Ball State Daily News Vol. 103 Issue: 9

N D

MUNCIE RECEIVES $2 MILLION FOR REFORESTATION 404

Soup for students: Soup Crawl raises funds for generational poverty to DAILY NEWS support Muncie families. 415

SS BOARDING PA

SS

BOARDING PA

BSU Muncie

BBSOAU RDI NG AME

PASSENGER N

Muncie

BSU PASSEN G

ER NAM

Mu

PAS S

ncie

Cha

ENG

rlie

ER

NA

Car d

ME

inal

10.12.2023

E

al Charlie Cardin

2

SBN

E

TERMINAL

GATE

TERMIN

end

Indiana’

IND

Muncie

Indianap

olis

PASSEN G

Charlie

FLIGHT

PASS

ER NAM

E

Cardina l

Student ambassador program bridges gap between Ball State and Indiana counties.405

SEAT

B 1918

1A

GATE BO ARD TERMINA L ING PAS S

AL

BSU Mu

ncie

PAS S

Cha

rlie

SBN

Sou

ENG

ER

th B

NA

end

Car ME din al B 19 SEA 18 T 1A GAT E 2 TER M 3B INAL FLIG

HT

TER

3B

3B BOARD ING

BSU

polis

SEAT

GAT

GATE

B 1918 1A

Indiana

th B

HT

SEAT

IND

Sou

FLIG

FLIGHT

TERMINAL

GATE

PAS S

FLIGHT

B 19 S 18 EAT 1A

ME

PASSENGER NA

PASS

SEAT

Fort Wayne

Muncie

Fort Wayne

FLIGHT

‘Land in

FWA

BSU

A W F ING

BOARD

Cardinals that care: Ball State student athletes are taking time to give back. 407

MIN

AL

ballstatedailynews.com

JOSIE SANTIAGO, DN ILLUSTRATION

@bsudailynews

DNNews

10.12.23

02

Did you miss it? Catch up on the news from Oct. 5-11 and take a look at upcoming events...

BallStateDailyNews.com Flags in Indiana at half staff

Oct. 09: In response to the

JACOB MUSSELMAN, DN FILE

events that occurred in Israel, Indiana Governor Eric J. Holcomb ordered that flags on state properties in the state be flown at half staff Oct. 9 - 15.

He said the move was to honor lives lost in the attack over the weekend.

The governor also encouraged Indiana residents and business owners to participate.

Soccer athlete earns conference Player of the Week

Oct. 10: With goals scored in

AMBER PIETZ, DN FILE

wins over Kent State and Buffalo, junior forward Lexi Fraley has been named the Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Week. She took five shots in those two games, resulting in two goals.

The Cardinals will be in action Oct. 12 at Akron, starting at 7 p.m.

VOL. 103 ISSUE: 9 CONTACT THE DN Newsroom: 765-285-8245 Editor: 765-285-8249, editor@bsudailynews.com

The Ball State Daily News (USPS-144-360), the Ball State student newspaper, is published Thursdays during the academic year except for during semester and summer breaks. The Daily News is supported in part by an allocation from the General Fund of the university and is available free to students at various campus locations.

EDITORIAL BOARD Daniel Kehn, Editor-in-chief Kyle Smedley, Print Managing Editor, Co-Sports Editor Olivia Ground, Digital Managing Editor Grayson Joslin, Director of Recruitment Abigail Denault, News Editor Elijah Poe, Co-Sports Editor Zach Carter, Associate Sports Editor Hannah Amos, Lifestyles Editor Ella Howell, Associate Lifestyles Editor and Copy Editor Kate Farr, Opinion Editor Elaine Ulsh, Associate Opinion Editor Jacob Boissy, Video Editor Brisa Porter, Associate Video Editor

AP: Kennedy bids for Independent run

Oct. 09: Originally, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran as a Democratic candidate, but he announced on Monday he will be running as an Independent in the upcoming 2024 presidential race. Kennedy, who has higher favorability ratings among Republicans, has the potential to take votes from the future Republican primary candidate.

Women’s Volleyball player named division Player of the Week

Oct. 09: Redshirt freshman middle blocker Aniya Kennedy received the MAC West Offensive Player of the Week for the second time this season. Kennedy earned a new career-high 17 kills and four digs in a win over Miami (OH) Oct. 6. She then upped herself the following day against Bowling Green with 21 kills.

Emma Plank, Associate Social Media Editor Mya Cataline, Photo Editor Meghan Holt, Visual Editor Jessica Bergfors, Visual Editor Lisa Renze-Rhodes, Adviser TO ADVERTISE • (765) 285-8256 or dailynewsads@bsu.edu • Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon-Fri. • ballstatedaily.com/advertise TO SUBSCRIBE Call 765-285-8134 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Mon. -Fri. Subscription rates: $45 for one year. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Daily News, AJ278, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306 JOIN THE DAILY NEWS Stop by room 278 in the Art and Journalism Building.

All undergraduate majors accepted and no prior experience is necessary.

CORRECTION

In the Oct. 5 issue of the Daily News, Wil McPhillps’ grade was incorrect on page 7. At the time of the photos, he was a sophomore, not a senior.

To submit a correction, email editor@bsudailynews.com.

Follow the DN socials

4-DAY WEATHER

FORECAST Stephanie Lopez-Becerra, Weather forecaster, Benny Weather Group

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MOSTLY SUNNY

MOSTLY CLOUDY

RAIN SHOWERS

MOSTLY CLOUDY

Hi: 74º Lo: 50º

Hi: 74º Lo: 50º

Hi: 63º Lo: 51º

Hi: 57º Lo: 46º

THIS WEEK: This week will be cooler, with more clouds throughout the day.

START CHECKING, FROM DAY ONE.

Waking Up with Cardinal Weather is Ball State University’s first and only morning mobile show focused on getting your ready for the day through local news, weather and lifestyle trends. Waking Up with Cardinal Weather airs every Friday morning at 8 a.m. at @cardinalwx live on Facebook.

DNNews

10.12.23

New Season,

New Threads Well Made Vintage releases first winter selection.406

03

Campus

New Director of International Services Kevin Patrick has been working in international education at Ball State University since 2012 and will now serve as Director for International Services as a part of the office of International Admissions and Services. In this role, Patrick will work to support international students and scholars with arrival, orientation and visa support.

International

AP: Earthquake affects thousands in Afghanistan

More than 2,000 are dead after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake in the western Herat province of Afghanistan. Rescuers continued to pick through the rubble for survivors and the dead the afternoon of Oct. 10. The Taliban have said the area that was hit has only one government-run hospital and almost 2,000 houses across 20 villages were destroyed.

International

AP: Israel at war after Hamas attack

MEGHAN HOLT, DN ILLUSTRATION

On Saturday, a music festival was the place of an attack by Hamas militants, leaving hundreds dead and more injured; over 100 have been taken as hostages. In response to the attack, Israel has performed air strikes on the Gaza Strip, which have destroyed cities such as Rimal. The death toll continues to rise and is already over 1,600.

ON BALLSTATEDAILYNEWS.COM: BALL STATE SGA REALLOCATES $2,000 FOR BUS STOP SHELTER.

From Gray to Green DNNews

10.12.23

04

Muncie receives $2 million urban reforestation grant from the U.S. Forest Service.

