December 4, 2019

SERVING SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI SINCE 1927 • WWW.STUDENTPRINTZ.COM • DECEMBER 4, 2019 | VOLUME 105 | ISSUE 13

DAY OF REMEMBRANCE PG 3

COACHES’ WIVES PG 4

BEST OF DECADE PG 6

Mississippi grads, students discuss brain drain

ALYSSA BASS EXECUTIVE EDITOR Illustration by Emily Brinkman | Printz

ississippi ranks close to last, if not last, in several categories. But the state is tied for number one for something: gross brain drain.

Brain drain refers to the number of college-educated people who leave their birth state after graduation, which causes a decrease in the labor force and revenue for the state. According to a report released in April by the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, Mississippi has suffered from the highest surge of graduates moving out of state from 1970 to 2017.

As job openings fail to attract recent graduates, and political issues divide the state, undergraduates and graduates either await the day they can leave or join legislators in advocating for their peers to stay.

Applied economics professor Elif Filiz said sectors with the most openings aren’t attractive to graduates.

“People also want to see improvements or a certain level of satisfaction in their social life and welfare. I believe especially for the new generation, millennials, exploring new possibilities and living in more diverse places is important. They seek places where they can be better off not only economically but also socially,” Filiz said Filiz said Mississippi’s unemployment rate is a sign that the job sectors with the most openings do not attract those with degrees. The Mississippi Department

of Labor Statistics reports the state’s unemployment rate is 5.6%, which is higher than the national rate of 3.3%.

In May 2018, the most popular occupations in Mississippi were office and administrative support, sales, production, food preparation and service and transportation, which are jobs that usually do not require more than a high school degree and pay less than the state’s average hourly wage of $18.95.

Southern Miss alumnus and Mississippi native Carlton McGrone dreamed of being an entertainment journalist or an author in New York before he graduated in May. He knew he wanted to leave Mississippi after he left the South for the first time a year earlier. In New Jersey, McGrone said he felt a freedom he had never felt before.

“To me, Mississippi feels like a cage,”

McGrone said. “It’s not that I feel constant discrimination or something connected to me being black. It’s just simply that I feel like Mississippi isn’t a place for young, artistic minds that want more than to go down the conventional, traditional path that baby boomers went down.”

Of the 407 May 2019 Southern Miss graduates that reported a geographic location for their next destination, about 33% reported they were relocating outside of Mississippi, according to data from Career Services.

McGrone’s plan to leave after graduation was unsuccessful.

CONTINUED | PG 3

NEWS DECEMBER 4, 2019 MEET THE STAFF

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Executive Editor

iTech begins process of upgrading Wi-Fi

News Editor

CALEB MCCLUSKEY NEWS EDITOR

Alyssa Bass alyssa.bass@usm.edu Caleb McCluskey caleb.mccluskey@usm.edu

Entertainment/Opinion Editor Jack McCallum john.mccallum@usm.edu

Feature/Lifestyle Editor Karigan Teer karigan.teer@usm.edu

Sports Editor

Makayla Puckett makayla.puckett@usm.edu

Multimedia Editor

Blair Ballou blair.ballou@usm.edu

Webmaster

Omer Arshad omer.arshad@usm.edu

Photo Editor

Brian Winters brian.s.winters@usm.edu

Design Editor

Emily Brinkman emily.brinkman@usm.edu

Graphic Designers

Brian Winters brian.s.winters@usm.edu Lillie Busch lillie.busch@usm.edu Kathleen Hetherington kathleen.hetherington@usm.edu Alexandria Moore alexandria.casey@usm.edu

Printz Advisor

chuck.cook@usm.edu

outhern Miss’ iTech began the process of upgrading the Wi-Fi with an estimated completion between the end of the spring semester or the fall semester.

Director of technology operations and infrastructure Keith Hill said the university saved up a total of $1 million for the project, which will include new routers in every building on the Hattiesburg and Gulf Park campuses as well as the research centers the university operates.

“We are the first customers in the Southeast to get these radios,” Hill said.

Wi-Fi stands for wireless fidelity and is the standard for wireless networking standards.

Wi-Fi uses radio signals to bounce signals between devices and the internet using routers.

Hill said students do not need to worry about internet access during the upgrades because they plan to set the new systems up while the other is still running and switch them over while the different buildings are closed for the night.

“The way we do the change out is we’ll stage the new radios next to the old ones, and it will literally be just moving the cables, and they’ll boot up,” Hill said. “The time it takes to boot up is only a minute or two.”

The Wi-Fi currently in use at Southern Miss is called 11ac, which was released in 2013. The newest generation, 11ax, now known as Wi-Fi 6, is what iTech is upgrading to. Once the upgrades are finished, Hill said the internet will be 40% more powerful and four times as efficient as the current Wi-Fi system.

“We are moving all to Wi-Fi 6,” Hill said. “We are resurveying every building on campus to put in a new capacity model with the latest standard, so that we shouldn’t have areas where people have poor wireless performance.”

Hill said iTech is in the process of surveying each building to find out the thickness of walls in every room along with other factors, such as the material used in construction He said the surveys should be done by December or January.

Network administrator for iTech Bryan Wiseman has been on the team doing the

Courtesy photo from Bryan Wiseman

surveys since it started in October.

Wiseman said the process of surveying a building takes between 30 minutes to a couple of hours depending on the size of the building, how many rooms they have to go through and the accessibility of those rooms.

He said every detail is important for the survey from what the room is being used for to the height of the wall.

“We’ve been trying to do [surveys] every day since,” Wiseman said. “It’s tedious, and the reason being is that we are having to work around classrooms. And we have to do the dorms we can’t get into.”

Senior English major Jaq Jefcoat said an upgrade was long overdue.

“It’s definitely overdue for an upgrade and making sure that the signal is strong and accessible throughout buildings,” Jefcoat said.

“For students who use the Wi-Fi for streaming online classes, it sucks when it cuts out.

Jefcoat said he has had problems with the Wi-Fi in the school since the semester started.

