Laker Life Magazine

MAGAZINE

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT pg. 6-7

HIDDEN GEM RESTARAUNTS NEAR CAMPUS pg. 4-5

BEST PARTY GAMES pg. 32-33

SOMETHING IS BREWING pg. 14-15

WHAT TYPE OF LEARNER ARE YOU? pg. 24

Editor’s Note

Hey Lakers!

Thank you for reading the very first edition of Lake Life Magazine. The Publication Design class has been working hard on getting the latest news, tips, and information ready just for you to read now. We can’t wait for everyone to see our hard work!

-2023 Publication Design Class

Our Team

Professor Teresa Richter

Sierra Baumgartner

Jane Cole

Grace Knapke

Olivia Metz

Madison Moeller

Aidan Brown

Logan Phillips

James Subler

Scout Duncan

Zackery Vaugn

Andrew Yerian

Bailey Craig

Mahogany Nixon

Elijah Savage

Shaelyn Thomas

Allison Rhodes-Croy

Rachel Klosterman

Cover page designed by Sierra Baumgartner

hidden gem restAurants near campus

helping you find your next great meal

By Aidan Brown

Edited by Elijah Savage

Photography by Shaelyn Thomas

Layout by Olivia Metz

As a student of Wright State Lake Campus, you have access to dozens of unique meals. Not just the food that college provides you, but all the eateries in the town of Celina. You of course have the standard joints like McDonald’s or Bob Evans, but there are several other restaurants that you could go and eat at for a more unique and memorable experience as you further your education at Wright State Lake Campus.

La Carreta

La Carreta is a Mexican style restaurant in Celina, OH, owned by the Delgado family and located at 308 E Market Street. Its hours are 11:00 am to 9:30 pm fr0m Sunday to Thursday and 11:00 am to 10:30 pm from Friday to Saturday; perfect for students who have a hankering for a Mexican style lunch or dinner. Not only does La Carreta offer inside dining, but it also offers outside dining as well. However, if a student wants something special, they can go during Happy Hour on Monday through Thursday, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. During that time, La Carreta serves tacos with beef or shredded chicken with a hard shell only, and draft beers such as Bud Light or Coors Light.

According to the official website, they serve “... real dishes from the heart of Mexico and traditional Tex-Mex favorites including several vegetarian options.” With options like that, even the pickiest eaters can find something they will enjoy. La Carreta even has carry-out available, allowing students in a hurry to order their food and then go in and pick it up. The food offered includes various nacho appetizers with different sides of dip, like ranch and cheese. They also serve salads, tacos, fajitas, chicken, steak, seafood, burritos, enchiladas, and quesadillas. That is not all however, as they have several house specials, such as the Chimichangas Vegetarians for $12.50.

Chimichangas Vegetarians consists of grilled vegetables: peppers, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes, broccoli, and rice or beans. Another house special is the Carnitas Dinner, also for $12.50. Carnitas Dinner is made with fried pork with rice and beans, guacamole salad and tortillas. If neither of these specials work for you then don’t worry, as La Carreta offers several different house specials that are sure to satisfy your appetite.

Happy Daz

Happy Daz is a 1950’s American style restaurant, owned by

John Heaphy and is located at 911 E Wayne St, Celina, OH. Happy Daz is open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm and serves many classic, American meals. Happy Daz is the perfect restaurant for students craving a classic American breakfast, lunch, or dinner. A major highlight is the 1950’s aesthetic. The walls are decorated with various memorabilia from that era, including different Coke and Pepsi signs, artwork, and advertisements. The 50’s look does not end there, as the floors have a checkered pattern and the red seats are also made using vinyl, classic signatures of diners at the time. However, a restaurant is only as good as the food they serve, something that Happy Daz has plenty of as they serve a lot of delicious food.

The food served at Happy Daz includes many American classics: hotdogs, burgers, eggs, mashed potatoes, chicken, turkey, fries, and so much more. If you are a student looking for something a little less meaty, then something on the soup and salad menu is a little more to your liking; the Garden Salad for $2.69 and Chili soup for $2.99. There are also four different combo meals, three of which include the classic cheeseburger, shredded chicken, and tenderloin. The fourth combo meal is an all-beef footlong. What is great about these different combo meals is that they are all at the low price of $5.00, perfect for a student on a budget. In fact, that is the best thing about Happy Daz, it is the perfect restaurant for students that want to eat somewhere more special than the standard McDonald’s, while trying to manage their budget as they further their education at Wright State.

Boardwalk Grill is a restaurant that serves American food and fresh seafood and is owned by Mr. Dick Cushman. It is located at 725 W Bank Rd, Celina, OH, right next to the great St. Mary’s lake. If you are a student that has a little money to spare, eating at Boardwalk Grill is an excellent restaurant for hanging out with friends or family. Unlike the previously mentioned restaurants, Boardwalk Grill has much stricter hours. According to their website, “theboardwalkgrill.com”, they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, open from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and finally 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Sundays. If a student wants to eat here, it would be best to eat on the weekends for the most flexible hours.

There is a wide variety of food served at Boardwalk Grill, including sandwiches, burgers, tacos, chicken tenders, fried fish, soups, and salads. They also have a dessert in the form of a key lime pie for $7.00. According to the website, customer favorites include 4 handmade crispy chicken tenders served with garlic aioli or honey mustard, and chips and a pickle for $13.00, and Cajun shrimp alfredo with their special Creamy Alfredo sauce over fresh linguini baked in an iron skillet and topped with 9 Cajun grilled shrimp for $16.00. In addition to the food, Boardwalk Grill has more to offer. Boardwalk Grill has something called the “Knot a Care” party yard, an outside yard where customers can enjoy events like live music or watch college and NFL football on the big screen near the famous lake. If you are a student with a big budget, Boardwalk Grill is the best place to experience the Celina culture.

1950’s inspired interior of happy daz

Interior of Boardwalk Grill

Boardwalk Grill

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

SAM CONKLIN

FROM WATERVILLE,

OHIO

A 5’10” LEFT-HANDED PITCHER

By Sierra Baumgartner

At only two years old, Sam Conklin could be found with a baseball in his hand. Almost immediately, he fell in love with the game. Starting with little league teams, eventually moving up to his high school team—the Generals, being involved in a men’s league in college as a Tiffin Gray. With countless hours of practice, he has played his heart out. Now almost twenty years later, Sam is finishing his final year on the Wright State Lakers baseball team as a left-handed pitcher.

As the only senior on the team, Sam has had a great influence on his younger teammates. When it comes to leadership, he always uplifts others. He notes: “You’re really affecting guys however you lead them, so I try to do things positively. I get on them when I need to, but I do things all positively and all things that will help them in the years to come.” Because he has played baseball for so many years, Sam has gained much wisdom throughout his athletic career. But to put it into one phrase, he advises his teammates to take every chance they can get to work on their craft.

Not only has Sam perfected his craft of pitching, but he has also learned some lessons through baseball that carry over into other aspects of his life. Sam remembers that his high school baseball coach Mark Nell—who was just inducted into the OHSAA Hall of Fame at the beginning of 2023—taught him about working hard to reach goals, which is something that he has implemented into his life and works hard no matter what he is doing.

This work ethic is very evident when you see all of Sam’s accomplishments, baseball aside. He has obtained two associate degrees in Earth and Environmental Sciences, an associate degree in Chemistry, has a job in the athletic office, and is currently in the Integrated Science Studies program with a focus on Earth and Biological Studies. After graduation in the spring, he plans on doing a grad transfer and completing a master’s degree in Meteorology. Sam currently has a 3.9 cumulative GPA, and is a two-time USCAA Academic All-American. Sam always keeps busy between balancing baseball, a job, and schoolwork, but he works hard at

any task he puts his hand to. Another piece of advice he has for his younger teammates is to put school first. He wants to encourage them to not be afraid to ask for help, and to always be proactive with assignments so that they can focus on baseball.

Behind every athlete is their support system, through the highs and lows. Cheering him on in every pitch and every hit from the time he started loving baseball to now are his sister and his grandmothers, who have supported him in all his endeavors. Sam’s roommates are also always there to encourage him, and, as a Wright State Laker, he has had some supportive teammates, specifically the two juniors on the team—Hayden Bill and Nick Hundley. Sam added that athletic director Angie Clayton has been a big advocate for him as well, and that she has always been helpful and supportive of him. These people have always been there for Sam when he needed them.

Whether it is a pre-game prayer, going on road trips, going to church together, or even just running errands,

Edited by

Photography by Madison Moeller

Illustration by Mahogany Nixson

Layout by Rachel Klosterman

Sam was able to experience so many special memories with his team. Some of his fondest memories were made on the road when they were traveling to away games. “Playing mafia on the bus, rooming with the guys, and just being around each other and having that team camaraderie is one of the coolest things,” he reminisces. Sam has also been able to play against old teammates a few times, which he said was a lot of fun. He is even lucky enough to once again play with one of his high school teammates, Logan Garrett, who is now a sophomore at Wright State and a catcher for the Lakers—another memory Sam cherishes. Baseball has helped form these special relationships and memories for Sam that he will forever treasure.