Colin Brown Reporter Last month, the United States Forest Service unveiled the winners of a competitive $1.5 billion urban reforestation grant. Through its “Rooted in Community” project, Muncie secured the third highest award in the state of Indiana, acquiring $2 million to put towards planting and sustaining trees.

The award comes near the end of the “1,000 Trees in 1,000 Days” initiative. Slated to plant its thousandth tree this fall, the program was launched in 2020 and was designed to combat the city’s declining canopy. It received an award from the Arbor Day Foundation and recognition across several states, but left much work to be done — work spearheaded by former Special Projects Director Delaney Fritch.

“I did write the grant; I did the planning stage of it,” they said. “This was my first federal grant that I ever wrote, so I have a good track record. I’m one-for-one.”

Fritch currently serves as coordinator of the Office of Community Development’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program. But before that, they led urban reforestation efforts in Muncie, starting with their work on the Thousand Trees initiative.

“During that time, I developed a very intimate relationship with our trees, but also with the hurdles that exist in trying to get them on the ground, and the lack of resources that the city has in terms of staffing,” Fritch said. We only have one urban forester, but we have a declining tree canopy,

Grant writer and HOME program coordinator Delaney Fritch poses for a photo Sept. 26 at the Community Circle Park and Monument. COLIN BROWN, DN

which means that we needed more help to bring dead trees down.”

That decline poses a serious risk. Healthy trees play a vital role in regulating the temperature, and Fritch said their absence can cause energy consumption — and electric bills — to spike.

Sanglim Yoo, an associate professor of urban planning at Ball State University, agrees. Much of her research is focused on urban heat islands: cities that experience much hotter temperatures than the rural areas surrounding them.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency website, this occurs for several reasons, but a key one is the lack of greenery. Heat becomes trapped in artificial, unshaded structures, in turn leading to sweltering weather and creeping costs.

“It is a well-known fact that the high concentration of heat is highly correlated with land cover type, especially impervious land covers, such as asphalt. On the contrary, higher tree covers and healthier vegetation covers negatively contribute to higher land surface temperature, meaning they cool down,” Yoo said via email. “Extreme heat makes transmission lines carry less electricity: transformers are more likely to fail, solar panels make less electricity and railways and airport runways begin to buckle.”

In this sense, the lack of trees in an area can have a tangible economic impact, in addition to other problems posed to the residents, such as the health risks associated with heat stress. It is for this reason that resources like the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool exist, analyzing how class and environmental issues can intersect.

The tool – offered by the Council on Environmental Quality – breaks census tracts down by multiple different metrics of analysis. Those are then organized under the broader categories of climate change, energy, health, housing, legacy pollution, transportation, waste and workforce development.

Fritch said the tool will be used to determine where trees funded by the grant will be planted. Trees will only be planted in areas classified as disadvantaged: a category most of Muncie falls under. Yet for many, they are welcome anywhere.

Tavon Cannady is a chemical process technician residing in Muncie and he frequently visits local parks with his daughter, and said he finds a selfjustifying beauty in the trees.

“I’ve always been a lover of nature; the more the merrier for me,” Cannady said. Nobody likes a lot of concrete, and that’s exactly what we’re trying to prevent: the city tearing down its natural state, and covering it with parking lots, and things that just aren’t as beautiful as actual motion.”

Thor Peterson echoed similar sentiments. A machinist from Middletown, he visits Muncie for

2.9ºF Urban forests are 2.9º F cooler than unforested urban areas.

$7.8 B Trees in U.S. urban and community areas reduce residential energy use to save an average of $7.8 billion per year.

MEGHAN HOLT, DN DESIGN Source: EPA, USDA Forest Service

its parks, and expressed wholehearted support for urban reforestation.

“I hate to sound this way, but if there aren’t trees, it’s kind of ugly to look at,” Peterson said. “Trees add some beauty, some privacy; they can make you feel secluded, even in the middle of a city, and we all kind of need that sometimes. I’m glad to see Muncie finally caring about itself in that way.”

Mayor Dan Ridenour offered his support for the program in a statement via email. “I’m thrilled that we are not only finishing what we started with 1,000 Trees in 1,000 Days, but expanding this program to improve quality of life for generations to come.”

Fritch said the reforestation plans are currently being redrafted to account for a lower than expected award. They are unsure when the planting will begin, but they said those interested should keep an eye out for further updates from the city’s Communications Director Michele Owen.

Contact Colin Brown with comments at colin. brown@bsu.edu.

I developed a very intimate relationship with our trees, but also with the hurdles that exist in trying to get them in the ground.”

- DELANEY FRITCH, HOME program coordinator

05

10.12.23

DNNews

Ball State University unveils new student ambassador program.

Meghan Braddy Reporter Hoping to reshape the future of local workforce attraction and retention for Indiana counties, Ball State has launched a new student ambassador program to help students gain valuable insights to explore career opportunities within their local communities after graduation.

Through this program, Ball State students become ambassadors for their communities, fostering a strong bond between the university and Indiana’s 92 counties.

Jeff Eads, Ball State’s director of industry engagement, said the program was created from conversations with state leaders and industry partners about the growing number of counties and regions with employers wanting students to return to their areas.

Since each county in Indiana has a student at Ball State, Eads said the entry point for the program was to have each county commission a student as their ambassador. In this way, the ambassadors can become storytellers for their peers in Muncie by pitching to them everything happening in their communities back at home.

Eads said these are communities many students are likely unfamiliar with and can, therefore, learn more about when considering their futures after graduation.

“78 percent of Ball State’s class of 2022 chose their first career path in Indiana, so we know they’re here; it’s more of a matter of where in the state they go,” Eads said, quoting data from the First Destination survey compiled by Ball State’s Career Center. “That’s why we are in regular conversation with employers and communities who are saying, ‘Hey, we wanna attract more young people, more college graduates back to our area.’”

looking for work in Indiana, sharing with his peers the benefits of living in Delaware County.

Trenton Bush, the marketing director for MVB, said Hill was selected for various reasons.

“He’s on the dean’s list, he’s an athlete on the cheer team [and] he also has a local job at Menards, which speaks to his time management and responsibility juggling multiple things simultaneously,” Bush said. “Plus, he has a great personality. He’s the kind of guy who can talk to strangers and start conversations with them.”

Hill first wants to start by closing the gap between county schools and Ball State, hoping more Ball State education graduates will try to find work at all Delaware county schools rather than just Muncie Central, which Ball State has ties to.

“Muncie Central gets a lot more attention from Ball State than the [other] county schools,” Hill said. “As an ambassador, I would like to see the county schools getting more involved, especially since Ball State is such a big institution and there’s always so much going on.”

The ambassadors are also welcome to attend events to help pitch their hometown, Eads said, such as breakfasts and meetings with public officials. The most significant is “Ball State’s Day at the Statehouse” on Jan. 30. At this event, the ambassadors are invited to connect with legislatures from each area to discuss important issues.

“I’m excited to visit the statehouse,” Hill said.

“I think it will be interesting to see all the different types of people I’ll be able to talk to about what’s going on in Delaware County, but it also gives me a chance to learn more about stuff that’s going on in other counties, as well.”

The newly-launched ambassador program creates a new way for Ball State to partner with the state of Indiana. Through their efforts in the program, ambassadors are directly working with county and government officials to keep students in the state.

As an ambassador, I would like to see the county schools getting more involved, especially since Ball State is such a big institution and there’s always so much going on.”

