The VolanTe
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4,
Local Musician Hosts Sing-Along Carols for the 35th Year
Stuff-A-Buddy: Campus Activities Board Hosts Its Last Event of the Semester
Elli Kruse Elli.Kruse@coyotes.usd.edu
CAB hosted their final event of the semester, allowing students to get into the Holiday spirit before preparing for finals.
The Stuff-A-Buddy Winter Wonderland event was hosted on December 3rd in the MUC from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. which involved many different activities. While the movie “Elf” was playing, students were able to participate in making crafts, making holiday cards, cookie decorating and drinking hot cocoa.
The organization on campus tries to host events for students frequently throughout each semester. By hosting these events, it gives students the opportunity to experience and create lasting memories. Brook Roozen, the Vice President of CAB, has been involved in CAB for two years.
“There is not a lot to do in Vermillion as a whole. So, being able to stay on-campus and go to a large-scale event where there are a lot of different opportunities. A lot of our international students have never experienced a lot of the different events we have put on so we want to give them a chance to experience that,” Roozen said.
“We are branching it into more of a bigger thing and hope people enjoy the event. I feel like when you come to college everyone needs a little stuffed friend,”
Roozen said.
Lauren Bushnell, President of CAB, is excited to be able provide impactful events for students at USD. She wants to give students the opportunity to get to know other students and celebrate the end of the semester.
“It is important to make memories and connections with people. The money we do get, it’s like lets make something for people that want to create better memories. It is all wholesome, which makes my position fun because I want people to experience what I have,” Bushnell said.
CAB wanted to put on a holiday event to celebrate the holiday season and give people the chance to take some time off from their busy schedules.
“We have been trying to have more traditional, staple events. We wanted to do a recharge with CAB which is more of a self care night, right before finals,” Bushnell said.
The organization is currently in the process of planning events for the upcoming spring semester.
“We are currently in the works for a lot of things. We are trying to bring back our casino
Students smile as they complete the proccess of making their
night from last year and we will probably do another stuff-a-buddy. We are also trying to do a wellness week as well. I am very excited about it,” Roozen said.
CAB is excited to have been able to
have the opportunity to host the Stuff-ABuddy Winter Wonderland to celebrate the end of the school year and is looking forward to hosting more events in the future.
CAB’s Stuff-a-Buddy event was utilized to boost students morale during finals week.
Students deciding what stuffed-animal they are going to fill at the Stuff-a-Buddy event.
stuffed buddies.
Jozie Kumm | The Volante
Jozie Kumm | The Volante
Jozie Kumm | The Volante
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4,
The Vermillion Community Combats Opioid Epidemic with Free Narcan Kits
Elli Kruse Elli.Kruse@coyotes.usd.edu
Free naloxone kits are now available at Pump ‘n Pak to help prevent the loss of future community members from the devastating epidemic of opioid overdoses.
On Dec 23 of 2023, Kelcy, the daughter of Jenny and Jim Orr, was found deceased in her room, poisoned by accidental exposure to fentanyl. Kelcy, a 15-year-old Vermillion resident, had a love for running cross country.
“Kelcy was the person that if she walked into a room, everyone knew it. She had that aura about her. Today, I know that she’s in the room and she’s saving lives.” Jenny Orr said.
As parents, Jenny and Jim were inspired to advocate for spreading awareness for the dangers of opioid use.
“We all knew about the epidemic, we’ve heard about the epidemic. You say it’s going to happen someplace else, it’s not going to happen to us,” Orr said.
“My husband and I took it upon ourselves that we were never going to let this happen to someone else. That was really our goal, to not let it happen to another family.”
The couple started attending the Emily’s Hope monthly support group for people that have lost their loved ones or children to opioids. This led to their thoughts on the availability of naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, in the Vermillion community. Since
Narcan is available over the counter now, it is more accessible to people.
“When they started talking about placing these Narcan Boxes in the Carpenter building in Sioux Falls, Jim and I thought that we needed that in Vermillion. Not only did this happen to our 15 year old daughter, we also have a highly vulnerable population.” Orr said.