Over the years Sam has been a leader, learned lessons in baseball and in life, and has created countless memories. Senior Sam Conklin loves his team, and is excited to see what the future holds for his final season as a Laker. If you would like to follow Sam and the rest of the Laker team this season, you can visit wsulclakers.com to find the game schedule, or follow them on twitter and Instagram: @wsulc_baseball.

WSU BASEBALL SCHEDULE

• Feburary 24 & 25 @ Alice Lloyd College

• March 2 vs. Trinity International

• March 5vs. Trinity International

• March 8 @ Wilberforce University

• March 11 & 12 @ Asbury University

• March 15 vs. Brescia University .

• March 18 vs. Capital University

• March 22 vs. Hocking College

• March 24 & 25 @ Grace Christia University

• March 26 vs. IUPUC

• March 29 vs. Edison State CC

• April 1 & 2 @ Miami Hamilton

• April 7 & 8 @ Kentucky Christian University

• April 15 & 16 vs. Asbury University

• April 19 vs Rochester University

• April 23 vs. IUPUC

• April 29 & 30 @ Cincinatti Clermont

Sustainability for college students

living resource-friendly on a college budget

By Zachary Vaughn

Edited by Olivia Metz

It is a tough life being a college student. Part of college life is to sustain as many products as possible. Yes, many products are long-lasting, but they are not generally cheap. Money plays a big role in college life. College students struggle with keeping money, due to the fact they must buy certain school supplies. School supplies, depending on the major, can be costly for a good number of students.

Stores like Walmart have nearly everything to buy. Some products are longer-lasting than others. Some products are cheaper than others. Certain brands can influence the price and the quality of products. Stores like Aldi and Kroger have a variety of food at significantly cheap prices. The food at these stores is not of the best quality, compared to stores like Walmart, but they are decent enough.

Stores like Target and Best Buy have a variety of products to buy as well. Although, these stores are not exactly cheap. Purchase products from these places wisely. They can be of high prices, but make sure to get something of high quality. Without quality, price means nearly nothing and is a waste of money. However, spending most of the money on something high quality can be bad.

Clothing can be an issue as well. Some people are less fortunate than others when it comes to material possessions. Clothing is included in these material possessions. Stores like Kohl’s have great quality and variety of clothing to choose from, but they are pricey. Areas like clearance sections can be helpful. Places like thrift stores have many different products, including clothes. All thrift stores may not always have great clothing, but it never hurts to check. Kitchen supplies are sold at thrift stores too. It is a good chance to find silverware

of cheap prices and great quality.

Some college students may even struggle finding products, due to a lack of vehicle availability. Websites like Amazon have nearly every type of product to choose from. It contains varieties of brands for many different products for a variety of prices. Ordering food from stores and restaurants is also a beneficial option. Places like Walmart and Little Caesar’s will deliver.

Also, remember to reduce, reuse, and recycle. These three actions are of great benefit. Purchasing products, such as water bottles, are a great long-lasting option. Certain materials are longer-lasting than others, like plastic. Plastic utensils are usually thrown away after brief use. Plastic utensils can be washed and reused, just like silverware. Plastic utensils are generally cheaper than silverware too.

Photography by Madison Moeller

Illustration by Sierra Baumgartner

Layout by Allison Croy

challenging or BENEFICIAL?

MENTAL HEALTH DIFFERENCES BETWEEN REMOTE vs. IN-PERSON

By Andrew Yerian

Student attendance and mental health are very important aspects of every person’s life, and college students are no exception. College students have work, mountains of schoolwork, and personal matters outside of school and their jobs, which can take a toll on their mental health and attendance in class. However, the COVID-19 pandemic made things more difficult for college students and everyone else around them. Businesses were forced to change, small businesses across the United States were forced to shut down, people were fired for not getting the vaccine, and college students were forced to attend online classes. This drastically impacted in-person attendance and the mental health of several college students. In an interview, students were asked for their views on the transition from in-person to online attendance for classes. The students were asked if the transition was a good idea, if the campus should return to in-person completely, and if it had harmed or improved the mental health of college students. Here are the results:

Was the transition from in-person class to online class a good idea?

Of the students interviewed, 60% of them believed switching to online was a good idea. They said it was because it allowed them to complete their schoolwork more easily. 10% of students said no because they think some students do better in person, which is a proven fact. 30% of students were unsure if it was truly a good idea or not.

Should campus return to completely in-person?

After several months of being online and not having the professor around as much to obtain necessary help, some may think that more students would disagree with the idea of forsaking online classes. However, a whopping 70% of students believe that Wright State should not give up online classes at all. Some students appreciate the benefits of both in-person and online classes, even though this affects attendance because some students need to be in the classroom to learn. Only 20% of students believe that Wright State should have fully in-person classes, because they learn better in the classroom instead of online. The remaining 10% were unsure, in part because they were not in college when colleges began promoting online classes during the pandemic.

Did going from in-person to online harm or improve the mental health of college students?

It is no surprise that the change in attendance also affected the mental health of college students. Some even dropped out as a result, which hurt student attendance. However, 56% of college students think otherwise. These students believe so because the change in student attendance since COVID has allowed college students to have a happier life with classes that let students go at their own pace. 44% of those interviewed believe the change in student attendance has harmed mental health because of the lack of in-person interactions and the fact that people learn better when interacting with others, instead of relying on emails to gain knowledge.

This interview provides insight for those interested in understanding how student attendance has changed. It encourages readers to consider these questions for themselves.

Edited by Elijah Savage

Illustration by Grace Knapke

Layout by Mahogany Nixson

Recent train derailment close to home

What You Should Know About the East Palestine Train Derailment

By Scout Duncan

Illustration by Allison Rhodes-Croy

Edited by Zackary Vaughn

Layout by Olivia Metz

On February 3rd, 2023, a Norfolk Southern train heading from Madison, Illinois, to Conway, Pennsylvania which was carrying toxic chemicals traveled through East Palestine, Ohio. Around 9pm, 38 of the 150 rail cars derailed in East Palestine, a village of 4,700 residents about 50 miles northwest of Pittsburgh. This derailment caused a fire, damaging an additional 12 cars. Not long after the derailment, 1,500 to 2,000 residents were told to evacuate. It was found that 20 rail cars had been carrying hazardous materials and that vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, ethylhexyl acrylate, and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether had been released into the air, surface soil, and surface waters.

February 8th

On February 8th, Mike DeWine, the governor of Ohio, said residents could return after air quality samples measured contaminants below levels of concern. On the same day, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources said the chemical spill had affected about seven and a half miles of stream and had killed an estimated 3,500 fish. To ease concerns about contamination, Mike DeWine also released this statement in a news update on his website:

“There will be ongoing air monitoring in the area, but for

those who would like air quality readings to be conducted within their homes, Norfolk Southern Railroad has hired an independent contractor to work with local law enforcement, the U.S. EPA, and state officials to take air quality samples and provide results at no charge to residents. Free testing of water from private wells in the impacted area will also be offered by the independent contractor hired by the railroad. In the interim, those with private water wells are encouraged to use bottled water, which will be supplied by Norfolk Southern. Those who remain uncomfortable returning home at this time can also request assistance with hotel expenses from the railroad.”

February 12th

On February 12th, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said that it had not detected contaminants at “levels of concern” in and around East Palestine and that it had found no breaches of quality standards after testing hundreds of homes.

February 15th

At a meeting in East Palestine on February 15th, some residents described their frustration at the lack of trust in public officials and in Norfolk Southern, some said that no one

“NTSB Investigators conduct Unmanned Aircraft System operations for the Norfolk Southern freight train derailment near East Palestine, Ohio.”

had clearly communicated the scale of the disaster and the public health threat. Representatives from Norfolk Southern did not attend this meeting, which made a statement to the residents.

February 21st

On February 21st, the EPA ordered that Norfolk Southern identify and clean up contaminated soil and water, reimburse them for cleaning homes and businesses, attend public meetings, and take other measures. The EPA said that if Norfolk Southern failed to complete those actions, it would “seek to compel Norfolk Southern to pay triple the cost” of the work.

March 2nd

On March 2nd, Darrell Wilson, a senior Norfolk Southern official, attended a town meeting in East Palestine. Residents shared their frustrations and some said they were still living in hotels or experiencing health problems. The EPA instructed Norfolk Southern to test for dioxins, toxic pollutants that could have formed after the chemical burn-off.

March 14th

As of March 14th, many residents of East Palestine and surrounding areas are still in hotels or have moved temporarily out of the area. Health concerns and water quality are still a hot topic of discussion and worry. Residents are angry at the lack of support and compensation from Norfolk Southern and government resources.

- jennifer

the chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, said at a news conference in Washington on February 23rd.

Hopefully this leads to an increase in safety regulations for train companies, and we will be better prepared for a situation like this in the future, should it ever come up.

“[the train derailment] was 100 percent preventable.”

