The Student Printz: November 18, 2020

SERVING SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI SINCE 1927 • WWW.STUDENTPRINTZ.COM • NOVEMBER 18, 2020 | VOLUME 106 | ISSUE 15

NEW MS FLAG

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ALEX TREBEK

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FAIR OPINION

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COVID clashes with curriculum MARIAH REED & CLAYTON CHAPMAN PRINTZ REPORTERS

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NEWS MEET THE STAFF Executive Editor

Brian Winters brian.s.winters@usm.edu

NOVEMBER 18, 2020

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Photogallery: Southern Miss Campus MORGAN LAWRENCE PRINTZ REPORTER

News & Features Editor Mary Murphy mary.s.murphy@usm.edu

Entertainment/Opinion Editor Meg Fuller meghan.fuller@usm.edu

Sports Editor

Charlie Luttrell charles.luttrell@usm.edu

Photography Editor

Meg Fuller meghan.fuller@usm.edu

Multimedia Editor

Blair Ballou blair.ballou@usm.edu

Social Media Editor

Bethany Morris bethany.morris@usm.edu

Design Editor

Marissa Haas marissa.haas@usm.edu Photos by Morgan Lawrence | Printz

The views represented in The Student Printz’s columns and editorials do not represent those of the faculty, staff or administration of The University of Southern Mississippi. We welcome letters to the editor representing similar and contrasting opinions. To be eligible for publication, all submission must include name, class distinction, major, phone number and email address. Submissions should be emailed to printzeditors@ gmail.com by 5 p.m. on the Friday before publication. Please limit them to 500 words or less. The Student Printz reserves the right to refuse publication or edit any material on the basis of clarity, space or journalistic ethics.

Opinions expressed in The Student Printz are those of the writer and not necessarily those of The Student Printz, its publication manager, USM, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the USM Board of Student Publications.

Courtesy of Moffitt Health Center

NEWS

NOVEMBER 18, 2020

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Southern Miss reacts to approval of new state flag

CHARLIE LUTTRELL SPORTS EDITOR ith the approval of Ballot Measure 3, Mississippi has adopted a new state flag.

While the former state flag, which featured a Confederate symbol, had been a topic of debate for decades, national and state issues of police brutality and systemic racism refocused attention on it. After 126 years, the state officially retired the flag in June and formed a committee to choose a new flag design.

After combing through hundreds of designs, the committee chose a final design for voters to decide on. The new flag incorporates a magnolia and the phrase “In God We Trust” on a blue background, which is surrounded by a circle of stars and red and gold stripes.

During the Nov. 3 election, Mississippi voters had the option to vote “yes” or “no” for the chosen flag design. 73% voted yes for Ballot Measure 3, which then passed.

Southern Miss hasn’t flown the state flag on its campuses since 2015, but President Rodney Bennett, Ph.D., announced plans to fly the new flag once the Legislature formally adopts it in early 2021.

“The vote to adopt a new state flag marks a historic moment, one that positions Mississippi for advancing our state’s growth and

Charlie Luttrell | Printz development at national and international levels,” Bennett said. “Once the new design is formally adopted as the official state flag by the Legislature, the University will raise the new flag, as well as once again raising the USM flag, on the campuses of The University of Southern Mississippi.”

While the campus will not fly the flag until it is formally adopted, students at Southern Miss have already begun to. Junior economics major Wayne Lambert decided to fly the new state flag outside of Phi Kappa Tau, his fraternity house.

“The reason I wanted to fly this flag is that I think it shows unity among all Mississippians,” Lambert said. “[The] reason being is that unlike the last flag where one side hated it and the other didn’t, I believe this flag will

be loved by all in time. I also wanted to show the fraternity’s support in being the first to take this step to unify everyone, starting with Fraternity Row.” Other students also react positively to the news of the new flag. Freshman psychology major Josh Batia says that he believes the new flag represents Mississippi citizens better.

