OKC Memorial Page 7.
Editorial: Is The Vista going away?
Jake Ramsey Editor-In-Chief
On Jan. 23 I received an email from Lisa Kern, manager of finance and operations for the University of Central Oklahoma’s Academic Affairs.
“The Provost was under the impression that The Vista was going online for the Spring so print wasn’t going to be done,” read the email from Kern.
This was in the midst of the beginning of the spring semester, when The Vista was establishing its print schedule for the upcoming months.
Having seen the email, I took the information to Mike Breslin, chair of the Mass Communication department. Breslin informed me that conversations had been happening about moving The Vista to a hybrid model in the fall semester of 2025. One monthly print, with online editions prepared as fit. Five days after I approached Breslin, he sent an email to all Mass Communication faculty and staff informing them of the conversations.
Many protested.
The Board
Due to these events, a board was formed to oversee the student media at UCO. This board has historically existed, but had not been in use for many years.
The UCO Student Media Advisory Board has had several closed-door meetings this semester, but after questioning from The Vista staff, the board agreed those meetings were possibly violations of the Open Meetings Act. Therefore, any further meetings were publicly available.
The first public meeting was held on April 16.
Present on the board is Joe Hight, the board’s interim chair, as well as, Mark Hanebutt, Sherri Ward, Chad Perry, David Nelson, UCentral advisor Mark Scott and The Vista’s advisor Erika Williams.
The Meeting
On the agenda was a budget report and discussion for student media (The Vista and UCentral, the student broadcast) for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Several Professional Media students were present at the meeting after being alerted to the meeting via the UCentral GroupMe by Amber Phillips, admin specialist in the MCOM department.
No members of The Vista were informed to be there, only UCentral members were encouraged by Phillips.
I was present in the meeting, as the only representative for The Vista.
In the meeting, members established that $56,000 was available for all student media, instead of the previous $56,000 for The Vista and $18,000 for UCentral, which had historically been higher before cuts made across the board at the university level.
According to the meeting, UCentral is asking The Vista to subsidize that missing $18,000, with both the advisor for The Vista, Erika Williams, and the advisor for UCentral, Mark Scott, on board with this plan. This would be done by removing the print publication of The Vista and moving it online. Therein lies the issue, the online publication for The Vista is nonexistent. All branding for the current website, including the name, is tied to UCentral; ucentralmedia.com.
Therefore, eliminating the print publication of The Vista, folds it into the UCentral product unless a new website were to be created. A discussion the board has not yet had, according to the board’s chair, Joe Hight.
Another problem also lies with the solution to kill the print publication in order to provide funds to UCentral Media. The funds would not be enough.
At an estimated cost, $12,000 is what it takes to print The Vista across the span of an academic
year. UCentral is seeking $18,000. According to documents provided to the board from Scott in the meeting, UCentral estimates that it would cost $28,044 to operate during the academic year. The reason this exceeds the originally requested $18,000 is because it adds additional hours for a show’s producer and two digital producers to run the broadcast’s social media.
The Vista’s new proposed budget does not include a print publication, nor does it include a new website, branding or marketing, as said by Hight, those discussions have not been had yet amongst the board.
The budget proposes an editor-in-chief, a digital editor, a sports editor and a photo editor, as well as two reporters and two photographers. The Vista currently has six editors, six reporters, several contributing writers and three photographers.
The budget proposed by Williams at the meeting includes $500 for special projects and $1,000 for equipment. It totals at $31,440. That means the budget proposed by Scott and Williams comes to $59,484. Still exceeding the $56,000 offered, but with bare-bones operations and a stripped Vista staff, plus no printing.
“You can look at these numbers and you’ll see that the numbers that were presented to us at the last board meeting do not match up with that money that we have been allocated from the university,” said Hight.
Solutions Presented
Manager of Media Operations Bradley Keim suggested that the student media request more funding from UCO Provost Charlotte Simmons’ office. It is unclear if any members of the board, or greater MCOM community have made the request.
Hight’s solution would include an event on Thursday designed to celebrate a former advisor of The Vista, Dennie Hall, while also discussing the impacts and importance of The Vista across the UCO campus. This event is a reception and program that would benefit the Dennie Hall Endowment Fund, which provides funding for operations to The Vista. Should the finances of The Vista and UCentral be merged, those funds could also be used for the broadcast.
“This is an event planned around how important a student organization has been to this campus for a long period of time,” said Hight. Hight is a UCO alumni and former editor to The Vista. Hight equated The Vista to being a similar staple of the UCO community that Old North is.
“You can look at this university and you can look at the institutions of this university and you
can see Old North and then you see The Vista,” said Hight. “They stand next to each other.”
Hight said The Vista deserves the same recognition as an important institution on the UCO campus.
