COVID vaccine now required for students
Travel back in
P 6
P 12
time with retro musical artists
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
www.ulmhawkeyeonline.com
VOLUME 100 ISSUE 3
August 30, 2021
Withdrawal from Afghanistan is best choice
P 5
Green goddess: Student wins two grants for ecological research
P 10
Soccer kicks Sugar Bears 1-0 P 15
Students raise concerns about campus parking P 7
P 9
PAGE 2
August 30, 2021
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
BRIEFS CALENDAR Monday, August
30
Political Trivial Pursuit with College Democrats, 5:30 p.m. on Zoom
Tuesday, September 31 Free meal, 11:30 a.m. at the Campus Movement house
Wednesday, September 1 Day one of SGA election voting, 11:00 a.m. at Schulze and Starbucks
Thursday, September 2 Day two of SGA election voting, 11:00 a.m. at Schulze and Starbucks
Friday, September 3 No events planned
Saturday, September 4 No events planned
Sunday, September 5 No events planned
Illinois
United States
Haiti
News Star- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released its preliminary data for July, and it appears that Northeast Louisiana, along with the rest of the state, is on the upswing in terms of economic recovery. However, the wins gained are nowhere close to making up for monumental losses caused by the pandemic. According to the report, the state added 12,700 seasonally adjusted non-farm jobs from June to July. When looking at the year-over-year trend, the state gained 58,200 jobs. In Monroe, the city gained 100 jobs from June and 1,300 jobs from last July, bringing the city total to 74,500 jobs. New Orleans saw the largest increases with 3,700 new jobs from June and 17,900 jobs added since July 2020.
MCT- Two people are dead and third injured following a shooting outside the Kankakee County courthouse, a Kankakee city spokesman confirmed. At least two suspects have been arrested in connection with the shooting, which took place in an open area between the courthouse and county jail. The motive for the shooting remains under investigation, city attorney David Guzman said. City leaders are expected to release more information at a news briefing Thursday afternoon. “At this moment the scene is safe and secure,” according to a statement released by the city. Kankakee City Police reported several suspects in custody. Several streets around the stately courthouse were closed as a precaution after the shooting.
MCT- The Supreme Court ruled for a group of Alabama landlords on Thursday and blocked President Joe Biden from extending for two more months a nationwide pandemicrelated ban on evictions. The justices agreed with a federal judge in Washington, D.C., who held the administration did not have the legal authority to extend an emergency order that had been adopted by Congress. The eviction ban was part of Congress’ COVID19-related relief package and was then extended last year by President Donald Trump. It was the court’s second rebuff to Biden this week. On Tuesday, the justices agreed with a Texas judge who said the Biden administration may not revoke Trump’s policy requiring asylum-seekers to remain in Mexico while they await a hearing before an immigration judge.
MCT- The United Nations plans to launch an appeal Wednesday seeking nearly $200 million to help Haiti in its recovery effort after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the nearly two weeks ago, causing large-scale damage across the southern peninsula. Two days after the Aug. 10 quake hit southwestern Haiti, Tropical Depression Grace dumped heavy rains in the same quake-affected regions, causing flooding and blocking access to roads. “As you can imagine, additional human and financial resources are needed to respond to the crisis,” Stephan Dujarric, spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, said Tuesday as the U.N.’s acting deputy emergency relief coordinator, Ramesh Rajasingham, visited Haiti and the regions affected by the deadly tremor.
Unemployment decreases, Courthouse gunfight 58,200 new jobs reported leaves 2 dead
Supreme Court blocks UN seeks $187 million eviction ban extension for earthquake relief
d
QUOTE
Louisiana
TODAY IN HISTORY
CALM BEFORE THE STORM
"Any time you learn, you gain."
August 23
Bob Ross, painter
1850:
Honolulu, Hawaii be-
comes a city.
1901: English engineer Hubert Booth patents the powered vacuum cleaner. 1945: Hong Kong gains freedom from Japanese control. Front page credits: Main photo: Saugat Shrestha Top sidebar photo: Mackenzie Triche Bottom sidebar photo: Mackenzie Triche
Correction: Shreeyasha Pandey wrote last week's article, "How to achieve academic success this semester."
1954: Hurricane Carol kills 68 people on the U.S. east coast. 1967: The U.S. Senate confirms Thurgood Marshall as the first Black Supreme Court justice. 1997: The Houston Comets beat New York Liberty in the first WNBA Championship. photo by Saugat Shrestha
ULM prepared for Hurricane Ida last week. The Office of Marketing and Communications sent out an email to all students telling them to be weather aware and know where to take shelter.
August 30, 2021
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
PAGE 3
BRIEFS
Campus Event
Pandemic
Bi-annual elevator pitch competition to be held Sept. 27
COVID tests available in Hangar, students receive $100 for getting vaccine
Applications for the bi-annual elevator pitch competition are now open to students. Students who participate will present their elevator pitch to a panel of judges and peers. An elevator pitch is a 90-second presentation. Students can use that time to either pitch themselves as if they are applying for a job or to pitch an idea for a business. There will be money prizes for the first, second and third place winners. First place will receive $150, second will receive $100 and third will receive $50. Students of all majors are welcome to sign up but only 25 will be able to participate because of limited availability, according to the Career Center. The competition will be face-to-face. The deadline to sign up is Sept. 20 at 5 p.m. and the competition will be Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. in the Hangar. To sign up email your name and which option you want to present to Alicia Rollins at rollins@ulm.edu.
The Hangar above the SUB is ULM’s new COVID testing center. Testing is available Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Fridays from 8-11:30 a.m. Vaccinations will also be available in the Hangar every Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. No pre-registration is required. Vaccinations are provided by the Louisiana Department of Health and the Louisiana National Guard. Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson are the two vaccine brands available. According to the Office of Marketing and Communications, students who receive their vaccine on campus are eligible for a
$100 Visa card through the Shot for 100 program. Students will be given their Visa card after receiving the vaccine. The COVID vaccine is now on the list of required immunizations for new and continuing students. Starting next semester students will have to provide proof of immunization. There are two ways for students to continue without the vaccine. They can either provide a physician’s statement saying they shouldn’t get the vaccine or provide a written dissent. The new requirement was announced last week after the FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine for people aged 16 and older.
Photo courtesy ShutterStock
SHOT FOR $100: Students who get vaccinated on campus will receive a $100 Visa card. Vaccines are available every Wednesday and Thursday in the Hangar from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
PAGE 4
August 30, 2021
OPINION OPINION
Pandemic
Prioritize safety, reinstate campus COVID protocols
Kassidy Taylor We walk into our first class of the semester and no longer see notes of unavailability on every other desk. We sit near our group of friends and speak as if everything is back to normal. If we did not have masks on, we would not notice that we are living in a pandemic. ULM is not putting forth the required amount of effort to slow the rapid spread of COVID. With the new Delta variant, it is important to have precautions put into effect. According to the CDC, “The Delta variant is more contagious
Stubbs 131 700 University Avenue Monroe, LA 71209 Editor-in-Chief - Loryn Kykendall Co-managing Editor News - Chloe Chapel Opinion Editor - Carley Nail Freestyle Editor - Uchechi Owunna Sports Editor - Cameron Jett Multimedia Editor - Saugat Shrestha Co-managing Editor Art - Sunil Bishwokarma Photo Editor - Calli Sinclair
than previous strains, and it may even cause more than 2x as many infections.” To ensure campus safety, ULM should reinstate previous safety protocols. The university has done away with six feet apart seating as well as one way traffic flow in hallways. Though the mask mandate is still intact and a vaccine mandate is in the works, this does not guarantee students’ safety. A student could contract COVID at ULM and spread the disease to those with weakened immune systems. Then those individuals could get so ill that their situation becomes fatal. These protocols may seem excessive to some, but they are needed. Our concern must be with protecting the students and those with whom they might come into contact. We are living in a pandemic and we need act like it. The school website states that if you are not fully vaccinated to “keep taking all precautions until you are fully vaccinated.” Because the campus vaccine requirement is relatively new and many students are not vaccinated,
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 71209-8832.
