The VolanTe South Dakota Gears Up for Election Day
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23,
Clark St. Construction Leads to Natural Gas Leak on USD’s Main Campus
Juliana.Oltmanns@coyotes.usd.edu
On Monday, Oct. 21, The University Police Department (UPD) issued two Timely Warnings through the Everbridge mobile app alerting both students and faculty members of a discovered gas leak taking place on USD’s main campus.
“At approximately 2:40 PM, UPD sent officers to the south side of the Vermillion campus after receiving a report of a gas/ rotten egg smell in the area. Upon confirmation of the odor of gas, the Vermillion
Fire Department (VFD) was requested to respond,” said University Police Chief Bryant Jackson.
The first timely warning that was issued took place at approximately 2:55pm. and stated the following, “UPD and VFD are on scene of a gas leak at the intersection of East Clark St. and Harvard St. Please stay away from the area. Remain inside if possible. Thank you!”
Upon arriving at the scene, UPD alongside VFD were able to determine that
the contractor working on the Clark St. project had hit an MidAmerican gas line while mixing the cement powder with the soils causing natural gas to leak into the surrounding area.
“Once the issue was identified as a natural gas leak, appropriate notifications were made, including to MidAmerican Energy to assist in shutting off the natural gas to the pipe,” said Jackson.
According to City Engineer José Domínguez, the city of Vermillion hasn’t provided gas utilities for several decades, instead gas utilities are owned and operated by MidAmerican Energy.
“They are responsible for installing, maintaining, and fixing the gas lines,” said Domínguez.
Vermillion area first responders conduct annual training on natural gas and other pipeline type leaks and disruptions to ensure they are prepared for when instances such as this occur.
“VFD was able to use specialized equip-
ment to confirm that the gas leak was not creating a significant safety concern, given in part to the wind dispersing the natural gas,” said Bryant.
UPD sent an Everbridge alert to prevent foot traffic in the area from increasing to allow first responders, construction workers, and Facilities Maintenance the necessary room to work and access the situation,” said Bryant.
The second timely warning that was issued took place at approximately 3:09pm exactly fourteen minutes after the initial warning was sent out and stated the following, “The gas leak at the intersection of East Clark St. and Harvard St. is being addressed. There is no current public safety concern. Please continue about your day. Thank you!”
No buildings on USD’s main campus had to be evacuated due to the gas leak at the intersection of East Clark St. and Harvard St. and it has been stated that there are no public health concerns at this time.
Juliana Oltmanns
Sydney Kolln The Volante
Sydney Kolln The Volante
USD facility and city workers stand near the sight of a natural gas leak.
Clark St. construction comes to a standstill near the sight of the gas leak Monday.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23,
An Overview of South Dakota Elections
Charles Streeter
Charles.Streeter@coyotes.usd.edu
South Dakota has a near record number of ballot propositions this year: seven in total. There are four constitutional amendments, two initiated measures and a referred law.
Spanning three pages, some voters may feel fatigued after reading every question and unsure how to vote. Here is the rundown of each issue.
A constitutional amendment changes the South Dakota Constitution permanently. The legislature cannot undo a constitutional amendment, but voters may vote to undo an amendment in future years. They require 50% of the vote to pass and are put on the ballot either by gathering signatures or referral of the legislature.
Constitutional Amendment E would change the text of the South Dakota Con-
stitution to gender-neutral language. This amendment was referred to the voters by the legislature last year.
Constitutional Amendment F would authorize the state to impose a work requirement on individuals that qualify for expanded Medicare benefits. This was referred to by the legislature during this year’s legislative session.
Constitutional Amendment G would add the right to an abortion into the constitution. The state may not regulate abortions during the first trimester of pregnancy. Abortions during the second trimester would need to be reasonably related to the physical health of the pregnant woman, and third trimester abortions would be allowed to preserve the life of a pregnant woman.
We encourage voters to read the full text of the amendment and the attorney general explanation for greater clarification.
Constitutional Amendment H would establish a top-two primary system, whereby
voters of any political party could vote for any candidate. Currently, one must be a member of a political party in order to vote in that party’s primary election.
An initiated measure does not amend the state constitution but rather codified law.
Initiated Measure 28 would prohibit the state from imposing a sales tax on goods that can be consumed by humans (alcohol and prepared food excluded). The estimated fiscal impact is estimated to be a reduction in revenue of $123.9 million annually if passed.