L. Homendy

Keep up with what’s happening on campus

Helping you stay up to date on campus events

Written and Edited by Zackary Vaughn

Photography by Madison Moeller and Shaelyn Thomas

Layout by Allison Croy

Some events on the Lake Campus included the Job Fair, Abilities Student Organization Meetings, Catholic Campus Ministries Student Organization Meetings, Mardi Gras Party, Safety Training: Alcohol & Drug Awareness, Spring Break, Scholastic Bowl, and Adaptive Communication Series.

wright state lake campus job fair

The Job Fair event was an open house that took place on February 13th in Dicke Hall, from 9:30am to 11:30am. Fortythree companies were there for full-time, part-time, seasonal, co-op, and internship positions. There were about one to two people at a desk representing their company.

abilities student organization

The Abilities Student Organization Meetings event took place on February 20th in 186 Andrews, from 4pm to 5pm. It was an advocate for student needs and accessibility in the community. It spread disability awareness, offered different leadership opportunities, and established a community of all people with different abilities.

catholic campus ministries student organization & mardi gras party

The Catholic Campus Ministries Student Organization Meetings event took place on February 21st in 150 Dwyer Hall, from 11am to 12pm, for bible study and fellowship. The Mardi Gras Party event took place on February 21st in 150 Dwyer Hall, from 12pm to 1pm. The Organization served pizza.

safety training

The Safety Training: Alcohol and Drugs Awareness event took place on February 23rd in 227 Dwyer Hall, from 1:30pm to 2:30pm. The Wright State University Police Department gave this free and open safety training event. Officer Pottkotter answered any questions.

spring break

Spring Break was from February 27th to March 3rd. There were no classes during this week, but the campus was open for students to use. It was a week for students to relax and possibly catch up on assignments or even get a few head starts.

nursing students attending the lake campus job fair

scholastic bowl

The Scholastic Bowl Event took place on February 27th.

adaptive communication series

The Adaptive Communication Series event virtually took place on March 3rd, from 1pm to 1:30pm. These communication skills reinforce strong leadership practices that can be adapted to any situation.

These sessions promoted verbal conflict management and employee compliance while maintaining a respectful workplace culture. Five Steps to Managing Difficult Conversations took place on February 3rd from 1pm to 1:30pm. Establishing the Social Construct took place on March 3rd from 1pm to 1:30pm. Communication Myths to Avoid took place on April 14th from 1pm to 1:30pm. Positive MindsetFrom the Football Field to the Shop Floor took place on May 5th from 1pm to 1:30pm.

Strick Trailers and moeller trucking inc. among other companies ready to hire students from all majors

Source: Jill Putholl

student speaking with faculty member at the lake campus job fair

Something is Brewing on Lake Campus

New Introduction to Brewing Class Offered at the Lake Campus

By Grace Knapke

Edited by Rachel Klosterman

Photography by Shaelyn Thomas

Illustration by Allison Rhodes-Croy

Layout by Jane Cole

Not only does beer taste great, but as it turns out, it’s also pretty cool to make. Have you ever wondered what kind of magic was hiding in your Friday night drink? In the Lake campus’s new Introduction to Brewing course, students will learn the entire process of brewing, from seed to sip. With handson learning in the classroom and various field trips to local farms and breweries, students will learn how barley and hops are raised, about the various styles of yeast, as well as proper water adjustment.

brewing overview

Beer is a combination of four simple ingredients: barley, hops, water, and yeast. But the process involves more than just mixing together the correct proportion of each ingredient. Brewing is a science that consists of a series of chemical reactions that turn grain into sugars and combine with yeast to make alcohol. Depending on the batch of beer, this process can take about four to six weeks. So, let’s get to it!

Step 1

Get good materials. High-quality barley and hops are crucial for creating a high-quality beer. Hops and barley are raw products that are raised by farmers. They are produced for human consumption and follow very strict guidelines for quality and production.

Step 2

Milling the grain. In this step, the barley is ground. Not too much, but just enough to open the kernels and allow water to access the inside.

Step 3

Mashing, also known as steeping. Like brewing a fresh pot of coffee, in this step, hot water is added to the barley to release its sugar and enzymes. The combination is heated to around 150160 for approximately one hour. The liquid mixture of sugars and water that forms, as a result, is called wort.

Step 4

Lautering. During the lautering process, the wort, the mixture of sugars and water, is separated from the grain. In this step, only the liquids, wort, are kept.

Step 5

Boiling. Next, the wort is sterilized through a 60-minute boil process. During the boil, hops are added at different times to determine the flavor. Hops can be added for bittering, flavoring, and aromas.

Step 6

Whirlpooling. Upon the completion of the boiling process, the wort is circulated to remove the hops and other materials.

Step 7

Cool Down. In this next step, the wort quickly goes from a boil to about 70. This is often done using a big coil with cold water running through it.

Step 8

Fermentation. If the brewing process was a party, this is where it would start. The music starts up and the good times start rolling. In this step, the yeast is pitched. The yeast begins to eat the sugar, creating alcohol.

Step 9

Maturing. Following the fermentation step, the beer is given time for flavor and CO2 development. It is in this step that carbonation is formed.

Step 10

Package & Enjoy. Last but certainly not least, it is time to reap your harvest and celebrate your success. Invite some buddies over and enjoy!

This past spring was the first semester that this course has been offered at the Lake campus and it has had much success. The class has visited two local breweries, a local hops farm, and brewed their own beer. As it turns out, people get really excited to learn how to make beer.

This course is taught by Dr. Greg McGlinch who has a great interest in the subject himself. As a farmer, Greg wanted to understand the process of brewing so that his farm could supply high-quality raw materials (barley, rye, corn, etc.) to local brewers and distillers. On his farm, he has raised barley for the brewing industry and currently provides grains to local craft distillers. In his free time, he too likes to brew his own beer.

Greg has really enjoyed teaching this course and getting to share his love for agriculture and brewing with his students. And as long as there is still interest in the subject, he plans to keep the course going.

Now if that went over your head, don’t worry. The process of making alcohol can be explained rather quite simply, “You feed the yeasties a little sugar, and they get really happy and make alcohol.”

- Dr. Greg McGlinch.

photos provided by Dr. McGlinch

Brewery in Rockford, OHIO

Anything is ‘paws’-able

local St. Marys ohio

By Andrew Yerian

Edited by Rachel Klosterman

doggy daycare

It is no secret that many college students own a pet. One of the most common pets a college student will own is a dog. However, owning a dog is a lot of responsibility, and not every college student has the time and energy to constantly tend to their dogs’ needs. Other college students might be in need of a companion to help them navigate, due to a disability. So how do these situations get resolved? That is where the K9-5 Doggy Daycare, Anything is Pawsable, is available. Anything is Pawsable is a non-profit organization for dogs located in St. Marys, Ohio that operates to care dogs that belong to owners who need their pets out of the house, as well as raises dogs to serve future owners according to the owner’s physical and/or mental issues. Here are the following things the facility is responsible for doing:

Grooming, Boarding, and Training:

K9-5 provides training and grooming for dogs. Staff will work with any breed. Grooming involves hair being brushed and cut, as well as nails being trimmed, baths being given, and teeth brushed. Dogs born at the daycare are trained for various tasks, such as therapy and behavior interruption.

Maintaining the Dogs’ Health:

Anything is Pawsable helps the dogs stay healthy by providing the animals proper food and clean water. Naps are timed to give the dogs time rest and get plenty of sleep. Exercise is given through playtime outside, which depends on the season

and weather. In the spring and summer, dogs are outside all day, except for rainy days. In the winter, dogs are only allowed outside for five minutes. Employees will stay overnight to tend to further care of the dogs during busy weeknights.

Adoptions:

Some dogs are born and bred at the daycare and are put through training to serve their masters in the future. This training can last from six months to two years, depending on the individual animal. Training dogs are donated to families, schools, and other facilities.

If anyone is looking for a place to drop off their dogs for the day or is in need of a service dog to help them navigate society, be sure to get in contact with Anything is Pawsable. They can be reached through Facebook, their main social media outlet.

k9-5

Photography by Madison Moeller

Layout by Bailey Craig

cheap hobbies

Have fun without your wallet taking a hit with these college affordable hobbies

By Logan Phillips

Edited by Rachel Klosterman

Photography by Shaelyn Thomas

Illustrations by Allison Rhodes-Croy

Layout by Grace Knapke

Having a hobby can help you unwind from the stress of college and can help develop skills for later in life. Just a little bit of free time dedicated to a hobby can help you make or learn something to be proud of. There are many hobbies that may seem overwhelmingly expensive, but there are also many that you can do for little to no money, which is great for college students.

Photography

Photography can be very fun and rewarding as a hobby. All it takes is a camera, which most people have already built into their phones, and a subject or place to photograph. You could photograph friends and family, animals and nature, or anything that is of interest to them. These photos could then be printed out or used digitally, like on a social media platform like Instagram, to show off and/or document things you have seen and experienced. As for things to photograph, Grand Lake Saint Marys, Eastview Park, and the Celina Lighthouse are just a few scenic places near lake campus that may

be worth photographing. If you want to take the hobby a step further and learn more about photography Wright State offers Photography classes. It may also be helpful to go to meetings of the Celina Photo Club. They post information about meetings and lots of helpful photography advice on their Facebook page.

Coding

Coding is a fast growing, easy to learn hobby that you can do from home or anywhere they have access to a computer, like the computer lab or library on campus. Coding can be used to make many things like websites, video games, apps, or even something entirely new. It’s all up to your creativity. Coding can also be a very marketable skill. Many careers can involve some sort of computer coding nowadays meaning this hobby could open you up to more career choices than before. There are many places like Kahn Academy, Codecademy, or even just YouTube videos where you can learn how to code in any coding language. There are

even websites like Scratch from MIT that make code into blocks that can be connected to make code easier for beginners of any age. If you want to take it a step further and get advanced classes, Wright State offers many coding and computer programing classes.