“I think the [new] flag is more representative of Mississippians in general,” Batia said.

“I think it’s a lot less divisive than the old flag. I’m glad that it got passed by democratic vote and that it happened that way.”

Lambert, too, believes the new state flag better represents the state’s history and symbols than the previous flag or designs did.

“The reason I love this flag more than all others is it actually gives meaning to the

Magnolia State,” Lambert said. “There weren’t many things showing that we were that state. Also, the flag doesn’t forget about the Indian reserves in our state. Instead, they are represented by the gold star; the star is split to show the five different [indigenous] tribes.”

Batia says he disagrees with the inclusion of the “In God We Trust” phrase on the flag, which was a requirement that legislators mandated for the creation of a new flag.

“I do disagree with the writing on the flag, [and] I know that’s going to be a controversial topic for a lot of people,” Batia said.

“But I think the flag is definitely a better step for Mississippi, and I think it’ll help us move into a more accepting future.”

Ms. Gloria sent off with a retirement celebration NIUSHA KARKI PRINTZ REPORTER loria Peterson has been an important member of the Southern Miss family for 29 years. But all good things must come to an end, and Ms. Gloria has now officially retired from The Fresh Food

Company.

Last Friday, Nov. 13, was her last day of working as a server for Eagle Dining. Peterson was honored and celebrated by colleagues, students and university officials for her service one last time at The Fresh Food Company with a surprise retirement party.

Peterson said she did not know that she was going to get surprised. She described being speechless when one of her managers revealed the celebration before her last shift. She said that it was truly special, and that she’s overwhelmed by everyone’s kindness.

“Oh, a family! A family outside of my family. I love this place. I made some good friends here. The students, they have been great. I will miss them, and I will miss y’all,” Peterson said. “Serving is what God wanted me to do and still want[s] me to do.”

Peterson said she wanted to keep on serving on her last day at work and did not want to stop.

For her first day of retirement, though, Peterson is going to sit down, relax and spend the day with her five-year-old. Peterson also said that she wants to

grow flowers in her garden and drive her five-yearold to school with all of her new free time.

“I did not get the chance to go to college, [so I] went straight to work. I’m glad that my grandkids and my children had the chance to go to college.

Maybe one day, maybe I can do that now. Because I have always thought about getting a culinary license,” Peterson laughed. “But I don’t like driving, so it will have to be online.”

Peterson said she never thought people in the office would pay attention to servers. However, that has never been her experience with Southern Miss. Peterson said that no one at the Eagle Dining made her feel less than others, and that people like Lauren Brescher, who works in the office, are like family to her.

Lauren Brescher, the marketing manager for Eagle Dining, has known Peterson since she started working for Southern Miss in March 2015.

Brescher said she instantly knew that Peterson was a special employee.

“She is the kind of person who even though she’s never met you, she makes you feel like you’ve known her forever,” said Brescher. “I think it is a wonderful thing, especially in college because there are so many students who come here from near and far. Some feel very lonely and she is definitely someone who can brighten their day and make them feel welcomed here at USM.” In the years that Peterson has worked at Southern Miss, she has been able to meet people from all walks of life, and appreciates each individual who passes through her food line.

“I have met all of them. Germans, Africans,

Photo courtesy of Eagle Dining Indians and people from Japan, everyone! I always wanted to learn at least one of their languages,” Peterson laughed. “That’s what I like about it.

Everyone laughs and talks together, everybody sits together and everybody eats together. And being black, and especially where I came from, I never thought it would be like that.”

Brescher said that it was Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker’s idea to organize Peterson’s retirement celebration. Barker, along with the rest of Hattiesburg, wanted to honor her for making such a huge impact on the Southern Miss community.

“Mayor Barker heard that she was retiring, and he knew of her when he went to school here[, so] he gave her the proclamation,” said Brescher.

