The Bison - Vol. 99, No. 13

In this issue

University President Mike Williams and Vice President Jean-Noel Thompson announced in chapel Tuesday that Harding will hire Aramark to replace Chartwells as the primary campus food service provider beginning in May. The University executive leadership team, which consists of four people, decided to replace Chartwells for multiple reasons, Williams said. Student feedback surveys and focus groups had shown disappointing results.

“What we had heard was an overwhelming amount of dissatisfaction,” Williams said. “Although some changes were made, we didn’t feel like the changes were comprehensive enough to merit going forward.”

Since 2020, when Chartwells started its contract as Harding’s primary food service provider, the food quality at Harding has not been consistent, Williams said. When quality started to decline, the company’s responsiveness to complaints was slight.

“It was a leadership problem,” Williams said. “Part of leadership is responding to the needs of the people you’re trying to serve, and it wasn’t a secret that the student body and faculty and staff had misgivings about the service.”

Thompson said all hourly workers will be offered the opportunity to keep working at the University, but under different leadership.

“The staff here are all good people,” Thompson said. “They would be retrained, and they would report to this new leadership model, but it comes with a high sense of, ‘We operate differently.’”

Thompson said when the University executive leadership team decided to hire Aramark, they looked at several key areas of change. The first was that Aramark would bring the University a “higher confidence in consistency.”

“It’s never going to be perfect, and students will never be every day perfectly satisfied — that’s just food,” Thompson said. “But it should be a lot better.”

Another change that the University expects Aramark to bring in the coming years is better accommodations to food sensitivities/allergies. Additionally, Thompson said, expectations for responsiveness to change will be higher than before. He said if anything about the food service brings complaints, Aramark wants to engage with students as soon as possible to make improvements.

“The food just has to be better,” Thompson said. “You can’t come in and make us really happy for three months and let it go down. It has to be consistent across the board, and when it’s not, what are the systems in place to get something corrected right away? They’ve proven to us that they can do that.”

Chief Financial Officer Tammy Hall said one of the biggest changes through the process will be allowing students to use meal swipes anywhere they want and take their food to the cafeteria without having to swipe in. Offerings will stay the same, but Student Center restaurants that offer meal exchanges will offer them during all hours of the day.

“Part of this is community,” Hall said. “We want students eating together. You’ll see this group of friends sitting in the cafeteria, and three of them may have a caf meal, and one will have Chick-fil-A, and one will have

Einstein’s, but they can all sit together.”

Hall said the process of rehiring Aramark and guaranteeing success on their part has lasted “at least 12 months.” She said she reviewed 13 different versions of the financial model before the committee decided on a final one. Hall acknowledged that Aramark had failed to meet expectations in the past but has been through changes and seen success with larger schools.

“I think it will be a good thing in the long run,” Hall said. “Change is good for all of us. It makes us uncomfortable, but usually in the end, it makes us better.”

Aramark had previously been Harding’s food service provider for over 20 years before Chartwells was hired in 2020. Aramark director of business development Heath Drulman said that since Aramark was previously removed from service, the company has undergone a “transformation” under the new leadership of President and CEO Jack Donovan.

“Under his leadership and guidance, we went back to our roots and implemented the ‘hospitality ecosystem’ that focuses on our guests through servant leadership, delivering on our promises and putting our culinary excellence up as the standard of what you should come to expect,” Drulman said. “... Introducing ‘Bison hospitality’ will represent a resurgence as part of the great experience of being at Harding.”

Drulman said to keep quality consistent, the company will form a “partnership committee” with students that will accept feedback and make sure expectations are met. He said students will be invited to help make menu decisions as well as participate in a student panel each year to give feedback.

Fight the New Drug visits to speak on dangers of porn

Harding Healthy Eating Active Living and Women of Faith hosted Fight the New Drug, an organization promoting education about pornography, in the Benson Auditorium. The seminar, which took place Tuesday, was the first time representatives from the organization had spoken in Arkansas.

Fight the New Drug communications manager Parker Hymas presented for Fight the New Drug and encouraged students to consider the consequences for themselves and others before consuming pornography.

“We want you to talk to someone if you’re struggling and to have these conversations generally, whether or not you’re struggling,” Hymas said. “You’re not alone; there [are] resources, support and help available.”

Hymas’ presentation focused on the impacts of pornography on an individual, their relationships and the world.

Hymas said pornography changes brain function due to neuroplasticity and the relationship between the reward system and the prefrontal cortex. He also discussed the negative effects that pornography has on romantic relationships and their longevity. His last point was that pornography promotes racism, hurts women and is impossible to make ethically.

Fight the New Drug relied on peer reviewed research from trusted academic institutions for the facts in the presentation.

“We’re a non-religious, non-legislative nonprofit, and our mission is allowing individuals to make an informed decision on the topic of pornography by raising awareness of its harmful effects using only science facts and personal accounts,” Hymas said.

Hymas emphasized that the presentation was not to criticize but to inform and offer help to those who might be struggling with an addiction to pornography.

“We’re going to have a healthy conversation about pornography,” Hymas said. “We’re not going to shame anyone or make anyone feel bad. I want to be clear about that. Instead, we’re here to have a healthy conversation about porn’s potential impacts.”

University ambassador Lisa Williams discussed the impact pornography has on relationships.

“It has everything to do with women of faith,” Williams said. “If we have unhealthy men, if men have an addiction to porn, it

builds a terrible landscape for an unhealthy relationship, and the same thing for women.” Williams said the purpose of the talk was to spread awareness and share information. She said she hoped people would be more open to helping others after the discussion. Assistant Director of the Center for Professional Excellence Cindi Ingram spoke in chapel on Monday about her personal experience with pornography.

On Tuesday night, the night of the presentation, Ingram said the purpose of the

lecture was to create a “community of care.”

“We know that it’s accepted in our culture,” Ingram said. “We want to give students information to let them know the harms so they can make more informed decisions instead of allowing this to roll over them.”

MAGGIE SAMPLES news editor

TIANE DAVIS editor-in-chief

Communications manager Parker Hymas speaks on stage in the Benson Auditorium Feb. 27 about the affects of porn addiction. Harding Healthy Eating Active Living and Women of Faith invited Fight the New Drug to speak.

Harding Dining worker Norma Hilliar helps students swipe into the Charles White Dining Hall Sept. 7. The University promised to offer jobs to all hourly workers after hiring Aramark to replace Chartwells.

