The VolanTe
WEDNESDAY,

WEDNESDAY,
Elli Kruse Elli.Kruse@coyotes.usd.edu
South Dakota is known for its inexpensive tuition, which is funded in part by the South Dakota Legislature. Recently, USD students have been surveyed on this issue. With a total of 686 students participating in this survey, it allowed insight on what the students’ opinions are regarding the tuition.
The survey began on October 28 and went until November 8. The survey came from the student federation and was dispersed throughout all the surrounding colleges or universities that are a part of the Board of Regents. USD, and all other Board of Regents institutions, has had a tuition freeze for the past 5 years.
SGA President Ethan Gladue believes the survey is important in understanding student opinion.
“I should say mainly the survey is just to find what students think and then to give it to the board to enact policy and everything like that to understand where the students are coming from,” Gladue said. “When you are on the board you don’t really have much connection to a lot of the schools and what students are thinking,”
“Our SGA was pushing it out to USD students to fill it out. It was more to see if students were aware of what a tuition freeze was and see if the affordability aspect was important to students.”
Jill Schulte, the Vice President of SGA, assisted in creating and sending out the survey.
“We wanted to send it out to gain more information about the effects of tuition in South Dakota and how it influenced the desire for individuals to come here due to
the affordability schools in South Dakota have to offer,” Schulte said.
In order to get approved to send out the survey, SGA had to go through a survey committee. SGA worked with other faculty members to help create the survey. Gladue, along with the rest of SGA, were able to look at the survey results and see what students had said about the tuition at USD.
The survey was filled out by half of the freshman and sophomore classes and then the other half consisted of a mix of the junior and senior classes. Eighty-eight percent of students take in person classes while the other remaining participants in the survey take online classes.
“Then we started getting more into the questions about tuition. How would you rate the cost and fees of attending USD and at least 84% said they had an average understanding.” Gladue said.
Sixty-eight percent of students did not know that the tuition has not increased in the past 5 years. Along with that, more than 71% of students said the cost of tuition did affect them staying at USD, whether it was the main reason or not.
“This survey’s main purpose is more to drive policy. We wanted to gain knowledge on how the cost of tuition influenced overall enrollment at USD and all regental schools.” Schulte said.
Since the other results are still coming in from other schools in South Dakota, SGA will have to wait to see what the student federation has to say. The legislature will have the opportunity to extend the tuition another time at the upcoming legislative session in January.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20,
Charles Streeter Charles.Streeter@coyotes.usd.edu
In the wake of the 2024 general election, South Dakota has seen some of its politicians sent to prominent positions.
Senator John Thune won a bid to become the Senate Republicans next leader, replacing Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
“I wasn’t surprised by that at all,” said political science professor Julia Hellwege. “I think has done very well as the whip for the Republican Party and has worked hard to create some semblance of cohesion.”
USD political science professor Tim Schorn believes that there are potential risks to Thune’s ascension to majority leader. In 2004, Thune narrowly defeated then-Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle by a few thousand votes.
“The question becomes, do South Dakotans feel that as majority leader, that he is forgetting his South Dakota roots and becoming more a national politician,” Schorn said.
Schorn said he thinks this issue played a role in Daschle’s defeat in 2004.
Since 2004, South Dakota has trended politically to the right, as no Democratic candidate has won a statewide election since 2008.
On the executive front, President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Governor Kristi Noem as Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security.
Schorn says this nomination will help bolster Noem’s career out of state.
“She’s finished in South Dakota, and she knows she’s finished in South Dakota. This is her ticket out and to a future,” Schorn said.
“The South Dakota Republican [party] is not monolithic or homogeneous. I think some of them are probably bidding good riddance and farewell.”
Hellwege says she was surprised to see Noem in a cabinet position.
“I don’t think she put her best face forward in some recent things,” Hellwege said. “It’s almost like she tried too hard, and she kind of fell flat on her face, which is unfortunate for her.”
Hellwege thinks Noem’s appointment is one example of a greater trend in Trump’s appointing of loyal supporters to cabinet roles.
“There are a few different approaches,” Hellwege said with regard to who presidents appoint to cabinet positions. “Some want to pick a cabinet that are truly experts, like Bush,” Hellwege said. “Some have chosen their picks based on loyalty.”
The implications of a Noem DHS secretary would result in a vacancy in the governor’s office. The South Dakota Constitution deems the lieutenant governor as governor in the event of a vacancy. Currently, Larry Rhoden, a longtime legislator and rancher from West River, has served as lieutenant governor for six years.
“I think Rhoden’s going to be much more of an old school South Dakota Republican, and this isn’t to say he isn’t conservative,” Schorn said.
