THE FORUM: March 2024

THE FORUM March 2024

The University of Arkanasas Little Rock’s Student Newspaper

pg 2

pg 9

pg 16

WOMENS HISTORY MONTH

DUNE: PART TWO REVIEW

INTRODUCING NEW ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

NEWS

MARCH IS WOMENS HISTORY MONTH Story: Angel Hovis What is Women’s History Month, and how did it go from a day to a week to a year?

Women’s History Month is an annual celebration of the contributions women have made to society and throughout history. It is celebrated during March in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, corresponding with International Women’s Day being on March 8.

It recognizes women’s accomplishments, the significant personal and societal roles they have always played and how they inspire others today and throughout history.

It begins March 1 and ends March 31. Women’s History Month was originally just International Women’s Day, a day that commemorated the February 28 meeting of socialists and suffragists in Manhattan in 1909.

One year later, on March 9, 1910, according to the BBC, 2

a German activist named Clara Zetkin suggested they recognize International Women’s Day at an International Conference of Working Women in Copenhagen.

With 17 countries in attendance at the conference, they all agreed. On March 8, 1911, the first International Women’s Day was celebrated in Austria, Switzerland, Germany and Denmark, though the holiday wasn’t widely celebrated in the U.S. until the United Nations began sponsoring it in 1975.

In 1977, to persuade school principals to comply with the recently passed Title IX, prohibited discrimination due to sex federally funded education programs, a task force in California created Women’s History Week. In March 1980, after celebrations had spread across the country, President Jimmy Carter declared that March 8 was

officially the start of National Women’s History Week.

That same year, Utah Senator Orrin Hatch and Maryland Representative Barbara Mikulski co-sponsored the first Joint Congressional Resolution declaring the week of March 8, 1981, National Women’s History Week. By 1987, Congress declared the entire month of March as Women’s History Month.

Here are some beautiful quotes from women that have made a big impact on history: “Women are like teabags. We don’t know our true strength until we are in hot water,” said Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), former First Lady, political figure, diplomat and activist.

“You must never be fearful about what you are doing when it is right,” said Rosa Parks (19132005), civil rights activist.

“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair,” said Shirley

Chisholm (1924-2005), a former U.S. Congresswoman.

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any,” said Alice Walker (1944) who is a novelist, short story writer, poet and social activist.

“One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world,” said by Malala Yousafzai (1997-), a Pakistani female education activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

THE FORUM, March 2024

EMPOWERING CHANGE: Student Leader Paves the Way for Women in Construction Story: Angel Hovis During Women in Construction Week, Senior Jillian Cates was recognized for her leadership and dedication as a woman who went against the “norm,” and entered herself in a field that is traditionally dominated by men. Cates will be graduating this summer with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management.

She advocates for women in construction, and was amongst a group of women sharing their experience about becoming a leader in the construction industry by enhancing their career through education at an event hosted

by The National Association of Women in Construction.

Cates said, “There will be times when you get discouraged, but I would encourage people to keep going. That is the beauty of what we do. You never stop learning. You should always work hard and keep your head up, especially the women going into this field.”

She somewhat follows in the footsteps of her grandfather, who used to build houses and served as her inspiration to enter the field of construction.

Upon graduating high school in 2019, Cates began an electrical apprenticeship. But with that job a bolt from the blue came and made her rethink THE FORUM, March 2024

gaining a college education. She recounted, “We were working a job, and I got shocked by 277 volts changing a light out, fell down a ladder, and a perspective change happened. I knew I wanted to work in construction, but I knew I wanted a little more security than I had.”

Then she added, “One day I picked up a shovel, and I thought that I could be doing so much more with my life.”

A week later, she applied to UA Little Rock and was accepted. Although it was a big change, she grew to love it.

Cates has been very involved with her community, with her being in the student chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), Dean’s Student Leadership Board for the Donaghey College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and the Industry Advisory Board for the Department of Construction Management and Civil and Construction Engineering.

Cates has also completed internships with the Clinton National Airport and Baldwin & Shell Construction Company. Now, she has an opportunity for a full-time career with Baldwin & Shell.

“After I finished my internship with Baldwin and

Shell last August, they kept me on part-time as a field operations co-op,” she said. “In my career path, I’m geared toward a superintendent position, but that will be five or six years out. This position is giving me a better understanding of what a superintendent does and preparing me for that position.”

One of her biggest accomplishments while at UA Little Rock has been the topping out ceremony, which honors graduating students from the Department of Construction Management and Civil and Construction Engineering.

This accomplishment has been fulfilled as she stated, “It was my baby, and I watched the idea grow and became reality.”