- TITUS HILL, Second-year nursing major

The selection criteria for each ambassador is up to the counties themselves. Eads said the counties generally look for someone proud of where they come from and willing to research and share what’s happening at home “We want the ambassadors to spend time posting on social media when they’re back home, whether it be about their favorite coffee shop or a concert that’s going on,” Eads said. “By doing this, they can become champions of their communities.”

The Muncie and Delaware County Visitors Bureau (MVB) recently selected second-year nursing major Titus Hill to take on this role. Hill is expected to make his hometown appeal to graduates

“We prepare our cardinals to ‘fly’ anywhere, but we want to ensure they know there are places for them to land in Indiana,” Eads said. “We don’t want them to transition without knowing there are great opportunities here.”

Although there are already ten ambassadors selected, Ball State is still looking to fill the rest of the positions for every county in Indiana. If a student hasn’t been chosen to represent their county and wants to become a county ambassador, they can express interest via email at engage@bsu.edu.

Contact Meghan Braddy with comments via email at meghan.braddy@bsu.edu or on X @meghan_braddy.

Second-year nursing major Titus Hill (left) and fourth-year communications major Charlie Cronin (right) flip third-year elementary education major Aliya Statler (center) in the air during a routine at the home football game Sept. 16 at Scheumann Stadium. TITUS HILL, PHOTO PROVIDED

DNNews

10.12.23

06

Vintage collection features clothes the store has been collecting throughout the summer.

Jose Padilla Reporter With the fall season approaching, Well Made Vintage has been preparing to release its new batch of outerwear for the first time as a brick-andmortar store.

“Pop-ups that we have done in the fall and winter [are] when we are able to sell our crewnecks, bigger coats [and] outerwear that will keep people warm,” Blake Edwards, one of the co-owners of the store, said.

The store, located at 1614 W University Avenue, is co-owned by Edwards and Seth Pope and has been curating its vintage outerwear collection.

They said they curated most in months when business was slow.

“This summer has always been a really good time for us because there’s less people around.”

Edwards said. “So, one, there are less [resellers], and two, there’s different sales hitting in different areas besides outerwear.”

They have curated a collection that consists of outerwear, such as jackets and hoodies, they said are rare to come by and considered “vintage” in its truest form.

“A lot of Starter jackets and Carhartt jackets and stuff like that,” Pope said. “These are the things that we have seen people come after in the last couple of winters we’ve sold.”

Most of these items will eventually be stocked in the store through eventual releases, mainly throughout the month of October.

“It will be in phases.” Edwards said. “So everything won’t be an instant drop, it will just

Vintage clothes hang from racks Sept. 30 at Primeval Brewing in Noblesville. The clothing was provided from Vintage Society Indiana. JOSE PADILLA DN

Community, the people, everybody is just having a different vibe, and [I] like how everyone intermingles with their different thoughts and views.”

- ZANE O’NEILL, Third-year at Purdue University from Anderson, Indiana be showing items slowly on the floors. We kinda changed a few things here and there with the layout, but I say all of our coats will definitely be out by mid-October.”

One method Well Made Vintage has used to showcase its stock is through pop-up events.

As such, this was the case for their presence at the Second Ward Vintage Market vintage clothing pop-up event at the Primeval Brewing in Noblesville.

The event, held on Sept. 30 from Noon-6 p.m. featured collections of vintage clothing curated by nine vintage clothing resellers.

The resellers present at the event, besides Well Made Vintage, were HTV Styling Co., Threadsvintage, Vintage Society Indiana, D.B. Retro, fitsngrits, Clothing by Mikki, Vintage Kat and Mom, and Gloomtown Vintage.

For many people, such as college students, this was an opportunity to take off from the stress of academia. This was the case for Zane O’Neill, a third-year college student at Purdue University and Anderson, Indiana, native, who was visiting the pop-up to take time off from school and to interact with the community built by vintage resellers and their customers. “[The] community, the people, everybody is just having a different vibe, and [I] like how everyone intermingles with their different thoughts and views,” O’Neill said.

As for the vintage resellers, they have different goals in mind, especially when it comes to the process of hosting a pop-up shop. This could be due to the various methods of selling vintage clothing, whether it is selling exclusively online or functioning as a physical store.

For Edwards and Pope, it proved to be quite a challenge for them to set up a pop-up, more so than they expected.

Hats hang on the walls of Well Made Vintage, a newly opened thrift shop in the Village March 21. The shop was opened up by two Ball State alumni, Blake Edwards and Seth Pope. JACY BRADLEY, DN FILE “It’s really a system,” Pope said. “If I didn’t do this a lot in the past, it would probably take me an hour. So, that ends up being a nine-hour day between a six-to-seven hour event and breaking down or setting up.”

Choosing what kind of clothing to take for the event, according to Pope, is the most challenging task in the set-up process.

“We curate everything we take towards a specific event,” Pope said. “We’ll pick a certain 500 pieces or so off the floor. Just [ones we] think will sell better.”

More often than not, Pope said, determining what items are going to sell best all come to the intuition of the reseller.

“We have to go through our whole inventory and say ‘Is this going to sell here or not?’” Pope said.

“That’s a lot of work in itself. It took me an hour and a half to pick all this stuff out.”

On the other hand, most shoppers look around at whatever items impress them the most, something O’Neill had intentions of as soon as he came to the event.

For most resellers, including Pope, the wants and needs of shoppers are at the forefront of their approach, which is having the most interesting clothing piece that draws customers into their stores or pop-ups.

“Just knowing we were gonna come and have our stuff on the floor that was different,” Pope said. “[It was] a lot of work.”

Ball State alumni Seth Pope (left) and Blake Edwards (right) speak about their thrift shop Well Made Vintage March 21 in 4See THREADS, 18 the Village. JACY BRADLEY, DN FILE

DNSports

10.12.23

07

Cross Country

Ball State heads to the Bradley Pink Classic The Cardinals are heading to Peoria, Illinois, to compete in their final meet before the MidAmerican Conference cross country Championship. The Cardinals are coming off an eighth place performance at the Loyola Lakefront Invitational where sophomore Carly Spletzer led the team, running a personal best of 21:41.4. The Bradley Pink Classic will be Oct. 13.

Though Ball State student athletes are most visible on gameday, they can also be found serving the local community. 08 JESSICA BERGFORS, DN ILLUSTRATION

Football

Cardinals take on Toledo Ball State will face Toledo at home in its first MAC game in Muncie Oct. 14, as a part of two straight home games. The Cardinals are 1-5 on the season and 0-2 in the MAC after falling to Eastern Michigan 24-10 last weekend. The Rockets are 5-1 and 2-0 in the MAC. The game is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.

Field Hockey

Ball State faces Bellarmine The Cardinals will take on inconference foe Bellarmine University Oct. 13 at 1 p.m. at the Briner Sports Complex. Ball State is coming off three straight losses, with two being by one point. The Cardinals are 5-7 overall and 2-2 in the MAC. Bellarmine is also 5-7 overall and 2-2 in the MAC. Ball State football puts food into bags Aug. 3 at Second Helpings in Indianapolis. BALL STATE ATHLETICS, PHOTO PROVIDED

ON BALLSTATEDAILYNEWS.COM: MEN’S GOLF PLACES 10TH AND WOMEN’S TAKE 8TH ON THE ROAD.