“There are quite a few areas in buildings I frequently visit where it’s difficult to get good

Wi-Fi,” Jefcoat said. “I don’t use it on my phone, but it’s crucial for me to use it for my laptop in class and doing assignments.”

Hill said iTech was aware of the problem, specifically with eduroam, the university’s Wi-Fi system, and they worked on and fixed the issue. He said one of the devices needed for eduroam to work properly had to be decommissioned, and it was the source of the issues.

“The eduroam thing was resolved earlier this week,” Hill said. “We had to take a unit out of service that wasn’t talking the way it was supposed to.”

Hill said the best advice he can give students having issues with the internet is to use eduroam whenever possible. The public Wi-Fi, according to Hill, has a rate limit, but eduroam does not. He also said he wanted to remind students how to log in to eduroam.

“A lot of folks have struggled with the username with eduroam, but it is your wempl@ usm.edu,” Hill said. “People just want to use just the wempl like they log into SOAR, but that won’t work.”

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.

Comic by Darius Harris | Printz

NEWS NOVEMBER 20, 2019 CONTINUED FROM PG 1 “Frankly, I knew before graduating that it would be difficult to find a job, but I had no idea that it would be possibly the worst few months of my life.”

McGrone said he spent most days before and after graduation applying to at least six jobs for five to seven hours in coffee shops only to receive rejection after rejection or nothing at all.

Two months after he graduated, he finally landed a part-time job at Barnes and Noble in Jackson. Three weeks later, his former internship supervisor emailed him about an opening at the University Press of Mississippi, where he is working now as an assistant director.

Although he is happy to be on the path of his ideal career, McGrone still plans on leaving the state soon. The higher cost of living in the North doesn’t discourage him.

“No one got to where they are because they were afraid of going broke. I’m more afraid of becoming horribly depressed and being a faceless cog in a machine. I’d rather couch surf and forge my own path than be afraid of money issues,” he said.

According to the report from Congress, educated Mississippians are most likely to migrate to Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee and Georgia.

Greta Thorderson lived in Mississippi for 11 years before moving to Utah, her home state, and eventually Tennessee after graduating from high school in 2018. Since leaving Mississippi, she said she hasn’t faced many challenges but has had to answer questions about the existence of the Ku Klux Klan and the prevalence of racists in Mississippi many times.

She said she chose not to attend college in Mississippi because she “wanted a chance to meet more open-minded communities.”

During her time in Mississippi, Thorderson said she initially struggled to adjust to the Bible Belt after growing up surrounded by Mormons. By the time she entered middle school, she earned the label of “feminazi liberal” after posting about International Women’s Day on social media. The label stuck in high school and made it hard for her to make friends.

“Classmates would roll their eyes when I’d raise my hand. Even after high school, posts were made with comments such as, ‘This is some Greta liberal a-- s----.’ It really bothered me,” Thorderson said. “I was a juvenile who wanted to seem fun and cool to my peers, but my political beliefs were brought up before I could even give a good argument as to why I would be a good friend. A lot of females believed the same things I did and even would tell me that they believed the same things as me, but the difference was they stayed quit to stay in the comfort of their male counterparts, and I didn’t.”

Representative of House District 102 Missy McGee received her undergraduate and master’s degree from Southern Miss in the 90s. Back then, she didn’t hear many discussions about her peers planning to leave the state.

When McGee graduated, she moved to Washington, D.C. and worked in Capitol Hill for three years, which she considered her temporary home. Today, she works to retain students and encourage young professionals to choose Hattiesburg as their home.

In February, she co-sponsored HB816, Mississippi’s Educational Talent and Recruitment Act, which would have

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provided an income tax rebate to recent graduates who claim residency in the state and work here for five years.

The bill received overwhelming support from the House with a vote of 111-2. The bill died in the Senate’s Finance Committee a month later.

“I think this would have been a great first step in encouraging young people to build a life for themselves here,” McGee said. “But it is a complicated issue, which I believe goes beyond policy.”

The Republican said bills like HB 1523, Religious Liberty Accommodations Act, and the state flag divide Mississippi residents and send the message that Mississippi does not welcome everyone, which she said is false.

“We must change the perception of our state in order to truly attract the next generation, and changing that perception will take time and take more than an act of legislation at the state capitol,” McGee said. “However, policymakers must truly believe that the most important generation is the next generation and translate that belief into budgeting priorities.”

Senior criminal justice major Jessica Barnett said she believes state leaders and slow adoption of more progressive policies are the primary reasons why her classmates are leaving.

“Additional benefits could be very, very helpful to make people want to stay, but I think we just aren’t to that point yet with our state government,” Barnett said. “ I’ve never considered actual legislation that could help make that happen because I think that there are so many more important matters to consider legislation for first, such as LGBTQ+ rights, education aid and finding a solution to the state poverty rates.”

Barnett has lived in Mississippi and

plans to stay in the state after graduation to pursue a master’s in criminal justice if her plan to join the Peace Corps doesn’t work out. Calling herself an outlier, she said she loves Mississippi and considers it her home even after traveling to several states and countries.

Still, Barnett said she has thought about leaving Mississippi and has discussed the matter with friends, many of them from out of state, who have shared the same thoughts several times. Financial reasons and lack of connections out of state stop her from leaving.

“I understand that Mississippi may have different political standings than what they believe in because it is a primarily red state; however, I think that these people who push so hard to leave could be some of the best people to take ownership in change and facilitate that discussion here,” Barnett said.

Thorderson’s entire family relocated to Georgia soon after she graduated. She said her family doesn’t regret their time in Mississippi, but they saw a need “to have a season of [their] lives away from it.”

“It’s strange how planted people in Mississippi can become,” Thorderson said. “I think if some Mississippians would leave for half a decade or so and then come back, it would help with the closed-off bigotry mindset some possess.”

Although she doesn’t plan on returning to Mississippi soon, she still keeps up with Mississippi politics.

“I believe because I was educated by the Mississippi school systems, I deserve a voice in the Mississippi political agenda.

Older folks still cheer and rally for their old college alma maters,” Thorderson said. “ I want the state to become better and be better for those who don’t have the privilege to leave.”

