APRIL 2022

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2021

STAFF

CONTENTS

REPRESENTITIVE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION Jane Tafolla

3

WRITING WRITING DIRECTOR

UE Venturing Crew

13

Avery Pereboom WRITERS

Bluestocking Social

6 Cover Story

Andy Gerth Mitchell Bretz Rylie Stephens Chasity Carner Jackson caudill Tiva Frushour Mayray Sung Paris Himes Chloe Campbell Ashtyn Baxter Jasmine Brents

15

Ketanji Brown Jackson

18

A Nightmare on any Street

21 First-Generation Trailblazers

CREATIVE CREATIVE DIRECTOR Rachel Fisher

ILLUSTRATOR Mikayla Duffy

PHOTOGRAPHERS Mitchell Bretz Jasmine Brents Rylie Stephens

CRESCENT MAGAZINE

is the University of Evansville’s student magazine. It is written, edited and designed by and for UE students and published six times during the academic year. Circulation is 1,500, and it is distributed to 18 campus locations and housed online at www.cresceent. evansville.edu It is funded through advertising sales and a subscription fee paid on behalf of students by the Student Government Association.

Printed by Mar-Kel Printing, Newburgh, Ind. ©2021 Student Media, University of Evansville.

HOW TO CONTACT US

SOBA, University of Evansville, 1800 Lincoln Ave., Evansville, IN 47722 Editorial e-mail: crescentmagazine@evansville.edu www.crescent.evansville.edu facebook.com/UECrescentMagazine | twitter.com/crescentmagazi1 | instagram.com/crescentmagazine

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Letters should not exceed 250 words.

For verification, letters must include the author’s name, class standing or title and email address. Crescent Magazine does not print anonymous letters or those that cannot be verified. Letters will be edited as needed.

EDITORIAL POLICY: Commentary expressed in unsigned editorials represents a consensus opinion of the magazine’s Editorial Board. Other columns, reviews, articles and advertising are not necessarily the opinion of the CMEB or other members of staff.

Navigating Business, Fitness, and Health during the Uncertainty of COVID-19 Andy Gerth O ne less chair at the Thanksgiving table. A cancelled prom and graduation ceremony. A full academic year spent online and physically isolated. The COVID pandemic has touched the lives of everyone across the world in one way or another.

An industry hit especially hard by restrictions and a need for social distancing has been the fitness and gym industry.

Close-together training sessions coinciding with sweaty and shared equipment made the potential for virus transmission high. According to RunRepeat, it’s estimated that $13.9 bilof gym closures. In addition, 58% of personal trainers lost some or all of their income and 60% of Americans planned on cancelling their memberships as money gets tight.

However, through the times of profound anxiety, enormany that used the once-in-a-century challenge to really do self-reflection and work on bettering oneself. For some, the best moments in life come when you least expect it.

Ryan Woodburn has been working as an employee of the gym industry since 2012. In 2020, just as COVID-19 began the general manager position at 517 Fitness on Weinbach Ave. in Evansville, Indiana. “I wanted to take everything I learned and know and try to make things better. That’s what we all try to do.” 517 is a smaller gym right off the 66 Expressway across you take your first step inside, it’s an inviting environment.

One might think that taking over a business during COVID-19 is probably one of the worst tasks one could be given. Not only is there the standard learning curve in a new position but add on top of that the pandemic. Ryan’s had management experience before, but nothing of this nature. “I took over in 2020… which was pretty interesting. The owners don’t live here locally, so I do pretty much everything – managing the money, fixing equipment, and I do training as well.” While managers and entrepreneurs struggle enough with a work-life balance, the situation was amplified in Ryan’s case. when COVID will feel like a faint memory and just a story that’ll be passed on for generations, there will be case studies and probably even history course units done on the pandemic and how it affected x, y, and z. In Ryan’s case, it’ll be becoming a first-time business manager. A lot of businesses had to shut their doors, lay off employees, and deal with unforeseen supply chain problems. But, in an era where health pared to flip the ‘open’ sign at 517 to ‘closed’.

517 Fitness and gyms across the country had to adapt to the new restrictions and experiment with best way possible to keep doors open and revenue flowing in the best they can.

Many personal trainers moved to virtual sessions, which al1 Crescent Magazine | April 2022

lowed for their appointments to continue going forward, but it’s obviously not a perfect replacement for meeting in person and at a facility. This is the same across several industries such as healthcare. Telehealth patient visits skyrocketed in 2020, but many doctors still feel it is not a replacement for in person visits. To make up for it, 517 increased distance in-between equipment, made PPE readily available, and limited hours.

That way, the gym could stay open and still be an option for members who have paid for their monthly membership. At the same time, a phenomenon was growing on social media and among the youth.

Business opportunities change the most when public attitudes and trends change. When the public is obsessing over coffee trends and making a post on social media about the drink they rushed to pick up before work, Starbucks and Dunkin’ will see their business and revenue soar. That’s what’s happening to gyms today. If you listen into a conversation of college students today, you’re likely to hear the words, “When we going to the gym?” “What are you hitting today?” “I’m on a cut.” A positive ‘obsession’ over going to the gym and working out is really taking off.

Soren Vagenius is a college student at Indiana University. Like many of his peers, the gym and taking care of his health has become a priority, and it all started as a result of COVID. He was forced to develop an at-home work out plan in March 2020 when his local YMCA closed down in-person operations. That translated into taking care of his diet, which many doctors consider to be 80% of the weight loss process. Overall good health habits is the best prescription in his view during a time when everyone around you is seemingly getting sick or having to isolate. “I started during Covid because it was a time when mental health was at its lowest.” That’s where a dedication to healthy habits gave him an extra layer of protection. “I think my best protection against all the COVID variants, and any illness, is being healthy, eating right, and having good habits.”

In the end, Ryan took the unprecedented two opportunithe first time and the first global pandemic in over a century – to grow and expand his business to a level it hasn’t been before.

“We have more members now that we ever had,” he said.

ON CAMPUS

2022-04-09 CR 22-0066 Reported: Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 6:49 p.m.

Classification: CRIMINAL MISCHIEF Occurred: Saturday, April 9, 2022 at 6:49 p.m.

Location: Ramona and Hazeart Apartments Disposition: Active 2022-04-11 CR 22-0069 Reported: Monday, April 11, 2022 at 11:22 p.m.

Classification: THEFT (BICYCLE) Occurred: Sunday, April 10, 2022 at 12:00 a.m.

Disposition: Active 2022-04-12 CR 22-0070 Reported: Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 3:14 a.m.

Classification: INFORMATIONAL Occurred: Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 3:14 a.m.

Location: LAMBDA CHI ALPHA, Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity parking lot Disposition: Cleared 2022-04-12 CR 22-0072 Reported: Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 11:00 p.m.

Classification: Intimidation Occurred: Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 11:30 p.m.

Location: MOORE HALL, Room 310 Disposition: Disciplinary

2022-04-13 CR 22-0073 Reported: Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 8:14 a.m.

