BSU 12-03-20

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A homegrown product

Delta senior Brady Hunt will become the newest Ball State quarterback in 2021.

DAILY NEWS

News

Technology resilience Delaware County schools receive grant funding.06

Sports

Mastering his craft K.J. Walton aims for a career in real estate while leading Ball State Men’s Basketball.07

Lifestyles

Packing it up Tips for packing after your month-long winter break.10

Opinion

Raisin Bran: A personal trauma Raisin Bran should be discontinued everywhere.12

12.03.2020

Delta senior quarterback Brady Hunt drops back for a pass during warmups before a game against Greenfield Central Oct. 9, 2020, at Delta High School. Ball State currently has six other quarterbacks Hunt will compete with for the starting quarterback position next year. JACOB MUSSELMAN, DN; ELLIOTT DEROSE, DN; WIKIPEDIA, GRAPHIC COURTESY Evan Weaver Reporter Since 2006, Ball State Football has had 12 players hail from Muncie, with countless others calling Indiana home.

Fast forward 14 years later, and there are three players from Muncie on Ball State’s 2020 roster. The last time the Cardinals didn’t have a player from Muncie was 2015.

Next season, Ball State will welcome another Munciebased product.

On May 1, the Cardinals

received a verbal commitment from Delta High School senior quarterback Brady Hunt via Twitter. He is the first Delta product to join the Cardinals since current Ball State redshirt senior offensive lineman Kaleb Slaven and the first Eagles’ quarterback to become a Cardinal since Ozzie Mann in 2012.

Hunt vividly remembers when Ball State offensive coordinator Kevin Lynch first reached out to him.

“I was shocked,” Hunt said.

“I’ve been on a couple visits, but

ballstatedailynews.com

one day, coach Lynch texted me and said [he] and coach [Mike] Neu would be coming in. They took me into the coaches’ office and just said that they wanted me on the team, and I was kind of speechless. I didn’t really know what to say back, but I definitely left the room with a smile on my face.”

There are currently seven quarterbacks on Ball State’s roster.

While Hunt isn’t guaranteed to immediately see on-field action, he knows a thing or two about competing for a starting job.

Hunt played quarterback

throughout middle school.

However, in his freshman year at Delta, he just wanted to get on the field, and he decided to take on a receiver role.

At the end of his freshman season, though, Hunt knew exactly what he wanted.

“We had our one-on-one meetings with our players,” Delta head coach Chris Overholt said.

“When I was having my one-onone with Brady, he looked me in the eyes and told me he wanted to be the quarterback here and he’ll do whatever it takes.”

See HUNT, 08

@bsudailynews

DNNews

12.03.20

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Did you miss it? Catch up on the news from Nov. 27 - Dec. 1 on ...

BallStateDailyNews.com Men’s basketball moves 2 game dates

Danny Pinter makes 1st career NFL start

date changes for two road games against Mid-American Conference opponents. The Cardinals will face Northern Illinois Dec. 8 — previously scheduled for Dec. 29. They will play Western Michigan Dec. 22 — previously scheduled for Feb. 23.

Ball State took both matchups last season against the Huskies and split their games against the Broncos.

offensive lineman and 2020 Ball State graduate Danny Pinter started his first career NFL game. Pinter played for the Cardinals from 2016-19 before the Colts selected him with the 149th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Indianapolis lost 45-26 to the Tennessee Titans, falling to 7-4 and second place in the AFC South.

Nov. 27: Ball State announced

OMARI SMITH, DN

Moderna asks for emergency vaccine

Economic depression expected for Lebanon

it would apply for emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine in the United States and Europe after trial results suggested the vaccine could be 94.5 percent effective.

Moderna is just behind Pfizer Inc. and its German partner, BioNTech, in seeking emergency use approval from the FDA to begin vaccinations in the U.S. in December 2020.

the August Beirut port explosion, Lebanon’s GDP is expected to fall nearly 20 percent adjusted for inflation, according to the World Bank. If the country adopts a reform-minded strategy, it could speed up its recovery from tripledigit inflation and the worst financial crisis in the country’s modern history, according to the World Bank.

Nov. 30: Moderna announced

CDC, PHOTO COURTESY

VOL. 100 ISSUE: 15 CONTACT THE DN Newsroom: 765-285-8245 Editor: 765-285-8249, editor@bsudailynews.com

The Ball State Daily News (USPS144-360), the Ball State student newspaper, publishes Thursdays during the academic year, except 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.

Nov. 29: Indianapolis Colts’

EDITORIAL BOARD Zach Piatt, Editor-in-chief Taylor Smith, Managing Editor Charles Melton, News Editor Nicole Thomas, Lifestyles Editor Ian Hansen, Sports Editor Jacob Musselman, Photo Editor Sophie Nulph, Opinion Editor Josh Bennett, Video Editor Alyssa Cooper, Social Media Editor John Lynch, Copy Director CREATIVE SERVICES Elliott DeRose, Creative Director Maggie Getzin, Print Design Editor Kamryn Tomlinson, Web Design Editor

Dec. 1: In the aftermath of

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CORRECTION

In the Nov. 19 edition of The Ball State Daily News, it was incorrectly reported that a march in Muncie took place June 24, 2020, when it actually took place June 4, 2020.

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

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DNNews

12.03.20

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National

PANDEM C PANTRY

Minnesota crude oil pipeline approved Minnesota regulators approved the final permit for an oil pipeline construction project Nov. 30. This approval allows Enbridge Energy to begin construction on its Line 3 crude oil pipeline replacement, a $2.6 billion project. The company welcomed the decision, but opponents have vowed to keep fighting against the pipeline.