At the next topping out ceremony, Chancellor Drale will be in attendance. “It’s gratifying to know that we are getting recognition from the highest point at the university.”

Another one of her biggest accomplishments has been the growth and revival of the UA Little Rock AGC Student Chapter.

“Seeing people like Jill in this program is what makes this enjoyable to me,” said Senior Instructor Stuart Scheiderer.

“To single out one thing she has done would slight other things, but she has taken

the AGC student chapter from virtually nothing coming out of the pandemic to a strong student organization.”

Scheiderer explained that Cates has also organized events to support local industry organizations, and took part in the coordination of the Riggs Cat Mardi Gras event.

“Jill never hesitates to take on more responsibility or leadership and performs exceptionally well.”

Women in Construction Week is important to Cates, because it is a time to recognize women in a male-dominated industry.

“I think that women bring a perspective and so much to the table that is different than what men have traditionally brought” she said.

With Cates and many other women entering maledominated fields, it shows the strength that women truly have and it makes such a big impact on the future women to come.

3

Community Spirit Shines Bright at Little Rock Marathon S t o r y : G a b r i e l a R a m i re z

Adrenaline is rushing and anxiety is felt from all the runners behind the starting line of the many races of The Little Rock Marathon weekend.

Some participants are running their 20th race and some their very first race. Everyone has put in their own way of training and now it’s the day to show the hard work they’ve put in.

The Little Rock Marathon Race Weekend is held the first weekend in March each year that includes a marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K run/walk, a

Gabriela Ramirez 4

children’s mile and a free twoday health and fitness expo.

The Little Rock Marathon has a mission to provide a premier event open to athletes of all abilities, while promoting a healthy lifestyle through running and walking, as well as raising money for the Little Rock Parks and Recreation.

Numerous participants come from both the local area and out-of-town locations to take part in this weekend’s race. After the exciting

marathon race weekend, a few interviews were conducted with several participants who graciously shared their insights and experiences.

These firsthand accounts offer invaluable perspectives on the challenges, triumphs and personal motivations that drive individuals to lace up their shoes and take on the grueling yet rewarding journey of a race.

Lauren Campbell is currently enrolled as a firstyear medical student at UAMS who ran the halfmarathon. When asked about her biggest challenge leading up to race day, Lauren said, “The weather adjustment, we had a cold winter in Arkansas and training for long runs outside was a bit of an obstacle at times.” According to Lauren’s perspective of the course, “Along the course there were pretty views of Little Rock and North Little Rock across the Broadway Bridge.

Around mile eight there were quite a few hills which made it perfectly challenging with the elevation. The last several miles were a mental game!.”

When asked what her biggest piece of advice for new runners was, Lauren suggested, “Take it slow and enjoy the process. No two runners are the same! If you believe in your mind that you want to do something, you can do it.

Mind first and the body will follow! Also buy good shoes... you may lose a toenail or two.”

After gaining insights from Lauren’s experience, the mic turned to Spencer Knight, a student at UALittle Rock who ran the half-marathon. When asked what made him start training for this race Spencer said, “I was in a dark place before I started training for this race, and then my friend challenged me to the marathon so of course I accepted his challenge. Dedicating myself to the training contributed

significantly to helping me get back on my feet. It has had a major positive impact on my mental and physical health.”

When asked about his overall race perspective, Spencer said, “It was amazing!

I’ve never experienced such a lively atmosphere while running because I usually do it alone. Parts of it felt akin to clubbing, which I was not expecting since I was just thinking about how exhausting the race was going to be.”

Now stepping off the road and experiencing it from the side lines, Colleen Gilliland, a student-athlete at UA-Little Rock. Colleen was involved during the races at the aid station and cheering on runners. When asked about what she most enjoyed helping the runners, Colleen said, “My favorite part was getting to cheer on my classmates, professor, mom, and random strangers who were running in the race. It was a very early morning for everyone, so being able to bring a lot of energy gave the runners and volunteers some motivation.”

When asked what her overall experience was like, Colleen said, “My overall experience was great! My teammates and I made signs prior to the race to cheer on the runners. It’s a big day for a lot of people, whether it’s their first half, first marathon, or they’re going for a personal record. So, it’s nice to know you are making their experience a little bit better.”

As the Little Rock Marathon weekend drew to a close, each step was taken by the runners, showing their determination, resilience and personal triumphs they embodied.

Through the accounts of all the participants, the marathon emerged not just as a physical challenge but as a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to endure and thrive.

THE FORUM, March 2024

ENTERTAINMENT

CHA CHA OVER TO CHA CHA BOBA TEA CO. Hidden away on East Third Street is Cha Cha Boba Tea Co. The possibilities are almost endless with milk tea, smoothies, shakes, fruit teas and yakult drinks. Since its opening in 2022, this little shop has quickly become the top spot for boba in Little Rock.