DNSports

10.12.23

08

Ball State student athletes have devoted time to the Muncie community, seeking valuable perspectives and connections with locals.

Adam Altobella Reporter When Lucas Borrow arrived at Ball State in 2020, he found himself immersed in a community that hardly resembled his distant home. Borrow hails from Newcastle, New South Wales — a sun-soaked beach oasis located along Australia’s southeastern coast that is a 9,200-mile trek from Muncie. Making the journey to east central Indiana included a complex cultural adjustment, which he now looks back on fondly.

“It’s definitely been a process,” Borrow said.

“There were definitely some things at the very beginning that I kind of got confused on. Some of the slang over here is a little bit difficult to back home, and vice versa. So, some things that I’ve said over here, people have just looked at me weird.”

Despite some initial barriers, the now senior punter’s transition to life in a faraway continent was seamless, thanks to help from local figures — both on the football team and in the community. To repay the favor, the Australian has chosen to devote his time to bettering the Muncie community.

“They’ve kind of taken me in, so I feel like I need to give back as much as I can,” Borrow said.

Borrow is just one of many Ball State student athletes who have tirelessly served in the local area as difference makers in the community.

Many Cardinals athletic programs have already completed service projects early in the 2023-2024 school year, extending a long legacy of studentathlete volunteer contributions.

“Whatever we can do to put a smile on their face.”

During the Cardinals’ annual fall training camp this August, Ball State football completed a day of service across Delaware County and nearby communities. The team, split into several groups, was dispersed throughout a half-dozen local nonprofits, with each unit assigned to a specific service task.

Some groups sorted and bagged food at Second Helpings, an Indianapolis-based pantry, while others assisted in Habitat for Humanity’s efforts.

Qian Magwood, a redshirt sophomore wide

receiver, expressed his passion for service, even amidst the trials of preseason training.

“We got fall camp, it’s hot, we’re sweating, [and] we’re trying to get ready for the season,” Magwood said. “But just taking that small hour, hour and a half to just dedicate to someone else’s life — it’s just everything for me.”

Borrow participated in this year’s service project alongside his teammates, a program tradition that has yielded his deepest ties to the community. In 2021, his second year in Muncie, the special teams standout was assigned to volunteer at Hillcroft (a local nonprofit that provides services to those with disabilities).

Immediately, Borrow connected with the Hillcroft community and sensed that his work with the organization would grow beyond that day.

“It was just really interesting to be able to make a relationship with them and see how their life is different to ours,” Borrow said. “But at the same time, [we were] just trying to make an impact and do whatever we can do to put a smile on their face.”

Since that fateful day two seasons ago, Borrow has partnered with redshirt freshman kicker Carson

I didn’t grow up with a ‘rags to riches’ story, but I definitely didn’t have to. That’s big for me just knowing I was once in those shoes, and [I’m] blessed to have this opportunity to give back. It’s just a humbling feeling.”

- QIAN MAGWOOD, Redshirt sophomore wide receiver

Holmer to develop a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal to benefit Hillcroft. The initiative, known as “Kick for Hillcroft,” is a performancebased fundraiser that directs $3 for every made kick and $10 for every punt downed inside the 20yard line to the organization’s efforts.

The duo’s goal is to raise $5,000 this season, and donations can be made via the program’s GoFundMe page.

Though Borrow’s service motivation stems from connections he made while at Ball State, Magwood attributes his desires to his upbringing. Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, he said his family benefited from government subsidies during his childhood, which now provides valuable perspective today.

“I didn’t grow up with a ‘rags to riches’ story, but I definitely didn’t have it all,” Magwood said.

“That’s big for me just knowing I was once in those shoes, and [I’m] blessed to have this opportunity to give back. It’s just a humbling feeling.”

Both Borrow and Magwood expressed their intent to further their volunteer work once they leave Ball State, which they credit to the culture head coach Mike Neu instilled in the program.

“It’s just building good habits because my end goal is to get to the NFL,” Magwood said. “I’ll be better in a better situation financially to where I can maybe help out the same [people] or same organizations that I’m building relationships with right now.”

“This is not just ours.”

Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Qian Magwood (left), redshirt sophomore defensive back DD Snyder (middle) and freshman offensive lineman Arkel Anugwom (right) pose for a photo while volunteering Aug. 3 at Second Helpings in Indianapolis. BALL STATE ATHLETICS, PHOTO PROVIDED

Tucked away in Alexandria — a quaint town located just a few miles west of the Madison County–Delaware County border — is a transitional home for women, known as Beauty for Ashes. The home, which is operated by Muncie Mission Ministries, welcomes women battling homelessness in the local area and provides a safe, accessible path to overcoming their life obstacles.

09

Senior punter Lucas Borrow (left) and redshirt freshman quarterback Aiden Leffler (right) pose for a photo while volunteering Aug. 3 at Second Helpings in Indianapolis. BALL STATE ATHLETICS, PHOTO PROVIDED Members of the Ball State track and field and cross country programs volunteered at the facility Sept. 8 with Cardinal runners, throwers and jumpers completing a number of duties around the home, like scrubbing baseboards and countertops and sorting donated clothes.

For many of the student-athletes, this was their first experience in a transitional facility. Exposure to rich perspectives found within the walls of Beauty for Ashes fostered growth among the athletes who volunteered that day.

Sophomore Carly Spletzer, a distance runner competing in track and field and cross country, described her team’s service project as an eyeopening outing.

“They don’t have all the things that we have here,” Spletzer said. “It just puts things in

perspective and makes you more grateful for the things that you do have.”

Junior Jessica Velez, a distance specialist who competes in both sports, echoed her teammate’s views. The Indianapolis native expressed that she felt “very blessed to be there” and described how her work at Beauty for Ashes has translated to a novel understanding of how the less fortunate truly live.

“I think it’s really easy for us to think that people don’t want help, or they’re not seeking a better life,” Velez said. “I think being able to be in that environment and [to] see that there are women that are really focused on giving themselves a better life and building one for themselves was a very different perspective.”

Neither Spletzer nor Velez calls Muncie home,

Sometimes people say it’s a college town or that Muncie is just consumed by Ball State, but there are people that live here, and they built their lives here. It is our job as college students at Ball State to remember that this is not just ours.”

- JESSICA VELEZ, Junior distance runner

10.12.23

DNSports

Ball State Track and Field pose for a photo while volunteering Sept. 8 at Beauty for Ashes. KRISTI THORNBERG, PHOTO PROVIDED though each of them expressed their sincere investment to impact their collegiate residence.

The two runners viewed community service as an honor, and they highlighted the program’s service-centered culture as a key contributor to their attitudes.

“I think [our coaches] didn’t want us to just be a team that’s only centered around Ball State,” Velez said. “They want us to actually be out in the community giving back to people, and I think that’s really admirable and says a lot about their character.”

“We’re all very grateful to be here and to have this opportunity, so coach [Adrian Wheatley] really just instilled in us that we always need to give back,” Spletzer said.

Beyond her coaches’ encouragement, Velez cited internal motivations to better the quality of life and place in Muncie. She views service as a means to gain community support at her team’s events and a route to improve a living, vibrant city.

“Sometimes people say it’s a college town or Muncie is just consumed by Ball State, but there are people that live here, and they built their lives here,” Velez said. “And it is our job as college students at Ball State to remember that this is not just ours.