International

Turkey reports total COVID-19 cases again Turkey’s government resumed reporting all positive coronavirus tests, pushing the number of daily cases to more than 30,000 and making the country one of the worst-hit in Europe. The new data confirms what the Turkish Medical Association, medical groups and opposition parties have long suspected.

International

Post-Brexit trade deal talks continue Cardinal Kitchen continues operations during COVID-19. SEE KITCHEN, 05 KAMRYN TOMLINSON, DN

ON BALLSTATEDAILYNEWS.COM: FIVE NATIONAL STORIES OF THE WEEK

Britain’s foreign minister said Nov. 29 there is only about a week left for the U.K. and the European Union to strike a post-Brexit trade deal. Talks have already passed the mid-November deadline for an agreement to be reached and approved by lawmakers before the end of the year. Failing to strike a deal could hurt businesses facing tariffs starting Jan. 1, 2021.

DNNews

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CLUB COLLABORATION

Business students create commercial real estate club at Ball State.

Mackenzie Rupp Reporter Junior finance major Nick Phalen spent his summer working as an intern for Zeller Real Estate in Chicago. This internship inspired him to start Ball State’s first commercial real estate club with junior business administration major Russell Chain.

“I noticed we didn’t have a program, and I thought, ‘I can’t be the only one that’s interested in this,’” Phalen, president of the club, said. “So, I reached out to Russell, and he was more than happy to come on board.”

Although the club is currently meeting over Zoom, Phalen hopes to hold safe, in-person meetings once a month during the spring 2021 semester.

“We’re going to be very focused on networking,” Phalen said. “We want to have a speaker come out and have it be a Q&A-type format so our members will be able to connect with this person and ask them questions.”

The club is mostly made up of students already involved in different business clubs or organizations. Jacob Kaufman, junior business management major, said club members have sent emails to Miller College of Business students and hope to encourage students from several different majors to join.

Junior business administration major Jenna Habisch said the club had a $300 budget approved by the Office of Student Life and used that budget for advertisements. She said the McKinley Avenue

How much is spent (in millions) on commercial real estate construction projects? $95,420 $91,542

$89,438 $87,841

$87,626

$85,278

$84,364

$78,696

This data represents the total value of commercial real estate construction projects completed each year in the United States since 2014. Values from 2014-18 are exact, and 201923 values are estimated based on the predictions and analysis of construction industry panelists.

$66,977 $62,841

Estimate 2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Forecast 2020

Source: FMI 2020 Nonresidential Construction Index Report MAGGIE GETZIN, DN

2021

2022

2023

Agency developed a social media package to raise awareness about the club online.

Chain, the club’s vice president, wants the club to help members create job opportunities as well as develop professionally.

“What I’ve noticed through my internship last year, I had the opportunity to network and have lunch with a lot of different people who know a lot more than me,” Chain said. “What was really helpful about it was that you get to know them and ask them questions that you’re curious about, which is much better than looking it up on Google.”

Ball State does not have a real estate-specific program or major. Phalen said the closest program is the residential property management major but believes commercial real estate is

MAGGIE GETZIN, DN

broader than that.

“It’s not just property management. It’s also finance and acquisitions. It can be construction management [or] architects,” Phalen said. “It’s more all-encompassing.”

COVID-19 restrictions have made it difficult for the club to meet in person, but Phalen hopes to hold a socially distanced meeting next semester.

“A lot of [our speakers] will probably have to be on a Zoom call anyway because they won’t be in Muncie but Chicago or other different cities,” Phalen said. “We would like to start being in person in the second semester. That would be much easier, but we have to do what’s safe.”

Contact Mackenzie Rupp with questions at msrupp@bsu.edu or @kenzieer18 on Twitter.

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KITCHEN Continued from Page 03 Grace Bentkowski Reporter After visiting Cardinal Kitchen regularly during the 2019-20 school year, Purseh Gbadyu, Ball State junior exercise science major, was inspired to volunteer at the pantry to give back to the Muncie community.

“This year, I was looking for places to volunteer at, so my friend told me about her experience volunteering [at Cardinal Kitchen],” she said. “I remembered thinking, ‘I want to volunteer here too.’”

Serving Ball State students and Muncie community members, Ball State University’s Cardinal Kitchen is continuing operations

With everything going on right now, it has been a little bit harder.

We are trying to supply diverse food options since [food insecurity] is something we are trying to alleviate.”

- LILYANA SALAZAR, Executive director of Cardinal Kitchen

amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The kitchen is offering intake forms for clients and requiring its volunteers to regularly change their gloves.

These modifications to how the kitchen conducts business allow the organization to help those in need when they need it most, Executive Director Lilyana Salazar said. Salazar said Cardinal Kitchen has already served 70 clients this semester.

“With everything going on right now, it has been a little bit harder,” she said. “We are trying to supply diverse food options since [food insecurity] is something we are trying to alleviate.”

Cardinal Kitchen aims to provide everyone in the surrounding community of Muncie access to food and toiletries.

In previous years, clients were able to come to Cardinal Kitchen and hand-pick their items.

Salazar said this year, prospective clients can fill out an intake form, request 12 foods and two toiletries and pick those items up during the kitchen’s hours of operation — the last three Tuesdays of each month.