Upon entering the doors, you’re greeted by the wonderful woman that owns and runs the shop. It’s not much space, but she makes up for it with aesthetically pleasing paintings on the wall, a giant boba statue of their cup and unique snacks to try.

The strawberry custard bread pairs really well with the Creme Brulee milk tea that the owner hand-torched the top of! No shortcuts here.

Oh My Oreo also seems to be a customer favorite.

THE FORUM, March 2024

The shop is in the heart of downtown, just a quick walk to the river--it’s a nice way to cool off on the upcoming hot days. To make the visit extra special, you can ask for your beverage to be put into one of their special bear cups. They claim to be the only boba tea place in Little Rock with these, and they are too cute to pass up.

Cha Cha Boba Tea Co. is open 11-7 Monday thru Friday and 11-8 on Saturday and Sunday. When you get those cravings for boba you can order online and have it ready for pick up. Better yet, if you’re on campus or in the general Little Rock area, boba can be dropped off right to your door.

Daneisha Whitaker

Story: Daneisha Whitaker

5

Hir is a Turbulent Tale About Trauma, Gender, and Family S t o r y : S k yl a r B o o n e In early March, I had the opportunity to watch the UA Little Rock School of Literary and Performing Art’ production Hir (pronounced “here”). Hir was written by American actor, playwright, and Pulitzer Prize finalist Taylor Mac and the UALR production was directed by Dr. Lawrence Smith. The show was double-cast, so I’ll only be able to speak of my experience with one of the two casts.

Hir is a dark comedy that explores themes of gender, family dynamics and societal norms. The play follows Isaac (Lawson Stiegelmeyer), a young dishonorably discharged veteran who comes home to find that his whole world has been turned upside down.

His sister Max (Maxx Hodges) is now his brother, his father Arnold (Don Bolinger) is barely hanging on by a thread after a stroke and his mother Paige (Alexis McAlister) is desperately trying to cope with the situation in any way she can.

As Isaac navigates these new family dynamics, tensions rise and eventually break, leading to a thoughtprovoking exploration of identity and acceptance.

Hir inherently toes a strange, ever changing line between comedy and heartbreaking tragedy, yet the cast and crew had the careful nuance required to pull off this kind of production.

The performances were a large part of this. Everyone’s character felt believable, and their interactions with each other weren’t stiff or awkward. The play is full of family conflict and arguments.

Acting out arguments can

6

be notoriously hard for some actors to get right, however, I was yet again blown away by everyone’s enmeshment.

None of the arguing felt stilted or overly-rehearsed.

I found that during the argumentative scenes I felt anxious or angry, almost as if I were the one arguing with these characters. That’s something that takes a lot of time, effort and practice, which is why I commend these actors for their excellent work.

There is something that bothered me throughout the show, though (there almost always is). Sometimes I felt as if McAlister’s tone of voice and diction could be a bit redundant. McAlister’s highpitched, breathy tone worked excellently for the comedic bits of the play, but I found myself wanting some more variation in her tone of voice during the more serious scenes.

Using the same tone of voice throughout flattened Paige’s character in a way, which inadvertently made her feel like a one dimensional comedicrelief character throughout.

Every character in the play is a comedic relief at some point, but they all oscillate between being comedic and serious throughout the script—and that serious nuance was the cherry on top I felt that was missing from McAlister’s performance.

However, I think it’s important to note that there’s never a ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to play a character. McAlister’s boisterous performance was the one who made me laugh out loud the most, and perhaps that was her intention with the character.

It’s never my intention to yuck someone’s yum.

The set, costuming and other technical aspects of the play are another thing I want to commend. The set really helps immerse the audience within the show, as it was performed in UALR’s Haislip theater.

The arrangement of the theater is called a ‘black box’ where a square performance space took up one corner of the room, while the seats flanked the other two sides of the stage. This, combined with the attention of detail put towards the domestic setting of the set immersed me in the theatergoing experience and was undoubtedly an instrumental part as to why I was so invested in this production.

The costumes were another great part of the play. It was clear to me that the costume designer(s) put effort into thinking how the characters would dress, rather than picking generic outfits for a young man or middle-aged mother. While subtle, they all communicate each character’s personality and motivations.

My two favorite examples of this are Max and Paige’s costumes. Max wears long cargo shorts, sandals with socks, and a t-shirt with the

sleeves cut off for most of the play. Meanwhile, Paige wore brightly colored leggings with a matching brightlypatterned shirt. Both go to show their personality traits (Paige’s saturated coord displays her capricious personality) and motivations (Max’s cargo shorts and doit-yourself muscle tee show his desire to be perceived in a traditionally masculine light).

