Women’s Symposium embraces female leaders P 8
P
Baseball earns 1st ever win against 16 Chanticleers
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
VOLUME 101 ISSUE 8
www.ulmhawkeyeonline.com
Opinion: Girl Scout cookies are overrated, boring
March 21, 2022
P 4
Students brighten campus at Holi Festival of Colors P 10
Female activists who are changing the world
P 11
Educators Rising awarded $100,000 grant P 6
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March 21, 2022
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
BRIEFS CALENDAR Monday, March
21
Warhawk Style Show, 11:30 a.m., Bayou Park
Tuesday, March
22
Elevator pitch competition, 2 p.m., The Hangar
Wednesday, March 23 Career fair employer panel, 12:30 p.m., The Hangar
Thursday, March
24
Custom street signs, 11 a.m., Bayou Park
25
Friday, March
Oozeball, 10 a.m., University Park green lot
Saturday, March
26
Spring into Health, 10 a.m., Monroe Zoo
Sunday, March
27
No events planned
Texas
US
Civil rights groups sue over legislative districts
At least 50 homes lost Hair discrimination act Zelenskyy urges direct talks with Putin in Carbon wildfire approved by House
News Star- Four Black residents and two civil rights organizations filed a lawsuit Monday in an effort to block new political maps for the Louisiana House and Senate from taking effect. The plaintiffs allege the Louisiana Legislature’s new maps, which are to be used in the 2023 elections, don’t include enough majority-Black districts and violate the federal Voting Rights Act. They are asking the court to throw out the approved maps and to set a “reasonable deadline” for state government to come up with new ones. If the state misses that deadline, plaintiffs asked the court to adopt maps that include three more majority-Black Senate seats.
MCT- West Texas families are going back to their homes in Carbon after evacuating because of the Eastland Complex wildfire, to find rubble and ash where their houses used to be. Debbie Copeland, one resident, took to Facebook live around 6 a.m. Friday to show the world the damage the fire has done. “We just came out to look at what’s left and there’s nothing left,” Copeland said through tears in the video. As she pans the video over the ruins of her home, in which Copeland told Fort Worth Star-Telegram news partner WFAA-TV she had lived for 20 years, viewers can see ash, rubble, burnt rock and brick.
MCTThe U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill Friday that seeks to protect Americans from discrimination based on the texture and style of their hair. The CROWN Act, led by a cohort of Black women lawmakers including U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., mirrors measures that have already become law in more than a dozen states. The federal bill, which has the support of President Joe Biden, was passed largely along party lines after many Republicans derailed a vote last month. Minnesota’s delegation split in similar fashion, with Democrats voting in favor of the bill and Republicans voting against it.
MCT- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday called for direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin as Russian forces pushed deeper into the beleaguered southern port city of Mariupol, with heavy street battles shutting down a major steel plant and hampering rescue efforts. Military skirmishes erupted across the heart of Mariupol’s city center, obstructing local efforts to rescue hundreds of people believed to be trapped in the basement of a theater struck by a bomb or missile Wednesday. Russia denied bombing the theater, where hundreds of people — mostly women, children and the elderly — were reported to have sought refuge. d
QUOTE
Ukraine
Louisiana
GOTCHA!
“It is the sufferings of the many which pay for the luxuries of a few.”
March 21 1963: Alcatraz prison in San Francisco Bay closes.
Greta Thunberg, activist
2006: Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter, sent the first public tweet: “just setting up my twttr.” 2014: Russia formally annexes Crimea amid international condemnation.
Front page credits: Main photo: Calli Sinclair Top left photo: Breanna White Top right photo: Maggie Eubanks Bottom sidebar photo: Calli Sinclair
TODAY IN HISTORY
photo by Calli Sinclair
The International Student Association hosted Holi, the festival of color, last Thursday in Bayou Park.
2018: Mark Zuckerberg admits Facebook “made mistakes” after data on 50 million users is harvested by Cambridge Analytica.
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March 21, 2022
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
BRIEFS
Campus
This week blasts off with Spring Fever festivities ULM’s annual Spring Fever Week launches March 21 with the theme “Ace in Space.” The cosmic-themed week of events will kick off with free lunch, henna tattoos and a selfie booth in Bayou Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ace in Space t-shirts will be on sale in Bayou Park every day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fun activities, which are free to all students, faculty and staff, will be available every day this week, ranging from the Warhawk style show on Monday to Oozeball on Friday. Joel Sinclair, the coordinator of student activities for the Office of Student Engagement, which hosts Spring Fever Week, said this week has a big impact on campus. “Spring Fever Week provides students, faculty and staff with a reason to go about campus and engage with our student groups and make some memories as we move closer to the end of the school year,” Sinclair said. graphic courtesy ULM Photo Services
graphic courtesy ULM CAB
Music
Culture
Employment
VAPA hosts annual Brass Day, features Dallas Brass
UNITY III connects ULM, community through music
Career Center hosts fulltime job, internship fair
VAPA’s annual Brass Day is next Monday, March 28. Brass Day is a day of performances and clinics for local student brass players and percussionists. Students can register online any time or on campus at Biedenharn Recital Hall from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Brass Day. Dallas Brass, a musical ensemble, will participate as guest artists and clinicians. James Boldin, a music professor, said Dallas Brass and ULM faculty will teach several masterclasses and sessions that will help students improve their skills. “We are especially excited about this year’s Brass Day because high school and college attendees will have the opportunity to share the stage and perform a work with Dallas Brass,” Boldin said.
Last Saturday, Greater New Antioch Baptist Church hosted “UNITY III—A Community Celebration of Equality and Inclusion Joining in Song.” The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Office of International and Cultural Affairs, ULM Choral and Bayou Masterworks Choral sponsored the event. UNITY III celebrated cultural diversity and inclusion and used music as a tool to unite everyone. ULM students and community members began by carrying the flags of their countries in a parade. Eleven countries were represented. Joyce Zhou, a ULM marketing professor from China, led the parade with a dance. The Bayou Masterworks Chorale and the ULM Concert Choir also performed a song at the program.
