1/25/23

Sports

Track and Field Athlete Dani Anglin Sets Program Record at SDSU See more on Page 7

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Stillwell Art Exhibit Showcases Student Art for 37th Year See more on Page 11

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Student Band Leila’s Rose Opens For Top 100 Artist See more on Page 2

Sydney Johnson | The Volante

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Beta Band Performs on Biggest Stage Yet Sydney Johnson

Sydney.G.Johnson@coyotes.usd.edu

What once began as a conversation during rush at Beta Theta Pi among fraternity brothers, has now landed six musicians on the biggest stage they’ve played yet.

The Leila’s Rose band made up of Micah Hansen (drummer), Adam Kays (lead guitarist), Kadin Williams (guitar and vocals), John Kunkel (rhythm guitarist), Connor Drahota (bassist) and Easton Ritz (lead vocals), started when the six men realized they all shared a common interest: music.

Over the last few years, Leila’s Rose has played at venues and events throughout the Vermillion community and surrounding areas including USD tailgates and Thursdays on the Platz.

On Jan. 17, the band got the chance to perform as the opening act for the annual Campus Activities Board (CAB) concert ahead of 24KGoldn. The band got exactly one month’s notice prior to the concert with the decision that they would be performing.

“We’re not quite sure how we got chosen for the (CAB) concert,” Kays said. “I heard a lot of people like the faculty and members of CAB vouch for us because we’ve played a lot of shows in Verm.”

As they rehearsed to open for 24KGoldn, Ritz said their planning process was fairly similar to how they prepare for any other night they perform. However, they created their setlist further in advance than normal to give the band a longer time frame to practice.

One big difference the musicians experienced at the CAB concert was how precisely they had to keep time. They were allotted exactly 45 to 50 minutes to perform and had to make sure their setlist fit

perfectly into that window.

As the concert approached, many of the band members began to feel the nerves creep in, but for Hansen, the excitement outweighed his worry.

“I just get nervous about different things.

I always say (I don’t get nervous) because if I mess up, nobody’s going to notice,” Hansen said. “I found it to be much more exciting, and when we started playing, it was like business as usual. I did find myself smiling a lot more than usual though.”

For Kays, his favorite part was getting to perform some of Leila’s Rose’s original music, since that is something he and his bandmates have been working on for a while. The band’s goal this semester is to get their three original songs recorded and an EP released before graduation. They also have shows planned in Brookings and some of their usual venues in Vermillion.

As for the future of Leila’s Rose, the band said they are still unsure as to what it will look like. Ritz said he will graduate in May and thinks his time performing with Leila’s Rose will be much more infrequent.

He said an appearance at next year’s Dakota Days is something he’s considering. For the rest of the band, they said they are going to reevaluate and see whether they will continue after some of their bandmates finish their time at USD. While Leila’s Rose has an unsure future, the six musicians that have played under that title for the last couple of years know that music will always be a part of their future.

“I think I’m always going to be playing in bands or doing music because that’s what I enjoy spending all of my free time doing,” Kays said.

Madison Martinez | The Volante Lead guitarist Adam Kays performs original music as his band Leila’s Rose opens for 24KGoldn at the CAB Concert on Jan. 17.

News

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Wednesday, January 25, 2023 | 3

Medical Marijuana Dispensary Opens Downtown Jozie Kumm

Jozie.Kumm@coyotes.usd.edu

Dakota Herb is the first medical marijuana dispensary to open in downtown Vermillion.

It opened in early November of last year and is one of three dispensaries opened by Dakota Herb in South Dakota.

In 2020, South Dakota residents voted to approve Initiated Measure 26, thus legalizing medical marijuana.

This allows South Dakota residents to buy cannabis products with a medical card.

The law came into effect in the summer of 2021. Since then, several medical marijuana dispensaries have sprung up across the state.

Although medical marijuana is legal, voters last November rejected Measure 27, which would have decriminalized possession of marijuana for recreational purposes.

This follows an earlier attempt in 2020 to legalize recreational marijuana. Voters approved Constitutional Amendment A, but a circuit court ruled the amendment unconstitutional.

Miranda Wohler, manager of Dakota Herb, said her favorite part of her job is interacting with customers.

“I like getting to know the customers and the patients that are coming through here and being able to help them with their needs and seeing how our product is helping,” Wohler said.

In order to buy from Dakota Herb, one must be over the age of 18, present a valid ID and a valid medical card.