Trans Day of Remembrance honors lives lost CALEB MCCLUSKEY NEWS EDITOR wenty-two transgender people were killed in 2019, according to the Human Rights Campaign, which is a civil rights organization that advocates for LGBTQ issues.

This is the fourth-highest number of known deaths related to gender identity since 1998 when the Trans Day of Remembrance was conceived. “[Trans Day of Remembrance] is really important to me because I have received death threats as someone who is trans,” senior English licensure major Jaq Jefcoat, who is also the president of the Southern Miss Genders and Sexualities Alliance, said. “It is really concerning to imagine that someone would want to cause that amount of harm.”

The Trans Day of Remembrance is an annual national event to honor the memory of those murdered because of antitransgender sentiments. The Southern Miss PRISM center held an event in their office in conjunction with the day.

“Having this kind of event on campus brings a lot of awareness to others who may or may not know anyone in the trans community and how difficult life can be,” Jefcoat said. “Spreading awareness of it shows how much of a tragedy it is.”

Jefcoat, who is GLAAD campus ambassador for Southern Miss, made a memorial for the 22 transgender people who were killed. It features photos of the people, their ages, the day they died and how they died. Around the photos, there are the hashtags “#TransLivesMatter” and “#TDoR.” The words, “Today we remember those we lost,” wrap around the photos as well.

“Even one person is too much, especially when that person was killed just for being who they are,” Jefcoat said.

According to Jefcoat, this day helps

Meghan Fuller | Printz

to exemplify the fact that society is still dangerous for not only transgender people but also the LGBTQ community as a whole.

“Trans Day of Remembrance, to me, means remembering all those who have come before me, and some of those who could have had a bright and lively future, but it was sadly stolen from them way too soon,” Jefcoat said.

Freshman polymer science major Hailie Homrighausen said dating a transgender person has opened her eyes to the danger they live in.

“The first transgender person I met is my boyfriend now, and [Trans Day of Remembrance] was always a big deal to him,” Homrighausen said. “He introduced

During Trans Awareness Week, Jefcoat put together a memorial for those who died in 2019.

me to the trans community and all of the bad stuff that happens to them. It made me scared and sad for him.”

Jefcoat said he not only remembers those who died during Trans Day of Remembrance but also those who lived full lives in the trans community that helped pave the way for him.

“As someone who is trans, it is important to know where you come from and the struggles that have come before you to light the way to get more visibility, more laws and more safety,” Jefcoat said.

Program manager for the Office of Multicultural Programs and Services Tegi Jenkins-Rimmer said she wants students to know that the Prism Center is here for

students if they need resources.

“My role here at the university is to create inclusive spaces for our minority and underrepresented students, so when Jaq came to me with the idea of doing something for Trans Day of Remembrance, it was almost a no-brainer,” Jenkins-Rimmer said.

The Prism Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Our students need to know that they are represented here on campus and that we don’t take things like this lightly,” JenkinsRimmer said. “I wanted to show our LGBTQ+ community that they matter, and doing that was showing expression to those that have fallen victim to violence.”

FEATURES DECEMBER 4, 2019

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Behind the Xs and Os: wives share struggles, triumphs Tim’s defense as her own. Each week Lisa bakes for his players and attaches a Bible verse or note of encouragement to it.

“I bake for them every week. They get something yellow and chocolate. Their favorite thing is the pound cake, so they get that and either chocolate chip cookies or brownies,” Lisa said. “I go to all their games. I feel like as a coach’s wife I want them to know I am there for them.”

As the oldest of the group, Lisa appreciates her opportunity to share wisdom with the younger wives.

“My advice is to be very flexible, very positive and supportive and to have thick skin,” Lisa said. “To try to touch as many hearts along this journey. It’s a journey to enjoy every moment. You don’t see it when you first have to move but there are so many blessings in every move.”

MIKAYLA PUCKETT PRINTZ REPORTER t is said that behind every great man is a strong woman.

What is not said is that behind every great coach is an independent woman. For coaches Jay Hopson, Buster Faulkner and Tim Billings that is exactly who is behind them.

Michelle Hopson: At age 16, head coach Jay Hopson asked his now wife, Michelle, to the homecoming dance. She says the rest was history. The couple dated through high school and college (minus Jay’s spring trainings and football seasons) until they tied the knot when Jay landed his first full-time coaching job.

For each season of life come new challenges for coaches and their families. Michelle explained how as newlyweds it was important for her to learn how to manage her emotions during football season so they would not rise and fall with her husband’s emotions.

After having children, the issue arose of explaining why their father wasn’t home to trick or treat or to do things other children had both parents for in addition to moving every few years. Over the course of 22 years of marriage, Michelle has moved with her husband eight times.

“Being a coach’s kid, you move around and you don’t really have roots anywhere, so you move to a town and you’re just a face,” Michelle said.

Now that her children are older and independent, Michelle is learning how to reprioritize in order to focus on her role as the head coach’s wife rather than her nearly empty nest.

“I want to be a good ambassador for him and for the school,” Michelle said. “I want to be a good mom. I want to be all of these things, so just managing all of my different roles in life [is difficult].”

Michelle’s biggest role with the team is hosting recruitment weekends at her home and getting to know potential players as

Makayla Puckett | Printz

well as their parents.

“They need to know before they send their son off to be a part of a team. You want to know who you are sending them off to be with,” Michelle said. “I enjoy getting to know the parents, and then later if they sign with us we are already friends and there is already a family atmosphere.”

Tia Faulkner: Offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner married his childhood sweetheart in a small destination wedding 13 years ago. Since then, Buster and his wife Tia have had three kids and moved seven times. “[Moving] is something that is hard for us because our kids are growing up so differently than how we did,” Tia said. “Our parents still live two miles apart, and all of our family is [in Georgia,] so we are the only ones who have moved off.”

In the midst of juggling a full football schedule, Buster often misses school and sporting events for his children; however, his wife films anything he might miss in order to make sure he is included.

Lisa Billings applauds at the Eagle Walk.