Photo by BRILEY KEMPER

Photo by BRILEY KEMPER

Billy Morgan, 3B

Nate Wallace, 1B

Centennial Tours, 2A

MO, Warehouse 4, 3B

Friday, March 1,

Centennial Tour makes its rounds

was awarded to every student that attended a tour event and also visited campus.

Every year, Harding takes a series of tours where receptions are held to engage with prospective students as well as parents, alumni and donors across the country. Although Admissions holds additional receptions, these tours often accompany President Mike Williams, Harding Ambassador Lisa Williams, Vice President of Enrollment Steve Lake, Senior Director of Admissions Scott Hannigan, Director of Alumni and Parent Relations Heather Kemper, Director of Donor Relations Emily Roberts, the regional admissions counselor and gift officer based on the tour location, and a faculty and student representative. This year, the Centennial Tours are named in honor of Harding’s 100th year. Locations for the tours are chosen based on concentrations of prospective students, alumni and donors. In the last 18 months, the tours have taken place in Arkansas, Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia/D.C., Colorado, Minnesota, Indiana and Oregon. This year, a $1,000 scholarship

Hannigan serves on a committee of five members made up of representatives from Undergraduate Admissions, Alumni and Parent Relations and Advancement. Hannigan attends most events put on by the committee and serves as master of ceremonies.

“It is important that we bring the Harding culture and community to prospective students and their parents in order for them to understand and witness what makes Harding a unique and attractive college option,” Hannigan said. “It’s our desire that these events will result in students coming to campus for an official visit.”

Another member of the Centennial Tours planning committee, Teresa Castleman, is the director of Abundant Living and works with alumni offices for outreach to retirement age alumni.

“It’s really helpful to bring alumni together with prospective students because a prospective student gets a really unique experience talking to someone who has already had a Harding experience,” Castleman said. “The value is providing a good opportunity for alumni to

connect with prospective students. It’s also for people who are thinking about Harding either as a student or they have been a donor to Harding to be able to engage with Harding administration and leadership.”

Senior Brady Kraner started working for admissions at the end of his sophomore year. He said he wanted to give back to the University and that working as a student ambassador was a great way to do that. He was asked to go on a Centennial Tour in his hometown, Houston, Texas. After that, Kraner went on a handful of other tours across the South.

“It is always great to reconnect with campus visitors, meet new prospective students and get to know some of the greatest alumni in the world,” Kraner said. “Whether it be in a one-on-one conversation or in front of a group of 200 people like most of the Centennial Tours, telling the story of Harding is something I really enjoy doing.”

Harding held a Centennial Tour Feb. 27, in Conway, Arkansas, hosted by Scott and Amy Westjohn. Typically, once the tour team arrives in a city, they divide up to host different events. Williams and an Advancement

gift officer engage with various donors over coffee, and a lunch is held for President’s Council members in the area. Undergraduate Admissions visits high schools, along with a faculty and student ambassador, and teach classes, speak in chapel, provide lunch to juniors and seniors and meet with school leaders and guidance counselors. Alumni and Parent Relations engages with local alumni and works with the hosts to prepare for the upcoming reception.

“I believe the Centennial Tours are a great way for us to demonstrate what the Harding community is all about,” Kraner said. “We bring our leadership, professors and admissions team all over the country to get to know prospective students and visit with alumni. When the Harding community comes together in these homes all across the country, something really special takes place. I believe getting to show just how special the Harding community is to prospective students and their families is what these Centennial Tours are all about.”

FCS cooks with Harding cookbook for alumni event

The Family and Consumer Sciences Department celebrated the Centennial year with a special cooking event through the resource and family management class. This class teaches students how to buy ingredients and cook recipes according to budgets they are given for the lab every week.

Junior Elly Harper said they have spices and basics like flour and sugar in the lab but that they budget to buy all other ingredients at Walmart.

For the last two weeks, students were assigned recipes from the Harding cookbook, which was created by the Associated Women for Harding. Each recipe was contributed by women connected to Harding, many of them alumni. The first edition was published in 1965, and the most recent fourth edition was released in 2009.

Megan Jones, the instructor for the resource and family management class, had the idea to use recipes from the cookbook and invite the contributors back as a way to celebrate the Centennial.

alumni] come in the last hour and everyone will eat together and just get to talking,” Freshman Arianna Parker said she enjoyed talking with the alumna whose recipe she cooked during class and that this event is something she hopes the class will continue doing in

“Everything was completely different when she was a student, so I think it’s cool to see her surprise that we made the recipe,” Parker said.

The Family and Consumer Sciences Department is focused on how food can be a ministry at Harding and serve the Searcy community. Jones said the FCS-SA prepares frozen meals for different organizations around Searcy. They have worked with Sparrow’s Promise and are working with Downtown Church of Christ

“We have hands-on activities just building those skills but also really serving the people and that’s really important to us and community and connection,” Jones said. “I think this is the perfect event.”

RANDI TUBBS features editor

Senior Brady Kraner speaks to a group of alumni and prospective students in Houston, Texas, on Feb. 23. Houston was a stop on the Centennial Tour throughout the South, for the purpose of connecting with alumni and recruiting prospective students.

Photo provided by Brady Kraner

Music has been the center of my life for as long as I can remember. I was raised on the classics like The Beatles, Metallica, Eagles and Zeppelin as well as contemporary rockers like The Killers, Arctic Monkeys, Arcade Fire and Interpol. Eventually, I sought out on my own to develop my music taste, but I have always been into music. I started my own band in July 2022 with a couple of other Harding students — Beckham King, Jacob Ash, Kyle Jetton and Ian Daughety. Zashed is still going strong, and I’ve loved every gig we have played.

Searcy needs a stage

not really a place for a wired, electric kind of show. There isn’t a designated home for louder music on campus. Creating a space for different avenues of musical expression would give lots of students a place to hang out and see cool music on the weekends.

Neighboring cities like Fayetteville, Conway and even Jonesboro have bustling music scenes in their college towns. I wish Searcy could have the same.