Students will have the chance to explore job and internship positions this Wednesday, March 24 at the Full-time Job and Internship Fair. From 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the Hangar, 25 employers will recruit students for potential full-time jobs and internships. Employers at the event will include The Center for Children and Families, the Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice, Natchitoches Regional Medical Center and Business Alliance Financial Services. Students and alumni can attend, and free professional headshots will be available for attendees. For more information contact Kristin Chandler, the director of the Career Center, at morris@ulm.edu.
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
March 21, 2022
OPINION
Politics
Florida bill good for parents
Cameron Jett
photo courtesy MCT Campus
Florida’s state government has been under enormous scrutiny over the past few years. Their relaxed stances on COVID guidelines and restrictions received backlash from left-leaning voters and politicians. Now the Sunshine State and its Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, are being criticized for passing the Parental Rights in Education bill that is set to go into effect in July. This bill has been dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill by those opposing it. Critics of the bill claim that it will limit discussions on sexual
orientation and identity in a way that will negatively impact LGBTQ students. I would be on their side had I not read the bill myself. This bill is a win for parents that has been downplayed by overblown controversy. In the seven-page bill there is a one sentence section that is responsible for almost all the controversy around it. The bill states that schools shall not give instruction on sexual identity or orientation. However, the bill is clear by stating that this does not apply to all grades and ages. In fact, the bill’s stated limitations only apply to students in kindergarten through third grade. If the bill were to limit discussion in schools at large—or even until high school—I would be against it. Students should be able to discuss their identities in a productive and positive manner in school, but that time is well after the third grade. I’m also not saying that kids below the third grade should not have any knowledge on the LGBTQ
community, but at that age it should be left to their parents to have that conversation with them. Such a broad topic poses many challenges for educators, and it’s possible that education on sexual identity would lead to more confusion than clarity for students under the age of 10. The rest of the bill introduces positive changes and reinforces parents’ right to know what their children are learning. The other six-and-a-half pages lay out what parents will have unobstructed access to regarding their children’s medical and school history. The bill offers clear-cut instructions for resolving issues between schools and parents, and it will even appoint an official to rule in favor of one party if there are difficulties between parents and the school board. Overall, this bill is a win for parents to keep an eye on how their children are taught in school. contact Cameron Jett at jettcm@warhawks.ulm.edu
Pop Culture
The cookies just aren’t crumblin’
Beau Benoit You would be hard-pressed to find someone who has never heard of Girl Scout Cookies. The household name has penetrated every corner of every
pantry in many American homes. But are they popular because of quality, or is it simply the sheer quantity of boxes sold? According to Fox Business, roughly 200 million boxes of Girl Scout Cookies are sold annually. But Girl Scout Cookies are the pop radio of sweets. They’re sustainable, but never quite satisfying and slightly annoying. To clarify, the organization is not in any way obnoxious. The business model and product is outdated. Today’s flavors have not changed much. Since the mid 20th century, people have been able to enjoy classics like Thin Mints, Peanut
Butter Sandwiches (Do-si-dos), and Shortbread cookies (Trefoils). Between their conception and now, no new flavors have endured the same amount of time as the three previous behemoths, except the Caramel deLites/Samoas. The lack of innovation is stalling the relevancy of Girl Scout Cookies. Girl Scouts have tried adding caramel or coconut, but the small change can only go so far, and after the low fat and health conscious craze of the late 20th century, the current trend is to simply opt for a healthy alternative rather than a lifeless shell of a cookie. The Girl Scouts should run a poll
to see what type of cookie would be most popular to create next, and have it named by the consumers in a contest. Imagine the delight of not only suggesting the next big flavor but also having your name immortalized on a box of cookies. Something dangerous to every food business is the dreaded knockoff brand. What could be more damaging than an imposter product occupying your shelf space, or even worse, being the favored brand? Infamously, the debate between animal-shaped cheese crackers, Whales and Goldfish, has broken
friendships. Girl Scout Cookies had the same fate, and every day of the year store shelves are stocked with similar cookies and treats that rival the real deal. Let’s face it, Girl Scout Cookies are not going anywhere. They’re a staple in our culture, and the organization grows to this day. Sure the innovation is lacking and the flavors are stuck in the decade they were invented, but with a loyal fanbase that keeps coming back, it’s certainly possible we will never see how this cookie crumbles. contact Beau Benoit at benoitbb@warhawks.ulm.edu
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
March 21, 2022
OPINION
Campus
ULM must do more for women’s history
Carley Nail March is not only a time for spring weather and looking for leprechauns. It is also a time for women to be spotlighted and celebrated as more than mothers and wives. Women’s History Month celebrates women and the accomplishments they have made throughout history. ULM has shown their support in a few different ways, but there could have been some more
acknowledgement about women’s history. ULM recently hosted their annual Women’s Symposium where many panelists spoke about women and their experiences. There were nine different panels where the speakers talked about how they show womanhood in their field of study. This was a great event for students and the public to learn more about women and the trials they face. On International Women’s Day, ULM’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion invited faculty and staff to an event called “Coffee and Chat” to celebrate. But there was nothing held for the students. While events like this are important and should be continued, hosting an event like this for students is something I would like to see. ULM has also given a spotlight
post dedicated to Liz Pierre on their social media. This is a great effort to shed light on empowering women. But this was posted on March 17. At this point, the month is almost over. The university should spotlight a different woman in ULM’s history every week of the month in March by posting them and telling of their accomplishments. Although this won’t be able to happen this year, this is an idea that could be used next year. Spotlighting different women constantly shows dedication and continual support. ULM can be applauded for many of their events hosted for Women’s History Month, but there is still room to grow. contact Carley Nail at nailcn@warhawks.ulm.edu
International Aid
Students urge ULM to speak up
Maggie Eubanks The conflict in Ukraine is still going on and shows no signs of slowing down. While those in Ukraine are facing the most hardship, there are students here at ULM who need help. As of March 19, ULM has made no official statement about the war in Ukraine. While it might not seem like much, an official statement of support from the university could go a long way for Ukrainian students.