Individuals between the ages of 18 and 21 can only purchase edibles, yet everyone over 21 has

no restrictions on the products they sell.

Dakota Herb sells many assorted products to customers depending on what they need.

They have products that are supposed to help with insomnia, depression, stress, and other mental illnesses.

Wohler also said that a disadvantage is seen people who need certain products get denied a medical card.

On Jan. 18, South Dakota Senate Bill (SB) 1, a bill that would broaden the medical conditions that qualify for medical cannabis, passed in the Senate 20-15. The bill is now in the House Health and Human Services Committee.

Some medical conditions that would qualify for cannabis treatment in SB 1 include glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, and Crohn’s disease. However, the modification still must go through the House to be passed.

To get a medical card, customers must be approved by an accredited physician during a consultation. Then, the state must approve it. Cards are valid for up to one year.

Dakota Herb grows their own cannabis in Brandon, South Dakota. They also get some of their supply from other growers around the state which includes places like Sioux Falls and Aberdeen.

Dakota Herb is the first marijuana dispensary to open in town. Dakota Herb is open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.

Tom Pemrick | The Volante Dakota Herb on 112 East Main Street opened after South Dakota legalized medical marijuana.

News New COVID-19 Strain Emerges

4 | Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Tom Pemrick

Tom.Pemrick@coyotes.usd.edu

A new COVID-19 variant called XBB.1.5 surges on the East Coast. According to the World Health Organization, the variant is likely to be more transmissible than the previous variants due to its immune evasiveness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the new variant accounts for 43% of new cases, with most located in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic regions of the United States.

While it is rumored that XBB.1.5 has likely made it to the Midwest, it’s unclear whether current hospitalizations are due to the novel strain. As of Jan. 18, the South Dakota Department of Health reported that there have been 12 deaths and 57 total

hospitalizations statewide, with no reported cases in Clay County at this time.

The CDC report states that XBB.1.5 accounts for 18.8% of COVID-19 cases in Health and Human Services Region 8, which includes South Dakota and other western states such as North Dakota, Montana and Wyoming. The novel variant in Region 1 accounts for around 86.8% of cases, which includes states such as New York and New Jersey.

“COVID-19 is beginning to become endemic, it’s here at the background level for the foreseeable future,” head of USD’s COVID-19 management team Kevin O’Kelley said.

The lack of testing makes the virus harder to track, but it has now become less of an immediate issue, O’Kelley said. Currently, there are no reported cases on the USD campus.

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The USD COVID-19 management team is currently disbanded, but measures are still in place should campus see a spike in cases. O’Kelley is on standby if his role as head of the department is needed in the future. As of now, he is working as vice president of Research Compliance for the university.

“We are concerned. We still encourage selftesting, those that are sick to remain home and to get vaccinated for influenza and COVID-19,” O’Kelley said.

If in doubt, O’Kelley recommends referencing the CDC guidelines. Currently, at home COVID-19 test kits are available for free in the MUC, North Complex, Slagle Hall, Lee Medicine 101 and Student Health Services.

“Humans are very adaptable and we’ve dealt with the pandemic as a team,” O’Kelley said.

USD Alums Plan to Open New Brewery

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Jozie Kumm News Editor

Rachel Pechous News Designer

Volume 147, No. 12 January 25 , 2023 www.volanteonline.com

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Al Neuharth Media Center 555 N. Dakota St. University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD 57069

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Verve Editor

Allison Horkey Verve Designer Sports Editor

Trevan Rychlik Assistant Sports Editor

Sydney Johnson Sports Designer

Emma Daggett Opinion Editor

Sydney Johnson

Mission statement The Volante covers issues relevant and interesting to USD students.

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Ella Delperdang

Ella.Delperdang@coyotes.usd.edu

A new brewery, XIX Brewing Co., plans to open on Main Street this year using the current Fullerton Lumber Co. building.

XIX Brewing was developed by USD Director of Law School Admissions Katey Ulrich and Political Science Professor Ed Gerrish.

Ulrich met Gerrish through his wife, Leslie. Because of Gerrish’s experience with brewing beer, Ulrich decided to invite Gerrish to the project. Leslie and Gerrish also have experience in Vermillion businesses, as they both run the Cow and Spoon together.

“I was talking with Leslie about how perfect the Vermillion community would be for a brewery and that I have always wanted to open a bar,” Ulrich said. “We started working through what the process would look like and now here we are.”

