Bone marrow drive comes to campus
Softball strikes success to start season P 16
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
VOLUME 101 ISSUE 5
www.ulmhawkeyeonline.com
Opinion: New Activity Center dress code is sexist
February 14, 2022
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Morrison boogies into 1st place at ULM’s Got Talent P 10
Black musical artists to tune into this month
P 11
Burton promotes diversity among students P 9
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February 14, 2022
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
BRIEFS CALENDAR Monday, February 14 Sigma Gamma Rho V-Day Candy Grams, 11 a.m., Scott Plaza
Tuesday, February 15 Foster the Flock Resource Fair, 11 a.m., Bayou Pointe
Wednesday, February 16 AWS Black Women History Forum, 11 a.m., Quad
Thursday, February 17 Let’s Talk Warhawks, 11 a.m., Schulze
Friday, February
18
Black History Program, 10 a.m., Bayou Pointe
Saturday, February 19 No events planned
Sunday, February
20
No events planned
Michigan
US
Teenagers fight against House redistricting bill
Police shoot suspect after mosque arson
Canada’s trucker protests Country grants approval for antiviral COVID pill gain support in US
News Star- Sparks flew between lawmakers and high school students at a House redistricting committee hearing Wednesday. A group of teenagers trekked from Shreveport, missing a day of class, to testify in front of the powerful House and Governmental Affairs Committee against a Republican redistricting bill that would not increase Black representation in the Louisiana House. Kingson Wills, Sabrina Huynh and Ryan Wilkinson took the stand together to speak out against what they called racial gerrymandering. They were met with pushback from Rep. John Stefanski, R-Crowley, the chairman of the committee.
MCT- Dearborn police fatally shot a suspect overnight Friday after he allegedly started a fire at a mosque and fired at officers in an incident that initially started in Detroit, the chief told The Detroit News. At 1:18 a.m. Saturday, Dearborn officers on patrol observed a fire at the Al-Huda Islamic Association, located at 8835 Warren Ave. on the city’s northeast side. When officers responded to the fire, they encountered an armed man at the scene who appeared to have shot at the officers, the department said. The officers pursued the armed suspect southbound along Lonyo Avenue.
MCT- It began as a ragtag team of Canadian truckers shouting about their disdain for vaccine mandates and the politicians upholding them. Now, nearly two weeks after Canadian truckers began the blockades that shuttered portions of Ottawa, the country’s capital, the patchwork movement orchestrated largely on social media and in online chat groups is expanding globally. As the Omicron surge recedes across the U.S. and more states weigh lifting mask mandates, similar caravans and blockades—dubbed “Freedom Convoys”—have started to pop up across the globe, threatening to grind city cores to a halt in parts of the U.S.
MCT- China granted emergency approval for Pfizer’s COVID-19 pill in a promising sign the country could open up further to foreign vaccines and treatments for the virus. Paxlovid’s import registration was approved Friday, the National Medical Products Administration said in a statement on its website Saturday. The Chinese regulator requires relevant research work to continue to be carried out, with conditional requirements completed within a time limit. The follow-up research results must be submitted in a timely manner, according to the statement.
d
QUOTE
China
Louisiana
WINNING SMILES
“Freedom is a road seldom traveled by the multitude.”
TODAY IN HISTORY
February 14 1848: James Polk becomes the first U.S. president to be photographed while in office.
Frederick Douglass, abolitionist
1912: Arizona is admitted as the 48th state. 1929: Seven gangsters are killed in the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre
Front page credits: Main photo: Calli Sinclair
1971: Richard Nixon installs a secret taping system in the White House.
Top left photo: Carley Nail Top right photo: Tyler Smith photo by Carley Nail
Bottom sidebar photo: Erick Burton
Softball started their season last weekend with three wins at the Best on the Bayou Classic.
1991: “The Silence of the Lambs” is released in American theaters.
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
February 14, 2022
BRIEFS
Academics
Gerontology program creates new scholarship Applications for a new gerontology program scholarship will open Feb. 28. The Aspiring Gerontologist Education scholarship was established by Anita Sharma, the chair of the gerontology program. The scholarship is designed to help graduate students who are at risk of leaving the gerontology master’s degree program. Sharma said it’s common for students to drop out of graduate programs because of financial hardship. This problem has only increased during the pandemic, according to Sharma. The AGE scholarship will provide tuition for recipients to stay enrolled in at least one gerontol-
ogy course. To be accepted into ULM’s graduate school, students must have a 2.6 GPA. The scholarship is also renewable for up to two years if the student maintains a 3.5 GPA. “I established this scholarship as a tribute to my mother, who was a staunch advocate of higher education for women,” Sharma said. At an early age her mother instilled the importance of advanced education in her. “If [my mother] had not stood up for me and fought a harsh patriarchy that clipped the dreams of young girls, I would have become a school dropout with a very bleak future,” Sharma said.
photo courtesy ULM Photo Services
FUNDING THE FUTURE: Anita Sharma, the chair of the gerontology program, established a scholarship for graduate students in the gerontology program. The scholarship will pay tuition for recipients to stay enrolled in at least one gerontology course.