Initiated Measure 29 would legalize recreational use and possession of marijuana. IM 29 does not decriminalize the sale of marijuana, thus not adding revenue to the state budget. However, the average county could see a decrease in incarceration expenses of over $500,000 annually if passed.
A referred law is a citizen referendum
on a bill that the legislature has already passed. A yes vote allows the legislature’s decision to become law, and a no vote prevents such action.
Referred Law 21 sets requirements for regulating carbon dioxide pipelines across the state. The law requires operators of carbon dioxide pipelines to provide annual payment to landowners who have a pipeline across their property, and allows counties to impose surcharges on the pipelines. Referred Law 21 also preempts counties from imposing stricter setback requirements than the Public Utilities Commission. Depending on your county, there may be local elections such as county commissioners. South Dakota voters will also vote for state representatives and state senators, as well as for United States Representative and retention of a Supreme Court justice. Sample ballots may be viewed by visiting vip.sdsos.gov.
Abortion Measure Divides Student Opinions
Charles Streeter Charles.Streeter@coyotes.usd.edu
In less than two weeks, South Dakota voters will have the opportunity to add the right to an abortion into our state’s constitution.
USD students are split on the issue, and there has been quite an even amount of thoughts from both sides given.
Ashley VanZanten, a junior, does not support Amendment G.
“I’m against it. I believe that it’s something that should not be brought into politics,” VanZanten said. “I don’t think there should be a liberal or a republican view, and I don’t think that it should be something up for debate.”
Christina, a freshman, says that she is looking into both sides as of right now but is against it. Another student who is against Amendment G, a sophomore named Darien, says, “I’m personally a Christian, so I believe that I am pro-life.”
A sophomore USD student, Savannah Shelsky, believes the issue of abortion should be decided by the states and is currently satisfied with the current law.
An anonymous USD junior student states, “I feel like it should be up to the states. Morally for me, the reason why I don’t agree with it is a religious belief, and
also through our American constitution.”
“Killing is a bad thing, and to be able to take away potential life as well, and later-on stages, but pre-eight weeks would be probably the most reasonable act to do that,” the student said.
However, many students have opposing views on Amendment G. Larissa Lyle, a freshman, says she supports the ballot measure.
“I believe that’s a right that American women should have. Women should have the right to choose,” Lyle said.
Two seniors, Amber Black and Amber Cee, also support G. “I’m all for it, I think we should just because it gives women the right to choose whether or not it’s a woman’s choice, it shouldn’t be dictated by a man or any other person,” Cee said.
Amber Black agrees, “I pretty much echo the same thing. I think, you know, no one wants an abortion. It’s never a goal. But I think about having freedom of your own body.”
Another anonymous student supports the legalization of abortion, citing the risk to reproductive healthcare if gynecologists leave the state. The USD student believes the presence of gynecologists is crucial for general reproductive health, regardless of the moral implications of abortion.
“Well, in my opinion, I think abortion should be legal because it tends to drive gynecologists out of the state when it’s not, which is just dangerous for reproductive care in general. So whether it’s like murder or not we need to have gynecologists in the state.”
Freshman Ellie Brazil is concerned about the implications of abortion bans. “I think it’s really important for everyone’s reproductive health who does have worries
and everything,” Brazil said.
“In many other places where it is completely banned, we are seeing women dying who do need medical abortions like their babies dead inside of them need to be terminated. Doctors aren’t allowed to do that because the doctors will go to jail and it’s just a whole fiasco. But I think it’s really important.”
However the state decides to vote, it is expected to generate high voter turnout.
PAVE and ICARE Collaborate on Events for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Juliana Oltmanns
Juliana.Oltmanns@coyotes.usd.edu
The month of October is nationally recognized as Domestic Violence (DV) Awareness month. In honor of victims of domestic violence, ICARE, alongside PAVE (Promoting Awareness Victim Empowerment), have been working hard to further educate students and faculty members at various events on USD’s main campus.
“ICARE collaborates with other groups on campus by providing workshops/training, establishing connections with community partners for additional resources for faculty/ students, and we also provide funds for different events that organizations host (i.e. provide PAVE with t-shirts for volleyball games). We created posters to spread awareness for different October DV events that other organizations are hosting. ICARE welcomes collaboration with any student groups looking to be part of the solution for domestic violence any month of the year, as well as any other violence prevention and victim/survivor support efforts,” said Director of ICARE Rebecca Kaiser.