“It also belongs to everyone else that lives here.

I think it is very important to see that everything isn’t about just us.”

Contact Adam Altobella with comments on X @ AltobellaAdam or via email at aaltobella@bsu.edu.

Junior distance runner Jessica Velez (left), junior distance runner Shelby Christman (center left), freshman Kendyl Thrasher (center right) and assistant coach Angelina Ramos (right) pose for a photo Sept. 8 at Beauty for Ashes.

KRISTI THORNBERG, PHOTO PROVIDED

“It was all started by a mouse A look back at moments from a century of Disney magic.

Dec. 15, 1966

All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”

films have been produced by Disney

Walt Disney dies.

- WALT DISNEY, Founder of Walt Disney Studios

Oct. 1, 1971

July 17, 1955

$

A ticke

Walt Disney World opens in Orl

Disneyland opens in Anaheim, Calif.

Nov. 13, 197 Disney Parks around the world

Oct. 16, 1923 Walt Disney founded “The Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio” later named “Walt Disney Studios” in January 1926.

Mickey Mouse becom animated character to on the Hollywood Wa

Feb. 15, 1950

“Cinderella” is released.

Nov. 18, 1928

The first Mickey Mouse cartoon, “Steamboat Willie” is released, which includes the first Minnie Mouse appearance.

Dec. 21, 1937

“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” is the first feature-length animated film to be released by Disney.

e”

Nov. 22, 1995

“Toy Story” is released as the first animated feature film to be completed on computers

$3.50

et to Disney World cost

Nov. 13, 1997

Nov. 17, 1989

“The Lion King” stage production opens on Broadway

“The Little Mermaid” is released

July 30, 1998

on opening day in 1971

The “Disney Magic” cruise ship starts its inaugural cruise.

lando Fla.

April 18, 1983 Disney Channel starts broadcasting.

March 28, 1987

The first Disney Store opens at the Glendale Galleria mall in Calif.

Dec. 5, 2001

78

mes the first o have a star alk of Fame.

100th Anniversary of Walt Disney’s birth

Jan. 20, 2006

“High School Musical” airs on Disney Channel and breaks records with the soundtrack going platinum.

Oct. 12, 2005

Disney is first to license TV episodes to download on iTunes.

Dec. 31, 2009

Disney acquires Marvel Entertainment.

Jan. 22, 2018

Minnie Mouse receives her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

March 10, 2009

D23: The Official Disney Fan Club launches.

stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame belong to Disney characters

Dec. 21, 2012

Disney acquires Lucasfilm.

Oct. 16, 2023 Disney celebrates their 100th Anniversary.

Source: Disney, D23 AMBER PIETZ, DN DESIGN

DNSports

10.12.23

12 AMBER PIETZ, DN FILE OLIVIA GROUND, PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

2023

HOMECOMING Monday, Oct. 16

Calendar of Events

Food Truck Festival

Brown Family Amphitheater; 6-8 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 18

Saturday, Oct. 21

Blood Drive

Pruis Hall; 10 a.m.-3p.m.

Chase Charlie 5k Run/Walk

Benny’s Yard Games

Homecoming Parade

University Green; 11 a.m.-3p.m.

Campus Dinner

North Dining Hall; 5:30 p.m.

The 2022 Homecoming Food Truck festival took place in the Village Oct. 17, 2022.

OLIVIA GROUND, DN FILE

Tuesday, Oct. 17 Student Scholarship Talent Search Pruis Hall; 7:30 p.m

Thursday, Oct. 19 Air Jam & Royalty Coronation

City Hall; 8:45 a.m.

Starting at Muncie Central High School through the Village and campus; 9 a.m.

Celebration of Beneficence

Brown Family Amphitheater; 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

CharlieTown Tailgate

Alumni Center; 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Emens Auditorium; 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 20 Bed Race

Riverside Avenue; Noon

Ball State vs.

Central Michigan Scheumann Stadium; 3:30 p.m.

Annika Erickson performs before intermission at the Talent Search at Pruis Hall Oct. The Dance Marathon team prepares to race at the 2022 Bed Races, Oct. 21, 2022.

19, 2021. Erickson chose to perform “My Man” in the solo category.

GRAYSON JOSLIN, DN FILE JOHN LYNCH, DN FILE

Redshirt sophomore running back Charlie Spegal runs the ball against Indiana State Sept. 16 at Scheumann Stadium. Spegal had one touchdown in the game.

MYA CATALINE, DN PHOTO; OLIVIA GROUND, DN PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

DNLife

10.12.23

13

Campus

Free partial solar eclipse block party An annual solar eclipse will occur Oct. 14, estimated to start at 11:41 a.m and will be viewable (weather permitting) in Muncie. Due to this eclipse, the block party will be held at 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. outside in the Quad. The partial eclipse is expected to end at 2:28 p.m. and the maximum eclipse is at 1:03 p.m.

Community

Landess Farm to celebrate fall break The farm, located in Daleville, Indiana, is roughly a 20-minute drive from Muncie. Admission is $9.50 per person and each guest recieves a small pumpkin, a hayride and unlimited passes through the cornmaze. Tickets can be bought on their website. The farm has themed Sundays, with Oct. 15 to celebrate fall break and Oct. 22 being “Random Fandom Day,” open from Noon to 6 p.m.

Community

Harvest Haute Couture Ball State fashion students style mannequins to present to their peers. 14 Fourth-year fashion industry major Mikal Melton poses next to a prop mannequin Sept. 28 in the Applied Technology Building. Students use similar ones to decorate their window display for the important Fashion 245 fall semester project. ELLIE MARKER, DN

Graverobbing history discussion event in Minnetrista

The Oct. 18 event will have local professor and author Chris Flock tell the story of “King of Ghouls” and his latest book. Attendees of the event can enjoy tapas and complimentary drinks in the Minnetrista Musuem.

Tickets for the 21+ event are $20 and can be bought on the Minnetrista website and member discounts apply. The event will be from 6:30-8 p.m.

ON BALLSTATEDAILYNEWS.COM: DOMA INTRODUCES TWO UNIQUE SHOWS TO THEIR GALLERIES.

DNLife

10.12.23

14

Ball State fashion students get hands-on experience in Fashion 245 BRENDEN ROWAN, DN ILLUSTRATION

Mayah McCarty Reporter Autumn leaves, flannel, knitted sweaters and flared jeans litter the hallways of the Applied Technology Building at Ball State University as students decorate mannequins in glass displays.

Diana Saiki’s students have been putting together displays for their Fashion 245, visual merchandising, class. These displays are spread across the building’s hallways.

Saiki has been teaching this class for a long time, and the class itself was around long before her too.

She explained the benefits of this project for her students and what they are learning.

“They use the SCAMPER model in this [exhibit], as well as the Bell model of creativity. So it’s focused on ideation generation,” Saiki said.

According to the Interaction Design Foundation, “SCAMPER refers to a series of thought sparkers or provocations which help you to innovate on an existing product, service or situation by looking through different lenses. There are seven provocation lenses in the SCAMPER method.”

The seven lenses are Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify (also Magnify and Minify), Put to another Use, Eliminate and Rearrange.

Saiki said the students will build on concepts throughout the semester, helping them gain multiple types of experience.