A notable divergence from these simple but personalitycentric costumes is Arnolds’ costume. Arnold is perhaps the character who goes through the most costume changes throughout the production, signifying the different ways his family members treat him.

Paige completely emasculates her once-abusive (but now powerless) husband by making him wear a nightgown, and even goes as far to force him to wear clown makeup and a wig to “make Isaac laugh” when he gets home.

In comparison, when Issac and Arnold are alone, Isaac helps his father change into his old clothes, making him feel more comfortable in his own skin. Arnold’s costumes are one of my favorite parts THE FORUM, March 2024

Via @ualrtheaterarts on Instagram

STUDENT EXPERIENCE DAY

about this production, as they are a direct expression of how his family views him.

If you missed your chance to watch Hir, I’m sad to report you missed out on an amazing show. Hir manages to be playful, cerebral and devastating all at once and being in the middle of that storm of emotions is an experience I will never forget.

The cast and crew work hard as always, and I encourage you to witness the fruits of their labor during their next production.

Gracelyn Johnson

THE FORUM, March 2024

7

Blanca Ramirez is Student of the Month S t o r y : J o e S a nt a n a

M

Provided

aking her parents and family proud is first generation student Blanca Ramirez. Ramirez was born in Guanajuato, Mexico and moved to the United States with her family at the age of four.

Ramirez is a senior at UA Little Rock majoring in Communication Science and Disorders with a concentration in Speech Pathology, and has plans to graduate in Fall 2024.

Ramirez is from Lonoke, Arkansas and graduated from Lonoke High School in 2019.

At UA Little Rock, Ramirez has a full plate on top of her studies. Ramirez serves as the President and student chair of the Hispanic/Latinx Initiative, Vice President of the Latin Sorority Expansion Project and an employee at Arkansas Children’s Hospital as a patient access representative.

Ramirez is also working on getting her license as a life insurance agent. When asked how she is able to handle all

of this work load while being a full time student, she says, “My parents brought me to this country with a goal of having a better life… If I don’t take advantage of it, to me it feels like a waste. Because they left everything behind for us.”

Ramirez says her love for her parents has brought an appreciation of Hispanic people in general. She says she is always trying to help Hispanic people who need translation on campus and at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

After college, Ramirez hopes to complete her masters degree in speech pathology and wishes to obtain a job at a hospital. She is already proud of what she has accomplished so far, because for her, it has always been a dream to work at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.

DELVING INTO THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS An Exploration of Carly Machens MA Thesis Exhibition S t o r y : Av i a n n a K a g l e r UA Little Rock Masters of Art student Carly Machen debuted her solo exhibit Mar. 8, 2024 at the Manners-Pappas Gallery on campus. Machen’s MA Thesis Exhibition is titled, This is What it Feels Like and it definitely will make you feel something.

The exhibit welcomes its guests with Machen’s acrylic face mounted archival ink print and a still image of broken dolls. These aren’t just any dolls--we are talking about antique, porcelain baby dolls in a collective pile up that encapsulates the artist’s own self portrait.

This was just the beginning I needed for my lunch break stroll through the gallery.

8

This provoking image is titled Breathing Six Feet Under (2024). This title clearly sets the tone for the rest of the images featured in the exhibit. I felt intrigued, and sometimes a bit startled by the stark reality of what I was viewing. At times, it made me question what I was viewing with the complexity of Machen’s point of view and subject matter of her artwork.

Aside from the morbid but also yet common denominator of life and death, the other themes I picked up on throughout my experience would be birds lots and lots of birds. Machen’s acrylic face mounted archival ink print titled, Connected (2023) spoke out to me the most out of all of her provoking

images. Connected could be seen as disturbing to some.

We all know art is subjective, so all of these statements are my own personal opinions. The image is that of a woman holding a red bird by its wings. The wings are being spread in the woman’s hands as if she is positioning the bird out to spread its wings and fly, but the bird is connected to the woman by a string.

This string is pierced into the woman’s throat, who is none other than Machen herself.

I have a strong connection with birds, considering my name literally means “birds in flight.”

My interpretation of Connected is a perplexing feeling of wanting to spread your

wings and fly to your highest potential, but you’re bound by your own voice that may contribute to your stagnation.

Carly Machen’s MA Thesis will be on display in the Manners-Pappas Gallery at the Windgate College of Art and Design until Apr. 21, 2024.

THE FORUM, March 2024

Via Warner Bros.