History
The Vista has been a print publication on the UCO campus since 1903. It has 122 years of history, and serves as not only the campus newspaper, but a historical document preserved in the UCO library showing the history of the university.
The paper’s mission is to preserve the voice of the UCO student, and in-turn serve as the voice for the UCO community. “Our words, your voice,” is a motto each reporter follows at the institution.
The UCentral broadcast has existed since 1976. The broadcast also seeks to serve the UCO community.
Documents in the Chambers Library detail the history of both organizations.
The Next Meeting
No decision has been made regarding the future of either institution.
The next meeting of the UCO Student Media Advisory Board will be held on April 28, at 3:30 p.m. details will be posted on the announcement board on the second floor of the MCOM building.
UCO Student Media Advisory Board Meeting
on April 28, at 3:30.
“Our words, your voice,” the motto of The Vista. (VICTOR LOPEZ/THE VISTA)
Photo Spotlight
Cartoon: Easter
Edited by Margie E. Burke
Sergio Anguiano Photographer
Skater leaps over pole.
Skater grinds across the top of a ramp.
Skater jumps over eight skateboards stacked atop each ohter.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s deportation opens up discussions
Ella Spurlock Managing Editor
Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported from the United States to El Salvador’s Terroism Confinement Center (CECOT) on March 15, 2025. Abrego Garcia was deported for allegedly being tied to the MS-13 gang. White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, had also accused Abrego Garcia of being involved in human trafficking on April 15. While neither accusations have any credible evidence, President Trump and his administration insist they made the right decision with the deportation of Abrego Garcia.
Abrego Garcia was not a complete U.S. citizen. He entered the United States illegally from El Salvador in 2012.
In March of 2019, Abrego Garcia was detained with three other individuals in the Hyattsville Maryland Home Depot parking lot. They were detained by the Prince George County Police Department for loitering. Afterwards, Abrego Garcia and two others were identified as members of MS-13.
The Prince George County Police Department filled out a “Gang Field Interview Sheet” that stated the reason why Abrego Garcia was allegedly a gang member. The interview sheet states Abrego Garcia was wearing a “Chicago Bulls hat and hoodie with rolls of money covering the eyes, ears and mouth of the presidents on the separate denominations,” and the “officers know such clothing to be indicative of the Hispanic gang culture.”
The officers also stated that the “money covering the eyes, ears and mouth” is representative of “ver, oir y callar” or “see nothing, hear nothing and say nothing.” “Ver, oir y callar” is said to be related to gangs such as MS-13 and Abrego Garcia “wearing the Chicago Bulls represents that they are a member in good standing with the MS-13.”
Abrego Garcia was then arrested and held in custody.
According to Abrego Garcia’s lawyers, he has not been convicted of any crime, including those gang-related, in the U.S. or El Salvador. But, the judge that presided over his case in 2019 said that based on the confidential information, there was enough credible evidence to support Abrego Garcia’s gang membership.
This finding was then upheld by a second judge.
Abrego Garcia was subsequently denied bail and remained in custody, but he applied for asylum to avoid deportation to El Salvador.
In October of 2019, Abrego Garcia was granted a “withholding of removal” order. This order prevented the U.S. government from deporting Abrego Garcia back to El Salvador because he could face harm from Barrio-18, a gang that reportedly threatened his family and their businesses.
Since the “withholding of removal” order in 2019, Abrego Garcia has attended yearly check-ins with immigration officers and he has attended “without fail and without incident.”
But his protective order was violated when he was deported back to El Salvador in what the Trump administration claimed to be an “administrative mistake.”
Even though the administration seems to admit that they made an error in deporting Abrego Garcia, Trump and his administration have directly disobeyed the Supreme Sourts’ order to “facilitate” the return of Abrego Garcia.
An appeals court on April 17 rejected a bid
Jake Ramsey Editor-in-Chief
by the Trump administration to block the order that directed the government to “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s return and the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Trump administration was attempting to claim that it had “a right to stash away residents of this country in foreign prisons without the semblance of due process.”
Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland flew to El Salavador and met with Abrego Garcia to support his right to due process. Van Hollen stated that this “is not only about one man.” This is about the Trump administration’s disregard for the judicial system.
Van Hollen is not the only government official concerned. Bi-partisan officials from different levels of the government are showing concern for the blatant disregard of the law and the checks and balances that were put in place by the constitution.
The Trump administration directly disobeying the order of the Supreme Court and an appeals court, and the disregard for the right to due process, is a sign that the executive branch has no concern for the law or what the constitution has to say about the United States Government.