Kaiser went on to emphasize the importance of the events that have been held on campus so far this year.
“PAVE has done a couple of amazing events this semester with other collaborations and I love to support those as an attendee and with whatever funding I can secure through ICARE’s grant,” Kaiser.
So far during October, PAVE has collaborated with the Coyote Volleyball Team, and Spirit Teams for the Purple Out themed game for Domestic Violence Awareness. PAVE and ICARE also hosted a field trip on Tuesday Oct. 22 to the River City Domestic Violence Center for a Candlelight Vigil in honor of DV survivors.
“The Candlelight Vigil is actually not an awareness event. There is education to be received through the stories of survivors and the powerful shared community experience of lighting candles to take back the night from violence,” said Kaiser.
Kaiser emphasized the importance of having an open dialogue when speaking about domestic violence so as to break the cycles of shame and further support survivors.
“A common misconception we hope to address is that domestic violence doesn’t affect everyone. It does affect everyone, including men, entire families, generations even,” said Kaiser “Every community would see tremendous returns for the investment of prevention and supporting survivors. Another misconception is that domestic violence is not just physical abuse, but also can be emotional and financial.
Another unfortunate misconception is a question people often have for victims, ‘why didn’t you just leave,’ but the dynamics of power and control that are in play in domestic violence situations are much more complicated than that,” said Kaiser.
Misconceptions such as the following are why organizations such as ICARE and PAVE work diligently to host events that allow for conversations surrounding domestic violence and other heavy topics to be held.
“Events, online and print materials, tabling, connecting with community partners, and always being comfortable in talking about the sensitive topics surrounding domestic violence.
Being unable to talk about it only brings more shame to victims and survivors, and shame is a barrier to leading a life free from violence, and full of the healthy, fulfilling relationships we all deserve,” said Kaiser.
The next event that ICARE will be hosting is a themed Halloween costume contest that will take place on Oct. 31, in the Muenster University Center (MUC) pit. Here they will be judging costumes for the best “healthy” or “unhealthy” relationships. Any time on Oct. 31, students can tag ICARE’s Instagram with their picture to enter to win.
News
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2024 THE VOLANTE
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.
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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
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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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555 N. Dakota St. Vermillion, S.D. 57069
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Dakota-Days Number of Arrests Down
Charles Streeter Charles.Streeter@coyotes.usd.edu
With unusually warm temperatures for the 110th Dakota Days, arrests were unusually low compared to previous years.
From Thursday evening to Sunday morning, the Vermillion Police Department booked 26 individuals into jail. Most were released within two hours.
According to Clay County Sheriff Andy Howe, there were 55 charges against those 26 individuals arrested.
Howe says that the historic arrests during D-Days weekend has been in the 50-70 range.
The most common arrest was for DWI (Driving While Intoxicated). Ten individuals were booked on their first DUI.
South Dakota is one of the only states that does not require mandatory jail time for first-time DWI offenders. Most offenders receive a 30-day license suspension.
Other states such as Arizona, however, impose mandatory jail time, mandatory drug testing, ignition interlock devices and thousands of dollars in fines for first-time offenders.
Two individuals received their second DWI charge, and one person earned a
fourth DWI over Dakota Days.
There was also a DWI arrest for someone under the age of 21 who blew at least a .02 over the weekend. Most states have laws that minors at or above a .02 can be charged with a DWI.
According to the Vermillion Police Department’s pithy X feed, one DWI charge came from a parked car.
“If you’re going to pass out after celebrating the Yotes win, let’s not do it in the driver’s seat with your head blaring on the horn. Another DUI inbound,” said Vermillion Police.
Other charges included possession of marijuana or possession of fraudulent identification.
Three people were charged with an open container of alcohol in a vehicle, which is a crime in every state except for Mississippi. It is important to remember that charges such as minor in possession do not constitute grounds for arrest on their own, but such charges are included in the tally if an individual is arrested for other offenses.
While D-Days is over and Vermillion back to normal, students can still expect a visit to the county jail if driving while intoxicated or up to illegal shenanigans.
The deadline for letters is 5 p m the Friday prior to publication. Letters must be typed and fewer than 300 words.
The Clay Country Jail and Courthouse located in Downtown Vermillion, South Dakota.