“Buster is a very hands-on dad. He likes to be at all the kids’ activities and stuff like that, but obviously he can’t be,” Tia said.

“With our son, we laugh about how our 12-year-old has better highlight film than most college kids because we have everything videoed.”

As far as the Faulkner family’s interaction with the team, Tia and her daughters spend Thursday nights making goodie bags for Buster’s offensive players. Tia explained how with her kids being so active it is difficult to be as involved; however, they try to support in any way they can.

Lisa Billings: When defensive coordinator Tim Billings accepted a position at Southeastern Missouri in 2000, he didn’t expect to meet his wife. The two met in her hometown 19 years ago, and since then Lisa has moved seven times because of football.

“Being a coach’s wife, you do have to be tough,” Lisa Billings, wife of defensive coordinator Tim Billings, said “There is a lot you are going to have to deal with without your husband.”

With both children living on their own, Lisa has adopted

Outside of being a wife and mother, each woman is involved in recruiting and game day activities. Recruiting weekends also provide a time for the wives to spend time together and catch up on what is happening outside of football.

“We don’t see each other on a regular day to day basis. We have a group text where we keep in touch with life events or anything we need to tell each other,” Michelle said. “Managing schedules is hard, but we see each other game day after Eagle Walk. They all tailgate in our suite before we go to sit down and watch the game, and some stay up in there the whole game and watch it with us.”

Between hectic schedules and managing the little family time they do have, it is difficult for the women to get together often. Every year the wives have a season kickoff dinner and a Christmas party where they are able to spend time together and catch up.

Despite the ups and downs that accompany the lifestyle of coaching, there is one thing all three women can agree on: the is focus and purpose of their husbands’ jobs is the players.

“Sometimes you refocus your purpose; you get your eyes off the real reason you’re in football and coaching,” Michelle said. “[The purpose] is for these young men. They are the most important in this whole thing. It’s so rewarding to know these young men and who they are and how much they love what they are doing, and they love each other. It’s infectious.”

Independent tattoo artist talks growth, community LILLIE BUSCH PRINTZ REPORTER flat bright yellow building sits at the corner of Hardy Street and I-59 in Hattiesburg. One half of the building belongs to the Ra Shop; the other half belongs to The Ink Company. Three independent tattoo artists, all with different backgrounds, perspectives and art styles, make up the shop.

One of the artists, Anthony Washington, has worked as a tattoo artist for over a decade. His workspace is tucked in a corner of the building and includes Star Wars and Disney memorabilia, a flat-screen TV and a PlayStation console. Music—sometimes rock ‘n’ roll, sometimes rap—plays in the background.

Inside the tattoo community, Washington is known for a nontraditional approach to tattooing. He creates images through a collage method that combines photographs and sketches. His linework is fluid, and his colors are vibrant. Washington recently visited as a guest artist at Manchester’s Glass Street Tattoo and attended the 2019 Deep South Tattoo Expo.

Washington graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University with a degree in fine art.

He once aspired to become a youth minister and said he “used to be super Christian-y.”

He also used to manage a music store.

“Although, music is not my thing. I’m more into movies,” he said.

Washington emphasized that he did not so much stumble into tattooing, but instead it felt more like a natural path. He apprenticed under his current business partner Michael “Mikey” Godbold. Godbold is one of the three independent artists at the Ink Company.

“At the time I was managing a shop in McComb. Anthony had been a client of mine for a while and was showing interest in getting into tattooing. I knew he had a strong background in art, so I took a chance on

Lillie Busch | Printz

him,” Godbold said.

Godbold praised Washington’s work ethic and said he is grateful for how much Washington cares about the shop.

“He is a great business partner,” Godbold said. “I honestly could not ask for someone who cares more about the success of not only the shop, but all of the artists in it so well.”

In a college town, most of Washington’s clients are women between the ages of 18 and 25. “[College students] are also the most poor,”

Anthony Washington tattoos Sissy Allen.

he said. “Most people want a $200 tattoo for $20.”

Sissy Allen, a make-up artist at Sephora, received a tattoo from Washington Nov. 21.

Her design was a minimalistic portrait of Princess Mononoke from the Studio Ghibli film of the same name.

“Actually, my friend came to get a tattoo from David, and I came as moral support,” Allen said. “I saw that [Washington] was playing ‘Overwatch,’ and I found him when I got home. And I was looking at his page and

everything and his artwork. I really like his artwork.”

As a tattoo artist, part of Washington’s appeal is his easygoing, straightforward personality as well as his nerdiness. His interests are different than Godbold’s or David Neal’s, the third tattoo artist in the shop.

Despite the differences, The Ink Company and its clientele are a tight-knit community.

“I think our shop has a lot of different ideas between the artists and the personalities. What we think of life is very different, and we attract that type of clientele,” Washington said. “It’s kind of like a barbershop or a beauty shop in that regard. What else are we supposed to do for hours on end? Just stare at each other?”

Washington said respect between clients and artists is one of the most important aspects of being a tattoo artist.

“You become friends with people, in a weird way, but you really aren’t their friend, so respect on both sides is pretty important,” Washington said. “The client’s perspective is to respect the artist, for the simple fact that we are the ones doing it.”

Ultimately, the tattoo community is a closeknit one, and both Anthony Washington and The Ink Company provide a glimpse into that world of self-expression. It is not the seedy underbelly of lore, but instead it is colorful, vibrant and alive.

“The difference between anybody’s style is what this profession is all about. Being unique and creative is why I love tattooing,” Godbold said.

Although his career is permanently inking people, Washington said that tattoos are the least permanent things in the world.

“I think people think of [tattoos] as permanent, and I think of it as you will die in 40 years. Make the most of your life. People stress out about s--- too much,” Washington said while preparing a tattoo needle for another round. “Ultimately, it’s your body, your choice.”

Anthony Washington can be reached for consultations and bookings via his Instagram, @anthonyinkco. The Ink Company can be reached at 601-264-9770.