Ella Spurlock Managing Editor
Victor Lopez Photo Editor
Mariah Vanzant Copy Editor
Isabel Contreras Digital Editor
Bradie Gray Sports Editor
Callie Turley Reporter
Troy Isbell Reporter
Jessey Kollie Cartoonist
Andrea Vasquez Photographer
Arriana Charqueno Photographer
Sergio Anguiano Photographer
Erika Williams Advisor
Advertise with us!
The Vista is published weekly during the spring, summer and fall semesters. In all issues, The Vista has opportunities for both digital, online and print ads. For information or questions, contact: 405-974-5549 or thevista.ads@gmail.com
UCO’s Student Voice Since 1903
The Vista is published as a newspaper and public forum by UCO students weekly during the academic year, at the University of Central Oklahoma. The issue price is free.
EDITORIALS
Opinion columns, editorial cartoons, reviews and commentaries represent the views of the writer or artist and not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the Department of Mass Communications, UCO or the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. The Vista is not an official medium of expression for the Regents or UCO.
LETTERS
The Vista encourages letters to the editor. Letters should address issues and ideas, not personalities. Letters must
be typed, double-spaced and must include the author’s printed name, major, classification and phone number. Phone numbers are included for contacting purposes only.
Letters are subject to editing for libel, clarity and space, or to eliminate statements of questionable taste. The Vista reserves the right not to publish submitted letters.
ADDRESS LETTERS TO: Editor, The Vista 100 N. University Dr. Edmond, OK 73034-5209
Or, deliver in person to the editor in the Mass Communications Building, Room 131. Letters can be emailed to jramsey14@uco.edu
Photo of Kilmar Abrego Garcia (PROVIDED/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Kilmar Abrego Garcia meets with Maryland Sen. Chris Van Holen in El Salavador. (PROVIDED/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
President Trump greets Nayib Bukele, the El Salvadorian president as he arrives at the White House. (PROVIDED/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
UCO Flashes Depth, Defense in Spring Win Over SNU
In their first spring game against another school under new NCAA rules, the UCO Bronchos gave fans a glimpse of what’s ahead with a strong first quarter against Southern Nazarene before pulling most of their starters.
UCO struck on their opening possession with a touchdown run by Senior Andrew Carney. Then on their second possession, quarterback Jett Huff led a quick-strike drive following a fumble recovery on the next offensive possession, capping it off with a touchdown pass to Hayden Hacker. Huff was sacked twice on the second series, but the offense looked efficient overall. Running backs Jaylen Cottrell, William Mason and Carney all made plays in limited action. CJ Williams, wearing number 4, looked poised to become the go-to receiver following Terrill Davis’ transfer, and Joseph Kim handled kicking duties. On the defensive side, the Bronchos looked sharp despite losing several key starters from last season’s MIAA championship squad. They held SNU to just a field goal and forced multiple turnovers in the first quarter. Junior Reese Roller was active, and seniors Connor Johnson and Jack Puckett were both involved in key stops as well. UCO is coming off an 11-2 season that included a playoff win over Ouachita Baptist and a trip to the NCAA Division II Super Region III semifinals. The Bronchos 2025 campaign will kick off on August 30 at UT Permian Basin, with the home opener set for Sept. 6 against Pittsburg State at Chad Richison Stadium.
Bronchos sweep Friday doubleheader to win
Central Oklahoma lost the first game of the series against Northwest Missouri on Thursday, but they turned it around with a doubleheader sweep on Friday with both games being 7-2. After winning two out of three against the Bearcats, the Bronchos currently sit fourth in the MIAA with a 21-11 record and 31-13 record overall. Only Central Missouri, Fort Hays State and Pittsburg State are above the Bronchos. The MIAA Postseason tournament starts May 7th and goes through the 11th. UCO started off this weekend rough as they would lose their first game 9-6. The Bronchos pitching staff
struggled to get quality innings in as Brett Pense, the starter for game one, was only able to go 3 ⅓ innings, giving up five hits and three runs. Brady Gilmore followed Pense and didn’t have much luck either, only going two innings while giving up four runs on three hits and two walks. UCO tried making a comeback in the 8th but was only able to get one across the plate, leading to the loss. The first game of the doubleheader Friday was a story of two innings as the ‘Chos scored all seven runs in the 1st and 3rd innings. It was capped off by Ty Hammack in the 3rd when he would destroy a three-run bomb over the center field wall, giving the Bronchos the 6-0 lead. Oscar Gonzalez would hit a solo shot in the 7th to give UCO their last run and win
the game 7-2. Game two was much of the same as all seven runs came in the first and seventh. UCO scored four in the first with a bunch of small ball, utilizing sacrifice flies, singles and walks. The Bearcats would try to come back by scoring two, but in the seventh Davan Brady said no to that. He cranked a three-run homer over the right center field wall giving the Bronchos the 7-2 lead. UCO Pitcher Dax Sharp gave the Bronchos quality 5 innings of work after coming off a 10-inning performance last weekend. Central Oklahoma only has one game this week. They will host Northeastern State on Wednesday, April 23,
Field at 3 p.m.