the school should still have the necessary protocols in place like they did before. And according to the CDC, “Some people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will still get sick because no vaccines are 100% effective.” Even if you are vaccinated, you could still contract or spread the disease. Another concern is that we do not know how effective these vaccines will be for newer strands of COVID. We are already familiar with the Delta variant, but newer and possibly more severe variants may arise. ULM has made a mistake by lessening safety protocols on campus. Students and faculty alike are hoping for the return to normal school operations, but disregarding important safety precautions is not the way to go about this. We do not want to risk causing another lockdown. We must put every effort forth to prevent the continuation of this pandemic. contact Kassidy Taylor at taylorkad@warhawks.ulm.edu
Campus
Another parking garage would curb problems
318-342-5453 ulmhawkeyead@gmail.com Assistant Director: Courtney Collins 318 342 5450 ccollins@ulm.edu Feedback 318 342 5453 newsroom 318 342 5452 fax ulmhawkeye@gmail. com
Don’t agree? Let us know! Contact the writers or the editor at nailcn@warhawks.ulm.edu
photo courtesy ShutterStock
Morgan Andrews Parking at ULM is not efficient at all. Most students that live on campus choose not to move their car for hours or days in fear of not having a place to park when they come back. ULM has only provided one threestory car garage and some parking spaces around campus for commuters. Because of the lack of parking, commuters always end up overflowing to parking areas designated for residents.
According to the ULM website, there are 8,489 students at ULM. Around 6,000 of them attend school in-person while 2,000 are online. There are only about 6,000 parking slots on campus. So when faculty, staff and visitors are added to the mix, that leaves even fewer spots accessible to students. When students park in incorrect areas or invalid parking spaces because they could not find a parking spot before class, they receive a $50-$150 parking ticket based on where they parked. College tuition is already costly enough. Having to pay more for a parking ticket because you couldn’t find a valid parking space can make a student’s life more stressful. Apparently, ULM is not the only university with this problem. Other college students share this same experience. In a poll at Mt. San Antonio College, 68% of students said it takes up to 15
minutes to find a parking spot, while 32% said it takes them up to 30 minutes on any given day. The University Police Department’s website states, “The university does not guarantee a parking space will be available at any time.” This is not just a commuter problem. This is a resident problem as well. Some of us live here, and we still struggle to find parking. Students shouldn’t be forced to pay a $100 vehicle registration fee when there is no guarantee that you’ll find a parking spot when needed. There should be another two or three-story garage built near the buildings where classes are held. If that’s not possible, students should be charged less for their vehicle registration fee since there are not enough spaces to accommodate everyone. contact Morgan Andrews at andrewmr@warhawks.ulm.edu
August 30, 2021
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
PAGE 5 OPINION
COVID
Foreign Affairs
Shot for $100 saves Afghanistan withdrawal is best lives, moves us decision for American people toward normalcy Ayushma Shrestha
Maggie Eubanks A phrase you might have heard around campus recently is “one shot for $100.” This is a program the Louisiana Department of Health started to encourage college students to get vaccinated. Many students are on the fence about getting the vaccine. But when offered $100, more students will decide to take the money and get the shot. And that’s a good thing. It’s going to help us move further down the road on our way back to “normal.” While this incentive might be seen as unfair to many because those who have been previously vaccinated are not able to receive the money, we should look on the positive side. The state is trying to meet unvaccinated individuals in the middle with this program. The state needs more vaccinated people and college students need more money. They know that it is a difficult time and they know that getting the vaccine can be a hard decision. But by offering students $100 to get the shot, I believe that they are taking the correct steps and catering to the college audience well. This program will be very beneficial to the community and our college campuses. There is a massive amount of people that will get vaccinated because of the implementation of this program. The Louisiana Department of Health says this initiative is not only to reach higher vaccination rates but also to inform the community about the safety of the vaccine. There has been a lot of mistrust surrounding the vaccine since its release. Much of this is due to the constant change of information from scientists and trusted sources. Even this week there is talk of a new booster shot for those that have already received the vaccine. While this variability in information can
be confusing, I think we have to go with the best solution that is offered to us. Right now, that’s the vaccine. I got my vaccine last March knowing that I would get nothing for it except my own reassurance. But I have several unvaccinated friends that are planning on getting their first shot because of the fact that they can get $100. This program is a great leap by the state to try and combat the rising case numbers and hospitalizations that have plagued the state since the entrance of the Delta variant. According to the LDH, 90% of COVID cases in the state are from unvaccinated individuals. This percentage increases when looking at COVID-related hospilazations and deaths. College-aged students account for one the lowest rates of vaccination in the state with only 28% of 18-29 year olds being fully vaccinated. This same age group has the highest case numbers in the state. At the beginning of the pandemic older populations were being hit the worst and accounted for the majority of cases in the state. But as many of them have chosen to be vaccinated, the tables have turned on young people. Those of us that are not vaccinated need to do our part to help the community. The vaccine is FDA approved and is now required for you to be a student at ULM. Why not go get your first shot and get $100? You will be doing your part to help us return to some sense of normalcy and get some free money in the process. The National Guard will be on campus administering COVID vaccines every Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Brown Gym. Visa cards will be given to eligible students after the shot has been given. contact Maggie Eubanks at eubanksml@warhawks.ulm.edu
Imagine going two decades back in civilization where you are sexualized for your gender, objectified for your attire and swayed from your basic human rights. That is now the case in Afghanistan, which just came under the law of the Taliban. American troops have been in Afghanistan fighting the Taliban for 20 years. But President Joe Biden announced in April his decision to take the American troops out of Afghanistan. While some might see this as a betrayal, it was the best decision he could make for his people. The Taliban—formed in 1994— is a group of resistance fighters that now has full control over Afghanistan. It is enforcing laws that are autocratic and demoralizing.