Red Pill or Blue Pill? Nah, I’ll Take the Dune Pill: A Dune: Part Two Review S t o r y : S k yl a r B o o n e DUNE: PART TWO MAY BE MY TOP MOVIE OF THIS YEAR, IF NOT ONE OF MY TOP MOVIES OF ALL TIME. And no, it is not just because it has Timothee Chalamet riding the Alaskan Bull Worm from Spongebob.

This sprawling sci-fi epic debuted on February 6th, 2024 at the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City, Mexico. The film was directed by fourtime recipient of the Canadian Screen Award for Best Direction, Denis Villeneuve.

Not only did he direct the critically acclaimed Dune: Part One, but he has also directed movies like Blade Runner 2049, Arrival and Prisoners.

Villeneuve has a penchant for visually stunning, introspective sci-fi films, and it is clear he went the extra mile for Dune.

Not only is Dune: Part Two beautiful, with its impressive adherence to detail, but it is a poignant story about religious fanaticism and the danger of autocratic leaders that feels particularly relevant to today’s sociopolitical climate.

While the setting of Dune is extraordinary, the broad

THE FORUM, March 2024

strokes of the film bear an eerie resemblance to the tragedies occurring in our world. We sit in the reclining seats of our movie theaters, hands clean, while we peer into a mirror that shows us an alternate reality– one where blood is spilled, and we’re all red-handed.

Before I get any further, I’d like to caution readers that the rest of this review will be chock full of spoilers for both Dune: Part One and Two. Read at your own risk (and watch the movie if you haven’t already)!

The Good As per the last movie, there are no complaints on my end concerning the performances

always, Rebecca Ferguson did an amazing job portraying Lady Jessica and managed to pull off Jessica’s downward spiral without being too heavy handed.

Paul (Chalamet), the protagonist of the film, undergoes a similar transformation as Jessica, though his dive into selfimportance is more subtle.

Chalamet achieved the delicate balance of Paul’s gawky, awkward, serious and calculating sides with surprising ease. Between his role as Willy Wonka in Wonka and videos of his high school alter ego, Timmy Tim going viral on social media, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to

Part Two doubles down on visual storytelling. If Part One was pure eye candy, Part Two is an absolute feast for the senses.

First of all, the visuals of the movie are nothing short of exquisite. Similar to Part One, the shots of the Arrakeen desert are gorgeous. The desolate landscape of Arrakis makes interesting parallels to the other stand-out locations in Part Two, Kaitan and Geidi Prime.

Kaitan is the planet where the Emperor (Christopher Walken) and Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh) reside, and it is nothing short of decadent.

The shots of Walken and Pugh in their garden stood out to me, as the lush foliage harshly

(except a small detail we’ll get to later). Seeing Lady Jessica spiral into darkness and religious fanaticism was interesting, especially in comparison to her no-nonsense attitude in the last movie. As

take him seriously throughout the movie. Although I still saw a few fearsome glints of Timmy Tim in Chalamets eyes during Part Two, he manages to hold back his rap-happy alter ego and maintain an air of seriousness.

contrasted against the empty swaths of desert on Arrakis.

Geidi Prime, the home planet of most of the film’s primary villains, the Harkonnens, is similarly desolate to Arrakis.

9

Via Warner Bros.

10

THE FORUM, March 2024

But where Arrakis’ desolate landscapes are entirely natural, Geidi Primes surface is entirely covered by man made buildings and infrastructure.

There isn’t a remnant of natural life (other than the people that inhabit it) anywhere. Geidi Prime also stuck out to me because of its color palette. Like the Harkonnens that appear in Part One and Two, Geidi Prime is entirely monochromatic.

The oppressive atmosphere that the palette and set-design created were nothing short of awe-inspiring, and I believe it really helps the viewer subtly understand why the Harkonnens are the way they are.

The amazing costuming, done by the designer Jaqueline West, makes the Dune-iverse entirely unique compared to any other sci-fi franchise out there.

While futuristic, it doesn’t fail in the way that many costumes in sci-fi films do. It feels somewhat alien, but not completely out of left-field. They’re inventive and ultramodern without being completely removed from our current time, and the attention West put towards sourcing historical influences helps ground the otherwise fantastical world.

The film isn’t only stunning in the visual department, though, its soundtrack, created by the legendary composer Hans Zimmer (The Lion King, Interstellar, The Dark Knight) manages to be meditative, foreboding and intense all at once. Similar to the costumes, its ambient drones help immerse the viewer, only for them to be completely stunned by a sudden banshee cry as the movie reaches a climactic moment.

THE FORUM, March 2024

The Bad Compared to the first two parts of the movie, the ending felt rushed.The entire movie was slowly building to an epic climax, but the ending sequences were somewhat underwhelming.