Jim started talking to the people at Pump ‘n Pak to see if they would consider the possibility of narcan kits being placed in their store. The store welcomed the idea with open arms. Emily’s Hope, along with the Orr’s, started to put their plan into action.
Angela Kennecke is the founder of Emily’s Hope.
“I lost my 21-year-old daughter, Emily, to fentanyl poisoning. She died in her apartment and there was no naloxone there. We want everyone to carry it as part of our mission at Emily’s Hope to save lives,” Kennecke said.
Kennecke placed her first fire free naloxone dispenser box on May 7, 2024, which is Fentanyl Awareness Day. Kennecke is looking forward to continuing to bring awareness to this epidemic by placing more boxes in different locations. She hopes to place boxes in Pierre, Rapid City, as well as one on USD’s campus in Vermillion.
“This Emily’s Hope free naloxone box in Vermillion is more than just a lifesaving tool—it’s a tribute to Kelcy Orr’s memory and a commitment to ensuring no other family has to endure such a devastating loss. By making naloxone accessible, we are giving hope and empowering the community to save lives,” Kennecke said.
Naloxone Kits are available at Pump ‘n Pak 24 hours a day 7 days a week. There is a QR code on the box to show users how to properly use it.
“The best thing about Narcan is that if you walk down the street and find someone lying unconscious and you are not sure what is wrong, you can give them Narcan and it will not harm them if opioids are not the reason for them being unconscious,” Orr said.
There is always the potential of someone putting an opioid in your drink or touching something that has been exposed, that could cause a reaction.
“To know that we can provide these life saving resources, is how we are keeping Kelcy alive. I feel like I gave my Christmas gift to the city in her honor,” Orr said.
The kits have been available at Pump ‘n Pak since Nov. 21 and have already had to be replenished with 50 more kits.
Emily’s Hope Foundation and Kelcy Orr’s parents hope this inspires the city of Vermillion to start educating on how to prevent the use of opioids and thus lessening opioid overdoses. On Jan. 25, Emily’s Hope Foundation is hosting an Art Show.
Jozie Kumm | The Volante
Emily’s Hope Naloxone container located in the Pump ‘n Pak just outside of Vermillion.
Jozie Kumm | The Volante
The Seasonal Struggle: Daylight Saving Time’s Affect of Mental Health
Abby Saylor Abigail.Saylor@coyotes.usd.edu
As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, students may find themselves navigating more than just icy sidewalks. From seasonal depression to the looming dread of finals week, students often find this time of year difficult to manage.
“This is a very high-risk time for a lot of people, not only college students but the population in general,” says Madison Harrington.
Harrington, the prevention coordinator and an addiction counselor at USD’s Student Counseling Center, says a change in a person’s emotions during the fall and winter months is not uncommon.
Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD) is depression linked to seasonal changes. This happens when a lack of sunlight during winter months causes a decrease in the body’s serotonin production, which in turn starts affecting a person’s mood, sleep, and energy levels.
“[SAD] doesn’t discriminate. It can happen to anybody. I think that a lot of people think that seasonal depression only happens in colder climates, like you have to live somewhere cold for you to struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder, but that’s not necessarily true,” said Harrington. “It can happen anywhere. It can happen to anybody.”
Harrington says SAD shares many of the same symptoms as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), the most common form of depression. Overlapping symptoms include fatigue, social isolation, loss of interest in
previously enjoyed activities, changes in appetite and difficulties sleeping.
“That’s why being mindful of the symptoms that you’re experiencing and being proactive and utilizing some coping skills on ways to combat those things are important,” said Harrington.
For many students, the stress brought on by finals week may heighten feelings of SAD. Fortunately, Harrington says both types of depression share similar coping skills. She recommends maintaining a healthy sleep schedule by going to bed at a reasonable time, studying in healthy increments of time, making sure to take routine breaks, eating and drinking a healthy amount and avoiding excessive caffeine and alcohol.
“A lot of students tend to stay up super, super late, cramming a lot of information in a short period of time, and then they kind of hope for the best. And that’s not necessarily the best way to be successful long term for retaining information,” said Harrington.