Last week, the Hawkeye printed a letter to the editor from a Ukrainian student. She mentioned that the best way to support Ukraine is to speak out against Russia, attend protests and donate to organizations in Ukraine. While students can do this themselves, if the university were to take an official stance and show students how to do this, ULM would be able to make more of an impact. I understand that ULM has to be careful. Russian students also go here. But I do not see this conflict as Ukrainian people vs. Russian people. This conflict is the Russian government vs. the world. According to CNN, there have been protests around the world, including Russia, to speak out against the war. It is time that ULM joins the conversation.
The university should hold talks and panels for students to voice their opinions and concerns. They should offer assistance to international students who have felt financial and emotional burdens due to the conflict. RSOs should come together to organize a walk or a protest to support Ukraine. We cannot allow our international students to feel isolated. We have to help them through this time the only way we can. While ULM cannot call off the airstrikes in Ukraine or send President Berry to the frontlines, there are ways to help and it is past time that the university make a statement and help students who are directly involved in the war in Ukraine. contact Maggie Eubanks at eubanksml@warhawks.ulm.edu
graphic courtesy ULM Photo Services
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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
March 21, 2022
NEWS
Academics
photos by Calli Sinclair
COMMITTING TO THE CLASSROOM: According to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics study, more than 270,000 teachers are projected to leave the profession between 2016 and 2026.
$100,000 grant helps retain future educators by Loryn Kykendall
Education—It levels the playing field for everyone. At least, according to Kevin Smith it does. Smith, the Monroe market executive for Regions Bank, presented a $100,000 check on behalf of Regions Bank last Wednesday at ULM’s Educators Rising Campus Day. The money will fund scholarships for education students over the next five years. Two scholarships will be awarded each year and each scholarship will be $10,000. Smith told the audience of education students, “We’re confident that Miller these scholarships will help empower you and other ULM students with the tools you need to become the excellent educators of tomorrow.” To receive a Regions Bank Scholarship, students must be in good standing with the university and have at least a 2.5 GPA. They
also must have completed a Regions Bank ULM Educators Rising partner program. Incoming freshman recipients can renew the scholarship for up to eight semesters, and all other student recipients can renew the scholarship for the remaining semesters needed to complete a four-year degree. Lisa Miller, the vice president of Enrollment Management & UniverWeems sity Relations, said Amy Weems presented the idea for Educators Rising to her several years ago, and she’s been a part of it ever since. “To see all of you here today and see dreams become reality is truly very rewarding and great to be a part of,” Miller said. “But with all dreams, there are necessary resources, so it makes it even sweeter when other people believe in the dreams that we have.” Weems, an assistant professor in the School of Education, said that Regions is the perfect partner to take Educators Rising to the next level with this great opportunity.
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS: The grant will be used to fund student scholarship in an effort to preserve educators.
“Through this partnership, we are hoping to offer the best and the brightest to come to the bayou and learn from the best and the brightest to be the teachers they need to be,” Weems said. President Ronald Berry also spoke at the event. He said that Regions Bank has been
a partner with ULM for a long time and has helped the university with a lot of projects. “They’re doing their part to help this region become all that it can be,” Berry said. contact Loryn Kykendall at kykendalllk@warhawks.ulm.edu
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
March 21, 2022
NEWS
Wellness
Students educate children on importance of holistic health by Chloe Chapel
photos by Chloe Chapel
GROWING HEALTHY HABITS: Children planted various fruits and vegetables such as lettuce and spinach, which can be picked at any time.
Knowing how to properly brush our teeth, exercise and wash our hands are skills that are often taken for granted. They are so ingrained in many people’s routine that they don’t even think about how important these tasks are. According to a study by Meritech, only 43% of children wash their hands frequently enough. And one in three children aren’t brushing their teeth frequently enough, according to a poll by Royal Children’s Hospital. Not brushing your teeth or washing your hands enough can impact children in a variety of ways. In an effort to educate children about holistic health, the Children’s Coalition partnered with organizations in the School of Health Sciences and nonprofits throughout the community. Some of the organizations from ULM included NSSLHA, Medical Laboratory Sciences and the Dental Hygiene program. Medical Laboratory Sciences demonstrated how to wash your hands with a fun experiment. Zoe Coleman, a senior medical laboratory science major, said they had children put fluorescent lotion all over their hands—this represented germs. They then had them look at the “germs” under a fluorescent light. Then, it was time to wash their hands. Once they finished washing their hands, they put them back under the light to check for remaining lotion. If there was a lot of lotion left, then they needed to wash their hands better. After the experiment, students taught the children how long to wash their hands, the best ways to get the most germs off and the benefits of wash-
ing your hands. “[Children] are always touching their mouths and a lot of weird things, and they spread germs quickly, so hand washing is important,” Coleman said. Dental hygiene students also took the route of learning through having fun. They had children play cornhole with foods that were good and bad for your teeth. Shelby Rehms, a senior dental hygiene student, said there is more to oral health than just brushing your teeth. For example, just because a food is healthy doesn’t mean it’s good for your teeth. Some children might not know that, so they wanted to teach them about oral health in an interactive way. “Oral health is something that isn’t as widely known compared to something like systemic health,” Rehms said. “People will [say] ‘oh it’s just my mouth’ but it’s super important because your oral health ties into your systemic health.” The event helped children learn about how to take care of their systemic health by teaching them the correct way to do their everyday tasks. Dawn Landry, the development director at the Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana, said the event is also a way to highlight the Children’s Coalition’s garden, which acts as a day-to-day way for children to learn about healthy living. “We started [the garden] as a way to promote our healthy living program,” Landry said. “We want it to spark an interest for people to take home and families to say ‘Wow we can be self-productive.’”
contact Chloe Chapel at chapelcb@warhawks.ulm.edu
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
March 21, 2022
NEWS
Women’s History Month
photos by Breanna White
EMPOWERED WOMEN EMPOWER WOMEN: The Women’s Symposium allowed women to meet other female leaders so they could form a community to empower each other.