With XIX planning on selling both wine and home-brewed beer, Gerrish will oversee the process of creating new brews at the facility. Because of its location in Downtown Vermillion, XIX Brewing Co. will be the closest brewery to the USD campus.

“Many community members have commented that this is something Vermillion needs,” Ulrich said. “It is something the community has really rallied behind since we started talking with people

about it.”

Ulrich and Gerrish ultimately themed the brewery around Vermillion and Clay County. Both USD and Vermillion are apparent throughout different aspects of its branding. The most evident symbol of Vermillion appears in the brewery’s name.

“The inspiration for the name comes from the county number, 19, for Clay County on South Dakota license plates,” Ulrich said. “We met with a group of community members to brainstorm the vision and vibes we are hoping to have at XIX Brewing Company. We were looking for a way to represent the community through our name and 19 rose to the top of the list.”

Along with being the county number, Highway 19 also runs directly through Vermillion. The brewery has also been collecting license plates donated by Clay County residents for decoration. Throughout the building, there are doors and windows showing off the brewing facility.

“Our taproom will be in the same building as the brewing facility, so you will be able to see the area where the beer is being fermented, brewed, and filtered, Ulrich said. “Breweries have become extremely popular, and we are excited to expand the craft beer world to Vermillion.”

While XIX develops many prototype brews, no official opening date has been set.

Even without a finalized date, Ulrich and Gerrish are planning to hold events in the upcoming months related to the brewery.

The Volante

News

State Could Drop Tax at Grocery Stores Zadya Abbott

Zadya.Abbott@coyotes.usd.edu

On Jan. 17, a bill to remove South Dakota’s statewide grocery tax was introduced by Gov. Kristi Noem, Sen. John Wiik and Rep. Mary Fitzgerald.

Currently, South Dakota is one of seven states that imposes a statewide sales tax on food. The other states are Alabama, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi and Oklahoma.

The language of the bill defines ‘food’ with a noted exclusion to alcohol, tobacco and cannabis products, as well as items heated before sale or sold with included utensils.

House Bill (HB) 1075, if passed, would eliminate the 4.5% sales tax currently in place, making it the largest tax cut in the state’s history. However, it will not affect sales tax collected at the city or county level.

The South Dakota Legislative Research Council said HB 1075 is, “An act to lower the state sales tax rate and the state use tax rate on food to zero percent.”

After previously opposing a similar bill, Senate Bill 117, in March of 2022, Noem added a promise to pass a bill to remove statewide sales tax on groceries to her 2022 re-election campaign.

HB 1075 is assigned to the House Taxation Committee, and sponsored by 12 legislators: Sens. Wiik, Reynold Nesiba, Jessica Castleberry, Herman Otten as well as Reps. Aaron Aylward, Dennis Krull, Karla Lems, John Mills, Tina Mullaly, Sue Peterson, Carl Perry and Fitzgerald.

For South Dakota residents to see the tax cut made offical, HB 1075 would need to be passed by the committee, passed by the House and Senate, and then signed into law by Gov. Noem.

Madison Martinez | The Volante If Gov. Noem’s proposal passes, grocery stores across the state will have taxes eliminated off grocery products.

Wednesday, January 25, 2023 | 5

Sports

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Cheer and Dance Team Bring Home the Bronze Sydney Kolln

Sydney.Kolln@coyotes.usd.edu

Earlier this month, USD’s cheer and dance team traveled down to the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, where they competed in the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) and Universal Dance Association (UDA) College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship.

The teams competed against other colleges all across the country in this three day event. Of all of the teams that competed, USD came home with third place in the open spirit program game day category of the competition.

For freshman Zena Aragon, this was a remarkable moment.

“I was very nervous as this was my first time performing on a stage of this

magnitude,” Aragon said. “I was ultimately excited to live out one of my dreams of performing at the (Walt Disney World Resort) Castle. When we got third, I was quite jubilant as we are a growing program and hopefully, in the years to come, we can place higher.”

USD’s all girl cheer team also came away with an award. The group placed 13th in finals in the open all girl cheer game day category. For senior and allgirl team captain Maddy Mond, she has personally witnessed these girls grow.