Salazar said new precautions are being taken by organization members to protect from COVID-19, like glove changes every 30 minutes and pre-bagged items. Volunteers are prepared and ready to take on the challenge even though the territory is unfamiliar, said Kelsey Woodruff,

12.03.20

DNNews

volunteer coordinator.

“It’s definitely new for us,” she said, “[but] I think it’s been going pretty well. We’ve just had to adapt.”

Woodruff said there has been a decrease in clientele in comparison to previous years, but there are still items readily available for those interested in the kitchen. Donations are continuing to be accepted in the Student Voluntary Services office in the Student Center.

“So far, we have had two food drives for our organization,” Salazar said. “Anyone can donate food and toiletry items to Cardinal Kitchen.”

With the university’s decision to go remote after Thanksgiving, Cardinal Kitchen’s last opening was Nov. 24, but Salazar said the kitchen will still accommodate those in need.

“Students that need to use our services can contact [our] email, and we will do an emergency opening,” she said. “This can consist of executive members delivering our food to students in quarantine or scheduling to meet at the Multicultural Center.”

Gbadyu encourages students to utilize the program, especially during tough times this year.

“It’s open to everyone on campus,” she said.

“We are here to help you, and we want others to spread the word since not many people know about the kitchen.”

Contact Grace Bentkowski with comments at gmbentkowski@bsu.edu or on Twitter @gbentkowski.

Learn more about Cardinal Kitchen Cardinal Kitchen is located in the Multicultural Center behind the Student Center.

The kitchen’s last opening for the fall 2020 semester was Nov. 24, but Salazar said students in need can email the kitchen for an emergency opening. Executive members may deliver food to students in quarantine, or students can schedule a time to meet at the pantry.

The kitchen is planning to reopen Jan. 26, 2021, with an update on hours of operation to come.

How to donate to Cardinal Kitchen

Cardinal Kitchen accepts donations through food drives organized by different campus organizations or at the Student Voluntary Services office in the Student Center. Cardinal Kitchen invites anyone to donate food or toiletries to its pantry.

Sources: Lilyana Salazar, Cardinal Kitchen executive director; Kelsey Woodruff, Cardinal Kitchen volunteer coordinator

Food sits in part of the Cardinal Kitchen pantry Nov. 24, 2020, in the Multicultural Center. The kitchen has hosted two food drives during the fall 2020 semester. JADEN WHITEMAN, DN

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Daleville Junior/Senior High School’s new camera equipment sits Nov. 23, 2020. The school received $5,000 from the Community Foundation’s Technology Resilience Initiative, which it has put toward new media equipment for student programs. MELISSA CRIST, PHOTO PROVIDED

ACCESS GRANTED Community Foundation provides technology grants to local schools.

Maya Wilkins Reporter In May 2020, the Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, a local charity that

focuses on bettering the Muncie community, began the K-12 School Technology Resilience Initiative, a program that granted eight public school districts in Delaware County money to better the technology in their districts.

How Delaware County school districts used Community Foundation grants Each school had to be a K-12 public school in Delaware County that would use the funding for technology to qualify for a grant.

The Community Foundation granted each school $2,000 in June 2020, and schools could apply for a second round of funding in July. The amounts granted during the second round of funding are listed below.

Burris Laboratory School: $5,000 for hotspots and subscriptions for student connectivity Cowan Community Schools: $5,000 to support a one-to-one initiative

Daleville Community Schools: $5,000 for new equipment in media classes Delaware Community Schools: $5,000 for hotspots for student connectivity and software for virtual curriculum Liberty-Perry Community Schools: $8,000 for software subscriptions and improved school connectivity Muncie Community Schools: $5,000 for hotspots for student connectivity Wes-Del Community Schools: $5,000 to support credit recovery virtual seats for students Yorktown Community Schools: $5,000 to support virtual curriculum for students

Source: The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc.

“What we found … was that when schools transitioned to all-virtual learning, it just wasn’t an equitable process,” said Marcy Minton, Community Foundation senior program officer.

“Some of them weren’t one-to-one [each student having their own laptop] yet. The parents and families were struggling to connect … Kids in that timeframe got lost with no learning.”

Grants were given to these eight school districts because they serve grades K-12 and are public schools rather than private schools. Minton said private schools didn’t receive the grants because of the funding they already receive from the tuition students pay, and there are a smaller number of

NOW HIRING

private schools in the county.

“It just wasn’t an apples-to-apples comparison with the rest of the school systems,” Minton said.

One of the districts that received a grant from this initiative was Cowan Community Schools, which used the money to begin its one-to-one technology initiative, which includes teacher management software and getting Chromebooks for students.

Timothy Brown, Cowan Community Schools superintendent, said when the district shut down, it had no prior experience with e-learning and was planning on implementing it by having a “practice” e-learning day Saturday, March 14, the day after Cowan shut down.

Parents, its been a long year.

Cardinals, are you great with kids?

Educator positions Enroll them in daycare Children ages 6 weeks to 12 years are eligible. available.

See GRANT, 14

To learn more and apply, visit WWW.GTKIDS.ORG Glad Tidings Church 3001 S. Burlington Drive

(765) 288-7309

DNSports

12.03.20

Goals beyond basketball

07

Football

Plitt, Albright named players of the week Redshirt senior quarterback Drew Plitt and senior linebacker Christian Albright won weekly honors from the Mid-American Conference. Plitt won MAC West Division Offensive Player of the Week, and Albright was named MAC West Division Defensive Player of the Week.