Harrington emphasized that having and maintaining a healthy support system is important to boost an individual’s overall morale.
“Utilizing support is huge, whether it’s peer support, family, faculty, wherever you find the most support, where you can be open and honest and genuinely yourself, that’s where you should surround yourself with the most during this time, during the stressful time,” Harrington said. “That’s pretty much like the number one thing.”
Abby Saylor | The Volante
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2024 THE VOLANTE
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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.
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Our Staff
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
Contact us
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
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The deadline for letters is 5 p m the Friday prior to publication. Letters must be typed and fewer than 300 words.
TAKE BREAKS: Taking short breaks in between study sessions can help one relax and recharge.
GET SLEEP: Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep at night. Sleep is crucial for concentration and well-being.
EAT WELL: Fueling one’s body with nutrients helps support brain function and energy levels.
PRACTICE MINDFULNESS:
Taking a few minutes each day for oneself can help reduce anxiety.
REACH OUT: Don’t hesitate to talk to friends, family or a counselor. It’s okay to ask for help.
STAY ACTIVE: Physical activity can reduce stress, improve one’s overall mood and morale. MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES ON-CAMPUS
COYOTE CARE REGULAR HOURS NUMBER: (605)-658-3580
COYOTE CARE AFTER HOURS NUMBER: (883)-569-1686
SUICIDE AND CRISIS HOTLINE: 988
https://www.usd.edu/Student-Life/Health-and-Wellness/Mental-Health-Resources
Coyotes Claim Summit League Volleyball Championship
The South Dakota Coyotes volleyball team capped off the Summit League Tournament with a victory over in-state rival South Dakota State on Tuesday night. The 3-2 win in the championship match secured the Coyotes’ fifth Summit League Tournament title in seven years and punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament.
The Coyotes’ road to the championship was anything but easy, requiring victories on three consecutive days. They opened the
tournament with a 3-0 sweep of Kansas City in the quarterfinals. Key performances from Kylen Sealock and Morgan Bode powered USD to a season-high .426 hitting percentage in the match, setting up their postseason run.
In the semifinals, South Dakota faced No. 2 seed Omaha, dispatching the Mavericks with another 3-0 sweep. Sealock continued her standout tournament with 11 kills on a .409 hitting percentage, while
setter Avery Van Hook recorded 25 assists to control the Coyotes’ offense. The win advanced USD to the championship match on Tuesday night.
The title clash against South Dakota State was another match that went the distance. After splitting the first four sets, the Coyotes leaned on their veteran players in the decisive fifth set. Sealock delivered a career-high 23 kills, while Cheyenne Hlady added 18 kills and a .350 hitting percentage.
Defensively, libero Kamryn Farris kept the Coyotes alive with 30 digs.
USD’s depth prevailed in the final moments. Clutch serves and critical blocks in the fifth set sealed the 15-13 victory.
With the Summit League trophy in hand, the Coyotes now turn their attention to the NCAA Tournament.
Nathan Delaney| The Volante
Addi Sporleder
SportS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4,
USD Football Captures MVFC Championship
Addison.Sporeleder@coyotes.usd.edu
USD faced No. 1-ranked North Dakota State University on Saturday, Nov. 23, in the DakotaDome for Senior Day. The Coyotes came out on top with a 29-28 victory.
For the first time in program history, USD claimed a share of the Missouri Valley Football Conference title following the win over NDSU and finished the regular season undefeated at home.
South Dakota won the coin toss and elected to start on defense. The Coyote defense forced NDSU to punt on its first four drives.
Redshirt sophomore Mi’Quise Grace recorded two sacks within the first three plays, and USD’s offense started strong with an 80-yard drive capped off on a 6-yard run by Travis Theis, with Will Leyland adding the extra point.
Theis struck again in the second quarter with a 14-yard run to the end zone. Leyland’s extra point brought the score to 14-0.
NDSU responded with two touchdowns in the final three minutes of the first half, tying the game 14-14 at halftime.
The Coyotes reclaimed the lead in the second half with a 37-yard field goal from Leyland, making it 17-14.