Campus Event
Senator to speak at Black history program
photo courtesy ULM Photo Services
ULM’s Cultural Diversity Council and Office of International & Multicultural Affairs will host “A Black History Program” this Friday, Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. in Bayou Pointe. The program is meant to highlight the talent of ULM students and youth within the community. The keynote speaker is Katrina Jackson, a senator representing District 34 in the Louisiana State Senate. Jackson is an attorney who lives in Monroe and graduated from ULM and Southern University Law Center. Gina White, the director of the Office of International and Multicultural Affairs, said that
exhibiting cultural diversity is beneficial for the student body, the university and the community. “We are excited to continue to explore and acknowledge the diverse cultures on the bayou,” White said. The theme of Black History Month this year is Black health and wellness, in honor of the contributions made by African American medical research scholars and practitioners. Diamond Green, the president of the Cultural Diversity Council, said this program will raise awareness of unsung heroes that contributed to building of America.
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February 14, 2022
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
OPINION
Culture
ULM needs to do more for Black history
Swikrit Bhattarai ULM has a diverse campus of students from all backgrounds. But there seems to be a lack of recognition for Black History Month this year. Black History Month was celebrated in various forms on campus last year. For example, the Black History March occurred, and the Black Lives Matter words were displayed on campus for February. There does not seem to be the same enthusiasm this semester. The Cultural Diversity Council has organized an event with Representative Katrina Jackson, and the campus formally recognized the month. But other than that, there have not been any celebrations. Black History Month is supposed to be celebrated for a month, but it seems ULM
graphic by Chloe Chapel
wants to ignore the month and only hold a few events to not face any outcries from students. But here they are. Give our Black students more recognition. Celebrate them and their culture. One event and a graphic are not enough. I want to see a movement on this campus that leads ULM to a more culturally diverse and accepting future. According to William James College, Black History Month is vital to celebrate on college campuses because higher education is the starting place of many movements for educational change. If college campuses
emphasize Black history, then it will trickle down into K-12 education. Black History Month also sheds light on the fight against injustice that Black people have had to gain the right to higher education. According to the NAACP, African American students have only been on ULM’s campus since 1964. The first Black student was Sarah Louise McCoy. The university is still fighting this bad history and trying to forget movements like the request to rename Walker Hall, which came to a halt last spring. ULM needs to recognize its bad history and celebrate the
people that continue to break the barriers for change today. We can hold more events to celebrate Black students and recognize those around us that continue to fight for change. ULM Vice President, Dr. Valerie Fields is the first woman to hold the position. She is an example of the strides that the university since Sarah McCoy. While the university has come a long way, I want to see more. Black History Month is a time for celebration and learning. ULM and its students need to step it up and do more. There need to be marches and art exhibits. ULM should hold talks and conferences to talk about race and diversity on campus. RSOs should do their part to educate students on the history and culture of African Americans in the United States. Black History Month needs to be recognized and celebrated throughout all areas of campus. I expect more from a campus with so many organizations and people dedicated to diversity on campus. This month has been celebrated for a long time, and it is time that ULM jump into 2022 celebrating African Americans.
contact Swikrit Bhattarai at bhattaraisw@warhawks.ulm.edu
Campus
Activity Center should get rid of dress code Olivia Jeansonne Recently, ULM’s Activity Center implemented a dress code that only applies to women. This dress code states that women can no longer wear crop tops or sports bras because of an incident where
a female was being filmed and photographed while working out, according to KNOE. Instead of telling the instigator to stop taking photos, the building just made a dress code for all women, even though the woman was a victim in that situation. The dress code is not a proper action to protect women who want to work out comfortably. SGA is currently trying to get the dress code active for men as well, consisting of no supercut tank tops, but it is still unclear at the Activity Center. Although SGA is taking a step in the right direction for a wrong
decision, two wrongs do not add up to make a right. This dress code was a drastic decision to “fix” a problem when another solution could be applied. According to The Exponent, other schools like Baldwin Wallace University struggle with similar dress code issues, and the students have asked for the dress code to be lifted. The same should happen here. Instead of implementing a dress code that inhibits future women from wearing their choice of clothing, the Activity Center could have told the people taking pictures and videos to stop recording.
They could have also told the harasser to delete said pictures and recordings off their devices or prohibited recording in the workout areas altogether. Instead of applying these alternate solutions, the Activity Center took the easy way out by laying a blanket statement dress code over the victims and potential victims. The instigators of the issue are not the ones receiving any new restrictions or rules, but rather it is the victims receiving restrictions on what they can and cannot wear to work out. The Activity Center’s new dress code does not help the women who
want to peacefully and comfortably work out. The dress code only applying to women is an insensible and unequal decision. After all, why should women have to cover their bellybuttons if men can expose their nipples? If the Activity Center is going to keep the dress code for women, they should make a dress code for men as well. Men instigated the problem in the first place, so if there is a dress code for one, then there is a dress code for all.
contact Olivia Jeansonne at jeansonneo@warhawks.ulm.edu
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
February 14, 2022
OPINION
Politics
Confederate monuments should stay
Lochan Acharya Although the Civil War happened almost 200 years ago, many cities across the South still honor Confederate war heroes through monuments. Removing these statues and monuments has been an ongoing process as the Confederates stood for the disunion of the United States, treason, racism and slavery.
These monuments should not be seen as tributes to slavery or any Confederate cause, but to memorialize great men and fallen soldiers who were faithful to their home state. According to NPR, over 100 Confederate monuments were removed in 2020 alone. These should not be taken down but rather a reminder of the past for future generations. We see the past through the lens of today, and no historical figure can pass this test. If the past is removed, maybe we need to take down the Washington Monument as George Washington was also engaged in slavery. Many other historical figures had some connection or were involved in slavery, treason, oppression or racism, which was the main reason to remove the Confederate monuments.