Plitt threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns, and Albright recorded seven tackles in Ball State’s 27-24 win over Toledo Nov. 28.

Women’s Basketball

Cardinals lose first home game of year ELLIOTT DEROSE, DN

Ball State then-redshirt senior K.J. Walton looks for a pass during a game against Indiana State Nov. 17, 2019, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis. With a lighter course load in his final year of college, Walton is taking time to learn about real estate, something he wants to pursue as a career. JACOB MUSSELMAN, DN

K.J. Walton shares his perspective on being a sixth-year senior and post-graduation plans.

Ian Hansen Sports Editor K.J. Walton wanted to do something outside of the box.

The sixth-year senior has been in college for more than half a decade, and basketball is all he has known his whole life. For Walton, something new was necessary.

Real estate was that something, as Walton said he was always intrigued by real estate shows as a kid. Now, he wants

to make a living out of it.

“Coach [Jason Grunkemeyer] actually set me up with somebody that goes to Ball State that is in real estate right now,” Walton said. “I just picked his brain a lot, and it was really interesting.

I have always been a fan of real estate.

I would watch shows on it, and it is something I am for sure going to get into after I graduate.”

Having an interest in both basketball and real estate from a young age, Walton

has found parallels between the two regarding workflow and the time it takes to truly master the craft. “[Real estate] is kind of like basketball in a sense,” Walton said. “When you get into it, it isn’t just a quick payday. You have to really take your time and learn.

You have to really grind because you won’t be a millionaire overnight. You have to work, and work and work. I think that aspect will help me be a better person.”

See WALTON, 08

Ball State (0-2) turned the ball over 21 times in its 73-49 loss to the Jaguars (2-0) Nov. 30. The Cardinals have committed 41 turnovers over their first two games. Junior forward Thelma Dis Agustsdottir led the Cardinals, finishing the game with her first career double-double. She scored 10 points and pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds.

Football

Ball State to play Iowa in 2027 campaign The Cardinals will travel to play the Hawkeyes in seven years. The game is set to take place Saturday, Sept. 4, 2027. Iowa will be paying Ball State $1.6 million of guaranteed money to play this game. The Hawkeyes are 3-0 all time against the Cardinals.

ON BALLSTATEDAILYNEWS.COM: MEN’S BASKETBALL TAKES ON MICHIGAN IN ANN ARBOR

DNSports

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HUNT

Continued from Page 01 Overholt said Hunt competed with a returning senior for the spot and ended up winning the role in the summer heading into his sophomore season.

“He’s a student of the game and a great teammate,” Overholt said. “Anytime you have a smart kid that plays and works hard and cheers for his teammates, I think you’re in a lucky spot. No matter what his role has been, he’s been a great role model for Delta football, and he also just continued to get better on the physical side.”

Hunt echoed similar sentiments when describing his coach of the last four years.

“Coach [Overholt] taught me how to be a better man and how to build relationships with anybody,” Hunt said. “Football teaches you a lot more than what’s on the field, and he’s taught me how to be a good community member, how to be a leader and how to pick guys up when they’re down.”

Overholt said he could tell early on in Hunt’s career he was coaching a potential Division I athlete.

“I thought his sophomore year that he was a Division I guy — a guy that could do it if he had the drive to work and get to that level, especially with his natural body frame and how athletic he is,” Overholt said.

However, football isn’t the only sport where Hunt’s talents lie.

When deciding what school to attend to continue his academic and athletic careers, Hunt also had to choose what sport he wanted to play in college.

While Ball State was the only school to recruit him for football, Indiana Wesleyan offered him a spot on its men’s basketball team.

“I feel like my ceiling is higher in football,” Hunt said. “As far as Ball State goes, they checked off all the boxes that I wanted: great school, great team, great coaches and I get to stay close to home.”

This past season, Hunt led the Eagles to an 8-3 record and their first sectional championship game since 2016. He finished the year completing 76 of 152 passes for 1,078 yards and 14 touchdowns. On the ground, Hunt added 150 carries for 850 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.

Hunt said he is looking forward to running onto the field in Scheumann Stadium come fall 2021 and working his way up the ranks to become the first Delta quarterback to start for the Cardinals since 2012. He added that he hopes his skill set and sense of leadership will bring Ball State a couple of Mid-American Conference Championships along the way.

“This is something that I’ve always dreamed of as a kid: being able to play a sport at the Division I level,” Hunt said. “I’m excited to get in there, get to work, hopefully earn a starting spot and help [Ball State] win a lot of games.”

Contact Evan Weaver with comments at erweaver@bsu.edu or on Twitter at @evan_weaver7.

Delta senior quarterback Brady Hunt keeps the ball for a quarterback draw during a game against the Mount Vernon Marauders Sept. 18, 2020, at Delta High School. Hunt took over the Eagles’ starting quarterback position going into his sophomore year and has held it for the last three years. JACOB MUSSELMAN, DN

WALTON Continued from Page 07

As a sixth-year student, Walton is taking fewer credit hours, which gives him a lot of free time to focus on other responsibilities outside of school.

While he has more time to practice his craft on the court, he is looking for opportunities to better prepare himself for the real estate business.

It is kind of like basketball in a sense. When you get into it, it isn’t just a quick payday. You have to really take your time and learn.

You have to really grind because you won’t be a millionaire overnight.”