“This is my third year as a captain of this team, and this year has shown so much growth,” Mond said. “This team is truly the most dedicated group of people, not only to the sport itself, but to their teammates as well. The spirit

Submitted | The Volante The All Girl Cheer Team consists of (Front Row Left to Right): Lauren Kouri, Katelyn North, Elizabeth Boysen, Amber Bergman, Grace Espicha (Middle Row): Emily Cheerio, Jolein Verpaalen, Ryann Davidson, Madison Mond, Marissa Haensel, Carlee Zwick, Jane Meadows, Brooke Poppe (Back Row): Brooke Bollinger, Jade Bendewald, Kaylee Cotton, Rachael Holt, Hope Muehling, Meghan Delozier and Elyssa Feist.

teams are a special group of people. It takes so much devotion, because all of the time put into nationals and cheering games is all volunteer for us, but we know that we are an essential part of this university and that is a driving factor for that dedication.”

While the purpose of this trip was to compete in nationals, the cheer and dance team also got to spend the day at the Walt Disney World Resort and bond with each other.

“Although dance and cheer do not practice together, we have many over-

lapping friendships that only bring the spirit team closer,” Aragon said. “We are very supportive of each other and root for each other to succeed. Each team sat at the edge of the stage, cheering on each other. The energy helped tremendously and gave us all motivation to work harder during the performances.”

Since the teams have returned from Nationals, they continue to perform at both men’s and women’s basketball games.

Submitted | The Volante The USD Dance Team consists of (Front Row Left to Right): Kendra Jennings, Jayden Pelster, Ava Zehr, Rachel Spinks, Brooklynn Kahle, Maddie Rozmajzl (Middle Row): Brooke Poppe, Emily Cheerio, Katelyn Poch, Victoria Brixner-Batista, Zena Aragon, Alexa Carlson, Abigail Bluvas, Liv Roschen, (Back Row): Kelsie Mckinstry, Ellie West, Grace Miller and Aleah Dokter.

Sports

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Wednesday, January 25, 2023 | 7

Anglin Has Eyes Set on Breaking High Jump Record Brock Weidner

Brock.Weidner@coyotes.usd.edu

Sophomore Danii Anglin grew up playing netball in her hometown of Spring Mount, Jamaica, when a coach told her about track and field at the age of 15.

She joined her high school track and field team and the rest was history.

In 2020, she was ranked as the 29th best high jumper on the World Athletics’ Under-20 list. Anglin then competed in Jamaica’s Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) Trials where she was the top jumper in the under-20 division.

After seeing success in high school, it was time to make the jump to collegiate track and field.

Anglin decided to come to the United States for college. When choosing a college, she had one deciding factor.

“I didn’t want to come to the U.S. not knowing anyone,” Anglin said.

That led Anglin to the University of South Dakota as she knew the assistant coach of the track and field team Teivaskie Lewin who also grew up in Jamaica.

As a freshman, Anglin qualified for the NCAA Championships where she finished 14th in the high jump with a clearance of 5-10.75 (1.80 meters) on her third and final attempt. That was the third best finish from a freshman last year.

“Being me, I wanted more. It was exciting competing for the first time in

the U.S. at a high level,” Anglin said.

With one goal checked off her list, Anglin was ready to put in the work to chase a new one.

“That was one of my goals but now that I accomplished that, I’ve continued to push myself,” Anglin said.

One of her new goals is to reach new heights and with the start to the 20222023 season, she has done just that.

Three events down on the season with three first place finishes from Anglin as she continues to set personal bests.

She set a school record with a clearance of 6-1.25 (1.86 meters) in Brookings at the opening meet. She then followed it up by almost clearing the Dakota Dome record as she missed on the three attempts at 6-0.25 (1.82 meters)

and last weekend cleared 6-0.75 (1.85 meters) back in Brookings.

Even with this success and new personal record, Anglin knows she can still jump higher.

“I don’t want to say the number yet, I just want it to happen first,” Anglin said.

With a mark to reach, she is ready to pick up where she left off last season.

Anglin and the track and field team will head to Minneapolis on Friday, to compete in the Jack Johnson Classic.

They will return home for the Alumni meet where she’ll get her second crack at the Dakota Dome record this year on Feb. 4.

Tavin Carncross | The Volante (Above): Sophomore high jumper Dani Anglin came up short in her attempt to break the DakotaDome record at the South Dakota Kickoff on Jan. 14.

(Left): Anglin set a school record with a height of 6-1.25 while in Brookings at the SDSU Holiday Invitational. That record was also her collegiate personal best height.