Classification: CRIMINAL MISCHIEF Occurred: Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 12:00 a.m.

Location: KOCH CENTER, Native Plant Garden Disposition: Active 2022-04-13 CR 22-0074 Reported: Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 10:15 a.m.

Classification: Intimidation Occurred: Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.

Location: RIDGWAY UNIVERSITY CENTER, Student Life Suite Disposition: Disciplinary 2022-04-19 CR 22-0079 Reported: Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at 1:44 p.m.

Classification: THEFT (OTHER) Occurred: Monday, April 18, 2022 at 5:00 p.m.

Location: Parking Area, Lot J by the FIJI House Disposition: Active 2022-04-21 CR 22-0080 Reported: Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 7:46 a.m.

Classification: THEFT (BICYCLE) Occurred: Monday, April 4, 2022 at 8:00 a.m.

Location: GENERAL SERVICES, Facilities Carpenter Shop Disposition: Active

From April 2-3, UE’s Venturing Crew and several guests set out across Southern Illinois to visit some of the state’s most beautiful natural wonders, participating in many activities that allowed them to experience nature and create friendships along the way.

The group, consisting of a more-than-anticipated 30 people, first made the journey to Makanda, IL to zip line through Shawnee Bluffs Canopy Tour. Next, they traveled to the Panther Den Wilderness, and then to Bork Falls. Both locations are known for their beautiful rock formations and natural waterfalls. Finally, the crew set up camp at Camp Ondessonk in Ozark, IL, before heading to Burden Falls the next morning. Everyone was back on campus by Sunday afternoon.

UE’s Venturing Crew is an example of a relatively scarce type of organization in the U.S. It promotes outdoor interests to young adults, in much the same way as the Boy Scouts do for younger children. The core idea behind such groups is that the skills and activities provided by Boy Scouts-esque organizations should not be limited to children and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. After partaking in this trip with the Venturing Crew, it’s easy to agree with that.

The UE Venturing Crew can be found on Facebook @ UE Venturing Crew 365.

UE Venturing Crew: Shawnee Trip Mitchell Bretz and Riley Stephens

3 Crescent Magazine | April 2022

April 2022 | Crescent Magazine 4

Bluestocking Social: A

Hidden Gem for Readers, Writers, and Artists Tiva Frushour

F

or students on the University of Evansville campus, sitting in the Honey+Moon café with a coffee– iced or hot– is the best way to study. But what many students, and citizens of Evansville as a whole, may be unaware of is what resides beneath that cozy little coffee shop.

To the left of the café sits a salon, named the Juniper Jade Boutique Salon. To the left of the salon, however, pushed back to the middle of the wall is a small brick doorway. An azure blue door is shaded by a black metal awning. The sign above the awning declares “Bluestocking Social” in swirled letters that match the door in color. A small illustration under the letters depicts a hand holding an open book.

5 Crescent Magazine | April 2022

Opening the door sets off the twinkling of a bell and reveals a wooden staircase leading down to the depths under the buildings above. Sprinkled across the walls are decorative art pieces, and potted plants adorn the windowsecretive air fills the stairwell. The sounds of various types

Through the open doorway at the bottom of the steps is Bluestocking Social, a homey little bookshop. Annie Fitzand “hello”. Wooden shelves line the walls, two small sitting

areas are adorned with comfy chairs, colorful rugs, and wooden tables that hold a myriad of interesting items. In the far-right corner, a wall of art supplies is fully stocked with sharpies, sketchbooks, paintbrushes, acrylic paints, pencils, and so many more items.

The selection of young adult novels, children’s books, and merchandise line the shelves along the walls and the tables in the center of the room. Huxley, a sweet pug, or Eleanor, a gorgeous border collie, are often seen greeting customers as they browse the shelves.

On Saturdays (or, as the owners call them, “Caturdays”), a curious feline named Tammy may be roaming the store instead.

The name “Bluestocking Social” was inspired by a social group in England during the Victorian era. It was composed of women with heavy interests in literacy who held informal meetings about literature and arts, much like modern-day book clubs. The name is derived from the blue stockings worn as more “casual” clothing in comparison to formal silk stockings. The term “bluestocking” refers to an intellectual woman but was often used in a derogatory manner.

Annie and her husband, Matt Fitzpatrick, have given the term a new connotation with their bookstore. “We were just researching names and then stumbled upon that and thought, ‘that’s perfect,’” she said.

Annie and Matt began their journey in February of 2020 with their marriage. Upon returning from their honeymoon, they had two weeks before the effects of the pandemic hit the country. She recounts working from home and how the experience made her rethink her feelings about her then-job with the Evansville Living Magazine.

She spoke with her husband and, together, they started planning to combine their dreams into one project. “For me, it was always a bookstore,” she said. “For Matt, it was always an art supply store.” Matt is currently a visual art teacher at Castle High School in Newburgh.

Their first idea was a pop-up store, and they even considered creating a mobile bookstore in a van and holding events on weekends. Ultimately, they settled on a stationary store.

The current location of their shop became available for purchase around June 2020. Annie had attended UE and had met Matt in the neighborhood where the shop currently resides. It was somewhere they were familiar with, somewhere that a local business could blend into a tight-knit community.

Everything seemed to line up perfectly for them: the timing, the location’s availability, their possession of the proper funds. There was nothing stopping them from creating this new business.

“This was always a dream I’d had,” Annie said, “but it wasn’t even a dream that I felt like I allowed myself to say out loud.”

Hayden Chrapek, a UE student who has visited Bluestocking, said they learned about it from a friend.

“I like that it is small, so it is less overwhelming,” they said. “I definitely recommend it to friends whenever I have the chance.”

Bluestocking has a number of events that may be interesting to college students. For those over the age of 21, they have a book club called “Books and Beers” that meets every month at local bars for book discussion and drinks. There is also an event they call the “Grown Up Book Fair”. Annie says they are hoping to bring this event back in the future.

For students of all ages, they also host meetings and signings with local creative figures who range in their mediums. Previously, Bluestocking has hosted authors C.P. Miller, Mary Lou Kapfhammer, Robert R. Railey, and Todd Schimmell, as well as artists Kyle Darnell, Lydia Fulp, Leigh Ann DeVoy, and even Annie herself.

The pair would love to begin hosting more art classes and lessons, taught by Matt. Matt has done virtual “art talks” in the past, but they would love to bring in more people for in-person lessons as the conditions of the pandemic improve. In addition to this, Annie would love for big-name authors to make an appearance alongside the local creators.

“We really want this to be a space for readers, for writers, for artists, and for people that just love all of those things,” she said.

April 2022 | Crescent Magazine 6

Will The NFL Make A Change?

Chasity Carner

O

n February 1st, 2022 Brian Flores filed a class-action lawsuit for racial discrimination against the National Football League after being dismissed of his Miami Dolphins coaching position. Having just wrapped up his second season with the Dolphins, he led the team to a 8-1 record in 2021.

Flores’ courage to speak out has brought an uproar of attention to a much bigger issue within the league– the lack of Black head coaches within the NFL. Flores did not only name the Miami Dolphins, he also made allegations against the Denver Broncos and the New York Giants.