According to CNN, the Alabama legislative committee has passed two bills to protect Confederate monuments and criminalize people who attempt to remove them. Along with Alabama, five other states have preservation laws to protect the monuments. These bills represent a movement to preserve these monuments. Taking down the monuments has been ongoing, and many monuments are put in a museum or thrown away. If the monuments are taken down, they should be kept in a museum instead of thrown away as it will serve as a reminder that the past should not be repeated. We should put them alongside other monuments to celebrate the elimination of slavery.
contact Lochan Acharya at acharyal@warhawks.ulm.edu
Social Issues
Pageants destroy mental health
Dilasha Acharya Beauty pageants are a timeless tradition that has been held all over the world for all ages. While beauty pageants play a role in women’s empowerment by giving them a platform to establish themselves and make them feel more powerful in society, they also have inevitable backlashes. Although beauty pageants have many positive aspects, their downsides should not be
overlooked. The fundamental goal of beauty pageants is to crown the most attractive and talented female contestant. Most beauty pageants demand ladies have a specific body type or characteristic. Because of this, many women develop insecurities and more severe mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, children who participate in beauty pageants are more likely to develop body dissatisfaction and eating disorders. The level of stress experienced by the participants is excessive. To prepare for a pageant, you must have a wardrobe selected, a talent practiced, be mentally prepared to answer your on-stage questions and on top of that, be considered beautiful enough to enter, according to Pageant Planet. While beauty pageants are said
to promote self-esteem, this is not the case. Instead, it has the opposite effect, leaving many participants with low self-esteem and uncertainties. One recent example of the downsides that beauty pageants can have is the suicide of former Miss USA Cheslie Kryst. According to NBC News, Miss USA 2019 struggled with high functioning depression and her death came as a shock to everyone around her. Beauty pageants must be changed so tragedies like this do not occur. More women should be allowed to compete, and the competition should focus more on uplifting the contestants than tearing them down. Beauty pageants are mesmerizing to watch, but we must think about the contestants as people too. contact Dilasha Acharya at acharyad@warhawks.ulm.edu
photo courtesy MCT Campus
Stubbs 131 700 University Avenue Monroe, LA 71209 Editor-in-Chief - Loryn Kykendall Co-managing Editor News Chloe Chapel Opinion Editor - Maggie Eubanks Arts & Entertainment EditorCarley Nail Sports Editor - Cameron Jett Multimedia Editor - Niraj Shrestha Co-managing Editor Art - Sunil Bishwokarma Photo Editor - Calli Sinclair
The opinions expressed in personal columns are the opinions of the author and not necessarily the opinions of the editors, staff, adviser or the university. Unsigned editorials represent the collective opinion of The Hawkeye’s editorial board, but not necessarily the opinions of the adviser or the university. The Hawkeye (USPS #440-700) is published weekly except vacation, exam & holiday periods by The University of Louisiana at Monroe, 700 University Avenue, Monroe, LA 71209. Annual subscription price is $15.00. Periodicals Postage Paid at Monroe, LA 71203. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Hawkeye, 700 University Ave., Stubbs 131, Monroe, LA 712098832.
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Don’t agree? Let us know! Contact the writers or the editor at eubanksml@warhawks.ulm.edu
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
February 14, 2022
NEWS
Health
photo by Tyler Smith
photo courtesy ULM Photo Services
BE THE MATCH: HOSA partnered with the Be The Match organization to register students to see if they match people who have life threatening blood diseases and need transplants.
Students swab to become potential donors by Chloe Chapel
Every four minutes, someone is diagnosed with some form of blood cancer, according to the Be The Match organization. For those diagnosed, the only cure can oftentimes be bone marrow or cord blood transplant. But 70% of patients who need a transplant don’t have a fully matched donor in their family, according to Be The Match. Organizations such as Be The Match help find potential donors for patients in this situation. Potential donors register by sending in a cheek-swab sample. Then, they check to see if the swabs match anyone who needs a bone marrow or cord blood transplant. If matched with someone, Be The Match will reach out to see if they’re still willing to donate. Last week, HOSA-Future Health Professionals partnered
with Be The Match to find potential donors on campus. Sydney Toms, a senior nursing major, said college campuses are the perfect place to find potential donors because students fit in the age range of donors. “In order to be a donor, you must be between 18 and 40 years old,” Toms said. “Therefore, a college campus is the perfect place to find a high volume of potential young donors who can remain on the registry for many years to come.” Students in the College of Health Studies volunteered to help, and they were able to get dozens of students registered. Lauren Sandino, a sophomore health studies major, said she volunteered to help spread awareness about Be The Match. “I support the goal that Be The Match is working towards— to get more people on the registry so people with different blood diseases will find a match to possibly save their life,”
Sandino said. “I want to be able to reach as many people as possible because you never know if you’ll be the one that the patients’ families have been hoping and praying for.” If students were unable to register at the event, they can register on the Be The Match website and have a cheek swab mailed to them. HOSA will host more events in the future for students to become donors. Toms said more registry drives are planned for the future, and HOSA will be partnering with other RSOs to reach more students. “We are partnering with the College of Pharmacy for a community health fair on March 26 so be on the lookout for more information regarding this event,” Toms said. contact Chloe Chapel at chapelcb@warhawks.ulm.edu
graphic by Chloe Chapel
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
February 14, 2022
NEWS
Health
Fundraiser helps raise money for newborn with birth defect
graphic by Chloe Chapel
by Loryn Kykendall