We tried to play a couple of Searcy gigs per year, but surprisingly, Searcy makes it pretty hard to have an established music scene. Searcy doesn’t even have its own venue — in my opinion, that has got to change. It would be so cool to have a single designated spot where all the different concerts could happen. Some of my local friends here are starting their own bands right now with Through Blood, Current Solace, By Mourning and Homer. It would be great if there was a place where they could set up gigs for Friday and Saturday nights. There is Citizen’s Park, but the city does not make renting it out an easy task at all. On top of this, Harding doesn’t make it very easy to set up campus shows either. There are the occasional Campus Life events or Midnight Oil shows, but there is

Little Rock quickly became my go-to city to see music. Vino’s Pizzeria has become like my second home. I can see a really good show with touring bands

for $12-$15 any day of the week. Being able to make this happen in my hometown would be really awesome. There is so much space to create and build in the Searcy community, and this would be a perfect outlet to make it happen. I aspire to see Searcy take off creatively in the musical sense like these other college towns, and I believe it would create a very open and positive environment to connect the Harding students that enjoy live music to the concert-going locals. I don’t know if this is something that could ever happen, but I am always looking for ways to make it happen.

Having the ability to rent out a space and rip shows there with all of my friends would certainly make me and others enjoy staying in town on the weekends instead of trekking off to Little Rock to catch whatever shows they have going on. I’m just a wishful thinking college student, so what do I know? I just want to see expressive creativity thrive in my hometown.

is a guest writer for The Bison. He may be contacted at jdedwards@harding.edu.

Irecently heard someone say in passing that when they think of the saints, they do not often think of the women. After spending three weeks in Italy with the Harding University in Florence program, I cannot stop thinking about the women. They permeate our lives in ways we often fail to realize. Thus, I urge you to consider the women who come to my mind when I hear of the saints.

I think of St. Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. I think of her willingness to bear and raise the Savior. I think of her willingness to follow Jesus to His death and His Resurrection.

I think of St. Mary Magdalene. She washed Jesus’ feet with an incredibly expensive perfume. She dedicated herself to His work, following Him as He spread the Gospel.

I think of St. Agnes, the patron saint of young girls. She was a 13-year-old martyr. The violent men around her cost her her life

The women of our world

after a vow of chastity. She was resilient when no 13-year-old should have to be.

I think of St. Catherine of Siena, a bold Christian who criticized the Pope’s worldliness before she was even 30. Her advocacy brings inspiration to many. I think of St. Fina; she fasted and prayed almost constantly, laying on a wooden board while people sought her for healing. Many gathered around her to be in her presence.

I think of my own mother, another appropriately named Mary, who has taught me so much about being a woman of faith, about loving others. I think of my best friends Randi and Amelia, two women who lead with love, patience and understanding. They listen well to the world around them. I think of Emma as she designs this very page. She is the definition of depth and strength, writing

I think of my younger sister, Lila, and her ability to teach and to care for all around her. She remains bold and steadfast in her beliefs.

There are many more women written in the Book of Life who work and worked diligently for their faith. They are trusting, and they are bright. They are strong. They love well. They fall and they rise; they press on. We should all strive to be like every one of them — women and men alike. I hope that when we look at the admirable women of our lives, we know they are saints. I hope that when you read this, you think of your own mother or sister or mentor or friend. I hope that the little girls of this world grow up thinking of the female saints surrounding them and paving their way. I know you, too, can be like these women — human and striving and redeemed.

May every one of us contemplate the female saints. They were here, and they remain. Praise God.

HELEN STRICKLAND is a guest writer for The Bison. She may be contacted at hstrickland@harding. edu.

Grandmother (n): the mother of one’s father or mother.

There’s a joke that the women in my family live forever. It seems likely; both my great grandmothers lived past 102, and my Mimi finally stopped whitewater rafting at 70. She lives with her boyfriend in western Kansas while my Grandma Williams moved into an independent living facility to be closer to friends after my step-grandpa, Martin, passed.

Grandma Williams and I walk around her building and talk about the food in her retirement home and the people she lives with. When I was younger, she took me to nature camps at the zoo where I explored different kinds of bugs. My favorite was always the ladybug.

Women even dominate the gene pool: I have five boy cousins and 13 girl cousins. Some of my craziest memories with my Mimi and cousins come from the ski trip we took when I was about seven. My cousin Gabi and I played a made-up ninja game while learning to ski. Gabi taught me the importance of sharing secrets and slowing down on the slopes.

Sister (n), 1: a woman or girl in relation to other daughters and sons of her parents.

I was the third daughter to my parents. My oldest sister Hallie is the one who directed the shows, and Laura and I were her minions. That was until I decided to give up the limelight and focus my efforts on my true passion: chaos. My sisters and I took a brief hiatus in our friendship when my older sisters got to middle school. I didn’t pursue close relationships with them until I was in college. Maybe this was because when we were kids we didn’t have the patience to translate our personal languages to other people. Maybe it’s because we were just kids and we didn’t realize the magnitude of being a sister. I am glad we found each other again. Sister (n), 2: a close female friend or associate, especially a female fellow member of a labor union or other organization.

It is cheesy, but I truly met some of my dearest friends through the social club process. Even my friends that didn’t end up in the same jersey are bonded with me through sisterhood. My roommates, Ellie and Grace, are the women who motivate me most in life. One of my “littles,” Bailey, encourages me to exemplify Christ in all areas, even if I don’t want to. She calls me to a higher standard; she is one of my people.

If you ever have the honor of attending a Delta Nu meeting, you will feel the power of being loved and loving others.

Mother (n): a woman in relation to her child or children. My mom and I have always bumped against each other. She has shaped me and my sisters into the strong women we are today. For most of my childhood, my house was filled with only women during the times my dad was deployed. I remember my mom driving all over town to take my sisters and me around to the different activities we were involved in. She gave up her time to make sure we had the tools to be capable and independent. She also exemplified what it means to wrestle with faith.

Sometimes when you uncover something about the world, it feels like the floor is being pulled out from underneath you. The other day, for example, I learned that the way we see colors is actually just a perception of the light waves that are being reflected by the object we are looking at. I like to think about the women who have paved the way for me and who have walked beside me. I absorb the lessons their love has taught me and reflect it out in the same way.

Women’s history month starts today. I hope you take time to reflect on the women who have shaped you and choose to embody their spirit in your actions.

Helen

Graphic by BEN EVANS

4A OPINIONS

For Love

Editor-in-Chief Tiane Davis

Cues for joy

I remember a time when I was 11 or 12 years old at a sleepover with a group of friends, telling secrets and getting into arguments over who got to sleep with the best pillow pet. At one point in the night, we all stopped talking because we heard the sound of birds chirping. We all looked around at each other with mischievous smiles and decided without a word that this was our sign to get some rest.

“We stayed up so late that we heard the birds start singing!” my friend told her mom while we were all eating breakfast the next morning.