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Sports

Wednesday, January 25, 2023 | 8

Tough Schedule for Tennis Trevan Rychlik

Trevan.Rychlik@coyotes.usd.edu

The South Dakota women’s tennis team prepares for the 2023 spring season.

Returning Coyotes this year are sophomore Bea Havlickova and seniors Berta Girbau and Eesha Varma.

They will be joined by three transfer students: senior Paige Alter from Sacramento State, sophomore Grace Chadick from Central Oklahoma University, and senior Sydney Weinberg from Penn State University.

Head tennis coach Brett Barnett thinks the team has a great chance to be very successful not only this year but for years to come.

“We have a good team with some returning players and some transfers, and we had a good scouting class getting some young talent,” said Barnett.

Barnett feels that the program had a successful scouting season, getting two first-year students in Anna Medvyedyeva and Selena Bird. Coach Barnett said he is very optimistic about them playing well this season and upcoming seasons.

Despite most teams wanting to know who will play in which spot, Barnett welcomes change in the lineFile | The Volante Women’s tennis player Berta Girbau gets ready to serve the ball in her latest match. Girbau is a senior this season.

up. He wants the players to be put in the best place for both them and the team to succeed.

Barnett said, “they are going to try some new double pairings this weekend,” as they prepare to go against the University of Sioux Falls.

The Coyotes have a challenging nonconference season ahead of them as they play Minnesota, Colorado State, Nebraska, Missouri, Northern Illinois, Colorado, Fairfield, Navy, Valparaiso and Wichita State.

“It’s a power five based schedule, so it’s going to be tough. There’s no hiding that,” Barnett said.

However, Barnett is optimistic that the strong schedule will show them where they rank and how good they will be.

The Coyotes have dropped their first two meets of the year, getting swept by both No. 22 Iowa State and Drake.

Following the losses, Barnett said the team needs to make lots of improvements both in their game and physical readiness.

Their next match is on Jan. 27, at 11 a.m., against Sioux Falls University on the road.

Summit League Women’s Basketball Standings South Dakota is third in the Summit League Basketball standings with a conference record of 6-3 and an overall record of 10-10. The Coyotes are back home this week taking on Western Illinois (Jan. 26) and St. Thomas (Jan. 28).

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023

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Editorial: New Years Resolutions for the University It’s hard to believe that we’re already in the third week of the Spring (in name only) 2023 semester. Although New Year’s is a distant memory of partying and hangovers, we at The Volante want to give our New Year’s resolutions for USD. First, the parking stalls are narrow on campus, we get it.

Even the narrowest vehicles can have a difficult time in some of these lots.

However, that does not preclude everyone from trying to park reasonably. We’re not arguing for publicly shaming bad parkers or revoking their parking passes (although it would make life more exciting),

be healthy is to “ To do ‘everything in

moderation.’ Everyone should try to use this motto in their lives.

but sometimes the quality of parking on campus makes us lose faith in humanity a little.

With that in mind, a conscious reminder to park inside the lines every time we drive onto campus will make everyone’s semester a little bit better.

”

Second, it can be overwhelming to try and get involved in different activities at USD such as sports, clubs or the arts.

A lot of times it’s easy to take on the life of a hermit living in the mountains. While we have the rest of our lives to be reclus-

The Volante Tavin Carncross, editor-in-chief Charles Streeter, managing editor Brock Weidner, sports editor

EDITORIAL BOARD THESTUDENTS’VOICESINCE 1887

Trevan Rychlik, assistant sports editor Emma Daggett, opinion editor

OVERHEARDS

Here you’ll find the weirdest, funniest and stupidest things we’ve heard during the week.

Context is for suckers.

“Bro, you can’t call a kid a pimp.”

— Slagle

The Volante welcomes letters to the editor in regards to campus, local, state and national issues. Letters will be edited for clarity and length and will be printed as space allows. Please limit letters to 300 words or fewer. The Volante reserves the right to hold letters for publication in a later issue.

Submissions must include the author’s name, address, telephone number, year in school and major or job title. Letters must be exclusively for The Volante.

We will not publish anonymous letters.

Fax to: 605.677.5105 Email to: volante@coyotes. usd.edu Via our website: volanteonline.com

woman once said, to be healthy is to do “everything in moderation.” Everyone should try to use this motto in their lives.

For some, this could mean taking the time to hang out with friends more often and to also recognize that a ‘B’ will not be the end of the world. For others, this could mean more time drowning in homework and less time drowning at Char.

In conclusion, like any institution, USD has its flaws.