The Bison answered with a 2-yard run by Cam Miller late in the third quarter,
putting NDSU ahead 21-17. They extended their lead to 28-17 with a 1-yard touchdown run with just over four minutes left in the game.
The Coyotes, down 11 points, faced a fourth-and-10 situation when Aidan Bouman found Javion Phelps for a 31-yard play, securing a crucial first down.
Moments later, Bouman connected with Jack Martens for a 40-yard touchdown pass. USD’s two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the score at 28-23 with 3:20 remaining.
The Coyotes’ defense forced a stop, giving the offense the ball at their own 42-yard line with 1:20 left.
USD capitalized on the opportunity, marching down the field to NDSU’s 25yard line. Bouman then found Phelps for a touchdown pass, putting the Coyotes ahead 29-28.
The Bison attempted two plays in the final seconds, but the Coyotes’ defense held firm to secure the victory.
This was USD’s first win against NDSU in the DakotaDome since 2002 and their first win over a No. 1-ranked team since 2011.
The Coyotes will face Tarleton State University on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. in the DakotaDome for the first round of playoffs.
Coyotes to Face No. 2 Creighton in NCAA Tournament
Charlie Prien
Charles.Prien@coyotes.usd.edu
The South Dakota Coyotes volleyball team is set to face No. 2-seeded Creighton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The match will take place Dec. 5 at D.J. Sokol Arena in Omaha, Nebraska.
The Coyotes earned their spot in the tournament by clinching the Summit League Tournament Championship with a 3-2 victory over South Dakota State. It was USD’s fifth Summit League title in the past seven seasons and secured their automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Creighton, one of the top teams in the country, comes into
the matchup with a 28-3 record.
The Bluejays are no strangers to postseason success, having consistently made deep runs in the tournament in recent years.
This marks USD’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2022.
The Coyotes have yet to advance past the first round but will aim to make history against a tough Creighton squad, who the Coyotes faced in the first round in 2018, losing the match 3-0.
The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Tickets went on sale Dec. 2, and the match will be televised on ESPN+.
Charlie Prien| The Volante
USD Football Earns Coach and Defensive Player of the Year
Charlie Prien
Charles.Prien@coyotes.usd.edu
The University of South Dakota football program continued its record-breaking 2024 campaign with numerous postseason accolades.
Seven Coyotes were named to the All-Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) First Team, while several others earned spots on the MVFC All-Newcomer Team. For the second straight season, head coach Bob Nielson was named the Bruce Craddock Valley Coach of the Year.
Sophomore defensive lineman Mi’Quise Grace headlined the All-Conference honors, earning MVFC Defensive Player of the Year recognition. Grace led the conference with 17 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.
Nielson was honored as the Bruce Craddock MVFC Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season. He guided USD to a 9-2 record, a share of the conference title, and a top-four seed in the FCS Playoffs.
Seven Coyotes were named First Team All-MVFC, including running back Charles Pierre Jr., who led the league with 1,073 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Other First Team honorees included fullback Travis Theis, offensive lineman Joey Lombard,
tight end JJ Galbreath, and defensive standouts Grace, Nick Gaes, and safety Dennis Shorter.
Four Coyotes earned Second Team All-MVFC honors: offensive linemen Joe Cotton and Bryce Henderson, defensive lineman Blake Holden, and linebacker Gary Bryant III. Quarterback Aidan Bouman, wide receiver Carter Bell, and return specialist Keyondray Jones-Logan received Honorable Mention recognition.
On the MVFC All-Newcomer Team, wide receiver Quaron Adams, offensive lineman Adrian Hawkins, linebacker Nate Ewell, and defensive back Mike Reid were recognized for their impactful first seasons in Vermillion.
Adams, a transfer from Iowa State, led the league with 29.1 yards per reception, tallying 436 yards on just 15 catches and five touchdowns. Hawkins, a transfer from Monmouth, anchored the offensive line at right guard, helping the Coyotes average 441.6 total yards and 37 points per game during the regular season.
On defense, Ewell, a Grand View transfer, recorded 59 tackles and four tackles for loss. Reid, another Monmouth transfer, tallied 31 tackles, one interception, and eight pass breakups in 11 games.