Katelynn Booker, a senior majoring in childhood family sciences, said she met Peterson before coming to school here at a Black and Gold Day tour. Booker described Peterson being warm and welcoming to everyone even before she attended Southern Miss, and that it always stuck with her.

“She even left an impression on my mom. My mom knows her name, remembers everything she said and she is always asking about her,” said Booker. “I just love how Ms. Gloria’s spirit always changes somebody’s mood for the better [as soon as she asks,] ‘How are you doing today? What can I get for you, my baby? How you percolatin’?’ I just hope that she enjoys her retirement, this new stage in her life, and [knows] we are going to miss her.”

FEATURES CONT. FROM PG 1 DITOR’S NOTE: This is an edited and condensed version of a paper written for MCJ 300, which teaches Journalism students how to write for the Internet and other multimedia projects.

Introduction This year has been one that will not soon be forgotten. Classes were pushed online in March when the COVID-19 pandemic started. Students physically left campus the week before spring break and returned in August. Classes have entered into more flexible schedules online, with many students experiencing hybrid learning environments for the first time.

We recently asked students about their experiences this semester, including how they handled COVID-19 and online classes. They had a lot to say.

COVID-19 Experience Many students have had some kind of experience with COVID-19, whether personal or not. Many students have struggled with the COVID-19 pandemic, especially the stay at home and social distancing orders.

This has especially been a touch time for students that have just graduated high school.

It has been tough to meet new people and make friends now than in years past due to the increased restrictions from COVID-19 protocols.

“I guess the main thing I would say the transition from high school to college as a freshman, a lot of those introductory things you do to meet new people have been cancelled as a result of COVID or turned into a virtual format so that has been kind of difficult,” Christian Glass, a freshman kinesiotherapy major, said.

Many students also struggled with adapting to online classes. They needed to find new ways to socialize and make new friends while keeping everyone safe, adding onto an overall “new normal” with COVID-19.

“It’s been difficult. I’d say it’s not normal the way that we’re living now, but you just have to adapt to it. It’s hard not seeing your

NOVBEMBER 18, 2020 friends or family members all the time or not being able to socialize like we are used to,” Thomas Gee III, a biochemistry major, said.

Class Education Since COVID-19 made everything go online, students have felt that they aren’t getting the education that they’ve paid for.

“It’s not the normal way of learning that I’m used to, but I know that my professors are trying,” said Gee. “Sometimes I feel like I’m teaching myself more than learning the traditional way.”

Some students also feel that their mental health has been affected since classes and social gatherings have gone online. Cynthia Myles, a junior political science major, said that this semester has affected her more mentally and emotionally than ever before.

“COVID-19 has taken a toll on my life in many aspects mentally with school,” said Myles.

Most students feel that their biggest problem this semester is dealing with the technical difficulties of technology. Many professors are so used to doing things with paper and pencil that they’ve struggled to figure out how to use online programs and webcams.

“With my classes, my biggest issue is technology,” said Myles. “[A] lot of my professors are not educated enough on how to use Zoom or WebEx.” Students also feel that the amount of work that they’re receiving is a lot more than usual. They believe that, since classes are now online, teachers have started giving many more assignments. This only added onto rampant feelings of anxiety and stress.

Statistics Currently, there are 5,932 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the counties that surround Southern Miss. Of those, 83 cases have resulted in death in Forrest County, while 46 cases have resulted in death in Lamar County. Within the city of Hattiesburg, there have been about 44 confirmed cases of COVID-19. Moffitt Health Center, the main medical center for Southern Miss, has recently reported that a total of 297 students and 19 employees have tested positive for COVID-19 from Aug. 5 to Nov. 7. This includes data from the athletics department, which constantly monitors for COVID-19 symptoms, contributing to the campus’s 1,659 negative tests.

On Nov. 11, Governor Tate Reeves made

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an executive order to extend the mandatory mask mandate within the city limits of Hattiesburg until Dec. 12.

