore from Houston, Texas.

cartoon by ETHAN GILBERTI / The Reveille

Head Body modifications don’t affect job performance, wrongly judged SMITT’S TEA JAMES SMITH @itssmitt

Tattoos are commonly referred to as “jobstoppers.” The notion refers to employers discriminating against tattooed job-seekers. It can also be applied to other body modifications such as piercings, dyed hair and painted nails.

While private entities are afforded more leeway by the law in regards to restricting freedom of expression and speech, discrimination in a professional setting on the basis of appearance is inherently wrong and unproductive.

The number of tattoos I have doesn’t correlate to my ability to do work. Your blue hair doesn’t stop you from attending a meeting. My pierced ears aren’t hindering me from writing this article. Your multi-colored nails don’t affect your productivity. None of it matters. If I can do my job, I can do my job. Just as nobody should be judged by the color of their skin, nobody should be judged by the modifications to their body.

I pierced my ears as soon as I graduated high school. I highlighted my black hair blonde my sophomore year of college. I got my fourth tattoo, which is visible if I wear short sleeves, about two weeks ago. When I pierced my ears, a family member told me some employers may not want to hire a male with pierced ears. I immediately shot back and said I wouldn’t want to work at a place that wouldn’t allow my pierced ears. When I got my first tattoo, somebody told me it’s good I got it in a spot easily covered with a shirt. I responded in a similar manner. I don’t want to work somewhere that discriminates against artwork on my body.

To expand the conversation, let’s consider transgender individuals. Surely the transition from male to female or vice versa is a body modification. Although there is no federal law barring a private entity from discriminating against transgender people, it’s wrong. The law does not always equate to morality or common de-

cency. In 2019, whatever someone decides to do with their body is their own choice and should not define their capacity to work.

However, there are some obvious instances in which someone could be rightfully discriminated against based on the markings on their body. For example, I don’t want to associate with someone who has a swastika tattooed on their face. Nor do I want to pay for goods or services from someone with any form of offensive artwork on their body. Self-expression can include hate, which the First Amendment rightfully protects, but it should not be tolerated.

I graduate this May. I’m applying for internships and graduate school. I worry that some authority figures, especially in a more conservative environment, will think less of me when they see that I wear earrings and have tattoos. This concern should not exist. I should be judged by the content of my resume, not the modifications of my body.

Tattoos are one of the oldest art forms, dating back to over 4,000 years ago. Ancient Egyptians and Indians used them for religious reasons and Filipinos used them to assign societal rankings. Indigenous peoples used piercings and other modifications for a variety of reasons.

Throughout history, various modification trends shifted in and out of the mainstream. Once the hippie movement arose in the 60s and 70s, tattoos became common among all classes. Today, about 38 percent of people aged 18 to 29 have a tattoo.

If a workplace was to discriminate against body modifications, it would have to automatically reject a large number of potential employees. Not only would this create a lack of diversity in the workplace, but that company could also fall out of touch with its clients.

Body modifications are a prominent form of self-expression. Self-expression in any unharmful form should be celebrated. That selfexpression does not relate to one’s productivity and, therefore, should not be a factor in a professional setting.

James Smith is a 22-year-old mass communication senior from Grand Coteau, Louisiana.

cartoon by ETHAN GILBERTI / The Reveille

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

page 18

College admissions scandal defining example of privilege OLIVE’S GARDEN OLIVIA JAMES @afroliviaa Actress Lori Loughlin was recently arrested after allegedly committing bribery and falsifying test scores to get her two daughters into the University of Southern California. Meanwhile, two black women — Kelley Williams-Bolar and Tanya McDowell — used the addresses of loved ones to get their children a better education in a safer school district, and were sentenced to jail time. The parallel is quite obvious.

Poor people of color fight every day for a decent public primary and secondary education. Meanwhile, rich white kids are buying their way into the top colleges in the nation, taking spots away from people who have actually earned one. And yet, many still don’t believe white privilege exists.

These are the same people who call others who aren’t successful “lazy,” preaching the ideas of the “American Dream,” where we’re all afforded the same opportunities. These

are the same people who will say, “All you need is an education.” These are the same people who, while buying and cheating their way into universities, complain about people of color getting “free” education for their race instead of merit.

History has given me no reason to believe that Loughlin and actress Felicity Huffman, another accused celebrity parent, will get as harsh a punishment as these black mothers did. Loughlin and Huffman deserve prison. Those black mothers were simply doing what they had to do to get their child an education.

The white mothers crippled their kids by paying their way through school. They lied when they could have just been honest like everyone else and sent their children to a school where they would rightfully be accepted. They displayed their privilege in the most disgusting way.

Affirmative action is described as policies put in place at institutions to secure more opportunities for minorities, yet it’s criticized for being unfair and challenged all the time.

Affirmative action is not the problem.

The fact that colleges need policies

to force them into giving minority students an equal opportunity is the problem. Privilege, racism and elitism are the problems.