With the law in hands of the Taliban, the future of women and children in Afghanistan is at stake. Afghan people are ready to flee from their own country. They just want to go to a peaceful place where they can have security for their family and life. When people are threatened, betrayed and unprotected in their own country, there is no way they can lead a quality life. Terrified Afghan people are waiting to be evacuated from their own country to feel safe. While it is the responsibility of other countries to feel empathetic toward the people of Afghanistan and extend them helping hands, it is also necessary for other countries to protect their people first. An ally-ship between countries can be long term, but it shouldn’t necessarily last forever. The alliance between the American and Afghan governments was a true one, but unfortunately it could not last in perpetuity. It had to come to an end. A country is made by its people. The Afghanistan government could not protect the American people because it had to think
about its own people’s safety first. And the U.S. had to think about its own people first too. While it’s not a solution to the problem, it was the best decision that could’ve been made. Now that the Taliban has taken over Afghanistan, it is their duty to take care of their people too. It is important that people learn how to grow with the change. And it would be nice if the Taliban would bend its morals and do what is right for its people. Providing people with basic human rights like education, food and shelter should be the first initiative they take as the official government. The conflict must come to an end shortly. The chaos between the Taliban and Afghan troops could lead to another world war. Women and children, who are the most vulnerable ones, should be protected and given the opportunity to uplift their social condition. Peace should be promoted and riots should end as soon as possible.
contact Ayushma Shrestha at shresthaa2@warhawks.ulm.edu
photo courtesy ShutterStock
PAGE 6
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
August 30, 2021
NEWS
Pandemic
graphic by Sunil Bishwokarma
COVID vaccine added to immunization list
FDA approves Pfizer—ULM requires vaccine for students by Loryn Kykendall
The COVID vaccine is now on the list of required immunizations for students at ULM. The new requirement will go into effect next semester. Before the Spring 2022 registration period, all students must provide documentation of immunization against COVID. The only other options are to either provide documentation from a physician saying the student should not get the vaccine or provide a written dissent for getting the vaccine. The requirement is a result of the FDA’s approval of the Pfizer vaccine. The Office of Marketing and Communications released a statement last week and said our return to normalcy depends on minimizing the impact of COVID and that the vaccine will help us achieve that. “We strongly encourage all students to be vaccinated for COVID-19 as soon as possible,” said the statement. But some students, like Austin Hymel, aren’t in support of the vaccine reCullen quirement. Hymel, a junior pre-pharmacy major, said students should be able to choose whether they get the vaccine or not.
graphic by Sunil Bishwokarma
STAY SAFE: According to US News, Louisiana is ranked eighth for the lowest vaccine rate in the US.
He said since we’re adults and can make our own decisions about things like voting, we should be able to make our own decisions about vaccines. Hymel said he understands that requiring the vaccine will have benefits like lessening the chance of contracting the virus and making symptoms mild for those who do catch COVID.
Meanwhile, Hymel said, the downside is the “violation of people’s religion, rights and discretion. ” He said the vaccine was “rushed and not refined.” Hymel said the competition between the three major vaccine providers means they cut corners to produce their vaccines the quickest. However, other students like Caitlyn Cullen
think the vaccine requirement is vital for public health. Cullen said the COVID vaccine should be viewed in the same way as all the other vaccines students are required to get. “Public safety is not a choice,” Cullen said. “It is important to require vaccines in order to protect our fellow humans.” Cullen mentioned that one reason it’s so important for people to get the vaccine is for the people who can’t get it because of medical or religious reaCroswell sons. She said requiring the vaccine means those who are immunocompromised or unable to get the vaccine will be able to return to campus and “enjoy the rest of their college journey in person without fearing illness.” Kristie Croswell, a ULM alumna with a bachelor’s in psychology, also said requiring the vaccine is important for immunocompromised students. She said they should be able to feel comfortable and respected returning to classes on campus. Croswell said people have abused their ability to choose and vaccines need to be mandated. “It’s important to recognize the privilege in being able to even have the choice to get the vaccine while other countries are begging for it,” Croswell said. contact Loryn Kykendall at kykendalllk@warhawks.ulm.edu
August 30, 2021
PAGE 7
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
NEWS
Campus
photo by Mackenize Triche
photo courtesy ULM photo services
NO PARKING BABY: In the parking map above, different colored blocks show who can park where—maroon is for faculty and staff, yellow is for residents, white is for commuters and striped lines are some combination of the three.
Parking worsens with HUB construction by Loryn Kykendall You drive 20 minutes to get to school. You’re almost late but you pull into the parking lot five minutes early. The only problem is there’s no place to park. That’s when you have to drive across campus to park, run to your class and walk through the door five minutes late. With the construction of the HUB at the corner of University Avenue and Northeast Drive, there are fewer parking spaces on campus this semester. The construction has blocked
off an entire parking lot and a few spaces of street parking. Students took to ULM’s Student to Student Facebook group recently to talk about the issues they have with parking this semester. Olivia Schelle- Schellekens kens, a junior radiologic technology major, said it takes her at least 15 to 20 minutes to find a parking spot. “I wake up early enough to get a
spot, but that means [I have to get here] 40 minutes before my class starts,” Schellekens said. Audrey Holland, a senior speech pathology major, said she has to leave her house early in order to accommodate for parking. “If I have to be at work on campus by 7:30 a.m., then it’s about five minutes [to park],” Holland said. “But anything later than 8 a.m., [I need] at least 15 to 20 minutes to find a parking spot.” According to ULM’s website there are nearly 6,000 parking spots on campus and parking is “almost al-
ways available in the overflow lots.” There are 38 total parking zones for students—19 zones for residential students and 26 zones for commuter students. Parking is also available on the east side of the bayou near Malone Stadium and Brown Stadium. There is also currently only one parking garage on the west side of the bayou, which is where most classes are. However, both Holland and Schellekens agreed that more parking garages would help alleviate some of their stress about parking.
“ULM is always building some [new buildings], so why can’t they build new parking garages,” Schellekens said. The Hawkeye reached out to Tom Torregrossa, Holland the director of ULM’s police department, and Jeremy Kent, ULM’s police lieutenant about parking issues and received no comment. contact Loryn Kykendall at kykendalllk@warhawks.ulm.edu
Technology
Changes, problems with Moodle worry students by Chloe Chapel Before this semester started, students were already having problems with Moodle. Many students took to the Facebook group Student to Student to express concerns about Moodle and see if other students were having similar problems. The first issue students were having was with the new login system. It forced students to create a new password and made logging in a two-step process. This is a new two-factor authentication system ULM rolled out in waves starting last spring. It came in an effort to keep students’ academic information safe.
Brittany Powell, a junior secondary education major, admitted that the two-factor authentication is important but it can still be annoying. “The new multi-step login does make it harder and longer to log in,” Powell said. “I understand that our internet safety is a top priority of our school, so while I am not a fan of the multiPowell step login, I understand we need it.” Students were also concerned because it was only a couple of days before school started
and courses had yet to appear on their Moodle homepages. That meant students were unable to access their syllabi and prepare for their upcoming courses. While some courses had not yet been added to Moodle, others from previous semesters had not been taken away. Powell said having old courses still on the Moodle page is a nuisnace when trying to navigate. However, this problem has nothing to do with Moodle itself. Chance Eppinette, the director of information technology, explained that adding and taking away courses is up to insturctors. “Courses are controlled by instructors,” Eppinette said. “[Therefore] courses may not be viewable at five days before the semester starts unless the instructor makes it viewable.” Lastly, students were having trouble locating a Moodle app. In January ULM’s information technolo-
gy center sent a schoolwide email informing students that they may no longer have access to the Moodle mobile app beginning in February. Students were left wondering why ULM did not promote another app so they could continue to Eppinette access Moodle on their phones. Eppinette said this was because the new app, Old Open LMS, is out of ULM’s control and is a “third-party open source product.” While ULM has no control over these problems, they understand it can be frustrating for students. That’s why the ULM help desk is always there to help. You can contact the help desk at 318-342-3333 during normal hours for any questions regarding technology. contact Chloe Chapel at chapelcb@warhawks.ulm.edu
PAGE 8
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
August 30, 2021
NEWS
COVID
CDC urges booster shot after vaccine by Kylie Cichocki
To get the vaccine or to not get the vaccine— That’s one of the biggest decisions people are facing today. Recently another important question has come up as well—Do I need booster shots for the COVID vaccine? According to the CDC, they want to start issuing booster shots this upcoming fall. They said that eight months after your second dose of the initial vaccination is the best time to get the booster shot. But why a booster shot? Did the original not work well enough? The original dose did work. The booster formula is the exact same as the first doses of the vaccine. It just helps your immune system stay protected over time. Young There are no differences in the vaccines. But you should receive the same brand booster as your original vaccine. Getting booster shots is especially impor-
tant for immunocompromised individuals due to the many variants. Booster shots will allow these individuals to continuously be protected, according to the CDC. Pre-pharmacy major Maddie Young studies topics like these in great detail. “I think that getting a COVID-19 booster shot is Brady a fantastic idea, especially for those who are immunocompromised,” Young said. “Anything to keep people safe and healthy.” Many want to get back to “normal” like everyone else but have a family to think about. Jessica Brady, a clinical professor, has a preschooler and two school-aged children at home. “I want to do all that I can to protect them, and that means ensuring my own protection from infection,” Brady said. “I’ll be ready to receive my booster dose when it’s made available.” photo courtesy ShutterStock
contact Kylie Cichocki at cichockikb@warhawks.ulm.edu
BOOST IMMUNIZATIONS: According to the CDC, vaccines are working to well against the widely circulating Delta variant, but booster shots allow vaccinated people to remain protected for months.