Sara Mauszycki | The Volante
Photo Collage by Sara Mauszycki| The Volante
Coyotes to Face Jackrabbits in Top Five Showdown
Charlie Prien Charles.Prien@coyotes.usd.edu
The University of South Dakota Coyotes take on the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits in Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC) play this Saturday, Oct. 26. The game, which takes place in Brookings this season, features top five ranked teams in the FCS.
This will be the 118th matchup between the two schools’ football programs. In the all-time series, SDSU leads 57-53 over USD. USD’s most recent win took place in 2021 in Vermillion, which was the last-second, walkoff, hail mary touchdown to beat the Jackrabbits.
The most recent contest between the teams took place last year in Vermillion, in the matchup USD struck first via a Will Leyland field goal, but failed to score again, losing the game 37-3.
The Jackrabbits continued their season success after beating the Coyotes in 2023, into postseason play. In the postsea-
son, SDSU was nearly perfect defensively, and became back-to-back FCS national champions.
However this year’s USD and SDSU matchup is unlike the last. SDSU is coming off of their first conference loss since the loss to the Coyotes in 2021. The Jackrabbit loss last week was to North Dakota State University, who was then ranked No. 2 in the nation.
While USD is coming into the game undefeated in conference play and is fresh off of the program’s first ever win at Youngstown State.
This year’s game will feature two of the premier teams in the nation at the FCS level. The outcome of Saturday’s contest holds strong implications for the MVFC title race and the upcoming FCS playoffs.
The kickoff time is set for 6:30 p.m. CDT from Brookings. The game will also air nationally on ESPNU.
How the Commanders Will Predict the Election
Charles Streeter Charles.Streeter@coyotes.usd.edu
Every presidential election, candidates, interest groups and media companies spend millions of dollars polling across the country to forecast election results. Many elections have been polled incorrectly. Most famously in recent history, Donald Trump won states like Wisconsin and Michigan when the polls had Hillary Clinton winning by solid margins.
election, the party in power will win.
But one group forecasted the election much better than the pollsters: the Washington Commanders.
The Commanders (formerly the Redskins) have predicted nearly every presidential election since 1936.
Here is the rule: if Washington wins their last home game before the presidential
However, if they lose, then the party out of power will win.
The phenomenon, known as the Redskin Rule, was first pointed out by Steve Hirdt, then-vice president of Elias Sports Bureau in 2000.
In 2012 and 2016, the Redskin Rule failed to correctly predict the results of the presidential election.
The Washington Commanders’ last home game is this Sunday, October 27, 2024. They play the Chicago Bears, which are currently favored by around 2 points in the Vegas betting markets.
The Volante wishes to remind viewers that correlation does not equal causation in this scenario and that the Washington Commanders will not predetermine the results of the 2024 United States Presidential Election.
Photo Collage by Abby Saylor| The Volante
OpiniOn
“Too Extreme”: Vote Yes on Amendment G
Anna Bottesini
Anna.Bottesini@coyotes.usd.edu
Every year at least 29,000 people globally die due to abortion bans. Another 7 million women are injured or disabled annually according to Doctors Without Borders. Abortion bans don’t protect women, and don’t stop abortions.
In 2022, Candi Miller, and Amber Nicole Thurman, two Georgia mothers, died due to abortion being illegal. It will only be a matter of time before we hear a similar story in South Dakota.
It’s crucial that you vote yes on Amendment G. Amendment G will allow for safe abortion care when the vast majority of abortions are performed before viability. This trimester framework also allows for state regulation in the second
and third trimester.
South Dakota law lack exceptions for cases of rape and incest. This is cruel.
While South Dakota law includes exceptions for the mother’s health, this is ineffective as it requires doctors to wait for patients’ health to deteriorate and creates a fear of losing one’s job over saving a patient’s life.
A 2020 study revealed that maternal mortality was 62% higher in states with abortion restrictions than in states with abortion access. Multiple examples of the dangers to women’s health have already occurred.
In Texas, Samantha Casiano was denied an abortion despite her baby having virtually no chance of survival. She was forced to deliver a baby that suffered and gasped for air before dying after only four
Before the end of the first trimester, the State may not regulate a pregnant woman’s abortion decision and its effectuation, which must be left to the judgment of the pregnant woman.
hours. Another mother, Ashley Brandt, was pregnant with twins when she tragically learned that one twin’s skull was improperly developed. Brandt was forced to go out of state to access abortion care after Texas denied her an exception.
A vote yes on Amendment G is more than just a vote. It is life-saving and essential to protecting those you love.