“They get experience dealing with limitations,”

I feel like fashion is an ongoing thing. There’s always demand for someone in the fashion industry, and it’s always changing, and I also think it’s really cool to be able to create those new looks and ones through the ages.”

- MIKAL MELTON, Fourth-year fashion industries major Saiki said. “You have this idea, but can you really execute it with the mannequins or the clothing that you actually had? It is really a hands-on experience.

“It’s a lot of fun to watch them play around with what’s available and then select which window they want to do. It’s always fun to see what they come up with.”

Saiki said the students’ displays become more complex and very well-done projects by the end of the semester.

The theme students were given for the most recent displays was Autumn; One student group

decided to go for a vintage fall vibe.

“We really emphasized more earth[y] tones for the vintage theme,” fourth-year fashion industries major Mikal Melton said.

He said the sweaters used in the display were oldtimey sweaters.

“We all had [the clothes] in our closets, to be honest,” Melton said. “We tried to not buy things as much as possible … but we all were just really into the older look. I think it’s very fitting for fall.”

Melton said he liked that the project gave the students actual experience in implementation. He thinks it will help them in the real world where they will be making window displays for businesses.

This is the students’ first display, but Melton said the only struggle came with getting mannequins to fit where they wanted them in the tight window display.

“I feel like fashion is an ongoing thing,” Melton said. “There’s always demand for someone in the fashion industry, and it’s always changing. It’s really cool to be able to create those new looks and ones through the ages.”

Fourth-year fashion industry studies major Javona Freeman said her group drew inspiration from traditional fall colors. She said her group planned to add more decorations to their display to enhance the autumn aesthetic.

“Fashion is all about collaborative work,” Freeman said.

She said combining all of the group’s ideas was the only struggle in this project.

Fashion 245 is set to start its next display soon, a Halloween-themed project.

Those interested will be able to view the displays in the Applied Technology Building.

Contact Mayah McCarty with comments at mayah.mccarty@bsu.edu

Autumn themed items are worn to embrace the fall season aesthetic in the display case photographed Sept. 28 in the Applied Technology Building. Leaves were placed in the background to add more depth and certify the artists’ message. ELLIE MARKER, DN

“Fashion is all about collaborative work.”

JAVONA FREEMAN, Fourth-year fashion industries major Fourth-year fashion industry major Mikal Melton dresses a mannequin Sept. 28 in the Applied Technology Building. Certain art major students can get access to a supply room full of additional props for their displays. ELLIE MARKER, DN

Fashion 245, visual merchandising, students’ designs in a case Sept. 28 in the Applied Technology Building. Fashion 245 is a class requirement for the fashion major. ELLIE MARKER, DN

‘The Big Idea’ 15 10.12.23

DNLife

The 11th annual Soup Crawl was held in downtown Muncie to fundraise for generational poverty.

Ellie Marker Reporter Shawna Waters is in her second year with Second Harvest Food Bank. She applied after hearing about an inspiring program called “The Big Idea Initiative,” and she now leads the effort that spans 44 schools across eight counties.

The full-time staff at Second Harvest is small, with about 35 employees, so volunteers are always welcome and a huge part of how the organization operates, Waters said.

“If it wasn’t for volunteers coming in, whether it’s sorting food, helping out with our distributions or assisting within our school programs, there is no way we could do it,” Waters said.

Schools in Delaware County are part of the food bank’s Big Idea Initiative and Monday, Oct. 5, local restaurant workers, residents and volunteers participated in the 11th annual Soup Crawl in downtown Muncie to help raise funds to fight generational poverty. According to a study done by the U.S. Census in 2022, 30.4 percent of the Muncie population is living in poverty.

VeraMae’s Bistros’ Melissa Kaderly and Second Harvest staff member Devin Douthitt serve Curried Pork Belly and Cabbage Oct. 5 outside of VeraMae Bistros. The business has been around since 1999 with lunch delivery and catering as the focus, but became a restaurant in 2002. ELLIE MARKER, DN

If it wasn’t for volunteers coming in, whether it’s sorting food, helping out with our distributions or assisting within our school programs, there is no way we could do it,” - SHAWNA WATERS, Second Harvest Food Bank volunteer

The Soup Crawl — sponsored by PrimeTrust Federal Credit Union — showcased 20-plus large and local restaurants, each displaying a different recipe offered to those who bought a ticket to the sold-out event. Due to rainy weather, the event took place inside the Patterson Block building.

Outside there were a few pop-up stands. Each restaurant had an employee accompanied by one of the staff members at Second Harvest.

The event drew attention to a neighboring building where a new restaurant, Sunny Side Up, just opened a few days prior. Those in attendance could find a spicy Albondigas soup; a Mexican meatball soup containing carrots, corn, potatoes and tomatoes with a kick to it.

Outback Steakhouse has been participating in the Soup Crawl for the past five years. This year, the company provided cups of chili. Due to the company’s participation in the Soup Crawl, employee Joey Harper said more business is drawn to Outback.

“As a community, I would say it’s a good way for us to connect and get together,” Harper said.

“The people at this table, I wouldn’t have chatted with before.”

Not only does the event serve as a fundraiser for Second Harvest and raise money to help local schools end generational poverty, but the caterers, local restaurants and nonprofits all compete with one another in hopes of earning the People’s Choice Award, a prize given at the end of the evening based on the attendees’ vote of their favorite soup.

The first-place winner of the People’s Choice was the Emily Kimbrough Museum with its tart cherry soup. Second place was Mama and Son’s with its zuppa soup, and third was Westminster Village with its General Tso’s Chicken soup, according to Second Harvest.

Above: Despite the drowsy weather, multiple families still show up to participate in the 11th annual Muncie Soup Crawl event Oct. 5 in Downtown Muncie. The three hour event had a great turnout with every ticket sold. ELLIE MARKER, DN Below: People dress for the rain as they walk around the block to visit the restaurants who have booths set up out front Oct. 5 in Downtown Muncie. Up to 11 restaurants were said to still participate outside. ELLIE MARKER, DN The first stand on the second floor of the Patterson Block building was run by Allie Owens, a server at The Clubhouse, which shared its southwest corn chowder. This event was the first for Owens, and the second for The Clubhouse. Owens said a manager named Tyler was the reason the restaurant showed up to the event. “[Tyler] just wanted to be able to donate and compete in a competition — we’re all competitive — but mostly just donate for people to be able to come out, have fun and eat soup. So to the community, I think it’s just bringing everyone together in a room or two to meet new companies,

try new food [and] try new soups,” Owens said.

“And for us, it’s just [about] getting our name out there. We’ve got our menu out here to hopefully drive people to come eat at The Clubhouse.”

Organizers exceeded their fundraising goals for the Soup Crawl by raising $8,500 which will be put to work helping more than 18,000 children across east central Indiana. People interested in volunteering with Second Harvest Food Bank can get more information at curehunger.org Contact Ellie Marker with comments via email at eliana.marker@bsu.edu.

10.12.23

O T GOO N T U B , D D EN O O

GH OU

G

DNOpinion 16

MEGHAN HOLT, DN ILLUSTRATION

ON BALLSTATEDAILYNEWS.COM: MEAL PREPPING HAS GIVEN ME TIME I NEED IN MY SCHEDULE.

17

I’ve struggled with body image issues for a decade and have finally begun to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Kyle Smedley

Print Managing Editor and Co-Sports Editor, “Meaningful Conversation” Kyle Smedley is a third-year journalism major and writes “Meaningful Conversation” for the Daily News. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper.