Health
NSA provides community for individuals who stutter by Morgan Andrews
In America alone, roughly 3 million individuals stutter. Stuttering usually begins in children between the ages of two and five. However, 75% of children who stutter recover from it within 12 to 24 months of speech therapy, according to the National Institution on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. But what about the other 25%? In 2019 a Monroe chapter of the National Stuttering Association was founded to help uplift and bring a sense of community to people who stutter. Amanda Elias, the Monroe chapter NSA leader, said the importance of the NSA is to empower those who stutter by providing them with a community. Elias “The NSA is the largest non-profit organization in the world dedicated to bringing hope and empowerment to children and adults who stutter, their families, and professionals, through support, education, advocacy, and research,” Elias said. graphic by Sunil Bishwokarma Speech language pathology majors and HAPPIER TOGETHER: According to the National Stuttering Association, the NSA was founded Jan- graduate students can also join the Monroe uary 1977 with early efforts focusing on community outreach, education and advocacy programs. NSA chapter to get a more in-depth under-
standing of stuttering. For information on other communication disorders besides stuttering, SLP students can also join the student-led National Student Speech Language Hearing Association. NSSHLA is an organization that encourages students to learn more about speech, language and hearing. Julia Blazek, the NSSHLA undergraduate representative, feels that joining NSSHLA has only made her more passionate about speech language pathology. “Becoming a member and now officer of NSSLHA has only made my love grow, and it has gotten me even more excited for a future career helping others as a speech language pathologist,” Blazek said. Both the NSA and NSSHLA strive to bring unity and knowledge to future SLPs and individuals with communication disorders. According to Elias, the NSA’s motto is, “You are never alone,” which perfectly explains the missions of both groups. If you would like to be a part of the community, the NSA holds meetings on the second Monday of each month in Sugar Hall Room 200. You can also contact Amanda Elias for information on the NSA and NSSHLA. contact Morgan Andrews at andrewsmr@warhawks.ulm.edu
August 30, 2021
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
PAGE 9 NEWS
Foreign Politics
Finance
INVESTING for Dummies
1. Don’t wait, start investing now. You may lose money, but you will never gain if you don’t start. 2. Invest on what you know. Don’t get involved with overly complex investments, it can lead to easily-avoidable mistakes.
photo courtesy ShutterStock
US, Afghanistan: a history by Chloe Chapel At this point, almost everyone has heard about the United States removing troops from Afghanistan. But why were they there to begin with? It started with the 9/11 terrorist attacks. When the attacks happened, U.S. officials pinned Osama bin Laden, the leader of Islamic terrorist group al-Qaida, as the prime suspect in the attacks. He was believed to be hiding in Afghanistan. At the time, the Taliban, an Islamic political and religious military organization formed in Afghanistan, was in control of the country. Therefore the U.S. demanded the Taliban turn over bin Laden. The Taliban refused to answer to the demands, so the United States and British forces launched airstrikes against Afghanistan and bombed Taliban targets and bases belonging to al-Qaida, according to PBS News. That’s when American troops first entered Afghanistan. According to the New York Times, in December 2001, American troops toppled the Taliban government. Soon after, Hamid Karzai was sworn in as the interim leader of the Afghan government. American troops remained there to try to rebuild the country. However, the Taliban was only growing stronger in numbers and power. The U.S. military remained in the country despite plans to remove more troops with each American presidency.
In February 2020, former President Trump announced a deal with the Taliban that said the U.S. would be out of Afghanistan in 14 months. In exchange, the Taliban would not let Afghanistan become a haven for terrorists, according to MSNBC. Once President Biden came into office, he had to withdraw troops to maintain the deal. He pushed back the original date of the deal from May to Aug. 31. However, Biden said he was bound to the deal, which set the stage for chaos to ensue in Afghanistan. Removing troops from Afghanistan became the center of controversy in America. Many Americans have pushed for the U.S. to pull troops out of Afghanistan for 20 years. However, now that it has happened, many people are on the fence about the decision. Ann Smith, a senior political science major, said she can understand both why we should and shouldn’t have pulled out. “I personally do feel it was time to pull the troops out of Afghanistan […], however, it could have been done in a better way,” Smith said. “I also feel like they should not have left […] because the Taliban was still active.” Once the U.S. began to pull out troops, it was only a matter of time before the Taliban took back control of Afghanistan. On Aug. 15, that happened. The Tal-
iban took over Kabul—Afghanistan’s capital—and took control of Afghanistan as their government collapsed. Despite the Taliban taking over, President Biden stuck with the plan of withdrawing American troops by Aug. 31. This plan came with backlash. Madison Hernandez, a senior political science major, agreed with the plan to get troops out of Afghanistan, but said maintaining the goal of Aug. 31 is dangerous. “Our troops should stay until all American citizens have made it out of Afghanistan,” Hernandez said. Two suicide bombings occurred Aug. 26 outside the Kabul airport as thousands of Afghans were trying to flee the country. Those two attacks killed at least 169 Afghans and 13 U.S. troops, making it the deadliest day for American troops in Afghanistan since 2011, according to PBS. Despite the two attacks, Biden still does not plan to push back the withdrawal date. Hernandez feels the most important thing to do right now is to get American troops and American allies out of Afghanistan. “After the bombing in Kabul, we must recognize that we are no longer welcome, get our citizens and aid our ally nations in getting their citizens out of the country, and then stay out of further disputes,” Hernandez said. contact Chloe Chapel at chapelcb@warhawks.ulm.edu
3. Have an emergency fund. It is meant to keep you afloat if all of your income evaporates tomorrow. Experts recommend you have at least three to six months' worth of savings on hand. 4. You don’t have to be an expert to invest. There are many people that can help. Just do some research and find soone who best understands your needs.
graphic by Sunil Bishwokarma
PAGE 10
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
August 30, 2021
FREESTYLE
Feature
photos by Saugat Shrestha
GIVING BACK TO THE PLANTS: Jones travels to the coast of Louisiana to investigate the cheniers and vegetation around them using drones and special softwares.