Men’s Basketball Continues Season
Addi Sporleder Addison.Sporeleder@coyotes.usd.edu
The USD men’s basketball team continued its 2024-25 season with games against Southern Indiana, Randall, and Nebraska.
On Friday, Nov. 22, the Coyotes traveled to Evansville, Indiana, to face Southern Indiana at 7 p.m. USD fell to the Screaming Eagles, 92-83.
Senior Kaleb Stewart led the team with 21 points. Joining him in double figures were senior Chase Forte with 14 points, Isaac Bruns, and Cameron Fens, who each scored 12.
Defensively, Ashton Smith and Fens led USD with six rebounds apiece. Jake Brack and Forte contributed five rebounds
each.
Stewart reached the 20-point mark for the second time this season and hit a season-high five 3-pointers during the game.
On Monday, Nov. 25, USD hosted Randall at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center at 7 p.m. The Coyotes dominated the Saints with a 112-50 victory.
Senior Paul Bruns led the team with 20 points, while redshirt Jevon Hill added 18. I. Bruns contributed 14 points, and Forte finished with 13.
Defensively, I. Bruns and Smith grabbed seven rebounds each. Redshirt freshman Jaylen Hayes and Hill recorded six and five rebounds, respectively.
The Coyotes shot 62% from
the field and 43.2% from 3-point range, holding Randall to under 30% shooting for the game.
On Wednesday, Nov. 27, USD traveled to Lincoln to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers at 5:30 p.m., falling 96-79.
Forte led the Coyotes with 20 points, all scored in the second half, and shot 7-for-10 from the field. Senior Dre Bullock added 16 points, and I. Bruns finished with 12.
USD shot 43.3% from the floor, while Nebraska shot 48.5%. Smith led the Coyotes defensively with six rebounds, while Stewart and P. Bruns each grabbed five.
USD will host Idaho State on Wednesday, Dec. 4, in Vermillion at 7 p.m.
Charlie Prien| The Volante
Sara Mauszycki| The Volante
The Volante’s Fall of 2024 Staff Signing Off
As 2024 draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on what has been an extraordinary year, both in the news world and in my personal journey. At just 22 years old, I wasn’t around to witness the 1960s, but it feels as though we are living through a similar period of societal realignment. It has been a remarkable year to serve as editor-in-chief of The Volante.
When I moved to Vermillion in August 2022 to transfer to USD, I hadn’t envisioned this path. I wasn’t a Media & Journalism major, and I barely knew what AP style was at the time. Yet, I decided to join the newspaper, eager to gain practical skills and try something new. College is a unique time to explore interests and develop talents, and I’ve had the privilege of doing both through my work at The Volante.
Working at the newspaper has shown me that there is always room to improve as a writer and countless ways to tell a story. For anyone interested in honing their writing skills, I strongly encourage you to attend a meeting or contribute to the paper. The experience is invaluable.
Leading a paper with a relatively small staff has come with its challenges, but I am
incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication the team has shown this year.
I’m most proud of how welcoming and inviting The Volante has become for students. Being an editor means little without a team, and this staff has truly made the experience worthwhile.
I want to take a moment to thank the executive staff for their commitment and creativity. In particular, I owe gratitude to Juliana Oltmanns, who stepped up as de facto editor while I interned with the South Dakota Legislature last winter.
Her leadership and support were instrumental in keeping things running smoothly.
Lastly, I would like to express my deepest thanks to our adviser, Dr. Janet Davison. Her guidance and encouragement have been invaluable, and I’ve greatly enjoyed working with her every week. Her support has made a lasting impact on both me and the paper.
As I look back on this year, I’m filled with gratitude for the opportunities The Volante has given me. Best wishes to everyone.
- Charles Streeter Editor-in-Chief 2024
The Appeal of Vintage Charlie
Taylor Chasing Hawk Taylor.ChasingHawk@coyotes.usd.edu
After seeing many different variations of our mascot, Charlie Coyote, during Dakota Days, I have reached the ultimate conclusion: Vintage/Retro Charlie is the best.