As the NFL entered their 102nd season in 2022, 13 of the current 32 teams had never had a Black head coach, and 11 of the teams had only instilled one. At the beginning of 2022, the NFL was standing with only one Black head coach. The NFL recently released statistics stating there have been over 500 head coaches, to which only 24 of them have been Black. This equals an extremely low and concerning total of 4.8%.

The Rooney Rule

The “Rooney Rule” was implemented in 2003 after the owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Dan Rooney, fought to ensure minority coaches would be considered 7 Crescent Magazine | April 2022

for high-level coaching positions. The rule entails that each team must interview a minimum of two minority candidates for every open coaching position. The rule was most recently expanded in 2020, and it now requires the two interviews for coaching positions and an additional external minority candidate for both offensive and defensive coordinator positions.

Charles McDonald is a former writer for For The Win USA Today and currently works as a Writer covering the NFL for the New York Times. McDonald voiced his opinion on the recent events, and spoke of his opinion on the effectiveness of the Rooney Rule in which he stated, “I think the Rooney Rule might have been made with good intentions, but at this point it can’t be considered as anything other than a massive failure. While we are starting to see more minority candidates populate the front office ranks and Black and Brown people becoming general managers, the same advancement can’t be said for where the coaching ranks currently are. Only time will tell if it’s a longstanding advancement on the general manager front. Right now, the NFL has three coaches that they classify as Black: the Steelers’ Mike Tomlin, Lovie Smith with the Texans, and Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel (who had his racial ethnicity questioned not too long ago). Smith and McDaniel were both hired this year. Three of 32 head coaches in a league that’s at least 70% Black. There’s no way to see any of this as a success.”

The Rooney Rule, and its Effectiveness

Racism has been brought to the forefront as a controversial topic within the United States for decades, and most recently been advocated again with the Black Lives Matter Movement back in 2020.

Most recently with regards to the NFL, Brian Flores’ lawsuit has the viewing public questioning whether or not the league’s effort to fix its own racial issues is effective, or enough.

McDonald also stated, “Think about who the NFL owners are. Extremely wealthy, mostly White, mostly right wing or Republicans. When has their demographic ever cared about diversity? That’s a question I would ask you or anyone about why the Rooney Rule hasn’t worked. There is nothing saying they have to hire coaches of color, they just have to interview them. In general, it’s difficult to believe that the types of people who populate the small fraternity of NFL owners would ever care about issues that don’t even come close to landing on their doorstops.”

The Significance of Brian Flores’ Lawsuit

Brian Flores’ lawsuit has gained national attention due to his bravery to speak up on a topic that no other former coach has had the courage to do. Being a Black man in the spotlight of a league as big as the NFL, speaking up causes a fear factor that you will no longer have further opportunities to come. This was not entirely the case for Flores, as he was hired by head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers, which is owned by the son of Don Rooney, Art Rooney II. Sports Illustrated Staff Writer and Co-host of Split Zone Duo Podcast, Richard Johnson said, “Brian returning to the NFL after filing the lawsuit was an extremely bold move, but it was brave of him to actually step up to the plate and do it. This is something that makes him not only noble, but shows that it was not the end of his career at all - this was just the beginning.”

Brian Flores’ new hire as of February 19 with the Pittsburgh Steelers is a statement to the public, showing that speaking up on a topic you are passionate about does not mean it is the end of the road. Brian will be continuing his coaching career with the Steelers, as Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin reiterated that they will support Flores and said, “I am excited about Brian Flores joining our coaching staff given his history of developing and teaching defensive players during his time in the NFL,” Tomlin said. “Brian’s resume speaks for itself, and I look forward to him adding his expertise to help our team.”

think this is one of the most interesting parts of Brian Flores’ lawsuit. In just about any measurable way, Flores is uniquely fit to be an NFL head coach. Not only did he over perform as a rookie head coach on a team that was looking towards the future, but the defense, his area of expertise, was consistently good with the Dolphins.”

Some from the outside looking in remain supportive yet doubtful that Flores will win the discrimination aspect of his lawsuit against the NFL, as the plausible odds do not typically play out the way they should. “It’s understandable that Flores would be upset that he’s seen as a second-tier coaching prospect when he should be at the top of a lot of lists. Flores winning the discrimination portion of his lawsuit are slim, but he will certainly get eyes on this issue” said McDonald.

How Do We See Change Within The Issue

While remaining hopeful that Brian Flores’ bravery creates a change within the NFL in the future of hiring Head Coaches, there is nothing outside of the implemented Rooney Rule that can insure that change is made. Flores previously said that despite his passion for football, he wishes for changes to be made for further generations over his personal goals and passions for the game.

“In order for real change to be made, you just gotta do it. You have to hire them. You can interview to meet criteria all you want, but without hiring any of the minorities who are interviewing - nothing is ever going to change. You simply have to make the hires” said Johnson.

By now the people are subjected to their own opinions of Brian Flores’ lawsuit against the NFL, and how they think changes can be made effectively.

“The NFL follows the lead of many corporate entities in the United States. Labor is not adequately cared for by management in many arenas and the racial disparity that the NFL suffers from is a direct reflection of what has gone wrong with American society. I don’t have any solutions to fix the lack of Black head coaches in the NFL because the class of people that can do something about it have shown they have no interest in the idea” McDonald said.

Although the updated Rooney Rule has done a great amount of progression of anti-discrimination in the NFL, it is insuffient in ensuring minorities are actively given the same opportunities for higher-level coaching. Thanks to Brian Flores’ courage to speak up, the NFL knows how to adequately create the necessary changes with improving the program. All that is left now is the implementation.

Charles McDonald is in agreement with Johnson’s quota alongside Flores’ bravery and new beginnings. “I April 2022 | Crescent Magazine 8

194,967 strokes

Jackson Caudill

EVANSVILLE, Ind. On the second floor of Ridgway, nestled

between the Multicultural Student Commons and the center for diversity lies the painting “194,967 strokes,” by Jon Michael Siau, who has also had the opportunity to work for the U.S. Olympic Committee. The piece’s name holds a double meaning since it took 194,967 strokes to finish the painting as well as strokes also being the name of the movements your arms take as you swim.

Siau is a local artist and a former teacher, who has been doing art around the community for 20 years now. For most locals though, a lot of us probably know him for his work in Turoni’s – whether it be the mural of the characters from the Wizard of Oz traveling down the pizza brick road or artwork of the chain’s mascot Uncle Vinny.

