9.29.21

The Volante

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“BLOOM” into your best self with Miss South Dakota

Kody Case: Childhood dream turned reality

Miss South Dakota 2021 winner Kaitlin O’Neal shared her Social Impact Initiative with USD students and faculty Sept. 27.

Senior wide receiver Kody Case was setting track records and being named an allconference athlete, but his mind remained stuck on all things football related.

USD STUDENTS, FACULTY VOICE CDC CONCERNS AT “OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL” LISTENING SESSION

Over 300 people attended the listening session about the new “Opportunities for All” center that is planned to open Jan 1, 2022.

Bennett Clary Bennett.Clary@coyotes.usd.edu

Miles Amende

Miles.Amende@coyotes.usd.edu

The USD committee working on the South Dakota Board of Regents’ (SDBOR) “Opportunity for All” action plan held a listening session Sept. 28 to report on the committee’s progress and receive feedback from USD students and faculty.

The action plan charges South Dakota’s six public universities to establish “Opportunity Centers” on their campuses by Jan. 1, 2022. These centers will look different for each campus.

“Opportunity Centers will coordinate a community where all are welcomed, accepted and provided access to the services needed to assist, accommodate, retain and graduate, with equal regard given to the unique challenges and needs of every student,” according to an

email sent to the student body by USD University Relations Sept. 13.

Students and faculty gathered to express their concerns about how the new Opportunity Center would change the existing Center for Diversity and Community (CDC).

USD Provost and “Opportunity for All” working group member Kurt Hackemer said the Opportunity Center is not a replacement for the CDC. “I think there’s a misnomer about the Opportunity Center replacing the CDC, and that’s not the case. There will be an Opportunity Center office in one of the CDC office spaces, but the space remains an open space for all student groups to gather (and) to work,” Hackemer said.

Attendees questioned where the Opportunity Center office would be located in the current CDC space. University General Counsel A.J. Franken said the committee

hasn’t made plans for where the Opportunity Center will be yet, but indicated that it would share space with the CDC, possibly by making existing student organizations share offices.

“I don’t know if we’ve got great answers for a lot of those questions.

There does seem to be an expectation that there’s a physical space for (the) Opportunity Center and that may be some reimagining of the office spaces, whether that’s consolidation or making some of those spaces more multi-use for student groups rather than all being assigned to individual (groups),” Franken said.

Attendees also questioned the fact that the position of CDC director is currently vacant. The position was previously held by Laura Chandler, who left the university in March 2020. Her position has not been filled since then. Instead, the CDC has been run by graduate student

Cassidy Geersen.

Although there has been no director for the CDC, Marcus Destin said the CDC was given to students by the school and the students made it their own space.

“We had a director in the Center for Diversity and Community who encouraged us, who bought supplies for us, who spent money out of their pockets, who cooked for us, who did all of these things for us, and that’s not to say that the… Opportunity Center director won’t do the same, but what happens to us?” Destin said.

Student Government Association President Ally Feiner said over the summer the South Dakota Joint Committee on Appropriations visited USD. Students from the CDC had the opportunity to share their journey with the CDC and how it has impacted their college experience, but Feiner said the legislators were

Sydney Johnson | The Volante rude, disrespectful and didn’t listen.

“One of them quite literally raised their hand and said ‘Where are you celebrating the white culture?

Where is American culture being celebrated?’” Feiner said.

USD will present the Opportunity Center plans to the SDBOR Oct. 6-7 in Rapid City, S.D. Students can anonymously share feedback to the “Opportunity for All” working group at usd.edu/feedback.

Students can learn more about the Opportunity Centers at https:// w w w. s d b o r. e d u / t h e - b o a r d /

An extended version of this story with more thoughts and reactions can be found online. volanteonline.com

Gestring talks renovations, strategic plan at State of the University address Bailey Zubke

Bailey.Zubke@coyotes.usd.edu

USD’s 18th President, Sheila Gestring, delivered her annual State of the University address Thursday inside Aalfs Auditorium.

Gestring discussed a handful of topics during her speech that lasted a little over an hour. Students and faculty were encouraged to attend and the event was livestreamed on the university’s Facebook page. Gestring’s opening remarks included an acknowledgement to the historical land USD calls home.

“I’d like to take a quick moment to acknowledge the significance of where we gather today, and recognize USD’s committed and continued relationship to indigenous peoples and their communities,” Gestring said. “It is with profound respect that we acknowledge the indigenous people of this land.”

One of Gestring’s major announcement’s was in relation to the school’s Wellness Center. The new expansion to the Wellness Center is estimated to add 45,800 square feet to the facility and will cost $25 million.

The expansion will include a 50-meter competition pool, 40-foot by 25-foot wellness pool, hot tub, steam room, athletic locker rooms, coaches offices and more. One feature that will be unique to the new Wellness Center pool is a NinjaCross obstacle course, Gestring said.

“One of the most exciting features of the expansion will be the addition of NinjaCross, a fully customizable obstacle course that can be raised or lowered from the ceiling in under 60 seconds,” Gestring said. “This obstacle course will create three dimensional challenges for swimmers and exercisers of all ages and any fitness level.”

Other renovations and new campus buildings that Gestring gave updates on included the National Music Museum, Knutson Theater, Colton Recital Hall, Founders Park, South Dakota Union building and School of Health Sciences building.

Gestring also gave updates on the university’s strategic plan, including the addition of a needs-based scholarship and progress made with Charlie’s Cupboard.

“In addition to financial assistance, USD has focused on supporting students in need through Charlie’s Cupboard, USD’s on-campus food pantry,” Gestring said.

“Charlie’s Cupboard recently celebrated its first year on campus, and this fall, expanded its operations by adding a fridge and a freezer, as well as the amount of personal hygiene products available.”

Gestring continued by saying the average number of students Charlie’s Cupboard served last year averaged out to 120 students per week, and that the university has set a goal of 150 per week this year.

Gestring updated the crowd in attendance and viewing virtually about the school’s enrollment this year. With COVID-19, there was a slight increase in head count, but a decrease in credit hours, Gestring said.

International students and first-year full-time students from Iowa and Minnesota increased from last year, while South Dakota and Nebraska saw a slight decrease.

“Now, 50 countries outside of the United States are represented here at USD,” Gestring said. “Overall, enrollment is pretty flat compared to last year, plus some of these high points. Since last fall, the total head count is up just a little bit, and total

credit hours are just slightly down.”

Another talking point that Gestring received questions on by members in attendance pertains to the South Dakota Board of Regents (SDBOR) ruling that its six member institutions need to open an Opportunity Center on campus by Jan. 1, 2022.

Gestring said there will be a listening session Tuesday night (link story from here) with the team created to present a specific plan for USD to the SDBOR. This team includes Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Kurt Hackemer, Vice President of Student Services and Dean of Students Kim Grieve, Interim Assistant Vice President for Diversity Travis Letellier and Student Government Association President Ally Fiener.