Should Rhoden become governor, he would be able to nominate a new lieutenant governor, which both the House and Senate would need to confirm.
Hellwege says she does not know who would replace Rhoden as lieutenant governor.
The legislature has also seen a shakeup, with an entirely new slate of leadership for the 2025 legislative session. In June, fourteen Republican legislators lost reelections in the primary election. Some believe voters saw the legislators as too friendly to the proposed Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline that would transit the northeast part of the state.
Rep. Scott Odenbach (R-Spearfish) defeated majority leader Rep. Will Mortenson (R-Fort Pierre) for a reelection bid.
In the Senate, Sen. Jim Mehlhaff (RPierre) won the position of Senate majority leader from Sen. Casey Crabtree (R-Madison). In addition, Sen. Carl Perry (R-Aberdeen) was elected Speaker Pro Tempore, following outgoing Sen. Lee Schoenbeck (R-Watertown).
“I think I expect us to see a very loud legislature with minimum product,” Schorn said.
Looking to the future, next year will have a large impact on the 2026 elections, when all of South Dakota’s statewide offices are up for election, as well as the United States Representative and one of the two United States Senate seats.
Anyston Henning Anyston.Henning@coyotes.usd.edu
On November 13, The Native Student Services held a Native American fashion show in the University of South Dakota Event Center.
Director of Native Student Services, and the host of the event Megan Redshirt-Shaw shared that the goal of the show was to be a vibrant celebration focused on identity and artistry within indigenous fashion.
“In the 70s, there was a native fashion show that was held on campus, and John Little found photographs of the fashion show, and we decided that we wanted to bring it into this era. It is an homage to the fashion show that happened in the 70s, but we’re bringing it into 2024,” Redshirt-Shaw said.
Mattea Scott, a vintage clothing curator, designer, and emerging filmmaker, shared the inspiration behind her work for the show.
“I love the character and I love opulence and being able to take the authenticity of a human and our souls and spirituality and bringing it to life physically through pieces, vintage quality pieces, is what not only takes you back but brings you right here now.”
Nilda, a junior, who served as a model for the show shared her experiences with walking for the event.
“I was so nervous. I was standing out
there, and I was like, what if I trip? I don’t know if I’m going to be able to walk. But while I walked out there, all of that went away,” Lima-Alvarez said.
Xena Aragon, a junior, expressed her genuine interest in continuing to volunteer after modeling for the show.
“I mostly did it to volunteer because they needed models but now it is something that I enjoyed a lot, I definitely would do it again next year,” Aragon said.
Curie Dudley, one of the clothing artists, was inquired about her emotional response to the show.
“I felt pretty good, I was happy that every model was feeling good with what they were wearing them, and they were really happy, and just enjoying the show,” Dudley said.
Trevor SwitHawk, a curator and designer for the brand Lakota, was asked what message they sought to convey within their work in the show.
“I’m trying to break out of this box that I find that Native designers have put themselves in, and trying to take it on, like Avante garde kind of approach to native Brands,” SwitHawk said.
The fashion show received widespread acclaim for its innovative designs, cultural significance, and powerful artistic expression.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2024 THE VOLANTE
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.
Editor-In-Chief
Charles Streeter
Managing Editor
Jozie Kumm
News Editor
Juliana Oltmanns Verve Editor
Nathan DeGreef
Sports Editor
Charlie Prien
Photo Editor
Sara Mauszycki
Social Media Director
Ava Sevening Staff Advisor
Janet Davison
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
Send letters to:
Al Neuharth Media Center
555 N. Dakota St. Vermillion, S.D. 57069
Fax to: 605 677 5105
Email to: volante@coyotes usd e du Via our website: volanteonline.com
VERMILLION IS LOCATED IN AN AREA THAT IS SIGNIFICANT TO THE YANKTON SIOUX TRIBE. THE YANKTON SIOUX ARE PART OF THE LARGER SIOUX NATION AND HAVE A RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE WITHIN THE REGION THAT DATES BACK TO THE 1860S.
USD-VERMILLION IS HOME TO MULTIPLE PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES DEDICATED TO NATIVE AMERICAN STUDIES. OFFERING COURSES, EVENTS, AND CELEBRATIONS THAT AIM TO EDUCATE ABOUT NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE.
The deadline for letters is 5 p m the Friday prior to publication. Letters must be typed and fewer than 300 words.
LOCATED TO THE NORTHEAST OF VERMILLION, WAKONDA STATE PARK IS NAMED AFTER THE SIOUX WORD FOR “SPIRIT,” REFLECTING THE SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE AREA TO THE SIOUX NATION TRIBES.