It felt as though everything happened a bit too easily.

With how indomitable the Harkonnens were portrayed in Part One, it was almost laughable how easily Paul managed to subdue them.

One could argue that making the Harkonnens demise quick and easy was the point, and that it was meant to bolster Paul as the Muad’dib, but I felt it only served to make everyone involved (Paul, the Harkonnens, the Berne Geserit and the Arrakens) look wimpy.

To add to this point, I found it strange that Duke Leto (Paul’s father) was barely mentioned.

Paul talks about him once or twice in passing, but Duke Leto’s death is never properly avenged. Paul and Jessica seem weirdly content with acting as if he never existed.

It felt as if the writers completely forgot about Duke Leto to begin with and only remembered him at the last minute—hence the passing mentions of him.

The Ugly The biggest gripe I have with Part Two is its casting.

First of all, seeing a disoriented looking Christopher Walken playing the part of the powerful Emperor of the universe was nothing short of a jumpscare.

Walken is one of the privileged few geriatric white men who have ascended to the status of national treasuredom.

Having such a well known actor such as Walken play a major

role such as the Emperor was a huge misstep in my opinion, and took me completely out of the experience.

Although the Emperor is somewhat of a dunce in the books, Walkens portrayal of the Emperor made me scratch my head on numerous occasions.

Every time he was on screen, looking confused and bleary-eyed, I couldn’t help but wonder—is this really the guy that’s supposedly scheming the downfall of the Atreides’ and in charge of the entire universe?

Every time he opened his mouth I was expecting

off the visual essence of being a maniac, his performance sometimes felt a bit lackluster.

This is where my main problem lies with the casting, while many of the famous actors casted in the franchise match their characters in a visual sense, their appearance either takes the viewer out of the movie or their performance feels off-kilter and contrived.

It felt at times like the only thing the casting directors were paying attention to were how famous the actors were and how closely they physically resembled the “idea” of the

him to demand “more cowbell” from Princess Irulan.

Another point of contention I have with the casting is Anya Taylor-Joy as an older Alia Atreides.

She only appears for a few moments in a dream sequence, but I think that was the problem.

Taylor-Joy is another popular actor with a recognizable face, and her appearance felt more like an out-of-place product placement rather than the spiritual awakening vibe it was supposed to evoke.

I understood the need to hire popular actors like Chalamet and Zendaya for Part One to make more people inclined to see the movie, but some of the actors they chose for the characters that appeared in Part Two made me roll my eyes.

In one corner you have the national treasure, in the second the modelesque hollywood waif, and in the third you have Austin Butler, who still sounds like Elvis Presley despite his character being a depraved, cannibalistic Harkkonen. While Butler pulls

character they were portraying.

It makes me wonder what the movie would be like if they casted those roles with less well known actors. But beggars can’t be choosers, I guess.

The Consensus Despite some of its pitfalls, I still feel like you should give Dune: Part Two a watch, especially if you enjoyed the first film. Its slower pace and minimal dialogue aren’t for everyone, but I believe that those who enjoy a slower movie experience will thoroughly enjoy this film. Not only that, but its story and the issues it deals with feel extremely pertinent to the modern-day, despite the story being set thousands of years in the future.

The visual and musical aspects of the film more than make up for its issues. Its not a perfect film by any means, but anything that’s better than David Lynch’s 1984 adaptation gets a check mark in my book.

Now our journey has come to an end, dear reader, and I must bid you adieu. Pardon me, I have a sandworm to catch.

11

SPORTS

MOMENTUS MOMENTS IN MARCH FOR UA LITTLE ROCK BASKETBALL S t o r y : K at e B e n n e

March was a big month for the Little Rock Men’s Basketball team. As early as March 2, the Trojans were hard at work as they defeated Tennessee Tech 81-43 in their ninth win in a row. This victory crowned them Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Regular Season champions for the first time in program history.

The Men’s Basketball team earned multiple different postseason awards, starting with Head Coach Darrell Walker receiving OVC Coach of the Year. Players, Jaylen CrockerJohnson, KK Robinson, Jamir Chaplin and Makhel Mitchell all were honored as well.

Freshman Crocker-Johnson from San Antonio, Texas, received OVC Freshman of the 12

Year after starting in 30 of 31 games. He also earned OVC Freshman of the Week honors nine times, becoming the fifth player to do so in OVC history.

As champions of regular season play, the Trojans were placed as the No. 1 seed for the OVC tournament. If they win it all, they could earn an opportunity to play in the coveted NCAA March Madness Tournament.