Organizations of medical professionals, including the ACOG, AMA, and WHO, all support the right to legal abortion and describe it as a safe procedure when done by professionals.
Additionally, the Pew Research Center found that 63% of Americans believe abortion should be legal in all or most situations.
A previous Republican legislator in South Dakota recently created a conserva-
After the end of the first trimester and until the end of the second trimester, the State may regulate the pregnant woman’s abortion decision and its effectuation only in ways that are reasonably related to the physical health of the pregnant woman.
tive group dedicated to advocating for abortion rights called Republicans for Freedom. This isn’t a one-party issue; abortion rights are essential to protecting people regardless of where they fall on the political spectrum.
A large misconception is that religious beliefs and abortion rights can’t coexist. On the contrary, the first outpatient abortion clinic in the U.S. was opened by a group of clergy members.
Recently, 35 religious leaders from Christian churches in South Dakota came out supporting Amendment G. Ultimately, a yes on Amendment G is not “too extreme.”
Letting women die is.
Anna Bottesini is the director of events for Student Activists for Equality.
After the end of the second trimester, the State may regulate or prohibit abortion, except when abortion is necessary, in the medical judgment of the woman’s physician, to preserve the life and health of the pregnant woman.
“Misleading and Extreme”: Vote No on Amendment G
Julia Nilles
Julia.Nilles@coyotes.usd.edu
While Amendment G is being touted as a way to “Restore Roe v. Wade,” it’s far from that. Amendment G would allow abortion for virtually any reason through all 9 months of pregnancy - more extreme than Roe v. Wade ever was.
Many proponents of G claim that it will allow for abortions in situations that threaten the life of the mother. However, South Dakota law already allows for medical exceptions as long as “there is appropriate and reasonable medical judgment that performance of an abortion is necessary to preserve the life of the pregnant female.” This includes care for ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages.
Because of this, we know that women’s health is not being threatened by the abortion ban. The real problem is that G
may endanger women’s health because it proposes that “the State may not regulate a pregnant woman’s abortion decision and its effectuation” during the first trimester.
The word “effectuation” is vague enough that South Dakota would not even be able to ensure that abortions are performed in medical facilities that meet health and safety standards, endangering the lives of women seeking abortions in this state.
Only during the second trimester may the State begin to regulate safety standards of abortions - “the State may regulate the pregnant woman’s abortion decision and its effectuation only in ways that are reasonably related to the physical health of the pregnant woman.”
Even more disturbing, there is no limit to the reasons a pregnant woman may choose to have an abortion. Sex-selective
abortions, killing preborn children that may be disabled - you name it, Amendment G allows it.
Throughout the 3rd trimester, G states that the State may regulate or prohibit abortion except when deemed necessary “to preserve the life or health of the pregnant woman.”
Unfortunately, the word “health” is ambiguous, to say the least.
The US Supreme Court has deemed that health can be related to any factor - including (but not limited to) age, emotional, psychological, and familial factors.
Even if a fetus is viable outside of the womb (24 weeks or later) and able to feel pain, Amendment G would allow for that same fetus to undergo a chemically induced heart attack and/or be violently dismembered for the child to be delivered.
A plurality of Americans (~43%, according
to the Pew Research Center) disagree with abortion after the point of viability.
Finally, the most important issue is this: every abortion kills a genetically unique, living, and growing human being.
Every human deserves the right to life, regardless of the circumstances of their conception, and Amendment G would allow for the most vulnerable among us to be killed simply for existing.
If you are registered to vote in South Dakota, I urge you to vote no on Amendment G in November and stand up for those without a voice. Amendment G is too extreme and does not represent the interests of South Dakota voters.
For more information, please visit NoOnGSD.com or visit @yotes_for_life or @lifedefensefund on social media. Julia Nilles is the vice president of Yotes for Life.
OCTOBER 23, 2024 THE
Poll: How are USD Students Voting?
Survey conducted by The Volante on Fizz Oct. 17-22. The survey received 2,454 responses as of 12 p.m. on October 22. Former President Donald Trump received a plurality vote share of 48%, while Vice President Kamala Harris receives 32% support from USD.
In a two-way head to head race with students who chose Trump or Harris, Trump takes 60% while Harris takes 40%. Five percent are undecided while 12% say they are not voting this election.
Survey conducted by The Volante on Fizz Oct. 19-22. The survey received 1,553 responses as of 12 p.m. on October 22. “Yes” on Amendment G received a plurality of the vote with 45% support. “No” received 25% support.