About 20 weeks into Emily McGuyre’s pregnancy, she discovered her unborn son, Matthew, had a rare birth defect called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia. CDH is a birth defect in which a hole in the diaphragm allows other organs like the intestines and stomach to enter the chest, keeping the lungs from developing normally. Matthew was diagnosed with CDH in September 2021. “Literally from the first day you find out, and they tell you your baby has a 50% chance of living, your entire life changes,” McGuyre said. “Everything you thought you knew goes out the window.” McGuyre said she and her husband’s life flipped upside down. Suddenly, they had appointments every day and constantly traveled to different hospitals for consultations. In early January, McGuyre and her husband, Michael, packed up their life in West Monroe, moved six hours away to Houston and left their two-year-old daughter behind to give Matthew the best chance of living by getting treatment at Texas Children’s Hospital. Matthew was born nearly three weeks ago on Jan. 26. According to McGuyre, he’s doing much better than they expected. “Seeing him every day getting bigger and stronger graphic by Sunil Bishwokarma
gives us so much hope for the future,” McGuyre said. “We have to keep our sights focused on the long-term goal—getting him home happy and healthy and having our family reunited in our own home.” But being in Houston put McGuyre and her husband out of work. They needed help with travel expenses and treatment costs. Last week, they teamed up with Chicken Salad Chick to host a fundraiser to help with their expenses. McGuyre’s sister, Gabby Ballew, is a senior communication major at ULM. She helped with the fundraiser for her nephew. In the one-day fundraiser, nearly $1,000 was raised. Ballew said she and her family are thankful for the help they’ve received from friends, coworkers and the community. “I am thankful for the unending support of my professors for helping me still succeed even with my nephew’s health,” Ballew said. Sydney Russo, also a senior communication major, donated to support her classmate and the McGuyres. She said a situation like this can happen to anyone at any time, and that’s why it’s important to support others. “If I was in that position with my son or my nephews, I would hope people would show up for my family,” Russo said. contact Loryn Kykendall at kykendalllk@warhawks.ulm.edu
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
February 14, 2022
NEWS
Politics
photo courtesy Louisiana State Police
VIDEO EVIDENCE: Two years after Ronald Greene’s death, AP News obtained the body camera footage of Louisiana state troopers who tased, punched and dragged Greene during an arrest.
Texts reveal Gov. Edwards was notified of Ronald Greene’s death
by Maggie Eubanks
Gov. John Bel Edwards recently came under question about his knowledge surrounding the death of Ronald Greene. Greene died in police custody near Monroe after a high-speed chase. According to KTVE, Louisiana State Police initially stated Greene died due to injuries he suffered that occurred at the end of the police chase. But the coroner’s report showed Greene died due to excessive trauma caused by police. Edwards is now involved in an investigation by the Louisiana House of Representatives to discover what he knew about the case, according to CNN. An AP News investigation found
messages sent from the Louisiana Police Department to Edwards briefly after Greene died in custody. According to The Advocate, the governor claims the message he received was part of an emergency messaging system between himself and the state police and involved no details about the case other than the original story the police gave. Edwards said he did not know the event’s details until 2020 when he saw the body cam footage. But many are questioning why Edwards has stayed silent on the issue for so long, even after seeing the footage. Kara Stanley, a sophomore computer science major, said this case
of police brutality is different because they stayed silent to cover it up. “This case is different from many others considering how quiet everything has been along with the cover-up as a whole,” Stanley said. “These officers participated in a cover-up to protect themselves, their names and their reputation.” Stanley said she is unsure of photo courtesy AP News whether the governor had all COVERUP OR CLUELESS: Ronald Greene’s family demands Gov. Edwards the information or not but that a resign because they believe he was involved in covering up Greene’s death, more formal investigation would according to KPLC News. have occurred if he did. This case has been a wake-up conversation of how the communi- what I want to change. I’d like call for many in Louisiana about ty can better protect all its citizens. better protection for the Black how quickly and efficiently the “I’m concerned about my procommunity.” police can cover up violence. Cases tection and my family’s protection contact Maggie Eubanks at eubanksml@warhawks.ulm.edu like Greene’s have started a larger as a whole,” Stanley said. “That’s
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
February 14, 2022
NEWS
Feature
photo by Bidhan Phuyal
photo courtesy ULM Photo Services
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS: Burton’s heart is drawn to ULM because it allowed him to find his authentic self. Now, he hopes to give students the same experience through recruiting.
Burton helps students discover authentic selves by Chloe Chapel
Erick Burton sat in his dorm room anxiously anticipating the reveal of the 2021 Black Lives Matter letters. A week before the event, ULM made a Facebook page to announce it, and dozens of people commented in opposition. Burton wondered to himself if people were “going to mob or were they going to protest?” the next day. He prayed the event would be peaceful because he knew it needed to happen for the students at ULM. Finally the day came, and maybe there wouldn’t be mobs of people that would stop the reveal from happening—it might be the weather. No matter what severe weather was on its way, Burton knew this was his chance for his voice and the voices of his community to be heard on campus. So he marched to the letters with fear of protesters and severe weather, but also with the expectation of unity. “There was a 100% chance of rain […], and as the program was going, I wasn’t even thinking about it,” Burton said. “When I was getting ready to give closing remarks, I stood at the podium, looked over at Dr. Berry as he stood under the library overhang, and the sun beamed directly on him. I don’t know what everyone believed, but the spirit showed it was pleased, and this needed to be done.” This moment was special for Burton and Berry because they had a strong relationship.