White people continuously say that we, black and brown people, are taking their spots when, in actuality, they are paying to take ours. The fact that some white people feel so entitled to a spot at a top college rather than a school with admissions requirements that meet their mediocrity is the definition of privilege.

When my parents told me that, as a black woman, I would have to work twice or even three times as hard to get to what a white peer has, this is what they were talking about. In a YouTube video, Loughlin’s daughter admitted she rarely attended high school and was only going to college for the experience.

“I do want the experience of gamedays, partying … I don’t really care about school, as you guys all know,” Olivia Jade Giannulli, Loughlin’s daughter, said in a YouTube video posted in 2018. If you’re going to take away a spot from somebody who actually deserves one, could you at least be interested in

Feeling Foul?

courtesy of WIKIMEDIA

academics or actually play the sport you got a scholarship for?

With the flick of a finger, her mom bought her daughter admission to one of the most “exclusive” universities in the nation, while black and brown students are fighting the charter school epidemic sweeping the nation. There are children fighting a system set up against them and students basically teaching themselves, and it’s still sometimes not enough. Still, white people who have hardly worked for anything in their entire lives are served a world class education on a platter.

White Americans would rather bash affirmative action and say that we only get into college because we’re poor little minorities when the only people getting handed an education because of their race and class is them. They are throwing millions of dollars to back door agents and

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Olivia James is a 19-year-old mass communication freshman from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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EDITORIAL BOARD

coaches to get their children a spot in school while black and brown parents are breaking their backs to get their children through college or even get them an education at all.

Dear white people, instead of constantly trying to blame minorities, take a step back and check your privilege. Check your rich, white peers.

Parents and all those who made these occurrences possible should be accountable. There should not be a way to falsify SAT scores. College coaches should not be bought.

Education is now a business, just like prisons have become. When you mix money with something that’s meant to be a fundamental right, you have a big problem on your hands.

The Reveille (USPS 145-800) is written, edited and produced solely by students of Louisiana State University. The Reveille is an independent entity of the Office of Student Media within the Manship School of Mass Communication. Signed opinions are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, The Reveille or the university. Letters submitted for publication should be sent via e-mail to opinion@lsureveille.com or delivered to B-39 Hodges Hall. They must be 400 words or less. Letters must provide a contact phone number for verification purposes, which will not be printed. The Reveille reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for space consideration while preserving the original intent. The Reveille also reserves the right to reject any letter without notification of the author. Writers must include their full names and phone numbers. The Reveille’s editor in chief, hired every semester by the LSU Student Media Board, has final authority on all editorial decisions.

Quote of the Week “There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.”

Leonard Cohen

Singer, poet Sept. 21, 1934 — Nov. 7, 2016

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

page 19

Disconnect from social media for a better life, clearer mind I SAID WHAT I SAID MAYA STEVENSON @MayaSStevenson Every second, 11 people join the fascinating world of social media for the first time.

That’s almost a million people a day. More than 3 billion people use social media every month — 42 percent of the total global population. In the U.S., the percentage is even larger, with 71 percent of the U.S. population using social media monthly. Needless to say, social media is important.

Social media is also incredibly harmful. I will be the first one to admit social media can have positive effects, such as the spread of pertinent world issues. However, the impact it has on our emotional and mental health cannot be ignored.

Last year, Apple rolled out its Screen Time feature for iPhones, a feature that averages the amount of time the user spent on his or her device daily and reports it to the user at the end of the week. The feature is incredible, but it also calls for a bit of introspection for those of us who like social media too much.

My own screen time app was

telling me I was spending six to seven hours a day on my device. It didn’t bother me for a while, but as I kept seeing the notification, it disgusted me. Seven hours a day? What else could I do with that time?

That’s an entire work-shift for crying out loud. I resolved to delete my apps in January. I finally bit the bullet three weeks ago. And while I feel a little disconnected, I feel great.

In 2018, Americans spent more than 11 hours a day interacting with media. That’s almost half a day. When Instagram and Facebook went down last week, instead of doing something else productive, most users flocked to another social media site. If that’s not a sign of addiction, I’m not sure what is.

When considering the harmful effects of social media, the amount of time we spend on it needs to be reconsidered. There’s no way to make 11 hours reasonable, especially because of the toll social media has on us.

In a study published by the Public Library of Science, researchers found that Facebook, the most popular social media platform, was linked to both less moment-to-moment happiness and less life satisfaction. The more use of the site, the lower those two variables were. One

cartoon by ETHAN GILBERTI / The Reveille

possible reason for these effects is the unrealistic expectations society gives us. Social media is rarely, if ever, real.

In another study published by the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, researchers found that use of 11 of the most popular social media sites had a direct correlation with greater

feelings of social isolation. Social isolation is one of the worst things for our mental and physical health.

Social media is certainly an incredible phenomenon. One incredibly fascinating aspect of it is the fact that it’s an entire market. However, it has downsides that shouldn’t be ignored.

I’m not saying we should all collectively quit social media. However, next time you’re feeling drained, upset or a host of negative emotions because of social media, consider taking a break.

Maya Stevenson is a 19-year-old English and economics sophomore from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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