“As many of you are aware, the South Dakota Board of Regents has directed all South Dakota public universities to establish an Opportunity Center at each campus by Jan. 1, 2022,” Gestring said.

“Opportunity Centers will coordinate a community where all are welcomed, accepted and provided access to the service needed to assist, accommodate, retain and graduate with equal regard given to the unique challenges and needs of every student.”

Both questions asked following the address were related to the Opportunity Centers—how they may affect what the Center for Diversity and Community (CDC) has been doing on USD’s campus and if the Opportunity Center could be a replacement for the CDC. Gestring’s response to both of the questions was to attend the listening session Tuesday night and ask questions related to the Opportunity Centers and

Bennett Clary | The Volante

In recognition of its 50th anniversary, The Center for Disabilities hosted a Run, Walk & Roll fundraiser.

The Center for Disabilities partnered with 605 Running Company from Sioux Falls for their first run, Gottsleben said.

The Volante I volanteonline.com News National Music Museum celebrates ribbon cutting

A2 Wednesday, September 29, 2021

The Volante

The National Music Museum celebrated its ribbon cutting Sept. 24. The NMM is reopening Oct. 1 after being closed for renovations since the fall of 2018.

CITY OF VERMILLION POLICE BLOTTER

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domestic disputes

Sept. 19 Officers took a report of damage to private property.

Sept. 19 Vermillion PD Officers assisted the Clay County Sheriff Office with an investigation in the county. One adult male was arrested for impaired driving.

Sept. 20 Subject reported someone had entered his vehicle and rifled around. Officers were unable to identify a suspect.

Sept. 20 Officers took a report of damage to city property at a park. There is no suspect information at the time of this report.

Sept. 20 Officers received a report of suspicious activity. Officers were

2

unable to substantiate the complainants report. Case is under investigation.

and remained on scene until Vermillion EMS arrived and began caring for the subject.

Sept. 20

Sept. 21

An officer stopped a vehicle for speeding on Burbank Rd. The driver was issued a citation and was released.

Officers responded to a check welfare request. Officers spoke with the subject and their friends and family. Officers cleared the scene after ensuring the subject was OK.

Sept. 21 The department was notified of a possible sex crime. Under investigation.

Sept. 21 Officers were summoned to a residence to remove an unwanted person. The subject refused to leave the property and was taken into custody. Charges are pending.

Sept. 21 Officers responded to a 911 call from a local business for medical assistance. Officers rendered aid

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property damages

Sept. 22 Officers received information of a dispute between persons using social media to send threats. The case is under investigation.

Sept. 22 Officers received information of a subject violating a trespass notice. The subject was arrested and taken into custody. Charges are pending.

Sept. 22

>> Sept. 19 - Sept. 25 funeral escort

dispute. Officers found no criminal activity had occurred. Officers gave options and resources for the parties to use moving forward.

Sept. 23 An officer stopped a vehicle for not using its headlights after dark. The driver was underage, intoxicated, and admitted to consuming marijuana. The driver was arrested.

Sept. 23 Vermillion Officers assisted Court Services with a probation search. One subject was taken into custody for violating the terms of their probation.

Sept. 23 Vermillion Officers assisted another law enforcement agency with a case of juvenile delinquency.

Officers responded to a domestic

Sept. 24 An officer contacted a man who was urinating on a building downtown. The man fled when contacted and the officer caught him. He was intoxicated, underage, and had a fake ID. He was arrested.

Sept. 24 Officers provided a funeral escort from Kober Funeral Home to the Bluff ’s Cemetery.

Sept. 25 An officer stopped a vehicle for driving without its headlights on after dark. The driver was intoxicated, underage, and had an altered license. The driver was arrested.

Sept. 25 Officers responded to a report of a domestic assault. A male was arrested for assaulting a juvenile son.

The Volante Volume 147, No. 5 September 29, 2021 www.volanteonline.com Al Neuharth Media Center 555 N. Dakota St. University of South Dakota Vermillion, SD 57069 Adviser Kyle Miller

Maddi Kallsen news editor

Allison Horkey news assistant

Rachel Pechous news designer

Bennett Clary verve editor

Alle Anduaga verve assistant

Madilyn Sindelar verve designer

Chloe Fullenkamp sports designer

Emma Daggett opinion editor

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

Faculty, staff and community members are welcome readers, but the newspaper is written and presented for a diverse community of students from the students’ point of view. The paper should provide a variety of information, entertainment and educational opportunities for the readers. The Volante encourages everyone to write letters to the editor.

The Volante wishes to be viewed by students as respectable, objective, accurate, fair and trustworthy. If you have comments, concerns or questions, please contact The Volante at 677-5494.

The Volante is distributed Wednesdays during the academic year free of charge locally with the cost of $1 for each additional copy. One year subscription rates are $40, which solely covers the mailing costs.

The Volante does not endorse, promote or encourage the purchase or sale of any production service advertised in this paper. Advertisements are the sole responsibility of the advertiser.

The Volante disclaims all liability for any damage suffered as the result of any advertisement in this newspaper. The Volante reserves the right to refuse any advertising.

Rachel Thompson opinion designer

Sydney Johnson photo editor

Jacob Forster copy editor

Riley Riggs social media director

Kaitlyn Kumm advertising manager

Bailey Zubke editor-in-chief Miles Amende managing editor

Bailey Zubke editor-in-chief

Miles Amende managing editor

News The Volante | volanteonline.com Center for Disabilities celebrates 50 years of serving South Dakota

A3 Wednesday, September 29, 2021

Allison Horkey

Allison.Horkey@coyotes.usd.edu

The Center for Disabilities, in recognition of its 50th anniversary, hosted a Run, Walk & Roll fundraiser Sept. 25 at Cherry Rock Park in Sioux Falls. The Run, Walk & Roll precedes the 50th Anniversary Celebration Sept. 29 and a statewide conference this week.

Kendra Gottsleben is the marketing communications specialist for the Center for Disabilities, and said the goal of the Center for Disabilities is to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities.

“Our ultimate goal and mission is to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families through

research services, education, information dissemination and policy effort,” Gottsleben said.

Eric Kurtz, the executive director for the Center for Disabilities, said the Run, Walk & Roll is a way to spread awareness.

“We carry our work out through research, human services, education, and we do a lot of policy work to bring awareness to that very important work that our center is involved in. Using the 50th anniversary is kind of the reason to celebrate. We decided to run in a great way to build that awareness to bring in new people and new partnerships to our work,” Kurtz said.

The Center for Disabilities partnered with 605 Running Company from Sioux Falls

for their first run, Gottsleben said. “(The event) is for all ages and all abilities and that’s one of the things, the Center for Disabilities is always... dedicated to the lives without limits, so we really promote and really try to help the community,” Gottsleben said.

Brandon Wenzel, the senior secretary of the Center for Disabilities, said the Run, Walk & Roll had a total of 85 registrations.