Social Life As the fall semester starts to come to an end, students have wondered how next semester will turn out, considering how different this semester has been. Students have said that the university’s plan to move things virtually has been really helpful because the teachers are doing a great job in making sure that they are still connecting with others, even if they may not get to see them in class.

“I’m usually an introvert, but when you are made to stay in the house things can be different, COVID-19 took a toll on my social skills,” said Myles.

COVID-19 has also made many changes to students living on and off campus.

Students aren’t able to socialize the way they would normally do, everyone must wear masks and stay six feet apart to prevent getting sick.

“It’s very different from what I thought college would be like, as COVID-19 started happening it has made things really different,” said freshman Aberee Lucius.

As of Oct. 1, 2020, Southern Miss announced a condensed academic calendar for the spring 2021 semester. There have been many adjustments to holiday times and commencement ceremonies, with an effort to limit the amount of travel and to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Spring classes will begin January 20 and end April 22, with exams taking place the final week of April.

University Response The University of Southern Mississippi’s response to COVID-19 has actually gone pretty well considering the tough times we’re facing. The University made adjustments to the academic calendar as needed over the fall semester. They constantly stressed the importance of students “doing their part” by wearing their masks, keeping their distance, washing their hands and checking for symptoms before coming to school each day.

As school started Aug. 17, the University changed their response to follow in step with the academic calendar and the Center of Disease Control’s guidelines. Many events that usually take place for students were either canceled or made digital due to COVID-19, which disappointed some students.

“It’s hard not seeing your family members all the time, it’s hard to adapt to the changes that are being made on campus due to COVID-19,” said Gee. The University of Southern Mississippi has a “COVID-19 Response Status Code” that they follow in order to keep people safe.

There are five colors that are a part of the code, and each color represents the protocols and procedures that the university must follow regarding COVID-19. As of writing, Southern Miss is in the “yellow”, meaning the university has implemented comprehensive health protocols and adapted traditional course work, select student services and select operations into virtual formats.

Most students feel that the university and staff are doing their best despite the circumstance. They love that teachers are still able to communicate with their students and make sure they get proper education while dealing with COVID-19.

“I was able to create my own schedule, and was also able to take classes online and one in person, and since I’ve taken classes online, I’ve gotten the best grades that I’ve probably ever gotten by taking them online,” Kaylie Beck, a Southern Miss volleyball player, said.

However, other students have also slacked off with online schooling. Many students received XFs on their permanent transcripts this semester for violating our USM Academic Integrity Policy. The university’s policy states that any cheating, plagiarism, lying, stealing, multiple submissions or conspiracy are a violation of the Academic Policy and is strictly prohibited. An XF is considered the same as an “F”, but any student with honors may not be allowed to graduate if they have an XF grade. These students can also be suspended or expelled from the university.

Conclusion Considering the circumstances, we believe this semester has been successful in part due to all the safety protocols put into place by the University. Things have been undoubtedly different this semester, but students have handled and adapted to it well. If nothing else, they were able to return to Southern Miss while many other colleges remain online only. Students should still keep up with any and all safety protocols the university has in place in order to ensure Southern Miss can remain open enough to maintain in-person learning.

Photogallery: Nov. 15 protest on campus EARL STOUDEMIRE PRINTZ REPORTER

lack Student Organizations from Southern Miss and Black Lives Matter Mississippi held a peaceful protest on Sunday, November 15.

Photos by Earl Stoudemire | Printz

The protest was held in response to Cindy-Hyde Smith’s renomination to Senate along with commentary made by Gov. Reeves.

NOVEMBER 18, 2020 WWW.STUDENTPRINTZ.COM Photogallery: COVID on Southern Miss campus

FEATURES

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NOVEMBER 18, 2020 What is…: Alex Trebek ENTERTAINMENT

SKYLA LANGLEY PRINTZ REPORTER lex Trebek, the host of the famous American game show ‘Jeopardy!’, died from stage four pancreatic cancer on Nov. 8. In the wake of his death, many have paid tribute to their beloved game show host.