Months before the reveal of the Black Lives Matter letters, Burton and many other students wanted to start an organization that was a safe place for all students after the death of George Floyd polarized the country. Originally, the plan was for a Black Lives Matter organi-
You are different, but embrace those differences because that’s why you’re here. Erick Burton, enrollment services specialist
zation, but Burton had the idea for the Cultural Diversity Council. “Out of nowhere, it hit me. I said, ‘Wait a minute, let’s think about this. It’s Black lives today, but it could be somebody else tomorrow,’” Burton said. Once Burton and other students presented the idea to Berry and other professors, such as Brooke Foy, they received overwhelming support. The CDC took off after the revealing of the letters. It went
from 12 members to 70 within a month. Burton never dreamed he would be part of something like this—something that could help students embrace their authentic selves in a safe space. From the time he was young, Burton knew he wanted to embrace who he is and allow others to do so too, but he didn’t know how to make that possible. Growing up he knew he was different, but he didn’t quite understand how. “I knew I was different, but I [wondered] is it good or is it bad?” Burton said. “It took me until I got to ULM […] to realize it was a good thing.” He felt tied to ULM. After graduating, Burton had a job lined up. But after starting the CDC, he realized something was calling him back to ULM. He went to Berry’s office and told him he felt compelled to stay. After looking into various positions and trying out jobs, he became an enrollment services specialist. “ULM gave me the opportunity to rethink, refocus and gave me the chance to be who I am,” Burton said. “I can go out and tell those students, ‘Hey, I know a place, and if you’ll let me, I’ll take you there.’”
contact Chloe Chapel at chapelcb@warhawks.ulm.edu
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
February 14 , 2022
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Campus Event
photos by Calli Sinclair
SING THE NIGHT AWAY: ULM’s Got Talent participants show their talent through vocal performances in hopes of winning first place.
ULM’s Got Talent showcases passion, skills by Simanta Ghimire
Last Wednesday, Brown Auditorium was filled with beautiful voices, mesmerizing instrumentals and unbelievable talent. Students held onto the edge of their seats as the performers grabbed their attention. Every year, the CAB organizes ULM’s Got Talent, where students can show off their talents while competing for cash prizes. Liam Morrison, a psychology graduate student, amused the crowd with his vocals, singing a medley of great hits including, “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child and “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor. The crowd was excited as Morrison performed and took first place, winning the cash prize of $300. Junior computer information systems major Jaylen Wade showed his piano talent and left the crowd speechless. He won a $200 cash prize coming in second place. Jaylen Wade introduced himself as a TikToker under the handle jaywade.keys. He has over 1.5 million followers on TikTok and has a way with the keys.
Senior political science major Ryan Petersen and junior music major Ethan Williams finished third for their collaborative drumming performance. ULM’s Got Talent was also open for non-students to attend. CAB public relations officer Nishma Gautam said, “This event is not just limited to ULM students, but we have an audience in the stand from all over the city for the appreciation of the talents.” Gautam, a senior political science major, said this is the perfect time of the year for this event to happen because the college schedule is usually free enough to have a night out full of entertainment. The show was a good place for students to take a break from their busy schedules and have their minds off the stress of school for a few hours. “With the hectic schedule during the school days, taking a break to do something you love is always a peaceful thing,” said freshman computer science major and People’s Choice Award winner Prabesh Thapa.
STRUM THE PAIN AWAY: Prabesh Thapa sings “Easy On Me” by Adele in Nepali and English while playing his guitar.
Ramesh Ranabhat, a freshman computer science major, said it’s great to see someone follow their passion. The show lasted about two hours and mostly the contestants showed their singing skills and their vocals.
However, the variety found within the fondness and passion of the students made it look more than joyful and was definitely worth it. contact Simanta Ghimire at ghimiresi@warhawks.ulm.edu
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
February 14, 2022
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Recommendations
Black musicians to spotlight this month
Tobe Nwigwe Tobe Nwigwe is a rapper and singer from Houston, Texas. He posted music videos on social media in 2016 and appeared at the BET HipHop Awards in 2018. In 2020, Nwigwe released “I Need You To (Breonna Taylor)” and it went viral on many social media platforms. The song acts as a service announcement repeating the line “Arrest the killers of Breonna Taylor.” Nwigwe has also released songs like “Eat” and “Make It Home” that speak out against social injustice. “Make It Home” talks about the fears of African Americans while also mentioning their history. Nwigwe tells the story of his childhood and loss through melodious sound and powerful lyrics.
Common Common started his rap career in the 1980s, but he didn’t gain popularity until 10 years later. Common addresses many issues of the Black community through his lyrics. In his song “Imagine,” he talks about what paradise would be. Black people wouldn’t have targets on their backs, and the extreme criminalization of drugs would not exist. Common also made a song with John Legend called “Glory.” Their song was featured on the soundtrack of the film “Selma.” “Glory” focuses on the fight for freedom, history and unity. Common shares his experiences and heartache through poetic phrases and rhythmic beats.
Leon Bridges Leon Bridges is a soul singer and songwriter that released his first album, “Coming Home,” in 2015. “Coming Home” recognizes his background growing up in New Orleans and his family history. The album gives a mix of soul, jazz and gospel. The songs “Brown Skin Girl” and “Lisa Sawyer” give tribute to the Black women in his life and their importance. In Bridges’ newest album, “Gold-Diggers Sound,” he released a song called “Sweeter” that tells of his hopes for a sweeter life. He said, “Why do I fear with skin dark as night?” Bridges brings to light the lack of peace in today’s society. He sings about mothers crying and lost life, but also hope.