“Not a lot of people know that we exist or the services that we offer. So, we really wanted to get our name out in public,” Wenzel said. “And to show one that people with disabilities can get out and do things like walk or roll or run and get out there and also raise money, that’s part of what we’re

trying to do today, is raise money for our foundation so that we can further the work that we’re doing in South Dakota.”

Kurtz said he is excited for the 50th anniversary of the Center for Disabilities conference and celebration.

“It’s gone fantastic. We’re like any organization, our success really depends on our people and our partnerships. This has been a great way to bring people that have previously not been aware of what we do and really becoming part of our organization and getting behind the work that we do.

For a first-time event, we have almost 100 people registered for this,” Kurtz said.

South Dakota Officials call for impeachment of Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg Maddi Kallsen

Maddilynn.Kallsen@coyotes.usd.edu

A special session of the state legislator to discuss the possible impeachment of South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg, who hit and killed Joe Boever Sept.

12 of 2020, is set to start Nov. 9.

Enough South Dakota officials signed a petition to have the special session reaching a 47-member threshold. Petition signers name’s are not released to the public.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, along with other government officials and lawmakers, have called for the Ravnsborg resignation.

According to the Associated Press, the petition was circulated

by South Dakota House Speaker Spencer Gosch.

Ravnsborg was not charged with manslaughter, a felony, but pleaded no-contest to two misdemeanor charges regarding the hit-and-run.

Along with government officials, The Young Democrats of South Dakota (YDSD) called for the impeachment

of Attorney General Ravnsborg.

Addison Miller is the YDSD president and communications director of the Student Government Association (SGA).

Ravnsborg doesn’t have the moral or ethical capacity to be the attorney general, Miller said.

“Rather than take accountability for his actions, Ravnsborg has constantly and consistently prioritized his self interest,” Miller said. “He has consistently proven he believes himself above the law.”

“We should expect better from the (government) officials and we cannot trust a man who shows minimal respect for human life and for sufficiently fulfilling the civil duties of the Attorney General,” Miller said.

Caleb Weiland is the SGA president pro-tempore and the government affairs chair. Weiland is directly involved in South Dakota politics by being the SGA government affairs chair.

“The accident that ended the life of Joseph Beaver is extremely tragic.

After sitting in the committee room where the impeachment articles were first read, it was apparent the damage the AG caused Mr. Beaver’s family,” Weiland said. “It was a room full of raw emotion.”

Along with Miller and South Dakota lawmakers and officials, Weiland supports the resignation and possible impeachment of Ravnsborg.

“In relation to the impeachment of Attorney General Ravensborg it is my opinion that calling a special session to get to the bottom of what happened and see if there are any impeachable offenses is the right thing to do,” Weiland said. “I also think AG Ravensborg should have and still should resign.”

Ravnsborg had the privilege of due process, Miller said.

“Everyone deserves due process, but the process has been completed and (Ravnsborg) was charged with two misdemeanors... a man, Submitted Photo | The Volante an innocent man, would be alive Addison Miller is the Young Democrats of South Dakota today if it wasn’t for the attorney president. Ravnsborg doesn’t have the moral or ethical capacity general’s actions,” Miller said. to be the attorney general, Miller said

Cello/Bass Day welcomes middle and high schoolers to USD Allison Horkey

Allison.Horkey@coyotes.usd.edu

Cello professor Sonja Kraus, along with the University of South Dakota’s Music Department, hosted Cello/Bass Day Sept.

24.

Cello/Bass Day brings cellists and double bassists in middle and high school from the surrounding area to USD for the day.

Professor Emilio Colón from Indiana University and his wife, Cara Elise Colón, are visiting to help teach the students as well.

Kraus said Cello/Bass Day is a long time in the making.

“I planned my first Cello/Bass day in April 2020, but then obviously the pandemic hit and we couldn’t do it. So since then, it has been a long build up. The reason why I wanted to do it is because I want all of the cellists and double bassists just to get to know each other in the state and the surrounding area and to

create music together,” Kraus said.

Colón, who is cello professor at Indiana University, said programs like Cello/Bass Day are great for students to experience.

“Speaking from my own personal experience, I used to run a foundation here at Indiana University, where we would, once a year, bring cellists from all around the world to share their experiences and students would come. It’s just a great way to bring collegiality and sharing different philosophies with students,” Colón said.

Kraus said there were 90 students from Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota attending the event, which she said was a major success considering her goal was for 10 students to attend.

Orchestra directors from Sioux Falls, Sioux City, Vermillion and Omaha brought their students to USD for Cello/Bass Day. “I could not have done it without the support of the orchestra

directors that are here and in the area that wanted their students to have the experience to come here,” Kraus said.

Colón said he was excited to come to USD and would like to come back in the future.

“There’s nothing greater of a feeling than to go to a place for the first time and experiencing everything it has to offer,” Colón said.

Kraus said she wants students to walk away from Cello/Bass Day with a good outlook on playing cello or double bass.

“For me, the most important thing is that they have a good experience, and that they really get to go away with a sensation of playing cello or playing double bass is really cool, and I really want to continue doing that in some capacity through college,” Kraus said. “That’s the most important thing: to keep music in your life. It adds so much value if you do it as a music major, or professional, or just as a hobby.”

Medical Marijuana is not available to Clay County residents yet Allison Horkey

Allison.Horkey@coyotes.usd.edu

The Clay County Commission held the second reading of Ordinance #2021-05 on Sept.

14, 2021 and enacted the ordinance, which allows for one medical cannabis dispensary and one manufacturing facility.

The ordinance doesn’t allow for cannabis cultivation licenses or cannabis testing licenses. Clay County voted overwhelmingly in favor of legalizing medical marijuana, passing Initiated Measure 26 with 79% of the vote.

Betty Smith, one of five Clay County Commissioners, tried to amend the ordinance to allow for cannabis cultivation licenses and testing facility licenses, and tried to increase the number of licenses for dispensaries and manufacturing facilities. Smith said the

motion failed because there was no one to second the motion.

“What made me especially interested in this issue is that my husband (had) Parkinson’s disease for 28 years. And one of the very few things that gave him some relief was medical marijuana, so that’s why I became passionate about this issue,” Smith said.

Drew Grunderson, the clay county zoning administrator, drafted the bill. Grunderson said that while the state determines the big rules, the county determines the number of establishments.

“The state sets out the big rules, like what the security has to look like, how many plants employee requirements, stuff like that. And then the county writes the zoning ordinance for where it can go and the number of establishments that we can have. There’s

four types of facilities: testing, manufacturing, cultivation and distribution or dispensary.

According to the law that the voters passed, we have to have dispensaries. The other three, we don’t have to have, and we get to set the numbers of those individual facilities,” Grunderson said.

The ordinance was recommended by the South Dakota Department of Health (DOH), the South Dakota Planners Association and the South Dakota Municipal League because the DOH has not completed the medical marijuana program, which was supposed to be in place July 1. Since the state is not ready to issue licenses, the county is also unable to, Grunderson said.