LIFESTYLE December 4, 2019

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Beyond Meat creates a buzz in Hattiesburg LAUREL THRAILKILL PRINTZ REPORTER he popularity of plant-based meat alternatives is exploding this year, and one of the frontrunners in the industry, Beyond Meat, is leading the charge by securing partnerships with high-profile restaurant chains.

According to the Beyond Meat website, Beyond Meat is the future of protein.

Beyond Meat products are also completely plantbased and vegan, and Beyond Meat is creating a lot of buzz in Hattiesburg especially.

“I’ve had a few of the Beyond products,” vegetarian Hampton Martin said. “I’ve never been one to go out of my way to try new foods, but if I end up at a restaurant that offers Beyond Meat or any other fake meats, I’ll give it a go.”

The plant-based protein industry is currently worth $14 billion in the US according to Markets Insider, and rapid growth is expected in the coming years. With chains such as McDonald’s, Subway, KFC and more featuring Beyond Meat products on their menus, plant-based alternatives are being thrust into the spotlight.

Research suggests that Beyond Meat products and other plant-based meat alternatives are especially popular among young people.

Ethan Brown, founder of Beyond Meat, recently said 93% of people purchasing Beyond Meat products are not vegan or vegetarian. Brown said he sees this as a really important breakthrough. Since these people are not buying the products because of special dietary needs, one might question why they are pur-

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chasing the products at all.

Beyond Meat products and other plant-based meat alternatives are more environmentally-friendly than real meat. Beyond Meat patties produce 90% fewer gas emissions than a beef patty, 46% less energy, 99% less water and 93% less land, according to the Beyond Meat website.

It is no secret that young people care about the environment. A 2018 Gallup analysis found that 70% of adults aged 18 to 34 say they worry about global warming as opposed to 56% of those aged 55 or older. The sustainability of Beyond Meat products appeals to today’s youth in a big way.

According to an article by Alexandra Sexton published in “Gastronomica: The Journal of Critical

Food Studies,” however, Beyond Meat must be careful of how they market their products.

“Yet as animal meat has become increasingly linked with environmental, health, and ethical concerns, Beyond Meat is having to negotiate a careful balance between positioning its products as meatlike in some respects and not meatlike in others in order to gain consumer adoption,” Sexton said.

Beyond Meat is attempting to maintain a delicate balance. It must appeal to unconvinced meat-eaters and attempt to convert them to protein alternatives by keeping the taste and texture of the products similar to meat, but also be sure to distinguish the sustainability and eco-friendliness of its products from real meat.

Southern Miss nutrition professor Carol Connell

said Beyond Meat products are not necessarily healthier than real meat.

“As a dietitian, I favor eating whole foods whenever possible, but I don’t have anything against having a plant-based meat alternative sometimes,” Connell said. “I also think more plant-based meals during the week is a good way to promote a more sustainable environment.”

According to Melissa Covington-Olsen, Sustainability Coordinator at the Office of Sustainability, when it comes to plant-based alternatives, it is important to do some research.

“Now that eco-awareness is on the rise, the demand for greener products is rising too,” Covington-Olsen said. “People want to buy products that have the least impact on the environment, are not tested on animals, livestock that are treated humanely and produce that is not treated with chemicals.”

Covington-Olsen said to meet the criteria, companies are trying to keep up with the demands of a more eco-conscious and eco-friendly society, which has led to many companies claiming to be green when in reality they are not.

Senior entrepreneurship major Bryan Sonnier is pescatarian. Sonnier is optimistic about the future of plant-based alternatives but remains skeptical.

“I like the idea of eating plant-based meat substitutes because it gives the option of being able to still eat the same meals, but in a healthier way,” Sonnier said. “I feel that fast food chains are making efforts to offer vegan options, but there is something sketchy about it. For example, Burger King is offering Impossible Whoppers, but who’s to say they aren’t cooking those whoppers on the same grill that they grill the actual meat on?”

Beyond Meat is now being sold in more than 15,000 restaurants, hotels and universities.

Students search for deals this Christmas MEGHAN FULLER PRINTZ REPORTER outhern Miss students are facing the embarrassment of gift-giving, or lack thereof, this holiday season.

While some are working multiple jobs, others simply can’t afford to buy their mom the espresso machine she desires.

Sometimes Black Friday sales just aren’t enough for college students. Many are struggling to buy gifts for family members and friends while surviving on a college income.

Junior biochemistry major Thomas WarnerSell uses Amazon as a cheaper alternative while looking for the best deals on gifts. He said he finds it difficult to shop with a college schedule and instead likes to find gifts online.

As for not having enough money, Warner-Sell said he finds it easier to be honest or to limit himself to giving only a few gifts during the holiday season.

“Normally, my parents will get gifts and say it’s from me, and I buy gifts for people I see a lot, like my girlfriend or close family members,” Warner-Sell said.

Warner-Sell said he likes to save his money ahead of time in order to afford the gifts he plans on giving. He said he sets money aside after paying his bills and looks for sales when shopping.

“If you can’t afford it, your friends and family will understand,” Warner-Sell said. “Also, know that it’s not the gift that matters, it’s the thought.”

Many students shop online instead of having to take time out of their schedules to buy gifts.

Others turn to DIY projects in order to save their funds. While some students find a creative way to make their gifts, others stick to buying them.

Sophomore nursing major Katelyn Speed

Meghan Fuller | Printz

said buying gifts is easier than making them.

She said she has never tried making gifts and loves giving gifts to friends and family more than receiving them. Speed also limits the amount of gifts she gives in order to save money.

“I have a large family, so if I bought gifts for everyone, I would be broke,” Speed said. “I want to get everyone in my family amazing gifts, but I also have to stay on a budget.”

Speed has two jobs and tries to online shop in order to make room for her busy college schedule. She said she tries to start saving early and looks for sales as often as possible.

“There are many ways to afford gifts on a college budget, but starting to save earlier in the year will make it easier to come up with the money and buy gifts for those you love,” Speed said.

Many students went shopping on Black Friday and also took part in Cyber Monday in order to save and buy gifts for the lowest price.

Junior biology major Victoria Barrett said she saved up money by working extra shifts at her job and limits herself to buying one gift per family member.