Warhawk researches cheniers of Louisiana coast Nautica Jones wins two grants to fund research on effects of climate change on vegetation diversity by Uchechi Owunna
Upon returning to her home in southern Louisiana after Hurricane Gustav, eight-year-old Nautica Jones looked around with teary eyes at the number of trees that had been blown away and destroyed by the hurricane. The after effects of Hurricane Gustav on the forest in her neighborhood triggered her interest in the environment and the effects of climate change on vegetation. Fast forward thirteen years later and Jones is a senior biology student at ULM researching the effects of climate change on the cheniers of the Louisiana coastline. She now has two grants under her belt—one from the Garden Club of America and another from the Louisiana Garden Club Federation. She has also completed two internships. The most recent was with the Harvard Forest Summer Research Program, which she will be continuing this semester. Jones juggles her research and academic work with the Honors Program, TRIO and a work-study job. Her work focuses mainly on cheniers, which are land ridges native to the Louisiana coastline. They support the growth of live oak trees in that area.
The cheniers’ proximity to the coastline makes them unique but also poses a threat to their existence because of the accumulation of salt in the soil caused by the gulf. Because of this, most research sites are in Cameron and Vermilion parishes. Jones’ research involves taking inventory and using drones to take near-surface images to investigate the changes in the vegetation— whether there are more invasive or desired plants in the area. “Once we complete that and write a paper, it will be a resource to bring awareness to the problems facing the forests in that area,” Jones said. “I think the first line of defense with any issue is letting people know that there is an issue.” Dr. Joydeep Bhattacharjee, Jones’ mentor and a biology professor at ULM, explained the importance of Jones’ research and how the grant Bhattacharjee will help Jones’ research expenses. According to Bhattacharjee, the Garden Club of America and the Louisiana Garden Club Federation funded Nautica’s research work with $3,000 and $5,000. “This cost will go toward buying the tools and software needed to produce accurate results. It will also help fund lodging at the research sites,” Bhattacharjee said. Jones met Bhattacharjee when she was a student in one of his environmental science classes. After that class, Jones knew she had to do something related to ecology. She went on to take all his ecology classes available for undergraduates. “Nautica knows how to ask the right questions. She is one student that always completes a task regardless of whether she had done it before or not,” Bhattacharjee said. “Because
of this, I am sure she will be a great role model for minority female students in STEM, and her impact will encourage them to go into the research field.” Shermaine Thibeaux, Jones’ mother, was quite surprised when she first learned about the grant from the Garden Club of America because she did not even know Jones was applying for it. Once the surprise wore off, she was overwhelmed with pride for her daughter.
We are fighting for our trees and plantlife because when we lose the trees, we've lost the war. Nautica Jones, senior biology major. “Nautica has always been a bit of a perfectionist. Even when she is doing her hair, she focuses and tries to do it well,” Thibeaux said. “This characteristic has helped her achieve a lot in her field. Whenever she has an idea, she has always been one to follow through with it.” Thibeaux described a conversation she had with Jones around the time of the most recent presidential election. That was the first time she understood the huge impact Jones was going to make on the world. “While we were talking about President
Biden’s energy conservation plan, Nautica easily explained a specific survey done for this plan,” Thibeaux said. “As I listened to her, I felt her passion and ability to explain the importance of conserving the natural resources, especially vegetation. That was also when I knew that this was not the end of her studies.” Colby Pogue, a first-year pharmacy student who has been Jones’ friend for four years, said he was not surprised when he learned about Jones’ award. Pogue said he first realPogue ized how passionate Jones was a year ago while hammocking on campus with her. He said that while they were relaxing, Jones took her time to explain the types of trees and plants around them. “Nautica is very adventurous and willing to learn by exploring and trying new things,” Pogue said. “Because of this, I see her in many reputable scientific journals and articles in the future. I also see her work being used and applied all over the world to inspire other people and promote conservation of vegetation.” Jones’ academic goals involve making her way to the Pacific Northwest to research the forest there. Her ultimate dream is to be a chair scientist for the United Nations and head the Climate Change Campaign's research team. “When I was in high school, I worried about whether I would have an academic future, if I would come up with good questions and have more opportunities to do research projects," Jones said. "But the biggest thing I’ve taken away from attending ULM, as cliché as that sounds, is that life is what you make of it. Where you are is where you should be.” contact Uchechi Owunna at owunnaud@warhawks.ulm.edu
August 30, 2021
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
PAGE 11 FREESTYLE
Movie Review
Legends never truly die in 'Candyman' by Alexis Page
Bernard Rose’s 1992 film “Candyman” is one of my favorite films. It fuses horror with social commentary on gentrification, racial prejudice and the power of folklore. What you deem nonsense, others believe is horrifying gospel. Director Nia DaCosta’s “Candyman” revives the hook-handed spirit in this modern reincarnation. She expands upon themes and lore from Rose’s original, using art for its beauty, grotesque nature and ambiguity. It is a worthy sequel to Rose’s classic and lively experience. In DaCosta's version, acclaimed artists Anthony McCoy and girlfriend Brianna Cartwright lead successful lives in Chicago. McCoy visits the abandoned remains of Cabrini-Green for an art project. The familiar complex has been vastly erased. Let’s just say he will regret picking up that paintbrush. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II plays McCoy
from ambitious and intelligent to paranoid maniac. Teyonah Parris as Cartwright plays a confident, self-made woman fearing for her life later on. Colman Domingo plays William Burke, an eccentric laundromat owner with deep roots in Cabrini-Green. McCoy and Cartwright’s artwork highlights the film’s themes and messages. My favorites were McCoy’s grotesque portraits of Black men, showing exposed skull and tortured expressions in a sea of muddy colors. Some art pieces reflect commentary on racial injustice, biases and how urban legends transcend time. Why are we so compelled to chant “Bloody Mary” in the mirror? We want to satiate our fears and curiosities despite any potential danger. And it’s fun for sleepovers, too. Important themes range from gentrification to police brutality and society’s outlook on crimes involving
race. Scenes of abandoned complexes retaken by nature pale against clean, modern architecture. Violent deaths of innocent Black citizens dissolve into time while a white woman’s death becomes immortalized. You can see this when white characters talk to our Black protagonists. Notice their plastic and insincere tones. One word of warning— —If you are prone to seizures, intense flashing lights appear near the end. Theaters will remind you about this. DaCosta’s “Candyman” breathes new life into the titular killer for a new era. She delves into issues relevant in American society now more than ever. It marries horror, art and commentary creating a beautifully bloody tale. Take this standout line from Burke: “They love what we make, but they don’t love us.” contact Alexis Page at pagean@warhawks.ulm.edu
Recommendations
Delve into anime-world with these breathtaking shows
Spirited Away
Spirited Away is a movie that tells the story of Chihiro Ogino, a 10-year-old girl who enters the world of Kami— —spirits of Japanese Shinto folklore— —while moving to a new neighborhood with her parents. They get lost in a dark forest and end up in an abandoned amusement park. After her parents are turned into pigs by the witch Yubaba for stuffing their faces with the food there, Chihiro takes a job working in Yubaba's bathhouse to find a way to free her family and return to the human world. If you are looking for a short coming-ofage anime to watch, this one is the one for you.