Andrew Frazier Reporter
at Wendell Simmons
Dylan Hibbard-Scott Reporter
UCO Wide Receiver and Redshirt Freshman C.J. Williams (4) runs down the field at UCO football’s spring game vs Southern Nazarene University on Thursday, April 17, 2025. In Edmond (ARRIANA CHARQUEÑO/THE VISTA)
UCO quarterback Jett Huff (9) prepares to throw at UCO football’s spring game vs Southern Nazarene University on Thursday, April 17, 2025. In Edmond (ARRIANA CHARQUEÑO/THE VISTA)
UCO linebacker Reese Roller (33) tackles SNU’s running back Kaden Barron (14) at UCO football’s spring game vs Southern Nazarene University on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
The Oklahoma City Thunder opened their playoff run with a historic performance Sunday, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies by 51 points in game 1 at the Paycom Center — the largest margin of victory in a Game 1 in NBA history. Despite holding MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to just 15 points — his lowest scoring output since October — the Grizzlies could not contain the rest of Oklahoma City’s deep lineup. Jalen Williams scored 20 points, Aaron Wiggins added a team-high 21 and Chet Holmgren chipped in 19. After a competitive start, the Thunder surged ahead with a dominant second quarter and led 68-36 at halftime. Ja Morant led Memphis with 17 points, but the Grizzlies struggled offensively. All-NBA forward Jaren Jackson Jr. managed just four points on 15% shooting.
With everyone contributing, the Thunder looked every bit like championship contenders. They will aim to build on their commanding 1–0 series lead as they chase the 15 more wins needed to capture the NBA title.
Sports Column: Questions abound in the 2025 NFL Draft
Bradie Gray Sports Editor
The 2025 NFL Draft is headed for Green Bay, Wisconsin this week, as a chaotic and somewhat controversial class waits to hear their names called on Thursday There are countless questions that are still unanswered heading into this draft week. Team needs across the league certainly do not line up with what this upcoming crop of college talent has to offer. In fact, we really only have one pick of this upcoming draft set in stone: first overall. The Tennessee Titans will almost certainly be drafting their quarterback of the future, Miami’s Cam Ward. His laid back yet electric style of play harkens back to the likes of Titan’s legend, Steve McNair, making the potential of this pick a welcome sight for Tennessee fans and NFL-purists alike. After that, we really have no clue what this class has to offer. There’s only one true marquee player after Ward: Penn State’s Abdul Carter. The star edge rusher is a no-doubt game breaker at multiple positions. He is
truly almost a carbon copy of another former Nittany Lion, Micah Parsons, who took the league by storm not long ago. In the middle or off-tackle, Carter is tailor-made for today’s NFL. The other headliners of this class have more questions, but they are all ready to make an impact on day one in the league. Travis Hunter is probably the most media-covered player in the draft. The WR/CB utility unicorn is unlike any prospect the modern NFL has ever seen. No one can deny his talent. We just don’t know if his style is even humanly possible in today’s game like he showed at Colorado.
Ashton Jeanty is the showstopper in the backfield. The Boise State product looks like the new-age Marshawn Lynch, but he also has more miles on his tires than any other runningback in the draft. Not to be too outdone is North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton. He’s been outshined by Jeanty in pre-draft coverage, but his talent is just as equal in the eyes of many scouts. Don’t be surprised to see him go off the board not long after Jeanty.
Up front is probably this class’s best commodity. The offensive line is deep at multiple positions, headlined by LSU’s Will Campbell and Missouri’s Armand Membou. Campbell is listed as a tackle, but a majority of the league believes he’ll move into guard due to his build. He is still a top-15 talent at that position, but he’ll be less coveted because of it. Membou on the other hand is a textbook tackle. His long arms and wide base, along with grade-A footwork, make him a prime bookend for any team that needs him. Beyond those two, Alabama’s Tyler Booker, Ohio State’s Josh Simmons, Texas’ Kelvin Banks, Jr. and many others are all going to hear their names called in round one. Defensively, there are some studs coming out as well. Michigan is sending a trio of day one difference makers this year; defensive tackles Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, and cornerback Will Johnson will each be selected on Thursday night. After that, you have Bama’s Jihaad Cambell as the lone star linebacker. In the middle, Oregon’s Derrick Harmon is the
next name at the DT position. On the edge, you have Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart, Marshall’s Mike Green and Tennessee’s James Pearce, Jr. all likely going in night one. Finally, we can’t talk about this draft without addressing the rest of the quarterback class, most notably Shedeur Sanders. The Colorado signal caller is the most divisive prospect this draft has to offer. Some believe he’s worthy of the number two pick. Others believe he shouldn’t be drafted in the first round at all. As the son of Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders, he comes with plenty of baggage. Not only do you get the added pressure of his family’s influence, but also we have heard many reports of immaturity and arrogance throughout the draft process. His play on the field, though very good, has not been good enough to silence critics. We will see what team thinks he can be their future.