“Back in May or June, the original (plan) was just going to be like a liquor license, and I wouldn’t have even had to touch it,”

Grunderson said. “Then, it evolved over the issue of the number of facilities, where they’re located and the permit fees, and the ‘where you’re located’ part has to be a zoning thing.”

Gruderson said the ordinance will probably be revisited as soon as the medical marijuana program has been put in place by the DOH. Smith said it would be possible to alter the ordinance later as well. “(The ordinance) has a mechanism whereby resolution, the number of facilities and the type of facilities can be altered,” Smith said.

The State Legislature’s Interim Rules Review passed the Medical Cannabis Program rules on Sept. 13, and is one step closer to being completed, nearly three months after the original deadline.

Madeline Knau | The Volante

Yotes Got Talent had acts including Pianiss, singers and a drag performance. First-place was awarded to Kyle VanBuskirk, who goes by the stage name ‘Polyester.’

First night of D-Days kicked off with Yotes Got Talent

Madeline Knau

Madeline.Knau@coyotes.usd.edu

Yotes Got Talent kicked off the first night of D-Days week. The event was on Sept. 26, and ran 6 p.m. till 8 p.m. The event included many talents, including pianiss, singers and a drag show performance.

The event started with Alex Defenbaugh and Piper Roseland introducing themselves as the host of Yotes Got Talent, Kim Grieve, vice president for student services and dean of students gave an opening speech explaining the beginning of D-days and D-Days royalty.

“The Student Association organized the first South Dakota days on Nov 20, 1914.

Ferm Wassem from the class of 1917 was elected Miss Dakota by a student vote, and the honor of Mr. Dakota was added to the Dakota Days tradition with Karlton Adam, from the class of 1987. Today, students still elect royalty,” Grieve said.

The students who participated were judged by the audience. Leticia Thomas, who sang a song while playing the guitar, said she loves to perform and be able to connect to the audience. Thomas ended up winning third-place at the event.

“I wasn’t expecting to go far, but I was, and I was just glad that I felt validated. It just felt good and made me want to keep going, with performing. It was also a big relief because in my auditions I totally botched them, like I went in and I played a few chords and I forgot the lyrics, but I was able to come and conquer,” Thomas said.

Second place was awarded to Marga Block and Ntombi Ngeleka, who performed “I’m yours” by Jason Mraz. First place was awarded to Kyle VanBuskirk, who goes by the stage name “Polyester” who chose to perform because he wanted to challenge

himself.

“It’s really empowering, I’d say, it was really nerve wracking backstage, like I was drumming it up to be worse than it was. And then it was fun because everyone was just cheering for me and really being supportive,” VanBuskirk said.“I would like to thank my wig glue for always being there for me.”

There were many other performances including Margret Meierhenry singing “Bennie and The Jets”while playing piano, Emma Haven singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and Liam Mechling doing a DJ transmute.

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

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VOLANTEONLINE.COM/OPINION

EDITORIAL

File Photo I The Volante

Restuarants and bars in downtown Vermillion prepare D-Days celebrations.

Editorial: Happy D-Days, Celebrate Responsibly “

Happy D-Days Coyotes.

With no D-Days game in 2020 and the world of COVID-19, there felt like there was no reason to celebrate. Now, with COVID-19 restrictions lifted and Indiana State coming to town to face the Coyote football team, it is time to rejoice.

Many students are going to celebrate by going to the game at the DakotaDome and cheering on the Coyotes, while others will be attending other festivities such as Yotes Got Talent, the pep rally, the street dance, the parade or other events throughout the week.

Regardless of how you celebrate, celebrate with responsible behaviors in mind. The Vermillion Police Department’s Twitter page always gives out fun interactions

they have with students over D-Days, but you shouldn’t be the subject of one of those tweets.

Homecoming is always a time to celebrate the past and present.

Alumni return to celebrate their alma mater and current students celebrate their school. School spirit is at an all-time high, but that doesn’t mean you should behave irresponsibly.

If you are over 21, enjoy your week. Go downtown, take advantage of deals at bars, have a good time with friends. Even with the fun of downtown, make sure to take the necessary steps to be safe and healthy. Don’t drink and drive. Be conscious of COVID-19—it is still here. If you are feeling ill, don’t go out. If you aren’t vaccinated, consider vaccinating and not going out until you are fully vaccinated.

If you are under 21, don’t go downtown. Yes, the atmosphere at the bars can be fun, and maybe you can get away with it any other weekend, but bars and police will be cracking down this weekend. There are other ways to celebrate D-Days without going to the bars and getting a minorin-possession charge.

Nearly everyone is aware of the drinking culture surrounding D-Days. YouTube videos of D-Days partying have gone viral in years past, receiving thousands of views. Tailgating, house parties and day-drinking are all opportunities to have fun, but they are also opportunities for mistakes to be made.

We aren’t saying “don’t have fun,” “don’t drink,” “don’t party.”

All of those things are great and memorable times. We are

simply saying there are opportunities to do these activities responsibly. Know your limits, take precautions like finding a designated driver—ahead of time—and hold each other accountable for being responsible.

D-Days is back.

Celebrate making it through the tough parts of a global pandemic, but remember our responsibility as students, friends and community members.

Happy D-Days, Coyotes. Go Yotes.

We aren’t saying “don’t have fun,” “don’t drink,” “don’t party.” All of those things are great and memorable times.

We are simply saying there are opportunities to do these things responsibly.”

IT’S A NUMBERS GAME

Want to make 6,987 your voice heard?

From usd.edu/enrollment-dashboard

9,464

The amount of students attending school at USD.

2,477

The number of graduate students at USD.

The number of undergraduate students at USD.

431

The number of faculty members who work at USD.

If you are interested in writing Opinion for The Volante, email The Volante at volante@coyotes.usd.edu.

6,355

The number of students participating in at least one face-to-face class at USD.

0.1%

The increase of students attending USD from the 20-21 school year to now.

Opinion

The Volante I volanteonline.com

The tragedy sweeping the country

OVERHEARDS

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

“Imagine living in North Dakota.”

— Old Main

“Getting married basically means death.”

ELLA BYERS is a junior majoring in English education.

— Old Main

“My best friend just found out he’s inbred.”

— Outside of MUC

“No… we’re not calling it Starbs.”

— Neuharth

“It’s been 18 years, why is he still so sad?”

“Because someone stole his baby!”

— Beacom

“It’s ‘M and J’ not ‘F-U-N’.”

— Neuharth

“I just love meat in general.”

— MUC

“I think I just broke my butt.”

“Want me to massage it? Come to papa.”

— MUC

“My brother looks like a dirty q-tip.”

— MUC

Headlines of late have been dominated by the recent discoveries relating to the Gabby Petito case.

Many people following the case’s journey have mourned the loss and are fiercely advocating for justice (as one should in such a horrific situation). While the disappearance and supposed murder have disturbed and rocked the population, the outrage has caused other stories regarding missing

persons to come up as well— cases that have received little to no media coverage.