In a two-way race with non-South Dakota voters removed, the split is 64%36% in favor of Amendment G.
OVERHEARDS
Here you’ll find the weirdest, funniest and stupidest things we’ve heard during the week. Context is for suckers.
“If you want to join ISIS I’ll get you connected”
- Delzell
“Let’s hope Bill Clinton isn’t running your oral exam”
- Al Neuharth
“I’m just saying I’ve never seen Trump and Jesus in the same room as eachother.”
- Patterson Hall
“Would rubbing my bare feet on your thighs make you feel better?
- Downtown Vermillion
VerVe
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2024 THE VOLANTE
Movie Review: A Film 40 Years in the Making!
Quinn Gienapp quinn.gienapp@coyotes.usd.edu
Francis Ford Coppola may sound familiar to some as the director behind some of the most critically acclaimed films of all time, such as The Godfather trilogy and Apocalypse Now.
Despite immense successes, Coppola has not had a theatrical release in over a decade until now with the release of his newest film, Megalopolis.
A brief background of the film reveals that it has been stuck in production limbo for the better part of 40 years.
Coppola financed large parts of it out of his own pocket. With how long it has taken for this film to release, was it worth the wait?
I wish it were a cut-and-dry answer, as Megalopolis has a lot of ideas it is trying to push that could either be viewed as a horrible mess or a stunning bit of creativity.
My feelings fell into the middle where I enjoyed seeing a lot of the weird decisions at play while also acknowledging that it has a lot of problems.
Most of these issues stem from its extremely long production and the fact that it is Coppola’s passion project.
One can assume a lot of decisions made were the result of Coppola attempting to try and tell to many stories at once, trying to do the most he can with this film.
The film follows Caesar Catalina (Adam Driver) as he attempts to rebuild the city of New Rome into a utopian paradise, but the Mayor (Giancarlo Esposito) and criminal forces stand in the way of his vision.
Along the way, Caesar is joined by Julia Cicero (Nathalie Emmanual) who helps ground him and see that his
Vex And The Verm
The Most Prominent Culture at USD
Nathan
DeGreef
nathan.degreef@coyotes.usd.edu
It’s the thought that consumes pretty much everyone’s mind - Hookups, specifically hookup culture and what it looks like at USD.
Have you ever hooked up with someone? Someone who you went with knowing exactly what each of you was going to get out of it. How did it leave you feeling? Did you feel anything?
I don’t want to divulge my personal
experiences. After all, I don’t know who is reading. Instead, I want to discuss the issues as a whole and share stories I know.
There once was a student who came to college without ever sharing a kiss with anyone. Although they tried repeatedly to find a connection with someone (for about a month), the prince never came.
vision comes to fruition.
The film makes it apparent that Megalopolis is a modern retelling of the rise of the Roman Empire with many of the characters embodying real historical figures.
The set design of the film is a clash between Roman and New York aesthetics with a tinge of sci-fi thrown in for good measure.
These aesthetics result in a film that looks like nothing else in recent memory and these themes are used effectively for several visually bold moments.
Examples include a bender scene that uses fading colors or a scene in which someone is grieving and the scene is shrouded in bright light. Scenes like this are worth the price of admission.
The problems it does have mainly stem from its pacing and the perfor-
In the meantime, however, they thought they could substitute a frog for the prince, hoping that if they kissed enough, the frog would become what they wanted.
Night after night the student brought frogs to their dorm room. It started simple, but as time went on they still hadn’t found their happily-ever-after.
Eventually, they gave up. Settling for nothing more than the one-night fling.
The student didn’t give up though. They know that someday if they kiss enough frogs, one will be their prince.
On the topic of sex, most people I know don’t even find it to be that great. There is great sex out there, but even then, as with the student in this story, it isn’t all it’s cracked out to be.
To these people, the pleasure of sex isn’t why they do it. It’s just to feel the connection.
A few nights ago I sat in a booth
mances. The story at times becomes nonsensical and hard to follow even if you know your Roman history, as plot points are added and removed in the blink of an eye.
Even with the film’s stacked cast, many performances felt funny when they were supposed to be serious, and certain character motivations were not as fleshed out as they should have been.
I can’t confidently say this movie is good or bad, but I can say that I was happy that I had seen it. It is not often we get a director’s passion project on this scale, and as such, it’s a movie that feels dated but also something completely brand new.