However, we should take pride in knowing that we will excel at the greatest New Year’s Resolution of all: not being a Jackrabbit! Go Yotes!

Bennett Clary, verve editor

CONTACT US

Send letters to: Al Neuharth Media Center 555 N. Dakota St. Vermillion, S.D. 57069

es, it is important to actually interact with other humans.

There are approximately ten thousand other students to meet on campus and now is the opportunity to go out and meet them. It’s important to step out of our comfort zones once in a while and create new friendships. Getting out of our comfort zones helps us grow into better, well-rounded people.

We believe that USD should be better at promoting these events that are happening on campus more than just a paper flier posted in the MUC. Lastly, balancing school, work and free time can be overwhelming, but a very wise

The deadline for letters is 5 p.m. the Friday prior to publication.

Letters must be typed and fewer than 300 words.

“I got called a hick by my respected peers today. I don’t respect them anymore.”

— MUC

“What do you have in your pocket?”

“Cheese.”

— Beede

“You look like the type of person who likes water.”

— Old Main

Opinion

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Wednesday, January 25, 2023 10

“Avatar: The Way of Water,” A Cultural Connection

Elisabeth Kluin is a junior majoring in history and English.

A highly anticipated film, “Avatar: The Way of Water,” brings the audience on a journey like no other. From the incredible cinematography, immersive soundtrack and cultural concerns addressed. “Avatar” undoubtedly ranks as one of my favorite films of the year.

The sequel follows a similar storyline to the first, only now viewers watch the children of notorious Jake Sully and Ney’tiri navigate through the “ways of water” to end the colonization

of various regions on Pandora. I found the entire film engaging, and not a second was wasted.

Furthermore, director James Cameron perfectly captures the beauty of Pandora and makes a notable critique of the audience’s influence upon their own Pandora: Earth. As the characters and audience move throughout Pandora, the issues encountered by the Na’vi people directly reflect environmental issues seen on Earth.

The first film introduces us to

the impacts of colonization on already established, civilized, and developed lands. The second film explores the mistreatment and exploitation of marine life for the benefit of the “Sky People.”

While the film may be CGI and showcase blue cat-like characters, the issues addressed are far from fictional. Cameron intends to showcase how deeply important the themes are represented in the film. Unlike the “Sky People,” we do not have an exit, another planet to consume,

exploit and frankly terrorize.

Our “Pandora” is Earth. If we continue to utilize the land for personal gain rather than collective longevity, one may ask, do we still have a future? And what will it look like: gray skies and brown water or clear streams and a night full of stars? As such, I look forward to the continuation of the series and Cameron’s solution as to what we as audience members can do to combat the crisis we will ultimately face.

Which are better, E-books or Printed Books?

Emma Dagget is a senior majoring in English.

Every time a new semester starts I always wonder which is better, an online version of my textbook or a printed version. I feel like e-books are more of a hindrance than a help when it comes to learning new material.

A printed, physical copy of a textbook is far superior to the online version.

E-books are typically cheaper than physical versions of textbooks because there are no printing costs when creating e-books. Another drawback of e-books is they can only be rented. You have access to the book for a set amount of time

before your access is revoked.

The same happens with rented physical texts, but you have the opportunity to own a copy of the physical book. If you don’t want the book when a class is finished, it is often possible to resell their books. A lot of times, books for a class may be boring, but they can be great resources for future classes, assignments or just to make your personal library look big if you end up keeping a textbook.

However, there are a lot more drawbacks to e-books. Students need a device available and fully functioning to access their

e-books. This can be a problem if your laptop’s battery is running low or if a professor has a no-screens policy in their class.

I also believe e-books can create unnecessary distractions.

It’s easier to get distracted by emails or games when you are already looking up things in your online textbook.

While digital books often provide more interactive material, it is easier to retain information from physical texts. Something about flipping through pages and underlining helps me remember the information I just read. I feel like studying is

more effective when I can write in the margins of my textbook or highlight a phrase. One downside of printed books is you can’t search the entire book at once for a specific word or quote. With an e-book, you can find a specific phrase or term immediately.

There are obvious pros and cons for e-books and printed books, but having a physical copy is far better than an online version.

Verve

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023

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A Must-See Collection 37 Years Later Alexis Johnson

Alexis.Johnson@coyotes.usd.edu

The Stillwell Exhibition opened for its 37th year on Jan. 20 and runs through Feb. 17 at the John A. Day Gallery in the Fine Arts building.