Sam Cooke Even though the song didn’t release until two weeks after his death, Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” became an anthem of the Civil Rights movement. The single was first released in 1964, but the lyrics are timeless, telling the story of the fight that African Americans have even today. “A Change Is Gonna Come” shows the hurt of the Black community but also gives encouragement and hope. His music speaks on serious divides by using sophisticated lines and soul. This is Cooke’s most known song, but he has more great music you should add to your playlist. I recommend “You Send Me” and “Bring It On Home To Me.”
Maverick City Music Maverick City Music is usually known for their gospel music. But on Juneteenth of last year, they released “Jubilee: Juneteenth Edition.” The intro of the album tells why Juneteenth is celebrated. It said, “If everybody’s not free, then nobody’s free.” And this idea continues throughout the album. “Jubliee: Juneteenth Edition” combines Maverick City’s gospel sentiment and musical progression with Black history and moving forward from that history. Maverick City’s song “Same Blood” speaks specifically about division and how we should be united.
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February 14, 2022
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Movie Review
‘Marry Me’ offers nothing new to rom-coms by Carley Nail
Couples and friends worldwide are looking for ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Some may celebrate on dates and others by having a girl’s night. Either way, there is one thing that has become a staple in almost everyone’s Valentine’s Day— romantic comedies. “Marry Me” is a new romantic comedy released in time for Valentine’s Day on Feb.11. The movie stars Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson as the main characters, Kat Valdez and Charlie Gilbert. Lopez acts as a major music artist who will soon marry the love of her life in front of millions of people. At the last moment, she finds out her fiancé cheated. Then, Valdez impulsively marries
a stranger in the crowd who came to watch her wedding. “Marry Me” tells the story of how two different people with opposite lifestyles come together in a sudden moment to intertwine their lives forever. The movie also focuses on social media. Valdez uses social media for many aspects of her life, while Gilbert still uses a flip phone. In scenes revolving around Valdez’s social media or fans, the filmmakers are trying too hard to make the movie fit in with the modern-day crowd as if this generation is only worried about social media and how many followers they have. The film focuses on fitting in with the younger generations so much that it seems forced and out of place. The film has a few details and
scenes that differ from other romantic comedies, but it still has the plot of every other romantic comedy— a successful gorgeous woman somehow falls in love with an average goofy-looking man. When it comes to romantic comedies, “Marry Me” is basic. Whether you love or hate them, everyone has seen romantic comedies. And this one does not stick out to me. If you are looking for a movie that has all the markers of a cheesy rom-com, this one might be right up your alley. But if you are looking for something new and unexpected, “Marry Me” probably isn’t what you are looking for. Take your girlfriend to see “Uncharted” instead. You can never go wrong with Tom Holland. contact Carley Nail at nailcn@warhawks.ulm.edu
Recommendations
Fall in love with these books on Valentine’s Day
Americanah “Americanah” follows the story of Ifemelu and Obinze, two Nigerian teenagers who meet in high school and fall in love. The story is set during the reign of the Nigerian Armed Forces. Renowned author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, wrote this book among other bestsellers like “The Purple Hibiscus” and “Half of a Yellow Sun.” “Americanah” is especially popular because of the undiluted realism of the two lovebirds’ struggles searching for better opportunities abroad. “Americanah” gives the saying, “If it’s meant to be, it will be” a deeper meaning.
How To Fall In Love Do you believe you can give someone that has given up on life a reason to live? Christine takes on this mountain-like task when she makes a deal with desperate Adam on the Halfpenny Bridge. This tear-jerking read was written by Cecelia Ahern, who also wrote “P.S. I Love You” and “The Lyrebird.” Ahern is famous for her strong supporting characters. Read as Christine goes on a personal journey of finding herself and healing by engaging with the real world rather than the “How To” self-help books she collects.
Red, White & Royal Blue You’ll be apprehensive as you follow Alex, the First Son of America, and Prince Henry of Wales. This hilarious love story was written by Casey McQuiston. “Red, White, and Royal Blue” is famous for its colorful diversity. McQuiston’s book features a female Republican American president, and one of the main characters is even biracial. This is a must-read for how accurately it reflects and confronts some of society’s most blatant problems.
The Love Hypothesis “The Love Hypothesis” narrates the scandalous story of Olive, a demisexual Ph.D. biology student, and Adam, a young professor at her university. This burning tale begins when Olive desperately kisses Adam to show her best friend, Ahn, that she is happily in love and has a relationship. Despite the main plot being quite a cliché, it is a book you won’t want to put down. The author, Ali Hazelwood, specializes in writing books centered around women in academia. The book adds color to the spectrum of what love can look like and how it is expressed.
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February 14, 2022
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Crossword
Horoscope Aries Group efforts flourish, with Mercury in Aquarius. Connect with friends over the next three weeks. Teamwork thrives through communication. Find resources in your social networks.
Taurus Professional creativity flowers over three weeks, with Mercury in Aquarius. Patiently solve tests, puzzles and challenges. Polish marketing materials and promotions. Communication benefits your career.