Bird watching

Bird watching can be a relaxing activity that brings you out in nature. There are many different types of birds in Ohio, each with unique visual and behavioral qualities to witness and learn about. The great thing about bird watching is you can do it just about anywhere outdoors. If you want to a good spot to find lots of birds, you might try nature preserves like Mercer Wildlife area or Gilliland Nature Preserve. Places like these are bound to have lots of different wildlife and possibly different species of birds. A great place to start learning about these birds is to pick up a birdwatching book from your local library or bookstore. These will tell you what birds live in what areas, how to identify them by look, call, etc., and whatever else makes

them distinct from other birds. Bird watching can also be combined with photography to get great shots of birds you see and their behaviors.

Table tennis / pool

Table Tennis and Pool are 2 table sports that are relatively easy and fun to get started in. Also, while they are more fun with more people, they don’t require anyone but yourself to play. Table Tennis against a wall can be played alone and you can always just try shots alone in pool to grow your skills. Both games are already set up in the boathouse on lake campus and are easy to pick up the equipment and get started. If you want to get more people to play with, there is a table tennis club at Wright state. This is a great way to relax, learn a new game, and possibly make some friends that like these games as well.

Drawing

Drawing is a fun and productive hobby that can be done anytime, anywhere. All you need is a drawing utensil and something to draw on. You can even draw virtually on a tablet or computer

with software like Photoshop or procreate. Drawing can help you capture ideas or moments in time through your eyes. Drawing is also a very marketable skill. Lots of people sell their art online digitally or physically as a side hustle. If you want to learn how to take your drawing a step further, Wright State offers many classes on drawing physically and digitally. You could even turn it into a career in design or another type of art if it really interests you.

Sports

There are many sports to choose from if you want a more physical and athletic hobby. Wright state has teams for basketball, baseball, volleyball, and more. Wright State even offers some intramural sports just for fun if you don’t want to join a regular team. One of the most interesting of these intramural sports is Canoe Battleship! There are many fun ways to get active and play sports with other people on campus. You can find a list of all the regular sports and intramural sports on the campus athletics and recreation websites respectively.

Volunteering

Volunteering in your community can be a fun and rewarding hobby. Helping others can give you a sense of joy and pride knowing that someone is better of in their life because what you have offered them. Even if you can’t help financially with donations, many charity organizations appreciate volunteers to help distribute their assistance to those who need it. In Celina alone there are many ways to get involved. There is the Mercer County Family Crisis Network that helps victims of domestic and family violence, The Wee Widdle Ones Chihuahua and Pug Rescue, Inc. that rescues abused, abandoned, and unwanted Chihuahua and Pug breed dogs, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America that matches caring adults with children to read together, play boar games, or just talk. There is also a program through Wright State called We Serve U that offers volunteering opportunities and projects to help Wright State students get involved in the community.

eat better, cook cheaper.

Easy college meals for busy students

By Scout Duncan

Illustrations by Logan Phillips

Layout by Elijah Savage

As college students, we don’t often have the time, energy, or money to cook a big fancy dinner every night. We do, however, still need the nutrition of a good meal, and can’t order takeout every night. So, what do we do? We need to find easy, quick, and nutritious meals that don’t cost a lot.

Spice up your ramen

Ramen is one of the staples of a college diet, but it’s not very nutritious and it gets old very fast. As an affordable and easy base for a meal, it’s cool how many ways you can dress it up. Here is a list of easy and nutritious ways to make packaged ramen a great meal:

• Crack an egg on top! It will cook from the heat of the boiling water and add good protein to your ramen.

• Add scallions! This is a fun way to add another flavor dimension to the ramen and it’s a beautiful garnish too.

• Cook the ramen in broth instead of water!

• Add rice! The added carbs will give you more energy throughout the evening! Add meat! Canned chicken, tuna, or even leftover meat from a chipotle bowl is a great and hardy addition to any ramen dish!

• Anything else you’d like! Ramen is a dish that you can get creative with! Make it a nightly adventure!

Healthy and tasty snacks

While a lot of the time we are craving potato chips or a cookie, they ultimately don’t give us the nutrition or energy we need to study or complete the mountains of homework we have. Here is a great list of healthy and tasty snacks you can pack in advance, and keep in a stockpile to pick from in the morning!

• Carrots and ranch

• Sunflower seeds

• Trail mix

• Beef jerky

• Grapes

• Peanut butter

• Bacon

the wonders of an air fryer! Why not make some roasted green beans? Trim the ends of the green beans and make sure they are washed. Add any seasonings or dressings you enjoy; some good options are balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, or any spices. Put the green beans into the air fryer basket and cook at 350 F for 10 minutes until tender, but still crunchy. Shake the basket halfway through cooking. Enjoy a quick and delicious serving of vegetables! How about some kebabs? Kebabs are a great way to get creative! Get metal skewers (not wood, it will burn) and add any meat, vegetables, or fruit that you enjoy! Here’s a few combination options for what you could put on your kebab!

Chicken, bell peppers, zucchini, and onion.

Steak, peppers, pineapple, onion

Chicken, bell peppers, cherry tomato, and onion. Get creative!

Make sure if you’re using raw chicken, that it gets to 165 F in the center during cooking, you can check this with a meat thermometer. If it is cooler than this in the middle it could be undercooked and you could get very sick.

Kebab and chopsticks

Embrace Creativity

Channel your inner creative self

By Sierra Baumgartner

Edited by Scout Duncan

Illustration by James Subler

Layout by Shaelyn Thomas

When you wake up in the morning, what is the first thing you do?

Most people would probably answer with “check my phone.” It just makes sense, right? Many people set their alarms on their phones so they are already on their phone to turn the alarm off, and then they might as well check on their social medias while they’re at it.

Two hours later, and they find themselves still lying in bed scrolling, scrolling, scrolling.

How do you normally end your day?

Not everyone, but many people usually end their days by watching TV, or at least watch TV once at some point during the day. We always promise ourselves: “just one episode, that’s it...”

Half a season of The Office later, and Netflix is asking “Are you still watching?”

Somewhere along the way, screens started consuming our lives. Cell phones at one point were only used for communication purposes like calling and texting, and TV did not always take up such a huge chunk of the day. Now, we spend hours at a time consuming amusement through screens. We are constantly being fed so many different sources of entertainment, that life outside of our phones and TV shows almost seems boring. What started out as a harmless pastime has turned a time-wasting black hole that many get lost in simply because they think they have nothing better to do.

But what if you had something better to do?

Instead of scrolling for hours or binging The Office, what if there was something that made you excited to turn the screens off? Something that inspired you to be creative? There are so many unique passions and hobbies—so many things to

do in the world that require us to imagine and create. Watching TV and staring at a phone screen rarely, if ever, leaves anyone feeling satisfied or productive. What if instead, we exerted our energy and time doing something creative that left us satCisfied with how we’ve spent our time and overwhelmed with pride of our accomplishments? Build things, paint things, write things, sew things... do all of the things! It’s time to collectively look up from our phones, turn off our TVs, and start embracing creativity.

The greatest part about creativity is that it has no rules. There is no script to follow (instead, write a script for a play), No mold to fit into (make your own cement mold—maybe build a sculpture), and there is no “picture perfect” way to go about creativity (but you can take some pictures with a camera, or paint one). Creativity is what you make it—and you can make it anything.

No, seriously—Anything! The first step to channeling your creativity is trying something new, which is the same thing that holds people back from creativity. Trying something new can be scary at first, but another great aspect creativity is that it’s okay to fail. In fact, it’s almost necessary to fail in order to succeed. Take a pottery wheel, for example. This is a fun, creative hobby, but it may be very challenging at first. If the clay falls off the wheel or caves in a few dozen times, that’s alright! As long as you continue trying new things, you will find what you love the most. According to invaluble.com, the author of the Harry Potter books—JK Rowling, was turned away from twelve different publishing houses before Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was published. Vincent Van Gough only sold one painting in his lifetime, but finished almost a thousand different works. You do not have to make millions of dollars on a book you’ve written or paint a thousand paintings, but these people and many others are proof that failure may be the first step (or the first fifty steps) to having a success in creativity.

Even if failure finds you many times before you succeed, if you

find something you are passionate about and have fun doing it, it is never a waste of time. Creativity makes us better human beings. It makes us imagine, dream, and set goals for ourselves. And, if you’re lucky enough, you can make a career out of your creative passions, like Leonardo Da Vinci, Andy Warhol, The Beatles, Walt Disney, Stephen Spielberg, Suzanne Collins, and millions more. You don’t have to be famous, but you shouldn’t give up on finding your creative passion.

Instead of scrolling for hours or binging TV shows, what if there was something that made you excited to turn the screens off? It’s time to find what you love to do and let it be your motivator. You don’t have to be a professional at creativity; you don’t even have to be good at whatever it is you choose to do. You simply have to not be afraid to try new things, not be afraid to fail, and not give up until you find your creative inspiration. It’s time to embrace creativity.