Barrett looks forward to giving gifts to her

family members and likes to shop in person in order to see what they’d like the most.

“I have three brothers and a sister plus my mom and dad to shop for,” Barrett said. “I don’t always shop on Black Friday, but I am always looking out for the sales.”

Barrett said she recommends shopping online in the case of a busy schedule, but likes to look for deals in person if at a convenient location.

“I would totally recommend online shopping,” Barrett said. “It’s so easy as a college student, and you’ll find more deals than you would think.”

ENTERTAINMENT DECEMBER 4, 2019

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Printz staff lists best movies of the decade PRINTZ STAFF

isn’t often portrayed. Their relationship often is secondary to the other storylines, but it is always there and felt throughout the entire movie. But what makes “Lady Bird” truly great is its ability to capture the feeling of being young and full of hope for the future.

Illustration by Emily Brinkman | Printz

he film industry has seen a lot of change in the past ten years from the rise of big-budget Marvel films to the rise of streaming. As the 2010s come to a close, it is time to look back and reflect on what movies have stood out amongst the rest. These are the top five movies released this decade according to writers at the Student Printz.

3. “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” (dir. Peter Ramsey, Bob Persichetti, Rodney Rothman) Written by Lillie Busch

1. “La La Land” (dir. Damien Chazelle) Written by Bethany Morris I think the film “La La Land” speaks of a joy-filled life about how in times of trouble you have to push through and make your own joy. This film embodies this concept and brings it together through a realistic and relatable plot. The plot plays your heart, but in the end, their dreams come true whether it be the dream that the viewer might want.

From someone who adores old Hollywood films, this was such a refreshing film to watch in modern times with its spot-on cinematography.

“La La Land” is so cheerful that you literally can’t watch a scene and not smile, even in the midst of sadness there’s a bit of cheer being spread.

2. “Lady Bird” (dir. Greta Gerwig) Written by Morgan Usry “Lady Bird” follows a girl during her senior

The 177 individual artists of “Into the Spider-Verse” combined hand-drawn techniques with computer animation.

Also, instead of relying on 24 framesper-second, “Spider-Verse” occasionally doubled that number, meaning the poses would stay on film longer.

Each character and background had its own distinct animation style and colors. Watching “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” literally feels like watching a comic book come alive with its vibrant colors, lines and exaggerated expressions. year of high school as she deals with romance, friendship, herself and most importantly, family.

One of the things that make “Lady Bird” so special is how it balances all of these elements of life and weaves them together to create a compelling story.

A strong part of this story is the relationship between Lady Bird and her mother, which is a type of complex and real relationship that

Illustration by Emily Brinkman | Printz

he decade is coming to an end, meaning it is time to discuss what songs have stood out and defined the 2010s. With this being the final issue of the Student Printz for the decade, the staff has come together to decide on what songs have truly made a lasting impact. These are the top five of the Student Printz writers’ favorite songs released in the past ten years.

1. Arctic Monkeys- “Do I Wanna Know?”

(2013) Written by Morgan Usry “Do I Wanna Know?” is an emotional song that embodies the feeling of longing like no other song of the 2010s. The way lead singer Alex Turner yearns about unrequited love is enough to move anyone and is a predicament nearly everyone can relate to.

The entire song is amazing, but the second half is where it takes off into something more.

The multiple levels of sound and vocals create a rich listening experience like no other. The music video for “Do I Wanna Know?” adds to its iconic status. With over 900 million views and consisting of vibrating lines in the form of sound waves and line drawings, the video enhances the song in an extraordinary way.

2. Gorillaz- “On Melancholy Hill” (2010) Written by Brian Winters “On Melancholy Hill” is the Gorillaz song that

got me back into the Gorillaz. The last time I listened to Gorillaz was in 2006, so hearing “On Melancholy Hill” for the first time in 2010 brought me back to my early life and the love I had for the band.

The music is calming and more mellow than previous Gorillaz songs. To me, the song gives off a sense of relaxation. The music video – which if you have not seen, I suggest watching – adds to that relaxation. The music video is basically just submarines going through the ocean until they make it to Plastic Beach. “On Melancholy Hill” perfectly reminded me of the love I had for Gorillaz and reignited the love I still have for the band.

Ari Aster is a director with an artistic vision like no other, best defined in the 2018 horror film “Hereditary.” His first feature-length film, Aster builds a unique, terrifying world that redefines what horror can be. “Hereditary” takes the viewer on an intense, mind-boggling journey

time of day and tone of light. This song, along with the rest of the album, breathes feelings and embraces happiness. “Golden Hour” speaks to Musgraves’ evolution from country-pop to a new tone that calls for strings, boldness and the appreciation of beauty.

5. Childish Gambino- “This Is America” (2018) Written by Conrad Acosta

4. Kacey Musgraves- “Golden Hour” (2018) Written by Ashlyn Levins

“This is America” by Childish Gambino is a perfect example of the magic that can happen when different mediums of art collide. The song, released amid the heated discourse surrounding gun violence in America, uses a variety of creative methods to show the listeners what America looks like through the metaphorical lens that Gambino provides.

The rhythm is short and punchy, giving the lyrics plenty of impact and allowing the meaning behind the words to take center stage.

The real beauty of the song, however, is found in its music video which features a choreographed tour through the chaotic landscape that is meant to represent an America riddled with gun violence.

The song “Golden Hour” is a smooth and attractive mix between country and disco rhythm.

Throughout the album of the same name, Musgraves creates a sense of awareness of the world around her, as if it is all new to her.

The album’s title track relates this awareness to the

Honorable mentions: 6. Adele- “Rolling in the Deep” (2010) 7. The Chainsmokers- “Closer” (2016) 8. Post Malone, Swae Lee- “Sunflower” (2018) 9. Hozier- “Take Me To Church” (2013) 10. Lana Del Rey- “Video Games” (2011)

3. Beyoncé- “Formation” (2016) Written by Kaylyn Jones Beyoncé came in swinging with her song and music video, “Formation,” proving that you can be fun, political and empowering. Both the song and music video masterfully intermingle black empowerment and issues.