“When I look at it, I see friends”, says Grant Kay, a swimmer on the University team. “Their having fun, but for me, the fun isn’t just from floating around, it’s 9 Crescent Magazine | April 2022

from achieving high goals and competing well.” Kay found his love for swimming back in Maryland, on a club team. He’s a distance specialist, but he swims just about anything from the Mile, to the 200 freestyle, and even sprints on the relay team. “I really like the style. It shows how the water flows. When you think about swimming, there’s a literal sense to it, but you also have to learn how to go with the flow, since you can’t rush your success or the progress you make as you train. You just have to learn that you’re going to improve over time and be able to accept that.” Of course, this isn’t just about swimming. In life, we are forced to learn how to deal with the world around us and accept that we aren’t always the ones in control of the situation. We must be able to take a step back sometimes and come to terms with not always getting the results we expect right away and learning to manage having to wait on our success to come to us, rather than getting it immediately like we want.

“While the painting itself may not be directly related to swimming, people like me can get a deeper connection to it as an athlete. You can see the women having fun as just a few friends having a nice time in the pool or see them as taking

a well-deserved break from the intense training that comes with competitive swimming.” Says Kay. The breaks in competitive swimming are rare. Training lasts for seven months a year, with a final meet in March acting as the climax to the season. After this, you only get two weeks off. You have a long, painful stretch of intense training, and then only just two weeks, sometimes just one, off as a break before it all starts back up again. The breaks become special to the swimmer, as they are the only few days where you can just relax and get caught up on work that gets cast off during the intense training. Getting to spend this time with friends makes them even more special for swimmers, even if their still just swimming.

“The painting makes me of the beach,” says Chey Hosein, an animation student living in Kentucky. “I hate the beach. It’s hot, and sandy, which always gets in my toes. It’s never really been that much fun. As for swimming, doing it as a sport seems intense. I’ve only ever done it recreationally, and I think it’s calming. It’s nice when I can just put my head under the water and not hear anything. It’s a nice break from how stressful the world is sometimes,” she says.

“When I look at the painting itself, I love the techniques used to emphasize the water effect. The swirls also look like little bubbles too, which is a nice touch. The overall feeling of the painting feels very distorted. I think it’s because of how blurred out the faces are. It makes me start to wonder what the intent of the artist was, maybe to show how the water distorts you.” For a professional swimmer, the water transforms how they see the people swimming next to them.

The people beside them aren’t just other swimmers, but they become competition as well. For some people, this makes the line between friend and competition very hard to distinguish and can cause people to become more aloof and standoffish since they can’t see people other than as competition, or as a threat. This mindset is extremely unhealthy since it puts you in a place where you won’t be able to connect with others. Once you’re able to get over this though, the sport becomes a lot more enjoyable, since you have people to share your struggles with.

Evansville’s own Tommy Housman, a local graphic designer, and professor at the University were able to share some of his connections with the work. “It reminds me of my childhood personally.

My family spent almost the entirety of the summer in the water.” When looking through Housman’s work, you can see this reflected through his style. “I like how it conveys separation between the surface and what’s is in the water. I think it could be easily dismissed as a painting about swimming, but I feel there is more to it. A boundary, a border, or an obstacle. Even dysmorphia,” says Housman. As Tommy mentioned, dysmorphia can also be a problem for swimmers. For a lot of people, it’s easy to have confidence in your body type, whether it be from having a traditionally attractive body type or something close to it, but a lot of people suffer from disfigurations they would prefer not to show. Swimming doesn’t give you that option. The suits you have to wear for the sport show a lot of skin, especially for the male suits since they only cover from the waist to just above the knee. For someone struggling with dysmorphia, these outfits can

feel like a cruel punishment.

In my eyes, I feel that “194,967 strokes” is a very light and calming piece. The way Siau crafted the waves in the water makes it one of the few works I’ve seen that can accurately capture the feeling of floating out on top of the water, whether it be by yourself or with friends. His style also does an amazing job of portraying the weightlessness of laying out on the water’s surface. When you get to stretch out like this while swimming, you feel like a feather in the breeze, almost becoming a part of the water’s natural ebb and flow. The way Siau paints almost makes it look like the swimmers just flow right into the water around them, perfectly encapsulating the feeling I described of becoming one with the pool.

Despite the pain that comes with the sport, the memories you make with your friends are what will always remain. The agony goes away, and the only thing that remains is the bonds forged with the people beside you. Even if it’s not swimming or even a sport, the idea still holds true. The people you go through life with are still the most important part of it. In the end, all we’ll have are the gentle memories, the ones where we’re relaxing, floating side by side with the friends we made to reach that point. The painful fights and struggles are forgotten, and all we have left are the memories of the people we met along the way.

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Life Through the Eyes of a Woman Chasity Carner

Before you begin reading my spiel on how I believe that the majority of men still continue to feed their ego by sexualizing and degrading the role that women play in terms of societal norms, ask yourself - are you feeling insulted, attacked, or victimized right now?

It’s ironic, honestly. The number of little boys who are groomed to fill the shoes of daddy or grandpa. Expecting a nice, pretty, and “modest” girl to come around and make them feel superior.

Society has entered the year 2022 battling the same egoistic, sexist, and humiliating expectations as a woman that are set to compensate for the ego of a man. As little girls, we are told to trade our shorts for pants because the uncles are coming over for dinner. As teenagers, we are told our shoulders are distracting and how our kneecaps are teasing the hormonal teenage boys in the classroom. Then you enter adulthood and begin to understand that whether you are in your favorite pair of denim shorts, or an old beat-up t-shirt covered in a series of mysterious substances and missing a few seams - that your clothes were never the issue, They are.

Before we start an uproar, ask your mother, sister, or daughter about her own experiences. Social media has recently shined light on the statistics. Creating an environment where women have felt comfortable and safe to speak on their own experiences. This opening for conversation has allowed for a jaw dropping total of 98% of women across the globe who have experienced some sort of harassment: or worse.

13 Crescent Magazine | April 2022

As a woman, we are taught to always carry a form of selfdefense. To never walk alone at night and to lock our car doors as soon as we enter the vehicle. To double check that we have locked our front doors when we enter our homes, just to be sure that we are safe to shower the anxiety of the night away before going to bed.

The word “NO!” must be stated loud and clear to properly communicate that we do not want to have sexual intercourse.

Even then, that often doesn’t serve much justice in a courtroom. Which leads to a questionnaire of disbelieving “why’s?” and an interrogation to ensure that you are positive that you didn’t want that to happen.

Now let me preface, not all men are bad. This is not a matter of convincing anyone to be terrified of every man that crosses their path. But to be cautious? Definitely.

Reason being, because no matter how much change has happened over the last several decades to fight for equal rights and justice for women to be more than a housewife, we will never be able to experience life the same way a male does.

Careless and free to walk down the street at any given veil of the night.

Allowed to harass their local restaurant waitress, excusing her rosy cheeks of embarrassment for flattery - laughing with your friends, as she goes to the kitchen and wipes the tears from her face.

They just don’t understand.

Sure, we are now allowed to work in the same management position as our fellow male coworker. We can also get a credit card in our own name. As well as get an ivy-league education. And obtain health insurance at the same rate as a man. It is now even socially acceptable to not intertwine ourselves with the opposite sex, as our parents have started teaching us independence: to never need the approval or satisfaction of a male.