I would recommend those who do watch this movie, to have an open mind towards all the weird decisions it makes as it will lead to a more enjoyable viewing experience.
with a sorority girl and I asked her thoughts on hooking up and casual sex. The girl gave three main reasons as to why she does or may do it. The first reason was feeling “obligated,” in her words, “everyone else is doing it.”
Her second reason is that she wishes it could be more but knows that it won’t. I don’t think I have to elaborate on that.
The last reason is simply that “sometimes you just need it and need one night to prove that you can do it.”
The girl recognizes the negatives of the culture, “there are definitely negatives,” but she believes it has a silver lining.
To some, it’s all about false hope, a momentary moment of quiet connection. To others though, it’s a rush. An adrenaline kick, that can, unfortunately, leave them black and blue.
To me, I still don’t know why people do it. Perhaps simply because we can.
VerVe
Community Celebrates Halloween Downtown
Elli Kruse elli.kruse@coyotes.usd.edu
With Halloween quickly approaching, Vermillion plans to celebrate their annual Downtown Trick or Treating.
On Friday, October 25, more than 20 businesses will gather downtown to pass out candy to children. Student organizations on campus are able to participate in the event as well.
The city will close down Main Street and Kidder Street to allow families from Vermillion and surrounding towns to come participate in the Trick or Treating.
Jessi Hanson helped plan this event previously. Hanson likes seeing the community come together.
“It showcases our town at its best. It’s
for the kids, it’s cute, and family friendly. Everyone has a really good time with it.”
Events like these are beneficial for the companies in Vermillion. Katie Heine, the chamber and events manager at the Vermillion Area Chamber & Development Company, is helping plan and organize the event.
“It is really great for brand recognition for new families in town or a family who has been here and may have changes going on in their life,” Heine said, “Families see that logo they saw at trick or treating and they know the business supports the town, which is great.”
The downtown trick or treating is the first event of the Halloween celebration. It will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. While the event is free, Aaron C Packard will be
offering short photography sessions for $20 for families or individual pictures.
Following the event, the Vermillion Public Library will be having a trunk or treat. Other Halloween events in the
Biannual Drag Show is Free for All
Nathan DeGreef nathan.degreef@coyotes.usd.edu
USD’s Spectrum: Gender and Sexuality Alliance will host their biannual drag show on Oct. 24 free to all.
Spectrum and their drag show have been around since the 1990s when it was started by Professor Cindy Struckman-Johnson, who saw a need for a Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) group on campus.
The current president, Phoebe Smith, organizes the show and coordinates with the professional and student performers.
“I’m excited, it’s always a good time,” Smith said. “It allows the students who participate to be able to express themselves and learn something new and have a new experience.”
This year, Smith will also
be performing for the first time in the show.
Sid Salas, a student representative for Spectrum, will also be performing in the show for the first time.
“My ex did it and I saw how much fun she had with it, and how much she talked about it after, I really enjoyed that. I just love the atmosphere of everyone else and everyone was so supportive and it was very non judgemental.”
Attendees that go to the show must be 18 years or older on account of the Board of Regents policy that was passed two years ago.
“[the policy] prohibits anybody under 18 from attending what [Board of Regents] call sexually explicit material and according to their definitions, drag shows fall under that,” Smith said. Despite pushback in
the past, Smith says it is an exciting time and offers new opportunities to all students.
“A lot of people, especially freshmen, come to our shows and that’s their first experience attending a drag show or seeing drag in person,” Smith said. “College is a time to experience new things and getting new perspectives on the world.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring dollar bills to tip the performers but they will also have Venmo available.
“We want to fill the MUC ballroom again. With the controversy going on we just want to fill it, and have fun and show other schools or other places around South Dakota that we are a community and we are celebrating what we do best.”
The show will take place at 6:30 in the MUC ballroom. All are welcome.
Down
following
1. Many animal shelters won’t let you adopt what in October?
3. The name of Dracula’s sidekick?
5. The Celtic festival that Halloween originated from?
7. Dr. Frankenstein’s first name?
9. Original name for candy corn?
Across 2. Popular movie with three witches who are brought back into the twentieth century?
4. What people say when they go door to door?
6. What the first jack-o-lanterns were made from?
8. The term for a group of witches?
10. The fruit people bob for?
week will include pumpkin carving, a monster bash, and Sanford Vermillion has trick or treating on Halloween.
Sara Mauszycki | The Volante