Symposium lifts, honors female leaders by Chloe Chapel Globally, only 29% of executive and senior-level management positions are held by women, according to the Center for American Progress. Imagine a room filled with dozens of women in executive, management and leadership positions. That is exactly what the Women’s Symposium was. Every year the Women’s Symposium partners with the Alumni Association to highlight influential women in the community. This was the sixth annual Women’s Symposium. After two years of not being in-person due to the pandemic, everyone was able to join together again to celebrate the achievements of women. The symposium consisted of an
awards ceremony, a presentation by this year’s keynote speaker Leslie Durham, nine panels, a roundtable discussion and ended with a networking social. Durham is the alternate federal co-chairwoman for the Delta Regional Authority. She has served in other government positions under Gov. John Bel Edwards and former Gov. Kathleen Blanco. Durham said one thing she learned from her many positions is that you’re never too old to set your mind to something. “You never know where life takes you. I think it’s important to remember that it’s never too late to learn and to accomplish your goals,” Durham said. She said she has seen changes that allow opportunities for women, yet they still struggle to
accomplish their goals because they’re seen as lesser. “As a woman who has worked in government my entire life I have witnessed the glass ceiling breaking again and again and seen women make progress,” Durham said. “We are still breaking glass [...] yet we still remain in the minority.” Durham said to change this women must stand together and support each other. This was one of the reasons they had many panels. Women could find support in three key areas by attending a panel that they thought would benefit them most. The three different panel tracks were professional growth, professional development and cultural awareness. The nine panels consisted of a wide range of topics from child-
care, workplace discrimination, mentorships and how to be a boss without being considered bossy. One of the panels on the cultural awareness track—“In the Sandbox”—focused on the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Lyla Corkern, the owner and CEO of Finding Solace, said her goal as CEO is to make the workplace not only diverse but also inclusive. “Just because you have a diverse staff doesn’t mean you have an inclusive office,” Corkern said. “Inclusion to me is making sure that they all have the same opportunities, the same voice, the same experience, the same room for growth, the same value, etc.” The “Dare to Lead” panel on the professional development track also talked about the importance of
inclusivity at work. “Dare to Lead” educated young women on how to be assertive and how to be heard as women in leadership without being criticized. Wendi Tostenson, the vice chancellor of Education and Student Services at Louisiana Delta Community College, said she is a very bubbly and happy person, but she’s been condemned for it because people wouldn’t see her as a leader. “I had someone [...] tell me that I would not be taken seriously in leadership because of how happy I was,” Tostenson said. “At that moment I recognized the very best thing for me to be was me—to be authentic and allow that to shine.”
contact Chloe Chapel at chapelcb@warhawks.ulm.edu
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March 21, 2022
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
NEWS
Symposium
Women honored for making community stronger by Chloe Chapel
Dr. Gwenn Jackson Gwenn Jackson received the Legacy award, which is the highest recognition given at the Women’s Symposium. Jackson was awarded for her dedication and contribution to the community. She is currently the department chair for clinical sciences and assistant professor and discipline chair for obstetrics and gynecology at VCOM Louisiana where she was recently named Faculty of the Block by the student body. Jackson received her medical education and residency training at LSU School of Medicine. After training she returned to West Monroe to a private practice as the second-ever female obstetrician. She was the first woman partner of the Woman’s Clinic of Monroe. Jackson has delivered thousands of children. Her clinic practice helped advance women’s health and embraced surgical innovation with the introduction of robotic technology for pelvic surgery. “During long days of work as we chase our goals and raise our families, we rarely take the time to take stock,” Jackson said. “I appreciate this moment of reflection of my life.”
Brook Little Brook Little was awarded the Emerging Student Leader award. This is awarded to students who “contribute to the empowerment, motivation and encouragement of fellow peers and fosters positive chance” throughout their organizations, according to Leigh Hersey, the Women’s Symposium chair. Recipients must also show exemplary leadership skills through student organizations, academics and community service. Throughout her time at ULM, Little has been a leader in various organizations. She served as president of the Rotaract club, a peer leader, an officer of Beta Alpha Psi and a peer mentor and tutor for the TRIO-SSS program. Little is pursuing her Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting, and upon graduation in May she plans to pursue a graduate degree in her field and sit in for her first CPA exam. “Once I graduate in May, I hope to turn over a new leaf and start my journey to step up and accomplish some of the things you all have,” Little said. “Thank you all again for this award, I appreciate it.”
Ashley Hubenthal Ashley Hubenthal received the Lisa Miller Distinguished Leader award. Winners of this award “make an extraordinary effort to build relationships while providing exceptional guidance, leadership and dedication to the organization she is a part of,” Hersey said. Hubenthal exhibited these skills throughout careers in marketing, sales and communications. Hubenthal was a major part of revitalization efforts in downtown Monroe. She helped connect companies by creating events such as the Downtown Pub Crawl and the Monroe Renaissance Up on the Rooftop Party. She also worked at BayouLife magazine where she worked with hundreds of local business owners. She currently serves as the vice president of the Northeast Louisiana Ad Club and is the sustaining member of the Junior League of Monroe. She is the founder of the Cinderella Project of Monroe and the creator of the Bayou Desiard Dragon Boar Festival, which has raised thousands of dollars for local nonprofits. “It’s an honor to be given this award, especially in light of the woman it is named after,” Hubenthal said.