How to manage a long distance relationship

advice to make your ldr suck less

By Olivia Metz Photos By Bailey Craig

Editied By Zack Vaughn

Layout By Elijah Savage

Illistrations by Mahogany Nixson

Whether it is 200 miles, 2,000 miles, or somewhere in between, long-distance relationships (LDR) are hard. Whether you are separated by choice, or simply by choosing to attend different schools after graduation. Trying to manage a long-distance relationship while still in college is not for the faint of heart. While LDR’s are a beautiful thing, they do not come without worries, fears, and a whole lot of tears. Read below for some tips and advice on how to make it suck a little less.

Communication is key

Like every other relationship, you need to communicate with your partner. It is an essential part of maintaining a healthy long-distance relationship. They will never know and understand how you are feeling if you do not talk to them about it. Nobody can read minds, yet. Since you cannot see each other in-person every day, it is vital to communicate throughout the days you are apart. Whether it is quick texts, and/or long phone calls at night, schedule a time every day to sit down and talk. Just the two of you, no distractions. This will not only improve your relationship, but it might also help with your personal mental health.

Be Honest and trust each other

Alongside communication, honesty and trust also play a vital role in an LDR. It is a lot easier to trust your partner when you live within driving distance. When you do not, over-thinking about what they are up to when you cannot be around most of the time can take a big toll on you. If you feel like something may be off, be honest and let them know. Trusting each other will get easier over time, but it should not be too hard if you two are committed to each other and to making your longdistance relationship work.

Tip: Ask them if they can let you know where they are going, who they are going with, and what they are going to be doing. This will help ease any worries you may have, and they should have no problem being honest with you. If this does not help, you could also ask if they would be willing to share their location with you via apps like Life360 or Find My.

always plan your next visit

One of the hardest parts about an LDR is accepting the fact that you only have a limited time together when you visit. Whether that is just for the weekend, for a couple of weeks, or if you are lucky, a couple of months at a time, be intentional with your time. And always plan your next visit before you leave, it will give you both something to look forward to!

Spending time away from your partner will really make you

always plan your next visit

appreciate the time you do get to spend together and will make it feel much more special. After all, they do say that distance makes the heart grow fonder. While long-distance relationships are not for everyone, those that do make it work end up having some of the most beautiful love stories. If you feel like giving up, do it for everyone who said you would not work out, do it for the person who has been by your side through it all, and most importantly, do it for yourself. For the chance to feel the kind of love not everyone is strong enough to work for. Be honest with your partner and be open with your partner. And remember, it is okay to cry, and it is okay to miss someone so much you can hardly get out of bed. This is only temporary, and you are strong enough to get through it. In the end, you knew what you were signing up for when you started this journey, and with the right person, you should have no doubts and no regrets that you will be able to do this, together. And it will make for a heck of a story to tell your kids one day!

Illistration of a couple reunited

Texting back and forth

Calling a significant other

Best Party Games

These 7 games will bring tons of fun to your next party

By Sierra Baumgartner Illustrations by Sierra Baumgartner

Edited by Madison Moeller Layout by Shaelyn Thomas

Photography by Jane Cole

What’s a party without games? If you’re looking for fun activities for a group of people, you’re in the right place. From outdoor entertainment to getting to know one another, these seven enjoyable games will make your party memorable and fun. Check it out!

Cornhole

Required materials: Cornhole boards, eight beanbags

Players: Four people

Cornhole is the perfect game for a backyard barbecue, and arguably one of the most popular summer activities. Usually played outside, this game involves two teams of two tossing beanbags onto the cornhole board opposite them. The first team to twenty-one points wins. This game is for the more competitive people in your group. If you have enough people, a fun way to involve everyone in a game of cornhole is to make a bracket for a cornhole tournament.

Spikeball

Required materials: Spikeball net and ball

Players: Works best with four people, but can be played with an even number of people

Another exciting game for the competitive ones at your function is Spikeball. Usually played with four, teams of two serve the ball onto the circular net to their opponents, who have three “touches” to return the ball by spiking it on the net. The game sounds simple enough, but can quickly turn into a heated match. Spikeball is not for the faint of heart, but is must-have party game. This is also another opportunity to set up a tournament for all players.

Around the world ping pong

Required materials: Ping pong table, two paddles, and a ping pong ball

Players: Three to fifteen people

This game may require you to move some furniture around so there is enough space, but it’s worth it in the end! This fast-paced game begins by having everyone stand around the ping pong table with one person on either end of the table. One person serves the ball, and everyone immediately shifts around the table clockwise so that there is a new player every hit. If a player misses the ball they are eliminated, the group becomes smaller, and the game becomes more challenging. The last player standing is the champion.

Mafia

Required materials: Nothing!

Players: Eight or more

This murder mystery game is for larger groups—the more people, the better! In this game, everyone is assigned a role: townsperson or mafia. If you are the mafia, you try to eliminate all of the townspeople to win. If you are a townsperson, you are trying to figure out who the mafia is before they wipe out all of the townspeople. This game tests your ability to decipher a truth from a lie, and is an excellent party game.

fishbowl

Required materials: paper, writing utensils, bowl

Players: Six or more

Fish bowl is a sure-fire way to get some laughs out of your guests. To prepare for this game, cut up some pieces of paper so that every player can have five small pieces. Everyone will write a noun (however specific or vague they may be) on each piece of paper and place it into the “fish bowl.” Each player will get a turn to have one minute to describe the words they draw out of the fish bowl. Once the fish bowl is empty, a new round begins with the same words, but this time the player

will use one word to describe the nouns they draw. The last round (in true charades fashion) requires each player to act out the nouns. Keep track of how many words your team answers correctly each round, and the team with the most at the end of the three rounds wins.

Two Truths and a lie

Required materials: Nothing!

Players: Any number

See how much you really know about your friends or get to know them better with this fun icebreaker. The title of this game essentially explains itself—everyone in the group thinks of two truths and lie about themselves. As each person shares, everyone else in the group tries to guess which statement is a lie. This game is great because it can be played anywhere, with any group of people.

the name game

Required materials: Paper, writing utensils

Players: Eight or more

Last but most definitely not least is the name game, and it’s sure to be a crowd favorite. This is another game that is more fun with more people. Every person will write a name on a piece of paper. It does not have to be an actual name—in fact, it can be any word at all. Be creative! One person will read all of the names. A player will start by trying to guess who wrote one of the names. If they guess correctly, that person becomes their teammate. If they guess incorrectly, then the next person will guess a name. Play this game with anyone in any setting, and you and your friends will have fun for hours.

Other Popular board games for parties

local unique sites and visuals

come Take a look at some historical places near you

By Aidan Brown

Edited by Madison Moeller

Illustrations by Logan Phillips

Photography by Shaelyn Thomas

Layout by Rachel Klosterman

Many students that go to Wright State Lake Campus either live in the dorms provided by the campus or drive up to Celina for classes. For many, Celina is a new place for students to explore and they may not think there is anything of interest in the town, which is simply not the case. Celina is home to several unique and interesting places, such as the Lake State Park the town is known for, the Celina lighthouse, and the Mercer County Historical Museum.

Grand Lake St. Marys State Park

The Celina, or the Grand Lake St. Marys, is the most well-known landmark in Celina, but many do not know much about it other than it is in fact a lake. The lake is 13,500 acres of water and is the largest inland lake in Ohio. In-depth, however, it is shallow, with the average depth being about 5 to 7 feet deep. The reason for the lake’s shallow depth but large surface area is because the lake is man-made and was once the largest manufactured lake. The park is open year-round for recreation, where students can go boating, fishing, swimming, and even hunting; perfect for students who like to enjoy nature. If fact, if you are a student that wants to boat across the lake, the Lake Campus has a boat house that is open on Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm. Experience the unique sites of Celina Ohio in a way that only a student, or faculty member, could.

Celina Lighthouse

The Celina lighthouse, or the Celina Rotary Lighthouse, is a popular tourist attraction on the bank of the Lake. The lighthouse was built in 1986 and serves as an observation deck for citizens, students, and tourists. The lighthouse stands at an impressive height of 40 feet and can be used as the perfect place to see St. Marys Lake. The lighthouse can even be used as a backdrop for photos, perfect for students that want to remember everything about their time at Wright State.

Mercer County Historical Museum

For students that have a fascination with history, there is the Mercer County Historical Museum, located at 130 E Market, with PO Box 512 Celina and zip code OH 45822. The Museum chronicles the past 200 years of Mercer County, including many genealogical materials and dozens of books on local history. There are even special exhibits held throughout the year, such as prehistoric artifacts, antique guns, postcards, and old sports hall of fame. For students that are only interested in certain aspects of history and old Celina culture, these exhibits are perfect for you.

MANAGING STRESS

3 ADAPTABLE strategies FOR RELIEVING PRESSURE

By Logan Phillips

Edited

What help is offered by Wright State?

To help students get needed exercise, Lake Campus students get a free membership to the Auglaize Mercer Counties YMCA right next to campus. This is a great way for students to have easy access to exercise equipment and facilities. If you do not live on campus, this membership gets you access to all twelve YMCA locations of greater Dayton. You just need to visit the YMCA by Lake Campus once to get your membership; then, you can use it at any of these locations. Lake Campus also has great walking paths all over campus that are mapped with distance calculations. All these resources can be found at the Lake Campus Health and Wellness services page here: https://lake.wright.edu/ campus-life/health-and-wellness.

ollege can be very stressful. As the first time most people have been on their own trying to balance school, friends, and possibly a job, college can be very difficult. However, there are ways to calm your mind and help manage this stress. Among those methods are exercise, sleep, and mindfulness. These may seem cliché or simple, but they can help and are sometimes easy to forget about when things get tough.