I can remember being a fan of the USD Coyotes ever since I was younger. I grew up in a red and white centered environment where I got to see a glimpse of vintage Charlie now and then, on blankets, shirts, stickers, stuffed animals, even lunch trays.
When I see vintage Charlie, I am not only reminded of my childhood from all the USD merchandise I have seen, but I also cannot help but think of the coyote from “Looney Tunes.”
The USD Department of Athletics recently revealed the new logo for the Coyotes, and it does not compare to vintage Charlie at all.
OVERHEARDS
The coyote on the new logo has red eyes and a mean expression where it looks as though he is growling.
I remember thinking that the picture gave me wolf vibes when I first looked at it, and even now, I still think that it is true
I get it. Our school should have a logo that stands out from rival schools and teams. It should depict strongness and toughness and the overall success of our institution.
I believe that it stirs up a bit of nostalgia for those of us who have grown up watching the animated film series.
However, it should also be original and authentic. Not only does vintage Charlie look more like a coyote than the new logo, but it is an image that people have immediately affiliated with USD for a long time. While there is importance in moving forward, and making way for new ideas and advancements, there are just some things that should stay the same.
I can still recall the many times I have heard adults say, “Christina Ricci will always be my Wednesday” when the Netflix series, “Wednesday,” came out a couple of years ago.
Now I believe it is my turn to say that vintage Charlie will always be my coyote.
Here you’ll find the weirdest, funniest and stupidest things we’ve heard during the week. Context is for suckers.
“I feel like it would be easy to get away with murder.”
- Al Neuharth
“The toaster is plotting something, I can feel it.”
- Coyote Village
“I love being home because I don’t have to see that [ugly] Cyber Truck anymore.”
-
Anonymous Fizz Poster
From left to right: Charles Streeter, Charlie Prien, Nathan DeGreef, Ava Sevening, Jozie Kumm, Sara Mauszycki, Ella Delperdang, Juliana Oltmanns, Grace Miller
VerVe
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2024 THE
Happy Holidays
DeGreef | The Volante
Down
1. In Hawaii, Santa traditionally arrives on a _____?
3. This country eats fried chicken for Christmas. 5. Eating black-eyed peas on this day is believed to bring good luck.
7. Celebration in Iran for the longest and darkest night of the year.
9. The first song played in space was?
Watch live on channel 21 every Wednesday at 5:00 p.m.
Check out Coyote News social media pages for Daily Updates.
Across
2. Celebration of African heritage that takes place from Dec. 26 through Jan 1.
4. Which country did the candy cane originate from?
6. Red-Nosed Reindeer that was created in 1939 as an advertising gimmick for Montgomery Ward.
8. European creature that punishes children who misbehave.
10. A four-sided spinning top, played during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
Tune in to 91.1 FM in Vermillion or visit KAOR website for student podcasts, radio shows and news updates throughout the week.
and The Verm
What a Way to Go
Nathan DeGreef nathan.degreef@coyotes.usd.edu
I once heard that a singer starts to write about fame when they have nothing else to write about. While I certainly am not famous, I wonder if the same can be said for a journalist. Do they write about their work when they have nothing else to write about?
When writing my first column I had no idea what I was doing. I had just finished the series “Sex and The City”, and thought “that was fun, why don’t I try it.”
That new excitement mixed with me wanting to try something new led to “Nathan Goes Greek: A Real Story of Rushing.” For those who did not read it, the title says it all. It was a confessional story following me as I ventured into Rush Week.
Perhaps it was one of the hardest things I have written. As a journalist, I am taught to not be biased and opinionated. Having this new freedom to write freely and to share my thoughts was a new concept, I didn’t even know if I was allowed to do it.
Now, writing my last column of the semester I think back to it and what I’ve learned. In a way I look back and it’s one of my favorite pieces I’ve written. Not because of the actual style, which is not great and I would have done differently now, but because it allowed me to rethink why I do what I do and the different ways I can do that. It freed me from confinement.
I visited my childhood house for the last time this weekend. For 18 years this month, my family has owned that house. Though I felt morose, thinking about who lived there. As I walked through the empty halls, an echoing cavern of nothing but memories, I dramatically turned to almost every crevice in the house and remembered a time that someone sat there, someone that once was me.