The draft will go live at 7 p.m. on NFL Network. Fingers crossed that your team doesn’t blow it this year.
Bronchos softball tied for first in conference
Ian Nikkel Reporter
The Bronchos softball team split both series over the weekend between Central Missouri and Washburn as they eclipsed 40 wins on the season. The Bronchos dropped the first game to Central Missouri after allowing three runs in the 3rd inning. Despite Terin Ritz’s throwing eight strikeouts, the bats could not get going after the second inning and were held scoreless in five straight innings, losing game one 3-2. They struck back in the fifth inning of game two, thanks in part to a Rylee Anglen grand slam as the Bronchos got their revenge in a 6-1 victory. Against Washburn, despite giving up four doubles. Terin Ritz got her 14th win on the season, striking out seven. Emily Deramus and Kennedy Clark hit singles to secure the win as the Bronchos won 3-2 and it looked like the ‘Chos were on their way to win game two after scoring six runs in the first and leading by 7-2 in the third, but Washburn poured on the runs, scoring eight in the next three innings, dropping the second game 10-7. The Bronchos currently sit at 41-8 overall and 18-4 in the MIAA.
With the 2-2 weekend and Pittsburg State sweeping their series this weekend, Central and Pitt State are tied for first in the MIAA regular season standings. Both teams have two games left. UCO travels to Wichita on Friday to face Newman, who sits at 7-41 overall and 2-20 in the MIAA, which is dead last in the conference. Meanwhile, Pittsburg State will travel to Joplin on Saturday for a doubleheader against Missouri Southern, who is tied for 3rd in the conference and has a 34-16 record overall and 14-8 in conference. It is also worth noting that the Bronchos swept the Gorillas in their doubleheader back in early March. The MIAA Softball Tournament is April 30th through May 4th in Hays, Kansas.
Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, left, and forward Jalen Williams (8) react after a dunk by Williams during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzles, Sunday, April 20, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (NATE BILLINGS/PROVIDED)
Cannon Chugon Reporter
New UCOSA leadership discusses future plans
Jake Ramsey Editor-In-Chief
The newly elected president and vice president of the University of Central Oklahoma Student Association (UCOSA), Alex Webb and Emma Martinez, laid out their plans for the upcoming academic year, including increasing student involvement and campus pride, outreach initiatives to get commuter students more involved and bridge the gap between UCO and the broader community.
“The biggest thing is increasing student involvement and increasing student pride in UCO,” said President-elect Alex Webb.
Webb noted commuter students as a group that he will seek to further involve in campus.
“We want to really bridge that gap, and make people proud of being at UCO,” said Webb. He said ways his administration will attempt to do that is by spotlighting organizations, letting students know what resources are available and showing what the UCO campus can offer.
“To enhance student experiences at UCO, we want to let people know about the resources that we have on campus,” said Vice President-elect Emma Martinez. “For example, we have the Center for Counseling and Well-Being, there’s Central Pantry, there’s also The Center in Thatcher Hall.”
Martinez said she wants to make students aware of these organizations, since they are al-
ready paid for by tuition.
Webb also discussed the money set aside for initiatives through UCOSA.
One initiative Webb is attempting to develop is a clinic which would be in partnership with a church near campus that could provide healthcare for students who may not have access to health insurance.
“So we can funnel students who may not have health insurance and may not have access to healthcare to encourage them to actually go get seen for free,” said Webb.
Another initiative Webb hopes to establish within the Edmond community is the possibility of garnering discounts for students across various
locations in Edmond for goods and services.
“Our biggest goal with the administration is to be the liaison between the student body and the UCO administration,” said Martinez. “I feel like there are a lot of issues going on, on campus that people may not talk about because they are scared to voice their opinion, or they don’t know who to reach out to.”
Josh Delich announced as the new Edmond superintendent
Troy Isbell Reporter
The Edmond Board of Education announced Dr. Josh Delich as Edmond Public Schools’ next superintendent, Monday, April 14, 2025 in a public meeting.
Delich was voted on unanimously by the Edmond Board of Education to succeed the current Edmond Public Schools (EPS) superintendent Angela Grunewald, following her announcement in January that she would be retiring from the position after four years.