Trebek initially announced his diagnosis during March 2019. He explained that he would not step down from hosting the show, but instead receive treatment while off set.

Trebek’s personality spoke for itself as he maintained his sense of humor despite the situation.

“I plan to beat the low survival rate statistics for this disease,” Trebek said. “Truth told, I have to! Because under the terms of my contract, I have to host ‘Jeopardy!’ for three more years!”

‘Jeopardy!’s’ official social media announced that 80-year-old Trebek passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family and friends. Trebek spent 36 years as ‘Jeopardy!’s’ host, beginning his stint in the studio in 1984 and ending it 10 days before his death. ‘Jeopardy!’ executive producer Mike Richards said they plan to honor Trebek’s wish of airing his remaining 35 episodes as they were shot until Dec. 25.

Fans of the show supported Trebek up until the very end. On the Nov. 19 Tournament

of Champions show, filmed a few months after Trebek’s announcement, a contestant of the show, Dhruv Gaur, wrote “We love you, Alex” as his final answer. This caused Trebek to be emotional and utter an appreciative “thank you”. After Trebek’s death, viewers donated over $55,000 to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Over the summer, ‘Jeopardy!’s’ production crew set up a small studio in Trebek’s home so he could record introductions to old episodes of the show. In a phone interview, Trebek described the immense pain he was in the day of filming those introductions.

However, as soon as he stepped in front of the camera, something changed.

“Oddly enough, when we started taping I suddenly started to regain my strength,” Trebek said. “It’s the strangest thing. It is some kind of an elixir.”

Johnny Gilbert, the announcer for ‘Jeopardy!’, mentioned to The New York Times that, even on Trebek’s worst days of treatments, he could still walk on stage, greet the audience and focus himself.

“Once I introduce him on that stage, he is Alex Trebek,” said Gilbert. “You can tell that that’s what he’s living for.”

Trebek, a Canadian native, landed his first broadcast job as a radio announcer for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, where he worked for 12 years. He moved to the U.S. in 1973 and got his big break as the host of ‘The Wizard of Odds’. After that, Trebek moved to host NBC’s ‘High Rollers’ and, eventually, began hosting ‘Jeopardy!’.

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Illustration by Erin Collins | Printz

Over the course of his career, Trebek won many awards, such as six Emmys for Best Game Show Host, a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011 and an Outstanding Game Show Host award in 2019. Trebek also hosted two other shows, ‘Classic Concentration’ and ‘To Tell the Truth’, in addition to ‘Jeopardy!’, making him the first American game show host to work on three shows simultaneously.

Towards the end of his life, Trebek wrote and published his best-selling memoir, ‘The Answer Is…: Reflections on My Life’.

Released in July 2020, Trebek donated all

the proceeds from the book to charity. When Trebek passed, it happened almost exactly how he envisioned it in his book.

“I’ll be perfectly content if that’s how my story ends. Sitting on the swing. With the woman I love. My soulmate. And our two wonderful children nearby,” Trebek wrote.

“I’ll sit there for a while, and then maybe the four of us will go for a walk. Each day trying to walk a little farther than the last. We’ll take things one step at a time, one day at a time.

In fact, I think I’ll go sit in the swing for a bit right now.”

From “Old Town Road” to “Holiday”, Santa Nas X is Here JAKORI BEAUCHAMP PRINTZ REPORTER xperimental rapper Lil Nas X released his highly anticipated single “Holiday” last Friday.

The song itself wasn’t anything new from Lil Nas X, but the video was marvelous.

This is his first single in over two years that wasn’t attached to a project. “Holiday” was co-produced by up-and-coming production team “Take A Daytrip” and “Tay Keith”. It is the first single to be released from his upcoming debut album.