She said it in a way that reminded everyone we were awake when we weren’t supposed to be. For some reason I never forgot that. The birds were singing, and that was a sign that the morning had arrived. When I am awake late at night or early in the morning, the sound of birds chirping tells me that the world is beginning its day and that I either need to go to sleep or get to work. I am reminded of when I was a child and staying up past 3 a.m. was something I could get in trouble for.

More importantly, the sound of birds chirping in the middle of the night makes me think of a specific time when I was excited to be alive with people I loved; it is a reminder for me to be happy.

So many little signals in life exist that tell us how to behave or how to think, and I have no explanation for any of them except that they consistently remind me to feel a specific way.

At a certain point in the past year or two, I started writing down those prompts, specifically the ones that tell me, “Be happy!”

A few examples of things I have put on my list are “free refills,”“new notebooks,”“cheap gas,” “awesome rocks” and “casserole.” Sometimes I write down more broad ideas, like “being proud of someone,” “being unbothered” or simply the names of people I love. As my list gets longer, I find that even the inconvenient parts of my life sometimes make me laugh or smile.

The cues for joy I have noticed over time were never things I needed to write down to remember; they just happened. I never followed them as if they were rules; they just gave me a certain feeling and made me want to do something about it, even if that something was just smiling to myself. Simply acknowledging that these things exist and bring me joy encourages me to search for more.

We learn a lot of cues for our survival, but how many of them are for joy and comfort?

The sound of a person yelling across the street tells me I need to keep my guard up when I leave the house. The smell of smoke tells me something is probably on fire. The sound of my alarm in the morning is a signal to my body that it needs to get out of bed.

But what about the sight of a friend’s car pulling into my driveway? Or the sound of a song that reminds me of a good time in my life? I think some things in life were created to be cues of joy, and they are worth writing down or at least recognizing.

I find so much comfort in the thought that my life can be filled with reminders to enjoy the days I am living. Not everything exists for the sole purpose of making us happy, but many things have the potential to contriute to our happiness.

I have realized that joy is sometimes a feeling I need to be reminded of. Just like exercising or writing in my journal are habits that require a bit of an effort to maintain, the feeling of joy is something I forget if I am not careful, especially if my everyday reminders are scarce or I am too sad or stressed to remember. That is why I try to write down the things that make me happy. If I ever need reminders, I can read my ongoing list of things that tell me there are good things in the world.

Along with writing down my own reminders, I have realized I can be a reminder of joy to others as well. If it looks like a friend needs a hug, I want to be able to give them that and remind them that they are loved. If it looks like a person is worried or stressed, I want to at least share a smile with them to remind them that things can be okay. Life is better with a bit of joy, and it is okay if we need reminders to feel it sometimes.

TIANE DAVIS is the editor-inchief for The Bison. She may be contacted at cdavis27@harding.edu.

The narrative of, “Do whatever makes you happy” is an ever present “truth” in today’s postmodern society. We say, “Yes! Whatever feels good or right is what you must do. Whatever you feel to be the truth is the truth,” right? In reality, not all feelings equal facts. Not all desires equal truths. When we live our lives strictly based on something that bends and sways, comes and goes, there is much potential for harm to be caused either to ourselves or others. Even God, a loving lord who is in constant pursuit of reconciling with his creation says, “[I] gave them over to the desires of their hearts …” (Romans 1:24; NASB).

Pornography is a massive example of this. Perhaps it “feels right” to watch pornography: It triggers a dopamine response, causing stress relief. Chemically speaking, yes, watching pornography might make one happy. Perhaps even participating in filming pornography might make one happy (referring specifically to workers in the porn industry). But this does not make it ethical or healthy. In fact, it is quite the opposite.

Pornographic content largely normalizes rape, incest and sexual violence. In other words, while it might “feel right,” it is undoubtedly harmful for consumption. Fight the New Drug, an organization spreading awareness about the harmful effects of pornography, notes that at least 91.5% of adult men and 60.2% of adult

Fighting for real love

women have sought out pornographic content in their lifetime. Many of these individuals have spiraled into addiction, behaviors characterized by compulsivity, obsession and continuing despite adverse consequences. Much like tobacco, regularly viewing pornography can cause the brain to react as if it is addicted.

individuals around me that to have love, they must first have sex. Suddenly, relationships become sexualized rather than loving. In some cases, physical appearance takes No. 1 priority rather than the heart.

negatively affected both myself and other men and women around me. Prolonged porn addiction skews the truth in what healthy relationships are like. Rather than sex being a fruit/product of love, love becomes a fruit/ product of sex. In other words, it has taught

Shame is one of the heaviest elements associated with porn addiction (more so for women than men). An addict that is ashamed might be tempted to hide their face, labeling themselves with selfdeprecating, spiritually inaccurate terms such as “dirty,” “unloveable” or “unworthy even though Christ died.” So what now?

I believe that finding freedom from any addiction is not a linear process. Simply put, hardly ever can there be complete recovery without relapse. An addict will not wake up one day and decide, “I recognize how this is hurting me. I’ll never do it again!”

At first, they may only be able to go three days without watching pornography. And that might be a continuous cycle until they can go a week, and then a month and then perhaps even a year. Finding freedom is possible, but not all journeys of recovery look the same. At the end of the day, “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us,” (Romans 8:37, NIV).

ELISE SIKLOSI is a guest writer for The Bison. She may be contacted at esiklosi@harding.edu.

Fast-Forward Theatre

There’s a great line in the movie “Titanic” that captures the spirit of what happened to me on Saturday. You’ll remember that Jack is a penniless artist who wins his third-class ticket in a poker game. He ends up rescuing Rose and gets invited to dine in first class with her upper-crust friends. When Rose’s mother sneers at his “rootless” lifestyle, Jack confesses that he actually loves not knowing each morning where he is going to end up.

As he tells the Astors and the Guggenheims, “Just the other night I was sleeping under a bridge, and now, here I am — on the grandest ship in the world — having champagne with you fine people.”

I hasten to point out that my weekend ended better than Jack’s did. My Saturday involved neither champagne nor doomed ocean liners, but it did feature an unexpected turn of events. At 9:30 in the morning, I was sitting at home grading essays, and by 8 p.m., I was performing a cameo role in a delightful evening of theater.

For the past few years, the HU Campus Players have put on a “24-Hour Writing Project.” In this entirely student-driven event, participants are given their guidelines at 7 p.m. Friday night, and they have until 7 p.m. Saturday night to write, cast, costume, direct, block, rehearse and perform a one-act play. Nothing can be done beforehand — it all has to happen between sunsets.