Anna Grigsby Anna Grigsby was awarded the Empowering Student Leader award. This award was created in 2020. “It is awarded to a non-traditional student who is committed to empowering themselves and those around them while continuing to pursue education,” Hersey said. Grigsby received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from East Texas Baptist University in 1998 and her Master of Science in Psychology from ULM in 2001. She worked in many roles in the mental health field until she changed careers to the mortgage banking and sales industry. Grigsby is set to graduate in May with her Master of Public Administration. After graduating, she plans to pursue her Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. “I was blessed as a graduate student to be surrounded by strong, empowering woman,” Grigsby said. “My own inner-barometer of success closely aligns with the Women’s Symposium’s mission statement to empower, motivate and encourage others.” contact Chloe Chapel at chapelcb@warhawks.ulm.edu
photos courtesy Women’s Symposium
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
March 21, 2022
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
International Event
GHAITO FUTAI: Students watch as the chosen competitor attempts to find the pot and break it.
Bayou immersed in color to celebrate Holi festival by Supriya Pudasainy
The International Student Association quite literally brightened up Bayou Park on March 17 by hosting this year’s Holi event. Attendees covered in colored powder danced and enjoyed themselves at the park as the sun beautifully set. Holi, the festival of colors, celebrates the triumph of good over evil and marks the end of winter and arrival of spring. This ancient festival is a day to meet your loved ones and friends and play with colors. It’s a time to forgive, forget and mend relationships. White t-shirts and an array of beautiful colors were provided by the ISA before the celebration began. The music made its way to everyone’s feet as they danced along to the rhythmic Hindi songs. Participants sprinted along the park to smear colors across each other. Kids chased one another to strike each other with colors as laughter broke out from different groups. The event was accompanied with a fun game of “Ghaito Futai,” a pot breaking competition where participants blindfold themselves and attempt to break a clay pot. Freshman computer science major Samir Gurung said, “It was most fun to watch the attempts to break the pot.” The fusion of pink and yellow powder rained down while some posed for the camera, and some sneakily threw colors over their friends. Anyone was fair game
and everyone had a mixture of color palettes on their face as they waited with bright colored hands for their next attack. Nabin Pakhrin, a freshman computer science major, said the cultural interaction on campus was heartwarming. “We are all genuinely enjoying ourselves because there are no prejudices in this celebration,” Pakhrin said. This celebration mostly occurs in India and Nepal but now has spread all over the world as a fun event to celebrate spring’s arrival. According to a famous Hindu myth, the word “Holi” is originates from the demoness Holika and the story of her death by fire. In correlation to the myth, people usually hold a bonfire to represent the victory of good over evil and dance around it on the eve of Holi. Manish Katuwal, the ISA’s public relations officer, said the ISA represents the entire foreign population on campus. “It is our duty to make [international students] feel at home,” Katuwal said. Even if the color stains wash out, the memories will remain forever. photos by Calli Sinclair
contact Supriya Pudasainy at pudasainys@warhawks.ulm.edu
SOARING COLORS: Color flies through the air as participants try to throw different shades of powder at their friends.
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March 21, 2022
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Campus Event
Women’s History celebrated with bingo by Maggie Eubanks
The Ambitious Women’s Society made it clear that girls run the world and the bingo table. Last Tuesday night, the AWS hosted a bingo night centered around Women’s History Month. The event was filled with music, snacks and, of course, lots of bingo. Each bingo card featured different women throughout history like Michelle Obama, Anne Frank and Frida Kahlo along with some lesser-known figures like ChienShieng Wu, Marie Curie and Malala Yousafzai. Each player had fun playing bingo while they learned about influential women in history.
Freshman kinesiology major Michayla Myles enjoyed the aspect of including women on the cards. “On the bingo cards we had women of history that some people might not know about, and so they told us who they were and why they were very important,” Myles said. AWS President Niya Flugence said that it was important to AWS to host an event that supports Women’s History Month. “We were talking about it amongst our officers and we decided that a bingo night would be good to educate people on women in our history and to also have fun while winning prizes,” Flugent said. The prizes that bingo winners
could choose from included a chocolate bar and flowers, a massage ball and a scrunchie set with a cup and a $15 Walmart gift card. Freshman accounting major Czariah Rhine said the event went great because it was planned by women for women. The Ambitious Women’s Society did a great job hosting the event. You left the event not only having just had a fun bingo night, but also with some more knowledge about women and a few more friends. “I feel like this was a good event to support women’s history month because it was an event created by an all-women’s group and women were here to support,” Rhine said.
photo by Rachael Restelle
WHO RUN THE WORLD? GIRLS: Students check their bingo cards as the officers of AWS call out the numbers.
Flugence said the event was a great success and AWS will be doing more events like this in the
future. contact Maggie Eubanks at eubanksml@warhawks.ulm.edu
Social Change
Women activists to spotlight this month
Mari Copeny Mari Copeny is a 14-year-old girl from Flint, Michigan. She started her journey into activism when she wrote a letter to former President Barack Obama about the Flint water crisis. Obama came to the state to check out the situation and he donated $100 million in relief to the city. Copeny utilizes her platform to raise money for the community, especially for the Flint Kids Project. She also works with the company Hydroviv to produce water filters that are shipped all over the U.S.
Greta Thunberg Greta Thunberg started her activism to help diminish human environmental impact to the world at the young age of 15. She initially gained attention from camping in front of the Swedish parliament, demanding they do something to protect the planet. A young girl with so much determination caught people’s attention. This led to a global movement challenging world leaders on their lack of action in the climate crisis.