Gemini Study, research and investigate. Over three weeks, with Mercury in Aquarius, you’re especially clever with problem solving. Explore new possibilities. Make long-distance connections. Across 1 Erykah Badu hairdo 5 In pieces 10 The Beatles’ Pepper, e.g.: Abbr. 13 Attired 14 Pennsylvania in Washington, for example 15 Couple’s pronoun 16 Alliterative union litigator 18 State sch. with campuses in Providence 19 DoorDash rival 20 It follows dawn 22 Ancestry.com concern 23 Wicked one 25 Alliterative craftsperson 30 Lawyers: Abbr. 33 To no avail 34 On a cruise, say 36 __ Tin Tin 37 Discover 38 Word that fittingly fills the blanks in “_ _ propria _ e”
39 About to explode 41 Rapper __ Kim 42 “__, Brute?” 44 Nativity display 45 Quite often 47 Alliterative marriage specialist 49 Malodorous 51 One-named “Cheap Thrills” singer 52 ‘90s trade acronym 54 Rain in light drops 59 NFL’s Cardinals 60 Alliterative accompanist 63 Anatomical pouch 64 Being 65 Act the blowhard 66 Civil War nickname 67 Indoor parking lot features 68 Nordstrom rival
Down 1 Censorshipfighting org. 2 Love handles, essentially 3 Broccoli __ 4 Aroma 5 Personal user pic 6 Seats with kneelers 7 “__ questions?” 8 Regret 9 Brusque 10 Music for a movie 11 Trusted adviser 12 Excursion 14 Group co-founded by Bill W.’s wife 17 Merlot or Syrah 21 Acapulco article 23 Big celebration 24 Anger 25 Novelist Cather 26 Negro Leagues legend Buck __ 27 Presidential workplace 28 Patriotic org. since 1890 29 Dead, as an engine 31 Church donation 32 Contemptuous
look 35 “Par avion” letters 38 Just slightly 40 “The Crying Game” actor Stephen 43 “Enough!” in a text 44 Happy as a lark? 46 Hanoi holiday 48 $100 bills, in slang 50 Narrow to a point 52 Astronaut’s insignia 53 Speedy steed 54 Barbershop sound 55 Apprehends 56 Actress Sedgwick 57 Plumbing problem 58 Units of work 61 “Be there __ sec!” 62 Bank convenience, for short
Cancer Discuss family financial goals and visions, with Mercury in Aquarius for three weeks. Planning provides power. Profit through shared communication, diplomacy and charm.
Leo Brainstorm in creative collaboration over three weeks, with Mercury in Aquarius. Listen to your partner. Learn from a master. Share views, dreams and your heart.
Virgo Talk about health, fitness and vitality. Get expert coaching and support. Streamline routines over three weeks, with Mercury in Aquarius. Research and learn.
Courtesy of MCT Campus
Libra Practice hobbies, sports and crafts with family and friends. Learn new games, skills and programs, with Mercury in Aquarius. Express your artistry and passion.
Scorpio Domestic bliss arises in conversation over the next three weeks, with Mercury in Aquarius. Discuss family plans and home renovation ideas. Share and connect.
Sagittarius Write and share your story. You’re especially clever and creative with intellectual puzzles, words and artistic expression, with Mercury in Aquarius. Complexities fascinate.
Capricorn Profits flow through communications, with Mercury in Aquarius over three weeks. Negotiate and bargain. Make your pitch. Market and promote. Find resources in conversation.
Aquarius Begin a creative, clever and expressive phase, with Mercury in your sign. You learn quickly over the next three weeks. Tell your story. Discuss possibilities.
Pisces Peaceful contemplation beckons under Aquarius Mercury. Complete projects over three weeks. Listen to dreams. Review and revise plans. Meditate. Creativity and imagination flower.
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
February 14, 2022
SPORTS
Men’s Basketball
Warhawks claim victory over UTA, bested by Bobcats by Cameron Jett
The Warhawks appear to be a team that lives and dies by the 3-point shot. Their 41% shooting from beyond the arc guided them to their final-ever win over UT Arlington as a Sun Belt Conference opponent and secured their third-straight win. A missed shot from the Mavericks with six seconds remaining handed ULM a 74-71 win in Monroe. But the Warhawks’ fortunes were reversed against Texas State last Saturday. ULM was a chilly 22% on its 3-pointers against the Bobcats. Despite the rough offensive outing, there was still hope for the Warhawks as the game approached two minutes remaining. Thomas Howell snagged an offensive rebound off a missed 3-pointer by Elijah Gonzalez. Trailing by five points, Howell looked to dish to a teammate ready to take a shot, but a Bobcat defend-
FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS: Thomas Howell (top left) celebrates after a throwdown on multiple UTA defenders. Koreem Ozier (right) blows by a defender. Andre Jones (bottom left) finishes off a lob pass.
er found the ball instead. Texas State played through the 30-second shot clock and turned the match into a game of free throws and fouls. The Bobcats left Fant-Ewing Coliseum with their fifth-straight win after besting the Warhawks 63-54. Andre Jones was the one consistent factor through both games. The reigning Sun Belt Player of the Week scored a combined 43 points to lead the ULM offense. Jones’ mentality was to make up for any mistakes he made and then repeat the effort. “When I drive it, I try not to miss anything,” Jones said. “If I do miss, I try to make two more layups after I miss one to make up for that miss. It was just going for me today.” Jones proved to be a man of his word. He finished the night shooting 10-of-15 against UTA. ULM had a rough home stay before its match up with the Mavericks. This win brought confidence to
head coach Keith Richard. “At home, we finally held somebody off,” Richard said. But Richard’s Warhawks were quickly taken out of their groove against Texas State. Texas State took full advantage of ULM’s missed shots and mistakes. The Bobcats scored 12 points off fast break opportunities. ULM, meanwhile, hit just one free throw off a transition foul. The bench also failed to produce in their limited minutes. Luke Phillips hit a 3-pointer in his only shot of the game, but nobody else found the bottom of the net coming off the bench. This week ULM faces Louisiana-Lafayette. Neither team has swept the other in four seasons. ULM looks to defend the nest on Thursday and steal one in Cajun Country on Saturday. contact Cameron Jett at jettcm@warhawks.ulm.edu
photos by Samir Gurung
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
February 14, 2022
SPORTS
Women’s Basketball
photos courtesy ULM Athletics
Whittington shines in trio of losses for Warhawks by Jonah Bostick
A WALKING BUCKET: Freshman Kyren Whittington scored 64 points through three conference match ups last week.