But segregating ourselves from the want or need of the desire to be kept by a man doesn’t solve the issue. Social media has officially peaked, and the comment section underneath your recent photo has made you feel just as sexualized.

Walking into your nearest gas station, almost guaranteed to be cat-called by the man who thought he was being a gentleman by holding the door open for you.

Politely declining his offer to let

him take you out, where he retaliated by degrading your appearance. Saying how you “weren’t that pretty anyways” or how you “shouldn’t be wearing that out in public if you didn’t want attention.” Now you may feel frightened to pump your gas, ill at ease at the possibility you are going to be followed home.

In 2022, we are now more cautious than ever to make sure we are prepared for the worse. Constantly watching our surroundings and preparing our next move. Repeating to yourself over and over in your head on how you plan to avoid walking past the creepy man who has been staring at you across the restaurant throughout your entire meal on your way out the door.

In the world we live in, this is our normal. As a woman, we wake up everyday ready to trigger our fight or flight.

Because no matter what we do, or where we go, or who we tried our hardest to avoid - you never know when a situation can take a turn down a trauma filled road.

Our mothers raised us to believe that it is always better to prepare for the unexpected than to live in a world of oblivion and silence. To learn the rules of what life is like to be a woman, and although it is now socially deemed to be “fair,” it will never be the life of your older brother.

Because he will never understand.

April 2022 | Crescent Magazine 14

Let the Work I’ve Done Speak for Me; Ketanji Brown Jackson, a Portrait of Grit and Grace

Paris Himes

“You can’t always expect to be the smartest person in the room, but you can promise to be the hardest working.” —Ketanji Brown Jackson

D

uring the 2020 presidential election campaign, Joe Biden promised to align the court to be more representative of the nation by nominating a black woman to the Supreme Court. A glass ceiling has finally broken with the confirmation of Ketanji Brown Jackson as the 116th Justice of the United States Supreme Court. In the 232-year supreme court’s history, Jackson is the first black woman nominated by an American president to the Supreme Court.

Born in 1970 in Washington, DC, to parents who

family moved to Miami when Jackson was three, and that is where she spent her formative years. Both parents were pursue law. Her father’s passion for law led Jackson to participate in speech and debate in high school. This experience strengthened her self-confidence and perfected her skill with public speaking – qualities that have contributed to her successful legal career path. In 1992 Jackson was accepted into Harvard University, graduated with a law degree in 1996, and that same year married surgeon Patrick Jackson, and together they have two daughters. Jackson has worked as a law clerk for the US District Court, the US Supreme Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, the US Supreme Court, and Morrison & Foerster.

President Barack Obama, in 2009, nominated Jackson firmed by the Senate, she performed in this role until 2014.

Jackson has served as a board member of the DC Circuit Historical Society, Boards of Overseers of Harvard University, and the Council of the American Law Institute.

Poised and measured, Jackson professionally answered questions throughout two lengthy and, at times, contentious confirmation hearings. A minority of conservative mudslinging Republican senators determined to ignore Jackson’s impressive body of work hurled cruel accusations and misinformation about her record. By the end of her first confirmation hearing, Senator Cory Booker saw an opportunity to speak words that, if communicated by Jackson, would have 15 Crescent Magazine | April 2022

stereotyped her as an angry Black woman. Booker spoke passionately and at length about Jackson’s accomplishments and the meaning of Jackson’s nomination to the nation. constituents, Booker said this: “And I want to tell you, when I look at you, this is why I get emotional.

I’m sorry, you’re a person that is so much more than your race and gender. You’re a Christian, you’re a mom, you’re an intellect, you love books. But for me, I’m sorry, it’ hard for me not to look at you and not see my mom, not see my cousins, one of them who had to come here and sit behind you. She had to have your back. I see my ancestors and yours. Nobody’s going to steal the joy of that woman in the street, or the calls that I’m getting, or the texts. Nobody’s going to steal that joy. You have earned this spot. You are worthy. You are a great American.”

Jackson’s confirmation passed on a vote of 53 to 47.

Three Republican Senators, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, and Mitt Romney, crossed over to vote with all 50 Democrat Senators. The confirmation of Jackson will not change the ideological balance of the court. Still, more importunatecan American woman. Her legal voice will speak for many unheard and marginalized citizens and marks a significant historic milestone for the Supreme Court and the federal tice Stephen Breyer, retires this summer 2022.

Visit Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Offical Webpage: https://www.whitehouse.gov/kbj/ Visit Cory Booker’s full address: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=cory+bookers+full+address+about+ketanji+brown+jackson&qpvt=cory+bookers+full+address+about+ketanji+brown+jackson&view=detail&mid=2AA3F1A22307F18CD6E02AA3F1A22307F18CD6E0&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dcory%2Bbookers%2Bfull%2Baddress%2Babout%2Bketanji%2Bbrown%2Bjackson%26qpvt%3Dcory%2Bbookers%2Bfull%2Baddress%2Babout%2Bketanji%2Bbrown%2Bjackson%26FORM%3DVDRE

Take a Break & Color

Coloring induces the same state as meditating by reducing the thoughts of a restless mind.

This generates mindfulness and quietness, which allows your mind to get some rest after a long day at work.

April 2022 | Crescent Magazine 16

We as a nation need to consider the needs of our medical field.

Healthcare Workers Need Our Support Mayray Sung

ealthcare. A heated topic regardless of party lines.

HProlife, pro-choice. Anti-Affordable Care Act, pro-

ACA. Privatization, nationalization. But there is one elephant in the room: the stress on healthcare workers. It has been the spotlight the entire pandemic.

school, has said the industry has, “Human rights abuses against vulnerable people that makes a war criminal blush.” Which makes it very discouraging to enter medical school.

Though it is opening up slightly, it is hard to listen to the complaints of all of those around me in a collapsing foundation for the health of the future. It is almost as if those in power wish for us to suffocate to our deaths. This is not promising with how our systems continue to lead us to our deaths. Were we not led to believe that science is the future? While we kill almost everyone around us before they have a chance to see it?

Maternal deaths in the US are double that of other developed nations according to the Commonwealth Fund. This is because we managed to convince ourselves that a zygote is a living being yet make it so that detracts funding to everything around it.

We choked out the medical field and what it can provide for us.

Somehow, we must start supporting our healthcare workers in a real, tangible way instead of showing them off as martyrs for our health when we cannot even keep the majority alive. There would be a certain mindset needed to sustain oneself in the medical field, which I believe is rather unhealthy. I wish for healthcare workers to be able to live full lives without the weight of being powerless and can see that they are truly changing lives for the better. If you want to keep calling them heroes, you better treat them with the professionals are at an all-time high while the supply of them is increasingly low.

Everything is in shortage, especially with the amount of healthcare workers that are excessively overworked and burned out. Healthleaders.com say that the burnout rates before the coronavirus pandemic, healthcare worker burnout rates on average ranged from 30% to 50%. Now, burnout rates range from 40% to 70%. This is concerning. Amongst newer nurses, there are many leaving the profession and retiring early with burnout rates between 30% and 60%. This I believe is the result of the lack of care for our medical field. It is where the demand for healthcare professionals are at an all-time high while the supply of them is increasingly low.