Formally beginning on July 1, 2025, Delich will take office as “the next chief executive to lead the district of 25,700 students,” writes Nuria Martinez-Keel for the Oklahoma Voice.
“I am beyond blessed and humbled to be the superintendent of Edmond Public Schools,” Delich said in an introductory news conference. “If you spend any time in this district, you quickly learn as I have the amount of excellence that is going through this system both from the classroom level all the way up into our school board.”
Delich joins EPS with 21 years of experience in education, earning a bachelor’s degree from Concordia University, St. Paul in Minnesota, a master’s degree from the University of Texas and a doctorate from
the University of North Texas. He began his career as a middle school teacher in Texas, and most recently held leadership positions in Minnesota’s largest public school districts for the past six years.
“Dr. Delich brings a wealth of experience from numerous roles within the districts of both Minnesota and Texas,” said the Edmond Board of Education president Courtney Hobgood. “He has a strong heart and passion for education, students, teachers and staff members.”
Delich outlined his goals for his first year as the EPS superintendent as being: “listen, learn, lead, act, and execute.” He continued saying, “I want to infuse myself and integrate myself into the system to best learn what is going on with Edmond in terms of the excellence that’s happening, and also look at the areas that we need to improve and advance.”
The present superintendent, Angela Grunewald, who will be succeeded by Delich after the end of the current school year, led EPS through a legal battle last year with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters of whom the Oklahoma Supreme Court sided against.
In a June 2024 article for NonDoc, Bennet Brinkman reported that “if the [Oklahoma] State Board of Education (OSDE) found that a
school district housed library books violating the prohibition on ‘pornographic’ or ‘sexualized content,’ the board ‘[would] alter the accreditation status of the school district…” EPS found that this threat to their accreditation status was not within Walters’ authority, and filed a lawsuit against him and the State Board of Education. The Oklahoma Supreme Court then issued a ruling siding with EPS, with Justice James Edmonson writing the opinion for the court stating, “No statute gives the State Board of Education, State Department of Education, and Superintendent of Public Instruction the authority to overrule a local school board’s exercise of discretion in applying its local community standards for books in a local school library.”
Despite these past tensions, however, Delich remains eager to work with the OSDE and Walters stating, “I look forward to meeting Ryan Walters and spending some time to know the individual, get to know him, also for him to get to know me, and then figure out where can we align, and where can we best keep moving things forward, because I know that if you’re in the world of education, it’s about students.”
Election grievance cause of setback
Jake Ramsey Editor-In-Chief
The University of Central Oklahoma Student Association’s Election Commissioner, Jake Eads, had a busy Monday following the presidential run-off election for UCOSA the previous Thursday.
“To whom it may concern, I would like to file an official grievance against the Webb-Martinez ticket on the terms of the UCOSA Campaign Rules section 209, 210 and 216,” read the complaint submitted to the election committee by president and vice president candidates Meleah Meyer and Rylan Bolt.
The candidates Meyer and Bolt accused now President-elect Alex Webb and his vice president, Emma Martinez, of voter fraud.
Eads confirmed the investigation into the grievance is what slowed the announcement process of a winner.
In the grievance Meyer details several instances where Webb and Martinez approached students across the university with QR codes offering them the ability to vote.
“While Martinez did not explicitly say who to vote for, I would call this action voter fraud,” reads the grievance drafted by the Meyer/Bolt ticket.
Meyer and Bolt argued in the grievance that while the now president and vice president-elect did not directly encourage the students to vote for a specific candidate, it would encourage students who were not aware of UCOSA to vote for the candidate offering the code.
Section 209 states that voter fraud is defined as any form of intimidation upon a student, with or without malicious intent.
Section 210 states that dorm-storming is strictly prohibited. Dorm-storming is defined as the campaign action incorporating door-knocking within living situations to solicit votes.
Section 216 states that no candidate shall provide any means of casting a ballot.
Many of these rules, especially Section 216, were drafted when paper ballots were used for students to cast ballots.
“I cannot speak on what Meleah and Rylan planned on what they wanted to ideally accomplish, but it shone a light that a lot of campaigning rules that we have within UCOSA statutes are not modernized and updated,” said Eads. Despite the announcement setback, the election committee found the results to be accurate. Alex Webb and Emma Martinez are the current elects for the next UCOSA administration.