Beyoncé proudly sings about loving where she came from and her roots as she puts her culture in your face with afros and hot sauce. She brought amazing imagery and real-life audio of flooding in New Orleans to call out the incompetence and racial implications of the handling of Hurricane Katrina.

5. “Get Out” (dir. Jordan Peele) Written by Conrad Acosta Jordan Peele’s “Get Out” was one of the first horror movies among a long trend of sequels, rip-offs and remakes to actually present a wellexecuted, original concept. The film, which was Peele’s directorial debut, follows the weekend trip of a photographer to his girlfriend’s family’s house as he slowly realizes that he isn’t just a guest in their home.

The story wields its mystery very effectively even though it is clear early on that something is off. “Get Out” was the first in what promises to be a long line of incredible horror films from the mind of Jordan Peele. Its unique concept, wellwritten story and memorable performances make it one of the best films of the decade.

4. “Hereditary” (dir. Ari Aster) Written by Jack McCallum

Writers reflect on songs of the decade PRINTZ STAFF

through a family’s inner turmoil following the death of their grandmother.

Not for the weak at heart, “Hereditary” makes you question your own mental state and the family around you. Oh, and how can you mention “Hereditary” without acknowledging the killer, career-defining performance by legendary actress Toni Collette?

Honorable mentions: 6. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” (dir. J.J. Abrams) 7. “Baby Driver” (dir. Edgar Wright) 8. “The Help” (dir. Tate Taylor) 9. “Joker” (dir. Todd Phillips) 10. “Midsommar” (dir. Ari Aster)

OPINION DECEMBER 4, 2019

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The Republican Party lacks ideological diversity CONRAD ACOSTA PRINTZ REPORTER ith Donald Trump and his supporters getting most of the media coverage, it would be easy to make the mistake of assuming that he and his platform are the only things to be taken seriously as 2020 Republican contenders, but that is not the case.

The period of polarization that came after the 2016 presidential election can be largely traced back to how many Americans saw the choice between Hillary Clinton and Trump as having to choose the lesser of two evils. There were many people who voted for Trump to be the Republican candidate, not because they believed that he was truly the best person for the job, but because they didn’t want Clinton to win and saw Trump as the only person capable of beating her.

The levels of ideological diversity that were present in the Republican candidates were forcefully diminished by the potential of a Hillary Clinton presidency. Today, we can see the impact of this in the lack of ideological diversity within the Republican party in the wake of Trump’s reelection campaign. Trump’s approval rating among Republicans is extremely positive in places like Iowa, reaching up to 85% with 76% of Republicans saying that they are going to vote to reelect him.

This is a clear indication that Trump has been able to largely retain the unified support among Republicans in 2016. But the question should be asked: how has this affected other ideological groups within the Republican Party?

Joe Walsh, a congressional representative from Illinois who is also running for president, is a rep-

Illustration by Derrick “DJ” Reed | Printz

resentation of other trains of thought within the Republican party. Walsh disagrees with Trump on many core issues, from policy to rhetoric, and his platform is one that could be very attractive to moderate Democrats who aren’t necessarily happy with Joe Biden or Elizabeth Warren but could never vote for Trump.

Bill Weld, the 2016 vice presidential candidate for the Libertarian Party, also presents the hope for a Republican candidate with more bipartisan appeal. Taking stances that prioritize bipartisan cooperation, Weld’s platform has the potential to seem very inviting to people on both sides of the

political spectrum who are fed up with gridlock.

The issue with the lack of ideological diversity within the Republican Party is that it is far too polarizing to retain national appeal. Trump may be popular with Republicans in Iowa, but his national approval rating struggles to stay above 40%. This is not good for the longevity of Republican policy goals, and if the RNC hopes to stand a chance in future national elections, they need to consider nominating someone less polarizing than Donald Trump---someone like Walsh or Weld.

The problem is that Walsh and Weld will likely

never reach even half the level of visibility and popularity of Trump. This is in part because of media coverage, but it is also due to the unwillingness of many Republicans to accept that Trump’s presidency has not been an especially good one from a PR perspective.

The future of conservative policy goals depends on the presence of a Republican president that is capable of enacting those goals without completely alienating the values of the other side.

The fewer people within the Republican National Committee supporting Trump, the closer this is to becoming a reality.

Victoria’s Secret surrenders its wings LILLIE BUSCH PRINTZ REPORTER here will be no angels this holiday season except for the ones on top of trees. In late November, L Brands announced that the Victoria’s Secret 2019 Fashion Show was canceled.

The fashion show had run since 1995 and only diversified its models by casting 19 women of color in the 2018 show.

The idealized lingerie brand is no stranger to bad publicity and criticism. Critics, such as Australian supermodel Robyn Lawley, accuse the brand of both objectification of women and financial struggles. In recent years, the quality of the brand has steadily declined, especially in comparison to other lingerie companies, such as online retailer Third Love.

Most recently, Victoria’s Secret fell under fire for chief marketing officer Ed Rezak’s “insensitive” comments about transgender models in an interview for Vogue. In the same interview, Rezak described the fashion show as a “fantasy” that does not include trans women or plus-sized women. After working for VS for more than 15 years, Razek stepped down from his position in August 2019.

Are the bombshells still that problematic, noninclusive fantasy today? The short answer: yes.

Audiences respond more positively to names that promote body-positivity, such as American Eagle’s Aerie brand and Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty collection. Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty show premiered in September on Amazon Prime. The models represented both inclusivity and diversity: different sizes, races and ethnicities. Even trans women and women with disabilities strutted on

Illustration by Lillie Busch | Printz

the runway.

“I’m looking for unique characteristics in people that aren’t usually highlighted in the world of fashion as it pertains to lingerie and sexy, or what society sees as sexy,” Rihanna said in an article by Harper Bazaar.

In contrast, Victoria’s Secret’s branding remains stuck in the early 2000s, when the lingerie fashion show was still considered groundbreaking and a size 00 was all the rage.