In preparation for this story, I went to 5-Star Nutrition for the first time to get an InBody analysis — a chart that outlines body weight, muscle mass, body fat percentage and more.

I am 6’0”, weigh 184.8 pounds — 93 pounds of which are from muscle — and have a body fat percentage of 12.1. All of these are considered better than average for my height, age and gender.

I felt really good about myself as I walked out of the store, and I texted my friends who are also passionate about being active to tell them the news. Then I sat down in the driver’s seat of my gray 2015 Nissan Altima.

I felt the belly fat we all have — no matter how fit — fold over. That’s when the voice in the back of my head spoke up.

“You’re still not good enough.”

Suddenly, I wasn’t feeling the way I had less than 30 seconds ago. While for some, this mentality can be a helpful reminder that they can achieve greater heights, for me, it’s been a decadelong struggle.

From about third until sixth grade, I was taller than almost everyone my age. I also weighed more, and not just because I was taller — I still had a lot of baby fat.

Once I hit puberty around sixth or seventh grade, I got even taller and most of the aforementioned baby fat went away. I was probably 5’10” and a skinny 140 pounds.

That’s when I started consciously thinking about my weight and appearance. I was never satisfied. Looking back at photos, I was as thin as a rail, but at the time I thought I was “fat” because I didn’t have a six-pack like most of my friends.

I don’t have a six-pack now, I never have and I probably never will. I’m just not built that way.

But my brain tells me that’s unacceptable.

My brain tells me I’m not good enough or no one will find me attractive because of my basic anatomy.

Despite struggling with these thoughts throughout most of middle school, all of high school and the first year of college, it never affected my eating habits until the end of the first semester of my sophomore year at Ball State.

I was going through a breakup at the time, so I

was already feeling bad about myself. Naturally, the first thing I went to was how I looked.

I decided I was going to make a conscious effort to try and change my appearance. So, I grew out an Amish-style beard and began going to the gym more consistently.

I have been active my entire life but was never really intentional about immersing myself in consistent weight training and cardio until the months following my breakup.

I weighed about 195 pounds when I first started.

I had no idea what my body fat percentage was, but I felt like it was too much.

At least, that’s what the negative part of my brain was telling me, and that was the part of my brain I was listening to more often than not.

I would lift weights for about seven and a half hours, do an hour of ab exercises and run about 18 miles per week.

That became my weekly ritual.

Shedding my body fat and building lean muscle meant I thought I needed to consume around 1500 calories per day. But I was burning close to 600 of those calories during the 100-plus minutes of exercise I was doing every day.

However, I wasn’t accounting for the calories I would burn throughout the day. My InBody analysis showed my resting metabolism burns approximately 1962 calories per day without exercise factored in.

In other words, I wasn’t eating nearly enough.

I had a steady diet of oatmeal and a banana for breakfast, a protein shake after my workout, three eggs and an apple for lunch and two chicken breasts with green beans or peas for dinner.

I was practically starving myself. The same thing six days a week every single week for six months.

I was miserable.

As for my physical appearance, I was back to that skinny frame I sported in middle school. But weighing less and looking skinnier came with a price: I had no energy and hardly any emotion.

The best day of my week was supposed to be Sunday when I let myself eat whatever I wanted.

According to a study published in the National

Library of Medicine, cheat days are not as “healing” as people think they are.

Every week I looked forward to Sunday so I could enjoy the simple pleasure of eating “real food” and fulfilling the desires of my taste buds.

Yet at the end of every Sunday, I felt bad about myself because I was consuming “too many calories.”

If I wanted to visit my family or friends Monday-Saturday, I either ate beforehand or brought my own food. Even at special events like a family birthday party or a night out, I didn’t fully enjoy the experience because I felt like I couldn’t consume anything that wasn’t a part of my diet.

My loved ones tried to be supportive because they knew how much I enjoyed going to the gym. They kept up that façade until one day, my mom couldn’t stand by and see me unhappy and lethargic anymore.

I don’t have many free nights, but on one of them, I went to one of my nephew’s track meets at Delta High School. I wanted to support him in his passion, but I was in a horrible headspace due to my diet and it was weighing me down.

“I don’t think I can eat eggs anymore, Mom,” I said, leaning over the fence to watch my nephew attempt a long jump. “Today I felt like I was going to be sick trying to get them down.”

“You used to love eggs,” she replied.

I planned on joining my parents for dinner that night, but since it was a weekday, I brought my own food. I’m sure it upset my mom I wouldn’t eat the food she so graciously made.

While she was cooking for her and my stepdad, I put my chicken breast in the oven and sulked on the couch waiting for it to cook.

Eventually, the two of them came into the living room, sat down in front of me and told me

Signs of muscle dysmorphia: Kyle’s checklist.

• • • • • • •

A preoccupation with the idea that one’s body is not lean and muscular enough, causing distress and anxiety.

Continuing to work out despite suffering injuries or illness.

Experiencing withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, when you are unable to exercise.

Exercising secretly so others won’t realize the extent of your muscle obsession.

Excessive attention to diet.

Frequently missing important social, work, school, or recreational activities that interfere with a workout schedule or dietary plan, to the detriment of relationships and responsibilities.

Avoiding or becoming anxious about situations where their body might be exposed to view by others

Source: Newport Institute

10.12.23

DNOpinion

what I needed to hear.

They told me I seemed weaker and as unhappy as ever. Even more unhappy three years after I called my mom in the middle of the night, asking her to set me up on anxiety/ depression medication and schedule an appointment with a therapist.

They asked me what my goal was, and when I told them, my stepdad told me my diet was not going to help me achieve that. Sure, I would lose body fat eating the way I was, but I wasn’t going to build any muscle by starving myself, no matter how much of it was protein.

Deep down, I knew these things. But nothing was going to change until I heard it from someone else.

In the months that followed, my eating habits changed for the better.

I was still eating the same thing for lunch and breakfast every day, but I allowed myself to snack on things like almonds and oranges, and I changed up what I ate for dinner every night.

I saw more progress in my early recovery than I ever did before by a long shot. However, as time went on, the negative side of my brain started to slowly speak up again.

I started to fall back into my old habits and eat nearly the same thing every night for dinner just as before. In fact, it wasn’t until recently that I recognized it was happening.

I was sitting at my desk in the Unified Media Lab, trying to choke down two plain hamburgers.

All I thought about was that hamburger meat is high in protein and calories, but low in carbs.

I felt nauseous after I finished the first one. And after eating the second, I looked at a co-worker sheepishly and said, “I can’t do this anymore.”

An article from the Newport Institute provided a checklist with potential signs of muscle dysmorphia — also known as obsessive bigorexia — which is a disorder when someone can’t recognize their improved or “buffer” physical appearance, instead feeling as if they are too under or overweight.

Looking at the list, I realized I could check almost every box.

I’ve known for a long time I struggle with body/ muscle dysmorphia. For years, every time I looked in the mirror, I saw a man who didn’t look like a bodybuilder, and I felt ashamed.

Even with those thoughts still clashing around my mind, I am determined to beat them.

Recovering doesn’t mean I’m going to stop going to the gym. Putting my AirPods in, blaring my favorite music and working out is a sacred time for me.