Alex Webb and Emma Martinez were announced the winners of the 2025-2026 UCOSA Presidential election on Monday, April 14. (VICTOR LOPEZ/THE VISTA)
An election grievance filed by the Meyer/Bolt ticket brings attention to out-dated rules. (VICTOR LOPEZ/THE VISTA)
The ceremony for the 30th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing was held Saturday, April 19, 2025 at First Church in Oklahoma City, remembering the 168 people that were killed in 1995. Family members of the victims, survivors of the bombing, present and former Oklahoma City and Oklahoma State officials and former United States President Bill Clinton joined to commemorate the lives that were lost. Due to inclement weather, the ceremony was moved from the outdoor areas of the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, to inside of First Church where more than one thousand visitors were housed. At about 8:30 a.m., once the church reached full capacity, introductory remarks were given and those in attendance, including members of the government, members of university administration, first responders, survivors, reporters and more were thanked for their support in helping to continue to preserve the story of the Oklahoma City bombing.
The first guest that was invited to speak was former mayor of Oklahoma City Ronald J. Norick, who served as mayor when the bombing happened. “We welcome you here today to remember those who were killed, those that survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity,” read Norick, reciting the memorial’s mission statement. Norick then introduced the 168-second moment of silence to remember the 168 people that were killed. In addition, former governor of Oklahoma Frank Keating, who also served at the time of the bombing, was invited to speak and express his feelings about the attack. “It was unbelievable for those of us who were here… to comprehend that the Devil himself walked the Earth, and murdered 168 of our neighbors and friends,” said Keating. Despite this, however, Keating emphasized throughout his speech that Oklahoma has and will continue to persevere beyond the attack, stating that “God continues to hold us in his hands.” This followed into a prayer led by Oklahoma City Fire Department Chaplain Teddy Wilson, the introduction of the color guard and the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner by The Voice winner Jordan Smith. Current Mayor of Oklahoma City David Holt then spoke to the visitors of the ceremony, emphasizing the motif of “tomorrow,” as a word to remember, especially while commemorating the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing. “Tomorrow is a blank canvas. And though no one is promised tomorrow, we each depend on it… tomorrow may bring us a better day than today,” stated Holt, further highlighting the importance of remaining hopeful for the future.
Troy Isbell Reporter
Former United States President Bill Clinton delivers the keynote address. Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the First Church in Oklahoma City. (TROY ISBELL/THE VISTA)
Visitors gathered inside of First Church to listen to the ceremony, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (TROY ISBELL/THE VISTA)
President & CEO of the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum Kari Watkins answers questions from press, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (TROY ISBELL/THE VISTA)
Opinion: “Sinners” is a perfect blend of historical fiction
Mariah Vanzant Copy Editor
“Sinners” is about twin brothers, Smoke and Stack, both played by Michael B. Jordan (Black Panther), coming back to their Mississippi hometown in 1932 after spending some time in Chicago. It’s about the south during the Jim Crow era. The twins buy an old sawmill from a man who swears he’s not a Klan member. They plan to open a juke joint to sell all of the Irish beer that they brought from Chicago. They get some friends to help, including their cousin, the son of a preacher, Sammie, played by debut actor Miles Caton.
The movie proceeds to follow the three of them getting the juke joint ready to open that same night. Throughout the day leading up to the grand opening, the film introduces all of the other characters. The audience meets Stack’s white ex, Mary, played by Hailee Steinfeld (Pitch Perfect 2, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), whom he loved, but left. Then the audience sees Smoke reunite with a medicine woman, Annie, who he had a child with and lost.
A few more friends and people are introduced
that help this night come together. The movie spends a lot of time meeting and introducing the audience to these characters. It will make the audience become familiar with, fall in love with and really get to know these characters. It takes its time. Then, all of a sudden, it turns into a gruesome vampire horror movie and all of the characters that the audience falls in love with starts to get taken away.
While “Sinners” is definitely a slow burn, audiences will never be bored at any point. This movie takes its time getting to any action, but it is entertaining the entire time. Then once the action starts, it is a very exciting, action-packed and gruesome movie. Every part of this movie is wonderfully done: the plot, the pacing, the acting and the horror elements.
Michael B. Jordan plays two characters seamlessly. He absolutely shined in this movie and deserves all the credit and praise that he will no doubt receive from this movie. Hailee Steifeld also stood out. Her ability to flip from a sweet woman to a murderous and blood-thirsty vampire was flawless. Finally, this was Miles Caton’s first acting credit and he absolutely blew it out of the park. Get ready to see him in many more films to come.
Overall, “Sinners” is a perfect blend of historical fiction, drama, comedy and horror. This is by far the best vampire horror movie that will be talked about for years to come.
Opinion: “The Last of Us” season two surprises audience
Britton Summers Columnist
“Well, that didn’t suck.”
A surprise. That’s the first word that comes to mind. “The Last of Us” returns with its second season with much fanfare and worry, since the second season would be adapting the controversial second game. For better or for worse “The Last of Us: Part II” got people thinking and considering the consequences of the actions of the previous game, despite its pacing issues.