The film students do something similar, but they have 48 hours because everyone must do all of the above, plus edit. Perhaps it helps that writing marathons are common around here — research papers, anyone? Yet it’s very different when a piece of writing goes on public display.

As you can imagine, the pressure is intense but also exhilarating, especially when you

know the results will be seen by enthusiastic friends who will happily cheer them on. In such a short time, mistakes will happen. Few actors can be “off book” with their lines, lighting cues are still being worked out and so on. The unscripted moments simply add to the hilarity.

But such moments are not the main point.

On Saturday, the audience saw an incredible display of talent, ingenuity and fine storytelling. Without the polish from weeks of rehearsal, we experienced raw acting and all the gut-level immediacy of impromptu choices. We saw poignant drama and laugh-out-loud comedy. We saw seasoned performers and impressive debuts in front of a fully supportive crowd.

The shows were good — really good — and I was especially struck by the students who wore multiple hats. Some wrote one show and directed another one. Others appeared as actors in more than one script, playing widely divergent roles. All helped to set up and strike the stage. The camaraderie was palpable.

The six shows were engaging, with a variety of plots. In one, a game show host falls over dead on the air, and in another, a roommate is called away under such mysterious circumstances that her best friend feels compelled to follow. A comedy set in a police station features two trainees being taught interrogation techniques, though

one insists on shamelessly flirting with the suspect. In a powerful adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s classic short story, “Hills Like White Elephants,” a tense couple argues over the painful topic of abortion, and another drama follows the struggles of a waitress who wants to escape her confining life.

In the show I was in — having been cast over email that morning — two washed-up mice argue over their legacies and futures as the audience slowly pieces together that the two rivals are Mickey Mouse and Chuck E. Cheese. I had a cameo as Stuart Little at the end. Remy from “Ratatouille” and Goofy made hilarious appearances. Like all the scripts, this one was very clever. I wondered, “Where do they get these ideas?”

And to think I almost missed it. I knew the show was happening but didn’t have plans to go, and boy, would my day have been poorer if I had stayed home, “sleeping under a bridge,” if you will. Of course, my 10 seconds onstage weren’t quite a “King of the World” moment — in fact, I accidentally jumped a light cue. But I had a marvelous time.

Whenever 20-year-olds invite 50-yearolds to join in their adventures, they have no idea how much that means to us. It is one of the joys of a college community that people come here for a short time and welcome us “lifers” into their journeys, not just as teachers handing out grades, but as friends engaged in a shared process of discovering and creating. And laughing.

My columns are due on Mondays. So, I had my own little 24-hour writing project this weekend. Thanks for the inspiration, friends.

MICHAEL CLAXTON is a narrative columnist for The Bison. He may be contacted at mclaxto1@harding.edu.

Illustration

Graphic by BEN EVANS

Bisons improve to 6-0 in conference

Harding’s baseball team is looking to kick things up a notch into March after strong offensive showings the past four games. The No. 24 nationally ranked Bisons started last week with a 15-0 loss against ArkansasMonticello Feb. 20 but followed that up with three victories against Oklahoma Baptist University over the weekend.

Sophomore outfielder Nathan Bowie kicked off the weekend with a walk-off double that set the tone for an explosive offensive showing.

“Walking off the game on Friday night was a great feeling,” Bowie said. “We played three very complete games where we competed every pitch for the guys around us and that’s what carried us through the weekend.”

Bowie is hitting .370 on the season after a four-for-five showing in Tuesday’s extra inning loss against Arkansas Tech University but said the team will carry the same energy into the dugout regardless of past outcomes.

“Our team chemistry is great because we believe we are one family,” Bowie said. “The energy in the dugout is the best I have ever been a part of — it is electric.”

A key part of the team chemistry is the new group of freshmen ready to make contributions to the team as the season progresses. One freshman, infielder Ty Kirkbride, said that the new culture of the team is a big reason why the team has had early success.

“Always having a winning culture and knowing that we play the game for the glory of God—when we remember those things God blesses us with victory.”

Along with the offense clicking recently, the pitching has held its own and fought through some early adversity. Junior pitcher Kyle Lane said the series against Oklahoma Baptist University showed the high level of effort that the team has put in during the early stages of the season.

“This team is special, and I think everyone can see that based on the work we put in and the way we play the game,” Lane said. “This past weekend showed what type of team we are by bouncing back from a midweek loss and being confident in who we are.”

The Bisons will be looking to do the same this weekend at home against Southern Arkansas University, a team that has won four straight games and nine of their last 10. Bowie said the team is confident in the challenge as they complete their first week in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association DII poll.

“Our goal is to be the same guys every day,” Bowie said. “We will be the same guys against whatever team we play and our goal is to compete for each other.”

As for what the rest of the season will look like, the Bisons will compete for a Great Amerian Conference championship and more. Lane said the expectations will always have God in the center of it all.

“What you can expect from us the rest of the year is to play for each other and play for the glory of God,” Lane said. “We bring an intensity to the game that is unmatched and we will play all day against anyone.”

Josie Williams energizes Lady Bisons throughout season

Competing for the Lady Bisons Basketball team is an achievement in itself. However, for freshman Josie Williams, this achievement is made special by her young age and determination. When looking for a college, Williams said she knew she wanted an atmosphere that would inspire her to grow.

“When I was in the recruiting process, I was not just looking for the best fit on the basketball court, I was looking for a program with great coaches and players that provide a strong family aspect,” Williams said. “I was looking for coaches that invested in their players and teammates that became sisters, and Harding has provided all of these things.”

In Williams’ highest scoring game against Texas Women’s University, Williams made 26 points, 15 being three-pointers. Throughout the season, Williams has averaged 10.7 points and 31 minutes per game.

Women’s head coach Tim Kirby described the talent and grit Williams has as a freshman starter. He attributes this to Williams’ knowledge of the game as well as the team atmosphere.

“Josie is a basketball player in every way,” Kirby said. “She understands how to use her instincts. Being a point guard adds to the difficulty of adjusting to college basketball, and she has done a great job navigating that.

Everything we do in season and off season requires being a great teammate. They are all very supportive of each other.”

As a team sport, Williams agreed that the atmosphere has contributed to her season successes.

“The relationships I have made through just my first season playing at Harding have definitely been a huge part of this year for me,” Williams said. “We strive to build each other up each and every day. We are a good team, and this year we have learned to depend on each other on and off the court. It’s very important to keep each other motivated to be the best version of our team on the court.”