EXercISE

Simple exercise on a regular basis can help regulate your body and calm your mind. A study conducted by Emma Childs and Harriet de Wit shows that though exercise may not have a direct effect on reaction to stressors, it does seem to slightly increase mood after stress compared to those who do not exercise. It may be difficult to find time in a school routine to exercise daily; however, as there seems to be no significant change in results based on how often the exercise is, even one exercise session a week could help.

SLEEP

We’ve all been there; a deadline is coming up, and you need to pull an all-nighter last minute to finish in time. This lack of sleep, however, can have a negative effect on your ability to perform well in an academic setting. In one report by the Nation Institutes of Health, more than 70 percent of students reported getting less than 8 hours of sleep a day, and more than 80 percent reported lack of sleep negatively affecting their academics. Lack of sleep can be caused by stress, which in turn creates more stress as you fall behind academically. There are methods that can help you get better and more sleep, however. One such method is sleeping at a regular time each day. If you go to sleep at the same time every day, your body begins to fall into this routine, and you may find yourself more tired and ready for sleep at this time. Another way to help get better and more sleep is to limit time in your bed other than sleep. It is tempting to lay in bed to study or just relax throughout the day; however, this can make it harder to fall asleep at night as your bed is no longer a place solely for sleep. If you limit lying in bed just to when it’s time to sleep, it will help you associate your bed with sleep and make you feel more ready for bed when you lie down.

by Madison Moeller

Photography by Aidan Brown

Layout by Mahogany Nixson

What help is offered by Wright State?

A few resources for helping students relax and sleep can be found on the counseling wellness and advocacy page here: https://www.wright.edu/student-affairs/counseling-wellnessand-advocacy/counseling-and-wellness/self-help-apps. These include apps for breath couching, sleep sounds, and an app to analyze your sleep cycles so you can see the quality of your sleep and learn how to help make it better. .

MINDFULNESS

Mindfulness, or meditation, can help relieve stress and calm your brain. Just taking a few minutes to calm down, observe your body and surroundings, and ground yourself away from your stressors can help relieve stress tremendously. There are many techniques and styles of mindfulness, each with its own focuses and benefits. Some mindfulness techniques can help with a wandering mind; others can help you fall asleep. As well as reducing stress, mindfulness can also help relieve anxiety and depression symptoms.

What help is offered by Wright State?

Wright State has a few mindfulness resources that can be found at on the counseling wellness and advocacy page here: https://www.wright.edu/student-affairs/counseling-wellnessand-advocacy/counseling-and-wellness/self-help-apps. These include many different mindfulness apps with different styles and focuses.

Other ways Wright State can help with Stress.

Wright State Lake Campus offers counseling services for free to students. Students get 6 sessions per semester with the counselor, Kimberly Altstaetter. During an interview with Kimberly, she estimated that at least 75% of students seeking her services are struggling with stress and anxiety, so it is not uncommon. She also shared with me the methods of stress management that she recommends. She recommended working on time management and breaking tasks down. She also said to focus on the present to avoid getting overwhelmed by thinking too far ahead. Finally, she stressed the importance of self-care, taking time for yourself, and resting instead of working constantly. When asked what she recommends as the first steps toward stress management, Kimberly said to start by reaching out to your support network, whether that be family, friends, etc., or to reach out to professors and counseling if needed. “it’s finding a trusted person that they feel like has their back and would listen to them.” Kimberly said. She is available from 1:30—4:30 p.m. on Mondays and 9 a.m.—12 p.m. on Tuesdays in 187 Andrews Hall. Appointments can be made with her by emailing kimberly.altstaetter@ wright.edu or calling 419-586-0398, or by visiting her office during the hours listed above. If you do visit her office outside of those hours, you can also leave your contact info in a box provided nearby, and she will get in touch with you. The Wright State main campus also has many online resources for self-help and information at https://www.wright.edu/studentaffairs/counseling-wellness-and-advocacy/counseling-andwellness.

If you or someone you know is having a mental emergency, Wright State offers a 24/7 Raider Cares line you can reach by calling 937-775-4567. If you are ever struggling with stress or other mental health issues, Wright State and its community are here to help and committed to helping you succeed.

Productive apps for students

What if your phone wasn’t only a distraction?

By Scout Duncan

Edited by Elijah Savage

Illustrations by Sierra Baumgertner

Layout by Allison Croy

As a college student, being on my phone instead of focusing on school work is something I find myself struggling with fairly often. Even if I don’t mean to, I notice that I pick up my phone absent-mindedly when I have a second of boredom or break in my work. Once I open my phone, usually I go to Instagram or Tiktok for a quick dose of dopamine and end up stuck there for 5-10 minutes until I remember I’m supposed to be working.

But what if, instead of Instagram or Tiktok, you’re prompted to open an app that actually helps you get your work done? Or one that gives you a mindful break and you can come back even more focused than before?

One of these types of apps are meditation apps. When we’re stressed and our thoughts are going a million miles an hour it’s really hard to focus on our school work for any extended period of time. Something that can help with this is meditation. The apps below offer different types of guided meditations.

Smiling Mind: This app offers guided audio meditations at various lengths for different areas of life. They offer categories like studying, sleep, stress management, grief, relationships, work, and more. One section that seemed unique and helpful was the digital detox meditation series. This app is also completely free, which is different from the other options below.

Headspace: This app is very popular and you’ve probably seen an advertisement for it at some point. It’s a very user-friendly app with cute and creative illustrations. They also have a multitude of meditation categories including guide to sleep, to wake up, unlocking creativity, mindful eating, reframe stress and relax, mindfulness at work, mindful money, and

many more. One major downside to this app, like a lot of meditation apps, is that it’s fairly expensive. You cannot use the app without subscribing, which is $12.99 per month, or $69.99 per year.

Calm: This is another very popular app for meditation and has been around even longer than Headspace. Not only do they have the largest guided meditation library out of these three apps, but they also have a meditation music library and “soundscapes”. Soundscapes are like ambient noise, such as rainforest, thunder storms, rolling waves, rain on a tent, and more. Sadly though, like Headspace, you can’t use the app without subscribing which is $14.99 per month, or $69.99 per year.

While two out of these three apps cost money, it is also the same price as a lot of streaming service subscriptions. If you would frequently utilize these apps, it would be a worthy investment and you could possibly trade a streaming service for one of these apps and you won’t be spending any more money than usual.

Another type of app that would be helpful for a college student who can’t focus is a focus timer app. When it’s easy to pick up your phone and immediately open tiktok, sometimes you can’t help it. But what if your phone was already open and had a timer going for how long you needed to work until your next break? That is what these apps are for, and they can work wonders.

Flora - Green Focus: This app is a focus timer where focusing grows trees; the longer you focus, the bigger your tree grows. If you leave the app during a focus session, your tree dies (you can also override this if you get an urgent phone call or need to send a text quickly). If you focus frequently, you can

discover and grow many types of trees. This app is free and very easy to use, and also has a cute design style.

Focus Keeper: This app is similar to flora, but a bit more serious in its approach. You can set timers for tasks, create daily timelines, schedule tasks and reminders, and keep track of everything with analysis charts. This app is free to use but some additional features are premium and require a subscription which is 0.99 per month or 6.99 per year, which is vastly cheaper than the previously mentioned meditation apps.

Another option: To-Do List apps!

Another great option for an app if you want to focus is a to-do list app or a task manager. There are so many options on the app store that I couldn’t find just one to focus on; the best one depends on your preferences and needs. Most of them are free and there are so many cute, simple, and clean apps to choose from!

Since we’re all on our phones anyways, we might as well have an app or two that is productive and keeps us moving in the right direction and, even better, motivates us!

Living on-campus vs offcampus

The Pros and cons of living on-campus compared to off-campus

By Zackary Vaughn

Edited by Scout Duncan

Every college student must decide where to live for college. Some students prefer to live on-campus, while others prefer to live off-campus, and some students do not have much of a choice. Living on-campus benefits those who need to go in the campus buildings most of the time. Living offcampus may benefit those who need a cheaper option. Both options have upsides and downsides.

Living on-campus can allow a new experience for new students. It gives students a better chance at meeting people and making friends. When a student needs help with an assignment, speaking with their professors might be helpful. Speaking with a professor in-person might be more helpful than speaking over a virtual meeting or through email. Students can get to their professors quicker on-campus.

Living off-campus can allow students to be in a more comfortable environment. Some students might live at home

because they do not live far from campus. Other students might live in an apartment because they want to experience something different. Not everyone has the money to live oncampus; both home and apartment options might be cheaper than living on-campus.

Living on-campus can be an intimidating experience for new students. Everyone has varying levels of comfort in certain situations, and some students might not be comfortable living with people they do not know. Others may simply be homesick, not everyone enjoys living apart from their family. Another downside might be that a student may not find an on-campus job or might not have proper transportation to have an off-campus job.

Living off-campus can create conflict with attending in-person classes on campus. Some students might not live close enough or do not have reliable transportation. Most assignments also

require a computer to accomplish, and some students may not have access to computers or reliable internet connection off-campus.