Starting in 1987, the exhibition was established to give students the opportunity to share their work in a professional setting. This year, the exhibition showcased 80 pieces of the 215 pieces they received from 63 separate artists.

Students could submit up to five pieces of their artwork, which were screened and then selected to be in the exhibition. Normally there are 60-80 works in the showcase.

The juror that selected the artwork for this year’s exhibition was Ted Heeren.

“This exhibition is a breath of

fresh air. There is a lot of buzz and a lot of great work,” Heeren said.

Heeren has a connection with USD and the art program and has been coming to these shows since he was a kid. His wife, Liz Heeren, is an art professor in the department. Even though he isn’t a visual artist himself, he has a passion for the visual arts.

In order to select which works would go into the exhibition, Heeren focused on something he calls, “The Five Mystic Truths.”

“There are five cards and they all say something on them connecting with artwork, my favorite is the ‘I just love it’ card,” Heeren said.

His screening process entailed following these cards and finding artwork with which he had a connection.

“I picked artwork that I would want to see again and again. Art-

work that you can sit and continually stare at,” Heeren said.

Cory Knedler, art department chair said that this gallery is the largest exhibition of the year.

“We have lots of athletics and sports events, but we don’t have as many events for the art students.

It’s a big showcase of how proud we are of our students and their work,” Knedler said.

Students prepare for this exhibition months in advance and are encouraged to submit at least one piece of artwork. The exhibition creates a lot of opportunities like awards and experience.

There are many awards available, such as the Best of Show award and the Presidential award.

Some awards have a monetary value with them, but every artist receives a certificate.

The student’s artwork not cho-

Bennett Clary | The Volante Vermillion community attended the opening night for the Stillwell Exhibition.

The exhibition is known for showcasing student’s artwork, whether pottery, painting, drawing, graphic design or photography. sen to be a part of the exhibition was displayed in another room for a show called the Salon des Refusés. This show was presented only on the first night of the exhibition: Jan. 20.

Students and families are en-

couraged to join in the celebration of the Department of Art. “From a farm kid’s perspective, I love that this exhibition exists.

What an opportunity it is for the students and the community,” Heeren said.

Rawlins Piano Trio’s Comeback After COVID-19 Jordan Grothe

Jordan.Grothe@coyotes.usd.edu

The Rawlins Piano Trio will be performing a home concert in the Fine Arts building on Jan. 31. This performance is one of the Trio’s first following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Rawlins Piano Trio was originally established in 1987 and consists of three faculty members from USD. The current group has been performing together for over four years and includes Ioana Galu on violin, Sonja Kraus on cello and Susan Keith Gray on piano.

“If one person in the group leaves, it goes to the university hiring process,” Gray, the group’s longest standing member, said. “It’s a

little bit like getting marOctober, started rehearsried by resume, so we ing in fall semester, and always hope that we’re then we cranked it out going to like each-other. in the beginning of the But we do.” spring semester,” Kraus This year will be one said. “Every instrument of the Trio’s first normal has their own purpose in tours since the pandemic the trio, and their own and will include perfordifficulties… I would mances in five different hate to have to rememstates. ber as many notes as [a “If you think about pianist] does.” the last four and a half The current program years, two of them were Submitted | The Volante of the Trio includes a weird with COVID and USD’s faculty musical trio will be performing for its 36th wide range of repertoire, stuff, so I feel like this is year, ringing in the new year with works by compers such from a minimalist Ausas Kats-Chwernin, Higdon and Aguila. my first year of normal. tralian piece to a more I feel like we have really been get- Kraus said. contemporary, academic work. The ting into performing this year. It’s Preparation for a concert of this trio says that they always work to definitely our busiest performance caliber can take months. include a female composer as well year so far since I’ve been here,” “We decided on a program in as a composer from an underrepre-

sented population.

“It kind of checks off all of the boxes. We have a big romantic trio by the Russian composer Arensky … oftentimes audience favorites,” Gray said. “On the first half, we have three works by living composers.”

Other pieces in the program include works by Elena KatsChernin, Jennifer Higdon and a Uruguayan tango by Miguel del Aguila.

You can learn more about the trio on their website, rawlinstrio. com. The concert will be at the Colton Recital Hall in the Warren M. Lee Center for Fine Arts on Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. and will be livestreamed. This event is free to the public.

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Wednesday, January 25, 2023 | 12