Fellow freshman Katelyn Kabrich highlighted the importance of mental fortitude for freshman players.

“Some challenges freshmen face would be having confidence that you can make a difference on the court when you are playing with girls who have played college basketball for two-plus years,” Kabrich said. “The biggest part about being a freshman is having an open mind that is willing to accept criticism and learn from it. Knowing that at the end of the day we are playing for each other motivates us to push each other harder in a loving way. It’s easier to run hard when you’ve got girls by your side that want to get better and win as much as you do.”

Despite the challenges, Williams said she tries to find balance. Balance, in Williams’

opinion, is essential to competing at the highest level.

“I want to be my very best on the basketball court but also in the classroom,” Williams said. “I’ve spent the majority of this year trying to find the perfect balance of that. We spend a lot of time as a team on the court. I also put

in extra time shooting and watching film on my own. I seek good communication with my coaches. I spend time before and after games to get ready to play and recover my body well afterwards.”

Nathaniel Wallace declares for 2024 NFL Draft

Nate Wallace, defensive end for Harding University and 2023 Great American Conference Defensive Player of the Year, has recently made the decision to declare for the NFL draft. He made the announcement Feb. 13 via Instagram. This milestone follows Harding’s recent National Championship title and will open the door for potential recruitment by several NFL teams.

In March, Harding will host a pro day, where Wallace will perform for NFL evaluators. Senior defensive lineman Dreydon Hall, a teammate of Wallace, expressed his appreciation for Wallace as a motivator of his own success.

“I’ve been looking up to Nate since I first got here in the fall of 2020, just the kind of man he is and the type of competitor he is,” Hall said. “I worked hard because I knew he was also working, and I give him credit for a lot of my success because I wanted to be better than he was. I believe that him having the opportunity to go through this process of getting to the NFL is a direct correlation to the commitment that he had while he was here.”

Senior running back Blake Delacruz highlighted the refining work ethic of his fellow teammates and the intentionality of the Harding coaching staff in not only pushing them as players but as people.

“Harding has pushed me to be the best version of myself on and off the field,” Delacruz said. “The coaches have made me a better person by the way they lead us and their families, and I am just very blessed to be a part of a program like it. My teammates make it easy for me to work as hard as I can, and they are some of the best guys I know. They give it their all each and every day, whether that’s on the field or in the weight room or the classroom, they are always trying to get better, so it’s very easy for me to give my best in everything that I do. And Nate, I know no matter what challenges he faces, he’s going to attack them head on.”

Also on the defensive line, senior Wes Coleman described the Harding football program as a brotherhood that will continue after graduation.

“Our coaches use a level of passion and intentionality that gives us no choice but to get better and be the best version of ourselves come gameday,” Coleman said. “This also

creates an environment that feels like a family. This makes all the hard things that help you grow as a player become easy, because you know you have brothers to go through it with you. As for Nate, I’m confident that he will

take this opportunity and shock the world with his great performance.”

As of press time, Wallace had not responded to an interview request from the Bison.

ELI DEAN community editor

EMMA WEBER opinions editor

BAILEY COFFMAN guest writer

Senior pitcher Davis Welch throws a pitch Feb. 24 in a 7-0 victory against Oklahoma Baptist University. Welch finished the game with seven strikeouts and four hits allowed.

Freshman guard Josie Williams dribbles past a defender in an 80-65 victory Feb. 15 against Arkansas Tech University. The Bisons hit 10 three-pointers to complete their 21st win of the season.

Senior defensive end Nathaniel Wallace looks to the crowd before a drive Dec. 3 against Grand Valley State University. The Bisons defeated the Lakers 7-6.

Photo by EDGAR CARDIEL

Photo by MACY COX

Photo by MACY COX

Imagine and Believe provides for foster families

MAKAYLA MALOTTE guest writer

The process of adopting or fostering proves to be difficult in many situations. Supporting a child requires thousands of dollars, and this limits the number of families who are able to foster or adopt. Fortunately, organizations exist to ease such a financial burden.

Located in Searcy,, Imagine and Believe strives to give foster families the peace of mind to be able to get clothing, furniture, toiletries and several other things at no expense.

Originally called “Searcy Foster Care Boutique,” this nonprofit organization is purely volunteer-based, and every item and dollar that is donated goes toward helping families and giving back to them.

Founder of Imagine and Believe Christine Faith said the task of starting the organization was daunting to begin with.

“I remember asking God, ‘How are we going to fill this room with clothes?’ And look at where we are now,” Faith said.

What started in a small office has recently relocated to a bigger facility and is now growing its inventory and starting to get donations daily. Organizations across Searcy like Harding University, Cloverdale Church of Christ and various other businesses have started donating to this organization, giving item donations and volunteering their time to help organize and give their support to this cause.

Each donation goes through a process to make sure each item is there to support families with what they are doing and to help them feel that support. The process and organization used in the shop ensures that parents can go in and grab whatever they need.

Once a month, Imagine and Believe hosts a dinner for foster families and adoptive parents to come in and have a nice meal, do some shopping in the boutique and interact with other families and to hear their stories.

Faith said the goal in organizing various events is to bring together families involved with foster care.

“The dream that is made in my heart is the connections it will make between foster and adoptive families with each other,” Faith said.

Those at Imagine and Believe hope that in the future, they can host a retreat for both foster and adoptive parents to teach them about a condition called “vicarious trauma.” This is when the foster parents start taking the emotional stress that the child has gone through, which can make it difficult for both the parent and the child to process while they are still going through their case. Allowing parents to come together and heal from those experiences is a moment that Imagine and Believe wants to work toward.

In the state of Arkansas, almost 5,000 kids are going through the childcare system without homes or a loving family to go to at the end of the day. Imagine and Believe is always looking for volunteers or people willing to donate to this project. Dr. Devin Swindle, director of the Center for Preaching, said Imagine and Believe is invaluable to families wanting to foster.

“Imagine and Believe helps take away the concern with people asking, ‘How can we afford this?’ Swindle said. “That’s because places like Imagine and Believe can help you.” Swindle, who has fostered children in the past, said having a place in town that offers help has been beneficial to him and his wife.

“We would go over there and by the grace of God through these people, we could get the things we needed to make sure our little boys could have what they needed,” Swindle said.

Sarah Knight, who was quoted in Searcy Living Magazine, acknowledged that fostering is not easy, and that organizations that provide help are crucial to the process.