Lil Nas X has had an explosive rise to fame. The 21-year-old rapper from Atlanta, Georgia shot to the top of the charts with his hit “Old Town Road” featuring country music star Billy Ray Cyrus.

“Old Town Road” is the highest certified single worldwide, and sat at number one of US charts for a record breaking 17 weeks in a row.

After releasing his EP ‘7’, he continued to rack up hits. “Panini” hit Platinum five times, while “Rodeo, which featured rappers Cardi B and Nas, hit Platinum two times..

With all of this success, everybody is curious to see what’s

next. Was it all a gimmick? Is he a three-hit wonder? Or can he have a long-lasting career?

The answer is still yet to be known, especially after the release of “Holiday”. Just like a similarly titled song from pop group Little Mix, “Holiday” had to grow on me. My initial reaction to this song was simply, “Mmmm, ok”.

It’s catchy, it has a nice beat. It’s unique in that it overtly references his sexuality, especially with the lyric, “I might bottom on the low, but I top shit”. It could potentially be as successful as “Panini’’ or “Rodeo”. However, the song itself is nothing unique compared to the rest of his discography.

I wasn’t really impressed until I saw “Holiday’s” music video. If there is one thing Lil Nas X is good at doing, it’s dropping bomb music videos. His creativity is unmatched, always going above and beyond with each new release.

This video was nothing less than what I was expecting. Its high budget and Lil Nas X’s creativity makes it a marveling sight. The video takes place within Santa’s workshop, with Lil Nas X being Santa and various Robots being the elves. The video was reminiscent of “Panini” in the way he danced with the robots. That sealed the deal for

Illustration by Marissa Haas | Printz

me, with “Panini” being one of my all-time favorite videos from him.

After watching the video, I ended up listening to the song more and more, which helped me grow to like it.

Altogether, I found “Holiday” to be average at best. I want something different from Lil Nas X. I understand that this is going to be his signature sound, as defined by

his first EP, but I miss the experimental aspect of Lil Nas X’s early music. I hope that his debut album shows some more variety and touches on some more intimate subjects.For now, though, “Holiday” is a decent single that needs a few listens to get really into. I ended up liking the song more as a result of the music video, which I would highly recommend.

OPINION

NOVEMBER 18, 2020

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Trump’s concession will save the nation

DIPIN SUBEDI PRINTZ REPORTER he United States of America is in utter chaos. Although the results of the presidential elections proclaim Joe Biden as the winner, current president Donald Trump still holds on to his belief that the election was full of irregularities and has denied its outcome. This has led to an unprecedented constitutional crisis, which sees severe consequences for the nation now and into the future.

First and foremost, all of the legal and political battles that Trump has started have shortened the amount of time necessary for a peaceful and seamless transition of office. Even though the nation demonstrated the need for a new Commander-in-Chief, Trump has fought to delegitimize elections with allegations of systemic fraud, fighting to keep himself in power by suing states like Georgia to force them to recount. This is not helped by any of his top officials. Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell said he believes Trump is “100 percent within his right” to order such a massive recount, which parrots a lot of Republican beliefs on the matter.

This delay is not in the best interest

Photo courtesy of WhiteHouse.gov

of citizens, as the nation is still entangled in COVID-19. Because Trump refuses to leave office, his ineffective COVID-19 plan and disorganized task force might lead to higher mortality rates. The Trump administration has ignored the necessity for a better COVID response as its battle for power continues.

The overwhelming voter turnout in this election was a major achievement for American democracy, as it demonstrated an increasing interest

from the people to national affairs.

Trump’s refusal to concede disrespects these same people. In the future, this attitude could discourage voters from participating in state affairs, as those in power may just refuse to listen anyways. His unqualified allegations about voter fraud will furthermore instigate a loss of trust in the election process, an indispensable tool for indirect democracy, and politics among the civilians.

This dying form of patriotism and increasing indifference towards state

affairs, if unchecked, will result in democracy’s doom.