Nadya Okamoto Nadya Okamoto founded a youthled nonprofit company called PERIOD. The purpose of PERIOD is to tackle the stigma around women’s menstruation. Okamoto’s company breaks silence to educate people on a natural function. They have donated feminine products to more than three million women in need across the world. They hope to make menstrual products mandatory to have in schools as well as take the luxury tax off of the cost of the products.
Malala Yousafzai Malala Yousafzai is the youngest person to win a Nobel Peace Prize. She received the award for her advocacy for young girls’ education at 17. In Yousafzai’s mission to bring awareness to this issue, she endured many burdens and even an assassination attempt. Giving young girls around the world necessary education promotes a society more equipped for success. The Malala Fund ensures that girls will get 12 years of free, safe education.
Marley Diaz Marley Diaz, at 13-yearsold, launched her campaign, #1000blackgirlbooks. This campaign started because Diaz wanted to read more books where the main character was African American. Since the initial campaign in 2015, more than 13,000 books have been collected. The books are listed in a database by reading level, so people can browse the books to get recommendations. Diaz wants more diverse representation, and she has written a book as well.
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March 21, 2022
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Music
Soon-to-be released albums to look out for
Charli XCX’s “Crash” “Crash” is the fifth studio release album for Charli XCX and will released on March 18. The album ends the five-album deal of Charli XCX with Atlantic Records. Charli XCX said to reporters that “Crash” is everything someone would want in an album. Some say this album is the best full-length project since “Pop 2,” which was an embrace of vintage pop. The album includes 12 feature songs and has a total run time of 34 minutes. The singer touches listeners with her exquisite vocals and lyrics. She is determined to provide the best she can and never disappoints with her music. This cutting -edge album is definitely one to keep your eye on.
Camila Cabello’s “Familia” “Familia” is the third studio album by Camila Cabello, which will be released on April 8. Cabello announced the release date of the album on her birthday, March 3. The next day she released a single from the album called “Bam Bam.” This album is the follow-up to her self-titled debut, which was released in January 2018, and her second album, “Romance,” which was released in December 2019. After struggling with personal love problems of her own, she is back writing again and creating music through Epic Records.
Rosalía’s “Motomami” “Motomami” is Rosalía’s third studio album which is set to release on March 18 through Colombia Records. This album showcases the Spanish superstar’s incredible range. The intention of the album is to bridge genres and experiment with form, and that is exactly what it does. Rosalía shared that she chose the name “Motomami” because it is “structured in binaries, two types of contrasting energy.” “Motomami” has two parts—“Moto” is the experimental part of the album, while the “mami” part is more genuine. MTV video awards winner Rosalía grabs the attention of a Spanish as well as an English audience with this album.
Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Father John Misty’s “Unlimited Love” “Chloë and the Next 20th After releasing their 11th studio album in 2016, the band lost their guitarist Jack Sherman in 2020. After a rough patch, they’re standing up again with the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ 12th studio album, “Unlimited Love.” This new album is set to be released on April 1 through Warner Records. “Our only goal is to get lost in the music,” the band explained in a press release. The American rock band has never failed to amaze us through their music and I doubt the coming album will be anything less.
Century”
Josh Tillman—stage name Father John Misty—is releasing his fifth studio album through Sub Pop in North American and Bella Union in the U.K. on April 8. This is his first full-length project since his last release back in 2018. His singles “Goodbye Mr. Blue,” “Q4” and “Funny Girl” from the album have already been released. “Chloë and the Next 20th Century” features 11 songs with a total run time of little over 50 minutes. Also known as the elegant, jet black tuxedo guy with a taste of old jazz, Father John Misty will bring back the gentleman vibes again.
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March 21, 2022
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Crossword
Horoscope Aries Discuss finances with your partner. Reinforce foundational elements. Discover a structural problem. Clean a mess. You can work it out. Find solutions in conversation.
Taurus Slow to reconsider. Words get farther than actions, especially with your partner. Don’t get pushy. Rush ahead blindly and risk an expensive pitfall. Listen.
Gemini Make sure that structures are solid before trusting them with your weight. Keep practicing. Talk with experts, coaches and doctors. You’re growing stronger. Across 1 Caribbean resort island 6 __-centered: vain 10 Walmart warehouse club 14 Blood drive participant 15 One-named New Age singer 16 Coagulate, as blood 17 Bull’s-eye location 19 “M*A*S*H” star Alan 20 “Wayne’s World” co-star Mike 21 California city __-by-the-Sea 23 Sch. with a Phoenix campus 25 Result of a weak phone signal 28 Sushi bar soup 30 “Norma __”: Sally Field film 31 Payments to landlords 32 Future attorney’s study 35 Threesome 37 Maximum a country can
borrow 41 Wild hog 42 “Blah, blah, blah,” briefly 45 Allergic reaction 49 March Madness network 51 Inviting store sign 52 Pro team’s selection from a pool of college players, say 56 Frying __: kitchen tool 57 Unwilling to hear, as criticism 58 Fairy tale bears count 60 Chair parts 61 U.S. capital whose location is a hint to 17-, 25-, 37- and 52-Across 66 Fencing sword 67 New York canal 68 Prince of Darkness 69 “I’m warning you” 70 Tear to shreds 71 Govt. security
Down 1 Total up 2 Caviar 3 Not entertained in the least 4 __ shop: auto repair site 5 Rainbow-shaped 6 Motion detector, e.g. 7 Strep-treating doc 8 Soap-making need 9 Travesty 10 In short supply 11 Brothers Duane and Gregg of rock 12 Classic Ford auto 13 Delays on purpose 18 Goof up 22 Cleverly skillful 23 Sound system part 24 Knight’s title 26 Longtime Penn State football coach Joe 27 Prefix with scope 29 Grand __ Opry 33 “Who’s on First?” straight man 34 Geneva-based
commerce gp. 36 Land in l’eau 38 Pope’s relig. 39 Sgt. or cpl. 40 Pinocchio’s creator 43 Drink from leaves 44 Wolf Blitzer’s channel 45Discombobulated 46 Obnoxious sort, in slang 47 __-Dazs ice cream 48 Counterbalance 50 Gave 10% in church 53 Shrink in fear 54 White Sox, in line scores 55 Physicist __ Mach 59 “A Visit from the Goon Squad” writer Jennifer 62 “__ you okay?” 63 Sermon subject 64 Cheerios grain 65 Opposite of SSW
Cancer Consult a significant other. Communication gets through where action could fall flat. Avoid controversy or drama. Have fun with someone you love.