Though the Healthcare Management of Southern Illinois University finds that if hospital get increasingly more competitive, the quality-of-care increases, but is that so? I personally find that doubtful this is applicable in this age of the pandemic. It is good progress that according to the AAMC (Association of American Medical College) the applicants to medical school as of this school year has increased 17.8%. I feel it is not enough. I think we as a culture need to somehow value our workers and what they do for us. I am surrounded by people who work in healthcare and the horrors of working in health disturb me. My mother, a nurse, has mentioned how insurance companies force her to kill her patients softly as a means of making money.

Though the Healthcare Management of Southern Illinois University finds that if hospital get increasingly more competitive, the quality-of-care increases, but is that so? I personally find that doubtful this is applicable in this age of the pandemic. It is good progress that according to the AAMC (Association of American Medical College) the applicants to medical school as of this school year has increased 17.8%.

These respect they should have outside of when you need it and cannot find the healthcare you need simply from the morale of the workers by continuing to let this infrastructure discourage promising medics from helping us. Similar to how we allow doctors to dictate everything about a prescription that go against FDA guidelines and never seeking to improve ourselves similar to how we treat other systems.

I feel it is not enough. I think we as a culture need to somehow value our workers and what they do for us. I am surrounded by people who work in healthcare and the horrors of working in health disturb me. My mother, a nurse, has mentioned how insurance companies force her to kill her patients softly as a means of making money. These sentiments are echoed by a friend I mentor, Ksenia, who wishes to enter medical

This pandemic has uncovered much of our failings in our healthcare and other industries. Though I wish we can soon build a brighter future for those who help and the helpless.

As a nation, have mercy on the breathing and do anything in your power to keep yourself and others alive. We will sacrifice everyone if we allow the continued exhaustion to oppress our health field.

17 Crescent Magazine | April 2022

A Nightmare on Any Street I

magine you are living a typical life in a city you call home.

By day’s end, you go to bed. You wake up to see that your city is under attack. You have to leave. What do you take with you? Who do you leave behind? Innocent people are trying to escape. Missiles are flying through the sky. Is this a nightmare?

Yes, it is, and this nightmare is happening in Ukraine.

Ukraine is Europe’s second-largest country along the Russian border, and Ukraine officially declared itself independent from the Soviet Union on August 24, 1991. Today, the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, doesn’t recognize Ukraine’s independence and wants to expand Russian territory by taking control of Ukraine.

On February 24, 2022, Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin began a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russia has launched countless missiles into Ukraine and is destroying Ukraine neighborhoods. Social media has been a vital tool for getting Ukraine’s calls for help out and has helped news outlets and average citizens document the destruction in Ukraine.

What are other countries doing to help Ukraine fight back against Russia? That is a complicated and frustrating question. This question is complicated since NATO countries cannot fight on behalf of non-NATO countries. NATO’s (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) 12 founding members are Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, the UK, and the US. Ukraine is not a member of NATO. Because Ukraine is not a NATO member, member countries cannot directly become involved in this battle. However, these countries are providing aid to Ukraine. The limits on the type and transport of aid offered are frustrating. But these NATO members are doing all they

can – without having this battle extend into NATO territory. The fear of entering World War III is high worldwide, particularly in NATO. A story of biblical proportion, the invasion of Ukraine is a cautionary tale that forces an average person to explore this thought; one day, you are living an ordinary life, and the next day you wake up to see that your city is under attack.

You have to leave. What do you take with you? Who do you leave behind? Innocent people are trying to escape. Missiles are flying through the sky. Is this a nightmare?

If we do not protect democracy, this type of invasion can happen here. If you are a US citizen age 18 or over, visit www.Vote.gov to register to vote. UNICEF supports families and children caught in the conflict in Ukraine. To donate, visit www.unicefusa.org.

April 2022 | Crescent Magazine 18

night of their final game. Kade Mayle played football for The University of Vanderbilt, finishing his athletic career in the famous NRG Stadium, dominating defense in The Texas Bowl.

Mayle stated, “There was a part of me that thought I would take a break and the staff would beg me to come back...I knew I didn’t want to try for the NFL but there always was and still is the thought that I could give it one more go- round. And the more time that ticks on from that last whistle, the more I start to miss it.”

Moving on after such a major part of your life ends can be terribly difficult and take years to fully complete. If the athlete does not handle this change well, their mental health will quickly take an even bigger hit and that denial can slowly change to anger.

2nd Quarter: Anger

It is said that an athlete will die twice. Once when they hang up their cleats for the last time and once at the end of their life on earth. The end of an athletic career, especially a collegiate one, can cause similar effects as experiencing a physical death (of a loved one, or someone close, not themselves.)

Collegiate athletes have spent their entire lives working towards the moments that made those 6 a.m. lifts and 1 a.m. bus rides home from games all worth it; and then one day, it’s all over.

No more buzzer beater shots, no more holes in one, no more homeruns or Hail Mary’s to win the game. Everything they have been living for... gone, in a blink. A lot of the time, with their game goes their will to truly live their lives to the fullest extent, like they had done during their athletic careers.

1st Quarter: Denial Picture this, you’re in the locker room getting your final pregame speech from the coach that you will probably never have the same relationship with ever again, getting ready to storm the court and hear the fans cheering you on, but this time it’s all different. This time is the last time you will ever have this experience again. But it can’t REALLY be the last time, right?

A majority of college athletes will ask themselves this same question when put in the situation. But why is that? Research shows that psychologically, human brains will send signals that stop us from dwelling on the inevitable demise of our own selves. And as dark and scary as that sounds, it is exactly what athletes will do so they don’t have to face the reality that their athletic careers being over.

Denial has been labeled by many professionals as the first of the stages of grief, so it would make sense that, if an athlete ‘dies twice’ they would go through this early on, even as early as the 19 Crescent Magazine | April 2022

As previously stated, denial almost always snowballs into anger, and anger can lead any person into a dark place both mentally and physically. Surveys have shown that collegiate athletes typically follow the rule that their physical health comes before their mental health (for the better or the worse) because it’s their bodies that carry them through their athletic careers. So, what happens when your mental health starts affecting your physical health?

Studies have shown that ongoing anger in a person will cause an influx of stress hormones associated to metabolic changes to the brain and that can eventually cause physical harm.

Some of those effects include headaches, increased blood pressure, a higher likelihood of stroke and heart attack, among many others.

Athletes are known for prioritizing their physical health over their mental, so when their physical health starts deteriorating as an effect of their mental health things begin to spiral yet again. Mayle also touched on how simple it is to fall out of normal habits they formed during their athletic careers. “You quickly learn that sleeping in, skipping the gym, and eating out is a path of little resistance without those coaches who kept you accountable for your physical performance during the course of your career,” states Mayle.

With the odds of mental and physical health now stacked against the ex- athlete, anger is sure to come with an attempt to compensate for these wicked feelings. But not to worry, because as many athletes will agree, the anger stage can quickly turn into the bargaining stage.