- K.J. WALTON, Ball State Men’s Basketball redshirt fifth-year guard “This is for sure the year where I have been the least busy,” Walton said. “I get to talk to a lot of different people, and I’ll get to jobshadow somebody. I get more time to just read

Ball State then-redshirt senior K.J. Walton shakes hands with head coach James Whitford during a game against Indiana State Nov. 17, 2019, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Walton is looking to go beyond basketball by working on getting into real estate along with playing professional basketball after college. JACOB MUSSELMAN, DN

up on different stuff and don’t have to cram all of these tests.”

While Walton continues to enjoy college life, there is still a lot for him to work toward and plenty of goals he wants to achieve. Not only does Walton want to get into real estate, but he also wants to play professional basketball.

“He gets to enjoy the experience,” Ball State Men’s Basketball head coach James Whitford said.

“K.J., who wants [to play professionally], gets another year to develop.”

From a basketball perspective, playing at the collegiate level for so long has given Walton the opportunity to mentor younger players. Walton played two seasons at the University of Missouri before transferring to Ball State. He has played in 105 career games and has started 59 of them. Seeing the game from multiple perspectives has provided him the wisdom he can share with his teammates.

“Being a sixth-year senior gives me the ability to be a great leader,” Walton said. “I’ve been around the block so many times, and have been to different schools and have seen different players and different systems.”

Redshirt senior forward Brachen Hazen said his teammates listen to Walton. Hazen came to Ball State in 2017 — the same year as Walton — and they redshirted together. Hazen described his relationship with Walton as “easy.”

“We would dominate in some practices, and it is just an easy relationship,” Hazen said. “We talk to each other on the court, joke around and encourage each other.”

Walton said being personable and easygoing can also help his younger teammates, and he tries to set a good example for them every day.

4See WALTON, 14

DNLife

12.03.20

Clowns and Cameras Ball State alumnus Brandon Townsend and friends create an award-winning mockumentary about Smokestack the Clown.

09

Ball Bearings

Exploring synesthesia and color blindness An estimated 4 percent of the world’s population experiences synesthesia, which occurs when people experience stimuli in two different modes rather than one, such as feeling colors or tasting words. On the opposite side of the color spectrum, some people cannot experience certain colors because of missing rods in their eyes. BallBearingsMag.com

Online

DOMA celebrates women artists As a part of DOMA’s latest exhibition, “20/20: Twenty Women Artists of the Twentieth Century,” Lillian McClung, senior ceramics and art history major, and Robert LaFrance, director of DOMA, displayed ceramics, paintings and other art forms. McClung said the exhibition shows the importance of understanding how society’s perception about women has changed over the years. BallStateDailyNews.com

See CLOWN, 11

Ball Bearings

Video: Cracking the lavender ceiling

MAGGIE GETZIN, DN

The lavender ceiling is a metaphorical expression to describe workplace discrimination against people in the LGBTQ community.

Addison Smith, an LGBTQ activist and public speaker, said being an ally is about more than just having a friend in the LGBTQ community — it includes standing up and supporting one’s LGBTQ friends as well. BallBearingsMag.com

ON BALLBEARINGSMAG.COM: WHAT ONE SURVIVOR’S SONG MEANS TO SO MANY

DNLife

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Luggage for the long haul Packing tips for coming back to campus after your month-long winter break Sophie Nulph Reporter Every winter, most college students must leave campus after finishing their fall semester. While winter break is an inviting phrase to hear after 16 weeks of classes with no fall break, staying safe amid the coronavirus pandemic has caused extra, unneeded stress this holiday season. As preparing for finals and staying healthy are on students’ minds, here are some quick and easy packing tips to make sure you bring everything back with you to campus in January 2021.

What do I need to pack?

How to know what to pack The easiest way to keep your thoughts clear is to write them all down. Making a list can help reduce the chances of forgetting anything that is vital to your school life, such as a phone charger, laptop, room key and underwear. Creating a packing list can also help prevent overpacking and making an extra elevator trip during the process of moving back to campus.

Take an extra duffel bag with you in case you are bringing more belongings, such as holiday gifts, back to campus than you had left with.

Bringing additional luggage can also help you carry items to campus you need for the spring semester, such as new textbooks, additional school supplies, springtime clothing or any other home items you had forgotten to bring to campus during the fall semester.

You never know what the spring semester might bring, so pack your favorite fancy shoes for any special occasion.

How to pack your belongings Whether you’re hitching a ride with a friend, hopping on an airplane or simply traveling back to campus by car with your parents, it’s important to be aware of how much luggage you’re carrying with you.

Fill your bags until they are full. For example, fill your laundry basket all the way up with bedding and shoes. Put snacks and your coat in your backpack and all of your clothes in a large duffel bag.

Pack your bulky items first. Put all your sweatshirts, sweatpants and big sweaters at the bottom of your luggage bag. Then, fill in your bag’s gaps with smaller, lighter clothing. Instead of folding your clothes, try rolling them, which reduces their size and prevents any immediate wrinkles while your garments are traveling from one hanger to another.

At the top of your suitcase or duffel bag, place your toiletry products, such as your makeup and hair tools. This will help prevent leaks and spills because you’re placing your toiletries in your bag where there is less pressure. This can also help to flatten out the top of the clothes pile, which can help zip your bag closed.

Contact Sophie Nulph with comments at smnulph@bsu.edu.