There are currently 326 reservations in the United States and nine in the state of South Dakota alone. This means nearly one in 10 South Dakota residents is either indigenous or has some background associated with Native American culture according to South Dakota’s 2019 census.

Given that the community is so widely spread across the country, one would think concern for their general wellbeing and livelihood would be of utmost importance (as it should be for every human being).

It is estimated around

“What do they even have in common?”

“I don’t know, they both birthed children.”

Bailey Zubke, editor-in-chief

Find more opinions on our website.

Miles Amende, managing editor Jacob Forster, copy editor

case, but similar families are forgotten or brushed aside in situations nearly identical to hers. They are suffering from no outside aid and hundreds of unanswered questions regarding their lost loved ones.

There is no line that should determine who receives the necessary support in such dire situations, and it is time to start making changes that will leave no woman behind and no case forgotten.

EDITORIAL BOARD

Bennett Clary, verve editor Emma Daggett, opinion editor

THE STUDENTS’ VOICE SINCE 1887

CONTACT US

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Minecraft is the best video game

For a long time, video games have been viewed negatively. Video games have been blamed for causing mass shootings, and some games can be racist or sexist. Even now, the World Health Organization has classified “gaming disorder” as a mental health condition.

Most of these accusations have no proof, but it all sounds pretty bad and it’s not surprising that some people have an aversion for playing video games. But not all games should be accused.

There have been studies which show some video games having positive effects. They make you think outside of the box to complete a task. One of these helpful games is Minecraft.

Nearly everyone has played or at least heard of Minecraft. It is one of the most popular video games in the world and in

grant any assistance to her

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.

Follow us on Twitter @VolanteOpinion

EMMA DAGGETT is a sophomore majoring in English.

2,300 indigenous women have gone or been reported missing in the past few years, claimed a recent NBC News article, and the numbers continue to climb each month. This is a staggering amount for a country whose Native American population totals over 2.9 million.

This epidemic of murdered and/or taken indigenous women has not wavered in recent years, and it ultimately poses the haunting question: has our tendency to overlook these disappearances only worsened the situation and increased the fatal statistics?

We’ve seen people who are strangers to Gabby and her family “take up arms” to

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the past few months it has resurfaced in popularity.

Minecraft is basically an online Lego world where you have to stay alive.

There is a creative setting where you can build whatever you want or a survival setting where you start with nothing and have to survive. Both settings are fun to play.

But Minecraft isn’t just fun—it can also teach you different skills. Teachers have started using Minecraft in school. There are lesson plans built into the game. You can learn about coding, geography, history and math.

One example is that you can make a student build an Egyptian pyramid or make a blueprint to colonize Mars, or you can play a version of Minecraft where students can take on roles of historical figures.

It encourages creativity, letting players build whatever they want. All they must do is figure out what they need and how to do it.

It also helps introduce coding. You can make devices and various systems with redstone by using “if-then,” “else” and

“end” functions. You can make light, open doors and build devices that raise bridges, farm crops and move resources.

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Masks: Volunteering is not enough JOHN LEFFERTS is a sophomore majoring in philosophy.

Minecraft is great for developing a child’s brain, and even as an adult, I have fun playing it. Video games aren’t for everyone, but Minecraft is something everyone needs to check out.

Even if you don’t want to play the game, there are a lot of Youtubers and online streamers who play Minecraft. There are roleplay videos, walk-throughs and so much other Minecraft content to watch if you would prefer that to playing.

I do recommend trying it out for yourself. See how long you can last in

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

Letters must be typed and fewer than 300 words.

It’s inspiring to see the students and teachers who are mask-wearers day in and day out this semester.

I thought for sure I would be one of these people, but I really do enjoy going maskless.

Shout out also to the retail workers—for a while we called them “essential workers”—who still wear masks for the benefit of their customers.

Somewhere, I still have a hastily printed document from early 2020 listing me as an essential worker who should be allowed travel privileges to and from work (I worked for a big-box store at the time).

Now that I have praised our mask volunteers, I feel the need to criticize them somewhat.

I assume these are

people who think of themselves as making a virtuous personal choice.

I think of them this way too.

However, I have to wonder if this isn’t really the case of a non-choice masquerading as a choice.

Let me try to explain: we citizens have a spectrum of options regarding masks.

In past times we could defy the mandates and wear no mask. Now we can defy the lack of a mandate and wear a mask. Each of these expresses things about ourselves as individuals and where we see ourselves in various culture wars.

Nevertheless, this really is beside the point. The question of public health is above our pay grade, it is not a decision we can fully make on behalf of those around us.

In order to fight the pandemic, we need to work together. This working-together cannot happen spontaneously and on a volunteer basis. It

requires, above all—above even science maybe— leadership.

To confront the pandemic we need more than mere moralistic compliance with health mandates or volunteerism to do so without mandates.

To battle with a pandemic, the most necessary thing of all is there are mandates to comply with in the first place.

The Chinese are the masters of pandemic leadership. Almost everything comes second to fighting the pandemic, even the Party’s goals of opening, reform and development. This is made possible by a politics that is paradoxically apolitical: pure governance.

Perhaps for the better, our government does not function in this way. In our case, to get more decisive pandemic leadership, it is up to us to demand our leaders lead.

a survival world without being killed by a zombie or

WEEKLY POLL:

falling from a high place.

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If you are interested in writing Opinion for The Volante, email The Volante at volante@ coyotes.usd.edu.

What is the best breakfast?

Eggs

29%

Pancakes

34%

Cereal

11%

Coffee

26% *Out of 38 voters

Let us hear your voice by voting in @VolanteOpinion weekly polls on Twitter.

News

A6 Wednesday, September 29, 2021

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USD Announces top seven Dakota Days royality candidates

Madeline Knau | The Volante The final seven candidates for Mr. Dakota are AJ Plitzuweit, Nick Hanson, Carter Larson, Riley Sullivan, Brady Samuelson, Blake Brown and Ethan Young. The final seven candidates for Miss Dakota are Sophie Swanson, Callie Luke, Ali Gisi, Claire Herbst, Katie Brust, Kianna Thelen and Elsa Leighton.

Madeline Knau freshman year and I’m just happy that I had the opportunity ambassador friends nominated me because I’m the president of Madeline.Knau@coyotes.usd.edu to do this through some student organizations on campus,” an organization so that’s how I got that nomination,” Leighton Samuelson said.“I’ve met a lot of people at USD over the last said. “I’m not too involved yet we did some pictures but I’m On Sept. 26, at 8 p.m. USD announced the top seven four years, and I tried to reach out and just try to get my name looking forward to this week because we have a lot of stuff candidates for Mr. and Miss Dakota. The event was hosted by out there again and I’m glad that people were still willing to vote coming up we’re doing.”

Morgan Jaco and Ntombi Ngeleka at Aalfs auditorium. This for me.”