3rd Quarter: Bargaining The bargaining stage follows anger as it is an attempt to regain control. This

stage is much more fulfilling than the previous for everyday folks and athletes alike. Finding something new to fill that hole that formed from your sport being ripped out of daily life is an important part of the recovery process. A clear-cut path that many athletes take as an attempt to stay ‘in the game’ and still be a part of their sport is athletic training.

Darian Apperson was a forward/ center on the women’s basketball team at The University of Charleston and had a terrific career there with many memorable moments. After graduation in 2018, she decided to pursue a career in athletic training and not long after, ended up 7 hours from her hometown, right here in Evansville, Indiana as an AT for the university’s division one athletic programs.

Apperson stated, “Being an athletic trainer has allowed me to be a part of team which I think important since being a part of a team was a part of my life for such a long time. I think that was a big part of why when my college career ended, I wasn’t upset or depressed like some people get, because even though my basketball career was over, my involvement in sports and being a part of a team was not.”

Apperson found a bargaining chip that allowed her to still be a part of a team, and that was good enough for her, but many collegiate athletes may want to take a different route bargaining their way back into the game. Coaching, adult athletic teams, and alumni games are just a few possibilities there are to try and fill the hole from retiring post college.

But even then, college athletes are sure to attest, staying involved in the game does not always bring that same fulfilment that their sport did, and this can sadly lead to the fourth quarter, depression.

4th Quarter: Depression According to Athletes for Hope, an organization designed to educate the public on mental health effects that occur in athletes, 35% of elite athletes suffer from mental health disorders, specifically depression. There is no denying that this statistic is daunting in many aspects, and it should not be ignored.

This stage can be the most trying for retired athletes because typically this is when reality sets in fully. The truth is, there really isn’t another whistle to be blown, or a start gun to go off, or buzzer to sound and that can truly break an ex- athlete. But the good news is, there is always hope.

Health professionals suggest staying involved in your own everyday life and others, making facetime a priority, and joining support groups. Comradery

is a major part of athletics to the point that when asked about what he misses most about collegiate athletics, he stated, “My closest college friend group was comprised of solely my football teammates. We spent every waking moment together- training, meetings, practice, class, meals, hanging out in the dorms and going out on the weekends. We will never be together again in the way we were back then, and that’s a harsh reality to come to terms with.” This speaks to the importance of keeping those supporting people in your lives so support groups and other interpersonal relationships are great options.

Depression may seem like an end all be all, but there is life after athletics and retired athletes should strive to make that life as amazing as they did their previous sports careers. People like Apperson who was able to make a fulfilling career out of her passion for athletics and Mayle who was able to come to terms with his L.A.S.T and created a satisfying life for himself, are both active examples of perseverance and what came from life after sports.

L.A.S.T stands for life after sports transition and it is a highly studied field of research because of the major effects this time truly have on athletes. The University of Alabama coined this term in 2020 as a part of their Journal of Athletic Development and Experience. The University of Alabama staff who are working on this case have found that L.A.S.T and the depression that comes with it is a hidden part of retired athlete’s lives and they are working to make the information more easily accessible.

When the Lights Go Down: The Rebirth An athlete may die twice, but it doesn’t mean they can’t be reborn. The rebirth may not be the same as before the death (current athlete,) but it can be just as good. Life has so much to offer, and acceptance is the first step in reaching all of those amazing possibilities.

So, retired athletes, let yourself grieve, go through the steps, and when the lights finally go down, walk out of the stadium with pride, hope, and confidence that the next arena in life will be just as memorable as the last. And remember, you only have one more life after sports, make it count until that final whistle blows.

CRESCENT MAGAZINE April 2022 | Crescent Magazine 20

First-Generation Trailblazers Ashtyn Baxter

Picture this.

It’s your first day at your university. You’ve been awaiting this day for as long as you could remember after all no one in your family has been able to have the opportunities that you have. You’ve spent all day setting up your room just the way you want and getting to know your new roommate. You’re about to take a nice hot shower but realized you didn’t buy a robe, so naturally, you wear your clothes to the stall and throw them on the ground in a place you THINK they won’t get wet. Unfortunately for you, they got very wet. You then in that same moment realize that you also didn’t bring a towel with you.

You quickly put the soaking clothes back on and RUN back into your room. If only someone had been there to give you advice.

Lesson Learned.

According to the Center for First-Generation Student Success, in the academic year of 2015-2016, 56% of undergraduates nationally were first-generation college students. On top of this 59% of these first-generation college students are also the first sibling to go to college. Over the past 6 years though it’s estimated that the number of first-generation college students went from 56% to a whopping 31%.

With these statistics comes the need in most Universities to form communities and support systems for first-generation college students. Feeling like you’re 10 steps behind your peers can feel really intimidating, especially when you feel like you don’t have anyone to turn to when the pressure is on.

Ace Scholars, an organization located at the University of Evansville, is made up of first-generation college students with the intent to help other incoming first-generation college students out through mentorship here at the University of Evansville. They host study sessions, game nights, and even open panels to learn more about one another.

“When coming to college I knew pretty much nothing.” said Trinitie Terrel, “I did not know classes, credits, applications, payments, or how anything worked.” Trinitie Terrel is a first-year college student who is a sophomore at the University of Evansville.

She is currently majoring in public health and is a Hale Hall resident assistant, the Black Student Union secretary, and the vice president of Ace Scholars. “Due to my parents not going to

college, they cannot relate to a lot of things I am going through right now. So, it has been hard not being able to look at them for help 21 Crescent Magazine | April 2022

during certain situations,” said Trinitie. “I struggled at first. I was the only person in my friend group who was a first-generation student, so I did feel a little embarrassed about it. Nonetheless, after finding out all the resources UE has to offer, I was able to get a lot of questions I had answered. I was able to meet a lot of staff who really are passionate about helping first-generation students because they were in my shoes when they were in college. UE also has so many great resources for pretty much anything a student may need, so that has been a ton of help. I always have questions and there is always a place I can look for answers in.”

Many first-generation students’, like Trinitie, expressed a feeling of being unprepared and not knowing what to expect when it comes to college life until they’re flung into it and forced to adapt. Imposter syndrome is a common experience among many first-generation college students. Many start to wonder “Can I even really do 4 years of this?”.

Other students, like Alex Galindo-Ortiz, who is also a part of Ace Scholars as a mentor, helps students work through issues they’re having and gives them advice about how college life can be so different from high school. “Before coming to college, I was unaware of the environment I was throwing myself into.” said Alex,

“ I enjoy having the ability to share my own experiences and share tips with others just like me. I want others to have a better transition to college than I did. In addition, I enjoy talking about my hardships and how I have overcome them.”

Alex Galindo-Ortiz is a junior currently earning his degree with

Most high school settings don’t seem to give students the tools to succeed in college and prepare them for the riggor college can bring, meaning firstgeneration college students are set back even further than regular student’s when it comes to academic preparedness. Ace Scholars like Trinitie and Alex have been proactive and have tons of advice to give to their first-gen scholars on. All from how to study to what good time management looks like.