ULM women’s basketball went into last week on a 11-game losing streak. With a three-game week ahead of them the Warhawks hoped to snap their losing skid. The trend of the week was Kyren Whittington delivering much of the offensive production while her team failed to provide second and third options. The Warhawks played Arkansas State in their first match up of the week. This game was a reschedule from two weeks ago. The game was postponed due to a water leak inside Fant-Ewing Coliseum. The game started out with a 3-pointer for the Warhawks. The Red Wolves responded with a 16-2 scoring run. The first quarter ended with a 25-16 lead for the Red Wolves. The second quarter featured a much closer game with the Warhawks closing the lead gap to four with 1:13 left. Seven unanswered points from the Red Wolves produced a halftime score of 46-35. In the third quarter, both teams struggled to find offensive production.
The Red Wolves ended the quarter with an 18-point lead, using 3-pointers and free throw shooting throughout the quarter. Arkansas State finished the game with another low scoring fourth quarter, and they would keep the Warhawks at bay with an 8260 win. Whittington led the Warhawks with 23 points in her third straight game of at least 20 points. She also had two rebounds and a steal. The second game featured UT Arlington and their dangerous shooting offense. The game started close with a 7-6 score in favor of UTA. The Mavericks closed the first quarter with a 17-2 scoring run that would put them up 24-8. The second quarter proved to be tightly contested with both teams trading blows. At the half, the Mavericks would hold a 42-24 lead. The rest of the game would be the same result. Although ULM played a close game for the most part, the 17-2 scoring run in the first quarter ended any chance ULM had at winning. Whittington continued to lead her team,
scoring 15 points with six rebounds and three assists. Kierra Crocket also scored 10 points and had four rebounds. In the final match up versus Texas State, the Warhawks started off with a 20-13 lead before a last second Texas State 3-pointer made it a four-point game. ULM kept control in the second quarter, and held an eight-point lead with a halftime score of 37-29 But in the third quarter the Warhawks lost all forms of offensive production and were outscored 21-10 which gave the Bobcats a 50-47 lead. In the fourth quarter, Texas State once again kept the Warhawks offense at bay by only allowing 11 points. In the end the Bobcats won a close game 66-58. Despite losing the game, Whittington would put together another outstanding performance, putting up a stat line of 26 points, with four rebounds, two assists and two steals. However, no one else on the team scored more than six points. contact Jonah Bostick at bostickjm@warhawks.ulm.edu
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
February 14, 2022
SPORTS
Softball
photos by Carley Nail
FIRST IMPRESSION: In the trilogy of wins to start the season, some first-year players had the greatest impact.
Fichtner’s Warhawks soar in season opener by Maggie Eubanks
The Warhawks kicked off their season last weekend at the Best on the Bayou Classic. Gaining three dominating wins, ULM proved the best team is on the bayou. With one win on Friday over Mississippi Valley State and two wins on Saturday over Southern IllinoisEdwardsville and Morehead State, the Warhawks looked unbeatable. The true hero of Friday night was the LSU transfer freshman Victoria Abrams. In her first start as a Warhawk, Abrams threw a perfect game through four innings. After some trouble on the mound in the fifth, she was relieved by freshman Kinsey Kackley. Together, they combined to throw a no-hitter against the Devilletes. “Victoria did an incredible job setting the tone for the pitching
staff this season,” ULM head coach Molly Fichtner said. “It was fun to watch and created excitement and energy for our program and fans.” Offensively the Warhawks teamed up to score 13 runs in the runrule victory. Five players had an RBI with senior Kennedy Page leading at the plate with three hits, one double and three RBIs. Freshman Gabby Davila also had an impressive performance in her collegiate debut with two hits, one home run and four RBIs. On Saturday, the Warhawks wrote much of the same story they did on Friday. SIUE scored first in the matchup, but ULM responded quickly at the bottom of the first. Leadoff hitter freshman Lourdes Bacon got things moving for the Warhawks by getting an inside-the-park home run off a bunt single and an error
by the third baseman. Freshman Alexis Chavez got an RBI single with two outs to plate another run for ULM to tie things up 2-2. Freshman Jacelyn Buck ended the scoring in the first inning with another run to give the Warhawks the lead at 3-2. ULM continued to add to their lead, gaining a 6-2 win, but a two-run home run cut the lead to 6-4. Errors and walks were the downfalls for SIUE as all the Warhawks’ remaining runs came from them. The final score was 9-4. The last game of the day for ULM came against Morehead State. Sophomore Kassidy Giddens freshman Kinsey Kackley combined for a shutout run-rule victory over MSU. contact Maggie Eubanks at eubanksml@warhawks.ulm.edu