Clothes: 2 pairs of sweatpants or leggings 2-3 sweatshirts 2-3 pairs of jeans 5 sweaters/long-sleeve shirts 5 T-shirts 2 warm weather hats 2 pairs of gloves 1 coat 1-2 jackets 1 scarf All undergarments 7 pairs of socks 2-3 pair of shorts Shoes: 1 pair of winter boots 1 pair of stylish shoes to wear with nicer outfits 1 pair of tennis/canvas shoes

Because the colder months are finally upon us, it might be a good idea to pack extra accessories that will keep you nice and warm on your way to class.

For those who wear glasses, make sure not to forget your eyes. It’s a good idea to have back ups and contact solution as well.

Toiletries: Toothbrush and toothpaste Shampoo, conditioner, body wash and face wash Glasses or contacts Deodorant Perfume, lotion or cologne Makeup supplies Hair supplies

For plant lovers, make sure to bring your leafy friends back to school to make sure they are taken care of.

Miscellaneous: Plants Pillow and stuffed animal Backpack Laptop Chargers Headphones Textbooks Blanket and snacks for the ride back to campus Water bottle

KAMRYN TOMLINSON, DN

CLOWN Continued from Page 09 Kristine Strosser Reporter Wearing shorts, a T-shirt and a face mask in the summer heat, Brandon Townsend, 2018 Ball State alumnus, spent nearly three months in his hometown of Connorsville, Indiana, loving every minute behind the camera filming “Smokestack.”

“I wanted to make films for as long as I can remember,” Townsend said. “I first started taking it seriously as something that I knew that I wanted to pursue when I was in fourth grade.

Peter Jackson had just released his ‘King Kong’ movie, and I saw an interview with him. It blew my mind because I knew people made movies, but I never really thought about it as something that somebody could do for a career.”

Directed by Townsend, “Smokestack” is a pseudo-documentary about Smokestack the Clown, who was once the host of a children’s TV show.

Vigo Johnson, the actor who plays Smokestack the Clown, created the character when he was in middle school. From 2016-19, Johnson also performed blues music as Smokestack. After meeting up with Townsend at a coffee shop in January 2020, Johnson pitched Townsend the idea of creating a film about his character.

“When I was a kid, I was obsessed with clowns. I absolutely adored clowns. It was my dream job. There was something fantastic about it,” Johnson said. “As I grew older, I suffered with bullying, and I got really into Italian and French sad clown paintings. Eventually, I drew my own sad clown. I made Smokestack as a comic strip character, and it was just very nihilistic. It was like ‘Garfield’ … with four panels and a punchline.”

Townsend’s plans to begin filming “Smokestack” in March were interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Filming was put on hold until July, and when actors weren’t on camera, they were behind the scenes wearing a mask.

Since its release Sept. 26, 2020, the 20-minute film has received more than 22,000 views on Doxby Films’ Facebook page, a film production group established by Townsend and Prince Paradox, who plays the interviewer, Stanley, in “Smokestack.”

At Lift-Off Global Network’s First-Time

Source: Doxby Films MAGGIE GETZIN, DN

11 12.03.20

DNLife

Filmmaker Sessions, “Smokestack” placed sixth out of 123 films. “Smokestack” was also a finalist for the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival’s Independent Short Awards.

“I literally have people recognize me on the street,” Johnson said. “I’ve taken photos with fans. I even got a discount at a pizza joint because people working there had seen the movie, and that’s nuts … We have a massive following.”

Paradox said he met Townsend in a class at Ball State, and they have been friends for

I absolutely adored clowns.

It was my dream job. There was something fantastic about it.”

- VIGO JOHNSON, Actor in “Smokestack” nearly four years. Creating “Smokestack” was Townsend and Paradox’s first outing as Doxby Films. Paradox served as the film’s producer, where he oversaw the finances for creating and promoting the film. As the producer, Paradox said, he also enjoyed “doing the puzzle” to find solutions to any problems the team ran into with keeping on schedule.

“I want people to come up with their own ideas and theories about what [‘Smokestack’] is actually about,” Paradox said. “I’ve seen some really good ones … I really like seeing what people’s own creativity draws from it, bringing the pieces together in their own way to create something entirely new.”

Townsend said his experiences at Ball State helped the entire process of making the film, as he learned how to use filming equipment, frame a shot and edit his projects in his classes.

Paradox also said the bond he and Townsend developed during their classes together at Ball State made for a smooth, easy experience directing and producing “Smokestack.”

“If it weren’t for those opportunities, we wouldn’t have seen the success that we have so far,” Paradox said. “I hope [‘Smokestack’] is a solid platform for people to see what Doxby Films can do and what we have planned moving forward. I hope [‘Smokestack’] is a nice way to assimilate people into our odd style. This is just a good base to jump from for the people who are going to consume our media.”

Contact Kristine Strosser with comments at kristine.271315@nv.ccsd.net or on Twitter @kestrosser.

“Smokestack” is available to watch for free on Doxby Films’ Facebook page and Amazon Prime Video.

Vigo Johnson (left) and Prince Paradox (right) star in Doxby Films’ first film, “Smokestack.” Doxby Films offers “Smokestack” merchandise on Redbubble, including face masks and journals. BRANDON TOWNSEND, PHOTO COURTESY

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DNOpinion

12 12.03.20 Full Dis-Chlo-sure

#BanTheBran The cereal world would be “raisin” our morale if it discontinued Raisin Bran.

While the main ingredients in Raisin Bran are wheat and raisins, it contains around 19 grams of sugar, according to the nutrition facts label. OMARI SMITH, DN ILLUSTRATION Chloe Fellwock is a junior advertising major and writes “Full Dis-Chlo-sure” for The Daily News. Her views do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper.