The final seven candidates for Mr. Dakota are AJ Plitzuweit, event celebrated the first day of Dakota Days at USD. The event took place right after Yotes Got Talent and it Nick Hanson, Carter Larson, Riley Sullivan, Brady Samuelson, One of the candidates who made it to the top seven was started with each individual who was nominated coming up on Blake Brown and Ethan Young. The final seven candidates for Brady Samuelson, who said he was thankful that his friends and stage from the back of the auditorium. Elsa Leighton, who is a Miss Dakota are Sophie Swanson, Callie Luke, Ali Gisi, Claire organization believed in him and that they thought he was a candidate for Miss Dakota said she was nervous and shaking a Herbst, Katie Brust, Kianna Thelen and Elsa Leighton. Crowning good representation of USD. little bit. will be held Oct. 2 at the USD versus Indiana State game during “I’m super excited. I know this has been a thing ever since “I knew I would be nominated because all of my student half-time.

USD continues to monitor COVID-19 cases on campus Jacob Forster

Jacob.R.Forster@coyotes.usd.edu

USD’s fall 2021 semester was promised as a “back to normal” semester for on-campus learning after the disruptions caused by the ongoing pandemic. More than a month in, COVID-19 remains a consideration for the university.

Kevin O’Kelley, assistant vice president of research compliance and the head of USD’s COVID-19 Task Force, said the difference in the university’s approach largely comes from a greater degree of preparation.

“Last year, we had a pretty bad fall semester in that we under prepared,” O’Kelley said. “We were reactive. When the cases were high, we did one more thing. The cases went up, we did one more thing.

We were always one step behind COVID.”

Rachel Olson, director of clinic operations at the Sanford Vermillion Clinic, said the clinic’s main role in cooperation with the university’s management of COVID-19 has been in testing and vaccinations.

“We ended last spring just starting to kind of get to the public as we were phasing for vaccines.

So we didn’t have a really good opportunity to get to those students before they left for the end of the semester,” Olson said. “So really trying to catch those individuals who maybe didn’t get their COVID vaccine over summer break, and to provide opportunities throughout the semester to get that COVID vaccine.”

Olson said one area the clinic is proud of in the response is the increase in testing capacity through various university and community programs.

“We’re testing here at our facility, but the university is doing testing, some of our partners in the community are also doing testing,” Olson said. “So really just making that testing more and more available.”

O’Kelley said there have been fewer cases in the campus community than expected due to a higher-than-expected vaccination rate among USD students.

“When you look at the SIR curve (number of susceptible, infected and recovered individuals), if you look at the math numbers of how diseases transmit in a community... the math is really amazing that when you reach a certain number of people immune, the transmission rate drops precipitously,” O’Kelley said.

O’Kelley said the university relied on vaccination rates for South Dakotans between the ages

of 18 and 24, about 36% of whom are vaccinated. Based on this vaccination rate, the university expected higher transmission than the campus is currently experiencing.

“We were pleasantly surprised and are still pleasantly surprised that our numbers are far below what we anticipated,” O’Kelley said. “It means that we have a greater number of people vaccinated and/or immune than we had anticipated.”

O’Kelley said the higher vaccination rate for USD students compared to other South Dakotans most likely comes from students in the health sciences field who are required to get vaccinated as part of their work in nursing homes and at Avera and Sanford hospitals.

Even though the case numbers are lower than expected, O’Kelley said students who think they

might be sick should get tested in the Muenster University Center (MUC), where free testing is offered Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Our numbers have been lower than expected, but every one of those numbers is a sick student, and they’re not happy campers,” O’Kelley said. “Coronavirus is not like, you blow it off. If you’re asymptomatic, you never know you’re sick, that’s one thing, but if you get sick and you get tested, you’re positive, you’re not going to have a good week.”

O’Kelley encourages students to get vaccinated, but to also follow guidelines on masks, handwashing and staying home when sick.

“COVID is still here, it’s not over,” O’Kelley said. “So please get vaccinated, please be hygienic and please stay healthy.”

Pi Beta Phi holds Sugar High Event at Prentis Park Madeline Knau

Madeline.Knau@coyotes.usd.edu

The Pi Beta Phi Sorority held the Sugar High event at Prentis Park Sept. 20, including many sweets such as ice cream, candy and lemonade.

Kacy Tubbs, a member of Pi Beta Phi, said they decided to hold the event to raise money for their philanthropy and that it is a fun event to raise money as well as support the Greek Life houses.

“We thought something with sugar and food was a good way to just get the campus out here and sell some ice cream and

just raise money for that philanthropy,” Tubbs said.

“When I’m in a sorority of 100 different people, there’s a lot of people to help me, so everyone’s just done a really good job of supporting me through the planning process, and I think it turned out really well.”

Many people came to the Sugar High event to support friends and family as well.

Graham Leonard, a student at USD said they came out to support their sister.

“I came to the event to support my little sister, who’s a freshman and to see her at her first event for her sorority and this is my first time (at the Sugar High), and

it’s been fun,” Graham said.

Not only were there people there but pets as well including dogs and rabbits.

Kendra Bauermeister, came with her family and dog too.

“I have a lot of friends who are connected to Pi Beta Phi, so I wanted to come out and support them and see what the event was about, and I enjoy socializing with everyone,” Bauermeister said.

Pi Beta Phi members said they had a great time hosting the event. Tubbs said they have more events like this in the future.

Madeline Knau | The Volante The Pi Beta Phi Sugar High philanthropy event included many sweets such as ice cream, candy, and lemonade. Many people came to the Sugar High event to support friends and family.

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RAWLINS PIANO TRIO PLAYS FIRST CONCERT OF THE YEAR

Submitted Photo | The Volante

The Rawlins Piano Trio each perform with different instruments; violin, piano and cello.

Rachel Thompson

Rachel.R.Thompson@coyotes.usd.edu

The Rawlins Piano Trio will perform the first of two concerts Oct. 6. The trio is comprised of USD faculty members; Assistant Professor of violin Ioana Galu, Assistant Professor of music Sonja Kraus and the founder and director of USD’s master’s degree in collaborative piano Susan Keith Gray. Galu plays the violin, Kraus the cello and Gray the piano.

The Rawlins family founded the trio in 1987 because they wanted more for the string department and with their funding, USD was able to hire a second string professor.

“As part of the gift, they asked that the two string professors and a pianist form a trio and do various outreach performances in the region,” Gray said.

This Oct. 6 concert is titled “The Colors of The Fall” in relation to one of the main pieces they will be performing that was composed by Jennifer Higdon, a Pulitzer prize winner.

The piece has two movements, the first being called “Pale Yellow” and the second being “Fiery Red”. The trio drew from these titles to come up with the name of their concert. Gray said the trio has performed this piece before but believed it fit well with the theme they were going for.

“We wanted something to add to the program that was more contemporary and American. Also, we decided we wanted work by a female composer so it checked off all of those boxes,” Gray said.

The other composers to be included are Felix Mendelssohn, a german composer from the 1800’s. The piece they are performing is 30 minutes long.