Leo Think before making a domestic change you could later regret. Start with cleaning. Rearrange things to suit new needs. Discuss home improvement dreams.
Virgo Don’t share unfinished work. Launch after the basic elements that are in place. Cut any fluff words. Edit and revise. Provide illustrations. Refine the message.
Courtesy of MCT Campus
Libra Proceed with caution. Resist the temptation to throw your money around. Monitor accounts to maintain positive balances. New clients and projects arise in conversation.
Scorpio Talk about what you see possible. Stay objective in a tense situation. Your confidence eases another’s concerns. Nurture and listen. Communication reveals hidden solutions.
Sagittarius Listening can be more powerful than speaking. Listen to your own heart first. Don’t push ahead without a plan or risk pitfalls. Recharge.
Capricorn Don’t try to launch a group project before it’s ready. Make sure that the structures for success are in place. Coordinate with your team.
Aquarius Adapt to changes at the top. Follow through on what you said you’d do. Stand up for your position. Communication gets through where action fails.
Pisces Slow to reassess the route. One direction is more expensive than another. Avoid traffic, crowds or chaos. Connect with your networks. Monitor news. You’re learning fast.
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
March 21, 2022
SPORTS
Softball
Series split after shutout win versus Troy by Maggie Eubanks
Two runs through two games aren’t ideal for any team, but it was enough for ULM to split its match ups with the Troy Trojans last weekend. After winning their Sun Belt Conference first series against Georgia Southern a week prior, ULM wanted to be sure to get a jump on Troy. But after Saturday night, both teams claimed a win. The Warhawks took game one 1-0 and Troy took game two 9-1. The victory was ULM’s first shutout victory against a conference opponent since 2018. Game one was an old-fashioned pitcher’s duel with ULM freshman Victoria Abrams in one corner and Troy’s Leanna Johnson in the other. With only six hits allowed in the entire game, the pitchers played a game of wills and the Warhawks came out on top. Head coach Molly Fichtner said she was very impressed with Abrams’ performance and was excited to see her get a win like that. “It’s been a minute since we have shut out someone in that fashion,”
Fichtner said. “For Victoria to give up only three hits, it was incredible to watch her go out there and do that and keep an incredible offense from scoring for seven innings.” The Warhawks did not have the same performance on Saturday. Losing in run-rule fashion in six innings, nothing could go right for ULM. “We just didn’t have anything,” Fichtner said. “We didn’t have hitting, we didn’t have pitching, and we made three errors, two on the same play. We just didn’t all-around play to win. It was one of those days where we definitely didn’t come out and play ULM softball.” On Friday, ULM jumped out on top in the first inning. Junior Kennedy Johnson doubled down the right field line and was brought in on an error after sophomore Andie Edwards hit a ball into center field. This was the only run of the entire game as the Warhawks could not string anything else together offensively and Abrams kept the Trojans off the board. Fichtner was happy with the team’s performance and that they were
able to pull out a win over such a respected pitcher in the Sun Belt Conference. “Troy’s Leanna Johnson is an exceptional pitcher, so we knew going in that opportunities might be limited. It was awesome to see her and Victoria go at it in a low-scoring pitchers’ duel,” Fichtner said. “[Johnson] is one of the best pitchers in the conference if not the best that we’re going to face, so it was awesome to get a win like that.” But on Saturday the long ball was the killer for the Hawks as the Trojans hit four in the game to score five of their nine runs. ULM’s lone run came in the top of the second inning after sophomore Madelyn Fletcher doubled down the left-field line and scored on freshman Jacelyn Buck’s two-out single to left field. ULM hosts five home games this week. They host Appalachian State for three games this weekend after two non-conference games against Grambling on Tuesday Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday.
photos courtesy ULM athletics
contact Maggie Eubanks at eubanksml@warhawks.ulm.edu
SHUT OUT OR SHUT UP: Freshman Victoria Abrams (left) was responsible for ULM’s shutout victory Friday.
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
March 21, 2022
SPORTS
BRIEFS Trio of Warhawks set to depart Three ULM women’s basketball players announced last week that they will enter the NCAA transfer portal and leave the university. Freshmen Kyren Whittington and Gracen Williams, as well as sophomore Linda Van Schaik all took to social media to announce their decision. Their decision came after ULM finished the 2021-22 season in last place of the Sun Belt Conference with a record of 4-25. The team saw no wins in the 2022 portion of the season. Their last win was against Champion Christian where the Warhawks won 65-51 on Dec. 8 in Monroe.
The Warhawks ended their season on an 18-game losing streak. Whittington was the leading scorer for the Warhawks, averaging 15.8 points per game while shooting 42.9%. Whittington played 698 minutes in her debut season— more than any other player on the team. Van Schaik posted a seasonhigh in scoring against Mississippi Valley State. She scored 21 points in ULM’s 7372 overtime loss. Williams scored her seasonhigh of 15 points in a 71-58 win over Louisiana Christian and also scored 12 points against Northwestern State.