It’s just like my work. I look back at it and I know who wrote it: me, but it’s not. It’s a person who I was. It’s changed for the better or the worse, but I choose the former.
Nathan
VerVe
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2024 THE VOLANTE
The Store Where Christmas Music and Community Meet
Jozie Kumm jozie.kumm@coyotes.usd.edu
Celebrating 35 years of festivities, the Nora Store continues its Christmas tradition of bringing the community together for the holidays. After the initial closing of the old general store in 1962, Mike Pedersen converted it into a place for strangers to come together and form bonds through music.
The Nora Store is set up for a group of people to congregate and sing Christmas songs. Pedersen said music is a way for strangers to form connections to form a sense of community.
“Strangers sit there next to each other and sing their lungs out for an hour and a half, whether they can sing or not, they’re going to feel connected.”
Sandy Buffington, has been playing organ for 50 years, and has accompanied Pedersen for the last 25 years.
“I’ve always played. I came up with some friends and that’s the first night we were here. He asked if I
would like to play and I said I’d love to play. I’ve been playing ever since,” Buffington said.
There is no requirement to play an instrument. She said anyone is welcome to join the group.
“Anybody is welcome to play when they come up. If you can play, you’re welcome to play the organ or piano, whichever,” Buffington said.
Pedersen said he hopes he built a place where people can come and enjoy the presence of Christmas despite the hardship the holidays can bring.
“The smiles are priceless, and the tears, there’s a lot of healing tears of healing that people have experienced coming here from loss. In the midst of it all, it’s a healing place too,” Pedersen said. “I hope that the people come and go, that they leave blessed and refreshed.”
The Nora Store is considered a historic place and Pedersen implemented a free-will donation to keep the store running.
“Donations received at the Christmas open house are put towards repairs and maintenance of the building. I appreciate the fact that donations tend to keep up with what needs arise,” Pedersen said. “I think that there are not many country store buildings left, and I think it’s very important.”
The Nora Store will be open in the following weekends of December. Dec. 6-8 from 1:30- 3 p.m. and 6:30-9 p.m. Dec. 13-15 from 1:30- 3 p.m. and 6:30-9 p.m. Dec. 20-22 from 1:30- 3 p.m. and 6:30-9 p.m. 30707 475th St, Alcester SD 57001.
Movie Review: A Chaotic, Funny Cinderella Story
Quinn Gienapp quinn.gienapp@coyotes.usd.edu
“Anora” is one of those films that once I heard about it, I was curious as to what sort of a tone it would take its story in.
Director Sean Baker’s films are primarily character pieces that focus on people who rarely get as much attention in the media. “Anora” fits this bill and while dramatic, is also surprisingly extremely funny.
The film follows Ani (Mikey Madison), an “exotic dancer”, who by chance is introduced to Vanya (Mark Eidelstein) the son of a wealthy Russian Businessman. This chance encounter blossoms into a romantic relationship, culminating in a spur-ofthe-moment marriage.
When news of the marriage reaches Vanya’s family, associates are sent to try and annul the marriage. The trailers depicted this movie as tense with people chasing and screaming at each other as different people attempt to thwart each other. What these trailers do not highlight is how hilarious many of these scenes are with context.
The characters in “Anora”, while at odds with each other, are also superbly written in a way that you get a great sense of who each of these people are.
As such, much of the hilarity of the film stems from seeing these well-written characters become in-
creasingly exhausted by the situation presented in the movie.
It was fascinating to see how each character dealt with the problems handed to them and how it usually leads to realistic frustration being presented.
All of this is supported by stellar acting that sells the frustration and drama shown by all the characters and how their situation gets more and more out of hand.
Mikey Madison stole the show as the lead character Ani whom I had a roller coaster of emotions watching. The film also sports a very impressive soundtrack and visual look that paints the glamorous lifestyle of the charac-
ters at the start of the film but slowly comes crashing down as it progresses. These elements are used effectively to show the frustration that comes from trying to maintain your dream leading to some truly beautiful moments of humanity.