THE TIOSPAYE STUDENT COUNCIL HOSTS AN ANNUAL WACIPI. THE EVENT IS A CELEBRATION OF NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE, FEATURING TRADITIONAL DANCES, MUSIC AND REGALIA. THIS EVENT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR BOTH NATIVE AND NONNATIVE COMMUNITIES TO COME TOGETHER IN A WAY THAT HONORS TRADITIONS, AND PROMOTES CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING.
Charlie Prien
Charles.Prien@coyotes.usd.edu
The USD volleyball team closed out its regular season Tuesday night with a matchup against in-state rival South Dakota State.
The Coyotes have faced challenges recently, dropping consecutive 3-1 losses to St. Thomas and Omaha, which placed them third in the Summit League standings. This marks the first time since 2021 that USD has not claimed at least a share of the regular-season conference title.
Despite the recent skid, the Coyotes remain optimistic heading into the Summit League tournament. The bracket presents a favorable opportunity for a late-season surge. South Dakota State holds the No. 1 seed, with Omaha close behind as the No. 2 seed.
To secure an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, the Coyotes need three wins in Kansas City. Tournament play begins Sunday, Nov. 24, with the championship match set for Tuesday, Nov. 26, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Charlie Prien
Charles.Prien@coyotes.usd.edu
The regular season is coming to a close for the USD football team, with a pivotal matchup this Saturday against North Dakota State.
The No. 4-ranked Coyotes face the No. 1-ranked Bison at 1 p.m., with a chance to earn a share of the Missouri Valley Football Conference title. The Coyotes enter the game with an 8-2 record, coming off back-to-back dominant conference wins over Indiana State and North Dakota, where they scored more than 40 points in each contest.
Regardless of Saturday’s outcome, USD will finish the regular season with a winning record for the second straight year, continuing the team’s upward trajectory under head coach Bob Nielson.
Looking ahead, the Coyotes’ postseason prospects are bright. A victory over North Dakota State would likely secure a top-five ranking in the final FCS standings, while a loss still projects USD as a top-eight seed in the playoffs.
The Coyotes will learn their postseason fate on Sunday, Nov. 24, when the NCAA playoff committee announces the FCS playoff bracket.
Charles.Prien@coyotes.usd.edu
The South Dakota high school football championships took place in Vermillion last week, with all seven classes crowning their 2024 champions.
The first game on Thursday, Nov. 14, was the Class 9B championship between No. 5 seed Sully Buttes Chargers and No. 2 seed Faulkton Area Trojans. Sully Buttes started strong, leading 22-6 at halftime, and ultimately secured a 34-14 victory. The win marked Sully Buttes’ first state title since 1989. Wesley Wittler was named the Joe Robbie MVP and outstanding back, while Bo McGee received the outstanding lineman award.
The Class 9A final featured No. 2 seed Howard Tigers against No. 4 seed Wolsey-Wessington Warbirds in a tightly
contested game. Howard emerged victorious with a 38-30 win, claiming its first state championship since 2021. Luke Koepsell stood out, earning both the Joe Robbie MVP and outstanding lineman honors. Carson Hinker was recognized as the outstanding back.
In a battle of unbeaten teams, No. 2 seed Hamlin Chargers faced No. 1 seed Parkston Trojans. Hamlin dominated the game, winning 32-8 and capturing its first state title since 2014. Jackson Wadsworth’s impressive performance earned him both the Joe Robbie MVP and outstanding back awards, while Dawson Noem was named outstanding lineman.
The Class 11B championship featured two powerhouse programs, No. 2 seed Winner and No. 1 seed Sioux Valley. In a defensive showdown, Winner pulled
off a narrow 20-14 win, securing its 10th state title. Karson Keiser was named Joe Robbie MVP, with Gus Bartels taking the outstanding back title and Shawn Hammerbeck earning outstanding lineman honors.
The No. 3 seed Lennox Orioles faced No. 1 seed Sioux Falls Christian Chargers in the Class 11A final. In a gritty defensive battle, Lennox edged out Sioux Falls Christian 14-6, capturing its first championship since 1982. Boston Katzer was instrumental, scoring two touchdowns and making two interceptions, earning him both the Joe Robbie MVP and outstanding back awards. Nathaniel Haar was recognized as the outstanding lineman.
The Class 11AA final pitted No. 4 seed Pierre Governors against No. 2 seed Watertown Arrows. In a thrilling finish, Watertown narrowly held off Pierre for a 14-13
victory, winning its first state title since 2001. Marcus Fossum was the standout player, receiving both the Joe Robbie MVP and outstanding back awards, while Micah Hach was named outstanding lineman.