Media outlets who have supported Trump’s reluctance to concede have also reinforced America’s political divide. News sources, especially conservative news sources, are risking their legitimacy in overtly showing their predilection towards Trump despite the Nov. 3 elections. Their constant unsupported reports of election fraud has made the race even uglier, contributing to making the citizens more incredulous instead of more informed.

If news outlets continue to manufacture dissent among civilians in the future, there will be no more toleration of an opponent’s win. In being unwilling to profess facts, media outlets will drift the characteristics of the fourth branch of the government, and especially of the nation, away from one of its core tenets: honesty and integrity.

There are no signs of a military coup, yet there is a possibility a coup is needed. Every step Trump takes to overturn the election results sets a dangerous precedent for future Presidents, and one that needs to be prevented.

This political battle, although it placates the dejected ego of the incumbent president, will permeate the social fabric of American society, sowing evil amongst increasingly intolerant civilians.

Pine Belt Fair will spike COVID-19 cases SARAH BURSE PRINTZ REPORTER he city of Hattiesburg held its annual Pine Belt Fair from Nov. 6 to Nov. 15.

Even though the pandemic is not over, many citizens of Hattiesburg were excited to attend.

I attended the Pine Belt Fair on Nov. 12 and wasn’t sure what to expect. The fair was outside the Forrest County Multipurpose Center, so it was allowed to have a slightly larger crowd. But COVID-19 supposedly remained a top concern for fair organizers. The Pine Belt Fair’s official website claimed to “strictly enforce” social distancing rules, including mandatory masks and temperature checks, to keep everyone safe.

Pulling into the parking lot, two things immediately stood out to me.

The fair was right next to the Forrest County Jail -- I guess so the inmates could also experience the fun. But, more importantly, there was an obvious lack of COVID-19 precautions put into place.

Outside of the fair, only one lady checked the temperatures of people that randomly walked past her. Only a few people waiting in line for tick-

ets wore masks, and even fewer stood six feet apart. Even before stepping out of my car, I knew the COVID-19 rate would increase in Hattiesburg because of the Pine Belt Fair.

Things didn’t improve once I entered the fair. People manning locally owned booths or carnival games did not wear masks. The employees manning the rides were not sanitizing after every ride. Maskless children and adults were stacked like sardines while waiting in line for food. While waiting in line for food, I saw the man at the window wipe his nose before touching someone else’s food.

I was disgusted by the lack of sanitary guidelines in place, and how the Pine Belt Fair failed to enforce any of the COVID-19 guidelines. Instead of hiring extra employees to make sure people constantly sanitized their hands or kept on their masks, they just randomly placed a bunch of signs or hand sanitizing stations around. I never saw anyone get into trouble for not following the guidelines. Did the City of Hattiesburg think that people would follow guidelines without them being enforced?

Despite all of this, there were some good parts to the Pine Belt Fair. The weather made it easy to walk around in. There were a lot of great attrac-

Sarah Burse | Printz

tions, too, including a petting zoo, a viewing of white tigers and a circus act.

My personal favorite attraction was a show starring Lady Houdini.

Lady Houdini is an escape artist who tours the country with her husband Kevin Ridgeway. She performed two stunts during the show I went to.

The first one had her escape from a straitjacket while hanging from a rope by her feet. The second saw her handcuffed and trapped in a water torture chamber. My jaw dropped once Lady Houdini forced open the

chamber’s lid, having watched her force her way out of multiple handcuffs before her breath ran out. The boys in the crowd clearly had a great time while watching, and I hope the girls were inspired by her confidence and strength.

The pandemic has been going on for nine months. People are tired of spending quarantine in their homes, and the Pine Belt Fair served as a mini escape. However, we must remember that the pandemic still isn’t over and still abide by COVID-19 guidelines.