It’s nice to say that this season has started with a pleasant surprise. Instead of slavishly recreating the second game, they instead remix certain elements and add depth to parts that weren’t covered in the second game, such as Ellie and Joel’s lives in the Jackson community. We see Ellie and Joel’s relationships with everyone in the Jackson community be given some more time to shine, particularly Joel trying to come to terms with his emotional turmoil and Ellie’s budding relationship with Dina. It gives some context for where our characters are at and makes the tragic events that will follow more poignant, because you can’t have a tragedy without having something that will be lost.
Also to be commended is the acting. While Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal are not as magnificent as Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker, they are very good as Ellie and Joel. Bella Ramsey has really come into her own as Ellie. There were times in the first season where it seemed like she
was doing an Ashley Johnson impression, but Ramsey has made Ellie into her own here. But the actor who’s really surprised me so far is Pedro Pascal. He captures Joel’s taciturn, quiet nature here and despite all he’s been through, he’s at his core a sad, somewhat broken old man. You really see that in his eyes, you see all the history and everything he’s been through just in Pedro Pascal’s eyes and facial expressions. He’s genuinely one of the best in the business today. Some of the other actors are very good, such as Isabela Merced, who plays Dina. Her and Ramsey’s chemistry is off the charts.
There are still some gripes of course, most of them minor. For instance, how come all these survivors know each other and know where they’re staying? Of course, the first question can be explained because of Joel’s mission in the first game/season, but it’s never really explained how Abby and her group managed to find where Joel was staying. Perhaps in the next few episodes, we’ll gain an explanation for it, but it’s something that can stretch the audience’s disbelief.
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APRIL
While She Sleeps & Bury Tomorrow, April 23, Beer City Music Hall, 1141 NW Second, beercitymusichall.com
Corey Kent, April 24, The Criterion, 500 E. Sheridan, criterionokc.com Monet X Change, April 25-26, Bricktown Comedy Club, 409 E. California, bricktowncomedy.com
Nurse John, April 26, The Criterion, 500 E. Sheridan, criterionokc.com
The Day Players, April 26, Bricktown Comedy Club, 409 E. California, bricktowncomedy.com
Artemas, April 27, Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, towertheatreokc.com
Kevin James Thorton, April 27, Bricktown Comedy Club, 409 E. California, bricktowncomedy.com
Rocky Dale Davis, April 27, Bricktown Comedy Club, 409 E. California, bricktowncomedy.com
Disturbed, April 28, Paycom Center, 100 W. Reno, paycomcenter.com
“& Juliet,” April 29- May 4, Civic Center, 100 W. Reno, paycomcenter. com Yo La Tengo, April 30, Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, towertheatreokc. com
MAY
David Joechner, May 2-4, Bricktown Comedy Club, 409 E. California, bricktowncomedy.com
Husbands, May 3, Beer City Music Hall, 1141 NW Second, beercitymusichall.com
Erra, May 6, Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S. Eastern, diamondballroom. com
Future Islands, May 9, Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, towertheatreokc. com
Katy Perry, May 9, Paycom Center, 100 W. Reno, paycomcenter.com John Christ, May 9, The Criterion, 500 E. Sheridan, criterionokc.com
Noel Miller, May 9-10, Bricktown Comedy Club, 409 E. California, bricktowncomedy.com
Joshua Ray Walker, May 10, Beer City Music Hall, 1141 NW Second, beercitymusichall.com
Soujla Boy, May 10, Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, towertheatreokc. com
Alison Krauss, May 13, The Criterion, 500 E. Sheridan, criterionokc. com
Sir Woman, May 15, Beer City Music Hall, 1141 NW Second, beercitymusichall.com
Shakey Graves, May 15, Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, towertheatreokc.com
Connor Wood, May 16-17, Bricktown Comedy Club, 409 E. California, bricktowncomedy.com
Lee Asher, May 16, Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, towertheatreokc. com
Lil Wayne, May 16, Paycom Center, 100 W. Reno, paycomcenter.com
Megan Moroney, May 17, The Criterion, 500 E. Sheridan, criterionokc. com
Jess Hilarious, May 23-24, Bricktown Comedy Club, 409 E. California, bricktowncomedy.com
Orion Sun, May 24, Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, towertheatreokc. com
Wiz Khalifa, May 30, Tower Theatre, 425 NW 23rd, towertheatreokc. com
Chris Porter, May 31, Bricktown Comedy Club, 409 E. California, bricktowncomedy.com
“The Last of Us” season 2 starts out with some promise and even bucks some of the issues that plagued the source material. Hopefully this season will continue its good pace here.
“Sinners” debuted on theaters on April 18, 2025. (PROVIDED/IMDb)
“The Last of Us” season two ca,e out on HBO Max on April 13, 2025. (PROVIDED)