Living on-campus might seem like the ideal option at first, and living offcampus might seem like a bad choice; each option has its own pros and cons. Financial availability plays a big part in each student’s choice, as well as transportation availability. Some students have a choice while other students do not have much of a choice. It all depends on each student’s specific situation.

Illustration by Logan Phillips

Layout by Olivia Metz

Researching outside Mainstream Media

Finding a reliable search engine

Article by Andrew Yerian

Edited by Elijah Savage

Layout by Rachel Klosterman

In college, students, especially those who are STEM majors, are often encouraged to research information for their assignments. However, students are limited to the sources they can use. Wikipedia, for example, is often considered a terrible source to use, because the information available is subject to change. This also makes websites like Wikipedia subject to biased information if anyone can change information at any time. However, mainstream sources that are known for being very trusted, such as CNN, have shown to be biased and untrustworthy at times. This is a problem for college students. Fortunately, with the right mindset, college students can freely search for information on websites that are outside of mainstream media. Here are three steps on how college students can be encouraged to research outside of mainstream sources like CNN and The Atlantic.

1. Consider other search engines:

Google is a very popular search engine, but it is not the only source of information. There are other sources, such as DuckDuckGo and Yandex, that provide the same information, but they also provide information that Google would never show. I have experienced finding the information I would never find on Google and it has changed my life. All students should be encouraged to not rely on just one particular search engine.

2. Be open-minded to alternative facts:

If there is one annoying thing, it is ignorance. Being open-minded shows that an individual is willing to learn and become more educated. Just because it is on the internet or in a book, that does not make it true. That is because some

information might be outdated or someone might post lies to stir up readers for the sake of scamming readers out of their money.

3. Use critical thinking and consider you might be wrong: Critical thinking is a very essential skill to have in order to be able to reason and form our own opinions and weed out information that does not make sense. If we simply believe what we read without questioning it, we will fall for anything. This is why we must consider that some things we read or hear might be wrong. The media only gives college students a limited view of what they are seeing. This is why critical thinking is needed.

With these steps, college students can make less biased decisions and feel more educated, knowing they will, and can make decisions for themselves on what is true without the need for mainstream media or any other sources constantly telling them what to think.

Photography by Aidan Brown

Book Recommendations

step away from the phone and find yourself a good book

By Logan Phillips

Edited by Zackary Vaughn

Illustrations by Mahogany Nixson

Layout by Rachel Klosterman

It can be hard to remember in today’s fast paced world, especially during college, to take a moment to unplug. Being technology free for a bit can help stay connected with the real world. A good way to unplug is by reading books. Here are a few books that might be of interest. Any of these books can be found at your nearby bookstores and/or the school library.

Happy Place

Author: Emily Henry

Genre: Romance

Happy Place is about a couple, Harriet and Wyn, who have been broken up for 6 months, but decide to fake being together for the sake of their friend group on their annual week getaway. It’s the newest book from Ohio author Emily Henry. It is very well reviewed and a great read.

The White Lady

Author: Jacqueline Winspear

Genre: Mystery

The White Lady is set in 1947 in post-World War II Britain. It follows Elinor White, an ex-spy and veteran of 2 wars, as she uncovers a mystery involving a London crime gang and a corrupt Scotland Yard and attempts to ward off the threat, they pose to her and those around her. It is a recent release from the author of the popular Maisie Dobbs series, Jaqueline Winspear. It is an interesting historical mystery that captures post-war England very well.

Throne of Glass

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Genre: Fantasy

Throne of Glass is a book series by Sarah J. Maas. It is set in a world left behind by magic, where an iron fisted king offers a competition to find the greatest assassin in the land. It follows one of the competitors, Celaena Sardothien, as she attempts to win the competition and secure her freedom. There are 8 books in the series with lots of fantasy to lose yourself in as you experience this other world.

The Adventure Zone Graphic Novels

Authors: Clint McElroy, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Travis McElroy, and Carey Pietsch

Genre: Graphic Novel/Fantasy

The Adventure Zone graphic novels are based on a Dungeons and Dragons podcast by The McElroy brothers, Griffin, Justin, and Travis, and their father Clint. It follows a band of adventurers, Taako (pronounced like taco), Magnus Burnsides, and Merle Highchurch, as they attempt to recover ancient relics of great power before they fall into the wrong hands. The story is hilarious with meta references to the podcast throughout and the illustrations really help you get immersed in this amazing story. There are 5 books in the series, with presumably more on the way although there is no word on when yet.

Dune

Author: Frank Herbert

Genre: Science Fiction

Dune is set on the desert planet known as Arrakis. It follows a boy named Paul Atreides who is a noble heir meant to rule Arrakis. This book paints a detailed picture of this world and proceeds to take you away in this strange new world and its culture. It was first published back in 1965 but has recently regained popularity due to its newest film adaptation.

I Am a Cat

Author: Natsume Sōseki

Genre: Classic

This book was written between 1904 and 1906 by one of Japan’s most influential writers of the time, Natsume Sōseki. It is a political satire on the foolish upper-middle-class of the Meiji era of Japan. This satire comes from the perspective of a cat wandering the neighborhood, commenting on what he sees. It is comical, but at the same time teaches you something about the world.

resources for success

Lake Campus library and student success center

By Jim Subler

Edited by Madison Moeller

Photography by Jane Cole

Layout by Bailey Craig

TLake Campus library, formally known as the Library and Technology Center, is the intellectual resource center of the campus. Over the years, the library has become more than just a place to check out books and periodicals; everything from digital cameras to headphones and audio recording devices can be obtained without charge, and a conference room and individual office are available for reservation. Today’s libraries are interconnected by the internet, so resources are virtually unlimited. These resources can be obtained from Wright State’s Dunbar Library on the main campus in Dayton and OhioLINK, which is a network of 89 libraries in Ohio. According to the library’s information page, there are 17,000 journals and 100 online databases that can be accessed here. In addition, the librarian is available to help individuals with their research needs. Films on Demand and Kanopy are video streaming services that are accessible with your campus username and password. There are resources available for faculty as well; Education in Video is a service for instructors in which they can learn ways to help students relate complex topics to their everyday lives.

Students struggling with a particular subject may utilize the benefits of the Student Success Center. Two of the main subjects that the SSC offers tutoring for are writing and math. Writing tutors will help students to manage source materials and organize their ideas. Additionally, they will provide guidance quoting sources and properly citing them. Some students are terrified of math, and math peer tutors at the SCC can help them feel at ease. The general goals of the SCC are to help students cope with the rigors of collegelevel course work and to provide them with the skills and self-motivation to be independent in college and in their employment. Tutors are both students and teachers. To schedule an appointment with a tutor, log into WINGS at wings.wright.edu and select RAPS (Raider Academic Progress System) Campus under the navigation bar under Services. In order to become a writing tutor, a student must be in their second year of their program, maintain a GPA of 3.0, and complete ENG 1100 with an A or a B. Jamon Flowers is the director of both the Library and Technology Center and the Student Success Center. He may be reached at 419-586-0360 and jamon.flowers@wright.edu.

Student organizations

empowering students to make a positive difference

By Jim Subler

Edited by Madison Moeller

Illustration by Mahogany Nixson

Layout by Bailey Craig

As students, we all need a break! Student organizations are a great way to accomplish that and a whole lot more. Being involved with people while doing what you enjoy can only lead to better mental health, and that can lead to better academic performance. What’s more, the experience to gain while participating in group activities can be a great addition to your resume. Let’s look at the student organizations at Lake Campus and find out how to become involved.

Tiffany Hamilton, Community Coordinator for Lake Campus, spoke with Laker Life about student organizations. While many of the Lake Campus’s faculty and staff work to develop the student withing the classroom, Tiffany is committed to enriching students’ lives outside of the classroom. When asked if one organization was more popular than another, she said that they are equally popular. Notably, the Collegiate Young Farmers, Business and Graphics Professionals, Catholic Campus Ministries, Nursing Organization, and Psychology Club, Science Club organizations have already assembled and fulfilled their goals toward their missions this academic year. When asked if there was anything she would like to add concerning student organizations, her following response indicates how passionate she is about them.

“Our organizations have done and continue to do great work on campus and in our community. We have seen many community service projects come out of our student organizations, some of which include highway trash pick-up, coat drives, food drives, and fundraisers. Additionally, our organizations are a great resource in getting like-minded students together to build connections with peers and advance themselves personally outside of the classroom. Participating in a student organization can help build leadership skills, management skills, communication skills and many others! Lake Campus hopes to empower students who become involved with student organizations to make a positive difference in our campus and surrounding community.”

The Campus-Community Connection Fair is held at the beginning of each Fall semester. Here, you can find out more about student organizations as well as opportunities from community groups and businesses. Log into Engage, the portal for student organizations, with your Wright State username and password. Also, check your Wright State University email and follow Wright State University—Lake Campus on social media for updates on student organizations and other opportunities. If you don’t see a group that interests you, start one of your own by contacting Tiffany at tiffany.hamilton@ wright.edu. See the Campus Life page on the Lake Campus website for the guidelines and requirements which must first be met.