“It has four movements, four different sections to it, and so it’s incredibly expressive, but also highly virtuosic. It’s quite a difficult piece for all of us, but it’s kind of, it’s what they call the Warhorse piece,” Gray said.

The other composer they are playing from is an IsraeliAmerican, Ilan Rechtman. The trio has been practicing Rechtman’s 20 jazz movements over the last few years and performing them at concerts over the years. This concert they will perform the final three.

“It was our goal to learn all 20 of them, and we have finally learned all 20 of them, so this concert will probably be the end of our playing them at every concert,” Gray said.

The Rawlins Trio in the past mainly performed their USD concerts at Colton Recital Hall, but due to renovations this concert will be performed at John A. Day Gallery in the Warren M. Lee Center for the Fine Arts. The construction at the Colton

Recital Hall will be finished two days after the Rawlins Trio Concert.

In the past the trio would, when possible, have a recorded interview with the composers before each piece. This year they are changing to having a video play along as they perform.

The art department is providing the trio with footage from the iron pour project where they melted iron into molds to make sculptures and art. This video is planned to go along with the “Fiery Red” movement. For the other movement, “Pale Yellow”, the trio is receiving photographs from a former piano professor, Susanne Skyrm.

The Rawlins Piano trio enjoys being able to share with their students the process of performing concerts and sharing the gift of music to general audiences.

“Music can be very powerful and a pleasure just to enjoy listening to it, but it can also be moving. So we like to choose pieces that have a wide range of attributes to them that would create any one of those possibilities,” Gray said.

Miss South Dakota presents “BLOOM” Initiative Alle Anduaga

Alle.Anduaga@coyotes.usd.edu

Miss South Dakota 2021 winner Kaitlin O’Neal shared her Social Impact Initiative (SII) “Healthy Mind, Healthy Body, Healthy You” with USD students and faculty Sept. 27.

O’Neal’s SII is called “BLOOM” and is an acronym tool she created to assist in balancing her mental, physical and emotional health.

“I developed it based on personal experience. Growing up, I struggled with depression and an eating disorder and I didn’t have that support system or any resources to

help me work through those struggles,” O’Neal said.

O’Neal said in college she was able to get the help she needed which inspired her to create “BLOOM” for her SII. BLOOM stands for “Balancing your personal and work life,” “Listening to your body,” “having an Outlet for expression,” “having a positive Outlook” and “Meditation” or “Movement,” depending on an individual’s lifestyle.

“I hope at least one person takes the message behind it that you know you’re not alone. If you are struggling with something,

there’s so many people that struggle just like you,” O’Neal said. “There’s a big community out there and resources that we can get you in contact with to help you work through whatever you’re going through.”

O’Neal said although she no longer struggles with depression or anxiety, she still uses BLOOM to help her with the areas in her life that need improvement.

“I’m really hoping that everyone that comes can at least take one thing away that they can implement into their life, to just better their health in general,” O’Neal said.

O’Neal said a struggle for her was wanting

Kaitlin O’Neal presented her social impact initiative, “BLOOM”, to USD students and faculty Sept. 27.

to present a program that has both personal experience and credible science behind it.

Currently, O’Neal is working with Sanford Health to increase the educational side of BLOOM. “I’m excited because they have early childhood experts and all of those kinds of things, so it’s really cool to get to work with professionals with my program I created, all together,” O’Neil said.

In the future, O’Neal hopes to reach people on a national scale with BLOOM.

Bailey Zubke | The Volante

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International Club looks forward to a new year Bennett Clary

Bennett.Clary@coyotes.usd.edu

Submitted Photo | The Volante After COVID-19 hindered some of the International Clubs plans, they are looking forward to an interesting year with new executives.

The International Club on campus is the host to many international students and domestic students alike. The club holds many events throughout the year to allow students to interact with each other.

Third-year PhD student Bernard Osemwenkhae serves as the liaison between the International Club and the Student Government Administration. In an email interview with The Volante, he said the International Club gives him a feeling of being at home because of the shared moments he’s had with other members in the club.

“The International Club represents culture and diversity and inclusiveness,” Osemwenkhae said.

“As an international student, it is a space where I get to learn about different people and their cultures and also helps me connect with domestic and other international students.”

Graduate student Muntasir Mamun is president of the International Club. In an email interview with The Volante, he said the International Club allows students to learn about different cultures, diversity and people from other social and ethnic backgrounds.

“This club is not for any certain community or group; rather, it is for all the international and domestic students who love cultural activities, arts and sharing their diversity among each other, which is the main difference and uniqueness than other clubs,” Mamun said.

Although COVID-19 hindered some of their plans last year, Osemwenkhae said this year promises to be more interesting with the new executives. He said

their talents are allowing them to reimagine and modify how future events will go.

“This year, we have a lot of events planned out. We will be having Around the World Wednesdays in October and November, we will also have the international night in November,”

Osemwenkhae

said.

“In the spring we will celebrate the International Mother Language Day and The Festival of Nations and we will also have Around the World Wednesdays from January through April.”

Osemwenkhae

said

that

International Club believes everyone has something to offer regardless of where they are from, and he recommends all international and domestic students join the club.

“The International Club is quite unique because when compared to other clubs on campus we do not describe what a typical member should be like or look like. Pretty much anyone can join, whether you are an international student or domestic student.” Osemwenkhae said.

The International Club will host their movie welcome night on Sept.

29 at 5:30 p.m. in the Muenster University Center (MUC) pit. They will show the movie “Life of Pi.” More information can be found on their Instagram @usdinternationalclub.

Submitted Photo | The Volante

Submitted Photo | The Volante

TRiO has been supporting and assisting students since 2015.

TRiO brings success to in-need students Chloe Fullenkamp

Chloe.Fullenkamp@coyotes.usd. edu

Since 2015, TRiO has been assisting USD students on their path to graduation.

This semester, TRiO is looking forward to a full schedule of student events and services to help their students succeed.

Dallas Doane, director of TRiO Student Support Services, was hired over the summer and described TRiO as a grouping of programs for students. The program is designed specifically for students who may need educational, financial or disability assistance.

“TRiO is the colloquial name for a cluster of programs that help students prepare for and succeed in college,” Doane said.

TriO is comprised of three distinct programs: TRiO Educational Talent Search, which prepares students for college, TRiO Upward Bound, which works directly with high schools to provide tutoring, financial literacy, and other assistance and finally, TRiO Student Support Services, which is geared for USD students to succeed in and out of the classroom.

Since its inception in 2015, TRiO has been funded to serve 144 USD students every year, Doane said.

Some of TRiO’s services on campus include tutoring, specialized advising, mental health services and cultural enrichment programs.

Alex Arango, senior accounting major, is a peer educator for TRiO Student Support Services.

Arango began the program as a freshman and has since become a peer educator.

“TRiO made it very comfortable for me to go out and meet people on campus and to familiarize myself with the proper resources to better my success here,” Arango said. “I constantly had someone to talk to and continue to push me when time got hard, all within one great organization.”