Boku no Hero Academia
Boku no Hero Academia is a Shonen style anime series with a hooking plot. In this anime, some people have a special ability called a "quirk," which determines the powers of the person. The main character, Deku, inherited his quirk from All-Might, the strongest of all in the series. The best quality of this series is the main character’s development throughout the series. Deku goes from being a total push-over and weakling to a stellar fighter and a great teammate. If you need an action-filled anime with unique characters you will feel for and a plot that makes sense, then this anime is for you.
Kuroko's Basketball
Kuroko’s Basketball is a sports anime. It's just about basketball, but the way the story is delivered makes it so much better. Each main character has their own special talent that makes them more powerful on the court. The main character, Tetsuya Kuroko, has misdirection. He uses his lack of presence to “disappear” and make impossible passes to his teammates. With these abilities, it makes the anime even more interesting to watch than just watching a regular basketball game. You get pulled into the story, the characters and the games. It’s hilarious, dramatic and all-around fantastic.
Hunter x Hunter
This is a classic Shonen anime. It follows the main character, Gon Freecss, as he tries to understand his absent father by pursuing a career as a Hunter. Hunters are licensed, elite members of society who track down secret treasures, rare beasts and wanted criminals using Nen abilities. Nen is a technique that allows people to manipulate their life energy. The anime starts off lighthearted and adventurous but slowly becomes so much more. Often the story is a deep dive into the inner workings of humanity and how people react to the effects of loss, grief and anger.
My Teen Romantic Comedy SNAFU
If you like the romantic comedy genre, this series is for you. Even though it is a romantic comedy, it largely depicts various social situations faced by teens in high school and the psychology driving their interactions. The story follows the life of an antisocial high school student, Hachiman. One day, as a punishment, he is forced to join a volunteer club. Here, he meets the president and only member of the club. Despite their contrasting personalities and ideals, they must work together to offer help and advice to others as part of their school's service club.
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
PAGE 12
August 30, 2021
FREESTYLE
Student Short Story
Music
Go back in time with retro artists by Mya Thornhill
graphic by Sunil Bishwokarma
by Kylie Cichocki
I went to the park today because I got off work early. It was mid-afternoon with perfect weather. Summer was coming to an end although it wasn’t quite autumn yet. I made my way down to my favorite hidden spot at the park. It was a run-down, unused amphitheater. I made my way down the vine-separated, brick steps and to my surprise, there was already someone sitting in my secret spot. I didn’t mind the company though, as the woman seemed pleasant. Sitting near her, I attempted to make small talk but she seemed too fixated on her surroundings to engage into what I had to say. Then suddenly, the sky grabbed my attention. The sunset this specific evening was the most beautiful thing I have ever laid eyes upon. The colors were vibrant and captivating. There were bright reds and oranges, hues of deep blues and purples. The clouds accented the sun in ways I never knew possible. I don’t think I could ever be blessed to see anything this simple yet beautiful again. I’m glad the stranger accompanying me experienced this miraculous sunset as well. Today I decided to spend some time alone at the park, but, of course it was a crowded place. Because of the crowd, I walked a little longer through some shrubbery and found this abandoned amphitheater. I decided it was a good spot to enjoy some halfway decent weather, so I sat. I was having an alright time, when an unusual girl came bursting out of nowhere. She sat a little too close to me for my liking. Then she tried to make small talk. However, I blew off her unnervingly happy questions until she finally shut it. That was when I noticed the horrible sight of the sunset. The sun was blazing down onto my skin and into my eyes. Moreso, the sky was the most nauseating, fiery shade of blood orange and yellow that I had ever witnessed. There were clouds in the sky but they did nothing in terms of providing shade. There was a red hue cast down from above that only made matters worse. I noticed that the strange girl was in awe of everything. What oblivion she must be living in, I thought to myself. contact Kylie Cichocki at cichockikb@warhawks.ulm.edu
Retro items are taking the world by storm and it isn’t any wonder that many songs charting on Billboard and other sites are inspired by music from past decades. From Silk Sonic to Billie Eilish, the hits of today show that the music of the past is just as good in the present. Here are a few older artists that are worth a listen.
“At 17.” The song is about struggles of being a teenager and dealing with unpopularity which many students can relate to.
on the charts, it’s nice to look back at classic country and appreciate the singers who inspired modern country musicians.
fans of this genre, he may not be known by young people currently discovering R&B and soul. Some well known songs to stream are “What’s Going On” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.” These two songs have very different styles but they equally encompass the sounds of R&B and soul.
1) Janis Ian Janis Ian is an American singersongwriter similar to Billie Eilish, with the themes of her songs discussing serious topics. Ian has written and performed songs about racial injustice, depression, death, the struggles of adolescence, failed love and many more from her life experiences. Ian released her first album at 15 years old in 1967 and continues to be active today. One recommended song to stream is Ian’s 1975 hit
2) Marty Robbins Marty Robbins was an American singer-songwriter who performed country music and occasionally pop. Robbins was active in country music from 1948 to 1982 and had many hit songs. Some hit songs of Robbins’ to stream are “Ruby Ann” and “Don’t Worry.” Both songs discuss heartbreak but in very different ways. With country music always being
3) Marvin Gaye Marvin Gaye was an American singer-songwriter and record producer who was an iconic figure in R&B, soul and similar genres. Gaye was a part of many hit songs in the late 1960s and 1970s. Since his death in 1984, Gaye continues to be popular. Groups like Silk Sonic are bringing those sounds of the 1970s back into today’s music. Although Gaye is well known by
There are many good artists from the past worth listening to, and many will likely make a resurgence as the popularity of retro style grows. contact Mya Thornhill at thornhillmd@warhawks.ulm.edu
Recommendations
TikTok trends for Warhawks to hop on
#framechallenge A timer is set to 10 seconds and before the time runs out you have to hide somewhere out of the frame. Then it clicks the picture. If you’re still within the frame of the picture, you’ve failed. If you want to make it more challenging, try setting the timer to three seconds. Another challenge that involves speed could be to race away from the camera and see who runs the furthest in three seconds. This trend is even more fun when it’s enjoyed with friends and family. See how far they will go to escape the frame. This trend currently has about 3.1 million views.
#vhstape Vintage looks are making a big comeback in today’s world, so it’s no surprise this trend took off. This trend went viral after a user named @bertualonso posted a video featuring her mom without any filter then switched the camera to herself with the retro filter. The footage looked as if she was her mom in her younger days. This fond video inspired other users to try the filter. Even if your parents don’t want to get involved, you can use the filter for other videos too. As of now, #vhstape has a total of 20.8 million views.
#passingthephone The trend starts off with one person saying, “I’m passing the phone to,” and then they describe their friend. The phone gets passed to the friend being described, who continues the trend by passing to another friend. The challenge is that you either tease or compliment your friends. Be careful if you are doing this trend with your best friend since the video could go south really quickly, especially if you start revealing goofy or even dark secrets. Most recently, #passingthephone has a total of 360.5 million views.
#tellmewithouttellingme This is one of the most trendy hashtags I have ever seen on TikTok. This trend started way back in 2019 but is still relevant and fun in 2021. The challenge is to tell viewers something about yourself without mentioning the actual thing in any possible way. This trend is so well known that on Twitter, companies like Starbucks are using the hashtag to connect with their customers and viewers. #tellmewithouttellingme currently has a total of 1.6 billion views.