As the No. 1 seed, the Trojans received an advantage; their first tournament game would be the semi-finals.

Little Rock faced Western Illinois on March 8, and won 82-57, advancing to the finals. Four Trojans, DeAntoni Gordon, KK Robinson, Jordan Jefferson and Jamir Chaplin

all had double figures, an impressive achievement.

Their opponent in the finals was Morehead State, another basketball powerhouse.

Little Rock’s Bradly Douglas scored a last-second layup to narrowly defeat the atthe-time conference leader, Morehead State in their 69-68 home game back in February.

However, on March 9, the Eagles would take home the OVC Tournament trophy and a spot in the NCAA Tournament after beating the Trojans 69-55.

Yet, the Trojans were not done playing basketball, as they traveled to Daytona Beach, Florida, to participate in the team’s first postseason appearance since 2016 for the Ro College Basketball Invitational.

On March 24, Little Rock faced Fairfield University where the Trojans put on an entertaining performance but would end up eliminated in the First-Round game, losing 82-75 to the Stags.

Even with the disappointing end to their season, Little Rock closed out their basketball season with 21 wins and 13 losses. This was a huge improvement from last year’s season where the Trojans finished with a record of 10-21.

THE FORUM, March 2024

Mens Basketball Send Off

Gracelyn Johnson

THE FORUM, March 2024

13

A NET WIN: Student Athlete Spotlight S t o r y : B r yc e C o l ve r t Scoring points out on the field and in the classroom is no easy feat, but UA Little Rock’s own Mass Communications student and Trojan Soccer Player Camryn Jacobs does just that. Jacobs made her college debut with the Trojans in 2021, but her early doors came much earlier than that. “I started when I was four years old,” said Jacobs. “In a field essentially, very bumpy and rocky, but great starter fields. It was not ideal, nothing fancy or anything like that but it was a lot of fun and I’m glad that I started there.”

Though Jacob’s humble origins began in Texas, her talent and hard work would eventually bring her to UA Little Rock, where she has been ever since. As far as Jacobs is concerned, Little Rock is yet another score. “I really like the campus,” she stated. “ I like the 14

size, everything like that. I think it was just kind of meant for me.”

As she reflects on her time at UA Little Rock, Jacobs expresses genuine admiration for her team and her university.

For her, being a Trojan isn’t just about playing soccer; it’s about being part of a community that supports and uplifts each other.

“I mean, I have just an amazing group of girls,” she explained. “It’s just been really cool to watch. It’s blood, sweat and tears together. And so I feel like we’ve all just like, grown as like people together.”

Though Jacobs has been fortunate to find both a campus and a team that fit like a glove, that doesn’t mean the journey has been easy for her.

Coming into her own on the field has been a feat. “I had to earn my spot,” shared Jacobs.

“My journey through college

soccer hasn’t been easy. Like my first year, I didn’t play a whole lot, barely any.”

When she was coming up in the team, Jacobs said that there was not one moment where she felt she had made it, rather it was a long and dedicated process, but as time went on, both Jacobs and the team would come to see her value on the field. “I did earn my spot on the team and was able to become a key player in the defense,” said Jacobs.

“I don’t think there’s like one moment where I was like, this, this is it. It was kind of like a steady way getting there.”

To any up-and-coming or would-be student athletes, Jacobs had this to say, “Don’t give up just because you might not have had the year that you wanted…I would say it’s really important not

to give up on yourself and to just work hard every single day because somebody is going to notice that you’re working hard. And they’re going to take that into account.”

THE FORUM, March 2024

Womens Soccer Gracelyn Johnson

15

THE FORUM, March 2024

Introducing Frank M. Cuervo, UA Little Rock’s New Athletic Director

I

S t o r y : C a m r y n Ja c o b s

n case you are unaware of the recent events, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has announced the hiring of Frank M. Cuervo as our new athletic director. Cuervo is coming to UALR with an impressive 26-year career in intercollegiate athletics.

He has held senior administrative positions across various Division I institutions and has a track record of enhancing athletic programs.

Cuervo also has strong capabilities in fundraising and revenue management, which sets him apart as an ideal leader for the UALR athletic department. At the University of Illinois Chicago, Cuervo served as the deputy director of athletics/chief revenue officer.

All this being said, the process of hiring Cuervo was lengthy and started in November of 2023.

UALR received many resumes, but only 11 made it to the interview stage. After a grueling five months of interviews, UALR hired Cuervo as the official athletic director.

Sophomore Colleen Gilliland, captain of the UALR w o m e n ’s soccer

team, was on the Board for hiring the new athletic director. Gilliland was very clear about the expectations for the new athletic director, and stated, “As a student, the expectations I was looking for in the new athletic director was somebody who would connect with the student athletes and make our experience on campus a better one.”