I’m dedicated to educating myself on food and eating healthier, and I’m actually mostly enjoying what I’m eating. In my opinion, there are numerous recipes and healthy foods that are better than fast food ever will be.

4See ENOUGH, 18

DNOpinion

10.12.23

18

ENOUGH Continued from Page 17

I won’t say I’m fully recovered, but I’m working on it.

My loved ones are as supportive now as they’ve ever been. Though the motives behind my workouts were sometimes negative towards my mental health, I’ve always been genuinely happy when I have a dumbbell in hand or I’m climbing the StairMaster.

However, the biggest source of refuge for me when I’m struggling with body image issues is simply talking with a trusted friend or family member. Vocalizing my feelings and listening to what my confidant has to say never fails to be a cathartic feeling.

That’s the real reason for this story. I know I’m not the only male who struggles with these issues.

According to the aftorementioned study by the Newport Institute, a quarter of young adult men

reported disordered eating behaviors related to body dissatisfaction. And yet, I’ve never heard a male speak out about their struggles, at least not directly to me.

I have numerous friends and family members of the opposite gender who have shared their struggles with body image issues/eating disorders with me. It’s heartbreaking. However, the fact that men are hiding their struggles for the sake of hiding vulnerability may be even more so.

According to a 2012 study by Prescott House, “The promotion of an accepted culture, which allows vulnerability in men, may create an environment in which male reporting would improve in frequency and accuracy.”

Though this study has aged, this problem in our society still persists.

I shouldn’t have to feel bad if I eat a tortilla chip or two. I shouldn’t have to feel bad if I consume

one gram of added sugar.

But what’s important is I’m working on it. I’m giving myself grace.

The first step to achieving this mindset is reaching out.

Expressing your struggles is always better than internalizing, and I can attest to that firsthand. I’m thankful I have people in my life who not only listen to my struggles but can empathize and relate to them, too.

That’s what allows me to step forward in dissolving my dysmorphia. That’s what allows me to find peace in a gym rather than make it feel like a chore.

That allows me to be happy no matter what I eat on any given day.

It’s what allows me to be me.

Contact Kyle Smedley with comments at kyle. smedley@bsu.edu or on X @KyleSmedley_.

I don’t have a sixpack now, I never have and I probably never will. I’m just not built that way.

But my brain tells me that’s unacceptable.

THREADS Continued from Page 6

Some resellers have additional ways of approaching shoppers, which incorporates customer service and building a long-term relationship with the shopper. Jermaine Dillard, owner of HTV Styling Co, located at 5434 N Keystone Avenue in Indianapolis, explained his own process he has based on the experience he has gained through owning his shop.

“You’re always going to receive attention when you come with uniqueness,” Dillard said. “But, you have to look past that and go towards what people want. [You have to] interact with them, talk with them, network right with them. There [are] so many bonds that I would not have had if we didn’t have a certain item. [One] that would’ve affected the customers [enough to say] ‘Oh my god. I have gotten a lot of compliments for this shirt.’ That makes people feel good.”

For this reason, resellers must be determined to price their stock carefully, especially items they see as worth more than others.

“To be real, we brought 300 pieces up from the backstock to put on the floor today,” Pope said. “It took us a week to find those.”

The stock of items brings up the question of how resellers can compete in fair market competition when the value of pieces is often up to the perspective of the customer.

Reputation is a make or break element for resellers, and Dillard said relationships with customers are what can be the difference at popup events.

“At times, there will be an element of high school drama, [it can be] a little cliquey,” Dillard said. “Competitors see me as big competition, but it’s not a competition. Take care of the people first, they talk by buying and coming [back] to you.”

Dillard said, at times among his reselling colleagues, there is an element of envy simply for the attention certain items each seller brings to their tent receive.

“It does bring jealousy sometimes,” Dillard said.

“You can’t pay attention to it. I like to talk up to my fellow vendors because everybody has a unique piece … Everybody has something different, and just by being confident in what you’re bringing, you don’t have to worry about competition.”

The sale of vintage clothing, according to the resellers, can present sophisticated steps in order to create events such as the Second Ward Vintage Clothing Pop-Up. The efforts made to create such an event has left some with a sense of community.

O’Neill, for one, said it felt this way as a shopper.

“Everybody is just having a good time,” O’Neill said. “There’s no bad vibes going on.”

Contact Jose Padilla with comments at JPadilla4@bsu.edu.

It will be in phases. So, everything won’t be an instant drop, it will just be showing items slowly on the floors, we kinda changed a few things here and there with the layout, but I say all of our coats will definitely be out by midOctober.”

- BLAKE EDWARDS, co-owner of Well Made Vintage

All types of people from young to elderly were at the event with their families and friend groups Sept. 30 at Primeval Brewing in Noblesville, Indiana. JOSE PADILLA, DN

Scan to see Courtney Barrett, Cardinal Central’s social Director of Training, describe Cardinal Central, their website and mobile app, and the services they offer.

19

Crossword & Sudoku

ACROSS 1 Came out in the wash?

5 Support pieces 10 Execs’ wall displays 14 Houston campus 15 Fiddlers follower, in verse 16 Soft drink opener?

17 Small step 18 Flight maintenance word 19 Worldwide: Abbr.

20 Lists for patrons 22 Toucan’s pride 23 I.M. Pei alma mater 24 Like much love 26 Word with board or mentioned 28 Sudden flight 29 Actress Longoria 30 Came out suddenly 32 Romance novelist Hilderbrand 34 Natural climber 36 SUV part, briefly 37 Architectural marker, or what can be found four times in this puzzle 41 WWII org. with a Pallas Athene symbol 42 __ Paulo 43 Govt. agents 46 Some surfers 50 “It depends” components

52 Give-go link 53 Ain’t like it oughta be?

54 “Please remind me” 57 VII x CCC 58 Ottoman honorific 59 Hall of Famer who was a Yankee manager and a Mets coach 60 Canapé delicacy 62 Astonished 64 Keeps out 65 Yard, for one 66 67-Across sites 67 Rockies state 68 Modern navigation aids 69 Court orders 70 Ward of “FBI”

DOWN 1 Berry bush 2 True to the original 3 Like Paul Samuelson’s field 4 Rollout 5 Criterion: Abbr.

6 Key ending words?

7 Archangel of repentance 8 Falls into ruin 9 Try to locate 10 Defunct AT&T rival 11 Witticism 12 Still at it 13 Like roads in winter, at

times 21 Maritime pronoun 25 Expose 26 Road runner 27 Spiner of “Star Trek: T.N.G.” 31 Postpone 33 Bad sort of situation 35 Annual arrivals: Abbr.

38 Tirade 39 Subtitle of Enya’s Grammywinning “Orinoco Flow” 40 Settle in a new country 44 Always there 45 Boris’ sidekick 46 Old Native American currency beads 47 Luxury fashion name 48 More than busy 49 Seal on a ring 51 Blubber 55 Capital at 12,000 feet 56 Picture puzzle 58 Intentions 61 Summer at the Sorbonne 63 Start to snow?

SOLUTIONS FOR OCTOBER 5

FRESH, FLAVORFUL

Authentic visit us at 509 S. TILLOTSON AVE. or order online! puertovallartamuncieonlineorder.com

10.12.23

DNPuzzles

LL A S S E ACC

ATE’S T S L L OF BA

LACE P E N IN O A I D E NT M E D U T S