August 30, 2021
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
PAGE 13 FREESTYLE FREESTYLE
Crossword
Horoscope Aries Rely on partnership and collaboration. Your sweetheart has great ideas. Grow new creative collaborations and connections.
1 To-do list entry 5 Largely seasonal Golden Arches sandwich 10 Mimicked 14 Not doing much 15 “The Vampire Diaries” protagonist 16 Sleeveless top, briefly 17 Special access for celebrities 20 Slender fish 21 Boxer Laila 22 Garfield’s dog frenemy 23 Mass communication? 26 Fire up, as a motor 27 Thumbs-up vote 28 Superman foe Luthor 31 Fill drink orders 35 Navigational aid letters 38 Winter glider 40 Greet at the door
Down
34 Quick meal 35 Company with a 1 Helpful hint spokeslizard 2 Madison Ave. figure 36 Goes white from 3 More cunning fright 4 Body armor fiber 37 Ave. crossers 5 Got together with 39 Desserts topped 6 Easily understood with gummy worms 7 Film spools 41 “Wrong-o!” 8 Concave navel 43 Chocolate-and9 Softball club toffee bar 10 Northeasternmost 45 Champagne variety U.S. national park 47 Weak, as an excuse 11 Terrified reaction 48 Discourages 12 Game show host, 52 Magician’s garb e.g. 53 Bad to the bone 13 Fizzle out 54 Solar panel 18 To date component 19 Mars explorer 55 Tied the knot 24 Pre-holiday nights 25 “Late Night” actress 56 Debut on the NYSE 57 Consultant’s Amy payment 28 Hallucinogenic drug 60 Named time span 29 Skip the big 61 Remote button wedding, maybe 62 Speck in a URL 30 It’s a copy and a company 32 At hand 33 Shop with a slicer
You’re especially brilliant and clever. Creativity flourishes. Determine what you want and ask for it. Talk about what you love.
Scorpio
Prioritize health and vitality. Streamline routines and practices over the next three weeks. Simplify tasks. Put your heart into your work.
Listen to your inner voice. Plan, write and research. Private settings foster creativity and productivity. Lay low.
You’re especially attractive and charming. Creative communications flower. Beautify the presentation. Talk about what you love. Express your heart.
41 Well-organized 42 Presidential biographer __ Kearns Goodwin 44 Ctrl-__-Del 45 Heats, as water for pasta 46 Popular Chinese takeout dish 49 Praise highly 50 Freeway vehicles 51 Markdowns, and what 17-, 23- and 46-Across all exhibit 55 Modern hotel amenity 58 Word from the Yiddish for “expert” 59 Stereotypical techie 63 Fencing sword 64 Like milk on the floor 65 Nabisco cookie 66 “Easy __ it” 67 Screams 68 Negotiator’s asset
Libra
Taurus
Gemini
Across
Courtesy of MCT Campus
Cancer Consensus comes together naturally. It’s getting easier to communicate with family. Discuss and plan desired domestic upgrades.
Sagittarius Profit through social interaction. Crowdsource solutions. Collaborate with friends and allies. Together, you’re especially powerful.
Capricorn Gain professional influence. New career opportunities arise. Public communication can benefit your status. Share your experiences. Contribute your unique perspective.
Leo
Aquarius
Write, create and share. Present a persuasive case with heart. Communicate a well-balanced perspective. Your audience is growing.
Explore fascinations and curiosities. Expand territory. Ask probing questions. Participate in a larger conversation. Inquire into a mystery.
Virgo Profitable ideas abound. Creative work pays well. Develop new income sources. Make valuable connections in conversation.
Pisces Financial conversations with your partner generate solutions. Revise budgets and plans. Invest in home and family.
graphic by Sunil Bishwokarma
PAGE 14
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
August 30, 2021
SPORTS SPORTS
Football
Season opener versus Kentucky by Cameron Jett
The countdown is on. The stage is set. On Sept. 4, Kroger Field at the University of Kentucky the most exciting offseason in ULM history leads into the regular season. No doubt it will be a rough start. Not only is Kentucky an SEC team coming off of a bowl victory, it is the first time their stadium will be at full capacity in over a year. Across the nation, home field advantage will be back in full force. Like ULM, Kentucky has had some soul searching for a quarterback. The Wildcats were dead last in the SEC in passing yards and had the least efficient passing game. Their starting QB from last season, Terry Wilson, entered the transfer portal and landed in New Mexico. Kentucky’s offensive line was a game changer in 2020. They kept the quarterback safe and were excellent run blockers. There’s no reason that trend shouldn’t continue against a Warhawks unit that struggled at getting in the backfield. Kentucky’s linebackers were the backbone of the defense last year but now they are a skeleton crew. If the way to stand toe-to-toe with the Wildcats is to keep their defense
winded, this coaching staff is built for that. Offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez became famous for his high-octane offenses. His son, Rhett Rodriguez, is likely the starting quarterback. He has been in his father’s system for as long as he has known football. Some would say the thought of taking down Kentucky on opening weekend with a brand-new staff and an overhauled roster is lunacy. But so was ULM beating Nick Saban’s Alabama in 2007. Points will be at a premium for the Warhawks. If by some chance Kentucky makes a mistake, ULM has to capitalize on it. Kicker Calum Sutherland will have to be a step up from the abysmal kicking he arrived to replace. The chance of victory rides on defensive coordinator Zac Alley’s unit. Last season ULM had some of the worst third down defense in the nation. If Kentucky’s offense starts slow, they can’t be allowed to bail themselves out on third down. Thankfully for Alley, his side of the ball has veterans. Kentucky may seem invincible, but one drive can change everything.
photo by Prajal Prasai
contact Cameron Jett at jettcm@warhawks.ulm.edu
graphic by Sunil Bishwokarma
ULM football meets with press Coaches, players host media day amid anticipation for new season
Bowden and his staff offered a limited look into his team during a media day. Practices have been closed off to the public due to rising COVID numbers and the coaching staff is already quiet about depth charts and potential starters. The biggest question mark going into the offseason was put on the quarterback position. by Cameron Jett Last season, quarterbacks Colby Suits and JerWhen Terry Bowden took over ULM foot- emy Hunt were constantly coming on and off ball in the offseason, an unprecedented buzz the field when one was pulled for the other. Enformed around the university. Bowden brought ter Rhett Rodriguez—Arizona transfer and son former Michigan and Arizona head coach Rich of Rich Rodriguez. Rhett Rodriguez has earned Rodriguez with him and the excitement grew the praise of his head coach, his father and his further. Now the college football world is keep- teammates. ing an eye how much the former national coach “There’s nothing like taking the field with of the year can improve a program coming off somebody who knows they want to score” said the worst season in school history. guard Evan Henry. Defensive coordinator Zac
Alley credits much of the development of his defensive players to having to practice against Rodriguez. Even though Bowden has stated there’s no plan on releasing a depth chart before their season-opener against Kentucky, he said Rodriguez is likely their starting quarterback. On the defense, Alley feels his squad is solid but is not quite ready for competition. Unlike the offense, Alley’s defense has returning players with years of experience. With this experience comes leadership to help get his roster ready. “Nobody cares more about this program than Traveion Webster,” Alley said. The senior linebacker has established a veteran presence on and off the field. On offense, Rodriguez has to shape up a group with little experience. Rodriguez owns up
to his hot-headed reputation. Working with the offense has been challenging. The new scheme has pushed players to their limits. “Fast is an understatement to describe this tempo,” said tackle Blake Lodes. Wide receiver Jeremiah Knight, who transferred to ULM from Akron, brings valuable experience and leadership to an otherwise unseasoned offensive. Knight, Rodriguez and many other players would not be at ULM if not for a recent NCAA ruling which allowed transfers to be immediately eligible to play. The Warhawk coaching staff has been a beacon for transfers all offseason. These wandering veterans can make all the difference down the stretch. contact Cameron Jett at jettcm@warhawks.ulm.edu
August 30, 2021
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
PAGE 15
SPORTS
Opinion
Opinion
College experience not necessary for all pro sports
Jonah Bostick
ULM put themselves in a great position in the second half, creating many chances that led to the goal by Stopka. With this win over Central Arkansas, the Warhawks have put themselves in a great spot to start the season. Having won their first two games, the team is having its best opener since 2014. “I thought the atmosphere at the game was excellent,” Fraser said. “I thought we had fun tonight. We’re hoping for more of that moving forward.” ULM will be back in action this Thursday when they take on Nicholls State. If history is any indicator, the Warhawks have the advantage. ULM is currently undefeated against the Colonels.