When I tell you I’m speechless, when I tell you I feel betrayed, when I tell you it took less than a moment for the light to leave my eyes, I Chloe say that with my whole Fellwock Columnist, “Full chest. I wanted to avoid Dis-Chlo-sure” controversy and keep the peace, but an anger which has long remained stagnant within me has been reignited.

At the risk of rambling, I’ll just say it — Raisin Bran should be illegal.

The following is a case for my first point: Raisin Bran looks like straight up vomit when strewn across a college rental.

I’m not sure what I expected a few mornings ago, but as I sipped my coffee and watched “Puppet History” on YouTube, I hoped for the best that day.

I started on my bowl of Raisin Bran.

About halfway through, I remembered I was eating shaved wood with gummy

vitamins and set it aside. I didn’t want it anymore. There was half a bowl of milk-soaked bran flakes and raisins staring up at me and reminding me of my mistake.

As I got up to take the abomination and my empty coffee mug to the dishwasher, something compelled me to dream big and hold both the handle of the mug and the edge of the bowl in the same hand.

That’s when it happened — a slip, shock, fear, pain, confusion and the world’s most disappointing Jackson Pollock painting known to humankind right there in front of me. Everything was over.

Milk and flakes dripped down the wall and the back of my door, seeping into my carpet. I heard every known supernatural force chide, “What have you done” while the milk burrowed deeper and deeper. I suspect my downstairs neighbor may have even felt milk drip on their head. For that, I’m sorry — you were never meant to get caught up in any of this.

How could I let things go this far?

Carpet cleaner is a luxury unknown to this four-bedroom apartment, so I scrubbed the carpet with a Clorox wipe

and prayed my roommates wouldn’t hate me for vacuuming up my breakfast.

Later, I found that, while they didn’t hate me, my roommates had, in fact, heard the sound of a vacuum running mixed with sobs.

This leads me to my second point: Raisin Bran puts roommate relations at a greater risk of negative strain than other breakfast foods.

My dear friends, who I’m so blessed to say I live with, had their rest disturbed because Raisin Bran decided it wasn’t enough to contribute to capitalism. It wanted to steep the market in disquietude and sorrow.

Point No. 3: Raisin Bran has a marketing strategy that’s an insult to the American economy.

It’s skated by for years on the “Two scoops” slogan. First of all, it’s unclear.

Two scoops of what? Raisins, yes, I know. But how is someone who’s never seen the box supposed to know that?

It’s also stupid on the premise that nobody, and I mean nobody, has ever asked for more raisins than were necessary. Why would you advertise something unpleasant? And we’re

ON BYTEBSU.COM: “WHAT HAPPENED WITH QUIBI?”

expected to be enthusiastic? Raisin Bran takes the American people for fools. It’s right, but it shouldn’t take advantage of us.

Point No. 4: Raisin Bran is a hazard to your taste buds.

Choking on food is a huge issue in the United States. According to the National Safety Council, more than 5,000 people choked to death in 2015. Unfortunately, the Bureau of Unedible Cerals has no data on how many of those people choked on Raisin Bran. However, considering Raisin Bran chokes at being a good cereal, I can only imagine this choking has spread to its consumers.

I can understand wanting a healthy cereal, but please believe me when I tell you this is not the way to go. Raisin Bran is a good source of fiber and vitamins, but there are other fiber-rich cereals that include fruit. Even better, they won’t ruin your day — or worse, end your life.

If you feel called to do so, please join me in my Twitter campaign to #BanTheBran.

Contact Chloe Fellwock with comments at cfellwock@bsu.edu or on Twitter @helloitchlo.

13

Coffee, donuts and sandwiches, oh my!

12.03.20

DNNews

KAMRYN TOMLINSON, DN ILLUSTRATION

After almost one year, the Dunkin’ Donuts at 418 S. Tillotson Ave. in Muncie is open for business as of Nov. 23, 2020.

Opening day saw lines out of the parking lot and down the street.

As a part of the opening day festivities, the new store offered each customer a free medium iced or hot coffee.

Events

For more information on the events listed here, visit BallStateDaily.com/Events Enchanted Lumineria Walk • Wednesday, Dec.2 - Saturday, Dec. 5, 5-9p.m.

• Minnetrista Glass Workshop: Etched Ornaments • Tuesday, Dec. 15, 6-9p.m.

• Minnetrista

The sun shines on the new Dunkin’ Donuts Nov. 19, 2020, on South Tillotson Avenue. The structure was formerly a Burger King. JACOB MUSSELMAN, DN

Bob Ross Painting Workshop • Friday, December 18, 6-9p.m.

• Minnetrista Farmers Market at Minnetrista: Indoor Market • Saturday, December 19, 9a.m. - 12p.m.

• Minnetrista Bob Ross Painting Workshop • Saturday, December 19, 6-9p.m.

• Minnetrista Artwork of East Central Indiana: Minnetrista Award Winners • Now-January 10, 2021 • Minnetrista

A sign for the Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru sits Nov. 19, 2020, in Muncie. Construction finished up during the days leading up to the opening of the restaurant. JADEN WHITEMAN, DN

A car drives by an exit sign in the parking lot of the new Dunkin’ Donuts Nov. 19, 2020, on South Tillotson Avenue.