“Anora” is perhaps one of my favorite movies, not only because it was one of the funniest films of the year, but also because it felt the most like a roller coaster ride. It’s charming, sweet, brutal, and hilarious and I could not recommend it enough.
Forewarning that this is a very graphic film in parts so maybe do not do what I did and watch it with your parents.
Jozie Kumm | The Volante
Mike Pedersen plays his organ which was previously stored in Old Main.
Interview With a Former Beauty Queen
Nathan DeGreef nathan.degreef@coyotes.usd.edu
Linda Gay Winters Zimmerman was born and raised here in Vermillion. Growing up, her father worked for the REA and her mother was a school teacher.
In the 1960’s she attended USD and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music education. After graduating, she married her husband and moved to El Paso, Texas. Then, he went overseas with the Army, and she returned to Vermillion to receive a Master’s degree in music.
Eventually, her husband returned home and after living in Minneapolis where she performed piano in churches, she moved to Houston for 45 years. Today, she is back in her hometown and happy to be retired.
How was your time in Chi Omega?
“Well, I enjoyed it. I think I’m a pretty independent person. My mom really wanted me to do this kind of thing, because I was not going to be staying in the dormitory. I was staying at home, and she had done that same thing and didn’t know people in school, so she wanted me to be part of an organization like that, so she encouraged me to go out for rush. And so I did, and there were a lot of opportunities that they, the sisters, allowed me to enjoy.”
Do you know Why Chi Omega is no longer on campus?
“I’m finding out more and more about this? Apparently, back in the day, there were a couple three girls who got pregnant, scandal, and apparently the national chapter, and I kind of remember who those women were, they just thought that they had to break up that chapter. The school, I just recently found out, did not want that to happen, and I really felt good about that.”
Where was the house located?
“Well, it became a TKE house. So it was a very contemporary house back in the day.”
What other organizations were involved on campus?
“Well, there was a musical organization, Nu Phi Epsilon, and it was a sorority for female musicians. And I really enjoyed that because it gave us all kinds of opportunities to work on conducting because we did these things for the public. So that was a wonderful experience. And, gosh, I think I was a Democrat, but I joined the Republican student Republican Party, and I don’t even think I had a reason to do it. I just thought, “Okay, that’s a good idea.” And my dad and mom were registered Republicans.”
How has the campus changed?
“If I’m not mistaken, I think one of the best things about it is that it is no longer just focused on the Greek system. Maybe that has lost too much importance, I don’t know. But back in the day, you just you were, you had to be in the Greek system, or you were not the “in” people. And all my really good friends were not. It was sort of leaving out certain people that maybe didn’t think they could afford to do this, or maybe they didn’t make it in the call process. So I always was bothered by that and so I’m very glad that it’s not existing in that fashion.”
What are some of your favorite memories?
“I think my friend Katie Gill, who I haven’t seen her down for years and years, and years, but she was from
years old, and we met in college, and we were in the music department together, and we just did things together. And so, I think that’s a wonderful memory of just being with my very good friend who was also not in a sorority. I think those kinds of things.”
You were Dakota Days queen, how did that happen?
“I guess what they did back in the day was, each of the sororities and the fraternities had the person that they put up. I was this country girl, and I don’t know how those things happen to me at the university, but next thing you know there, I’m one of the candidates, and then the next thing you know, I’m Ms. Dakota Days.”
How did your involvement on campus impact your life?
“Well, I think it just gave me some confidence in going ahead and applying for positions or leading work-
shops that had to do with music, or whatever it might be, or there would be organizations that were part of the music industry, and I just think that I had more confidence because of that, because I was, I was, I still am a shy person.”
Is there a piece of advice you would give current students?
“People say this all the time, but be yourself and be proud of who you are. I think that’s probably the best thing, so that you’re not being caught up in trying to impress this person down the road or whatever, and I think that you need to be at your best at all times and when you’re going to be applying for something and teaching and so on. Yeah, you need to be at your best, but understand that you have a lot to offer because of the gifts you’ve been given. So, accept that.”
Gay Winters Zimmerman holding an Oct. 2024 issue of The Volante.