Trinities advice for other first-generation college students is, “When coming to college I was unsure

a major in Global Business and a minor in Communications.

Alex is known to do a lot for UE when it comes to campus life, including being the Student Government Association president, as well as a member of the Student Activities Board, Greek Life, Lead Forward, Admissions Ambassador, and is a part of Schroeder Ambassadors. Alex has definitely proven to be a strong asset to the University of Evansville community.

Ace Scholars truly make firsts generation college students feel not so alone when it comes to making mistakes and learning from them. They even sometimes prevent mistakes from happening. Most first-generation college students can tell you at least one story about how little they knew about college.

“When signing up for classes freshman year, my mom told me to sign up for as many classes as possible,” said Trinitie, “She believed the more credit hours you take, the better off I would be when it came to graduation. I ended up taking 18 credits hours both fall and spring semesters of freshman. It was torture and I found out my mom really had no idea what credit hours were!”

Even making the decision for college can be challenging and seem like an uphill battle. Alex says, “When making my decision

for college, UE was never on my list. It wasn’t until I went to a college fair at my school that I noticed them. The only reason I walked over to the UE table is that they had the same color patterns as a local high school in my area. So I thought to myself, why is a high school at a college fair. That is the story of how I found UE and somehow changed my whole perspective in my college decision.”

of everything that was out here, I choose a major that sounded good without really exploring all that was available. I would tell other first-generation students to explore everything the campus has to offer first, do not be afraid to ask for help, and take advantage of the resources available to them. You are not alone and there have been plenty of people before you that were in similar situations.”

Alex says, “When college gets hard, don’t give up. Life is always tricky,

but if you want something, fight for it. Prove to those who don’t believe in you that they are wrong and then go after it.”

With the help of people like Alex and Trinitie are going to go far after their time at the University of Evansville. The impact that they made on other ace scholars and mentors will help first-generation college students succeed and prosper throughout their college life all the way to their future careers, making them trailblazers.

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HARLAXTON

Adventures Abroad with Jasmine Leicester and Bradgae. This was a day trip and honestly wasn’t that good. All there was to do was shopping and not a lot of things to see. I did not enjoy my time there.

York for the Day! York was a lot better than Leicester and Bradgae because there were other things to do rather than shopping. While in York, I went to the cathedral, and it was beautiful and still being used to hold services today. Then I went to a Viking style pub, and it was cool and detailed. Then I just walked around the town before it was time to head back to the manor.

Wales weekend! When departing from Harlaxton, I stopped in Chester for a rest break and for some lunch. I was only there for two hours before heading to Llandudno, Wales. Llandudno is a coast city, and it was beautiful. The first night in Llandudno I walked among the pier and the sea. Llandudno is very different than any other places that I’ve been. Everything there closes around 6:30-8. So, being a college student who likes to stay out late was very different when everything around you closes early. The next day, I headed out to Caernarfon, Wales. In Caernarfon, there are a lot of boats and by the sea. I went to the smallest pub in Wales called Bar Bach Tafarn Lleiaf Cymru. After visiting that pub, it was time to head out to Portmeirion, Wales. Portmeirion is a fancy resort by the sea. This resort reminded my friends and I of Mama Mia. While exploring this beautiful resort, it was like we went into a different world.

It was Incredible. Then finally it was time to head back to Llandudno. After getting back, we got dinner than went to bed. Sunday! We checked out of our hotel than headed to Swallow Falls.

Swallow Falls was beautiful. After the Falls, it was time to head back to the manor after a very long weekend of traveling.

23 Crescent Magazine | April 2022

During this week, I just took a break. Even though I might be in another country it is still good to take time for yourself. It was a beautiful weekend full of sunshine and birds chirping. Also, I used my time trying to do homework because it is called STUDY aboard so there is a lot more papers then normal. Last Sunday, Europe finally sprung forward an hour so now we are six hours ahead of Evansville again. I thought it was a national thing that everyone does at the same day, but I thought wrong. Also during my time at Harlaxton, I joined the basketball team and after practicing for weeks now we are getting close to our game versus the Grantham Outlaws. This week coming up I have a tattoo appointment, a paper due, and another trip booked. I’ll tell you how everything goes next week on my Insta! Talk to you then!

April 2022 | Crescent Magazine 24

2022 Student Leadership Awards Rylie stephens

This year I got to attend and be a part of the 29th Annual Leadership Awards Ceremony as a photographer and award winner. The Ceremony was filled with a plethora of students from different areas around the UE community that were selected and gave awards based off their individual presence that they have made on campus. The program was filled with exceptional speakers from UE employees that help lead the students in their activities. The speakers got deep into detail about each award winner and made you feel so proud of each student for their individual work as they were awarded and recognized on stage.

25 Crescent Magazine | April 2022

2022 Student Leadership Awards

THE GLUE – This recognition is awarded to a student for going above and beyond, ensuring that the efforts of the entire Student Media team come together as a cohesive work of the utmost quality in the publication of the Crescent Magazine.

This years THE GLUE Award goes to Student Media’s Creative Director Rachel Fisher.

Rachel Fisher

Rachel joined Student Media this semester as our only full-time designer. Before any article was published on our website or in our publication of the Crescent Magazine, it first went to Rachel. Rachel would then create engaging layouts and design elements relative to the subject matter of each article while also ensuring a since of unity for our publication. Rachel is THE GLUE that delivered the final product of everything that was published this semester.

THE HUSTLER – This recognition is awarded to a student that is willing to go anywhere, cover anything, and put the hard work in to every task they are assigned. This student displays an eagerness to learn and push themselves to produce high quality content for Student Media.

Paris Himes

This years THE HUSTLER Award goes to two recipients, Student Media Writers Paris Himes and Maddy Webb.

Paris and Maddy joined Student Media this semester as writer/reporters and all-around content creators. Both Paris and Maddy were keen on tackling just about any topic. They delivered high quality thoughtful content about current events, personal experiences, and campus life. Paris and Maddy are THE HUSTLERS of Student Media ensuring we had a variety of topics and content to include on our website and in the Crescent Magazine.

Maddy Webb THE ROCK – This recognition is awarded to a student of exemplary character and an unreproachable work ethic. This student is always willing to go to work, ensuring that Student Media covers a vast array of topics. This student displays an eagerness to learn and expand their repertoire of skills and talents.

This years THE ROCK Award goes to Student Media’s Photographer, Videographer, and Writer Rylie Stephens.

Rylie stephens

Rylie joined Student Media this semester as an all-around content creator. Rylie is a work horse. She is always ready and willing to dedicate her time to ensuring Student Media is producing high quality content. Whether it is video, photography, interviews, or reporting Rylie gave her all to every task. Every team needs to have someone they can count on, Rylie is THE ROCK of Student Media.

April 2022 | Crescent Magazine 26

27 Crescent Magazine | April 2022

April 2022 | Crescent Magazine 28

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