ULM wins 1, drops 3 at TCU ULM beach volleyball faced high-level competition in the Fight in the Fort Tournament hosted by Texas Christian University. The Warhawks dropped their first match of the weekend to the University of New Orleans last Friday 3-2. Conditions for the game were less than desirable for either team. According to Charlie Olson, director of volleyball operations at ULM, winds were blowing at 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Later that day, ULM evened their record with a 5-0 win over Stephen F. Austin. “Each pair learned from the UNO matches and we laserfocused in the SFA dual,” Olson said. “ I was very proud of the team win and high-level
execution this afternoon.” However, on Saturday ULM went up against fierce competition. The hosting TCU Horned Frogs were ranked third in the nation entering the day and possessed a perfect 19-0 record. But first ULM faced Arizona State. The Sun Devils entered the competition with a record of 9-6 and quickly found another win courtesy of a 5-0 sweep over the Warhawks. The same would carry over in the match with TCU. The Horned Frogs kept the Warhawks to 13 points or less in three of the five matches. The Warhawks return to the beach to face TCU again in Baton Rouge at the LSU Beach Invitational on Saturday.
Opinion
Women’s March Madness is a long overdue change
Carley Nail This is it. Everyone’s brackets are set (and busted). All bets on the final championship score have been made. March Madness is finally here. And for the first time ever, it’s here for the men and women teams. Allowing the women’s tournament to be associated with March Madness is a great change, and I wish the NCAA would have made it sooner. According to AP News, the
trademark of March Madness was nowhere to be found at the women’s NCAA Tournament in 2021. The March Madness logo was not on the courts where the women played and the trademark was not used to promote the women’s tournament. After being pushed to the side once again, there were many outcries from women athletes. Sedona Prince, forward for the University of Oregon, made a TikTok exposing the differences between the weight rooms that the men and women were given. Prince showed a single rack of weights that they were given to use. Then she showed the men’s workout area, which was a high-end weight room with a lot of equipment. Prince ended the TikTok by saying, “If you aren’t upset about this problem, you are a part of it.” After this video came out, the NCAA was under scrutiny from many people that agreed with
Prince. This year it seems the NCAA went in a whole new direction. The women’s NCAA tournament is being advertised by March Madness. The conditions of the tournaments have become more equal. They even had the first Selection Show for the women’s tournament on March 13. The Selection Show is where the teams that have made it into the tournament are revealed and find out what seed they are. Usually, the show is only hosted to showcase the men’s tournament, but the addition of a women’s Selection Show was a much needed one. I was excited to watch the women’s Selection Show because it shows that the NCAA is listening to women’s voices. The women’s tournament is finally beginning to get the attention it deserves. contact Carley Nail at nailcn@warhawks.ulm.edu
graphic by Sunil Bishwokarma
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THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
March 21, 2022
SPORTS
Baseball
MADE IT THROUGH THE RAIN: After a weather delay, the Warhawks hosted their Interstate-20 rival Louisiana Tech last Tuesday night.
photos by Maggie Eubanks
Win at Coastal highlights troublesome week by Jonah Bostick
The ULM baseball team went into the week looking for key wins versus instate rival Louisiana Tech and conference opponent Coastal Carolina. The Warhawks held a 4-10 record heading into the week, but they had won three of their last four games. ULM began and finished their week with a loss, but in the process, they broke a 12-game losing streak to Coastal Carolina for their firstever win over the Chanticleers. Their first opponent: the daunting Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. ULM’s rival from Ruston notched a win against second-ranked LSU earlier this season. The Bulldogs also scored 53 runs through their previous four games. The game started with a bang for the Bulldogs as they put up five runs in the top of the first inning. This included a Bryce Wilson 2-RBI single to center field and a Logan McLeod sac-fly to right field. Louisiana Tech also scored a run in
the third inning with a home run by Walker Burchfield to left field. By the fifth inning, the Bulldogs had built up an 8-1 lead. Although the Warhawks would attempt a comeback in the late innings with runs scored in the fifth, seventh and eighth innings, they would still fall short. The final score stood was 8-4 in favor of the Bulldogs. Henry Shuffler suffered the loss for the Warhawks, with 0.2 innings pitched and five runs allowed. Mason Holt was the top hitter for the Warhawks, going 3-for-5 with an RBI. The Warhawks played again Friday with a match up against Coastal Carolina in their Sun Belt Conference opener. In the second inning the Warhawks scored two runs with RBIs from Caleb Sterling and Holt. Travis Washburn would hit a home run down the left field line in the fifth inning to put the Warhawks up 3-0. Although Coastal Carolina scored
two runs off sac-flies in the sixth and eighth innings, ULM would hold on to win the game 3-2. “I’m super proud of us doing what we had to do to win,” said ULM head coach Michael Federico. “We found a way to win.” The game featured four double plays by the ULM defense, and another win by ace pitcher Cam Barlow who threw for 5.2 innings with one run and hit allowed with two strikeouts and six batters walked. Sterling went 2-of-4 at the plate with an RBI in the second inning. In last Saturday’s game versus the Chanticleers the game started off with a Colby Deaville home run in the top of the second inning to put the Warhawks up 1-0. Coastal Carolina responded by going on to score runs in the next four innings, which included a fourrun inning in the bottom of the fifth courtesy of a grand slam by Zach Beach. The Warhawks looked to recover but would go on to lose the game
49-4. Cole Cressend would collect the loss with 4.2 innings pitched allowing six runs. ULM has five opportunities next week to pick up wins. Tuesday, they host Jackson State and Wednesday they face off with Stephen F. Austin.
They cap off a five-game stand at Warhawk Field with a weekend match up against an SBC opponent—the Georgia State Panthers. contact Jonah Bostick at bostickjm@warhawks.ulm.edu