Gilliland values her community, and wanted the new athletic director to be someone that would do the same. She explained, “We were really looking for someone who would connect with the community because the community always has our backs coming out to games and events on campus. We want somebody who will be able to give back to the community and help reinstill their confidence in us.”

UALR, as well as the rest of the community, stands in anticipation for what he will do with the athletic department.

THE FORUM, March 2024

Making History: Little Rock Team Triumphs in NCAA Championship Tour nament S t o r y : K at e B e n n e “STAY CONSISTENT AND NEVER STOP” was Senior Joey Bianchi’s advice in an Instagram video regarding his successful wrestling season.

Bianchi along with four other Little Rock wrestlers competed in the NCAA 2024 Division 1 Wrestling Championship that took place in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 21-23.

This year marked the fifth year that University of Arkansas at Little Rock has had a wrestling program, and yet, the Trojans have accomplished some really big things in this short period.

Little Rock Wrestling is the only sport at the university to compete in the Pac-12 conference where they face huge competition from wellknown schools, such as Stanford and Cal Poly. They also compete against some of the best teams in the nation in non-conference matches, like #5 Cornell and #13 Pitt. In the 2024 season, Little Rock beat three nationally ranked teams and earned the rank of #17, the best in program history. The

THE FORUM, March 2024

Trojans also finished the season as 2024 Pac-12 Conference Dual Meet Champions.

Nasir Bailey, Matty Bianchi, Joey Bianchi, Steven Little and Josiah Hill were all nationally ranked and individually qualified for the NCAA Wrestling Championship. Not only was Bailey ranked the highest among all Trojans at #6, but he also is a true freshman, something pretty uncommon amongst college wrestlers.

On March 21, Little Rock entered the first day of the competition in Kansas City, where they saw some of the very best wrestlers from across the nation. The squad made up one of 14 schools that only consisted of first-time qualifiers, and with five qualifiers, Little Rock boasted the highest number. The only other time a Trojan had competed in this major tournament was in 2021. His name was Paul Bianchi, the older brother of qualifiers Matty and Joey.

By the end of the night,

four Trojans advanced to day two of the 2024 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, led by Nasir Bailey in the 133-pound bracket.

The true freshman went 2-0 and placed himself into the Championship Quarterfinals the next morning. This placed Bailey in a position to become the program’s All-American.

The results on the second day revealed that Little Rock had two All-Americans. After losing 4-2 to the No. 2 seed in the quarterfinals, Bailey competed in the blood round, where wrestlers either become All-Americans or go home, and earned an overtime victory.

Bailey finished fourth in the tournament, an extremely impressive feat. “He has found a way every match to make it happen.” Said Head Coach Neil Erisman, “He has single-handedly changed our program.”

Redshirt Freshman Steven Little put on a show as well, wrestling two morning matches just to compete in the blood

round. Little had some added pressure: a single loss in those matches and he would be eliminated. Nonetheless, he won three matches in a row, two in sudden victory, and received All-American honors as well.

Little finished the tournament in seventh place and became the program’s first-ever medalist.

Not only did the athletes make a name for themselves, but Erisman was awarded Coach of the Year by the NWCA and voted Coach of the Tournament by his peers, honors he truly deserved. “When I was going through the interview process, I talked about the responsibility that this program had to do it the right way and be successful since it was the first time in twenty three years a wrestling program had started from scratch,” said Erisman. “For us, it’s bigger than us and our success. It shows people that you can create something from nothing with the right plan and the right people behind it and find success for this sport that we desperately need right now.”

17

CONTRIBUTORS

@skylarbooneart

@emlywlls

@iamvastihernandez

@rian_willow

SKYLAR BOONE

EMILY WELLS

VASTI HERNANDEZ

RIAN NEWMAN

Executive Editor

Executive Editor

Executive Editor

Marketing mgr.

DANEISHA WHITAKER Writer

CAMRYN JACOBS Writer

BRYCE COLVERT Writer/Photographer

AVIANNA KAGLER Writer

JOE SANTANA Writer

@imjoesantana

24

DANIEL BREEN Advisor

THE FORUM, March 2024

Writer

GABRIELA RAMIREZ

Writer

ANGEL HOVIS

@kate_benne

@graciellaisabella.artworks

KATE BENNE

GRACELYN JOHNSON

Writer

Photographer/Illustrator

CONNECT WITH US Instagram

UALITTLEROCKFORUM

Twitter

UALITTLEROCKFORUM

Facebook

UALITTLEROCKFORUM

THE FORUM, March 2024

25