SPORTS

NOVEMBER 18, 2020

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Southern Miss fails to come back against Western Kentucky

Sean Smith | Printz

CHARLIE LUTTRELL SPORTS EDITOR

espite a strong defensive performance, Southern Miss (2-6, 1-3 Conference USA) fell short of completing a fourth-quarter comeback against Western Kentucky (3-6, 2-3 Conference USA) and lost 10-7.

While Southern Miss started with a 10-0 deficit in the first half, the Nasty Bunch limited the Hilltoppers to 100 yards and prevented any scores in the second half, giving the offense an opportunity to come back.

“Starting with Rice and last week, I saw some of the Nasty Bunch defense back.

I saw that attitude, that confidence, that physicality and I really saw it tonight,” Interim Head Coach Tim Billings said.

“I mean, that’s the old Nasty Bunch that everyone is used to at Southern Miss. I was really proud of them today.”

Running back Kevin Perkins gave the Golden Eagles a touchdown in the fourth quarter, but SouthernMiss could not score on a crucial drive. On a fourth and seven with less than two minutes remaining, quarterback Trey Lowe III’s pass to tight end Cole Cavallo fell incomplete,

ending the team’s chances of victory.

Southern Miss struggled offensively throughout the whole game. The Golden Eagles gained 221 total yards, but had much more trouble with its passing yards.

In his second start at Southern Miss, Lowe finished with six completions on fourteen attempts for 67 yards and no touchdowns. Lowe was also sacked six times.

Billings says a late minute adjustment in the quarterback situation this week affected the game plan for the passing game.

Southern Miss has not thrown a passing touchdown since playing against Liberty on Oct. 24.

“We’re just really inconsistent as far as throwing the football and it was a crazy thing again. Jack [Abraham] practiced as a starting quarterback until Thursday,” Billings said. “All of a sudden, we kind of had to revamp things so that had an effect on the game plan a lot, but still no excuses. We’ve got to score some points.”

Still, Southern Miss’s running backs continued to be at the top of their game.

Frank Gore finished with 66 yards on 14 attempts and Perkins finished with 71 yards on eight attempts. Perkins has also scored the Golden Eagles’ last four

touchdowns.

Southern Miss started the game slow on defense as Western Kentucky scored on its first possession with a 91-yard drive.

Quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome scrambled five yards to put the Hilltoppers up 7-0.

Western Kentucky got the ball back quickly after a Southern Miss three and out. The Hilltoppers orchestrated an 18play drive that took nine minutes off of the clock. Despite converting two fourth downs on the drive, the Hilltoppers settled for a field goal after Southern Miss prevented a touchdown.

The Golden Eagles found themselves down 10-0 in the first half for the second straight week. However, Southern Miss’s defense held the Hilltoppers to 67 yards in the second quarter and prevented the team from extending its lead.

Southern Miss also put up its first promising drive in the second quarter, but the Hilltoppers forced a field goal attempt, which kicker Briggs Bourgeois missed.

Southern Miss struggled even more on offense in the third quarter. The Golden Eagles only gained a total of 16 yards and Lowe was sacked twice.

After a series of problems throughout the game, Southern Miss staged its comeback

in the fourth quarter. The offense gained momentum on a 15-yard rush by Perkins and an extra 15 yards due to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. A few plays later, Perkins ran into the endzone on a six-yard rush to put the Golden Eagles within one possession of winning.

Southern Miss’s defense kept the game alive after defensive back Malik Shorts stopped Western Kentucky on a fourth and one close to the red zone. However, the offense could not produce on its final two drives.

“It’s a shame we couldn’t muster up anything in the last two drives to give us an opportunity to either tie the game or go ahead,” Billings said.

The referees ended the game with 41 seconds left, citing that the two teams became too heated with each other. Southern Miss had no timeouts and Western Kentucky would have had to kneel to end the game.

“I think they made a good decision,” Billings said. “With all the tempers flaring, both sides played so hard and physical that was probably a good decision.”

Southern Miss will return to action at The Rock next Saturday against the University of Texas at San Antonio.