So far, TRiO has hosted early orientation, an ice cream social and a campus resource fair, but this is just the start of their semester, Doane said.

“We are currently planning a trip to Omaha, Neb. where we will see the musical Hamilton and tour the graduate programs at the University of NebraskaOmaha and Creighton University,” Doane said.

Through the different events and trips with TRiO, Doane said the program acts as a connector to the students.

“Oftentimes, we have students who stop by our office simply because they are unsure who can help them. We’re able to help students navigate complex issues with their tuition bills, financial aid and loans, and know the go-to people to connect our students to,” Doane said.

As well as preparing students for graduation, Arango said TRiO also prepares their students

for their future outside of USD. “TRiO is constantly letting students know of

opportunities

campus

and

on even

provides a resource fair to connect students with activities

on

campus

that can lead them to a job opportunity or additional resource. One of them even has direct help for prepping for life after college as well,” Arango said.

Doane

said

TRiO

has rolling admissions for students in need.

TRiO still has spots open for this semester and interested students can visit the TRiO offices in

North

Complex

Commons Room 101 for more details.

“TRiO

is

a

great

organization on USD campus that is here simply to aid a student in the success of their college

career

thereafter.

I

and would

encourage any individual to apply for the program as it is only there to benefit

the

Arango said.

student,”

The International Club hosts events to encourage student interaction.

Sports

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A CHILDHOOD DREAM BECOMES REALITY Tavin Carncross

Tavin.Carncross@coyotes.usd.edu

Senior wide receiver Kody Case always knew what sport he wanted to play: football.

Case grew up surrounded by the sport from a young age due to family ties.

“My dad had been a head football coach for the past 25 years or so,” Case said. “I just grew up around the game. I was playing football at a really young age.”

Even though he grew up playing football, Case did not shy away from playing other sports in high school. He was named threetime all-conference for basketball and set school records in track and field for the 4x100 and the 4x200 relays.

Even though Case was setting track records and being named an all-conference athlete, his mind remained stuck on all things football related.

“Track and field was fun but I could not imagine myself not playing football,” Case said.

“Football has always been a big part of my life.

It’s what I love to do, so I never really thought about any other sport besides football.”

Even with his busy high school sports schedule, Case was constantly visiting Vermillion and experiencing the college atmosphere due to his sister.

“My sister had the chance to play volleyball here, so I was here a lot as a middle schooler and in high school just watching her,” Case said. “I got a feel for the community and what it’s like.”

Case’s decision to be a Coyote was also influenced by his family and the proximity to home.

“I also have family around here in Vermillion, so it is fun to play with them close,” Case said. “Then of course my family back home, (Vermillion) is only two hours from my

hometown, so they get to come and see every game so that played a big part.”

Family has helped Case with his football career and his teammates have had a big impact along the way as well. Case loves the brotherhood he has created here at USD with his teammates.

“My favorite part about playing football is just getting to be around your teammates everyday at practice,” Case said. “We hang out outside practice, just the feeling of brotherhood we have.”

Due to COVID-19, USD’s football team decided to not have a fall season in 2020.

Instead, they moved it to a spring season and would have a fall camp instead. During the end of fall camp, Case broke his leg and was unable to play in the make-up spring season.

“At the end of fall camp, I broke my leg, so I wasn’t able to play our spring season either,” Case said. “The spring season was also shortened because of COVID-19, and we only played four games, so it was kind of a messedup year all around.”

During the offseason, Case spent his time getting ready for the season in the weight room.

Case has been injured almost every season that he has played as a Coyote, missing seven games in 2018, four games in 2019 and all four games in the 2020-21 season.

“I focused on getting my body right. I’ve been banged up a lot at USD,” Case said. “I’m just spending extra hours in the training room and just trying to prevent injuries.”

Even with his playing time at USD coming to an end, Case is already looking forward to his future. “(I plan) to play football for as long as I can,” Case said. “Eventually becoming a high school football coach, track coach, and a physical education teacher.”

Submitted Photo | The Volante Senior Kody Case always dreamt of playing football. The wide reciever plans to continue playing football as long as he can and eventually begin his career as a physical education teacher.

Sydney Johnson | The Volante

The Coyotes celebrated as they beat SDSU Friday night, winning in four sets. The squad also hit their season best .425 hitting percentage as well as many other individual records.

Coyotes beat Jackrabbits for twelfth consecutive time Sydney Johnson

Sydney.G.Johnson@coyotes.usd.edu

The USD volleyball team beat in-state rival SDSU in a match that lasted four sets Friday night.

The Coyotes defeated SDSU 19-25, 25-12, 25-22, 25-18.

After falling behind in the first set, the Coyotes were unable to regain momentum and found themselves dropping the first set 25-19.

The team reasoned that their inability to take the first set against the Jackrabbits came from a high number of serving errors.

“We missed quite a few serves in the first set. We knew we had to change that, but I think we were really just determined in the next set,” senior setter Madison Jurgens said. “Our attitude towards the game changed. We were kind of passive in the first set, and we got really aggressive in the next coming sets.”

With seven missed serves and two service aces in the first set, the Coyotes went into the second set more aggressively. They won the second set with an end score of 25-12, where 17 of their 25 points came from team kills.

“It was good to see us come back from that first set, because we haven’t seen that all preseason,” Jurgens said. “It was good to know that we could do that, and I think it really fueled a fire underneath us to play better in the next coming sets.”

The Coyotes were able to pull out wins in sets three (25-22) and four (25-18) as well. With this being their first Summit League win of the season and having a season-best .425 hitting percentage, the team was also able to boast

many individual records for the players.

Jurgens had 57 assists during gameplay Friday which contributed to her career high.

“I thought Madison Jurgens did a great job of running our offense today,” head coach Leanne Williamson said. “I think as the season has progressed, every week she’s just a little bit more confident, a little bit more like the Jurgs we know and love. In terms of running our offense, she got everybody involved.”

Junior outside hitter Elizabeth Juhnke recorded her sixth double-double of the season, in which she had 20 kills in a match for the first time this season and recorded two season highs.

Juhnke had a season high number of kills with 20, and a season high .395 hitting percentage.

Juhnke also tallied 20 digs.

Saturday’s win was USD’s 12th straight win over rival SDSU. Williamson said she believed the home crowd atmosphere had a big motivation factor for the Coyotes.

“What a great start to the showdown series,” Williamson said. “To have over 1,500 fans in attendance, and amazing student action in a crowd that absolutely got involved in the match today, I think that’s a great way to start conference season. I think it’s great to see the amount of people that come out and support us.”

The Coyotes are preparing for three matches in a five-day span. On Sept. 28, USD takes on NDSU at home in the Sanford Coyote Sports Center. They will then be on the road for a match-up against Oral Roberts in Tulsa, Sydney Johnson | The Volante Oklahoma Sept. 30 and Kansas City in Kansas Senior setter Madison Jurgens set herself a new career high of 57 assists during City, Missouri Oct. 2.

Friday’s game.

B4 Wednesday, September 29, 2021

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