Active student organizations at Lake Campus:

Business and Graphic Professionals

Catholic Campus Ministry, Lake Campus

Collegiate Young Farmers

Do Wright

Engineering Club

Glee Club

Lake Campus Science Club

Lake Rainbow Alliance

Nursing Organization

Should college students be paid for playing sports?

Should college students be paid for playing sports?

is the price of tuition a big enough reward for athletes’ time and efforts?

By Aidan Brown

Edited by Rachel Klosterman

Illustrations by

Photography by Layout by Grace Knapke

Sports are a large part of our society; millions of people watch sports such as football and basketball on their TVs or in person. In fact, according to The Athletic, a college football playoff at Texas Christian University managed to average 21.4 million viewers. That is a large audience watching a college football game. It is such a large audience that companies pay millions to broadcast these games to them. ESPN currently pays a reported $470 million annually to broadcast College Football Playoff finals. While the cost is high, the price is worth it. According to Statista, in its 2022 fiscal year, the NCAA generated 870 million U.S. dollars in revenue from television broadcast payments and licensing rights. With how large of an audience college football has, along with the revenue it generates from television broadcasts, surely the ones who play the sport get well compensated? The short answer is kind of, they get paid, but it is not with money. College football players and other athletes get rewarded by having their college tuition paid for. To some this is a good deal, college can be expensive, but others think it is not enough and these players should be getting real money like the athletes in the NFL and other sports. College athletes should get paid for their efforts.

College costs a lot, and many see sports as an effective way to pay for it. Getting your college career paid for is a dream for many. According to ON To College, the average Ohio tuition for four years is $26,213. That’s a lot of money and having that be paid for is good, but how much is that in comparison to the pay professional athletes receive? The average wage of an NFL player is $860,000, according to Indeed. That is over thirtytwo times more than the average four-year tuition in Ohio.

While it is true that college football is not as grand as the NFL, college football has so many viewers and broadcasting that it makes so much that it is reasonable to believe that college football players are being under-compensated. The issue is not limited to just college football, college basketball has the same problem. The average wage of a professional basketball player, according to ZipRecruiter, is $47,840. A year’s pay is nearly double the cost of four years of college in Ohio. College students deserve to be paid for their efforts just as much as professionals. Some may argue that they are still kids but remember that these “kids” are eighteen.

That is a factor that many forget about, these players are no longer in high school, they are adults, and adults get paid for their work. Many college students pay for their education by having a part-time job. For college athletes, playing college football, basketball, etc. is their job. These players need to earn money; they need to have the finances to be able to live on their own. Getting their college paid for is not enough, especially if their sports careers end after or during college.

Another reason college athletes should be getting paid is the fact that they are not guaranteed to be taken onto an official sports team. Official sports teams usually take on the best players due to how competitive the sports are. This means that athletes who tried their best may be out of the job before they even started, making their time playing sports pointless. They have a college education, but now do not have a readily available career opportunity to fall back on and no money to support them in the meantime. It could have been worse though; they could have suffered a career-ending injury.

Because sports are so physical, the risk of injury is remarkably high. Broken bones, muscle damage, and concussions for example are quite common. These injuries take a while to heal, some taking months and often end a player’s season. For professionals this is not so bad financially, being paid a million dollars a year will cover most if not all the cost. This is not the case for college athletes. When a college athlete gets injured, they must pay for it, not the college. Despite getting the same injuries as professional athletes, they are far worse off due to a lack of salary. This is a major reason college athletes should get paid. How is it fair for students to risk their health and not get paid compensation? It is even worse if the injuries are permanent. If a college athlete suffers a permanent injury, their career is done, and they have little in the way of compensation for it. If college students can risk permanent damage to their bodies, they should have the money to pay for it.

With how much professional athletes make and how dangerous it can be, college students should be paid for their efforts. College sports like basketball and football are watched by millions and yet the players receive so little for their ability to entertain so many people. College may be expensive and having it paid for seems nice, but it is nothing compared to the cash these students should have in their own pockets.

What Type of Learner are You?

researchers recognize four different types of learners

Article by Jim Subler

Edited by Olivia Metz

Illustrations by Sierra Baumgartner

Layout by Grace Knapke

If there is anything educators have learned about learning, it’s that the one size fits all method of teaching does not work for everyone. In 1987, an educator from New Zealand named Neil Fleming proposed that there were four types of learners: auditory, visual, reading-writing, and kinesthetic. Psychologists were already starting to realize that people learn differently, but Fleming formalized this belief and gave it a name in the form of the acronym VARK, for Visual, Aural, Read, and Kinesthetic, respectively. Some researchers believe it is an oversimplification of what goes on during the learning process. Undoubtedly, not everyone is necessarily going to fit perfectly and neatly into one of these categories, but is likely that one is more dominant than the others.

In addition to the common learning styles, there are exceptional ones where learning disabilities are involved, such as ADHD and dyslexia. In this case, Disability Services comes into play. Those with vision impairment are provided with special computer screens, for example. Someone who has certification from a medical provider as having ADHD is allowed testing in a quiet environment and an extended time period to complete tests.

Michael Epley, student advisor at Wright State University Lake Campus, has been in higher education for ten years. He says that the structure at the college level has changed since he was a student. Back then, lecture halls were dominant, and chairs were all facing forward toward a single focal point. Today, a new concept known as “active learning” is being adopted by many four-year universities. He adds that these classrooms, known as Active Learning Classrooms (ALC), are “student centered and technology rich.” This setup allows students to interact and encourages discussions.

Wright State has also added “success coaches” who assist

students both online and on campus. They are part of the student retention team, and their mission statement reads: The student retention team serves students by identifying barriers to success, teaching students to navigate college life, and developing strategies that empower students to achieve their educational goals at Wright State University. Each student is automatically assigned a coach by the first letter of their last name.

Have you thought about what kind of learning style you prefer? There are tests available online, which ask carefully formulated questions, to help you determine what kind of learning style you benefit from the most. Consider how online learning has affected you academically. Keep in mind that there are success coaches available to every student and be sure to complete end-of-semester evaluations, as these help administrators modify the learning process so that it is the most beneficial to all students.

Summer 2023 Upcoming Movies

MARK THE CALENDERS AND MAKE ROOM FOR PLENTY OF POPCORN

By Madison Moeller

This summer’s movie lineup is not one to miss. Movies are a great way to spend an evening with friends or family without having to go out very far. Celina’s movie theater has new chairs that are like armchairs in your living room, making for a more comfortable experience. These are just a few of the many different movies coming to theaters during the summer break.

To start off your summer break on May 5, Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3 is officially in theaters. Following the group of misfits and past criminals, the Guardians rally to protect the universe once again with the risk of the end to the Guardians of the Galaxy. James Gunn returns as director and

If you have been following the Fast and Furious franchise, you may want to mark your calendar for May 19 with the release of Fast X. The tenth installment of the series follows Dom and his family as they face a lethal threat from the past that is ready to tear the family apart. Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriquez return once again. There are a few newcomers to the franchise with Brie Larson, Rita Moreno, and Jason Momoa.

The Little Mermaid is back and in live action on May 26. With Halle Bailey starring as Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, just to name a few. Of what has been released so far, Halle Bailey is not holding back on the songs. Don’t let the past live action remakes keep you from seeing this one. It will be a combination of songs from the original 1989 animation and new songs with composer Alan Menken and songwriter Lin Manuel Miranda.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOLUME 3

FAST X

THE LITTLE MERMAID

Layout by Mahogany Nixson

screenwriter for Marvel Studios’ next blockbuster.

(WALT DISNEY STUDIOS / twitter)

(www.fastxmovie.com)

(guardians / twitter)

Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse

The long-awaited sequel, Spider-man: Across the Spider-verse is in theaters on June 2. Following the return of Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy with a whole new team of spider-people. The movie keeps the same animated style as the first movie that won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2019. The trailers make the 5 years since Spiderman: Into the Spider-verse feel worth the wait.

Women, you may like this movie as the director of those two movies, Greta Gerwig, is the director for Barbie. This movie is packed with references to many different parts of Barbie history.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

If you are looking for a nostalgic movie this summer, August 4 has Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. A brand-new take on the classic characters, Mutant Mayhem follows our four favorite mutant turtles. The main four are being voiced by Nicolas Cantu, Brady Noon, Shamon Brown Jr., and Miccah Abbey. Jackie Chan voices Master Splinter, which is just the perfect casting. The cast for the mutants is stacked with Post Malone, John Cena, Seth Rogan, Ice Cube, and Paul Rudd lending their voices. With an animation style similar to Spider-man: Into the Spider-Verse, this movie has a comic book feel to it. you have to make time to see Barbie. Starring Margot Robbie as the titular Barbie and Ryan Gosling as Ken, what more can you ask for. The story follows a Barbie that was expelled from Barbie Land for not following the perfect mold and goes on an adventure in the real world before returning to save Barbie Land. If you liked Lady Bird or Little

Ending off the summer with a scary note, September 2 welcomes The Nun 2. From the horror franchise of The Conjuring, this sequel is not looking to disappoint any horror lover. Not much is known at the moment about what the plot is going to be. Terissa Farmiga returns as Sister Irene to face even more demons with franchise newcomer Storm Reid.

BARBIE

THE NUN 2

(THE NUN II / IMDB)

(TMNT / TWITTER)

BARBIE THE MOVIE / TWITTER

(spider-verse / twitter)

Thank You for Reading!