JACOB MUSSELMAN, DN

Mission Aerospace • Now-February 14 • Minnetrista Bob Ross at Home: Artists, Teacher, Friend • Now- August 15 • Minnetrista Bob Ross Experience • October 31- August 15 • Minnetrista Ball State Daily Events are looking for a new sponsor!

Want to buy an events package? $50 a month for on-campus customers and $75 for off campus customers.

Email mckinleyave@bsu.edu for more information.

A line of cars sits outside Dunkin’ Donuts during opening day Nov. 23, 2020, in Muncie. There were 25 cars lined up at 5 p.m. JADEN WHITEMAN, DN

DNNews

12.03.20

14

GRANT Continued from Page 06

“We literally planned the whole year for just a couple days of e-learning, and then, 22 e-learning days later, we still had it in place,” Brown said.

Prior to receiving the grants from the Community Foundation, Cowan had some technology in its schools, with computer carts students could use in their classes, but nothing they could take home.

With the grant from the Community Foundation, Cowan was able to order individual computers for each student to use.

Brown said the district ordered these computers in June, but due to supply chain backup, it hasn’t received them yet. Grades five through 12 are already one-to-one, and the rest will be one-to-one when the district receives its order.

Brown said Cowan is “blessed” with what it has received from the Community Foundation as well as what it has received from other organizations that have helped the district with its technology needs.

“We’re just very thankful for the opportunity to celebrate the foundation and their folks because the work is much appreciated,” he said.

In addition to Cowan Community Schools, Daleville Community Schools has also received grant money from the Community Foundation, which it is putting toward new equipment for media

classes, such as cameras, tripods and computers.

“We redid the library and built a studio two years ago,” said Melissa Crist, adviser for the media department at Daleville Junior/ Senior High School. “This is our third year with a grant from the

Being able to have professional equipment puts the kids ahead of some other schools that are better off financially than we are, and that are bigger than we are and have competitive equipment.”

- MELISSA CRIST, Adviser for the Daleville Junior/Senior High School media department Ball Brothers Foundation, so the money from the Community Foundation has helped us on the broadcast side to double the amount of equipment that we have.”

Crist said with the money Daleville received from the Community Foundation, more students are able to get involved

with media programs, giving them an opportunity they wouldn’t have had before.

“I think it’s really a benefit to the kids, especially in a district as small as Daleville, that there are groups in the community that help us with grants,” Crist said. “Being able to have professional equipment puts the kids ahead of some other schools that are better off financially than we are, and that are bigger than we are and have competitive equipment.”

Each of the districts that received money from the Community Foundation used it for different projects to make technological advances in their schools and make virtual learning more accessible for students, teachers and parents.

Contact Maya Wilkins with comments at mrwilkins@bsu.edu or on Twitter @mayawilkinss.

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Then-redshirt senior guard K.J. Walton falls back after defending a shot Nov. 17, 2019, at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Walton led the team in scoring in its first game of the 202021 season. JACOB MUSSELMAN, DN FILE

WALTON Continued from Page 08

“Being the oldest guy, you for sure have to lead by example,” Walton said. “There are freshmen and sophomores who look at you. That is the biggest thing and just leaving an impression on them.”

Not only has this much time in college given Walton wisdom, but it has helped him mentally. He said there have been times where he has been burned out, but he knows he still has a responsibility as a crucial piece to his team.

In Ball State’s first game of the 2020-21 season against Northern Kentucky Nov. 25, Walton scored a career-high 28 points and added 11 rebounds. He echoed everything he talked about with his performance as far as being mentally locked in and focused.

“When you have done something for so long, you kind of get tired of it,” Walton said. “It helps my mental capacity to be able to keep working and keep striving for our goals.”

Walton’s goals are large. Not only is he working toward professions with basketball and real estate, but he is trying to lead his team to a Mid-American Conference Championship and, eventually, the NCAA Tournament.

“It’s been a weird year with everything going on,” Walton said.

“It has been crazy, so if we get there, I won’t be surprised.”

Whitford said he is proud of who Walton is and believes he embodies everything he would want in both a player and a person.

“K.J. is often quiet as a mouse,” Whitford said, “but he models the right behavior every day. He is a total team player, he has a great work ethic, he is a great representative of his family, our program, and he is a guy that I really admire.”

Contact Ian Hansen with comments at imhansen@bsu.edu or on Twitter @ianh_2.

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DNSports

Updates under the lights

Ball State redshirt senior linebacker Jaylin Thomas looks back at the sideline while celebrating a defensive stop Nov. 11, 2020, at Scheumann Stadium. JACOB MUSSELMAN, DN

Northern Illinois redshirt junior cornerback Dillon Thomas tackles Ball State senior running back Caleb Huntley Nov. 18, 2020, at Scheumann Stadium. JADEN WHITEMAN, DN

Ball State Football is almost finished with its 2020 season.

With only two games left to play, the Cardinals stand with a 3-1 record, good for second place in the Mid-American Conference West Division. Senior running back Caleb Huntley has led the offense with 437 rushing yards and six touchdowns. On defense, redshirt senior linebacker Brandon Martin has led the way with 49 tackles. The Cardinals will finish the regular season with a Dec. 5 game at Central Michigan and a home game against Western Michigan Dec. 12.

Ball State senior wide receiver Justin Hall warms up with his team Nov. 18, 2020, at Scheumann Stadium. JADEN WHITEMAN, DN

Ball State senior running back Caleb Huntley breaks through the Eastern Michigan defensive line for a run Nov. 11, 2020, at Scheumann Stadium. JACOB MUSSELMAN, DN

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