The weekend concluded with the Class 11AAA championship between No. 2 seed Sioux Falls Lincoln Patriots and No. 1 seed Brandon Valley Lynx. Lincoln showcased its dominance, winning 31-21 and securing back-to-back state championships. Brody Schafer earned both the Joe Robbie MVP and outstanding back awards, while Luke Krempges took home the outstanding lineman honor.
With the 2024 championships complete, South Dakota high school football fans witnessed a thrilling series of games, featuring both first-time winners and repeat champions.
Charles Streeter Charles.Streeter@coyotes.usd.edu
Next week is my favorite week of the entire year. Why, you may ask. Because Thanksgiving is the best holiday of the year.
I understand that there are some Christmas fanatics that I may offend by saying this. Certainly Thanksgiving does not have the same lead up and month-long season like Christmas does.
Don’t get me wrong, I like Christmas, but as I grow a bit older every year, Christmas loses a bit of its magic. You could say that I can’t ‘hear the bells’ like the little boy in “The Polar Express.”
What’s so special about Thanksgiving? First, I appreciate that it is perhaps the most ‘food-centric’ holiday of the
In the November 7 issue of The Volante, the editorial on page 9 was inaccurately credited to Anna Bottesini, a USD Student. The editorial was actually written by Charles Streeter. The Volante regrets the error and apologizes for any confusion.
year. I can eat all day without shame (maybe it would be in my best interest to have some shame, but that’s another problem for another day).
A good ham and a well-cooked turkey are difficult to beat, and who can forget the stuffing. It’s probably the best part of the entire meal. If you disagree, come fight me.
And then, the pies. Apple pie, coconut cream pie, custard pie, pudding pie, they’re all great. Pumpkin pie, not so much, but I’m probably in the minority opinion on pumpkin pie.
In theory, you can eat all of this again a month later on Christmas, so what really makes Thanksgiving
special?
It’s the expectations (or lack thereof). Thanksgiving is a day to hang out with friends or family, to simply have fun and relax.
Christmas is full of expectations: gifts, decorating, etc. That’s not bad by any means, but the Christmas hustle and bustle can really wear you down. Not to mention, that one particularly atrocious song which haunts the airwaves and my dreams.
As with anything in life, it’s only as good as you make it. Have a wonderful and restful Thanksgiving break, only a few more weeks and the semester is over!
Here you’ll find the weirdest, funniest and stupidest things we’ve heard during the week. Context is for suckers.
“I’m writing in blood and it doesn’t erase”
- Delzell
“With a handgun, anything is possible”
- Al Neuharth
“There’s nothing I love more than licking the sweat off old people”
- Downtown
“They sliced up Einsten’s brain after he died, and they ate it.”
-Al Neuharth Media Center
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20,
1. Which President declared Thanksgiving a national holiday?
3. Where the Pilgrims landed
5. Department store who hosts the largest Thanksgiving Day parade
7. From 1939-1942 the holiday was observed on the _____ Thursday of Nov.
9. Fruit that is native to North America Across
2. How many states have a town with turkey in the name?
4. The Native American tribe that lived in southeastern Massachusetts when the Pilgrims arrived
6. The first parade balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
8. Most popular Thanksgiving dessert
10. What is the most popular Thanksgiving food?
Nathan DeGreef nathan.degreef@coyotes.usd.edu
Since I can remember I have been a “mama’s boy,” both self-proclaimed and stated.
Every Saturday I would go out to eat with her and my aunt, and afterward, the three of us would spend the rest of the day shopping.
As brutally honest as it may sound, my father had been, in some way, on the backburner at this time in my life. He was always present and showed up and cared, but as a child, I didn’t feel the connection.
In the past several years, I’m not sure if the change was him or just me realizing things as I get older. It probably didn’t help that he was working some tiresome job that he didn’t enjoy, but now he’s retired from that. The day he said he was retiring, I saw a switch in him. Nonetheless, I’ve learned to appreciate him.
Aside from his retirement, I think a huge contribution is that
we are getting older. I have four brothers, two younger and two older, and coming from a house of seven to four has impacted his outlook.
Granted I was an actual child before, so there is an obvious skepticism with my ability to recall exactly what my dad was thinking or feeling. I am simply going off what I can recall and what I can say is that he is now more in touch with his emotions.
I don’t remember him crying when I was young and now we will watch a movie or listen to a slow song and he’ll start to bawl. I apologize in advance for calling him out.
He’s the most emotional and sentimental person I know and I love him for it. I love that he calls even just for a few minutes to check in.