“I know fostering isn’t easy, and I just wanted to say thank you to the many people who give themselves to this mission, either directly through being actual foster parents, or indirectly such as those who in various ways support organizations like Imagine and Believe,” Knight said in the article.

SGA takes Harding faculty, staff out for coffee

The Student Government Association invited faculty and staff to grab a free drink from Warehouse 4 and Midnight Oil last week as a gift of appreciation.

Sophomore female SGA representative Elizabeth Brown said the idea for the coffee was a group effort.

We actually had several ideas before finally thinking about this one,” Brown said. “Ella Duryea brought it up at a meeting one day that Warehouse and MO would be gracious enough to give our professors coffees on them. Grayson Hume had the idea of writing inspiring messages on the cups, so we did that. We think that this is a sweet reminder to the professors that they are loved, appreciated and seen.”

Brown said offering free coffee to faculty and staff provided “positive insight” about the Harding community.

“It shows that our students appreciate our faculty and recognize their passion,” Brown said. “The Harding community is a family, and I believe this is a great example. The SGA

does a good job at bridging the gap between students and faculty, and I believe that we use opportunities like this to give students a chance to show appreciation for professors and those who have impacted them.”

Ocean Furbee, assistant manager at Warehouse 4, said she hopes to continue to be involved with Harding and its community. She said the Searcy and Harding communities are a “driving force” behind the things they do.

“Hopefully, we’ll be included in campus activities for the foreseeable future,” Furbee said. “We are always trying to come up with ideas on things the community wants to see from us, and we are open to suggestions and ideas from those around us.”

Lori Sloan, assistant professor of communication, said the SGA’s effort to provide an appreciation gift demonstrates the caring community Harding has.

“I think it shows that one of the big factors of community is to care for each other, and one great way to care is to show appreciation,” Sloan said. “So for this to be a priority on their list when there are lots of

other things they could be doing — it really means a lot to me.”

Sloan said that the students taking time to plan the event was a great way to thank faculty and staff.

“It’s very heartwarming for them to continue to try to do things to show appreciation to

“Back in the Day” is a special section in The Bison newspaper in celebration of Harding’s Centennial year. Each print issue during the 2023-24 academic year will have pieces related to the Centennial, connecting our readers to Harding’s past.

This week, we look at what spring break looked like for Harding students in 2001, which is not much different from the present day. Whether you are leaving today or early tomorrow, the Bison staff wishes everyone a refreshing break and safe travels to wherever you call home.

March 9, 2001 issue: Vol. 76, No. 15, p. 2

the hard-working faculty,” Sloan said. “We’ll never underestimate the value of kindness. And these efforts — even though a cup of coffee — it’s a grand gesture because there’s a lot of faculty.”

Imagine and Believe sits ready to open its doors to anyone who might need assistance Feb. 24. The nonprofit provides clothing and other necessities to families and children going through the foster care system in Searcy and other local communities.

Photo provided by Makayla Malotte

Photo by MACY COX Assistant Professor of English Paulette Bane takes a break from her work while getting a cup of coffee at Midnight Oil Feb. 21. The cup was courtesy of the Student Government Association.

ABBEY WILLIAMS lifestyle editor

ELLIOTT COOMBES

beat reporter

Senior Brinson Davenport was honored for his documentary, “The Ambassadors,” by the Broadcast Education Association Festival of Media Arts. The winners were announced Feb. 16. Davenport placed first in the short-form documentary category and was awarded “Best of Festival” for all student documentaries.

“The Ambassadors” told the story of Harding’s custodial staff and was inspired from a research project supervised by Dr. Jack Shock, distinguished professor of communication.

“In our senior research class, COMM 4150, everybody has to do a research project where they generate original primary data,” Shock said. “But Brinson said, ‘I want to make a documentary.’ That’s the first time in 30 years someone has done that, the very first time. And I said, ‘That sounds great, go for it,’ and he did, and he won this enormous national award for it.”

Over the course of three back-to-back nights, Davenport filmed and interviewed custodians from both the day and night shifts, and afterward spent about five days editing the footage.

“From a physical perspective, it was tough,” Davenport said. “Running around filming was really exhausting, but I could tell there was this feeling in the air that something special

Brinson Davenport’s documentary receives awards Campus Players host 24-hour writing project

EMMA MCDARIS guest writer

A group on Harding’s campus hosted an annual event last weekend that encouraged participants to explore their creativity and produce a play within a short time constraint. Campus Players, a student-led theatrical group, hosted the 24-hour writing project Feb. 24-25. This challenge involved students taking on the roles of writer, director or actor, then creating and producing a 10-minute play in 24 hours.

was happening and that motivated me.”

Davenport said the reaction he received from these interviews surprised him.

“You could also tell this was an opportunity that they didn’t get very often at all and maybe never,” Davenport said. “Just listening to how some of them responded, it was clear that sometimes they just don’t get much appreciation at all.”

Davenport said the custodians are rarely thanked for their work, which is something he believes is wrong. “One custodian we talked to said we were only the fourth people in the whole year to say thank you to him,” Davenport said. “When we said thank you for your work, he stared at us like a deer in the headlights for a second. It took him so off guard he said, ‘You’re the fourth people this year to say thank you to me.’”

Professor of communication Charles Bane complimented the strength of Davenport’s documentary.

“The great thing about documentary in general is it tells stories that often are not told,” Bane said. “ … I think that’s the best part of it is he found a story that needed to be told to remind people about everyone it takes to keep this university going.”

Bane also noted strength of Davenport’s documentary skills.

“He’s got the eye to know how to frame the shots, and he knows how to put the shots together for maximum emotional impact,” Bane said. “And I think that’s why he’s sort

Junior Madison Soper, the vice president of Campus Players, organized the event and participated as a director.

“It’s been a staple in Campus Players for a really long time, and it’s something that everyone looks forward to because of how it builds community and how people are able to grow in their strengths and their weaknesses,” Soper said. “And it’s just a really beautiful time of us staying up really late — probably a little bit crazily — and then just hanging out.”

The process relied on collaborative creativity as writers and directors sat down on the first night to create an outline of a show. The next day, actors showed up, auditioned and rehearsed all day until the performance that night.

of leaning towards documentary.”

Davenport has been working with narrative short fiction films in the past, but documentary is a new step for him, he said.