Professional sports require some form of experience to make the next step. The most common pathway is through college athletics. However, many athletes believe that there is no need to play at the college level. Instead they they feel they should go straight to the professional level. Current NBA star Lamelo Ball believes that athletes should not have to play college sports and thinks that its a waste of time. His opinion isn’t unwarranted. Two of the best of all time, Kobe Bryant and Lebron James went straight to the NBA from high school. The ruling has changed since then which mandates athletes have some form of experience after high school. The requirement for college sports depends on the sport itself, as some athletes need it while others should have the option to skip college. Deciding on which sport should force athletes to play in college should depend on how athlete centered the sport is and how much contact the sport presents. Athletes in baseball and basketball should not have to play at the college level. They are both team sports, but the success of a player relies mainly on the talent of the player. However, in a sport such as football, an athlete should go through the college level because the football relies mainly on teamwork and execution. Football is also a heavy contact sport, and an 18-year-old athlete going to the NFL would be at a higher risk of injury because he doesn’t have the size to take a hit from a player like Aaron Donald or T.J. Watt. With baseball and basketball being low contact sports, young athletes have a better chance to perform well early in their careers and avoid injury. In most cases, the player should have the decision to choose whether or not they want to go pro or live the college experience.
contact Maggie Eubanks at eubanksml@warhawks.ulm.edu
contact Jonah Bostick at bostickjm@warhawks.ulm.edu
photos by Mackenzie Triche
Left: ULM defender Ermelinda Pantaleo clears ball Top Right: Mara Grutkamp kicks past Sugar Bear defender Bottom Right: ULM goalie Haley Hillock takes a goal kick
Warhawks shut out Sugar Bears at home Soccer experiences best start to season since 2014 by Maggie Eubanks
The Warhawks continued their early success last Friday with a win over the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears. This puts the Warhawks at 2-0 to start the season. Early in the second half, while still scoreless, sophomore Janet Stopka scored a goal on the Bears in the 51st minute to put the Warhawks up 1-0. After a great ball in from Freshman Lena Göppel, Stopka put the ball in the net, making this the 11th goal of her career. ULM put a dominant showing on the Bears the entire game. The Warhawks
controlled the ball very well, allowing them to put heavy pressure on Central Arkansas’s defense. In the first half ULM could not get the upper hand on the Bears. While some players were able to get some solid shots on goal, nothing could mount on the offensive side for either team. ULM players gave up too many balls and could not get a solid touch. ULM was in position to score even earlier, but their potential goal was waived off due to an offsides call. After meeting with head coach Sean Fraser at halftime, the Warhawks were able to step into a solid stride in the second half. “I thought the application by our players was top quality tonight,” Fraiser said. “We created a number of good chances and scored an excellently worked goal.”
PAGE 16
THE STUDENT-RUN NEWSPAPER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA MONROE
August 30, 2021
SPORTS
Volleyball
photos by Carley Nail
TAKE FLIGHT: A ULM player (left) sets her teammate up to go on the attack. Several Warhawks (right) celebrate together after winning a hard-fought set
Volleyball off to hot start by Morgan Andrews
The ULM volleyball team started their season by competing in the Katrinka Crawford Invitational at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. ULM started the 2021 season without six of their starters from 2020, but 10 new Warhawks made their collegiate debut. After last week’s loss in an exhibition matchup, the direction of this team felt uncertain. While this team is an overhaul of last year’s roster, it lacks collegiate experience. “We saw a lot of growth from our scrimmage last weekend,” said head coach Charlie Olson. “Our goal is to get one percent better each day and we did that”. ULM looked to wipe the slate clean after going 1-22 last season. The Warhawks couldn’t end their losing streak immediately as they fell to Oral Roberts 3-2. Their fate changed over their next two meetings. They swept Prairie View A&M 3-0 and won a tightly contested matchup versus Lamar 3-2. “All props to Lamar,” said Olson. “They are one of the best defensive teams we will face this year—they dug everything.” Against Lamar, ULM won in the second, third and fifth set. Senior Cali Assaley came away with a career-high 19 kills and freshman Avery Cole tallied 15 kills. Junior Mariana Volponi e Giordan backed the team up with 25 assists. Sophomore Emma McWorther had seven aces, four of which were consecutive. ULM has bested Lamar two years in a row and they have won five of the last six meetings.
Due to their excellent performance, Assaley and Cole earned their spots on the all-tournament team. “Kudos to our attackers for remaining patient and taking the big swing when we had the chance,” Olson said. The first two games were on Friday, Aug. 27. In the match against Oral Roberts, ULM succeeded in leading the second and fourth set with a 26-28 win and a 2025 win, respectively. Oral Roberts was able to pull away late in the fifth set with a final set score of 15-13. Senior Cali Assaley and Freshman Logan Jeffus both lead their team with 11 kills. On the winning end, Oral Roberts’ Kaia Dunford came in with 20 kills and Sakira Lacour with 15 kills. Prairie View A&M led twice and tied four times with ULM in the first set but the Warhawks found their groove early on to take the first two sets with little resistance. Prairie View did not take the lead in the third set and ULM completed the sweep. Juniors Kathryn Raschilla aided in providing the Warhawks with 10 kills and Darby Fisher with 31 assists. ULM still has a daunting road schedule before their home opener. Their next opponent is the Northwestern State Demons. They will play three games in the Flo Hyman Collegiate Cup hosted by the University of Houston. They have a matchup in Lake Charles against McNeese State. Lastly, they take part in Missouri State’s Mary Jo Wynn Invitational. The Warhawks return home on Sept. 14 to face Interstate 20 rival Louisiana Tech. contact Mya Thornhill at thornhillmd@warhawks.ulm.edu
KATRINKA CRAWFORD INVITATIONAL STATS
* CALI ASSALEY
19 KILLS VS LAMAR
* EMMA MCWORHTER
7 ACES VS LAMAR
* DARBY FISHER
31 ASSISTS VS PRAIRIE VIEW
* CHLOE JORDAN
25 DIGS VS ORAL ROBERTS
MADELINE HOGAN * AVERY COLE
21 DIGS VS LAMAR 15 KILLS VS LAMAR
* - CAREER HIGH
graphic by Sunil Bishwokarma