Also, exposure to idealized beauty standards is harmful to young girls. The modeling game is all about numbers: a VS angel is ideally 5’9 tall with

a 34-inch bust, 24-inch waist, and 34-inch hips.

In comparison, the average American woman stands at 5’4 with a 34-inch waist. While research about social media and body image continues to develop, there does appear to be a correlation between social media and negative body image.

A negative body image is a slippery slope towards eating disorders, excessive exercising and other harmful habits.

Frankly, it is for the best that the show is canceled, and not just for a young audience’s sake.

With its models and content, Victoria’s Secret fashion shows remain outdated. They do not host

the same appeal as other fashion events, whether lingerie shows like Rihanna’s Savage x Fenty, or avant-garde events like the Met Gala.

No one should miss Victoria’s Secret’s fashion show because it is a fantasy that is no longer relevant. Hopefully, Victoria’s Secret will move forward and redefine sexiness, especially if they revisit their branding decisions.

This is not to say that Victoria’s Secret angels are not beautiful because they are. This is not to discredit their hard work. However, the audience’s new fantasy is seeing every type of body strut on the runway.

SPORTS

DECEMBER 4, 2019

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USM sports through the decade Baseball – Conference USA tournament champions, NCAA regional For Scott Berry’s first season as head baseball coach, the Golden Eagles finished with a record of 36-24. In the Conference USA tournament championship game, Southern Miss beat Rice 7-4. The Golden Eagles advanced to NCAA regionals at Auburn. Southern Miss lost to Clemson 10-1, yet beat Jacksonville State 19-6. Auburn ended the Golden Eagles road to Omaha with a 17-8 loss.

Men’s Basketball – CIT tournament The Southern Miss men’s basketball team participated in the College Insider postseason tournament (CIT) after a 20-14 season. The Golden Eagles lost in the first round to Louisiana Tech 66-57.

Men’s Basketball – NCAA tournament For the third time in school history, the men’s basketball team qualified for the NCAA tournament. The Golden Eagles were the No.9 seed in the tournament with a record of 27-9. Kansas State, ranked as No.8, beat Southern Miss 70-64 in the first round.

Men’s Basketball – NIT quarterfinal With a 31-7 record, the Golden Eagles went back to the NIT. Southern Miss won over Toledo in the first round 66-59 and over Missouri in the second round 73-81. Those wins were also vacated due to NCAA violations.

Minnesota beat Southern Miss 81-73 in the quarterfinals.

Women’s Basketball – WNIT The Lady Eagles finished the season with a 27-7 record. At the Conference USA tournament Southern Miss defeated Old Dominion 83-64 and UTEP 84-70. The team fell to Middle Tennessee 84-55 for a second place finish in the conference. In the WNIT, the Lady Eagles won over Lamar 75-60, however, lost to Mississippi State 74-60.

Football – Hawai’i Bowl, Conference USA champions In head coach Larry Fedora’s final season and 18th consecutive winning season, Southern Miss finished with a record of 11-2. The Golden Eagles went on to win the Conference USA championship as well as the Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl over Nevada 24-17. Southern Miss was ranked No.20 in the AP poll and No.19 in the coaches’ poll.

Baseball – NCAA regional After losing to Houston 7-6 in 14 innings and ECU 4-0 in the Conference USA tournament, Southern Miss advanced to NCAA regionals in Atlanta where the Golden Eagles lost to Mississippi State 3-0 and lost to Georgia Tech 6-2. Southern Miss finished the season with a record of 40-19.

Men’s Basketball – NIT quarterfinal Southern Miss participated in the National Invitational Tournament after a 29-10 season. They defeated Charleston Southern 78-71 and Louisiana Tech 63-52 to advance to the quarterfinals. Those wins were later vacated after an NCAA investigation into former coach Donnie Tyndall’s use of ineligible student-athletes. The Golden Eagles run at the tournament ended with a 7962 loss to BYU.

Football – Heart of Dallas Bowl Under the leadership of head coach Todd Monken, Southern Miss finished its season with a record of 9-5, including a 44-31 loss to Washington in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

Women’s Basketball – WNIT For the second consecutive season, the Lady Eagles finished second in Conference USA. A 80-66 win over UAB and a 65-53 win over Middle Tennessee led them to a 60-57 loss to Western Kentucky. In the WNIT, Southern Miss beat Texas Southern 79-69 followed by a win over TCU 77-73 in overtime. The Lady Eagles beat Eastern Michigan 76-65 but later lost to Michigan 69-60.

Football – New Orleans Bowl Jay Hopson took over the role as head coach in 2016. The Golden Eagles finished 7-6 and defeated Louisiana-Lafayette in the New Orleans Bowl 28-12.

Baseball – NCAA regional host After finishing a regular season Conference USA, champions with a 50-16 record, Southern Miss hosted an NCAA regional tournament. Back to back losses to Mississippi State ended the Golden Eagles road to Omaha.

Soccer – Conference USA runner up The Southern Miss soccer team concluded its season with a record of 13-61. In the Conference USA quarterfinals, the Golden Eagles defeated UAB 1-0 and in the semifinals defeated FAU 1-0. Southern Miss ultimately fell in the championship game to North Texas in double overtime with a score of 1-2.

Baseball – Conference USA tournament champions, NCAA regional Southern Miss won the Conference USA tournament over FAU with a score of 12-3. The Golden Eagles beat Dallas Baptist 9-0 in the NCAA regional and fell to Arkansas 10-2 and later to Dallas Baptist 9-4. Southern Miss finished the season with a record of 44-18.

Football – Independence Bowl For the third season in a row, Southern Miss earned bowl eligibility by finishing the 2017 season with a record of 8-5. The Golden Eagles fell to Florida State in the Independence Bowl 42-13.

Baseball – Conference USA tournament champions, NCAA regional Southern Miss clinched a spot in an NCAA regional after beating FAU 4-0 in the Conference USA championship. After a 13-12 comeback win over Arizona State, the Golden Eagles ultimately fell to LSU in the regional final.

Beach Volleyball – first season Southern Miss launched its beach volleyball program in 2019. The inaugural season ended with a record of 11-21.