Despite the fact he didn’t attend USD, he was still a mass communication major, so maybe that’s why I love him.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2024
Quinn Gienapp quinn.gienapp@coyotes.usd.edu
A Real Pain was a surprising film for me as until about a few weeks ago I had never even heard of it due to a severe lack of advertisement for the film. The film is directed by actor Jessie Eisenberg who in recent years has become more involved in cinema than just acting with this being his second fully released film.
The movie follows cousins David, played by Eisenberg himself, and Benji, played by Kieran Culkin, who tour Poland to honor their late grandmother who had survived the Holocaust.
The film takes time to reflect on the horrors of the past and has a conversation about how future generations of Jewish people reflect on sites that carry powerful histories to them. One of the biggest strengths I can give this film is that you do, in a sense, get a tour of these sites alongside the characters with many scenes capturing the emotions felt at specific memorials.
The film also highlights in great detail the loving but tense relationship between the cousins David and Benji as their family history slowly unravels. This relationship serves as the crux of the narrative, with little pieces of dialogue and cinematography revealing the dynamic of the two cousins and where certain tensions stem from.
I was initially caught off guard by one of the subject
matters of the film which left me tense in certain scenes but inevitably enraptured by its emotional core. The stellar acting done by Eisenberg and Culkin made me truly believe in their familial relationship and how they truly just wish the best for one another.
In more than one scene, these performances nearly left me sobbing which is something I love to experience with a film even if it is not entirely pleasant. Culkin’s performance in particular I believe to be one of the best of the year with it stirring so many emotions in me during the film’s short run time. I felt a familiarity present in the emotions and sadness expressed in this film more than any other I’ve seen this year.
What surprised me the most about A Real Pain was that I left the theater concluding that it was one of my favorite films of the year. The performances are what ultimately led me to this decision as they are what carried the film even when there was not much
innovation found elsewhere. This is a very emotional, and to be honest, funny film that left me reflecting on my own experiences a lot more. I am not expecting everyone to have the same reaction as me, but I can confidently recommend this to just about anyone with the hopes that more people will hear about it.
Nathan DeGreef nathan.degreef@coyotes.usd.edu
There are a lot more people involved in a play than just the actors on the screen. To make a production run and smoothly there is a whole team behind the scene.
“The Lightning Thief” the USD’s Theatre department’s next show, is contemporary, but involves many fantasy themes and is a musical adaptation of the book of the same name.
“It’s been a juggle of going back and forth between keeping clarity and how the two things go together,”
Costume Designer Krissy Sneshkoff said. “ In this play, you get to be contemporary kids at camp, and then also mythological creatures. So how do you make sure there is a cohesive design between those two things.”
Sneshkoff is a professor and teaches students makeup and costume crafts. Along with her, Sabrina Egeland works
as the Costume Shop Manager and oversees student employees in the shop.
“[The students] get paid to work in the costume shop, and hopefully we’re helping them do some skill building, sewing things, but also get to work on some fun crafty stuff,” Sneshkoff said.
Victor Shonk, associate professor and scenic designer for “The Lighting Thief”, has been designing sets for over 30 years.
“It begins with reading the play, we have a director’s concept meeting and then the director gives an overall view of what they are after. Then I go away and do my research and more reading, and then I do stretches. ”
After creating these renderings Shonk narrows down and creates more focused designs.
Shonk’s technical crew consists of work-study students, student technical
award students, and practicum students.
“I run the crew and assign people to do these things, and depending on their skill sets and what they need to learn and what they might need for their portfolios,” Shonk said.
Sneshkoff has a similar process when designing the costumes, involving reading the script, reading and listening to the music or the novel if the play is a musical or adaptation.
“I don’t jump to conclusions. I go to the history book,” Sneshkoff said. “It could be primary research, like history, historical images, photographs, garments that actually exist from the time period, or it can be secondary research, such as movies, TV shows, magazines or other people’s interpretations.”
The play takes place at summer camp, where each of the campers is
wearing an orange camp T-shirt. To subside all the orange on stage, Sneshkoff adapted the shirts to be unique to each character through methods such as tie-dye, bleaching, cutting, tying, and more.
“The more complicated you plan something to be, the less likely it’s going to work,” Sneshkoff said. “Simplicity is where the magic comes from, so I always have to hold myself back from overcomplicating a project.”
The show will run Nov 22 – 24 and Dec 5 – 8. Tickets are free to all USD students.
“There’s going to be magic, sparks when people die, fog, streamers, secret doors and it’s really playful,” Sneshkoff said. “We give you the information, and then you let your imagination fill in the gaps.”