“I think I’ve always had a natural bend toward realism, but I think because of the

Freshman Scott Young Jr. performed in the 10-minute drama “The Grapes of Rats.” He said he arrived at the Ulrey Performing Arts Center at 8 a.m. and had a full day from there.

“It’s been so much fun,” Young said. “I feel just so much stronger as an actor after doing this, and [it] just really made me realize how talented some of these people are and how talented my friends are.”

The event gave students hands-on experience in the creative process and production elements that normally take weeks to produce a show. It also gave student playwrights time to exercise their creativity and get almost immediate feedback on how their writing would be translated to the stage.

nature of a documentary being reality, it’s easier to make an impact with documentary than maybe a narrative short film,” Davenport said. “… I think it brings more honor to the subjects of the film when it’s a documentary, because it’s a personal story.

Sophomore Kessler Baker co-wrote an absurdist comedy with sophomore Campbell Gilreath titled “That’s the Way the Fortune Cookie Crumbles.” He said the actors that were cast for their script were able to use their own chemistry to fit with the humor.

“When I had originally written the script with Campbell, we had written the two main characters as ourselves,” Baker said. “We have a very good sense of humor; we can bounce off each other really quick … We have some talented actors here.”

Billy Morgan voices 17th season with Harding Sports Network

A member of the University’s sports network is rolling through his 17th season on the job with positivity and exciting calls that have continued to inspire people within the Harding community.

Billy Morgan, the voice of the Bisons, began his work with the Harding Sports Network in the 2007-2008 season following his eight-year tenure with Arkansas State University.

During his time at Harding, the Arkansas native has twice won the Sullivan Award for best radio broadcast announcer in Arkansas.

Morgan said he has covered multiple historic events during his 17 years at Harding, but the Bisons’ national championship run in December 2023 is something he never thought of covering when he first came to Harding.

“To get to witness that and be in the booth for that has been something I will never forget without a doubt,” Morgan said. “I still have to pinch myself and remind myself that it happened because it sure was special.”

One of Morgan’s favorite calls as the voice of the Bisons came in the 38-7 national

championship victory against Colorado School of Mines. Morgan said junior running back Braden Jay’s 73-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter is a call “that will always echo” in his head.

“Every time I see that run, tears come to my eyes, because I knew that Harding was going to win a national championship,” Morgan said. “That was the moment.”

As Morgan grew up, his inspiration to become a sports broadcaster hailed from the former “Voice of the Razorbacks,” Paul Eells. Morgan said Eells was a man who would always give him great advice during his start at Arkansas State University.

“I looked up to him so much,” Morgan said. “He gave me so many little tidbits of advice that have stuck with me my whole life and during the last 30 years of broadcasting.”

Harding alumnus and retired communication faculty member Tim Hamilton worked with both men during his career at Harding and KATV Channel 7 in Little Rock.

Hamilton worked as an editor, producer and photographer for the station while Eells was the sports director. Hamilton said both men always approached others with kindness and positivity in any given situation.

“If I looked at my 44 years in broadcasting … I was able to work with two of the nicest, kindest individuals that I have known in my entire life and that would be Paul Eells and Billy Morgan,” Hamilton said. Morgan’s work at Harding has inspired students who aspire to work in the field of broadcasting. HU16 sports director Spencer Aiello said Morgan’s attitude for the job at the Harding Sports Network has always been reassuring.

“He wants to build relationships with the coaches, he wants to build relationships with the people he works with and he wants to build relationships with the players,” Aiello said. “That’s something you look for in people like [Morgan] in his position. For him to be able to do that daily with whomever he interacts with is such a reassuring and positive thing to know.”

Billy Morgan broadcasts the Harding men’s basketball game against Henderson

University Dec. 14, 2023. Morgan has been the voice of the Bisons for 17 years.

NIC FRARACCIO sports editor

Photo provided by JEFF MONTGOMERY

Photo courtesy of Brinson Davenport

Senior Brinson Davenport and junior Theo Westbrook work behind the scenes for Davenport’s documentary film, “The Ambassadors” Oct. 27, 2023. Davenport’s film received two awards from the Broadcast Education Association.

Graphic by BEN EVANS

FCS launches teddy bear clinic

ALAINA WOLF guest writer

The Family and Consumer Sciences Department is preparing for a clinic in which children will be able to interact with medical concepts in an extra child-friendly environment. Harding FCS students will hold a teddy bear clinic over the course of one week in March at the Searcy Public Library. During this week-long event, children will have the opportunity to check in their stuffed animals at the clinic and go through what anyone might go through during a real check up. Some of the stations they can bring their teddy bears to include an x-ray station, a nutrition station, a station where they can help wrap a cast and many others. This is the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that FCS will organize such a clinic.

While this may seem simple on the surface level, senior child life major Kalyn Epperson explained how this meaningful interaction is beneficial for these children.

“The purpose of the teddy bear clinic is to minimize fear around the hospital,” Epperson said. “They’re getting to do something that is scary to something that is friendly.”

Epperson said each child that attends this event is one less child who is afraid of going to the doctor.

Junior Leah Egli emphasized how the clinic will mean more to these children than some realize. The teddy bear clinic is a perfect balance between playing and learning about real life concepts, Egli said.

“I am excited to be able to help facilitate an environment for children to play and also learn,” Egli said. “The teddy bear clinic is a great way to introduce medical concepts in a non-threatening way.”

Junior Chloe Schliffka explained how she is excited about the many events that FCS hosts for the surrounding community.

“There are so many offered opportunities for us to connect and build relationships as we work towards our professional goals,” Schliffka said. “The environment in which we learn is full of support, hands-on experiences, knowledge and fun.”

The teddy bear clinic will be one of the several events this department is organizing for the community.

“Getting to be involved with the people and discovering new ways to interact with the public through creative ways offers experiences that promote supportive relationships with the community,” Schliffka said.

Spring break brain teaser: a crossword challenge

Across:

1. Sandy

3. The season

4. Natural light

6. Trip

9. Sky vehicle

10. Period of time

Down:

2. Week on the sea

5. Luggage

7. Loved ones

8. Time off

11. Snowy mountain activity

Graphic by BEN EVANS

Graphics by BEN EVANS, ABBEY WILLIAMS

Sports editor Nic Fraraccio, opinions editor Emma Weber, head photographer Macy Cox, and editor-in-chief Tiane Davis and recieved recognition for their work at the 2024 Southeast Journalism Conference. The conference took place Feb. 23-25. Both on-site and off-site awards were distributed.

Graphics by BEN EVANS

Photo by JULIANNE BAKER